Anyone remember "Crew finders" Ft. Lauderdale?

I don't know, but they had an office on 17th street west of US-1. I signed up there, but it was only like $25 or something meaningless in the late 90's. I got one interview through them but it didn't go anywhere. I remember the office being run by just women and didn't see any guys working in there. They were there a few years back, don't think they still exist.

Crew Finders was on 17th in '91. $25 got me a day job cleaning the teak on "Carnac" I think it was (Carson's boat) and nothing else. They were good at taking fees and not doing much else. There was another place on US1 toward the airport with a Capt. Ed. I think he was $15 to do nothing. There were (and I'd imagine still are) a mess of agencies, schools, etc. selling dreams down there.

Signed up with them guys in 2004 or so.

$40.00 put me on the list of qualified candidates and I got a few leads:
Mostly scrubbing decks and hauling anchor chains.

Nothing came out of it, but probably because I was too lazy to follow up.

Got a skipper job from an ad in Warterfront News instead.
The owner wanted a licensed Mate so he could drive himself without a ticket.
(Insurance requirement)

Instead we agreed to turn the tables: I would be the Captain, he would be the Mate.

Don't think that's the reason.
I've found that this is a business of references & reputations.

I have also found that the owners that go to a crewfinding agency usually have a reputation as well.

I heard today of a cap who after finishing out this summer told the owner he was leaving. Asked when he replied 'in an hour'. Sounds like they were not a good fit.

Dave,

I usually diagnose myself with selective hearing, or start asking them for the same thing... coffees . Those types of owner just don't do themselves favours. Cheers

Far

Crew Finders is still open on 17th Street just east of Rt 1, and has been owned by Linda Turner since the beginning. Placement fees have always been paid by the boat owner along with a reasonable paperwork fee paid by job hunters.
Crew Unlimted was started by Capt Eddie and run by him until he had health problems, and one of his assitants, by the name of Ami, took over the business. She is still open and now also doing yacht charters.
Both of these companies placed a lot of crew over the years, especially for stews and deck positions, but they must have had thousands of job seekers that never found work through them also.

Owner " Dave, fetch me a cup of Coffee"

Dave " Would you like a cup of coffee?"

Owner " Yes"

Dave " get me one while your up..."

Too bad I never think of these replies when I need them, only a day later !