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I never thought it would happen, but

Discussion in 'Yacht Captains' started by captjohn22, Mar 6, 2012.

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  1. captjohn22, Mar 6, 2012
    #1
    captjohn22

    captjohn22 Member

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    the boat that I have captained since she was poped from the mold five years ago is sold.
    It is a complicated deal with a trade and travel to be completed. The Buyer is in NJ and the boat is in Puerto Rico.
    We will ship her from St. Thomas to Port Everglades the run her home to NJ. for the last time in May.
    My employer is getting out of boating due to his age. Since I am not ready to retire yet I will be looking for employment.
    The short form is that I have had a 100 ton Masters license since 1985. I have run and fished the East coast, Bahamas ,T&C's, DR , PR and St. Thomas.
    I am a non smoker with no tats. Since I am retired from the nuclear field, I have been taking drug test and background checked most of my working life.
    IF any one out there is looking a captain please PM me.
    Thanks, Capt. John Lewis
  2. saltysenior, Mar 8, 2012
    #2
    saltysenior

    saltysenior Senior Member

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    welcome to the world of a boat ''captain''........trouble with that deal is that you become a buck private each time......good luck

    until next time ....;)
  3. captjohn22, Mar 30, 2012
    #3
    captjohn22

    captjohn22 Member

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    I don't fully agree with the " buck private" theory.
    If you truly have the skills and abilities necessary to be a professional captain you should never be a private.
    That is a reciepe for disaster.
    Your employer may own the boat and give the general directions but you are in comand and legally responsible for the vessel and her crew when underway.
    IT is not easy to say no the the person who signs your paycheck but there are times when it is necessary.
    The relationship between the owner and the captain should be more of a partnership with mutuial respect and collaboration, rather than that of a general and a private.
  4. NYCAP123, Mar 31, 2012
    #4
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Good luck cap, but I'm afraid Salty may be right. 5 years on the same boat puts you way behind the curve. You're used to using one set of electronics (old technology in the eltronics world), one set of ships systems, cruising one area and doing things the way of one owner. On top of that you're coming into the job market when your's was not the only owner who sold, leaving a qualified captain pounding the docks. I've seen many leave the field. I will of course though keep you in mind in the unlikely event that I hear of something. Again, good luck.
  5. Marmot, Mar 31, 2012
    #5
    Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

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    I think you may have missed the point. The streets are awash with unemployed fishing boat drivers who hold 100 ton tickets.
  6. Capt J, Mar 31, 2012
    #6
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Many owners would appreciate a Captain with longevity. I also don't find working on one boat for many years to be detrimental. I know of a SF captain on a large SF that has been with a family for 25 years. He has won one of the largest tournaments, twice. He could get a full time job on a dozen different boats with a phone call.

    One different set of electronics can be learned in a day with someone that has half a brain and all of the systems on a 90' or smaller yacht in less than a week. You can look up manuals, information, and just about anything you would need to know on the internet these days.

    I run 150 different yachts a year with every type of electronics imaginable. Nobody teaches me where anything is on any of the yachts, where any of the systems are, or how to use anything. I have no issues adapting. In fact I jumped on an IPS boat for the first time last night, ran it from a marina, pulled it up to a freighter proficiently and perfectly, and had no issues whatsoever.

    It might take a little more time nowadays to find a fulltime job, but maybe not. I turn down many REALLY good Full Time Captaining jobs every year, including the last couple of years. These are owners and boats with a pay that is well above par.
  7. NYCAP123, Mar 31, 2012
    #7
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    You have very similar experience to mine J, which is why you have no problems adapting. It's also why you have a lot of connections for work, and means that when one customer leaves boating your business doesn't die. The 25 year job is everybody's dream, but unfortunately it's the exception. Boat owners are fickle. Unless you're in the 100' + class, locking up to a single boat is career suicide in this business IMHO. Last year I locked up almost completely to one owner for the first time. I only did it because he's a nice guy who needed the help, and I'm nearing retirement. It was only one season, but I paid for that decision. It was a good deed that won't go unpunished. Fortunately I was only out of circulation for one season, but I have rebuilding to do.
  8. captjohn22, Mar 31, 2012
    #8
    captjohn22

    captjohn22 Member

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    Good morning NYCAP123

    your are correct in what you said. The marine market is just starting to show a pulse and I think it will be at least one more year before things get moving again.
    Marine electronics change so fast and are so capable that a well equipped vessel could keep an engineer busy full time.
    But change is what keeps us alive, challanges and difficulities make us stronger and smarter.
    Up until ten years ago I had done 95% of my fishing and cruising in the waters around LBI, NJ. Since then I have had the opportunity to travel up and down the coast from RI to FL and down to Puerto Rico and back.
    I have fished new waters that required new styles fo fishing. I have traveled to ports I had never seen before. It's the planning, study and networking required to accomplish these things that get my juices flowing. This is what makes being a Captain my dream job.
    Yes there are a lot of quallified and capable Captains looking for work but again that competition is good for the industry.
    Yes finding a good job in this economy will be difficult and will take time but I am not worried because I am not a private.
    Thanks for your input. I have enjoyed reading your other posts and appreciate your opinions.
  9. Bamboo, Apr 23, 2012
    #9
    Bamboo

    Bamboo Senior Member

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    I find many of those that can't or won't hold a steady one owner job deride those that hold long time jobs, and those that hold long time jobs just smile. Who wouldn't want a long time job? If you don't like it quit- and if you like it stay. Those that do not have the option deride. I'd rather not hop from job to job and constantly be looking for the next rock to hop onto + I have the option; I'm staying on for year 8. I've stepped aboard much more modern vessels and could be master that day forward without issues.
  10. captjohn22, Apr 25, 2012
    #10
    captjohn22

    captjohn22 Member

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    ??

    I am not sure of your point.
    My employer is getting old and gets sea sick most every trip. The boat is under contract to be sold. This is the second boat I have run under the same employer. He is not getting an other boat due to the above. As in all jobs there are good and bad days but I will miss him and the boat.
    Most likely I will freelance. If the right job comes along I will take it.
    We loaded the boat on Dockwise in St. Thomas today. We will pick her up in Ft lauderdale on 4/30 for he run to NJ and the sea trial and survay.
    I am not done with this job yet. We have been going over the boat so every thing is right for the buyer . Then there will be training him etc.
    Tomorrow is an other day.
  11. Capt Ralph, Apr 26, 2012
    #11
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    We all could catch up with the newer gizmos. But the other comment "out of circulation" may apply best. The fact that your asking in this thread IS; No contacts.
    You may end up another 100 ton boat washer (like many) for a (long) while until your good name gets around and re-introduced to an acceptable owner.
    Before you blast me back, YEP, IT SUX.
  12. captjohn22, May 11, 2012
    #12
    captjohn22

    captjohn22 Member

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    Got home safe and sound.

    Had a good run up from Port Everglades inspite of the 25 Kt winds 5/1 unloading day. Thursday and Friday were near perfect. We ran from Fernandina Beach to Wrightsville Beach Thursday then on to Cape May Friday.
    That gave me enough time to prep her for the buyers seatrial. Since he had never seen the boat before it had to be as close to perfect as possible.
    All went very well and the surveys are now complete. All we need is the oil reports and she is sold.

    As for " no contacts" I don't have as many as most of you since I have only worked for two owners since I retired from the " real world" eight years ago.
    While I need income and I want to work I am fortunate in that I don't have to jump on the first offer I get. But why not let as many potential employers as possible know that I am looking for the next boat? You never know where the next offer will come from.
  13. Capt J, May 12, 2012
    #13
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    You ran the boat from PR to Cape May, before the buyer actually bought it??????? That's nuts......Your owner paid for the expenses to get it there to maybe sell it? Wow......
  14. captjohn22, May 14, 2012
    #14
    captjohn22

    captjohn22 Member

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    We were coming back to NJ anyway. But I agree this deal was a strange one in many ways but it is almost complete. The buyer loves the boat and the surveys went very well. All we need is the results of the oil analysis to come back good and she is sold. Also the buyer wants me to work for him on a per diem basis this summer. Life is good!
  15. captjohn22, Jun 12, 2012
    #15
    captjohn22

    captjohn22 Member

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    THE SURPRISE is sold.

    All went well and the new owner has made several trips and is very happy. I finished up my duties with the boss.
    I am getting my boat ready to charter fish and I have mated on two other boats.
    In addition some friends and I have started an internet based marine supply business. I expect to advertise here in the fall or mid winter around boat show time so I will not name or link at this time. But believe me you will know about it when we do.
  16. CaptPKilbride, Jun 13, 2012
    #16
    CaptPKilbride

    CaptPKilbride Senior Member

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    Jeez, I have been 22 years with the same owner, same boat.
    How behind the curve am I?
    :p
  17. YachtForums, Jun 13, 2012
    #17
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    I'm pretty sure you won't name it or link it at any time. Good luck on your new endeavor, but read the rules before attempting to promote your company on YF.