How to keep a happy crew
Richard Hare suggests inclusiveness, project ownership and a ‘hymn sheet’ are the key to contented guests on board. Owners too
Cruising with others can be a social pressure-cooker but with a measure of structure it can be enjoyable for all
Iknow several couples who sail together but have resisted inviting visitors to join them on board. It’s not that they’re antisocial – far from it – it’s that they like their boats the way they are and the way they run them.
Mindful of how things can go awry, particularly in confined spaces, they prefer to sidestep the discord that can arise. Some owners will restrict visitors to family members, folk from the ‘same mould’ who will hit the ground running and fit in easily. My wife Janie and I think of Keppel as a family asset and we like to engage family with her travels.
This has resulted in us spending many months with our grown-up nephews and nieces, and son and daughter-in-law that
we would otherwise have not enjoyed.
Either way, with several people living together in a tiny space, quite possibly no bigger than your bathroom at home, a ship’s complement can rapidly unravel into a social pressure-cooker. As we get older we tend to get set in our ways, and this doesn’t help. It needn’t be a problem though. What’s called for is a measure of structure, and that has to come from the vessel owners from the outset.
Welcome aboard
The responsibility for everyone’s safety and enjoyment on board lies with the skipper. They should know more about their boat than anyone else. Therefore a ‘welcome aboard’ chat is the best possible start. This will include skip’s requested ‘dos and don’ts’, as much governed by the boat type as they are by the owner’s preferences in its use and handling.
It’s usually the longer-term, liveaboard,
situation where the need for ‘external’ crew arises. Many sailing partnerships include a member who is less enamoured with the idea of long spells on board. It’s best to accept this. In this event, the hapless aspiring liveaboarder must seek crew elsewhere. My wife Janie is a very good sailor and boat-handler. She’s also a full contributor on maintenance. But, she doesn’t like spending more than four weeks aboard a year. Fair enough – I’m not into quilting.
So, a crewbase has to be built, and if friends and family are to return year on year they need to have a fun and fulfilling experience. But, this must never come at the skipper’s expense, or his partner’s. I begin each year by emailing my crew-call to those who I think might be interested. This outlines the passage plan for the year and includes a lot of what follows...
The hymn sheet
Crew should be encouraged to take ownership of their part of the project, and this is done by listening to what they would like to get out of it. When it comes to the day-to-day running of our boats, no two of us will have the same onboard systems and priorities. So, it’s important that crew stick to the skipper’s particular hymn sheet as much as they can, even if it goes a bit against the grain. This is as much for safety reasons as it is to do with anything else. It is not above being questioned, challenged even; and it should be explained and discussed.
As an example, aboard Keppel we like to attach fenders using a standard clove hitch. A pal of mine prefers clove hitches with a slip hitch. When he’s on my boat he does it my way and when I’m on his boat I do it his way. He’s responsible for his fenders, and I’m responsible for mine. On the rare occasions someone seems unwilling or unable to do as we ask, the most expedient thing is to do it quietly ourselves. This is less discordant than asking someone else.
After breakfast is a good time to lay down guiding principles. The worst approach must surely be to take the unconfident: “Oh don’t worry about it – we’ll all muddle along somehow and it’ll all be fine” (usually accompanied by nervous laughter and obvious uneasiness). And what happens? Everyone does their own thing, all get into trouble for it, and the skipper wishes he’d stayed at home.
What follows will seem like an awful lot of stuff to off-load onto guests but, rolled out in two or three sessions it has never been a problem for me. Any of these issues can be revisited at any time later on.
Set off on the right foot
If crew arrive late in the day, other than checking that everyone knows how to operate the heads, the ‘welcome aboard’ chat is best left until the following morning. If they arrive early afternoon, then by all means knock off some of the criteria, sufficient to engage everyone for the rest of the day. When Keppel was based in Preveza this invariably meant a short headsail run down the Gulf of Amvrakikos to Vounitsa where we’d find a peaceful bay for a swim and a quiet night at anchor.
Social life on board
There are two types of crew – crew that join me when I’m alone, and crew that join us when Janie’s aboard. With the latter I have to be more careful. Although Janie is fine with some male crew, the ‘boatload of smelly old men’ (who are sometimes less than careful in the loo) is a non-starter, and so it should be. She’s happiest if there’s another female on board. Stow stuff away This may only apply to those sleeping in the saloon. It needn’t apply to crew in separate cabins so long as occupants do not to let their clutter drift into the communal areas – the nav area particularly. The saloon may well be guests’ own space for sleeping but during daytime it’s everyone else’s too.
If crew prefer to live out of their kit bags (not in the saloon), no problem. I remind everyone that there’s vacant locker space, and leave it at that. We keep this locker space permanently unoccupied for visitor use. Almost everyone has taken advantage of it, with the exception of one couple who were careful not to overspill. In the saloon, don’t assume that you have to sit all day on the berth you sleep on: Scoff ye not – nearly everyone does this, irrespective of whether it’s a convenient place to park oneself. On Keppel I like to break down any space ownership/ entitlement within the communal areas.
Don’t wait to be asked, If a guest fancies a cup of tea, make them feel free to put the kettle on, and ask if anyone would like to join them.
Alcohol An essential issue to clarify. Personally, I’m all for it, so long as we’re all moored up, anchored, or tied up alongside. I don’t allow alcohol while we’re out on the water beyond sharing a tin of beer with a sandwich or whatever. Why? I don’t want the responsibility of a boatful of inebriates on passage. Cooking Some skippers like to do all the cooking. Others prefer a few nights off. On Keppel we ask everyone to source, cook, and put on the table at least one meal.
I don’t mind if it’s a ready meal, from a tin, or something their partner prepared earlier at home, so long as we all get an evening off now and again. Owners must not feel obliged to supply catered holidays. Going outside A safety issue that many skippers are anxious about is the ‘popping outside for a pee’ in the middle of the night scenario. I ask male friends to assure me they will hold onto the boom gallows or shrouds if they do so as a MOB recovery at night when the tide is
‘The comment “He who blocketh the bog can bloody well unblocketh it too” is all that’s needed to focus minds.’
running can end badly. Crew should be told not to worry about using the loo at night for fear of waking anyone.
Using the loo OK, it’s awkward… but it’s surprising how many of us struggle with the proper operation of a sea toilet. Explain that we can’t have unpumped water splashing around in the bowl, particularly when under way. Some folk may be unfamiliar as they have electric ones. Explain a heads drill. Keppel’s is easy to remember – six pumps after a pee, 12 after a poo – and that’s another reason why her heads doesn’t smell.
Out of sight is not out of mind. Some recommend 10 pumps after a wee. The important thing is to get the nasties out of the boat. Pumping ‘as you go’ (Number Twos) is strongly recommended. It prevents embarrassing blockages. So far I’ve not had one aboard any of my boats.
The comment ‘He who blocketh the bog can bloody well unblocketh it too’ is all that’s needed to focus minds. If holding tanks are in use there will be a different, more resourceful pumping procedure. In the Med/canals loo paper goes in nappy bags and in the general waste.
Ask crew to put the toilet lid down. Point out that nobody wants to fish their toothbrush out of the pan, let alone for the ‘bumping around at sea’/crashing lid reason; and ensure the pump handle is always down to reduce risk of damage when someone invariably slumps against it. Ask crew to pump very gently if using the loo at night.
Money matters/provisioning Some skippers take money from guests and control what everyone eats and drinks. I’ve heard horrible examples of this.
Aboard Keppel we run a kitty system for all communal costs. I ask someone to be ‘Kitty Meister’ and take care of the whip-rounds. It’s a job I don’t want. Kitty covers marina/harbour dues, eating and drinking when we’re all together, both onboard and ashore. It’s easiest to use kitty to pay for things like museums, bus fares etc. On provisioning, everyone buys what they like. Beyond communal costs – clearly explained in the crew-call – visitors take care of their own affairs.
Everyone comes aboard a fully-stocked boat and we replace stuff as we consume it. I ensure the stock levels are up to normal when the next crew change arrives. On inland waterways, it covers diesel too. As with general provisioning, the tank is topped up from the kitty before a crew departs. This ensures that the next crew kitty (myself included!) doesn’t pick up any of the previous crew’s tab. It’s the same as sharing petrol on a long car journey. At sea we neither ask for or expect a diesel contribution. We used to in the old days when our budget was tighter.
On crew disbandment, the kitty is redistributed to the contributors. Have I ever had a kitty rebellion in over 18 years of distance cruising? No. People don’t want whip-rounds every time someone nips out for a loaf of bread or a pound of butter. It’s far easier just to grab the kitty. Gas drill Show crew where the gas bottles are stowed and the on/off taps. Explain whether we turn off the gas in between cooker use and/or at night, and, if relevant, the five-second depression button that applies to most ovens and how to ignite the cooker promptly.
Dry surfaces after use After using the basin or the sink I ask folk to wipe surfaces dry in the galley and heads after use. This saves a lot of varnish maintenance, and helps prevent the heads from becoming smelly. Portlights Explain how windows are closed and the importance of not accidentally altering the settings. Conserving resources During the three years Keppel was in Greece she spent only five days in a marina. Water is seldom a length of hose away. So, for hand washing consider using a galley foot pump. Pressurised water is wasteful of water and electricity. Showers can be taken without wasting water, ie don’t lose water while trying to get the temperature right – capture it in the basin and the shower tray so it can still be used. Solar bags save a lot of water too if the hose can be poked in through a window. Point out that running taps at half cock doesn’t actually save water, assuming you use the plug – it just knackers the water pump.
On electricity, remind people that lights and appliances cannot be left on in unused cabins. Highlighting the benefits of chilled beer and wine is usually all that’s needed to concentrate minds on this.
We now also have to contend with numerous personal electronic gadgets. To avoid them being festooned everywhere, ask guests to switch them off for the large part of the day.
Sweeping through It takes only a couple of minutes to sweep the boat regularly. If
no one volunteers, I elect someone but I make sure it’s someone else next time. Janie likes it done everyday. With up to four people living in a space the size of a bathroom, why not? Just look at what ends up in the dustpan (and not the bilge). Crew compatibility It’s worth considering forming a crew of the like-minded who will get along well. That said, I enjoy having mates aboard who disagree on all sorts of stuff. We’ve had some great arguments and all remained good mates. Even Brexit can’t come between us!
Travel costs It must be incumbent on visitors to pay their own travel costs to join our boats. If anyone made an issue of this – and no one has – I’d ask them to forget it. It’s a free sailing holiday for heaven’s sake!
Running the boat
It really helps if we are able to sail our boats single-handed. So if we have a crew that’s struggling to get a grip, or seasick, then it doesn’t really matter. Broadly, I’m content putting crew on the helm while I run around tweaking bits and bobs.
Helming under engine power, using the compass, is the first thing I ask visitors to do on board and then I progress them onto helming under sail. Experienced sailors will always be keen to get a feel for an unfamiliar boat.
As the days pass I introduce guests to various tasks. Experienced visitors are onto these much faster than novices, and I particularly like to have friends crewing who know more than I do. They add to my knowledge.
It’s tougher in inland waterways because lock drill starts immediately. Failure to establish a lock drill that works on the very first day will be disastrous and dangerous. Usually we have to allow people to make mistakes and learn from experience – it’ll happen in their first lock and it never happens again. Keppel has been through 794 locks and she bears only one battle scar. Not bad going. For that I have my several brilliant crews to thank.
Owners must resist the feeling that we shouldn’t ask crew to do tasks. They nearly always enjoy them, youngsters particularly. Besides, with nothing to do because the skipper’s doing everything – and probably becoming irritable as a result – crew become bored and lethargy sets in.
Activity fills time, so...
Show how to make a cleat Some folk like locking turns, others don’t. We like them (for security).
Coiling warps It’s not essential that everyone coils warps up into a bundle with a tail so long as it’s some semblance of it. Most people new to the task enjoy learning how to do this. Show folk where warps are stowed. locker lids Ensure under-berth plywood locker lids are placed back properly to avoid breakages. How many of us want to give up our berth because someone else has broken theirs? And besides, who’s going to have to make a new one..? warps Keep bowlines on the end of warps. Some skippers don’t like
bowlines and feel warps should be cleated on. I prefer bowlines. They can still be cleated.
Four knots Run through what you consider four essential knots – bowline, reef knot, clove hitch and round turn and two half hitches. It is embarrassing sometimes to do this with experienced crew but not everyone remembers the knots (myself included). Experienced guests often help with the tutorial. Engine Explain how the engine is started, and how to stop it. It’s far better than blowing the diodes. Nearly everyone says it’s different on their boat.
Lifejackets Some skippers like everyone on board to wear lifejackets all of the time, others give everyone their own heads on the matter. I give everyone their own heads but the moment I feel concerned I don’t hesitate to ask for us all to don lifejackets. Man overboard routine I’ve never had to deal with this situation for real. However I outline the basic principle of what I have decided works best on my boat and welcome any other ideas.
VHF Explain the basics in the event of skipper becoming incapacitated, ie switching the set on, the squelch knob, Ch16, Red Button use, and run through the Mayday crib sheet. DSC radios are complicated for inexperienced visitors – me too – so with novices suggest hitting the red button and if the prompts are confusing concentrate on talking. Explain the importance of saying “over”.
Investing in the future
Many of us have small grandchildren. In a very short time these tots will be of an age where they have the option of cruising in a family group, in my case I’d like it to be in and around the East Anglian rivers and creeks (and pubs!), just as their parents did two or three decades ago. The parents went on as adults to be involved in Keppel’s voyages through European inland waterways, the Atlantic and the Med. It would be nice if their children do likewise. Besides, it’ll get me out of a hole!
The investment starts with tea and cakes on board and progresses to a day trip down a river to a pub with a beach, then to spending an exciting night on board up a creek. So long as nothing happens to frighten them, or make them cold and wet, who knows where it will lead?
Implementation
It is a mistake to be too rigid, and I suppose the answer is to use people to their strengths: Not everyone will want to do everything on board. That’s fine, but we can suggest they may like to compensate in other areas.
I once had a chap who told us that he didn’t do any cooking at home and wasn’t going to start of my boat. The problem was that he didn’t do much else either. In contrast, a couple of female friends didn’t want to cook but, without asking, swept through and thoroughly cleaned the heads and cabin interior every day. During that trip Keppel was in boat show condition, and very nice it was too. I’d prefer to cook than clean.
A rough calculation indicates that we have had 35 friends crewing aboard Keppel of which 23 have returned so far. The rigours of Keppel’s hymn sheet can’t have been too onerous. Above all, issues raised here are just guidance, not ‘rules and regs’.
‘With nothing to do because the skipper’s doing everything – and irritable as a result – crew become bored and lethargy sets in’