Cabo San Lucas Fishing Charter Crew
Gladiator Charters has the resources to provide you with anything you desire, in absolute comfort and luxury.
Finding and maintaining the proper crew for your yacht is a timeconsuming and tedious chore.
With our Fractional Yacht Ownership Program, Gladiator Charters can relieve you of this hassle completely, or we can provide assistance that will make the process seem like a walk in the park.
The following information is provided as a basic starting point for yacht owners:
All yachting salaries are determined by a wide variety of factors. One factor is the amount of time the yacht is used by owners and charter guests. Another issue is the planned itinerary of the vessel as well as any other above average responsibilities. If the vessel will be running with a short-handed crew (less than average) they should be paid more. Of course the individual's personal training and licenses as well as their practical experience should be compensated for if they are applicable.
Sometimes an owner or captain may request "entry level" crew and a base salary should be expected. There are many other benefits that should be considered when negotiating a salary. The yacht should cover all expenses such as food and even clothes and shoes. Some yachts also include a monthly phone allowance or even a paid vacation.
It is also quite common to be hired at a "starting wage" and have the opportunity for further negotiations once a trial period has passed. The supply / demand curve varies greatly depending on position, location, season and combinations thereof. As the saying goes, "you get what you pay for" and we all know when you pay peanuts - you get monkeys!
CAPTAIN: The entire vessel is the responsibility of the captain. Ultimately the safe navigation of the vessel and everyone on board is the main task of captains. They should be familiar with every system on board including radar, satellite navigation, satellite communication, multi-propeller use, bow and stern thrusters, stabilizers, trim-tabs, etc. etc. On smaller yachts they may also be the engineer and even maintain the exterior of the yacht as well.
On larger yachts they delegate the various duties among the crew and should be familiar with each of their positions. The best captains lead by example and should be capable of doing each job themselves. They should be able to bond with the crew while maintaining their respect and being able to interact closely with owners and guests while maintaining a professional relationship. They have to keep financial records, make and meet budgets, plan itineraries and reservations in marinas, and have a resource of international contacts for all types of parts and services.
ENGINEER: Obviously the most important responsibility of the engineer are the engines of the yacht. On larger yachts commercial engineer licenses are required and often a chief engineer delegates responsibilities among the 2nd and 3rd engineer and himself. On smaller yachts the captain or mate may be responsible for basic engine maintenance. Knowledge of diesel engine maintenance and general mechanical understanding is a must. Other areas include refrigeration, plumbing, electrics, hydraulics and reverse osmosis.
Most every system of these natures is the responsibility of the engineer. Once again we see the versatility of a yachting nature emerge! When large "refits" are called for the engineer may only be required to oversee contracted workers in port; however, the truly skilled engineer is capable of troubleshooting and jury-rigging at sea. When an alternator, freezer or a water maker quits halfway across an ocean, a yacht relies on the engineer's ability to isolate a problem and (if a permanent solution is not available) to invent a temporary solution. At the same time engineers may be expected to emerge from the engine room, dress in whites and epaulets and interact with owners and guests as well.
DECKHAND: This position also stays interesting because of its many different duties. A deckhand should be very versatile and a jack of all trades. On larger yachts the boson is responsible for delegating responsibility among the deckhands and himself. On smaller yachts a deckhand may find himself also sharing engineer's duties with the captain or steward's work with the chef. In general, the "deckie" is responsible for the exterior of the yacht.
Most of this maintenance can be compared to auto detailing: washing, polishing, waxing, buffing, and touch up painting, often with two-part polyurethane. Teak maintenance is never ending whether it is the high gloss varnished handrails, the richly oiled wheelhouse interior, or the bare golden glow of a freshly scrubbed teak deck. A deckhand must be a sure hand with a brush whether scrubbing or painting. In any case it is always helpful to have some understanding of electricity, plumbing, carpentry, and mechanics as well as interior cleaning and service -truly a jack of all trades!
STEWARD or STEWARDESS:
The steward is responsible for the interior of the yacht. They must be meticulously clean and orderly people, as should all members of the crew. This position can be interesting because of its many different duties. Although the comfort of the owner and/or guests is the first priority, the steward is involved in every aspect of a yacht's interior. This includes cleaning and maintenance similar to an expensive home as well as many unique yachting areas. There is always vacuuming and laundry to do, washrooms to clean and dishes to wash after helping prepare and serve the meals.
The main difference on a yacht is the restricted space! They must be able to meet all of the guest's needs without intruding on their privacy. It is the most skilled steward who is rarely seen and yet "magically appears" whenever they are needed! Timing is everything and keeping organized so that many jobs can be completed at the same time. On larger yachts a Chief Steward delegates responsibility and divides the work among the other stewards and themselves. On a smaller yacht a deckhand may be required to share steward duties with the chef. Aboard formal yachts a steward may be required to know Silver Service, which is also good thing for every crew member to know.
CHEF: The largest difference in a chef position on a yacht is the extensive planning required and the ability to work at sea. They must do their own provisioning and preparation work for all of the courses including desert and often clean their own galley as well. Remember cleanliness is next to godliness! On some smaller yachts the cook may also share steward responsibilities with the deckhand while on larger yachts the chef may have the services of one or more of the stewards for prep work, serving, clearing and cleaning. Also, unlike a hotel or restaurant, a yacht's menu should be practically unlimited with limited resources.
Inventiveness is the key! An ability to produce exotic meals from ordinary ingredients and to present new and exciting dishes, avoiding repetition. The chef should also be aware of many different tastes to accommodate possible allergic, vegetarian or simply picky owners or guests. One never knows who may be dining with the owners, your guest may be an influential politician or a world famous actor / entertainer. At the same time your hardest critics could be the crew themselves, who must partake at your table every day. It cannot be said enough: present new and exciting dishes and avoid repetition.
DELIVERY PERSONNEL: Some of these positions are paid and some are not, but for the newcomer this is an excellent way to obtain references and experience! Deliveries are contract work, which means moving the boat from one place to another, and then the job is done. To get the contract many captains low-bid the job and count on picking up extra watch crew at no cost.
Work is sporadic and the captain's crew may not always be available, thus most delivery captains are always in need of extra crew. There are literally thousands of these skippers worldwide; many of who do deliveries full-time and have a company set up. Many of them work with yacht brokers (salesmen) who usually use a handful of the same captains again and again to move their boats around for boat shows or once they are sold.
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