"mainly from the US, who didn't like the fact that you can't have cannons and stuff". This had me cracking up. We do like our cannons. Sincerely, An American
I was just going to put a comment like this. Well worded. Considering one can buy just about anything in the U.S. ( 50 cal, suppressors, whatever) 'we' must feel naked to be out in the world w/o our weapons.
Lockdown is like life at sea...that made me laugh out loud. I spent 30 years serving in the U.S. Coast Guard with many of those years on ships. When asked I often joke that it was like being in prison, but with the possibility of drowning.
I spent 25 years on commercial vessels as a chief engineer, usually with only one female on board. I have seen it all but the absolute worst is when the captain is sleeping with the cook. She ends up cooking only to please the captain and gets away with bossing the crew around like the captains proxy. I got so bad one trip that the entire crew actually mutinied until the captain agreed to get rid of her.
@@TexanUSMC8089 It is not illegal for American-flagged vessels to have small arms onboard as long as they are not prohibited by federal law. Guns such as muzzle loading canon are also unrestricted. Breech loading guns require permits from the feds and merchant ships can mount up to a 5" gun with the right permits.
The quote comes from 18th century British author Samuel Johnson: “No man will be a sailor who has contrivance enough to get himself into a jail; for being in a ship is being in a jail, with the chance of being drowned... a man in a jail has more room, better food, and commonly better company.” 😊
Hey, I am a U.S. Citizen who likes guns. I hate how people have given you a hard time about the gun subject. I have watched a few videos of yours and have anticipated your 'gun video' and I was extremely satisfied with it. It was clear, concise, and gave a personal opinion/experiance portion that I thought was fair. Dont get discouraged by the angry masses that think their view should be the worlds view just keep doing what you are doing. Love the content and if I was able to have a super yacht I would be honored have you aboard.
I want to second this...I love guns, but the world is not the US...and not all of us like them. Fanatics need to stop trying to make everywhere the US.
I dated the nanny onboard who was the owners niece. (Back story)New guy on the boat, boss trip in 2 days. Day worked for the boat so I know all the crew. Cap say a few need to know things before they arrive one of them being "don't stare at the nanny and get in the way of them making coffee". Cool, easy. I drove the tender and ran the nanny and kids around basically all day everyday. So the nanny spend a lot of time together and hit it off. She ends up telling me that the mate would stare at her(when she was in a bikini) and make her feel uncomfortable hence the warning from El Capitan. seriously, the mate was a creepy hobbit-like dude .... Nanny and I are like 2 peas in a pod and everyone can see sparks are flying... Boss had no problem with it and actually encouraged me to go for it! But...later I learned the crew didn't like it at all because I was quickly favorited and thrust into personal time with the owners, taking care of different things around one of their houses, building playgrounds for the local hurricane relief effort, the gravy jobs basically. so that didn't do me any favors with my crew. When I was let go I asked: "moving forward what can I do better in the future?" The Captain: "Don't run around with the guests" , while standing beside the relief captain who was his friend of 20 years and started as a deckhand on the very same boat and met his wife onboard years prior... Nanny the Owners and I are still friends to this day, they sold the boat. gg
Nice video's! I'm captain on a 30m private yacht and I enjoy the insights you give in the daily things happening on those bigger (charter) ones. very informative. Somehow it makes me feel happy running the boat far less formal and easy going than those big ones where guests pay >100K per week. keep it up!
How do you handle relations with the guests on a small yacht? It seems easier on big ships when there is much crew. But I was wondering how it went on a 24m boat at sea for 3 weeks?
Ex navy here, and I'll vouch for the fact that experienced leaders HAVE to be able to keep their cool at all times. Obviously, some are better at it than others. But the training is relentless, and tends to weed out the weak links before they advance. At the level where they're carrying real responsibility, we're talking about salty bastards that would stitch themselves up while eating breakfast, and never miss a beat.
I have sailed to many countries and I have never been without a long gun on any of my yachts. Thank God I had one on a trip to Jamaica as we were being tailed by 4 guys in a small boat with two having pistols. They were approaching with the two armed guys standing out front brandishing and yelling to stop... well that was until I came out on deck and aimed my AK-47 with a drum on it at them. Of course, my weapons are in a hidden compartment that has an electronic release mechanism. I would never leave the dock without them. I would rather face 12 jurors in a courtroom than be carried by 6 pallbearers to the grave... period!
"The Tudors" is a series about Henry 8th-very long but really really good. Love your videos-very informative. Been fortunate to be a guest of the owner(not a Charter) on few smaller yachts-between 125' and 195'. No better service anywhere than on a well run Yacht!! Thx again for your videos
Don't have any questions, but just wanted to say I really enjoy your channel. Thanks so much for answering question, but I do missing seeing you dock walking, talking about super yachts and seeing some of your awesome videos.
Two questions, You seem to be interested in cars from your videos, what has been your favorite car that a yatch owner has owned? Secondly, what are the differences between being in maritime with Yatchs vs merchant marine?
My questions didn't get selected for the last video. I'm copying/pasting them again here: Apologies if these have already been asked, but I skimmed through the other Q&A videos and didn't find the answers. 1. Currently, AFAIK, the most advanced propulsion systems are using diesel-electric setups w/ no physical connection to the props. Where do you see propulsion technology for superyachts headed? 1a. Do you think superyachts will eventually go 100% electric? I'm talking about 'real' superyachts that are at least 50 meters LOA. 1b. What about hydrogen? You've probably seen the Aqua concept by Sinot Design. Seems like a good replacement for diesel, but there's no infrastructure. 2. I'm curious about the rotation pay schedule. Am I correct in assuming some positions will pay you year round even if you're NOT working on the yacht? If so, that sounds like the pretty good deal. 3. I understand it can be a nightmare to deal with firearms in various countries. Have you heard of any yachts that keep less lethal solutions on board, e.g., firearms that shoot rubber bullets, tasers, etc.? Thanks. Love the channel. And the 'GT2.'
Why would you need infrastructure? The boat is sitting on 2 parts Hydrogen, 1 part Oxygen. Just needs a simple generator to extract the Hydrogen and that's it, free fuel. I have wondered why the mega cargo ships, Warships etc don't run on hydrogen myself, they would never need any fuel, they are sitting in an endless supply of it!
I can answer question 2 for you. Positions like Chief Engineer(1) Officer(2) and Captain are mostly the ONLY positions that get rotation options. However, they only earn 25% of their wages when off the vessel. But having said this, when you earn 10k or more per month and then go home for 2 or 3 months, one earns to budget for the time you off because you have NO EXPENSES when you on board...
@@Cdr_Mansfield_Cumming - nothing's free. I don't know what the process of splitting hydrogen from water but hydrogen gas is highly explosive and storing that on a yacht isn't at all practical. Moreover, splitting hydrogen from water is energy intensive. Why do you think diesel engines have been around so long?
When it comes to new guests, is there a safety briefing? How would guests know how to react during an emergency? What would a safety briefing look like?
Great video! I’ve noticed you’ve said a few times that yachts don’t typically get very old. How long is the average life span of a mega yacht and what happens to the yacht at the end of its life?
As a qualified marine engineer for 30 years now, with 20 of those years in the professional yachting industry, your opening line, with me looking away from the screen at that moment, brought the exact same expression to my face as yours at 0:08. 🙂 (comment made before watching the rest of the video).
I’ve just found your channel a few days ago (suggested video from Jared Watney) and love your Q&As. My question is, have any of the owners you’ve worked for (or heard of any) done something big for the crew? Such as sending them to an “exotic” location as a thank you for why they do? Also what is it that you do on the yacht?
@@fisherh9111 As much as I don't have a single above all favourite channel, I sub to both Harry's channels, I only discovered eSysman's channel yesterday, I have only so far watched the Q&A's, but found myself making the same comparison.. Along with Tyrrell's Classic Workshop, I get the feeling eSysman's will be one of those select few I regularly check for new videos as the 'Notifications Bell' often fails to ring for me..
I got the captain to stop on an Atlantic crossing, too, and we went for a swim. We played a game of how far we psychologically could swim away from the yacht. I think we made it to 30m. The yacht looks so different from the water. Swimming in the middle of the ocean was amazing! The real fountain of youth. When we got back, I was exhausted. The other deckle asked if I was OK. I wondered why he ws asking. He said he thought I took some drugs. I laughed out loud and said 'Dude! We just swam in water not touched by anyone else! That's the drug!' :)
Thanks for another great Q&A. It was rather long... but the time just ‘flew by’. Excellent answers, insightful and very well thought out. Thanks again.
Question for next video: you mentioned the story of the crew member getting friendly with the owners wife. I'm surprised the boss wasn't upset that the entire crew knew and didn't say anything. This brings up a question: what is the typical privacy etiquette on board a yacht? If the crew know the wife, for example, is interacting with a crew member "outside of the job description" are they obligated to tell the owner? What if a quest did something unacceptable, etc? Love the channel!
I feel like the gun thing has a technological solution if we tried hard enough. A water tight safe, that anchors, and can remotely raise itself up and down in the ocean, so it can be hidden out of view, and then recollected once you've left port.
Three questions: 1. How do Captains and Chiefs feel about "Hands-On" owners? Say an owner has taken some Coast Guard Auxiliary sailing classes, and done well and seriously at them, and wants to be an active part of the vessel's operations, not to take over but simply to learn and participate? 2. Is it better working for friendly owners who treat you like their equals, invite you to the Sky Deck after work to watch TV with them, or the more aloof owners who keep to themselves and only treat the crew as paid staff and nothing more? 3. How do crews typically deal with owners/guests who like to practice nudity in the hot tub or spa areas?
Very interesting info. Back in the late 90's I worked as an AB unlimited in the merchant marine.A lot of similarities, but also worlds apart. Probably like comparing airline crews to corporate jet crews. Interesting observation: On the few American owned ships I worked on, there was strict policy against having either alcohol or firearms onboard. On the European ships, we could not only drink on our time off, but could go skeet shooting on the stern with a shotgun (if the Captain was in a good mood). The shotguns were normally locked up in a safe on the bridge, but were taken out every time they sailed through pirate infested waters.
Love your videos, you do such a great job with them. I have not worked on a super/mega yacht but I was in the Navy and worked on an aircraft carrier, and it makes this lockdown feel like a walk in the park, my longest time between ports was 105 days, and even then we only got 2 days off the boat. What is the biggest yacht you have worked on or would like to work on?
Something that was not mentioned in reference to a crew member getting permanently relieved of their duties on board ,is the fact that there is a maritime law in the US , when a crew member is fired whilst at sea ,the Yacht is responsible for returning that member back to their home port. And sometimes the Yacht Captain will allow that member to choose where they want to be returned . Really enjoy your videos . Keep up the hard work for us please .Cheers and Safe travels !!!
I have followed you off and on for the last couple years. I thought this was your best post. Very revealing and substitutive of Life on a yacht, be it a super mega yaucht or not.
As a former. 3rd mate in the pacific I can remember several times when the captain called the company got permission to stop mid ocean to make reports that couldn’t be done with the engine running
How will you like to retire (no time soon I’m sure)? Do you expect to be sick and tired life on the sea and want live in a land locked log cabin in the mountains? Do you want to have a smaller private yacht that you’ll live on for the rest of your life? Somewhere in between?
I love your channel eSysman. I was in the US navy 7 years. I had no idea working on a super yacht was so much like the navy. How do you guys have time for a family? Seems like a ton of time at sea and when inport, standing watch.
Another great video answering those must know questions. Thanks! For the record I think I have been a subscriber for a long while now. Stay safe until things get back to normal.
Q: When coming onboard for the first time does the owner walk around greeting all the crew or is it just the chiefs (captian/1st officer/chief stew) that greet the owner?
I have a question: Have you been around an owner (or their other half) who has a hobby that creates some chaos? An example would be wood working. Even a small shop/area would take up room and there is always a mess to clean up no matter how careful you are. Thanks for making all these videos. Find your insider's view points engaging and intriguing.
When you mentioned downtown abbey to explain the bs, I remembered afew years ago I was working in a 5 star hotel and the experience was the same. It was huge culture shock for me having come from corporate where the lines were clearlly not crossed to the hospitality industry where everything was interpersonal and blurred.
You are a very good communicator. Your videos are awesome, very entertaining and instructive. I learned a lot, now i just need to get me a super Yacht and i'm set. Keep it on !
In most jurisdictions it is the Captain who goes to jail if drugs are found on board regardless of who put them there. (I would have turned in and sacked my own mother if she had drugs on board.)
I live in the USA (I like my guns) people need to know that the rest of the world is not the USA (when we are in another country we are subject to their laws) LEAVE YOUR GUNS AT HOME IF YOU WANT TO KEEP THEM
Stange coincidence I'm sure. But I worked at a remote Alaskan fuel dock. I worked two 4 hour shifts a day, and the other employee worked the opposite as I. This allowed us each a 4 hour mid day break to go fishing and about 4 hours in the morning or evening to fish as well. Then 8 hours of down time over night. We would swap morning and evening shifts whenever we wanted.
Love your videos, and have been a subscriber for quite a while now. My question, in cases when an owner really enjoys bringing his lady companions onboard, what is the general attitude from the crew, specifically the female crew? i.e. is there a sort of unspoken disgust towards a male owner philandering with many different women? Thanks!
Discipline and respect go hand in hand. With a good Captain, and officors there should be no problems. Ground rules should be laid out just like in any other job. Breach of these rules and no question, you're fired. End of! One of the best Captains I know of commands respect from day 1 and sets the scene for the whole season, he does however muck in with anything that needs extra help.
Found your channel recently and thought it was super interesting and love the videos. Keep up the great work. I saw in one of your videos that you were speaking to some Filipinos in Tagalog. I was wondering what's the ethnicity that work on these super yachts? Do a lot of them come from a certain ethnicity or a certain part of the world?
When it comes to fenders on large yachts, A lot of people do not know that most of the large fenders are deflated when stored, so they all have to be re-inflated well before the yacht reaches the port. So they inflate them and hang them overboard out of the way.
Whilst working onboard yachts the best toys I’ve seen are the Sea Breacher, a jet powered dolphin shaped toy which can go under water and jump out the water at high speeds. I have also seen tenders with tank tracks underneath them that can also go ashore on demand.
I'm watching this vid 4 years on, it is June 1st 2024 now. As the video started the first thing that caught my eye was the large painting behind you and I thought that it looked like somewhere in Peru; few seconds later you were talking about the fabulous PukuPuku coffee.
He has answered this in another Q&A. Basically if it doesn't leave the ship you are fine most of the time. Most countries are strict about what you bring into their country but don't care what's on the boat.
Only recently subscribed (maybe a month ago?) My main question is ... Q1: What is your primary role aboard super yachts (recent years)? Background thoughts (feel free to comment) ... One of the biggest dreams since childhood (12yo), included owning and regularly traveling aboard a motor yacht. I'm not there yet ... but still dreaming and always working towards it. These days my fave choice (sweet spot) would be a smaller (relatively speaking) 37m or 40m Sunseeker motor yacht, which is typically setup for 6 to 8 crew. Q2: What was your smallest motor yacht placement and what was the crew complement? How would you compare the experience of a smaller yacht to your typical experience?
I know what you mean about days blending. I was a commercial diver in the North Sea. Would spend 60-90 days at a time on board and often at sea the entire time with maybe a 24hr period in port to bunker and provision. And this was pre internet and mobile phone.
8:58 - Where does the helicopter land? Well, obviously, you don't land the helicopter. You just hover over the dock and the own slides down a rope. Alternatively, you could have a zip line from the tallest part of the boat. Then, have the dingy take the other end of the rope to shore. Once the rope is secured, you just zipline to the dock! (This is sarcasm) lol .....In other news, as an American, we all secretly want a James Bond/Batman arsenal. Even better if it's a floating arsenal.
Love the content and the channel! Question for your next Q&A: in the firearms video you talked about customs coming on board and searching the vessel. Can you go into more detail? Are you always searched by customs each time you enter a country, what are they looking for, do they search the entire vessel? Maybe any stories of them finding things that were not allowed, crazy searches etc.
Now happy to be retired as crew, and particularly, today's crew (not so in the past when they didn't need tickets and weren't the spoiled brats of wealthy parents) were a source of the biggest problem at sea, I had to smile when you did when reading the question of crew relationships. I have been through two hurricanes. I have had to berth with an engineer sitting on the plates operating the var. pitch control valve on the gearbox. I have had to berth in a gale with hyd. oil vapour spraying in a machinary space with alarms sounding. I had a hull side door leaking on the leeward side crossing the Atlantic on a 45m sailboat, an engineer who refused to give me full revs on a Feadship so missed port entry mid winter in freezing conditions and I had to bring a ship in to an unvisited Spanish port at night in high seas because the pilot could not board but crew and relationships ......... the biggest headache.
3 Questions: 1. In the event the owner and their family is on board, if two members of the family have contradicting demands is there a hierarchy as to who’s demand is fulfilled? Such as, do not tell my wife I have a mistress on board, and she asks who the code refers to (the code for the mistress). 2. What is the proper relationship owners should have with their crew and what are the boundaries that must be respected? (Relationship as in friendship, boss/employee, servant, possibly romantic, .etc.). 3. What kind of rights do employees have while working among the boat such as privacy, legal, safety, and what do you wish would change about them?
Q: On smaller yachts (50 m), do crew members have to fulfill multiple roles or would a smaller yacht owner simply have fewer expectations from the crew?
I was asking myself the similar questions. How much crew for a 24m yacht? 2? A captain and a deck hand? Would a captain be enough? Wouldn't that be a bit lonely?
Questions / 1) Captain's that are married. Are their wives allowed to accompany them, while the yacht is being transported to a destination where the owner is. 2) If married. Do wives get upset that their husbands get to travel the world while they sit at home. 3) Who cooks for the chef..
Having become addicted to watching yacht walk throughs on RU-vid, of course I have wondered about the life of the crew. Your channel is very informative in that regard and what I would like to know is are there any physical standards or attributes necessary for becoming a crew member? Also, is there an age limit to becoming a crew member?
Don't worry about people's comments on the guns, internet, etc. Most of them are commenting without any knowledge of yachting and have never been on board anything larger than a pontoon boat.
Thank you for all the information you share. It is amazing. My question is about crew. You said that living as a crew on a boat is much like a lock down. If I was owner a yacht, I would feel a need to give the crew "air to breath" every now and again, let them benefit from the lounges for an hour or so at some intervals, so they do not feel "locked down". Is it feasible? Have you heard of any owner having this kind of concern for their crew?
