Yacht trips offer a unique combination of adventure and luxury, allowing travelers to enjoy the purest turquoise lagoons, secluded protected areas, and other pleasures. However, it’s essential to remember that a yacht is primarily a vehicle, and proper conduct is necessary to avoid disagreements, misunderstandings, and ensure a safe trip that leaves only pleasant memories. This article outlines the rules of conduct on a yacht for crew members.
Entering the Yacht
When boarding a yacht, crew members should enter with clean shoes or remove them. Black-soled shoes that leave marks on the deck and shoes with heels are not allowed. Walking barefoot on a yacht is also discouraged as it can be dangerous and cause injury.
Valuables
Before going out to sea, crew members should store all valuables below in the wardroom or cabin for safety reasons. They should also avoid leaving things unattended on the deck and in the cockpit.
Sailing
When the yacht is under sail, crew members must not walk on the deck without the captain’s permission. Additionally, they should be cautious when turning or changing the direction of the yacht.
Helping with Tasks
If the captain requires assistance with sails or additional hands for mooring and anchoring, crew members should offer their services. They should also strictly adhere to the captain’s advice and recommendations and only act on the captain’s commands.
Handling Equipment
Crew members should not handle clews, mooring lines, and moorings with bare hands. Instead, they should wear sailing gloves. Additionally, all technical items used on the yacht should be returned to their place, such as winch keys, binoculars, direction finders, etc.
Parking and Docking
When approaching the parking area, crew members should not block the captain’s view and avoid asking unnecessary questions. They should also be cautious when entering the parking lot and mooring the yacht, not substituting anything other than fenders under the side of the yacht. Kicking off the side of a neighboring yacht with a foot is also dangerous.
Etiquette
Crew members should not make noise while mooring the yacht, departing from the bay, or during parking. They should also avoid playing music at full volume and be respectful to crews on neighboring yachts by greeting them. Littering the environment is not acceptable, so crew members should not throw non-organic waste overboard or in the parking lot.
Conservation
Fresh water supplies on a yacht are limited, so crew members should save water. They should also learn to use a life jacket and the toilet (latrine) on the yacht. Crew members should not throw toilet paper or other foreign objects into the toilet and drains, including comb hair.
Kitchen and Cleanliness
Crew members should agree on mealtime and avoid snacking alone. They should use the stove in the kitchen (galley) carefully, turn off the gas after cooking, and know where the fire blanket is located and how to use it. Gas should not be turned on while the yacht is moving without warning the captain. Dishes should be washed immediately after eating, and household waste should be packaged appropriately to save space. Crew members should not put anything on the chart table from personal items, even small ones. The navigator’s table is intended only for the captain’s things.
After Trip
After mooring the yacht, crew members must collect all inventory, fold clews and mooring lines, connect water and electricity, and collect garbage. They should only go ashore when the yacht is in full order. Finally, crew members should wash all the dishes, collect and dispose of all the garbage, and leave leftover food and drinks on the yacht.
