TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Charter Captains Unite! - First Day, New Crew

Would be nice if this post was about everyone getting together for a flotilla next week, but seeing as there seems to be a lot of experienced charter captains on this site, I wanted to take a stab at getting more sound advice. I did my ASA courses about 5 years ago with my wife who is also ASA trained and we have successfully chartered 6 times now with a different crew each time (by successfully I mean only bar stories and no boats damaged <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />)

I wanted to hear what is on your Captain's Creed on the first day with a mostly new crew i.e. what are your unique rules you put forth regarding safety and the charter in general. I usually have a list of things I run down but always feel like I forget something that they probably should know before the inevitable trouble occurs with a boat. I was hoping to start a list, as everyone has their unique style, to generate some valuable advice and experience that can be shared and easily bookmarked for future charters.

I'll start with a few basics that I try to go through (some are obvious) to get started, keeping in mind I am gearing this towards a mainly inexperienced crew:

1)Location of life jackets, fire extinguishers, and emergency gear (flares, air horns, PFDs, wood plugs, life raft, etc.)
2)Instruction and proper use of electrical panel, batteries, shore power, and the generator
3)Instruction and proper use of VHF radio
4)Proper shut-off of propane gas and ventilation
5)Instruction on mooring and docking procedures, including anchoring.
6)Winch instruction and hand protection for those that want to help with the sailing aspect (this has become less of an issue with the newer boats with all the sheets coming into the helm)
7)Proper use of marine head and water conservation (the ladies always love this one <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />)
8)Knot tying skills (at least know how to do a cleat knot, clove hitch, and half hitch; Bowline at some point but some can't seem to get this one quickly enough the first time <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />)
9)Hat, sunscreen, and proper clothing for the weather
10)I like to practice at least one MOB drill once the sails are up the first time (usually a heave to) so that everyone understands the need for establishing specific roles in a MOB situation
11)I am taking a 5 and 7 year old this spring for the first time and would love to hear kid specific rules as well.


Alright I will stop there but by no means was that meant to be an all inclusive list. Hopefully this will be a valuable thread as I certainly don't want to waste everyone's time, but truly am trying to gain more knowledge from experienced skippers over my meager experience to this point.

good luck, not all the crew needs to know everything. You might be better giving tasks to different age groups. The briefer will cover many of your questions. As to knots I love this app, you can download for free

http://www.animatedknots.com/indexboatin...imatedknots.com

have fun, buy about 2, 5' lengths of 3/8 nylon rope at Home Depot and practice your knots

Thanks for the link to the App Evan! Awesome

You forgot rule #1... The Captain is in charge. This is the most important. In an emergency, or in a critical maneuver there is no time for a group decision. The Captain should be giving the crew direction. And the crew should be paying attention.

And of course my favorite rule for the marine head - if it did not come out of your body it does not go into the head. This includes toilet tissue. Empty the trash cans in the head every day and there really is no problem with this rule. After 20 years with this rule we have never had a blocked head.

Conversely, we do not like smelly toilet tissue in the trash for even one day. So we do allow toilet tissue in the heads on our boat. And in 16 years, we have never had a blocked head either. To each their own on that issue. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Steve, you like the knot app try this one on iTunes. I don't have the link it's an app on my iPhone. The app is called Drag Queen. I know it sounds funny, but it works great.

I think your list is pretty good. There is some critical safety issues that really need to be covered right away, but I try to dole out information in fairly small doses. Too much at once doesn't seem stick.

You should add instructions about not getting body parts between the boat and a dock. Have a fender at the ready instead.

Thanks for the input! I knew I would get some good info from this crew. Sail2wind and SteveinMD, I agree that several of these points can be disseminated over the first few days as they arise and overloading the crew would not be helpful, but some things do need to be known before leaving the dock.

Good call trueblue, I should definitely add Rule #1 to the top. Also thanks to you and Evan for the knot tying links.

Anyone have advice on setting basic rules for young kids that they can remember? The only obvious one I can think of is life jackets on anytime the boat is moving.

I have seen some boats that have some netting up around the lifelines. Is that something that charter companies provide on request or has to be brought in on your own?

One hand for the boat at all times. No shoes on board. No cardboard below decks - empty provisioning boxes up top and get rid of them - lots of times the delivery people will want them back! This will help avoid unwanted "guests" known as roaches <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

If it can overboard, it will - warn people about sunglasses (or worse - prescription glasses!) falling off faces - secure them around your neck - clip on straps for baseball caps, etc., iPods, iPhones, etc etc. Avoid spray-on suntan products that typically get everywhere but on the body - but make sure everyone IS aware of how strong the sun can be so they don't burn and ruin a few good days! This is all that's popping into my head but I know there's more - along with what you've already got - and, of course, the all-important "captain is in charge", which has also been covered.

Ha already have that one! It's a drag but Works like a queen

We started taking our kids on boats when my daughter was three and my son five. I have always been amazed how agile they are on boats. We purchased lifeline netting but never felt the need to put it up. Just basic common sense rules have worked just fine for our kids. Also, my kids know that I modify the rules as the situation demands.

Having a life jacket that is comfortable for the child is a must. Soaking them (the lift jackets) in fabric softener can help a lot! Wear them before going to the BVI so you know if they will chafe, etc.

I don't wear a life jacket all of the time, but I put it on as soon as it gets rough, or the wind picks up above a moderate blow. If someone else falls overboard I know I can stop the boat, drop or luff sails, and maneuver the boat as needed. However if I fall overboard I figure I might be in the drink for a fairly long time with my crew at the wheel. Also, kids are much less likely to complain about their life jacket if you are wearing yours.

I do think it's rather easy for kids to get dehydrated while out sailing. We now keep careful track of their fluid intake (tell them how many bottles full they need to drink each day and help track it). They tend to drink more if you can find an insulated water bottle.

Some kids are rather prone to sea sickness. Our doctor recommended Bonine over Dramamine for kids. It does not cause as much drowsiness. If there is any chance someone will be sea sick, including adults, have them start out the week taking at least a low dose and Bonine. They can back off when they get their sea legs.

I've always really enjoyed sailing with my kids and I'm impressed how well they adapt to boats.

On the topic of kids and safety, I had our kids watch this video as we started sailing. They were 5 and 8 years old. At the 6:20 mark in the video, they play through a MOB drill from the perspective of the MOB. I don't want to open up a conversation here on the preferred MOB approach, but I wanted to show the kids what is going on from that view. In short, don't panic. The boat is not able to make a 180 degree turn and come right back to you. You will see the boat move away from you for a while. Then turn and head in another direction and then come back to you. Like most prep, it was overkill since nobody fell off. But I wanted to get ahead of it with my 5 year old daughter since I knew that would be one scary feeling being dunked in the ocean and seeing the boat sail off. Funny story, we also practice proper family MOB drills letting the kids know how important it is to be the spotters in the cockpit and point to the person who fell over so the skipper never loses perspective. We practiced that a number of times with the kids. On the way back into Road Town, my wife decided to knock the sand off of her shoes and one went right over. The kids pointed the whole time and never lost site of that shoe all the way to the rescue.

I think this is critical for everyone to know. Years ago on our first charter it was 4 couples and a hired captain. Nobody went over the MOB drill with us. A big floatie started to blow off the stern and one of the guys went to grab it. Of course he fell in. Our captain did exactly what he should have, sailed away to come back, but in those few moments he was sailing away the guy in the water was panicked and pi$$ed! Had we gone over the MOB procedure ahead of time he might have been a little calmer. 12 years later I think he's still pi$$ed about the whole thing <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

Nobody is allowed into the water without the captain's permission. That directive avoids MOBs...

Good stuff Stevein MD and Tacking Ag; exactly what I was looking for honestly.

I love reading about everyone's experiences as someone that can only charter 1-2 times a year. I feel like I gain at least a little that I lose in actual real life experience.

CottageGirl, a quick heave to might have made him feel like the rescue occurred more quickly but he might have had to swim a little to get back to the boat. I think letting everyone know the plan would keep the panic down in that situation.

Kimber, that directive works about as well for my crews as no drinking to we get moored in our final location for the night <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />, but I like the way you think!

Agree wholeheartedly with Kimber's comment about nobody going in the water until ok'd by the skipper.
You will need to judge the current situation and other potential hazards. Might be good to have the dingy ready and warmed up in case it's needed quickly. A dingy on the davits is not all that useful for a "need it right now" MOB solution.

Liquid joy works well for showing on the back deck.
It saves a ton of fresh water.
We jump in the salt water, soap up, jump back in to get the soap off, and then use a little fresh water from the tank, about a quart, to wash the salt off.