The Superyacht Group 
Home Page
- Forum home
- /
- Crew Issues
- /
- Couples - the new outcasts.....
Forum categories
Couples - the new outcasts..... | |||
| Author | Comment | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| wiredjaw Feb 5 2008 | As a Y1 Chief Engineer, in my thirties, with yacht years in double figures and with some great boats under my belt, you would think that I would be eminently employable, would you not?
But alas No! The reason?….. I have a wife that I insist on working with. (my own I hasten to add!) A ha! So she’s a bricklayer then? Er. No! She has herself been in yachting for several years and is a highly accomplished Purser/Chief Stewardess. The problem therefore is that we’re a COUPLE!, increasingly the ‘Personas non grata” , pariahs of yachting. So why is this? Well, the number one (and as far as I can tell, only) reason for some Captains not employing couples is that oft touted comment “ You lose one, you lose them both” Well, invariably that is true and as such is a valid point. However, let’s look at the positives:- Couples, and I’m generalising here, do not need to go out every night on the pull, we know we are together for life and unlike fledgling inter-crew (or worse guest-crew!) romances, we don’t have the whispers, accusations, cabin flitting and fall outs that accompany them. As a result of our partners being in separate departments we have a natural tendency help out our respective partners departments when they are under pressure, which promotes ‘team’ work. Because couples have somebody that they can talk to, any small issues arising from crew politics etc. can be talked through and dealt with before they fester and get blown out of all proportion! As a result of this I believe couples give boat crews a calming influence in a less competitive environment. This I also believe encourages longevity, something that captains and owners often say is one of their highest priorities. As an engineer, from a military/yachting background, I personally do not feel the need for my job to be ‘rotational’, a concept brought in from the commercial world to allow 2 people to do one job (half a job?) and in my opinion to the detriment of the industry and couples in particular. How many partners departments are rotational? Usually none. I am quite happy to stay onboard for the same amount of time as everybody else, as are most couples. ‘We’ also tend to not mind doing extra watches, working late etc. when other members want to go out gallivanting. That’s not to say we don’t go out, it’s just that when we do our intake tends towards a more solids type of evening! Albeit with a few vinos to help on it’s way! I’m not knocking the single life in yachting, I just feel that couples are not being given a fair crack of the whip. I am lucky enough in this life to have a career I love and share it with the woman I love, it has afforded us a great lifestyle and taken us to places we could never have gone to on our own. So, Owners and Captains out there, couples should be viewed as an investment greater than the sum of their parts not less. | ||
| Log in to reply to this post | |||
| yotcruforum Feb 5 2008 | Posted on behalf of Captain Mike Hein of MY Mea Culpa: I agree with you whole heartedly. My wife and I have worked together on boats since 1989 and in 2005 she moved ashore as we have two children. Only now that we have kids is the idea about a rotation seem like a good idea. He correctly points out why I as well as owners I’ve worked for, prefer couples. Couples are more likely in for the long run rather than finding seasonal work or “greener grass.” By the way, if a Captain gets a better job on another boat, he is likely to take his prize crew with him…such as engineer, mate, etc and of course his better half, if he’s lucky enough to have her with him. | ||
| Log in to reply to this post | |||
| tork Feb 5 2008 |
Fine points gentlemen In my time I worked as a single and as part of a couple and the truth is that there is merit to both singles and couples. Personally I never had preference for either and certainly wouldn't "ban" or refuse to consider either. When choosing crew my choice was dictated by getting the best crew that fitted the available accommodation aboard. That to me seems the fairest and most rational approach , couples are - as are singles- neither inherently good or bad but have individual merit (or not ) and suit the yacht (or not) Best T Edited by tork - 5 February | ||
| Log in to reply to this post | |||
| engineermark Feb 7 2008 | An observation on the couples.
Normally the ticketed Gentleman in question will be employed because of that...his ticket. Do you ever get a Class 1 Chief hired because his partner is a Chief stewardess ?
A job might be made for his spouse which might not be exactly what the vessel requires. She takes a 2nd stews position for example to be with her husband but has her eye on underminding the already aboard chief Stew...ah but that would never happen would it !!!!................. Already a questionable hiring.
The couple in question maybe long term but in all cases I have witnessed there is a lot of politics involved not with the crew but with the Captain and what there demands are. Which amounts to holding the boat to ransom. And alienates single crew members for the extra allowables he intially bows too .
What Captain wants a miserable sulking engineer because hes had to crack the whip with the engineers missus ?
The key words are...yes they are long term .....if they get what they want and the Captain keeps them sweet !!!!!
Lets be honest theres good and bad in couples and there all different you loose one you loose them both and in this volitile some times crazy industry is that what a Captain wants in such senior positions ? Who hes no individual control over.
This is only a point of view from a single member of crew whose not a Captain and has seen it as it is.
Good luck theres a place for everyone
| ||
| Log in to reply to this post | |||
| wiredjaw Feb 22 2008 | Wow! Your lack of comprehension of my point is only equaled by your abuse of the English language.
You seem to be under the illusion that all couples are out to “do over” (for want of a printable euphemism) Captains and crew, If you’ve had a negative experience with couples I am very sorry. However! As I can only really speak for my wife and myself, I count our integrity, honesty and work ethic as our strongest suite. Your misogynistic view of Stewardesses is quite telling, “cracking the whip with the engineer’s missus” stands out spectacularly! Presumably, you believe they are just onboard to clean and look pretty, but with a view to creating as much disharmony as possible along the way. And you’re single you say? Really? I do not believe I’ve come across a captain yet, naïve enough to employ a couple for one person’s merits to the detriment of the crew due to the other failings or perceived ‘demands’ Hopefully as a couple we would be considered because of our own strengths, with our own referees, corroborating what we believe to be our individual virtues. To re-iterate, the point I was making was that couples are often overlooked for positions for exactly the unfounded reasons you put forward. In addition, due to the changing background in engineers from ‘traditional’ yachting to commercial I feel that in particular, Engineer +1 couples have suffered. Being one half of such a couple I found the need to voice my opinion. As for seeing it as it is, 16 years of a ‘single’ engineers life do not compare with the last 4 of ‘coupledom’! I’ve worked with some fantastic single yachties and I’ve had the great pleasure of working with many couples, unfortunately most of whom are no longer sea going, but I can honestly say that my life is richer for knowing them, working with them and sharing great moments from climbing icebergs in Antarctica to ‘two-fors’ in Antigua. As humans we are expected to find partners in life, to do so to the exclusion of our careers seems unfair and unjust. Surely the two can be mutually compatible? I challenge you to see the validity of your own argument in the unlikely scenario that you find yourself as part of an established couple wishing to stay in the industry that you love. | ||
| Log in to reply to this post | |||
| 1 2 Next >> | |||
The Superyacht Group does not guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions represented in this forum. This site may point to other internet sites that may be of interest to you, however The Superyacht Group does not endorse or take responsibility for the content on such other sites.
E-Newsletter
Get regular updates from SuperyachtNews with our weekly Email Newsletter.
SuperyachtIndex.com
Latest Premium Listings
Bond Technology Management
Gladstone Park Chefs
The Superyacht Report
H2 Yacht Design
EYOS Expeditions
Association of Yacht Support Services AYSS
Palmarina Bodrum
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Featured Listings
Pantaenius
For 40 years Pantaenius has been providing yacht insurance to yacht owners all over the world.
www.pantaenius.com
Reckmann Yacht Equipment GmbH
Reckmann Yacht Equipment GmbH is a specialist company for reefing systems, masts and hydraulics and will celebrate the 120th anniversary in 2012. Today, the company is one of the leading producers and traders of headsail reefing equipment and is a synonym for quality, continuity and innovation.
www.reckmann.com
Jets Vacuum AS
Jets Vacuum has for over 25 years been the leading innovator in vacuum sanitation technology.
With over 9000 Jets systems in operation on all types of ships, Jets are known for high quality, flexible cost efficient solutions backed up by first class word wide service
www.jetsgroup.com
Nautic Crew International, Inc.
Nautic Crew Intl is a Crew placement company started by yachting professionals that truly care about your future crew because we understand the dynamics of life onboard. When it comes to hiring new crew or looking for a position, Experience the Difference!!
www.nauticcrewintl.com
Bond Technology Management
Bond TM is an independent consultancy company for AV, IT, communication, navigation and security systems. We manage new builds and refits projects for the most advanced super yachts and provide to the industry the best 24/7 IT support.
www.bondtm.com
Femo Bunker
Thanks to decades of experience Femo Bunker is one
of the predominant yacht fuel traders in the world. The
joint-venture between Pesto Sea Group and Fratelli
Cosulich, leading companies in yachting and shipping
industry, has created a solid and well-established
enterprise.
www.femobunker.com
ASEA POWER SYSTEMS
ASEA POWER SYSTEMS is the Marine Industry Leader for Shore Power Conversion equipment ranging in power from 8kVA - 1000kVa.
www.aseapower.com
Helkama Bica Oy
Helkama is specializing in development and production of marine and offshore cables. Our experience in this field goes back more than thirty years. We produce only halogen free cables and the cable range include both flame-retardant and fire resistant cables. Helkama marine cables are approved by all major classification societies.
www.helkamabica.fi
Add a featured listing here and your advert will appear on every page of SuperyachtNews.com, SuperyachtIntelligence.com, SuperyachtIndex.com, SuperyachtDesign.com, TheCrewReport.com and SuperyachtJobs.com.
