Was thinking that one day I may quit my job of 30 years, downsize everything, and head to the Carribean and work for one of those sail charter companies. With plenty of sailing experience in both cruising and racing I figure that there should be no issue getting work with one of the charter companies. Any comments about possible options or suggestions about what jobs are available? Not expecting the money to be great, but at least it's not nine to five. Cheers
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Check It Out First
I have spoken to charter crews and it seems that the British are given first crack at jobs in the BVI since they are British Citizens. Although, I have seen American crews there, also. It would be wise to check out the regions, first.
I have spoken to charter crews and it seems that the British are given first crack at jobs in the BVI since they are British Citizens. Although, I have seen American crews there, also. It would be wise to check out the regions, first.
Captains License
I would think that even with all that experience, it would look better on your Application that you held a Captains License.
I would think that even with all that experience, it would look better on your Application that you held a Captains License.
Generally Speaking.........
If you havent lived there for a very very long time and dont know a whole lot of people, forget about it. Not even as good as a snowballs chance in hell. You are not the first person to think about this. I hate to sound discouraging but it is a reality of life. Only way to be a charter boat Capt is to charter your own boat. And that aint no walk in the park either. And yes....you will need a Capt. License. Anytime something sounds like fun, everyone wants to do it. Thus, all jobs have waiting lists and dont pay well, to say the least. I'm not saying it cant be done. People win the lottery also.....just not me. By the way, is it becoming obvious that I dont have much to do today?
If you havent lived there for a very very long time and dont know a whole lot of people, forget about it. Not even as good as a snowballs chance in hell. You are not the first person to think about this. I hate to sound discouraging but it is a reality of life. Only way to be a charter boat Capt is to charter your own boat. And that aint no walk in the park either. And yes....you will need a Capt. License. Anytime something sounds like fun, everyone wants to do it. Thus, all jobs have waiting lists and dont pay well, to say the least. I'm not saying it cant be done. People win the lottery also.....just not me. By the way, is it becoming obvious that I dont have much to do today?
if regular income is not the issue...
If regular income is not the issue you can get on private boat as crew, first mate, etc. You need a 6pac, or better the british captain licence. If you are thinking larger yacht i/e motor yacht, chef is a good reference. If you know spanish, French, it is a good ticket to get on a boat too. Some other like Turkish, or Eastern European languages are getting popular as people cruise more in these areas. Calling a yacht dealer (swan, etc.) is a good start. A new owner will often ask the broker if he knows of available hands to help deliver the boat. I did a few like that (private yacht) average 75$/95U$D a day food and bert included flying ticket from T.O. to the boat and back included. BVI is a good spot, Bermuda was a good spot [after a few days in ruff weather the boat owner is usually happy to look for extra crew (or replacement crew!)] to coninue to Europe etc. If you are in the area instead of contacting the owner from a big city (like toronto) even better. You can also catch free rides from where you are to a paying delivery. Check: www.findacrew.net Its good $ but not regular, and you cannot hold another job while doing that since you are kind of "on call". Finally coming back to the real world employers look at your resume funny, and forget a bank etc. I think private is beter than charter, look for crewing on some thing at least 58ft, smaller the owner might have good intention but be thight on $ and crewing on a 38ft well, hope you are good at forming friendships! Then you can also leave your name directly with a dealer and they call you to deliver new boat to the owners. Finally you can be captain on a private boat basically you are the slave not of the owner but of the boat... My 2¢ a.
If regular income is not the issue you can get on private boat as crew, first mate, etc. You need a 6pac, or better the british captain licence. If you are thinking larger yacht i/e motor yacht, chef is a good reference. If you know spanish, French, it is a good ticket to get on a boat too. Some other like Turkish, or Eastern European languages are getting popular as people cruise more in these areas. Calling a yacht dealer (swan, etc.) is a good start. A new owner will often ask the broker if he knows of available hands to help deliver the boat. I did a few like that (private yacht) average 75$/95U$D a day food and bert included flying ticket from T.O. to the boat and back included. BVI is a good spot, Bermuda was a good spot [after a few days in ruff weather the boat owner is usually happy to look for extra crew (or replacement crew!)] to coninue to Europe etc. If you are in the area instead of contacting the owner from a big city (like toronto) even better. You can also catch free rides from where you are to a paying delivery. Check: www.findacrew.net Its good $ but not regular, and you cannot hold another job while doing that since you are kind of "on call". Finally coming back to the real world employers look at your resume funny, and forget a bank etc. I think private is beter than charter, look for crewing on some thing at least 58ft, smaller the owner might have good intention but be thight on $ and crewing on a 38ft well, hope you are good at forming friendships! Then you can also leave your name directly with a dealer and they call you to deliver new boat to the owners. Finally you can be captain on a private boat basically you are the slave not of the owner but of the boat... My 2¢ a.
The charter boats captains primary job
is the care of the boat, inside and outside, most charter captains seem to have a varnish can growing in one hand. Remember the more desirable the job the more applicants there will be and the lower the payscale. A friend up here works winters on a service boat for one of the dredges. If the dredge is working they need a service boat. He told me that they built a half inch if ice in a ten mile run one night last winter. The power boat is about forty feet with an aluminum hull. He has his Coast Guard ticket for that size vessel.
is the care of the boat, inside and outside, most charter captains seem to have a varnish can growing in one hand. Remember the more desirable the job the more applicants there will be and the lower the payscale. A friend up here works winters on a service boat for one of the dredges. If the dredge is working they need a service boat. He told me that they built a half inch if ice in a ten mile run one night last winter. The power boat is about forty feet with an aluminum hull. He has his Coast Guard ticket for that size vessel.
To legally work in the BVIs
you need a job permit if you're not a British citizen. This was noted in our chartering guide when we were there a few years ago. The BVIs don't let people even move to one of their islands unless they have a work permit. That's the prime reason so believe that the British islands are still so nice, compared to the US VIs.
you need a job permit if you're not a British citizen. This was noted in our chartering guide when we were there a few years ago. The BVIs don't let people even move to one of their islands unless they have a work permit. That's the prime reason so believe that the British islands are still so nice, compared to the US VIs.
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