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We have taken time to formulate advise for both boat owners/skipper and crew.
Please take time to read the points below to help finding the right match for your situation.
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Find out what you can about each other Check with someone who
sailed with the skipper/crew before if you can. A telephone call or
meeting is better than a letter.
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Agreements Both skippers and crew should abide by any agreements
made. Those who abuse agreements that they enter into might not be
accepted by the Crewing Service in future. When crew accept
consecutive trips on different boats they should inform the skippers
of this and inform them immediately if delays occur on earlier
trips. Both parties need to be in regular communication. Key points
are best confirmed in writing.
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Destinations The intended destination of a cruise is only that,
weather and other circumstances can quickly change arrangements.
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RYA Cruising Logbook It can be helpful if crew (and skippers)
keep a logbook even if they do not plan to take certificates. It
provides details of previous trips which can be discussed.
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Skipper and Crew are doing each other a fayour but at the end of
the day the skipper is responsible for the safety of the vessel and
its crew. If you have a particularly good or bad experience with a
skipper or crew please let us know.
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Check eyerything The information in the skipper and crew lists
may not be complete or accurate. We do not check the information
which you send and we (and the computer) make mistakes sometimes.
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Emergency contacts Skippers and crew are advised to exchange
information such as names and addresses of next of kin, shore based
contact and current medical practitioner.
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Minors If the crew member is under 18 it is important to get
parental consent. Forms are available from the CA.
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Be honest about your own personal habbits and
preferences including smoking, food and time ashore.
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Be clear about what you expect
What are the 'rules' of the boat? What do you expect the crew to do and
what duties are shared?
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Crew members Be prepared to give prospective crew details of other crew members.
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Boat details
Let your prospective crew know the details of the boat, particularly if you
require special skills or attributes (eg no winches, heavy anchor etc.).
Accommodation arrangement - layout. number and size of berths, heads etc
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Style
Be clear about your style of sailing (eg long or short distances,
racing events or rallies, whether speed or comfort comes first). Social lifestyle.
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Gear
Make sure crew have the necessary gear and know what is provided for
them on board. Mention particularly safety gear and foul weather clothing.
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Medical
Find out if crew have any medical problems, are taking medication or
are prone to seasickness. Let crew know if you have any medical conditions.
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Insurance
Have crew taken out medical, personal effect and/or travel insurance?
Be clear with crew if you are not covering their personal effects while
on board. Check your own insurance policy and the extent of your accident cover.
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Currency and Documents
Discuss which currencies and documents are needed for the trip
(passports, E111, fare home etc.). Be clear if they are expected to make
their own way back from a particular destination. In some circumstances
the skipper may be required by international law to repatriate a stranded
crew.
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Expenses
What expenses do you expect the crew to contribute to and what do you
provide? This area causes more difficulties than any other. Skippers
should be aware that in accepting payment from crew they could be
jeopardising their status as a pleasure yacht and become governed by the
DoT Code of Practice (extracts available from the CA). Among other
things this may invalidate insurance cover.
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Food and cooking
Who provides/does what? Check for special diets, likes, dislikes etc.
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Shakedown Cruise
Try to get all your crew together before a longer cruise so that they,
and you, can check compatibility and share expectations for the cruise together.
A weekend afloat is best but at least a meeting ashore is useful.
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Point of contact
Establish before sailing a home based person who will liaise between
boat, crew and crew's families.
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Be clear about what you are looking for - sun sailing experience,
navigation, sea time etc., and negotiate this with the skipper.
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Meet the skipper and other crew members
preferably on board the yacht. Many skippers like to go for a weekend
sail with prospective crew. Seize the opportunity to check out things
important to you If you can't, find out as much as you can about them,
the boat and the skippers preferences (style, food etc.) How are
non-urgent decisions made on board?
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Smoking
If you smoke or are allergic to smoke let the skipper know beforehand.
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Insurance
Find out the extent of the skippers cover (does it cover your personal
effects and third party claims?) We strongly recommend travel and health
insurance if going abroad. Also obtain 'Health Advice for Travellers'
T2 from any Post office, for details of free medical services in EC
countries.
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Expenses
Check what the skipper is expecting and make clear what you can afford.
Establish exactly what is covered by the sum you have agreed to pay.
Skippers expectations may vary from no contribution to a full share of
the cost of keeping the yacht at sea and cruising.
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Food and Cooking Check who does what and discuss any dietary
needs and particular likes and dislikes.
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Equipment Check that the boat and
its equipment is suitable for the trip proposed. Ask someone to help if
you are not sure. Check whether the skipper is providing safety
gear/harnesses, life jackets etc. You will usually be expected to
provide your own foul weather protection.
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Point of contact Leave details
with someone of the boat's name, call sign (if RT fitted) and name and
telephone number of the skippers liaison contact. Write it all down. If
joining mid-cruise make sure you have your skipper's point of contact
and check arrangement before you leave home. Will there be a mobile
phone on board?
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Gear Find out what personal gear
you are expected to bring (e.g. sleeping bag, pillow, foul weather gear,
footwear). Bags should be able to be folded away - no suitcases!
Waterproof bags are an advantage as lockers in many yachts are subject
to condensation and it can be useful to keep gear dry by leaving it in
the bags. As yachts are not particularly secure, don't take any
valuables.
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Just beginning? If you are new to
sailing, read what you can about it. The RYA Competent Crew Handbook
covers most of the basics and includes a useful glossary (ref. C 10 from
the RYA). Please make it clear to skippers that you are just starting
and on checking lists look out, in particular, for skippers willing to
take a novice crew. It is useful to undertake the competent crew course
to learn the basics. Most skippers will give a briefing when crew join
the yacht about safety items and what duties they want the crew to
perform.
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