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06-09-2010, 09:09
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: South coast of England, moving around a bit.
Boat: Long range motor cruiser
Posts: 750
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What Does Being a 'Good' Crew Mean
From the Skippers point of view and from fellow crew, what do you think goes into being a 'good' crew person?
P.
__________________
The message is the journey, we are sure the answer lies in the destination. But in reality, there is no station, no place to arrive at once and for all. The joy of life is the trip, and the station is a dream that constantly out distances us”. Robert Hastings, The Station
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06-09-2010, 09:35
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 195
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- Does what they're told.
- Doesn't break anything.
- Finds useful things to do when not busy doing what he's told.
- Knows how to fix engines, rigging, sails.
- Can cook at sea
- Doesn't fall asleep on nightwatch
- Has useful experience of passagemaking
- Calm in a crisis
- Can do MOB
- Easy to get on with
- Entertains your kids
- Knows how to tie knots
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06-09-2010, 09:48
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Liveaboard KW FL/Bocas del Toro
Boat: Shuttlecat 32
Posts: 286
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makes a stellar margarita
__________________
Ship O' Fools
It was the Law of the Sea, they said. Civilization ends at the waterline. Beyond that, we all enter the food chain, and not always right at the top. - HST
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06-09-2010, 10:49
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: between the devil and the deep blue sea
Boat: a sailing boat
Posts: 21,199
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1) serious,
2) serious,
3) serious,
- about what they do, how they do it, and why they do it.
A sense of humour of sorts helps too.
b.
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06-09-2010, 10:51
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus

Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Boat: Research vessel for a university, retired now.
Posts: 10,405
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A good crew knows enough to leave the boat if the captain is a jerk, incompetent or dangerous.
__________________
David
Life begins where land ends.
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06-09-2010, 11:17
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#6
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Registered User

Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Winnipeg
Boat: None at this time
Posts: 8,462
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A good crew member must be able to communicate well with others on board and to live up to their billing (whatever skills they may have). They should also recognize that they are sailing on someone Else's boat and that the captain makes the rules.
And what David M says...
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06-09-2010, 11:27
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#7
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Senior Cruiser

Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: PORTUGAL
Posts: 31,297
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David M
A good crew knows enough to leave the boat if the captain is a jerk, incompetent or dangerous.
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I had excellent crew for my last delivery....lol
__________________

You can't oppress a people for so many decades and have them say.. "I Love You.. ".
"It is better to die standing proud, than to live a lifetime on ones knees.."
Self Defence is no excuse for Genocide...
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06-09-2010, 11:37
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Hampton, VA
Boat: Tayana 42 Vancouver - Pyxis
Posts: 1
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Absolutely #1 is to listen and act on the captain's requests without argument or delay. Don't get your feelings hurt. If you cannot do this, then get your own boat. Second, anticipate and act on your next move without falling overboard or dropping the vessel's equipment in the drink. Third, follow the vessel's protocols and finally, enjoy the moment rather than fear it.
__________________
Jesse W. White
S/V Pyxis
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06-09-2010, 11:40
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shipofools
makes a stellar margarita
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WOOOHOOO! I'm in!
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06-09-2010, 11:44
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#10
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Moderator Emeritus

Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Boat: Research vessel for a university, retired now.
Posts: 10,405
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For recreational vessels, in my experience there are far more captains needing to learn how to be a better captain than crew needing to learn how to be a better crew. Owning a boat does not necessarily make one a good captain. Someone needs to write a book on this topic.
__________________
David
Life begins where land ends.
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06-09-2010, 11:51
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Malvernshire, on the sunny side of the hill.
Boat: 50' steel canal and river cruiser
Posts: 1,908
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David M
For recreational vessels, in my experience there are far more captains needing to learn how to be a better captain than crew needing to learn how to be a better crew. Owning a boat does not necessarily make one a good captain. Someone needs to write a book on this topic.
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Sounds like a good winter project for someone then.
Like a job interview, life always focuses on what the job and employer are getting. Maybe its time to tun it round and see what the applicant is getting. Its a two way street and has to suit both parties for best results
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06-09-2010, 11:51
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: South coast of England, moving around a bit.
Boat: Long range motor cruiser
Posts: 750
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David M
For recreational vessels, in my experience there are far more captains needing to learn how to be a better captain than crew needing to learn how to be a better crew. Owning a boat does not necessarily make one a good captain. Someone needs to write a book on this topic.
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I'm ahead of you there  see http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tml#post516418
p.
__________________
The message is the journey, we are sure the answer lies in the destination. But in reality, there is no station, no place to arrive at once and for all. The joy of life is the trip, and the station is a dream that constantly out distances us”. Robert Hastings, The Station
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06-09-2010, 11:52
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#13
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Moderator Emeritus

Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Boat: Research vessel for a university, retired now.
Posts: 10,405
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Great point Anjou. It is indeed a two-way street and a relationship that has to work equally well for both parties. The captain must be conscious of and to be able to serve the crews needs just as well. Because although it is a dictatorship, it is also a team and teams break down when one of the elements is not functioning effectively.
__________________
David
Life begins where land ends.
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06-09-2010, 12:17
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Malvernshire, on the sunny side of the hill.
Boat: 50' steel canal and river cruiser
Posts: 1,908
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Yeah, it reminds me of the time when prince harry enroled at sandhurst officer training and the regimental seargent major was showing him round, explaining the protocols etc and said
We will both be calling eachother Sir, but only one us will mean it.
That was so flippin tactful and spot on.
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06-09-2010, 12:17
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#15
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Armchair Bucketeer
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,012
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For me it's:-
someone willing to muck in.
who understands that their is a difference between Skipper and Crew even if not entirely sure what (and that it's not simply about the Skipper wanting to be the No.1. It's a role with a purpose, not just a job title).
who understands that the boat / sea thing has the potential to go badly wrong (even if not knowing all possible scenarios) and that the Skipper has primary (but not exclusive responsibility) to ensure that it doesn't all go Pete Tong.
Not taking any instructions personally (see above)
Willingness to learn / adapt - even if not exactly the same way as always done on your boat / TV
Some degree of tact when telling Skipper he's a donut  or seeking to learn ("why are you doing that?" can come accross many ways and be asked for different purposes).
Not needing to be entertained 24/7 (yer crew, not a guest  )
Not too many strange personal traits (but I am probably more relaxed than many - pot & kettle?  )
Willing to be relaxed about the strange personal traits of the Skipper  Chill, yer crew not my betrothed
But most importantly (IMO  ) good crew is someone who has confidence in me to do the right thing.............but that is largely down to me to acheive, so over to the good Skippers thread
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