How Do You Find Out If A Ship/captain Is Worthy?

[caliali1632]

Hi I am looking into getting a crew position, but do not know how to determine if a ship/captain is safe for me to go on. Since it is unlikely that you get the chance to meet prior, do any of you have any tips or advice on how to find this out prior? I am a 27 year old female, so this is a something that is far more prevalent to myself and other girls trying to get into chartered yachts. Please help me and any other girls who haven't yet asked, what to do. Thanks, Ali

[Lighthouse]

I suggest you read the full page at http://www.cruiser.co.za/crewfinder.asp

Good luck

[caliali1632]

I meant on paper or really find out, not just a feeling you get or the actions of the captain. I want to know if there is a way that you can do a background check or if it is realistic to ask for references?

[Lighthouse]

girls trying to get into chartered yachts.

Just noticed the above from your first post. Are you looking to crew commercially? If so, this is a totally different ball-game.

[caliali1632]

That would be my ideal situation, to be on a commercially chartered yacht; however, I have not found any that will take someone without experience. So if you know of any commercial charters that will, I would love to know how to find those. As of now, I am trying to find a charter that will give me the experience that I need to get the commercial charters. You can email me at caliali1632 at gmail dot com or I am on AIM piratelover1632. I don't know if that is easier for you to communicate more quickly.

[Lighthouse]

Your best bet is to scour the commercial crew agencies (google for names). The crewfinder on this forum is used by private cruising yachts looking for non-paid crew to assist with passages.

[Auzzee]

In many cases is it a question of trust. You are seeking a crewing position and have no checkable sailing history. Are you suggesting a skipper must abide by a standard that you set, but which you cannot personally meet?

Anyway, best of luck in your quest. Take a look at some of the sailing schools which specialise in training novices to become competent, commercial crew.

Cheers

David.

[JeanneP]

Are you familiar with The Triton, Nautical news for captains and crew? http://www.the-triton.com/

They've offered some good tips in the past.

Worth looking at.

[Seeratlas]

Once you've narrowed down the potential captains, you can search the net for one of many competent investigators who can run background checks on the guy/girl for a very reasonable fee, tho this will limit you primarily to American captains.

An amazing amount of information about someone can be gotten this way, relatively quickly. for what its worth, I think ou are wise to be careful.

seer

[ughmo2000]

Simply asking for, and checking references from the captain's prior crew has worked for me quite well.

Best of luck on finding your boat!