Trusted by Race Teams — World Sailing Safety Certification — International Route Planning Experts

About John Schafer

Captain John Schafer is a globally recognized safety innovator, offshore sailor, and team-building expert with over 40 years of experience in high-risk leadership. As a U.S. Army veteran and one of the first Humanitarian Security Officers, he has advised global NGOs and government leaders on how to lead and respond under pressure — from war zones to regattas.

He helped shape international safety initiatives such as the UN’s “Saving Lives Together” and the White House Office of Hostage Affairs, and founded the International NGO Safety and Security Association.

Today, as a certified US Sailing Safety at Sea Moderator and a trusted voice on YouTube, Schafer brings proven crisis leadership tools to crews, companies, and organizations worldwide.

On-the-Water Coaching

One-on-One or Team-Based — On Your Boat

Looking to level up your leadership, confidence, and crisis readiness on the water? Book a private session with John Schafer for direct, hands-on coaching tailored to your goals.

BOOK your coach

One-on-one coaching for captains, delivery skippers, or offshore racers
Small group and full crew coaching also available
Communication, leadership, and real-time decision-making under pressure
Customized for skill level, route, and type of operation

Speaking Services

Teamwork. Leadership. Safety that Transforms Culture.

John Schafer is a sought-after speaker and YouTube personality known for delivering unforgettable keynotes and leadership training grounded in real-world crisis experience. From war zones to ocean races, his stories and frameworks leave lasting impact.

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Popular Topics:

Four Rules of Teamwork Transform communication, trust, and accountability.
Leaders Lead Inspire clarity, confidence, and action under pressure.
Crisis Tabletop Simulations Full-day management exercise to test and improve your crisis response.
Safety at Sea Seminars As a US Sailing-approved moderator, Schafer brings Safety at Sea training to life.

Signature Talks

🎤 Four Rules of Teamwork

🎤 Crisis Tabletop Simulations

🎤 Four Rules of Teamwork

The Four Rules of Teamwork help leaders create a culture where safety is openly discussed without fear. By applying these principles, teams move from maintaining the status quo to exceeding goals through trust, accountability, and shared success.

🎤 Leaders Lead

🎤 Crisis Tabletop Simulations

🎤 Four Rules of Teamwork

Drawing from decades of high-stakes leadership — from humanitarian crises to offshore racing — Schafer helps leaders identify blind spots, build resilient teams, and lead with purpose. His keynotes inspire clarity, collaboration, and real-world performance at every level.

🎤 Crisis Tabletop Simulations

This full-day tabletop simulation challenges your leadership team to think fast, adapt, and uncover weaknesses before a real crisis does. Built by global crisis experts, this proven program has transformed how major NGOs prepare for the unexpected.

🎤 Safety at Sea Seminars

🎤 Crisis Tabletop Simulations

Book Schafer to lead your US Sailing Safety at Sea seminar. As a certified moderator, he delivers hands-on, engaging sessions. Complete your hands-on course within 365 days of your Offshore training to earn the International Offshore Certificate.

Groundbreaking Thought Leadership

In the News

Somali Piracy

In the News

Context for small operations in high security locations. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2010/03/10/smaller-charities-sometimes-ill-prepared/24010855007/

Cited work

Somali Piracy

In the News

Schafer provided a groundbreaking mode in security collaboration. Cited in research. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0095327X12446923?download=true&journalCode=afsa

Somali Piracy

Schafer Speaks to World Bank

Provides context for Somalia Piracy attacks on Aid Workers https://www.npr.org/2009/04/13/103035759/somali-pirates-threaten-revenge

Schafer Speaks to World Bank

United Nations "Stay and Deliver"

Schafer Speaks to World Bank

Focus on Road Traffic Accidents abroad ". http://michelleyeoh.info/MakeRoadsSafe/makeroadssafe_101409.html

United Nations "Stay and Deliver"

Providing insight into operations in high-risk locations https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/sites/default/files/migrated/2014-11/TO%20STAY%20AND%20DELIVER%20Good%20practice%20for%20humanitarians%20in%20complex%20security%20environments.pdf

Harvard Good Practice Review

United Nations "Stay and Deliver"

Program advice for Security abroad

https://hhi.harvard.edu/files/humanitarianinitiative/files/training_humanitarian_professionals_at_a_distance_testing_the_feasibility_of_distance_learning_with_humanitarian_professionals.pdf?m=1614970246

Profiled

Vanity Fair

Groundbreaking Work in Security Collaboration

Schafer provides expertise and comments in Vanity Fair. Bryan Burrough on Richard Engel’s Syria Mistake, and How NBC Avoided Another Scandal | Vanity Fair

Groundbreaking Work in Security Collaboration

Schafer provided a groundbreaking work in security collaboration. A framework for "Saving Lives Together" a security program for UN and NGOs to share important information.. Microsoft Word - SCBPG-2010-FINAL.docx

Rescue in Congo

Groundbreaking Work in Security Collaboration

Most Influential Persons in Security

Story of rescue coordination in the Congo https://www.devex.com/news/in-conflict-zones-aid-gets-defensive-29207

Most Influential Persons in Security

Schafer selected as one of the "Most Influential Persons in Security". The Most Influential People in Security 2013 | 2013-09-01 | Security Magazine

Corporate Lawyers Association

Most Influential Persons in Security

Corporate Lawyers Association

Schafer speaks to the In-house Corporate Lawyers Association on "Duty of Care" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmJDazaGfqw

NPR Interview

Most Influential Persons in Security

Corporate Lawyers Association

Schafer on Aid Worker assaults https://www.npr.org/2009/11/17/120459085/as-risks-rise-aid-agencies-struggle-to-adapt

Trusted by Race Teams — World Sailing Safety Certification — International Route Planning Experts

Coaching & Speaking

About John Schafer

▶️ Meet John on YouTube | Ministry of Sailing

On-the-Water Coaching

Download Safety Equipment Checklist

Speaking Services

Signature Talks

🎤 Four Rules of Teamwork

🎤 Crisis Tabletop Simulations

🎤 Four Rules of Teamwork

🎤 Leaders Lead

🎤 Crisis Tabletop Simulations

🎤 Four Rules of Teamwork

🎤 Crisis Tabletop Simulations

🎤 Crisis Tabletop Simulations

🎤 Crisis Tabletop Simulations

🎤 Safety at Sea Seminars

🎤 Crisis Tabletop Simulations

🎤 Crisis Tabletop Simulations

Photo Gallery

Groundbreaking Thought Leadership

In the News

Somali Piracy

In the News

Cited work

Somali Piracy

In the News

Somali Piracy

Somali Piracy

Schafer Speaks to World Bank

Schafer Speaks to World Bank

United Nations "Stay and Deliver"

Schafer Speaks to World Bank

United Nations "Stay and Deliver"

United Nations "Stay and Deliver"

United Nations "Stay and Deliver"

Harvard Good Practice Review

United Nations "Stay and Deliver"

United Nations "Stay and Deliver"

Profiled

Vanity Fair

Groundbreaking Work in Security Collaboration

Groundbreaking Work in Security Collaboration

Groundbreaking Work in Security Collaboration

Groundbreaking Work in Security Collaboration

Groundbreaking Work in Security Collaboration

Rescue in Congo

Groundbreaking Work in Security Collaboration

Most Influential Persons in Security

Most Influential Persons in Security

Most Influential Persons in Security

Most Influential Persons in Security

Corporate Lawyers Association

Most Influential Persons in Security

Corporate Lawyers Association

NPR Interview

Most Influential Persons in Security

Corporate Lawyers Association

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