Seamanship of the interpersonal variety, what makes a great trip is a great crew.


I now send this to all crew joining me, to open a conversation thought it might be useful, what do you tell your crew?
I thought I would try and clarify some questions I have had about what its like to be a crew member. Each yacht and captain are very different and having spent many years at sea both as a captain and manager of commercial yachts I have seen happy ships and unhappy ships...
So what makes a happy ship.
People need to want to be there. They need to have common goals and aspirations and be running to something of the same schedule or lack of.. Everyone needs to want to help and be part of a team ( Including the Captain). Unrealistic expectations are uncomfortable in a small space.
People need to be kind to themselves and to each other.
Nothing makes someone feel worse who is feeling seasick or not confident than to think they are letting other people down. The best cure other than sitting under a palm tree is, to learn, to feel useful and valued.
I have been very lucky over the years to have had some amazing crew who have become good friends. That doesn't mean we all agreed or got on well together all the time. I think if I were to codify what makes it work. Its give people a second, third and fourth chance. Look beneath a reaction to a reason and most of all start each day & watch as a new day without baggage.
In terms of schedule, I turn the engine off and sail on passage, I love to sail zephry's. I enjoy the challenge of bring ing a yacht to port in harmony with wind and waves not fighting them. That means schedule and destination are not a fixed agenda but a fluid harmony. My ship is very well maintained and shipshape to ensure that the harmony is with the ocean ( Mostly!) rather than with breakdowns. I don't sail hard. I avoid going to windward . If you are looking to race, fit into a fixed plan by motoring for endless miles you will find someone to do it with but do us both a favour and be honest with me and yourself.
Food makes a happy ship, cooking together makes for great experiences, whether its a laugh about what went wrong or a genuine shock as to what went right. I have never had a meal I couldn't eat. The galley and barbecue are set up so everyone can contribute to the enjoyment of preparing food and eating it.
Private space.
We all need a space to go do, whatever you need to do. ( I need to drink my first coffee in peace...)( Not easy on a sailboat or even a large yacht. It comes from two things, design and intent. In terms off design, Azura has two directors chairs on the after deck and a table. Great place for cocktails for two, an intimate dinner for two. or drinks for 6 or more or a book for one. She has a hammock that swings from the foredeck where you can reflect and loose some of lifes stress and challenges.
All that in addition to the salon and cockpit.( In both these areas its harder to be alone as other crewmates walk through) . Space is also created with respect by leaving someone who needs a minute or 30 alone, and by having the empathy to know when they want to chat. Space is an issue in port. At sea we live in the biggest space imaginable with both temporal and spatial separation of watches and cabins, truly the ocean is an amazing restoring place.
Happy crew know how to respect personal space and also when to offer companionship. We all bring baggage ( of two varieties). Personal, life baggage's best left at the dock so that you can fully live in the present moment developing new connections. Baggage of the clothes and shoes, devices kind has to live in your space. Its not much amongst a small sailboat so respect that. You will not endear yourselves to your shipmates if they trip over your stuff! So what do ou need and can you travel with hand baggage?, Yes is most cases. If your sail with me is in the tropics or heading that way, If you need devices bring them, but know they dont respect salt water and the Internet is a fickle thing in port and there are better ways of spend hours than trying to connect to it!. You will have access to sail mail to keep loved ones in touch at sea ( text only and not private as its over radio) Smart phones or IPADS seem to work better than computers for most people these days and charge from a USB). I would leave the laptop at home!
Shorts, tops ( Light cotton easy to dry on the rail), bikinis, swimsuits and one going ashore outfit. ( Jeans are a good standby for cold nights even if they are a swine to dry, nothing for me feels more comfortable although I suspect yoga pants may serve the same for others). Some water safe shoes, ( Light and designed for walking on sand, rocks). underwear or smalls. Don't forget we will be in port and shopping is easy.
So what do I wear? In Port ? Each year I print up some T shirts ( White for the sun and a few polo shirts), Some great shorts that are comfortable and dry easily. Two jumpers when one gets ratty I get another one. Some comfortable sneakers, trainers and some beach shoes, I keep a Jacket and pair of pants in case... ( I have Foul weather gear and never use it). I tend to pick up a shore going outfit if I am in a place for a while and then recycle it. At sea, depends on the crew and everyones sensibilities but in the tropics not a lot, ie a shirt and shorts. I can arrange boat T shirts for anyone joining if you wish let me know. Otherwise just white or light shirts some with long sleeves are a great option. I don't mind if your clothing optional but I would ask that you respect others wishes in this department and show empathy. One rider on this is that many islands are very conservative and what may be acceptable in Italy is not in the BVI. As we respect each other so we respect places we visit.
So as in all things respect and empathy is the key ingredient. If you respect each other aboard and have low expectations you will always be pleasantly surprised!
Happy sailing
Fair winds and Calm seas
Nigel


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