Crew Wanted: For November '09

[oscar pott]

S.V. NAUTILUS (Morgan 46 ketch, very well equipped and kept up incl. SPOT GPS TRACKER) is looking for one or two crew for a trip from Curacao to the Bahamas and /or Florida via D.R. (4-6 weeks from 11/1/09)
crew would be expected to pay for their flights and travelling and sharing food cost. Skipper is very experienced sailor/liveaboard (ocean crossings, Med, N.Sea,Baltic, years of Caribbean. Ask for details by e-mail : sunseasand2222@yahoo.com

[osirissail]

Try listing on Find a Crewâ„¢ Worldwide - The World's largest Online Marine Crew Network or Welcome to the Seven Seas Cruising Association and other forums with "crew" sections.

[Sandero]

Why are you asking people who are helping you to bear the expenses? What's up with that?

[osirissail]

It is very normal in shared sailing that each person takes care of their own expenses. 1. Instead of paying for their passage on the boat, the guest crew, take care of their own personal expenses - transportation to/from, their own food and personal requirements and tourism expenses.
2. These guest crew are not professionals experienced in vessel deliveries so do not get wages/compensation. If they did the boat, captain/owner, etc. would have to comply with all the legal "commercial business" regulations and requirements.

[robw_fl]

Yeah, people do it all kinds of ways...some cover expenses for crew, some expect crew to split everything, or even cover all their own costs. And yep, some even pay a little...all depends on the boat/owner/captain.

Anyway, I would suggest checking out floatplan as well. Loads of people on there looking to crew to just about anywhere. You can also post a listing that you're looking for crew.

Maybe you've already checked these sites out, but just in case.

Good luck, and enjoy the ride.

Rob

[osirissail]

Here is an extract from USA Federal Law I found at: http://vbsf.net/coastgaurd/Operators.pdf

>>>>>>>>>>>> The question of at what point an individual becomes a “passenger for hire” has caused confusion but is very straightforward. “Passenger for hire” means a passenger for whom consideration is contributed as a condition of carriage, whether directly or indirectly flowing to the owner, charterer, operator, agent, or any other person having interest in the vessel (46 CFR 24.10-1). Therefore, requiring strangers to share expenses constitutes a passenger for hire operation.
“Consideration” means an economic benefit or profit including payment of money or donation of fuel, food, beverage, or supplies. It does not include a voluntary sharing of the actual expense of the voyage (46 CFR 175.400).
If a vessel carries just one individual passenger, or “hop on,” who provides anything more than a voluntary sharing of the actual cost of the trip, the vessel is operating as a passenger vessel and requires a Coast Guard licensed operator.....<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

- - The operative word in the above is "actual". I translate this to: if you are paying a preset amount for anything - food, fuel, etc. prior to the voyage that constitutes a commercial operation with all the licensing, inspection, etc. needed. However, either after the voyage or after the actual purchase and payment for a particular aspect of the voyage/cruise - and then the "actual" cost is divided appropriately, - then the operation is not commercial. For example, after the food, etc. is purchased; and then the receipts are tallied and the "guest crew" person pays their appropriate share - the operation is non-commercial. Obviously maintenance, depreciation and other "fixed" expenses of the boat are excluded from any sharing but fair division of "actual" incurred costs are allowed. To be nitty pickie about it. Paying for a share of fuel already in the tank is not allowed, but paying for a share of the "refueling" is allowed as the refueling is "actual" cost of the cruise. And, this is only applicable to USA regulations on USA private recreational vessels. Other countries have different regulations or even no regulations - although I can safely say that almost every country will want a "cut of the action" as "charter fees/licenses" if you operate inside their waters.
- - - To the prospective crew person, all this is only relevant if you expect "something for your money." Such as liability protection, insurance protection, immunity from foreign/domestic prosecution for illegal activities of the boat or other crew, or safety and professional abilities of the master and ship.
- - - There are good examples of "crew agreements" available on the internet which can be illuminating about your responsibilities and rights as a paid, paying, or volunteer/sharing crew person. The California cruising magazines and websites have great examples of "crew agreements" worth looking at for protection from unanticipated consequences.
- - Normally if you follow the most restrictive requirements (e.g. the USA rules) you probably will not have any problems with other countries around the world.

[nautical62]

Osirissail: So glad you included the foot note defining consideration. All too often people miss that and misunderstand that rule.

[Jewels]

Hi Oscar
Hi
I am seeking crew opportunities,
My sailing experience includes racing dinghes nationally since the age of 11 and yacht cruising and racing.
I am looking to further my yachting experience and see more of the Caribbean.
I will be heading out to the Caribbean in January '10.
Best Wishes
sugar7dumpling@yahoo.co.uk

[osirissail]

Jewels - you may want to read through the CF thread
Cruisers & Sailing Forums > The Life Aquatic Aboard a Boat > Provisioning: Food & Drink Provisioning: Who Picks Up the Tab?