Crew Seekers International

[Halcyon Yachts]

I was just wondering if anyone uses Crewseekers when looking for either professional skippering opportunities or crewing opportunities?

I have traditionally relied on a select group of very experienced skippers to help me conduct my deliveries. I am looking to expand my group of skippers to help with the increased work load this season.

I would welcome suggestions on places to advertise that will reach highly professional skippers looking for new opportunities. My standards are very high, so I am looking for Ocean Masters as a minimum and insist that my skippers have had years of relevant experience.

I fear that organisations such as Crew Seekers attracts mainly zero to hero style sailors...

Many thanks for any advice on this matter,

Pete

 

[Seajet]

I'd be very surprised to find an Ocean Master on Crewseekers ! I'm sure there are lots of varied people with them, but the only people I've known show an interest have been novices who'd like to try sailing.

There's a bit of a network among such people as Ocean Yachtmasters, I found the Solent school of Yachting people of late 1992 were on the ball in this ( and every other ) regard, but of course the outfit is sadly no more.

If you could make a contact with a good sailing school you trust, I'd think word of mouth is the way ?

 

[nmeyrick]

When I have looked at crew seekers in the past the impression I have got has been much the same as the previous poster. Couple of thoughts off the top of my head:

Sail training charities such as OYT have very high requirements for their skippers, typically YM instructor. They often have a list of volunteer relief skippers who may welcome delivery work and a polite word with the office may get them to send your information out.

Along the lines of the above, the association of sail training charities (ASTO) has a website with a vacancies section which will attract people of the calibre you want if they will allow you to advertise

Well regarded schools or clubs would be worth a try, for example the cruising association or RORC spring to mind as having experienced members

I believe the clipper race organisation recently set up an alumni association; any of their skippers and several of the crew would probably be a pretty good option

 

[awol]

I would welcome suggestions on places to advertise that will reach highly professional skippers looking for new opportunities. My standards are very high, so I am looking for Ocean Masters as a minimum and insist that my skippers have had years of relevant experience.

Why not post on a yachting forum or two, perhaps asking for advice on how to find suitable personnel? Much cheaper than paid advertising!

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

Why not post on a yachting forum or two, perhaps asking for advice on how to find suitable personnel? Much cheaper than paid advertising!

Ha Ha! Maybe I'll try that...

Sites like Crewseekers don't charge to advertise for Skippers and Crew, they make their money by charging the skippers and crew to see the adverts! It is this system that makes me suspicious of the calibre of applicant...

Thanks for making me smile this morning!

Pete

 

[Ubergeekian]

Why not post on a yachting forum or two, perhaps asking for advice on how to find suitable personnel? Much cheaper than paid advertising!

It might also allow him to post lots of irrelevant stuff about what a wonderful company he runs and the very high quality of the delivery skippers they use, just in case anyone was looking for a delivery company.

 

[awol]

It might also allow him to post lots of irrelevant stuff about what a wonderful company he runs and the very high quality of the delivery skippers they use, just in case anyone was looking for a delivery company.

Oh, how cynical you are! Whatever happened to that other guy, the one who had a penchant for young fit christian men and didn't want women or old fogies, who advertised, oops, sorry, I meant "posted", on a similar vein last year?

 

[FullCircle]

At least Halcyon Yachts joins in on other topics, unlike other delivery skippers we can think of.
I think that if you join in, its fair to make occasional enquiries about how people go about getting delivery work.
Saving them the price of registering on Crewseekers may be of some benefit?

 

[BruceDanforth]

I crossed the Pacific on a delivery crewing via crewseekers.

 

[islandsailor]

I was just wondering if anyone uses Crewseekers when looking for either professional skippering opportunities or crewing opportunities?

I have traditionally relied on a select group of very experienced skippers to help me conduct my deliveries. I am looking to expand my group of skippers to help with the increased work load this season.

I would welcome suggestions on places to advertise that will reach highly professional skippers looking for new opportunities. My standards are very high, so I am looking for Ocean Masters as a minimum and insist that my skippers have had years of relevant experience.

I fear that organisations such as Crew Seekers attracts mainly zero to hero style sailors...

Many thanks for any advice on this matter,

Pete

Talk to your skippers, they will have friends of friends. Advertise on Crewseekers but be clear on the experience you require.

PYD were in the past very good in bringing people up through the ranks recruit some good mates and then develop them.

How about a advert in the back of Yachting Monthly - lots of good experienced people out there.

 

[tcm]

Hm, but although you want delivery skippers who are experienced at sailing, i suppose you'll also need them to be socially clumsy? You know the sort of thing - dragging up the name of the company they work for at every opportunity, never permitting the slightest notion that all delivery companies are much of a muchness at least from the client's point of view since they all use the same pool of skippers, and so on?

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

Thanks to everyone for your comments. I have also had a few recommendations of individuals through private messages.

I find it unfortunate that there is some cynicism surrounding the delivery industry. The Skipper is no doubt the most important person when considering having someone else take charge of your pride and joy, but please don't under estimate the importance of the quality of crew (after all most Skippers will sleep for 8 hours in every 24). The nature of your contract is very important. The time pressures of the Skipper and crew, the flexibility of the company to meet your individual requirements, the reputation and attitude of the management, company insurance policies, etc.. etc..

Anyway - the weather is far too nice to be moaning...

I hope everyone out on the water this Easter has a fabulous time!

Pete

 

[yoda]

My son used them with some success, I would suggest that as well as qualifications, good references and a comprehensive log book are just as important together with a face to face interview.

Yoda

 

[Woodlouse]

The paying aspect of crew seekers has put me off seeking any further in that direction. While you will get a lot of no hopers on there you'll always get the occasional worthy candidate.

I think the best solution for finding suitable skippers has already been mentioned here. Talk to the skippers you already employ and ask for their recommendations.

Also, an ocean yachtmaster is not necessarily a sign of great competence and really not necessary unless the delivery is across an ocean. For european deliveries a candidate with just their offshore will have all the relevant knowledge and after that experience at sea is the same no matter what bit of papers got your name on it.

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

The paying aspect of crew seekers has put me off seeking any further in that direction. While you will get a lot of no hopers on there you'll always get the occasional worthy candidate.

I think the best solution for finding suitable skippers has already been mentioned here. Talk to the skippers you already employ and ask for their recommendations.

Also, an ocean yachtmaster is not necessarily a sign of great competence and really not necessary unless the delivery is across an ocean. For european deliveries a candidate with just their offshore will have all the relevant knowledge and after that experience at sea is the same no matter what bit of papers got your name on it.

Thanks for your comments - interesting (and as I suspected) that the cost of crew seekers is preventing some of the more experienced people from signing up...

I do however disagree with your comments about the Ocean ticket. Over 3000 Yacht Masters are qualifying every year in the UK and many people believe the standards have slipped. An Ocean Master will have already spent a few hours under exam conditions recovering fenders and pretending it's foggy, they have also gone on to spend at least 5 days (and often much more) on board a yacht living in close proximity with others, utilising long range weather forecasts, planning provisions, considering crew fatigue, implementing watch systems, exploring potential storm tactics and generally experiencing and learning about all elements of sailing. Astro Nav does feature heavily on the theory course (in my opinion a bit more emphasis on some of the issues mentioned before would be very useful) however the practical element of the Ocean exam is almost entirely focussed on Skippering skills - e.g. provisioning, storm tactics, watch systems, morale, etc.. etc.. I have personally experienced some of my worst conditions either crossing the Channel or transiting the Irish Sea. Many of our European deliveries exceed 2000 miles. For a journey of this type (or indeed for a shorter UK delivery) I think it is crucial that the Skipper has demonstrated knowledge in all the areas mentioned.

Of course experience is important (much more important), but an Ocean ticket does help to show that all the significant core skills have been demonstrated in a formal setting. Many of my Skippers are Yacht Master Instructors, which I think is also a fabulous indication of competence. A YMI must have all the necessary skills and also be able to impart knowledge to their crew. The RYA instructor assessments are the first time a sailor will be examined on their character as well as their competence...

Pete

 

[Dab]

What Practical Element?

Are you reading too much into evidence of practical ability tested by the Yachtmaster Ocean assessment. A few hours under exam conditions recovering soggy fenders and pretening its foggy comes at the Yachmaster Coastal Stage. At Yachtmaster Offshore you are expect to do similar things but with more polish. For Yachtmaster Ocean you just do a written/oral assessment based on the Ocean passage/passages you choose to submit. How does that "help to show that all the significant core skills have been demonstrated in a formal setting", apart from going through the sun sights you have taken?

 

[Woodlouse]

Quite what Dab says. The ocean exam only requires you to show your prowess in all those areas in theory to an examiner. Certainly you need to complete your offshore passage to get your sights in, but that is just a few sums and a note in the log book to the chap who gives you your ticket at the end of it.

As for the Yacht Master Instructors ticket, you need to show a good understanding of chart work, weather systems and colregs according to the RYA syllabus. Also you need to demonstrate to the examiner there that you are capable of imparting that understanding to others. But if I recall correctly it's only a five day course.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with people with these tickets, but if you take precedence of qualifications over experience and references then you will miss out on a lot of very competent skippers.

 

[andytrombone]

As for the Yacht Master Instructors ticket, ...But if I recall correctly it's only a five day course...

Not quite, the Cruising Instructors course is a five day course for holders of YM Offshore.

YM Instructors have to have qualified as Cruising Instructors, successfully delivered two RYA practical courses within 12 months of the qualification, have over 7000 miles logged and pass another 5 day course to get YMI which must be updated every five years.

 

[Woodlouse]

Not quite, the Cruising Instructors course is a five day course for holders of YM Offshore.

YM Instructors have to have qualified as Cruising Instructors, successfully delivered two RYA practical courses within 12 months of the qualification, have over 7000 miles logged and pass another 5 day course to get YMI which must be updated every five years.

Ok, thanks for clearing that up.

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

Quite what Dab says. The ocean exam only requires you to show your prowess in all those areas in theory to an examiner. Certainly you need to complete your offshore passage to get your sights in, but that is just a few sums and a note in the log book to the chap who gives you your ticket at the end of it.

As for the Yacht Master Instructors ticket, you need to show a good understanding of chart work, weather systems and colregs according to the RYA syllabus. Also you need to demonstrate to the examiner there that you are capable of imparting that understanding to others. But if I recall correctly it's only a five day course.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with people with these tickets, but if you take precedence of qualifications over experience and references then you will miss out on a lot of very competent skippers.

A qualification is just a benchmark, a way of formally demonstrating your achievements and ability. I look to employ Skippers with ideally over 50,000 Miles experience; and to be clear, miles do need to be 'quality' miles - not just sitting on a 200ft powerboat and crossing a big ocean...

I do highly regard experience and I take references very seriously. Over the years I have had many applications from keen sailors looking for work. I have to say that many applicants with a Yacht Master ticket as their highest qualification were not deemed experienced enough when interviewed and through checking CV's and references. I cant think of the last Yacht Master Instructor that I have dealt with who I wouldn't feel confident employing as a Skipper, and the same goes for most Ocean Masters... It is not a fail safe method of recruitment, but it does help to narrow down the search.

I appreciate that there are many excellent Skippers out there who haven't followed any formal training. Generally though, these are Skippers who are not looking for professional work. Most professional Skippers are keen to progress and develop their skills, and the Ocean ticket is the natural progression from Yacht Master and in my opinion a very good way of demonstrating their commitment to any nautical employer.