Welcome aboard guest expectations

[Mile High Dream]

Looking for your ideas on a "Welcome aboard" list for guest's arrival. Not a packing list, rather an outline to carry on a conversation that sets the expectations for the week. Examples of topics are safety, water use, toilets, kitchen and food, respect, communication, etc. Do you have a list you would like to share? Or know where to locate one? Thanks, Single sailor who often has neophyte guests

[Cap Erict3]

They need to know how to work the head, no doubt. I had a bunch of pocket T's made up that I give to crew for a memento of the passage. I don't want people high underway. Control visits on deck after dark and in rough weather. The right shoes.

[desodave]

And tell them never to wrap a sheet around their hand to get a better grip on it

[aclmck]

Originally Posted by Mile High Dream

Looking for your ideas on a "Welcome aboard" list for guest's arrival. Not a packing list, rather an outline to carry on a conversation that sets the expectations for the week. Examples of topics are safety, water use, toilets, kitchen and food, respect, communication, etc. Do you have a list you would like to share? Or know where to locate one? Thanks, Single sailor who often has neophyte guests

i always hand out a little sheet that has several points pertaining to my boat it lists what to do/don't and what to do in an emergency, i explain how to start engines etc etc, i use it more of a safety thing but everyone tells me latter how informative it was and how they felt so much safer, knowing what i expected of them, pretty simply stuff really like getting permission to jump off the boat,(nearly ran over a bloke while string an anchor when i was not aware that he jumped off the boat, he thought we were anchored)You have the makings keep it short say 10 points and explain each point to your guests before departure.

[doublewide]

We send two letters to our guest crew that outline our expectations and prepare them for life on board. This has been very successful. You may PM me if you want a copy. We also always do a boat show and safety briefing in person the first day new crew come aboard.

[sailing_gal]

I have learned that it is good to tell guests that while they are allowed to turn on switches on the breaker, they are not allowed to ever turn one off. I also tell them to bring soft luggage (that can be squished), and no more than one duffel per person.

Then I assume they know nothing and go over use of the head, conservation of fresh water, conservation of energy in general, location of all fire extinguishers and a primer on the use of the VHF to call for help in an emergency. I find out if they can swim, discuss PFD use. As a minimum.

[Scott Berg]

We also have both a welcome letter and a 5 page document specific to both our boat and our lifestyle. We also send a copy of this (on loan, we have 4 copies) to guests in advance to give them a good sense of what to expect in general. https://www.amazon.com/Guest-Afloat-...s=guest+afloat

[Cadence]

If you hadn't eaten it first don't flush it. Posted in the head.

[zeehag]

guests means passengers means captains license mandatory.
no thanks. i have share the sail crew.
nothing more.
and rarely do i request those.
i have learned to hire local hands.
i will vet for sharing the sail as i have been doing, online then in person on board for a duration dependent on their attitude, abilities to learn, follow instructions, and respect the boat its owner and ships cat.
my crews have generally only brought that which is mandatory for wearing in x number of days, used as a pillow off watch.

[barnakiel]

I found it is a good idea only to talk the things most guest do wrong every time.

So probably very very basic deck safety and then also marine toiled use. Skip the rest.

Information overload starts very early with modern folks. They tend to focus for maybe like 1 minute at a time, maybe 3 minutes when it is about food or sex. The rest of the time they are either distracted or texting.

Cheers,
b.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

I found it is a good idea only to talk the things most guest do wrong every time.

So probably very very basic deck safety and then also marine toiled use. Skip the rest.

Information overload starts very early with modern folks. They tend to focus for maybe like 1 minute at a time, maybe 3 minutes when it is about food or sex. The rest of the time they are either distracted or texting.

Cheers,
b.

You missed one thing. The captain is always the captain. to many cooks spoil the broth.

[TheThunderbird]

Guests!? No more, thank you.

If l need to teach, i prefer to be paid as a consultant. Enough

20years ago there were sea enthusiasts
Now, just free time users

[NewMoon]

We've had many guests over many years on our 26-foot power boat, typically for two weeks at a time. Most are repeats by now, but for new guests, we have a one-pager, which we ask them to read in advance, to give them an overview to start a discussion. We don't try to explain using the toilet in writing -- that's one-on-one personal instruction.

Here's our one-pager:

Introduction for Guests On Board

1. BE CAREFUL – YOU COULD GET HURT

Know where to find (and how to use) Safety Gear:
PFD’s
Throw Cushions
Throw Rope
Fire Extinguishers
First Aid Kit

Move SLOWLY around the boat. Use the handholds.

Before you step up onto anything, look first, and get a good handhold.

If you sit on the gunwale, hold onto something solid. Don’t sit on the transom door.

Don’t put any part of yourself between boat and dock.

Don’t leave the cabin door open while we’re underway, unless it’s securely latched open. It’s heavy, and it can slam closed very suddenly. Ask for help if you need it.

At Lake Powell: protect yourself from strong sun and dehydration, with sunglasses, sunscreen and long clothing. Drink plenty of water.

FOR YOUNGER BOATERS

Ask for help if you want something from the refrigerator.
Ask for help if you want to open or close the transom door.
Don’t step up on the gunwales, go up on top, out to the bow, or out onto the swim step,
without wearing your PFD, and getting permission.


2. RESPECT the BOAT and EQUIPMENT

ONLY non-marking shoes are OK on board.
Keep your shoes clean, so you can help keep the deck clean and not damaged.
Keep seats and bedding clean. Keep shoes (or anything else dirty) off.

Be especially careful not to spill stuff. If a spill does happen, ask for cleanup help.

Use the toilet exactly as instructed – make sure you know how, or get help.
It’s not just like a home toilet.

Put things away when you’re done with them.
Don’t leave stuff out loose – it tends to go flying.

Don’t push any buttons or flip any switches without permission.

Don’t waste fresh water. Turn it on VERY slowly, and run it ONLY while you are actually using it.
Be careful with the hot water – it’s really hot.


3. RESPECT the ENVIRONMENT and OTHER BOATERS

No garbage overboard or on shore. Put garbage into the right containers on board.

No loud noises early in the morning or late in the evening.


4. LEARN HOW TO CALL FOR HELP IN AN EMERGENCY

Find out how to make a call on the radio, and how to tell the boat’s position.

[MarkJ]

Yesterday I read, incredulously, an 18 page memo to guests. Ridiculous. As a guest I would just get off.

My thoughts are:
Keep it simple.
Do not use nautical slang.
Use real words simply, honestly and directly stated.
If its more than 1 page edit it.
Keep it simple.


My pet hates are phrases like:
"One hand for the boat and one hand for yourself." What does that mean? What the hell does a non-boaty person understand by it? Nothing. Just be honest, straight forward and blunt. "Always hold on. If you must hold something else always hold on with 1 hand"

"If you haven't eaten it don't flush it". What does that mean to a non-boaty person? Just be straight forward: "feaces and urine only. No tampons, pads or condoms, no paper, no hair, no cotton threads."

Using cutsey little sayings is a breach of safety in that you have no idea if the listener understands.


Mark

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Yesterday I read, incredulously, an 18 page memo to guests. Ridiculous. As a guest I would just get off.

My thoughts are:
Keep it simple.
Do not use nautical slang.
Use real words simply, honestly and directly stated.
If its more than 1 page edit it.
Keep it simple.


My pet hates are phrases like:
"One hand for the boat and one hand for yourself." What does that mean? What the hell does a non-boaty person understand by it? Nothing. Just be honest, straight forward and blunt. "Always hold on. If you must hold something else always hold on with 1 hand"

"If you haven't eaten it don't flush it". What does that mean to a non-boaty person? Just be straight forward: "feaces and urine only. No tampons, pads or condoms, no paper, no hair, no cotton threads."

Using cutsey little sayings is a breach of safety in that you have no idea if the listener understands.


Mark

Anyone stupid enough to not understand, "If you haven't eaten it don't flush it." should not be aboard.