Crew travel - Who pays?

kiwicapt · 03-31-2007, 02:25 PM

Owners and Captains are faced with the cost of paying for travel costs of new staff. But what happens when the deck hand you hire in U.S. decides to leave and go home when you arrive in Europe (for example). Who is going to Pay for repatriation? Sometimes the cost of sending someone home is the price of 1 month salary. it gets expensive.
Sure, if you fire him/her, pay for the flight home. But if they decide to leave, are we as captains obligated by law to pay for their flight. I know it is a sore point with my owner. The best is to find a perfect crew that does not leave, but in this industry crew changes are part of the job.

Does anyone have information on international regulations governing repatriation, or what policies do YOU have in place to reduce the expenses.

Cheers

AMG · 03-31-2007, 02:47 PM

I think this should be regulated in the employment contract and your example is one where I think the crew has to pay. There are no laws on this really, only practice and most are following their common sense. Bad crew or bad captains/owners will soon face problems, so on all sides it is better to use fair play.

GrahamF · 03-31-2007, 04:19 PM

I agree with AMG. If crew dicide to leave on their own account then they pay for the flight and what ever expenses are incured.

YES! · 03-31-2007, 04:48 PM

I found this to be one of the most contentious issues with crew and is why I made sure that all had read and signed the crew agreement in advance.

If you fire them for poor performance, you have to pay for repatriation. If you fire for drugs, stealing or other legal violations; you have the local authorities pick them up at the passarelle. If they quit, they are on their own dime; but make sure that you notify immigration that the crew member is no longer on board so that if they have trouble in the country you are no longer responsible.

The other thing they do not understand is that the annual round trip air fare to their home is a reward for loyalty. That is why it is "round trip." It is not a free ride home to quit.

Going to sea is the best, but dealing with crew can take the wind out of your sails.

Good Luck!

Capt Gary · 04-01-2007, 05:57 PM

You've mentioned bad captains and bad crew. There are also bad owners. I once walked off a job in Florida because I feared for the lives of everyone on board. I forfeited my wages and had to hitchhike home. I learned to write contracts from then on that left everyone involved fully aware when dealing with disagreements. I haven't had any similar problems in the 35 years since.

Gareth · 04-02-2007, 08:06 AM

You surely have to abide by the laws of the country you are in. I think for most Caribbean countries, if the crew is dismissed, the boat is stuck with the repatriation. I imagine this is true for the U.S. as well.

AMG · 04-02-2007, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gareth

You surely have to abide by the laws of the country you are in. I think for most Caribbean countries, if the crew is dismissed, the boat is stuck with the repatriation. I imagine this is true for the U.S. as well.

Yes, this was understood by all. The question was rather if a crewmember decides to leave in a foreign port during a cruise, who is paying for repatriation if nothing is agreed in advance?

GrahamF · 04-02-2007, 02:58 PM

Talking about bad owners. I am still trying to get money from my ex-boss. The biggest and most expensive lesson i have learnt is do not use personal money to pay for anything for the boat. After nearly 4 years of working for them this is the way they repay you for loyalty. Funny enough the Captain that took over from me also quit his job 4 months later.
I havent come accross one Captain or Crew member that took legal action againts the owner/boat. I know 3 other Captains that are going through the same problems.

Capt Gary · 04-02-2007, 04:58 PM

I think it would interesting to comment on owners (no names) that push the behavior envelope in both extremely good to extremely abusive. We have all been on boats that we’ve wanted off of at any cost. I’ve made an obvious correlation between macho owners who disguise their fear during stormy weather by yelling at everyone in sight and a few that are cruel by nature. Fortunately in my case most of the people I work for are easily the nicest people I’ve ever met. One of my clients has virtually adopted me into the family. They refuse to go out to dinner in port unless I go along and are constantly concerned with my comfort. I’ve given up trying to be seen but not heard and sort of
behind the scene. Summing up, it appears to me that the most difficult part of our job isn’t mechanical problems or bad weather, but communication and respect between all onboard.

Talon · 04-07-2007, 02:13 PM

Another way that crew can be repatraited is to 'Hold a flight bond', this is where the crew member hands over his passport, along with a sum of money to cover the cost of a flight home.

This is then given back when the person leaves the vessel and can afford to fly home.

I think that this is a more European move to stop Captains having to fork out to remove 'Bad Crew'.

It has worked for friends of mine when some of the crew failed to deliver!!