Management competence

Something just seems terribly wrong with having to hire consultants to watch your consultants!
Why not just lay your concerns out to the boss and let him make a decision.

If the management company is a real manager, that is one that is legally assigned to represent the owner to flag and class, contact them directly. If they cannot or will not address your concerns then go to flag. Make sure you document specific issues and are prepared to show where the management company is not fulfilling its duties.

Your doubts don't necessarily equate to mismanagement though so be prepared to document real failings, not just differences of opinion.

Delineate what you believe an ideal mgmt company should be doing based on prior experience, versus what the current mgmnt company is doing and sit down with the owner to review pros and cons.

If you continue to compare commercial practices to those of yachting, and believe that yacht managment firms act in the same manner as ship managers you will have a short and unhappy career in this industry.

Regarding your comments about the generic ISM, if you have a background in ISM and knowledge of the culture that developed it you should understand that the system you described is not a working system.

Before telling the owner his managers are not doing a good job I think you had better read and understand the management contract. What level or degree of management did he purchase?

What is your position on the vessel in question? What is your role in the safety management system onboard?

I agree with all of this, but what are the roles of the management company? Are they responsible for the direct maintanence of the vessel? If so, you could hire an engineer and just have him do a walk through on the vessel and inspect how all of the systems are being maintained to give you an idea if they are doing what they're supposed to be doing.

Prices on management and the actual work being done in the yachting industry are vastly different then in the commercial industry. AND, prices can change drastically based upon the whims of the owner or usage. I've seen an owner pay $2500 to have his favorite pizza from his favorite pizza place flown in on a private jet. Without experience, I would suggest observing and learning before throwing coals in the fire and getting people burned when they might be doing what they're supposed to be doing. On one hand, if the management company is managing properly, and the owner is happy with what he is paying them (which sounds like the case here), then where is the problem?????

If you have to ask the question here about whether the management company is doing it's job or if they're charging appropriately, you are NOT experienced enough to evaluate whether or not they are doing a good job or charging appropriately. We do not have enough information to give you an answer, only you have all of the information.

Hi,

An audit by Flag should highlight deficiencies with your ISM System.

This may not be that easy to expose however if the Captain and or Management Co are over friendly with the Flag Auditor.

Off the top of my head I can think of a few management companies in the locale in your profile who would over charge and under work to put it mildly.

The role of the management company is what is written and agreed to in the contract between the owner and the management company, nothing more, nothing less.

As to whether the management costs are appropriate, that is between the owner and the management company. It is not for the crew to debate or criticize.

That goes for how the owner gets his pizza fix as well. If the owner believes it is fair it is his concern alone.

what an owner wants/needs

As an owner I would expect my captain to raise his concerns on any expns/services that is related with the yacht. A captain is not hired just to take the boat from one place to the next, but also as the best consultant/manager in matters related with the boat. An owner in many instances is either not competent enough to sort the details or does not have the time to look into such issues.

Of course there are different personalities and hence different reactions. However, life is about improvement and if as a captain you have a good idea for improvement, your owner could very well appreciate this. Needless to state, you will be the one who would have the best opinion how and when to share this with your owner. If your owner gives a positive reaction, then you can either together or after receiving his green light; on your own may dig into the issue further.

If you are the master of the vessel, have a sit down with the owner and just say, "I was wondering if you're happy with the management company and their charges. It seems to me like you're not getting a very good value for your money. If you're happy with it, I'm fine with it as well, but if you aren't, would you like me to look into it and some alternatives?" Remember, at the end of the day, it's the owners boat and money, and as long as the management company isn't putting you as master into a situation that is untenable to your liability and responsibilities, it's not your concern. However, as master you are also the owners representative on board, so if you see things that concern you, it's perfectly proper to bring them to his/her attention. We all walk fine lines in this business, and as you get to know your owner better, you'll get a better feel of what their wishes are.