[micpuriq]

Hi, I’m new to the boating world so please be patient with my ignorance (22 years army doesn’t help much here). I am helping a young friend research this career area and I am a little confused about something. How does a person get into waterborne stewardessing with no boating experience? She is landlocked in Denver, CO
I understand the crew agency concept but she has no way to get the certificates (STCW 95) 6000 feet up, and walking door to door on the docks is a little had to do also. Where does she start?
Any help would be appreciated

Mike

[JHA]

My recommendation for her would be this.
I assume she's american which is a HUGE asset for her.
Save some money, be prepared to leave everything behind (put furniture in storage and cancel the apartment lease) register with the crew agents and head to Ft. Lauderdale. Anyone and everyone I know in this industry has done it that way (geography not withstanding). In fact I know of a chief stew right now who's looking for someone to start ASAP in the laundry dept... PM me if your girl is ready to jump right into it.

[micpuriq]

Thanks for the info JHA
Yes, I noticed that all the cruise ships have the laundry department at the top of there lists.

[JHA]

Sorry I should have clarified, it's not a cruise ship position. My friend is the chief stew on a 160' yacht. She's looking for a 3rd stew who can handle the laundry duties. But will not be solely a laundry girl... If she (whoever takes the job) works out, there is a tremendous amount of opportunity to work her way up...

[micpuriq]

oh wow that sounds a lot better. i was doing the math on "laundry department" for a 3000 person ship and there was nooooooooooo way i was going to talk her into that.

[Eric Sponberg]

There are any number of crew agencies that will train you in all facets of yacht crewing, both on the steward side as well as the technical side. Also, she should subscribe to DOCKWALK magazine which caters directly to the crew crowd. Most crew recruitment in the US occurs is Ft. Lauderdale.

Dockwalk Magazine
1800 SE 10th Ave., Suite 440
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
Tel: 954-522-2441
Subscriptions: 1-866-213-4676

The subscription is fairly pricey, $75 per year, but it is a wealth of information and for someone just starting out, it would be the quickest and easiest way to get up to speed on what life is like on board.

Good Luck!

Eric

[iburry]

Originally Posted by micpuriq

Hi, I’m new to the boating world so please be patient with my ignorance (22 years army doesn’t help much here). I am helping a young friend research this career area and I am a little confused about something. How does a person get into waterborne stewardessing with no boating experience? She is landlocked in Denver, CO
I understand the crew agency concept but she has no way to get the certificates (STCW 95) 6000 feet up, and walking door to door on the docks is a little had to do also. Where does she start?
Any help would be appreciated

Mike

Hi There...
Its true... Head to Fort Lauderdale.
There is only one way to do it and that is to find some day work for yachts in the yards. Stay at the following crew house... Check out the link... http://www.theneptunegroup.com/ Head to Waxy O' Conner's on a Friday night and Network,...!!!! If your friend is a social animal there are many owners/ Captains that will help out with the training. The industry is always crying out for presentable, reliable smart, social and fun loving young people with a zest for life and a willingness to travel and learn..

[JAG1]

I can just about remember when I joined the large yacht industry in Ft Lauderdale - it was very daunting being suddenly dumped on my own in a town I didn't know, and that was as an experienced racing sailor. So to that extent I'd say there's a little more to it than just packing up and heading east.

1/ Get the STCW basic training. Without it she automatically counts herself out of every commerically operated yacht - ie about 60% of possible jobs. Also having spent some effort shows the agencies shes at least a little serious.
2/ Go sailing for leisure, the amount of girls I've seen arrive only to find that they get seasick the minute the boat leaves the dock would beggar belief. This is an entire lifestyle change not just another job. Take a one week course at a sailing school - the British RYA competent crew course is very good and can be done stateside.
3/ Your 20 years army experience is very useful, a stewardess' life revolves around cleaning to a ridiculous level - a bit like the army in fact - "Join the army and clean the world" was the phrase used in my regiment. So teach her how to iron and clean her room, then do a white glove inspection.
4/ Save some money - she might be lucky and walk into something, she might not and be waiting around a bit, a lot of the kids in France come down on a wing and a prayer, run out of money and have to return home broke.

I see the same pattern repeated every year either in France or Fort Lauderdale - new arrivals totally unprepared, its not as easy as it looks but with a bit of prep it usually works out for the best.

[micpuriq]

thank you very much for all the wonderful info. i passed it all to her with websites and info. the rest is up to her.

thank you again

mike