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Instruction sought on 74 MY Miami

Discussion in 'Yacht Captains' started by hard hat, Nov 27, 2009.

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  1. hard hat

    hard hat New Member

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    Veracruz
    I am retired and living in Veracruz. I have been recruited to operate a friends new Yacht in Florida and need instruction to become proficient in all the operational aspects. I have 40 years experience in commercial diving worldwide as Offshore operations manager and Superintendent for saturation diving aboard DP work vessels. I have a vast experience with boats and boating, over a 1000 hrs as a private pilot, but not with Yachts and Florida.
  2. CaptTom

    CaptTom Senior Member

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    HH,
    You have two issues here: one to understand the operation and workings of a 74-foot yacht, and the other is to learn the waterways of South Florida. As for the cruising, you need to be careful down here as many areas outside the channels are shallow and unforgiving at speed. A good paper chart is your first purchase, don't rely on the chartplotter only to learn.
    What type of yacht and will it be at a marina or a residence? Several hours with captains in this area will do you good (get the owner to pay for that).
    As for the yacht, much time pouring over manuals, sticking your head in the bilge and surfing the web for answers will be in order. When something flashes or buzzes at the helm, you should have an idea of what's going on.
    Tell us the type of yacht, where the owner wants to cruise and anything else that might help and folks on YF should be able to pitch in. Experience will be the common denominator here (as in gaining it and being blamed for the lack of it).
  3. hard hat

    hard hat New Member

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    The boat is a 74' twin diesel with flybridge deep v euro style luxury yacht. Furuno navtech, sonar radar autopilot, thrusters, watermaker A C , inverter etc.. I would like to receive instruction from someone well versed in these systems as well as regulations with a view to qualify for Insurance coverage and progress towards some licensing further down the road. We have made one crossing with a local captain to Bimini and would be cruising there and beyond. All manuals are on board and I am delving into the new edition of Chapman. Beyond this I have an interest in being evaluated, given additional instruction, and receiving some kind of appropriate endorsement.
  4. CaptTom

    CaptTom Senior Member

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    As for your experience on and with boats, do you have any time behind the wheel? Am I to assume that you have no captains license yet? Of course you don't need a license to operate a yacht, but you need to check your friend's insurance policy to se eif one is required. It qualifies the level of experience of the operator if nothing else.
    When do you plan on coming to the US?
  5. hard hat

    hard hat New Member

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    Capt. Tom
    Thanks for the replies. No I do not have any captains papers or other USCG documents. Yes I do have time at the helm and in charge of vessel operation. I have contacted the schools in the Miami area preferably to get one on one instruction on the boat in a marina. I'm looking for options and will return to Miami as soon as a viable solution is presented.
  6. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    You indicated that the boat is in Miami. Is it US flagged? You cannot get a US Master's license due to your not being a US citizen and I'd expect the owner's insurance company would require a captain. As for running the boat, it sounds as if you'd be best working under a captain for awhile to learn the boat and how to handle it. School is a good idea, but most of your knowledge will come from experience as things occur. On a 74' yacht I'd be inclined to have you as 2nd and get a local captain who knows the waters of south Florida, the keys and the Bahamas. That captain could be hired part-time to run the boat and instruct you while you care for the boat full-time and learn. How are your mechanical skills?
  7. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    The insurance company is most likely going to want a Captain with a 100 ton USCG master license (or 200 ton MCA), and a good resume, or the insurance premium will be very expensive.

    There is months of learning to do on a 74' MY when it comes to the proper maintanence, repairs, engine and generator maintanence, knowing what spare parts to carry, and general workings. The Captaining end of things such as operating the vessel, charting a course, navigating and other necessities on a 74' MY should take years to learn. However, much can be taught in a couple of months, but really depends on the person learning. Each docking situation is different and there are many aspects.

    I would highly recommend a knowledgable Captain to both manage/maintain the vessel for several months, if not a year as well as instruct you on how to run the vessel. During this period you can take over the easier aspects such as cleaning, polishing stainless, etc. and work your way up on the mechanical side of things as time progresses.
  8. Capt Bill11

    Capt Bill11 Senior Member

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    PM Pascal. He's a member here, lives on a 53 Hatt. and runs a 70 footer in Miami.

    I'd bet he'd be willing to teach you.
  9. corinthian99

    corinthian99 New Member

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    London, UK
    Might not be a bad idea to hire a delivery captain from the manufacturers, most keep a list of people. Then the guy would be as familiar as possible with your particular vessel and all the annoying little foibles that each one has. Just a thought.
  10. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    south florida is pretty easy and well charted. Out of Miami, with a 74 footer, your prime playground will be Biscayne Bay which has a few nice spots to spend the day or week end. this is what i've been doing for years, either on our own boat (53 Hatteras) or on charters (70' Johson).

    Depending on the draft, there are places you can't go to but still a great area.

    In the Keys, with a boat that size, you are pretty much stuck outside on the Ocean side. the bay side is just too shallow with anything over 5' draft. That limits things a bit, although there are some good spots especially for snorkeling, swimming, exploring.

    the Bahamas are closer to the Keys but present some different challenges since your eyes become your main nav. instrument. I just got back from a week in Bimini, Nassau and the Berrys. it's hard to beat the Bahamas from so fl! The Berrys have so many great anchorages and yet not too far from Miami.

    If you are a US citizen, as long as you can document your sea time, you shoudlnt' have any problem getting the paperwork done in a few months.

    how old is the boat? Watermakers are mostly automatic these days so all you have to do is replace the pre filters... and do a back flush every week or so, although most new ones are automatic.

    as to the furunos... well, I hate them! :) have two of them on the Johnson (2003 models) and find them very unser unfreindly. but they work...

    I sent you an email...
  11. rudolph

    rudolph New Member

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    hard hat

    You may want to check out GROVE ISLE MARINA & CLUB if you need a special place to keep the yacht on Biscayne Bay