M C A Warns Boatowners Using " Paying Crew "

[Lighthouse]

(Originally posted in the Crewfinder board by "Nausikaa")

MCA WARNS BOAT OWNERS USING OR ADVERTISING FOR "PAYING CREW"

We have here been advising against the practice of engaging "paying crews" for a long time, pointing out the legal and insurance implications. The debate became quite heated at times and many advocates of the "paying crew" side unfortunately refused to see the logic of our argument. Well, now the logic has been seen by the British Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Mr. David Lee, MCA enforcement officer, warned yacht owners bending the rules and taking paying crew that their vessels may not have the necessary certification. A number of companies are, at present, under investigation.

The MCA advises all answering ads for "mile building, adventurous sailing, transatlantic passages or Yachtmaster Ocean passages to ensure the vessel is properly coded (in the case of UK flagged vessels that means Category Zero) and that the skipper and mate are qualified."

With one of the world's main maritime safety organisations now on the hunt we are likely soon to see a sharp and welcome decline in these illegal activities.

(Ref. Practical Boat Owner no. 509 May 2009)

Aye // Stephen

[Lighthouse]

Also read THIS THREAD about "paying" crew.

[Lighthouse]

Bump!

[Tailwalker]

Originally Posted by Lighthouse

(Originally posted in the Crewfinder board by "Nausikaa")

MCA WARNS BOAT OWNERS USING OR ADVERTISING FOR "PAYING CREW"

We have here been advising against the practice of engaging "paying crews" for a long time, pointing out the legal and insurance implications. The debate became quite heated at times and many advocates of the "paying crew" side unfortunately refused to see the logic of our argument. Well, now the logic has been seen by the British Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Mr. David Lee, MCA enforcement officer, warned yacht owners bending the rules and taking paying crew that their vessels may not have the necessary certification. A number of companies are, at present, under investigation.

The MCA advises all answering ads for "mile building, adventurous sailing, transatlantic passages or Yachtmaster Ocean passages to ensure the vessel is properly coded (in the case of UK flagged vessels that means Category Zero) and that the skipper and mate are qualified."

With one of the world's main maritime safety organisations now on the hunt we are likely soon to see a sharp and welcome decline in these illegal activities.

(Ref. Practical Boat Owner no. 509 May 2009)

Aye // Stephen

I am a novice but should it not be - we crew you sail unless you feel like doing everything yourself...