Should someone who has never sailed be allowed to charter?

[SamanthaTabs]

Are you sure? I have a feeling there are a lot of countries where there are no formal requirements.

Not sure hence the question mark. I do know it's the only country I've lived in that doesn't require some form of course.

 

[Nostrodamus]

What is your opinion on this?


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Shaunksb,
I have to say I am a bit in two minds over this one.
In the Ionian the weather generally is calm in the morning and a good place to learn sailing. Having said that the weather can get up quickly and without warning. We have been there when lead boats are getting their flock in very competently but also when they have been on the phone trying to calm a crew down and talk them through things because the weather kicked off.
Often these charters take their children along. I did myself many years ago. I had done quiet a bit of sailing but looking back I think I could have got into problems quiet easily. Then again I learnt so much.
Recently a friend had his boat damaged twice on the same night by charter boats long lining and were totally lost as what to do. It was only our friends use of the dinghy that stopped a boat swinging onto us because he had put only about 15m of chain out.
So, as a inexperienced skipper I chartered myself and now being back many years later I still do not have an answer.
The Ionian is packed with charter boats all year and probably there are very few serious incidents but then again it only takes one.
To answer your question.. the jury us still out.

 

[Davy_S]

We did our first flotilla holiday in the Ionian many years ago, we flew into Prevesa and joined the flotilla near to Myrtos/Sivota on the mainland, the sailing area for the fortnight was North Ionian. We used sailing holidays, I must admit we were a little apprehensive at what we had taken on but we owned a Vega and could sail. There were 12 boats plus the lead boat, everyone was shown all the workings of the yacht and given a briefing of where we would be sailing to, it was well explained to a very mixed age bunch of budding sailors, a lot had no previous experience, which would add to the fun as the holiday unfolded I can say with all honesty that everyone met up for drinks and got along, On one of the stopovers we ended up on Paxos, the weather was unkind, the wind had died leaving a large swell, the destination was Parga, there were three children on the Flotilla, the crew had gone out of their way to entertain the kids, taking them in the rubber duck for filling up water containers etc, however when safety could be an issue (swell) they sat down with the parents and told them they could stay where they were till the forecast improved or follow closely, they chose to follow and enjoyed the swell. we along with two other boats left the flotilla the last few days, no probs as long as we kept in touch, simply fancied a change of up at 9am for a briefing. IMHO it worked very well, new friends were made and some of them still do it years later, it can be a great way of introducing wives children, friends into warm weather sailing.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

But you might have to dedicate a larger proportion of it (potential profit) to putting the boat back together (or just back in place!) afterwards...

Mike.

That's a decision for the business to consider and there are lots of examples of qualified sailors damaging yachts. There is evidence that demonstrates that people who feel exposed to risk (any activity, not sailing specific) are actually safer as they are more careful and aware of the danger; conversely, the competent (particularly after the newbie phase is over) takes more risks. The survivors of this phase, beyond newbie, can go onto be experienced old sailors. One assumes that they have the bare level of information retained to actually do something. Of course, if a pilot offered me a chance to steer a plane and then bailed out, no amount of newbie fear would save me, or could it ..........