TERMS & CONDITIONS and ADVICE

Advice: General | For Skippers/Owners | For Crew


CrewSearcher Terms and Conditions

CrewSearcher will not accept responsibility for any contacts made.

Only persons over the age of 18 can register with CrewSearcher.

We may change our terms and conditions at any time without notice if we need to.

We may alter aspects of our service at any time if we need to.

Safeguarding your privacy is very important to us. We take seriously the collection of any personal contact information from our members and are committed to protecting their privacy. Additionally, our members must agree to respect the privacy and confidentiality of others.

CrewSearcher does not provide any of your personal information to third parties unless:

  • We must do so to enforce our ‘Terms of Use’
  • We are required to do so by law
  • We need to defend CrewSearcher in any legal action
  • We need to protect the property of CrewSearcher

If there are any exceptions, CrewSearcher will clearly disclose them prior to collecting any information. Please be aware that, as part of the service, CrewSearcher may provide links to other web sites and will not be responsible for the information collection or privacy practices of those web sites.

To prevent unauthorised access, maintain data accuracy, and ensure the appropriate use of information, CrewSearcher has put in place physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information it collects online.

Since privacy is, in part, a function of our customers' passwords, we encourage them to change their passwords frequently and to not share them with anyone.

CrewSearcher cannot warrant the accuracy of the information held and crew must satisfy themselves as to the suitability and safety of any vessels on which they propose to crew and the competence of the skipper and other crew. It is always advisable to meet with prospective crew / skippers first before accepting a position.

CrewSearcher recommends that you hold adequate personal accident, sickness and life insurance cover.

By using this site, you signify your assent to the ‘Terms & conditions ’. If you do not agree, please do not use this site.

If you have any questions about this privacy statement, you may contact info@CrewSearcher.co.uk
  • Find out what you can about each other Check with someone who sailed with the skipper/crew before if you can. A telephone call or meeting is better than a letter / email.
  • Agreements Both skippers and crew should abide by any agreements made. Those who abuse agreements that they enter into might not be accepted by the service in future. When crew accept consecutive trips on different boats they should inform the skippers of this and inform them immediately if delays occur on earlier trips. Both parties need to be in regular communication. Key points are best confirmed in writing.
  • Destinations: The intended destination of a cruise is only that, weather and other circumstances can quickly change arrangements.
  • RYA Cruising Logbook: It can be helpful if crew (and skippers) keep a logbook even if they do not plan to take certificates. It provides details of previous trips which can be discussed.
  • Skipper and Crew are doing each other a fayour but at the end of the day the skipper is responsible for the safety of the vessel and its crew. If you have a particularly good or bad experience with a skipper or crew please let us know.
  • Check eyerything: The information in the skipper and crew lists may not be complete or accurate. We do not check the information which you send and we (and the web server can) sometimes make mistakes .
  • Emergency contacts: Skippers and crew are advised to exchange information such as names and addresses of next of kin, shore based contact and current medical practitioner.
  • Minors: If the crew member is under 18 it is important to get parental consent.
  • Be honest about your own personal habbits and preferences including smoking, food and time ashore.
  • Be clear about what you expect What are the 'rules' of the boat? What do you expect the crew to do and what duties are shared?
  • Crew members: Be prepared to give prospective crew details of other crew members.
  • Boat details: Let your prospective crew know the details of the boat, particularly if you require special skills or attributes (eg no winches, heavy anchor etc.). Accommodation arrangement - layout. number and size of berths, heads etc
  • Style: Be clear about your style of sailing (eg long or short distances, racing events or rallies, whether speed or comfort comes first). Social lifestyle.
  • Gear: Make sure crew have the necessary gear and know what is provided for them on board. Mention particularly safety gear and foul weather clothing.
  • Medical: Find out if crew have any medical problems, are taking medication or are prone to seasickness. Let crew know if you have any medical conditions.
  • Insurance: Have crew taken out medical, personal effect and/or travel insurance? Be clear with crew if you are not covering their personal effects while on board. Check your own insurance policy and the extent of your accident cover.
  • Currency and Documents: Discuss which currencies and documents are needed for the trip (passports, E111, fare home etc.). Be clear if they are expected to make their own way back from a particular destination. In some circumstances the skipper may be required by international law to repatriate a stranded crew.
  • Expenses: What expenses do you expect the crew to contribute to and what do you provide? This area causes more difficulties than any other. Skippers should be aware that in accepting payment from crew they could be jeopardising their status as a pleasure yacht and become governed by the DoT Code of Practice (extracts available from the CA). Among other things this may invalidate insurance cover.
  • Food and cooking: Who provides/does what? Check for special diets, likes, dislikes etc.
  • Shakedown Cruise: Try to get all your crew together before a longer cruise so that they, and you, can check compatibility and share expectations for the cruise together. A weekend afloat is best but at least a meeting ashore is useful.
  • Point of contact: Establish before sailing a home based person who will liaise between boat, crew and crew's families.
  • Be clear about what you are looking for - sun sailing experience, navigation, sea time etc., and negotiate this with the skipper.
  • Meet the skipper and other crew members preferably on board the yacht. Many skippers like to go for a weekend sail with prospective crew. Seize the opportunity to check out things important to you. If you can't, find out as much as you can about them, the boat and the skippers preferences (style, food etc.) How are non-urgent decisions made on board?
  • Smoking: If you smoke or are allergic to smoke let the skipper know beforehand.
  • Insurance: Find out the extent of the skippers cover (does it cover your personal effects and third party claims?) We strongly recommend travel and health insurance if going abroad. Also obtain 'Health Advice for Travellers' T2 from any Post office, for details of free medical services in EC countries.
  • Expenses: Check what the skipper is expecting and make clear what you can afford. Establish exactly what is covered by the sum you have agreed to pay. Skippers expectations may vary from no contribution to a full share of the cost of keeping the yacht at sea and cruising.
  • Food and Cooking: Check who does what and discuss any dietary needs and particular likes and dislikes.
  • Equipment: Check that the boat and its equipment is suitable for the trip proposed. Ask someone to help if you are not sure. Check whether the skipper is providing safety gear/harnesses, life jackets etc. You will usually be expected to provide your own foul weather protection.
  • Point of contact: Leave details with someone of the boat's name, call sign (if RT fitted) and name and telephone number of the skippers liaison contact. Write it all down. If joining mid-cruise make sure you have your skipper's point of contact and check arrangement before you leave home. Will there be a mobile phone on board?
  • Gear: Find out what personal gear you are expected to bring (e.g. sleeping bag, pillow, foul weather gear, footwear). Bags should be able to be folded away - no suitcases! Waterproof bags are an advantage as lockers in many yachts are subject to condensation and it can be useful to keep gear dry by leaving it in the bags. As yachts are not particularly secure, don't take any valuables.
  • Just beginning? If you are new to sailing, read what you can about it. The RYA Competent Crew Handbook covers most of the basics and includes a useful glossary (ref. C 10 from the RYA). Please make it clear to skippers that you are just starting and on checking lists look out, in particular, for skippers willing to take a novice crew. It is useful to undertake the competent crew course to learn the basics. Most skippers will give a briefing when crew join the yacht about safety items and what duties they want the crew to perform.