Introduction & Yachting Noob

Hi All,

I work in Newport, RI as I bartender in a few places. I guess the only place that might be recognized is the New York Yacht Club, but it was my coworker at Oceancliff that told me about yachting jobs. That was like 6+ weeks ago and it's been driving me crazy ever since. It's been driving him crazy even longer.

I've been to college. I guess it didn't take as I've been bartending/landscaping for 10 years since my degree. I'm not a stranger to hard work. I'm looking for something that has a bit more adventure and probably the most appealing part.. a tax haven of sorts.

Ideally I wanted a foreign flagged vessel... one that spent < 1 month in US waters. But for my first job I really dont care. I just want the experience. But if I get all those things I won't have to change boats (unless I don't like the boat I'm on). I was curious as to what sort of experiences people have had as deckhands/steward(esse)s. Things like how the average day went, how life was on the boat. I'm not looking for which ports/clubs you were at, famous people met,etc... the nitty gritty stuff is what I'm after

I could go either but ideally I'd prefer the steward position as it matches better with my experience bartending and recently doing banquets @ the NYYC.

Did you get your first job walking the docks or through a placement agency? Was it a foreign vessel? If you've been on multiple boats, how has the experience differed on boats of different lengths?

I was talking with CrewFinders and they said I could probably get a delivery job from Newport to Ft Lauderdale for the IBS. (This was a week or two ago... I'd hate to think longer but it's a possibility) Unfort I'm all for adventure but I have bills to pay so I just couldn't up and leave all three jobs (in the process burn all my references) and head to the boat show with no job guarantee. That would be a disaster for my continued employment as a bartender in Newport if things didn't work out.

Is STCW 95 a requirement on foreign-flagged vessels? Speaking with CrewFinders it looked as though it was a req if I wanted to be on a US boat in international waters... but what about FF boats? I was intending on taking the course Nov. 17 but it looks like my savings won't be enough at this point which is why I ask.

Thanks for sharing your experiences and advice.

Is it a sign? I don't know but I was let go at one of my jobs today.... the one, and only one, that pretty much anchored me to NE. I was slightly saddened 'til I got off my tootie and looked at when the IBS is!!!

Looks like I'll potentially be headed down there

Please someone stop me if I'm delusional. I figured I'd take the chance. Unfortunately spontaneity doesn't leave much prep time.