Pascagoula native Nelson Walker sailing across the world

Pascagoula, Miss. (WXXV)- May 7 marks one year since Pascagoula native Nelson Walker set sail to circumnavigate the globe. He left from the Singing River Yacht Club.

Since then, he has made it across the Pacific Ocean into Polynesia.

“Well, I think like all young college students… Once you’re done with college, there is not a clear direction after that,” said Walker.

Walker says his plan to sail across the world started after he read a book. That book was called “Sailing Alone Across the World” by Joshua Slocum, the first man to circumnavigate the globe in 1897.

Walker had never sailed before, deciding at that moment to learn and sail the globe.

“You can never really do anything by yourself, I had lots of really supportive people and teachers along the way. For the most part, it was going out there and making mistakes.”

He set sail from the Singing River Yacht Club on May 7th, 2025. It was raining when he set out, Walker said it didn’t feel promising at the time. He says the time came and he needed to go.

“Once I went through the Panama Canal, I think it kind of clicked for a lot of people that I’m doing it. People from all over wishing me well, but I couldn’t do it without the support of the Singing River Yacht Club and my wonderful family.”

Walker has been to eight countries so far, his most recent being Fiji. When I talked to him, he was docked in Pago Pago, American Samoa. When stopping in a country, Walker makes it a point to stop for at least a month.

“Since I’ve been out here, I do the odd job here and there. I have a sewing machine so I’m able to fix people’s sails or do canvas jobs. That gives me a little pocket money.”

Walker says the hospitality of locals is amazing to see. He added when he arrives at a country, he finds a group to fall in with.

“I’ve noticed that I’ve become more outgoing and I wonder if it has something to do with the fact I’m so alone all the time. Compared to crossing the Pacific, what’s talking to strangers?”

Starlink has been Walker’s link to the outside world, keeping up with news cycles throughout his journey. An interesting subject he touched on is while in Panama, he saw U.S. warships on the way to Venezuela ahead of capturing President Maduro.

“There’s definitely been periods of homesickness, I think of Pascagoula all the time. I’m always calling my friends back home. Turning back is not really an option, so even if you wanted nothing more than being off the ride, you have to ride it out.”

Walker says he looks forward to arriving at home and seeing those familiar faces. He expects to return home after two years.

“As I gain more experience, I speed up. Right now in the Pacific, there are a lot of places to see. As I get into the Indian Ocean and especially the Atlantic, those go away. I can expect those to take less time. I’m hoping to be back before my 26th birthday, January of next year.”

Fun fact, we both share a birthday! Walker is writing a book on his journey as well. He says he is trying to live in the moment, but his big dream is to start a business.

“You don’t know what you don’t know before you start, so just start. No matter how big or complicated or daunting something looks like, it’s a series of small steps. Chances are, you can do a small step. When I started this, if I had known how difficult it was going to be I never would have started.”

He says no matter what the dream is, just start and you’ll figure it out.