For the hitchhiker the ride is great, but for the individual
boat owner you can get into deep "do-do" taking a "hike-hiker" from one foreign country to another. Remember the "captain/owner" is financially responsible for the hitch-hiker until they again leave the country or are officially signed off the crew list with the local immigration officials. More than a few cruisers have been "stuck" and couldn't check-out because the "hitch-hiker" took off for
parts "unknown" before they were removed from the crew lists.
- - Basically these days, nobody is allowed into a country on a tourist visa (what we get as cruisers) unless there is an actual or reasonable way to leave again before your visa expires. If the "hitch-hiker" gets in trouble before you can get them removed from your crew list - you are responsible for them financially.