Small passenger vessel company is hiring

[danzante]

Some of you may know that I've just landed at InnerSea Discoveries / American Safari Cruises. I will be sailing as Captain of the newly rechristened Safari Endeavour (previously CW boat Spirit of Endeavour). We're putting a bunch of money into her this winter, and will be sailing what I think will be a pretty cool itinerary.

I'm looking for some shipmates, specifically engineers and licensed deckhands. (I have a project engineer heading up the refurbishment, but he doesn't want to go back out to sea.)

The pay is a daily rate and is adequate (we pay more than the average small passenger vessel company), but not even close to what you can make in the GOM. But it is a fair wage, and you would be in the tip pool, which at this company has proven to be pretty decent.

The job could be great for the right person, but would be sheer torture for the wrong person. If you like being around people, having conversations with folks from all over the world, being surrounded by the unbelievably beautiful SE Alaska and Baja, Mexico, then you might want to consider applying. If you can barely stand sitting down to dinner with your watch partner, then this may not be the job for you.

Curious? Check out the website.

All of the applications have to go through the website, and the HR guy does an initial phone screen and will able to answer most of your questions, but feel free to pm me if you like.

[KennyW1983]

Do you need any mates? What the pay like? How about travel to and from home?

[danzante]

I don't need any mates on the Endeavour, but the company is looking for mates for the other vessels.

Pay is daily rate, 12 hour day, no overtime. The daily rate varies; mates can expect something between $150 - $180 per day, depending on position and experience. All crew members are in the tip pool when passengers are onboard, and that has been averaging about another $60-75 per day, but that number can really vary and is dependent on vessel and number of passengers onboard.

Seattle is the point of hire and the company will fly crewmembers to/from Seattle for vacation.

[Flyer69]

Any of the boats over 100 GRT ?

[danzante]

Any of the boats over 100 GRT ?

Ironically, just the smallest one in the fleet, the Safari Spirit.
http://www.innerseadiscoveries.com/safari-spirit

[KennyW1983]

$180 a day for the mate?! Now I remember why I left passenger boats.

[cappy208]

$180 a day for the mate?! Now I remember why I left passenger boats.

I 'saw the light' when I was 18 also! I worked 100 ton starting when I was 11. It certainly is a different mindset. Great to find women, but not so hot for $$.

But a job is a job. But one must realize MINO is not a great way to advance a career. (Mate in name only)

[danzante]

Exactly Cappy. Definitely not for everyone. I keep finding myself back in this part of the industry, though, because I like how the job is different every single day. I've tried the A to B thing and can't handle it. And no offense to DP, but it just doesn't seem like something that would appeal to me (although don't think the paycheck didn't tempt me). So here I go off again to drive these little boats, but damn if I'm not having a blast!

[DeckApe]

Some people enjoy working on small passenger ships and are happy to get small pay for a job they enjoy. Other people would whore their mothers out if it paid well. Each to their own.

[CaptAndrew]

So it is end of season for most of the vessels I assume. Are they really looking for crew now or is this just a standing ad? And how many vessels go south for the winter?
I actually wouldn't mind doing that for a while.

[Capttark]

So they only fly to and from Seattle no hometown flights?any idea how flexible the schedule is or always 6 and 2

[danzante]

So it is end of season for most of the vessels I assume. Are they really looking for crew now or is this just a standing ad? And how many vessels go south for the winter?
I actually wouldn't mind doing that for a while.

2 vessels are going through extensive winter refurbishment projects here in Seattle, so we'd like to have their crew onboard sooner to be involved in that, and it is for those vessels that we are actively hiring. The company has a total of 4 year round vessels (AK and then either Baja or Hawaii), including the 2 that are going through refurbishment.

[danzante]

So they only fly to and from Seattle no hometown flights?any idea how flexible the schedule is or always 6 and 2

Sorry, at this point, there are only vacation flights to/from Seattle.

The schedule has traditionally been 6 and 2, but we are still trying to figure out exactly what it is going to look like for the 2 vessels we are bringing online this year. My goal is to get the year round boats on something closer to 6/4, but again, we are still working on that and accepting input from our crewmembers.

[cappy208]

Sorry, at this point, there are only vacation flights to/from Seattle.

The schedule has traditionally been 6 and 2, but we are still trying to figure out exactly what it is going to look like for the 2 vessels we are bringing online this year. My goal is to get the year round boats on something closer to 6/4, but again, we are still working on that and accepting input from our crewmembers.

I was talking to a Filipino Bosun on a cruise ship a while ago. He worked 10 months on, and 2 off. They paid his travel back and forth. I was amazed that a human being would/could work that schedule. But, seeing that US seamen will work 6 and 2 I guess we are not surprised!

I wonder what the crew turnover is on this schedule. I have experienced (out of a 7 man crew) a turnover on average of one person (out of both crews) every two years. I am guessing these 100 ton 'mini' cruise ships have a slightly higher ratio.

[danzante]

I was talking to a Filipino Bosun on a cruise ship a while ago. He worked 10 months on, and 2 off. They paid his travel back and forth. I was amazed that a human being would/could work that schedule. But, seeing that US seamen will work 6 and 2 I guess we are not surprised!

I suppose I should have clarified that I was referring to weeks, not months. I haven't sailed 6 months straight since I got out of the service!

[cappy208]

I suppose I should have clarified that I was referring to weeks, not months. I haven't sailed 6 months straight since I got out of the service!

Doesn't matter. You are still gone from home on a 6 and 2 schedule regardless of unit. That totals 12 months out of 14! 6 and 4 I could almost say is ok. 6 and 2 will cause high turnover, broken homes, and shall we say atttact a certain type of lothario that most likely wouldn't be good for return clientele

[exsubguy]

I think the right type of lothorio will leave them smiling everytime... And despite the incompatibilities of this job it will pay someone's rent, and I appreciate the original poster's efforts.