What does it take?
You probably have many thoughts about what it takes to be a part of the crew. Among other things, how much sailing experience it requires. The answer is: none. I will teach you what you need to know. What you, on the other hand, have to master is everything else. Being social. Be a part of the team. Of the daily rutines. Conform yourself. Learn. Contribute. Accommodate and tolerate unfamiliar situations and function on a few square meters.
It is important to me to try to give a realistic picture of what it means to be on board and to emphasize all the facets of being a guest and living on a boat.
From cooking plans and scrubbing toilets, to turquoise water, feeling of freedom and cold beers in the cockpit.
From cozy card games and laughing with the others to the sudden need to just be alone.
To the many different rules you have to comply with to the big responsibility you are given to take care of the boat, the equipment and the people on board.
Sailing on a long trip and being a crewmember is just hugely contrasting – but that’s also really what’s cool. That no two days are the same and all days can potentially hold a new adventure.
It is not (necessarily) always a bed of roses and it is not a stay where you are served everything. On the contrary, it is a super active vacation where you can potentially have some experiences of a lifetime. But you have to do the legwork yourself. On the other hand, the reward is correspondingly greater.
Expect to be/contribute with:
Being open
– You enter a whole new world when you embark Moana. It helps to come with an open mind.
Adaptable & patient
– Things rarely go as planned when you live on the water, so be prepared that plan A can quickly become plan B or C.
Tolerant
We are many different people who live very close in a confined space. It requires a high level of tolerance.
Team spirit
We are a family and a team that must take on whatever tasks there may be. That is why you must be a “team player”.
Drive
There are MANY new things to learn on board, from sailing and diving to how to flush the toilet, so it requires you to be proactive and curious.
Responsible
You will be given a lot of responsibility on board and we expect you to handle this carefully and with respect.
The Community
Living on a boat is amazing! But it is also challenging. You have very limited space to roam around on, and the surroundings will be ever changing. This is why, it is important that you thrive in the company of others, also for longer periods of time. A great side of it is, you get to know your fellow crew members on a very personal level.
A crucial part of the experience is to be a part of the community, the sharing of assignments, everything from cooking to keeping the boat going in the right direction. You’ll have to want to be part of it all.
No matter how sociable you are everyone needs a bit of privacy sometimes. The best places to be alone, in our case, are to go to your cabin or in the stern of the boat and relax for a bit. Alternatively, you can take a couple of hours in solitude when at dock, if there is land in sight that is.
Every Sunday after dinner we have a weekly meeting discussing the week that passed and the one to come. If we run in to disagreements between crew members, it’s important to clear the air and this will be a good time to do so.
Your Bunk
On many boats you will be assigned a random bunk and a little storage space. We have a bit more luxury on our catamaran. If you are on the boat as a couple, or two friends – a double cabin with storage and the possibility of closing the door, will be offered to you. If you are on the boat alone, you will be assigned a bunk buddy and the two of you will share a double cabin or get one of the two single cabins. As the cabins are somewhat away from the common areas, you can still go to your room and close the door for a little privacy once in a while. Your bunk buddy might need the same courtesy later on. Last but not least you can go sleep on the trampoline under the stars when we’re not sailing.
Resources
When your living at sea, it goes without saying that you can run out of gas, drinking water, power, etc. This points out the importance of limiting your consumption of some things that we don’t normally think about at home. Only have a light on when important, don’t let the water run, use salt water for dishes, take baths in the sea, etc. In our experience, it is only a matter of time before it feels as natural as the sun setting every night.
Sailing
Sailing is always unpredictable, thus it’s Mother Nature who’s in charge. We can’t plan everything, and if the weather is bad, plans will change. We will do our very best to avoid bad weather and such, but we can’t promise it will not occur. So prepare that the trip can go from relaxing to rough, sunny to pouring down, and be everything from short day-trips to week-long journeys (depending on the sailing areas of course).
Besides the weather, we are extremely dependent on the boat and its equipment. We need to be prepared and okay with adapting to a new situation quickly when stuff breaks… because stuff will break. So know that plans can change and delays will happen. This is also one of the most charming things about the life at sea – you’ll have to live in the now and adapt to the things around you.
When we’re on day cruises, we all take turns steering and are not that hung up on the schedule. When we’re sailing for days on end, which includes nights as well, we take the schedule more literally and keep to our duties. During daytime we’ll do a two hour watch by our selves but at night we’ll be two people on duty at a time, and you can always call the Skipper. The Skipper should be notified in case of: change of course or sails, weather and other pressing matters.
Life vest and lifelines are always worn when sailing in the dark, in bad weather or on Skipper’s orders.
The Skipper is certified sailors, why he is responsible for the boat. You are responsible for acting wisely and accordingly in any situation.
Seasickness
We can all get seasick, but some are more likely to do so than others. When at sea for longer periods, it can take a couple of days to get your “sea-legs” in order. If you know you have a tendency to get seasick, get hold of a Sea band at the pharmacy. Alternatively bring tablets against seasickness, but be aware that they can make you drowsy, which the Sea band doesn’t.
Many also use ginger – in teas, tablets, etc.
Be very aware if using Scopolamin e.g patches– this can have serious side effects. We need to know if you’re using such products.
General advice against seasickness:
*Be well rested
*Don’t get cold
*Don’t sail on an empty stomach – not fatty foods, but light carbs as pasta or crackers.
*No alcohol!
*Watch the horizon
*Get fresh air
If you get seasick on your way diving in the dinghy, it luckily helps a lot getting in the water.
But for everyone’s sake, we inform you that we will not change plans because you are seasick. We will however gladly bring you some water and a little snack.
Daily routines & rotation
We take turns to do the daily to-do’s on board. There’s cooking, washing dishes, cleaning etc.
All of these assignments are scheduled, to make it as easy as possible to know what your tasks are at all times. You’ll have a cooking-day, where you’re in charge of the meals and cleaning hereof.
Besides daily routines we also share the occurring issues, and assignments that are more widely spread.
Maintenance of the boat
While at sea, we only repair to the most necessary extent. On the contrary, when ashore or anchored up, we all participate in all necessary maintenance, repairs, cleaning, provisioning etc. It should be expected that a around a week of maintenances will occur, when on boarding and discharging the boat, plus a monthly 2-4 workdays as well.
Smoking, alcohol & substances
Smoking, considerately to your fellow crew members, on the assigned spot is okay. Any smoking other places on the boat, including in the cabins, is strictly prohibited.
While at sea, we do not drink alcohol. When we’re anchored up it’s a tradition to gather for a sundowner when the sun sets.
All types of narcotics, including hash and pot, are strictly prohibited during your stay on Moana – this rule also entails periods of time where you are not on board the boat. Use or keeping of any narcotic will induce immediate disembarkment from the boat. The authorities will not hesitate to tear the boat apart if the get a suspicion of drugs on board. Furthermore, the boat will be confiscated. Thus, this is a very serious violation of our rules!
Health & medicine
Due to the safety on board and to grant everyone the best possible experience on board Moana, we recommend your health to be in top condition. If you’re suffering any chronic diseases, allergies and/or are taking medicine at a daily basis, we need to be informed before transferring your deposit. We need an explanation of the disease(s) you have, which medicine this involves, how often you have to take it and possible side effects.
It is also important that you bring a medicine-passport for any medicine you’re bringing on board – even if it’s not for a current or chronic disease.