Crew Wanted: Things you should know before volunteering

[coffsguy]

Stories abound in various CF threads of volunteer crew arriving at a vessel to find the skipper and his boat nothing like as portrayed in the crew wanted posting ... check out a very informative thread "Checklist for volunteer crew'.

As enticing as it might be for aspiring novices anyone hopping on a boat intending to make an extended blue-water passage is putting their lives and well-being in the hands of an unfamiliar skipper/owner, other crew, and the boat itself.

Take for instance a pacific crossing which is around 9,000 nautical miles. In some places the nearest assistance could be over 1,500 nautical miles away (a minimum 12-14 days sailing time). Something as simple as a failed impeller or belt could potentially lead to an inoperative motor, flat batteries and/or no refrigeration after several days. Running out of/or contaminated water would be equally inconvenient. In the event of a catastrophic equipment failure or collision a sat phone or HF radio would potentially allow a distress call to be responded to by vessels in closer proximity, but not all vessels have this equipment.

Having sailed with many skippers and on numerous boats over the last eight years and also owned my own vessel here are the things I would look at or consider prior to embarking on an extended blue-water passage or remote area cruising. It is not a complete list and additions, amendments and comments would be welcomed.


- 2x2 metre fender boards (50mmx250mm) incl. lines (allows pylon berthing in remote ports)
- sufficient fenders and mooring lines
- rigging (when checked/replaced), turnbuckles, jack/safety lines
- evident hull/deck damage or stress crazing
- last antifouling, stiff bristle brush/scraper with extension handle, snorkel/mask
- ground tackle (spare chain, rode, anchors, anchor tripping line & float) min 80 metres chain plus rode
- anchor winch, manual option?, bow roller condition
- headsail/jib furler(s) , check foil damage, condition of jib sheets (spare lines?)
- boom car/all pulley blocks running freely, main furler bearing, tack hook (spare if possible)
- condition of sails, is mainsail binding when furled, sail repair kit, spares/storm sail,, drogue/sea anchor
- condition of lines, sheets, halyards, deck fittings (spare line 10mm, 12mm, 14mm)
- assorted shackles, snap hooks, pulley blocks, bolts, tools, sealant
- sheet winches, handles, bosun's chair
- Q flag

- steering quadrant, cables/hydraulics, emergency tiller
- keel bolts, bilge/bilge pump(s) incl handle, seacocks, hoses, shaft seal
- engine condition, hours, cooling system, maintenance records, manuals
- when was impeller replaced, is there a spare and tools/access to fit it
- fuel capacity, consumption rates, reserve jerries,
- spare fuel/oil filters, spare belts, oils/lubricants, adequate tool kit, hose/repair materials
- fresh water tanks, reserve jerries 2x20 lit, pressure pump okay, spare, head operation, holding tank, hoses & lines

- batteries, age/amperage, charging sources, consumption rates
- spare fuses/teminals, multimeter, cable, tape, tools
- communication equipment/radios, AIS, radar, weather forecasting
- navigation equipment/instruments, GPS, autopilot, wind, depth, log, software
- physical and electronic charts, guides, destination information, entry req'ment/fees, ships papers
- current/registered EPIRB(s), appropriate offshore safety equipment, Type 1 life jackets , harnesses, tethers, weather gear">foul weather gear
- life raft, life ring/bouy/strobe, dinghy
- comprehensive first aid kit/dressings & medications
- emergency grab bag (epirb equipped if possible)

- books/reading material, cards, board games, music
- blankets/linen
- fishing equipment, reel/rod, lures/tackle
- sufficient LPG
- refrigeration, adequate dry storage, kitchen/BBQ utensils/equipment (good knives please)
- basic dry provisions for a three person four month trip:
toot paper (2-3rolls/week), paper towels (2x2 pack), washing detergent/powder, disinfectant, bleach
cling wrap, alum foil x2, baggies, plastic containers
frying oil (2x5 litres), rice 10kg, plain flour (2x5kg), rice flour, oats, yeast, baking/bi carb soda
salt/pepper, white sugar (3x2kg), instant coffee (3x400g), tea bags (allow30/wk)
seasonings, curry powder, vinegar, golden syrup, powdered milk, coconut cream, tomato paste capsules, soy sauce, green curry paste (3x200g), crunchy & smooth peanut butter, vegemite
nuts (8x500g), barley sugar (4x250g packs), various muesli bars (10x10 packs)

[Island Time O25]

Great list!

For a 3 person crew life raft must at least be a 6 person one.

Also a compatibility check as in 2-3 days of interaction with the other crew. I find crew compatibility to be a major factor which can either mitigate otherwise an unpleasant trip or ruin a good one.

And for a Pacific run I would make sure someone on board can operate/maintain/repair the water maker.

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by Island Time O25

Great list!

For a 3 person crew life raft must at least be a 6 person one.

Bigger is not better with life rafts ,... the bodys are ballast.


'green curry paste (3x200g), crunchy & smooth peanut butter..'

Oh really?

I'm off for a little lie down......

[atoll]

delivery skippers don't have such high demands,my list goes as follows.......
auto pilot,running engine,clean bottom,life raft,epirb.....the other list is shorter
running engine,clean bottom,the rest can be fixed or adapted!

[boatpoker]

Vegimite !

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by atoll

delivery skippers don't have such high demands,my list goes as follows.......
auto pilot,running engine,clean bottom,life raft,epirb.....!

Damn.. that's a long list Atoll..

[ozskipper]

Originally Posted by Island Time O25

Great list!

For a 3 person crew life raft must at least be a 6 person one.

Also a compatibility check as in 2-3 days of interaction with the other crew. I find crew compatibility to be a major factor which can either mitigate otherwise an unpleasant trip or ruin a good one.

And for a Pacific run I would make sure someone on board can operate/maintain/repair the water maker.

A larger pax raft can be a very bad decision. They rely on body weight to keep them upright (as well as some water ballast). Not enough bodies in a raft in heavy seas can easily see the raft being flipped and the crew in the splash.

[atoll]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Damn.. that's a long list Atoll..

I forgot to add a sack of rice and a sack of beans,some salt,cooking oil and fish hooks..........what ever did we do before notepads and watermakers

[bvimatelot]

Originally Posted by atoll

I forgot to add a sack of rice and a sack of beans,some salt,cooking oil and fish hooks..........what ever did we do before notepads and watermakers

I always tow a spare boat of the same make personally......

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by coffsguy

Take for instance a pacific crossing which is around 9,000 nautical miles.

While I would welcome crew that doesn't just hop on, anyone bringing a surveyor and requesting a haul out may get a raised eyebrow from me

The shopping list made me laugh, and also made it pretty clear to me I should check the eating habits of potential crew. No way is vegemite finding its way on my boat, nor will I accept a shopping list emailed to me so I can make sure my crew has their choice of curry paste waiting for them ...
I won't be buying them special knifes either, but feel free to bring your own utensils if you feel that strongly about it.

A BBQ etc. is also not on my mandatory list - I have found it possible to survive an ocean crossing without one. Hence me still around to type this.

Originally Posted by coffsguy

fesh water tanks, reserve jerries 2x20 lit

When you focus on all the details, you forget the bigger picture. I wouldn't set sail with just 2x20 lit fresh water in cans ... How can you list the exact amount of muesli bars but not calculate fresh water needs (which should be based on number of people and days at sea)?

My take on this:
Check the skipper thoroughly AND make sure there's a personality match.
Also check the boat - but stick to what really matters.
A basic boat, like Atoll described, is just as safe as one with all the bells and whistles -- IF the captain knows what s/he's doing, which, for some reason, is not part of your checklist ...

A bad captain can have all the gear, bells and whistles s/he wants, on the most ocean worthy yacht possible -- it'll still not be a safe passage - at least, not in my opinion.

[nebeluk]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Vegimite !

It has to be Marmite !

[atoll]

Originally Posted by nebeluk

It has to be Marmite !

I once heard crew should bring nylon stockings as well

[seasick]

Sometimes I forget why I singlehand, thanks.

[Lizzy Belle]

Am I the only one who's wondering what the OP feels the crew should bring to the table?
I can think of a few things I'd like crew to know / do / be aware of before volunteering

-

@SeaSick: hahaha! I might take on crew in the future, but if they want a luxury cruise with their favorite food and pre-approved steak knifes ready and waiting for them ... pls don't waste my time emailing me your demands

[bobnlesley]

Damn, lucky you posted that as I can ensure future ocean crossings are safer; we've been risking our lives in the past, going without tomato paste capsules and sometimes even creamed coconut; how did I miss those in the RYA courses?
I am a bit concerned about the tea bags though: three people for four months and only 3-jars of coffee that means the other two will have to share the thirty tea bags and I'm still going to be on short rations of coffee.