Hiring Crew: Background Checks, Contracts and When to Say Goodbye

Adding crew for ocean passages or extended cruising brings welcome help but also complications. Finding reliable crew, establishing clear expectations, and knowing when a crew situation isn’t working requires experience most cruisers learn the hard way.

Where to Find Crew

Cruiser networks, yacht clubs, and online crew-finding services connect boat owners with potential crew. Crewbay, Find a Crew, and sailing-specific Facebook groups host active communities. Rally organizations often facilitate crew matching.

Word of mouth remains the gold standard. Crew who arrive recommended by cruisers you trust have already been vetted. The cruising community shares information about both excellent crew and those to avoid.

The Interview Process

Meet prospective crew in person before committing. A day sail or weekend trip reveals more than hours of conversation. Watch how they handle boat work, respond to challenges, and interact in close quarters.

Discuss expectations explicitly: watch schedules, food preferences, alcohol policies, smoking, communication styles. Misaligned expectations create conflict that ruins passages. Better to discover incompatibility before departure.

Legal and Financial Arrangements

Written agreements protect both parties. Define the arrangement: paid crew, expense-sharing, or free passage for work. Specify passage duration, destination flexibility, and what happens if plans change.

Verify crew have proper documentation for intended destinations. Immigration violations create serious problems. Crew may need visas, proof of onward travel, or other documentation depending on itinerary.

When It’s Not Working

Sometimes crew situations fail despite careful selection. Safety concerns warrant immediate action. Personality conflicts may be manageable until the next convenient port. Don’t let uncomfortable situations become dangerous ones.

Have a plan for parting ways. Provide transportation to an airport or bus station. Remaining professional even during difficult separations maintains your reputation in the small cruising community.