Powerboating Employment

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Mr.Completely

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A niche thread I appreciate but it's worth a shot, does anyone here employ people on their boats or are involved in employment in the marine industry?

Do you look to fill part time places or full time jobs?

Just looking to pick their brains as to what exactly they look for, qualitfications, qualities, etc...

Many Thanks,

Mr.C
 
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Mr.Completely said:
A niche thread I appreciate but it's worth a shot, does anyone here employ people on their boats or are involved in employment in the marine industry?

Do you look to fill part time places or full time jobs?

Just looking to pick their brains as to what exactly they look for, qualitfications, qualities, etc...

Many Thanks,

Mr.C
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At the RYAs web site they have loads of info on there.
 
I know most of the official tickets etc wanted/needed was just kinda hoping for a little personal input, everyone looks for different things and the RYA and other organisations don't really give you a private opinion.

Or even the opinions of people that have come across professional crews and what they liked disliked?

Manys thanks though Powerskipper,

Mr.C
 
Mr.Completely said:
I know most of the official tickets etc wanted/needed was just kinda hoping for a little personal input, everyone looks for different things and the RYA and other organisations don't really give you a private opinion.

Or even the opinions of people that have come across professional crews and what they liked disliked?

Manys thanks though Powerskipper,

Mr.C
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Are you trying to establish if a potential employer will favour a qualified crew member, over a practical person that they have a good feeling about?

I don't know exactly how UK commercial qualifications work, but in this country, the lower rated, fishing/passenger carrying vessel tickets:
Coxswain (up to 40') Master 5 (up to 85') Master 4 (up to 110') are very much classroom oriented, with little focus on actual 'hands on' vessel handling.

Sea time as crew doesn't generally expose folks to the vessels close quarter handling issues and the sorts of descisions the Master needs to make on a regular basis during the voyage etc...

You could end up (and I have) with a qualified operator for a vessel, who has no, or little practical application to a task, but had adapted to the classroom environment very well.

Otoh our practical (favourite) has everything but the ticket, the classroom environment just does not work for him, but he is great in every other way.
 
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Mr.Completely said:
A niche thread I appreciate but it's worth a shot, does anyone here employ people on their boats or are involved in employment in the marine industry?

Do you look to fill part time places or full time jobs?

Just looking to pick their brains as to what exactly they look for, qualitfications, qualities, etc...

Many Thanks,

Mr.C
Click to expand...

Depends on location. In UK full time employed crew is relatively rare. In other parts of the world (eg med) it is rare not to have full time crew on 20m+ boats Plus, there are hybrids like me who employ a cook/stewardess full time them employ dayworkers (skipper, chef) only when needed.

Qualifications-wise you only need YM commercial to be a skipper under 24m, but STCW95 is a useful differentiator. Mostly on that sized boat employers are looking for skills and personality etc, as much as the actual tickets. You gotta remeber that driving a boat is dead easy, but being discreet, keeping out of the way when the owner's party doesn't want to be overheard, having the charm/nous/push to get the right berth in the right port, fixing the bog when one of the guests flushes a newspaper down it, are rarer qualities. And anyway, driving the boat is a tiny part of the job. You will actually spend more of your time fixing the boat, polishing it at 7.30am so it is gleaming for breakfast, ensuring the decks are always straw-brown, etc, so don't get carried away with the idea that it's all about driving the boat! And this drives the employer's choice in terms of what qualities they look for in a skipper

Quite a lot of 20-24m boats employ couples, partly becuase the crew cabin tends to be shared :-)

But as I say it depends really on where in the world you want to work
 
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Thanks Andiemac and jfm,

I've got my yachtmaster (endorsed) and have been working part time as a skipper over summertime for 4 years now but haven't got the STCW95 and know I should really get that soon, I also have worked for a couple of months full time in the UK on a 28m boat so realise the early mornings/late nights and work load involved and loved every minute of it which made me think that maybe it'd be a good career to go into.

Would you guys look for any non marine qualitfications along with the ones you need? Would there be anything you'd think yeah thats good I'll interview them? That seems to be they key from what you've both said as at interview it's a personal choice, it's just getting to that stage!

Thanks again,

Mr.C
 
As jfm says, discretion and pride in what you do is very important.

Having a lady partner as a hostess (with personality) would be a definite deal closer.

This is going to be a 'lifestyle choice' more than a way to make serious money.
Locations like the Med. and Caribbean, although highly attractive, can create a situation of 'dime a dozen skippers' that are prepared to work for peanuts, where as more remote locations will see the opposite.

Once you have established your worth as a valuable employee, make sure the owner compensates you accordingly.
 
Sounds pretty good to me as I think it would be a fantastic way of seeing parts of the world, and I've done a fair few things in the med and caribbean and it's fairly easy to go visit.

The female partner front however may be a little trickier as I feel I'm probably a tad young to do that, that said would it be the same if I talked a friend into it? working on the boat not being my partner obviously.....

Would things like being a powerboat instructor help? PWC instructor? Padi etc...?

Thanks again guys,

Mr.C
 
Mr.Completely said:
Sounds pretty good to me as I think it would be a fantastic way of seeing parts of the world, and I've done a fair few things in the med and caribbean and it's fairly easy to go visit.

The female partner front however may be a little trickier as I feel I'm probably a tad young to do that, that said would it be the same if I talked a friend into it? working on the boat not being my partner obviously.....

Would things like being a powerboat instructor help? PWC instructor? Padi etc...?

Thanks again guys,

Mr.C
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Those extra quals wd be very useful (PWC instructor, PADI, etc). PwC is especially useful as it has taken on a whole new significance following the 2008 rule changes on charter boats and PWCs. Engineering quals or references are also good. Plus some competence in the language where the boat is based

But still an owner will look for streetwise-ness. Like an employer might ask you "if I tell you in May I want a berth in St Tropez middle of August what would you say my options are?". And they'd want a decent answer to "I'm planning a cruise Antibes-Elba-Porto Vecchio then up the West side of Corsica, will we be able to get tax-free fuel the whole way?", and so on

Actually I'd disagree that it's a strong advantage to be a couple. There are many jobs that are given to couples, and if you're a couple you'll want to look for one of those jobs. But there are loads of singles jobs too, so if you're single that's fine. I wouldn't consider it a drawback.

Worthwhile getting STCW, and as it's off season get it cheap (in UK or Oz maybe?) not €1000 ish in Antibes

In terms of appearing streetwise, note that the term "stewardess" (or "stewie", or "deck/stew" on a smaller boat) is used on Med boats/superyachts, not "hostess".

Good luck and let us know how you get on
 
Mr.Completely said:
A niche thread I appreciate but it's worth a shot, does anyone here employ people on their boats or are involved in employment in the marine industry?
Do you look to fill part time places or full time jobs?
Just looking to pick their brains as to what exactly they look for, qualitfications, qualities, etc...
Many Thanks,
Mr.C
Click to expand...
Have you had a look at Dockwalk.com ? Where the crew hang out, may be worth asking the same there?

I'm not a boatowner and wouldn't disagree with the advice here. However, beware .. they are atypical boat owners ... they are Boat Nuts and the reason they dont employ any/many crew is they do not need to/prefer to fix their own bogs/are pleased when their flybridges collapse with snow so that they can rebuild them/ etc.;)

If you want to know what your 'oppos' are like , travel down to Antibes and observe & listen to conversations in The Gaffe, The Blue Lady etc in the New Year.
 
Will have a look at dockwalk thanks, might have to wait a little later for a trip to antibes though as I should really finish my degree first, Should be done by May, Beng in Mechanical engineering, but not sure whether this would be appreciated too much in the industry.

Will definately be getting my STCW95 though, as I know it's essential on med/carib charter boats. Just thought I'd see how much I should work on, i.e. courses and experiences to prove needed qualities, so thanks to all that have chipped in.

jfm, I will certainly be around and thanks for the luck, might need it to get a foot in the door, will obviously be sharing some hopefully interesting experiences.

Mr.C
 
Mech Eng degree (that's what I have!) is v useful. Chief engineer on a s/yacht is a €9-10k/month job, plus charter tips. Though to be frank if you're a good graduate engineer you might want to do something more cerebral than be engineer on a yacht

Anyway, engineering knowledge is very useful on a yacht so it's a big point in your favour, especially if you have the manual skills/dexterity and spanner experience too. I'm guessing you'll have done EC1 (or whatever it's called these days? Part of the process towards C Eng) too, so you'll have done milling, turning, gear cutting, grinding, CAD, welding, assembly, etc? As I said earlier driving a boat is the easiest thing in the world*, but keeping one running as a machine is quite a challenge

* I mean a 20-25ish boat. Reversing a 60metre motoryacht into Bonifacio harbour on a windy day takes real driving skill, full credit to the skippers who can do that sort of thing
 
jfm said:
Actually I'd disagree that it's a strong advantage to be a couple.
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I disagree with jfm..........always wanted to say that :)

I had just been speaking to a skipper (a bloke known to me) about a job here on a cruise boat, and he said he could put a crew together for me. My immediate impression was, this guy is well organised, and will save a hassle. So maybe it could depend on which type of boat or owner an employment opportunity exists.

When you did your YM, were you offered an extra engineering component as well. I understand you are doing a degree course, but for the average YM, is it usual for a student to complete an additional ticket.

We require dual ticketed skippers for the, up to 25 metre level (Master 5/YM). The course is Marine Engine Driver, to what ever level you require.

Good luck with you future at sea.
 
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Padi & helicopter cert. might help on superyachts. Don't think PB2 would be much use. Maybe sea survival and first aid.
 
jfm, I can't say I've ever heard of anything like the EC1, I have done pretty much all of the techniques you mentioned however I wasn't aware that these were anything other than things just included in the course but i'll have a look into it thanks. Although this summer taught me a lot about myself in terms of absolutely loving the practical side of everything.

AndieMac when I did my YM is was informed of courses as far as I can remember but was pretty sure that they were only things like diesel maintanence etc. Where is here for yo btw? Will check up on the marine engine driver courses or equivilants so thank you.

Csail I do have the first aid and sea survival as part of my endorsment for the YM. Will have to wait a while for a helicopter ticket though I think. What do you think of the usefulness of a powerboat instructor though.

Lots of really good feedback guys though, thanks so much.

Mr.C
 
I am based in Tasmania (Australia's south island). Our national standard is the USL code (uniform shipping laws).
In my home state, we have the countries main centre for maritime studies (Australian Maritime College) which educates commercial mariners from many countries.
The engineering courses gradings go from lowest to highest:
MED 3, MED2, MED1, Engineer 3, Engineer 2, Engineer 1 and then to chief engineer.
A YM would also complete at least MED 3 (700 H.P.) or 2 (1000 H.P.). H.P. rating is for each motor. A dual ticketed skipper is an attractive proposition for obvious cost saving. Once the vessel exceeds 100 odd feet and running offshore, a seperate engineer is required.
 
I am looking for all the jobs available online

Does anyone here knows all the yacht jobs websites?

I went through a few already but I can't really find a list of all the websites.
Please no website asking me for money.

Thank you.
 
tico said:
At the risk of upsetting jfm, i think that he was looking for 'EP1'.... (Engineering Practice 1).

OK, OK so I did mine many years ago, so don't know if it is still around,
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Thanks Tico! Not upsetting me at all, I couldn't remember the name, but that's it - Engineering Practice 1. Thanks! Showing my age here, but I'm talking late 1980s :-) (EC1 is a postcode in the Square Mile, shame on me! :-/ )
 
Qualifications-wise you only need YM commercial to be a skipper under 24m, but STCW95 is a useful differentiator. Mostly on that sized boat employers are looking for skills and personality etc, as much as the actual tickets. You gotta remeber that driving a boat is dead easy, but being discreet, keeping out of the way when the owner's party doesn't want to be overheard, having the charm/nous/push to get the right berth in the right port, fixing the bog when one of the guests flushes a newspaper down it, are rarer qualities. And anyway, driving the boat is a tiny part of the job. You will actually spend more of your time fixing the boat, polishing it at 7.30am so it is gleaming for breakfast, ensuring the decks are always straw-brown, etc, so don't get carried away with the idea that it's all about driving the boat! And this drives the employer's choice in terms of what qualities they look for in a skipper
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Oho! That style is so close to a certain feature in MBY that I think you may have outed yourself as ... the Mystery Skipper himself!

All that carefully crafted abuse of the nonsense in the Mystery Skip column was just a smokescreen. Devilish clever, mind. :D
 
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