Taking staff / colleagues sailing

[PhillM]

I have read the various threads about offering a "prize of a sailing trip" and "borrowing" v.s. chartering boats and I have read the MCA stuff that was posted about those topics. However, I was wondering what the forum thinks about taking people who work for you out for a sail?

I employ a really nice group of people. Some are really keen on sailing, one has a parent with a boat and two have joined my yacht club, so I really don't see a problem with taking any of these people out.

But what about the others? We all get on really well, have a company get together / drinks / meal every qtr etc. However, I am not talking about a "company event at which they get to go sailing" - just a couple of the team out for an afternoon sail together.

I would call any of the team a friend and I think they would think that of me. What do you think the MCA would think in the event of an accident?

 

[sailorman]

I have read the various threads about offering a "prize of a sailing trip" and "borrowing" v.s. chartering boats and I have read the MCA stuff that was posted about those topics. However, I was wondering what the forum thinks about taking people who work for you out for a sail?

I employ a really nice group of people. Some are really keen on sailing, one has a parent with a boat and two have joined my yacht club, so I really don't see a problem with taking any of these people out.

But what about the others? We all get on really well, have a company get together / drinks / meal every qtr etc. However, I am not talking about a "company event at which they get to go sailing" - just a couple of the team out for an afternoon sail together.

I would call any of the team a friend and I think they would think that of me. What do you think the MCA would think in the event of an accident?

As long as they dont pay you ( charter) for the trip & its purely "for pleasure" i understand its perfectly ok

 

[Uricanejack]

What you are suggesting is something. I do from time to time. I take co workers sailing without giving it further thought.
In my case they often work for me at work. They come sailing for an afternoon because they want to. Not because they have to. We just go out putter about enjoy a cold one.
Away from work we are friends.
I have never considered it a work related event.
A couple worker often organizes a boat trip and barbecue on her boat at the end of the summer. I go as a friend.

On occasion I take friends who I happen to work with out a bit further and even give them an unofficial sailing lesson. We just happen to have a common interests.
Others I go fishing with.
The guy who dives my mooring for me works for me. He dives we both sail. We both have boats. We both dive.

Other folk play golf. I sail.
I think the important bit is if it's something you do if you want to rather than you have to

 

[TeamSpirit]

Having done this a couple of times, I make it clear that we are all off duty so this absents everyone from workplace H&S regulations and provides some clear boundaries to establish that it is not a workplace event. People who come along do so at their own risk. Never exceed the category numbers of bodies aboard.
Had some great times - and great for team building

 

[sailorman]

Having done this a couple of times, I make it clear that we are all off duty so this absents everyone from workplace H&S regulations and provides some clear boundaries to establish that it is not a workplace event. People who come along do so at their own risk. Never exceed the category numbers of bodies aboard.
Had some great times - and great for team building

how does one establish how many bodies is appropriate on a private yacht

 

[lpdsn]

I regularly take colleagues out sailing as friends. In the past that has included sub-ordinates and bosses. But that is only those who express an interest and who I think would be OK in the environment of a sailing boat, even if they are complete novices.

I think it would be a completely different matter taking an entire team out, assuming you can avoid falling foul of MCA regulation and H&S etc. The thing that would worry me about being all inclusive is the ones in the team that just aren't outdoor types (to try to put it politely). There's quite a broad spectrum across ordinary people in terms of level of fitness, physical co-ordination and native perception of risk, which means some people are just going to be more of a liability and be more accident prone than others. The same people are quite likely not going to enjoy it either. Yet if you don't invite them it is going to start to look a bit clique-y

You obviously know the people better...

 

[PhillM]

how does one establish how many bodies is appropriate on a private yacht

Hopefully I will never have any "bodies" on my boat. Only people but I take the point: only take the number one usually would take - i.e don't overload.

That's all for the advice. Everyone at work knows my passion. Some have expressed a lot of interest in the rebuild and others really think its all boring. Everyone knows where everyone stands re my boat!

I would only ever be taking people who have either sailed before or expressed interest. Sounds like there is no problem, outside of any office politics, which in this case I don't think there will be any to worry about.

 

[sailorman]

Hopefully I will never have any "bodies" on my boat. Only people but I take the point: only take the number one usually would take - i.e don't overload.

That's all for the advice. Everyone at work knows my passion. Some have expressed a lot of interest in the rebuild and others really think its all boring. Everyone knows where everyone stands re my boat!

I would only ever be taking people who have either sailed before or expressed interest. Sounds like there is no problem, outside of any office politics, which in this case I don't think there will be any to worry about.

Thanks but i was asking Team Spirit how he arrived @ his answer

 

[prv]

how does one establish how many bodies is appropriate on a private yacht

Most "newer" boats (including at least our 15-year-old example) will have a maker's plate saying how many people they are designed for. I assume this is what TeamSpirit is referring to.

Obviously this isn't applicable to Phill's classic yacht.

Pete

 

[Stork_III]

Most "newer" boats (including at least our 15-year-old example) will have a maker's plate saying how many people they are designed for. I assume this is what TeamSpirit is referring to.

Obviously this isn't applicable to Phill's classic yacht.

Pete

Or SM MAB :encouragement:

 

[SAWDOC]

I have brought work colleagues out on a good afternoon and we have had a super time. I have also asked colleagues along when shorthanded for racing crew and while it was ok, my preference would be to bring work colleagues an a pleasure outing rather than any kind of pressurised race - much more enjoyable for them.

 

[Tranona]

how does one establish how many bodies is appropriate on a private yacht

If you are lucky enough that you own a boat which complies with the RCD, the capacity will be on CE plate, and in the declaration of conformity. The max number will also be part of coding if you have a coded boat.

If not you will have to rely on commonsense.

 

[sailorman]

If you are lucky enough that you own a boat which complies with the RCD, the capacity will be on CE plate, and in the declaration of conformity. The max number will also be part of coding if you have a coded boat.

If not you will have to rely on commonsense.

I am more than fortunate NOT to own one. I am the proud owner of a MAB, 35 yrs old in June

 

[nickd]

how does one establish how many bodies is appropriate on a private yacht

It is surely the minimum of
what the boat is designed for
the number of life jackets you have available
the capacity of your liferaft
I would say that goes whether they are firends, enemies, anyone

 

[maby]

If you are lucky enough that you own a boat which complies with the RCD, the capacity will be on CE plate, and in the declaration of conformity. The max number will also be part of coding if you have a coded boat.

If not you will have to rely on commonsense.

You should be able to do some extrapolation based on the rating for a comparable modern boat. You usually get four ratings quoted based on conditions of use ranging from calm in-shore waters to open ocean. I believe our 43' Bene is rated for 10 adults in inshore waters going down to four or five in open ocean.