Crew Prejudice? nationality's etc

Who ever said that bigots were smart?

In life there are those who make themselves feel better by striving to be like those they perceive as being better than themselves. There are also those who make themselves feel better by trying to convince people that another is worse than them. I'd rather not spend time with the latter. Their loss.

next step?

Have been hearing red flag boats are leaning on owners $$$wise, not to hire US crew. Any one heard confirming?

See post #2

"...red flag boats are leaning on owners $$$wise, not to hire US crew..."

Could you translate that into English for me? Boats don't lean, they list. They seldom list onto owners, and ballast not dollar signs will restore them to an upright position. Captains hire crew on behalf of the owner so what is it you were trying to say?

Hi,

Boat's don't lean on Owners not to hire a specific nationality there are however some owners who lean on their boats in that way for sure.

I'm a bit lost here. Was the CV torn up because the fellow was English in nationality, or because he spoke "No English"? If it was the former It could be for legal and hassle reasons, if it was the latter it was for an important efficiency and safety reason (although the manner was poor).

I just don't think I've ever seen Anti-English hostility in North America from anyone.

You got the answer in post nr 4.

I fail it, my skill is not enought.

I have to say if I was fortunate enough to own a yacht large enough to require crew, being english I would like to be surrounded by similar people in what is my 'home'. If I was chinese I would probably prefer having a chinese crew, if I was muslim I would have a muslim crew, if I was a devout catholic, yep, I would like a similar crew.

A crew that is harmonious, has similar values and upbringing, would be important to me. Plus when I am bored, watching pretty young women and handsome young men going about their duties provides a restful respite.

If this offends people, tough.

The yachting industry has always discriminated in one way or another, whether it be nationality, skin color, weight, looks or just about anything else that does not meet the employers needs or desires.
Lately there has been a lot of talk of Nationality discrimination, especially towards US nationals in Ft Lauderdale. As a US captain this has never been an issue for me, but I am hearing more first hand accounts of US need not apply! Some of the European Insurance companies are actually putting a cap on the number of Americans that you can have on your boat.
I run a foreign flag boat with a multi national crew, although lately I have more Americans than foreigners, not by design but by hiring the best person for the job. I disagree with the previous poster that thinks owners would only like to have their own nationalities aboard, part of the enjoyment of ownership for some, is to have crew of varying nationalities. Recently some of my foreign crew were worried that I was hiring to many Americans and that they would be out numbered, which not the case at all.
Many South African, Australian and English captains will only hire crew of the same country as them, hoping to give their country men a helping hand, of all the Captains doing this, I think American Captains are the least likely to hire along these ideals. Although lately I have been reminding my friends that drive really big boats to start hiring US deck hands, because soon there will be none coming up the ranks and the US crew pool will be severely diminished.
One thing I will tell you about foreign crew and hiring in Ft. Lauderdale. The CBP is going to start cracking down on the visa issue and how your hired in FLL. I heard they were at Waxy's the other night, and they did a check at several shipyards. It is only a matter of time before they start turning their attention to yachts and yacht crew, I really believe time is running out.

Why are US crew being discriminated against by European insurance companies? Are US crew more likely to sue you for millions for any mishap? Why were the foreign creww worried about being outnumbered by US crew?

Hiring for your yacht is different to hiring for your factory or other business enterprise. Hiring staff for your yacht is more like hiring staff for your mansion. On a large yacht it may not matter but on a smaller yacht where people are living close together an owner may prefer a certain look or does not want people that could be a potential problem down the track.

Ripping up the Cv in front of the dock walker was extremely rude. Why not just hand it back. Otherwise it seems obvious why a person wouldn't be hired who had no understanding of the language used on the yacht. Safety reasons, warning signs can't be read. Instructions given can't be readily understood. Replies likewise. They maybe wonderful at their vocation but a yacht isn't a language school.

I would think for a yacht that makes offshore trips, taking a chance on someone could be a recipe for disaster. I doubt a nationality would be excluded over a single incident but if they have a bad rep in general then I wouldn't take the chance.

If you have good references then well and good. They must be able to be checked up on. Anyone can write up a false reference. Some employers will give a good reference just to get rid of the person and let someone else deal with the problem.

How does it go with Visas. Are some visas given an almost automatic stamp of approval while those from other countries cause problems.

Short answer "Yes" I have seen policies that had a clause that no more than half the crew could be U.S. citizens, the inference was the ongoing medical costs in the U.S. if and when the injured crew member was shipped home. I do not at this time have that policy at hand so I can not give any more details.

There are some owners who will not hire crew who speak their native tongue. Many other owners could care less, they want a quality crew and hire on qualification alone as their interaction with the crew is minimal. As long as they can communicate in some language, typically English since it's the official international maritime language and common among business people as well.

Some owners only want their countrymen on the crew, and some are only so allowed by their flag.

Then, as the OP experienced they meet cultural discrimination at the screening process. While not the wisest method of discrimination, the reality is, the mate/bosun/captain..whomever, probably did him a favor. Would you really want to live and work in a situation where you have people who don't even want to like you?

Just stick with it and face the rejection with a smile and keep going. Your situation will come around.

It was a $2000 annual premium for me, in the overall of operating cost equal to chump change.

Hi,

I knew this was the case with Aviation but have never read or heard that the same applies to Maritime Ops.

Would you care to elaborate where that info came from?