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**weavis** · 28-11-2015, 00:21

There are too many problems in setting up an international helpline.

From observation. The non commercial boating community is a fairly small one. It soon becomes noticeable that an individual has an issue. The situation is the same as on land. They can call a local charity or helpline when in Port. They can talk with other boaters when in dock.

There are two issues here. Mental health and social interaction. Mental health in a foreign country via a long distance call is not going to help overmuch. At the end of the day, local police and or health pro's are going to be called in.

Social interaction (loneliness) is met by the boaters talking to one another.

Here in the UK. There are levels of counselor training from a 6 week first responder to professional training in therapist counselor. All levels carry a degree of legal responsibility.

The target community is not one where a high need exists. Liveaboards fall into 2 categories, the genuine traveling liveaboard and the folk who live on a boat due to circumstances. The latter will probably be well know to the police and or Social services and frequent certain areas in their own community. These have a wide range of services available to them.

Most boaters are self sufficient, resourceful and pretty happy with their lifestyle. For the few with issues, drinking, grief, loneliness, then help is available in the ports professionally and via the boaters themselves. Im sure we have all encouraged or aided fellow boaters just by our presence sometimes...... and sometimes helped someone through a small crisis.

An alcoholic is an alcoholic whether he lives on a boat or on land. he has counselling available to him and PROBABLY will need to go on land for a while to be helped.

I see logistically no special need for a boaters helpline.

Pelagic · 28-11-2015, 00:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by weavis

.

I see logistically no special need for a boaters helpline.

I agree....god help us if we are targeted for being different and/or anti social!

**weavis** · 28-11-2015, 00:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelagic

I agree....god help us if we are targeted for being different and/or anti social!

I hope they never find out we are........

Goosebumps · 28-11-2015, 03:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelagic

I agree....god help us if we are targeted for being different and/or anti social!

That is exactly what happens. Anyone who entered a foreign country after a passage will agree that a yacht cruiser will be looked upon as different, probably suspected of being very wealthy, someone to be treated with suspicion. There is an old Dutch song suggesting sailors have to be men with beards:

All those who want to sail to the Cape

Should men with beards
Jan , Pier, Tjores and Corneel
They have beards who have beards
Jan , Pier, Tjores and Corneel
They have beards , they sail along
All those dirty lusts tweebak
Should men with beards
Jan , Pier, Tjores and Corneel
They have beards who have beards
Jan , Pier, Tjores and Corneel
They have beards , they sail along
All those nip posh pijpkens
Should men with beards
Jan , Pier, Tjores and Corneel
They have beards who have beards
Jan , Pier, Tjores and Corneel
They have beards , they sail along
All those with us the walrus throats
Should men with beards

Mind you I personnaly think women make great sailors and are often more robust than men!

Canibul · 28-11-2015, 04:12

Not a word about the bearded women who sail......this is falling apart already.

Goosebumps · 28-11-2015, 05:29

The song was in use in 17th Century.

Goosebumps · 08-12-2015, 22:20

Summarizing, we cannot but recognize that liveaboard life, with its very different challenges, makes for a very special environment . These specifics are difficilt to explain to non-liveaboard counsellors. Therefore it is usefull considering help, assistance, counselling options.

Lizzy Belle · 09-12-2015, 07:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goosebumps

There is an old Dutch song suggesting sailors have to be men with beards
//
Mind you I personnaly think women make great sailors and are often more robust than men!

You seem to have missed what the song is about.
The men having to have beards means it's not for everyone, and you have to be cut out for it.
Personally, I think that's very true.
Especially when you consider the song dates back to the late 1800's, early 1900's.
Not many watermakers, freezers or airco's around in them days

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goosebumps

Therefore it is usefull considering help, assistance, counselling options.

I'll ask you again: what is stopping you?
If there's people in need of your help, go help them!

Posting here isn't helping anyone. It's somewhat entertaining, I'll give you that, but not very helpful.
I don't understand why you're wasting time trying to convince us we need help.
We're fine! We're helping those around us that need & want help.

Curious Sailor · 09-12-2015, 07:34

Wow very interesting thread.. When I first read the title I thought it was possibly describing a support line for when a cruiser experiences technical or mechanical issues in areas they are not familiar with. As I read through the thread though it appears to be more of an emotional support thing. Cool concept but risky if you don't have people trained to recognize warning signs of emotional stress on the other end... Just my thoughts on your idea.

Going back to what I originally envisioned, wouldn't it be nice to have a network map of sailor friendly land lubbers that could be contacted in case of emergency? A contact at every port for a ride to a marina, or gas station, or a place to stay for a night with a hot meal and shower... An international bat signal if you will for when you find yourself in that harrowing situation and realize, "All is not Lost..." ( sorry that was a silly movie reference lol)

Anyway good luck with your idea...

Lizzy Belle · 09-12-2015, 07:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curious Sailor

A contact at every port for a ride to a marina, or gas station, or a place to stay for a night with a hot meal and shower...

If you ever find yourself in the Netherlands, we have that in place.
For rides to where ever you need to be: public transport, taxi etc.
For a bed and meals, we have hotels, B&B's etc.

Here in Rotterdam, this system seems to work wonderfully well for the many international sailors visiting.

Curious Sailor · 09-12-2015, 08:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lizzy Belle

If you ever find yourself in the Netherlands, we have that in place.
For rides to where ever you need to be: public transport, taxi etc.
For a bed and ...

I like the way they think! Just added Rotterdam to my list of destinations.. But in the warm months only... Lol

Lizzy Belle · 09-12-2015, 08:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curious Sailor

I But in the warm months only

Good thinking

I'm typing this from City Marina Rotterdam, and my fingers are almost too cold to type

Time to put the heater on.

But if you ever do find yourself on this side of the pond: great marina (very close to sea), lots of liveaboards and Rotterdam is worth a few days of sightseeing

barnakiel · 09-12-2015, 09:04

Definitely, people who need a broker, a surveyor, an insurer, another partner, an other hull and a crane for lifting their labrador (in their Yamaha 40 hp rib) onboard while circumnavigating (Coney Island, mostly) will need one.

I am about to start up a bank catering exclusively for this niche.

b.

Curious Sailor · 09-12-2015, 09:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lizzy Belle

Good thinking

I'm typing this from City Marina Rotterdam, and my fingers are almost too cold to type

Time to put the heater on.

Awesome... Same for you... It's a very chilly 26celsius here in Florida too. And also some very nice marinas to visit as well as the giant mouse called Micky!