A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Joining Ship’s Crew

The concept of free cruising throughout the world’s waters as a member of a crew conjures up one of the ultimate romantic images for budget travelers. But just how realistic is this dream?

“You’ll discover that enjoying this type of adventure is based more on personality rather than gender, age or occupation,” writes Alison Muir Bennett and Clare Davis in their recent book, “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Oceans: Crewing Around the World.”

The British authors combined knowledge gained from their crewing experiences for a book designed to help others determine if the concept was something they would like, and, if so, how to go about doing it.

Topics include recognizing the skills that make you valuable to a skipper, how to acquire more skills, how to contact skippers who need crews, presenting yourself, what you should consider before signing on, the life style on board, and financial arrangements.

For example, the authors write that just because you may not have had any “hands-on” experience crewing, don’t think it means that you wouldn’t be valuable. You may have other skills that would make you a desirable crew member--skills such as cooking, teaching and navigation, plus knowledge of mechanics, languages and/or medicine.

Even being able to play a musical instrument could help sway some skippers in your favor.

You also get tips on the ways that “yachties” network, so you can plug into the system and make it known that you would like to sign on. For example, in some harbors, all the boats tune in to a daily radio session and exchange information, an ideal medium for a crew to make it known they are looking for someone.

To use this method you have to go where the boats are docked. Each year the cruising boats migrate following patterns dictated by trade winds, hurricane seasons and other world weather conditions. The book includes a map and chart that indicates the bottleneck areas where skippers are most likely to be recruiting crews while waiting out the weather.

One of the more valuable points offered is that you can’t just expect to fly into any area with a minimum amount of funds, find a berth and be on your way.

Without the proper documentation and references from a waiting skipper, you may have problems entering the country unless you can prove that you have the funds or a ticket that would take you home.

You’ll also learn that some island nations require each member of the crew, and the skipper, to post a bond equal to the amount of their air fare home, which is held until their day of departure.

The authors encourage readers to consider some of the drawbacks to crewing, such as: adjusting to the time patterns required for a crew to man a boat 24 hours a day, dealing with seasickness, living in cramped quarters, the complications of communicating with friends and family by phone or mail, washing in saltwater and learning to live in a less-than-democratic environment (the skipper’s word is final).

The book also points out the ways you can judge which skippers would be best suitable to sail with. You’ll learn that it’s important to pay attention to their reasons for making the journey.

Are they escaping, relaxing or trying to achieve something? This can make a big difference in the type of atmosphere you can expect on board.

You should also take into consideration that some vessels could be involved in illegal activities. The book suggests some ways for checking out your skipper, an important concern considering that even recreational drugs can lead to the confiscation of a boat and the arrest and sentencing of the crew.

In some areas of the world, the sentencing of foreigners for drug offenses has even included the death penalty.

“The Hitchiker’s Guide to the Oceans: Crewing Around the World” is distributed by Tab Books, 13311 Monterey Ave., Blueridge Summit, Pa. 17214, (717) 794-2191. It can be purchased through retail bookstores or ordered directly for $13.60, including postage and tax.