Crew responsibility - safety

[rirockhound]

* The day before the trip
* The day of the trip
* on the water
* on return to the dock

I generally get ripshit drunk the day before, so I'm useless on watch for the steam out.
The day of, I sleep the whole way out, maybe wake up to reel in a fish, maybe not.
When we get back to the dock I complain the trip is already over....

[wauwinet]

One hour before you leave the house, pour boiling water into a large thermos, then get all your gear ready. It is likely to still be dark. DO NOT forget sunglasses. I usually put mine in a little pile with my car keys, phone etc. I have also found that a small bandanna or even a facecloth is a great help for keeping glasses clean. Thirty minutes prior to leaving the house, brew a pot of coffee. The preheated thermos will keep the coffee hot for hours and will be most welcome both when you leave the dock and once you have the spread out. Preheat some cream and add that if you like. Don't dik around with little containers or the powdered stuff. Bring 2 paper hot cups for everyone. Even if the boat has a coffee maker, this is better tasting and will take far less time to clean up. I often fill a pillowcase with my warm clothes. This can double as a pillow on the way out.

The night before, the best thing you can do is rest and check out any sources you have for info. However, don't show up at the slip expecting to change the plan because you read about something on line. A good idea is to email any promising url to the captain the night before. He will definitely be checking email.

Pull up and make a good quality print of the latest temp charts before you leave the house. I use sheet protectors which tend to keep them from falling apart after a few hours.

Make sure there is a current and well stocked first aid kit on board and know how to remove a hook (and when not to). A bottle of alcohol (isopropyl, not absolut) is important for sanitizing any punctures.

Offer to take the middle watch or whichever one is least desirable.

Hopefully, the fishing will be great and you will have little downtime. How if you are bored, pick up a rag or brush and be constructive. There is always something that needs cleaning. Consolidate the garbage, throw paper trash overboard and compact all the plastics.

Bring only one medium sized bag. Here are a few helpful items I like to include. A 5X monocular can help with lots of things and is esp. good for looking under highfliers. A small tub of sunblock or chapstick style one is much neater and won;t get on your hands. Altoids, advil and baby wipes are all helpful. Make sure your phone and any other battery powered items are at a full charge. Also try to be aware of the boats recharging capabilities. Don't show up and expect to manipulate the one (if any) recharger.

It goes without saying that the more you clean on the way in, the less you have to do at the dock. One good idea is to get everything that can go off the boat ready to be taken off as soon as you tie up. So, once she is in the slip, the garbage, the fish, any leftover food, rods and reels going home and everyone's duffels go right up on the dock. this will lessen the number of people going below and across the deck while someone is trying to clean.

If you are cleaning someone else's boat, please be sure you are doing it properly. Also, take your time and do it well. If you do a good job on one or two things, it beats a crappy job on three things the owner has to re do.

Here's are a few of my pet peeves.

The minute we get into cell range, every guy is on the phone and suddenly the guy driving may as well be by himself. If you are a four man crew and 2 guys are checking in with their girlfriends, wait until they are off until you call your own. This is especially true at the fuel dock.

Don't start giving away fish to buddies on the dock, while you are cleaning. It will draw a people like flies. You should know who is getting what before you tie up and a lot of guys are in no mood for 20 questions as they are cleaning up after an overnighter.

If there is any cost sharing going on, immediately offer cash to the owner. Don't make him ask and don't write a check.

Do not post pictures, reports or locations on the net without express permission from the owner.

If your wife and/or kids are at the dock when your arrive, they need to either help or understand that pictures and stories are going to have to wait a little bit.

If someone allows you to bring your kid along, make sure your kid thanks them appropriately.

If you have room and are inclined, bring along a kid or an adult who can't otherwise afford the trip.

[wauwinet]

Apologies to the OP. I missed that it was about "safety" and posted a bunch of misc. tips.

[scattered_grass]

I generally get ripshit drunk the day before, so I'm useless on watch for the steam out.
The day of, I sleep the whole way out, maybe wake up to reel in a fish, maybe not.
When we get back to the dock I complain the trip is already over....

I always try to get a couple budweisers down before breaching the inlet

[captkev]

Good thread, Larry...

I've been lucky enough to have been invited on enough trips to know that every one is a bit different. But a couple of things that I've learned, especially from having people aboard my boat that I haven't fished with before, are:

I'll confirm times along with directions to the boat and I have always appreciated when my guests ask a few times what they can bring and what do I need. I'll try to get there at least an hour before departure to try to get a feel for the captain and crew, and at least attempt to be helpful. I'm always cautious to try to walk that fine line between being helpful on an unfamiliar boat and getting in the way because I don't know where things belong. I've been on trips where the crews' job was to stand on the dock out of the way until the boat gets loaded, and I've been on trips where I was asked to be there 4 hours before to help fuel up. I'll try to pack lightly, I've had too many people show up with massive duffel bags and 4 coolers, and now I'm going through their shit to decide what stays and what goes.

At the dock it's terrific when they actually show up with the recommendations, whether it's ice, tackle, food, whatever... The only thing that pisses me off more than someone being late is counting on someone to bring something and they show up without it. Don't tell me that you are bringing 200 lbs of ice and then show up with 20. I'll be there early enough so everything that I can control is done by the prearranged departure time. It's great when someone shows up with some sort of snack, coffee, whatever for the crew on the way out. I'll go over safety and gear locations so many times I get sick of listening to myself.

On the way out on my boat I'll try to designate cockpit duties, one guy has washdown, one guy's in charge of picking up the deck, etc. I usually ask the captain, probably too many times, if there is anything that I can do, whether it's cut lines back, redo baits, check terminal tackle, whatever. It drives me nuts to have someone stand there and watch everyone else work, especially when I've told the moron that he has pickup duty and I step on an empty water bottle. Follow the rules. No boots in the salon means no boots in the salon. If you don't completely understand something ask me again. Don't guess and think that I want it that way. I would rather have someone attempt to do something right and ask me to check it than screw it up due to apathy. Watch the spread and ask if there is anything that you can do. If you see something on the water or something on deck that you think I would want to know about, no matter how insignificant you may think it is, tell me. If you've never gaffed anything in your life, that big yellowfin is not the time to try. Be honest with me.

I'll try to arrange the distribution of meat on the way home. If anyone wants a little extra I've always tried to arrange that on the way home instead of going over it at the dock where I have seen too many instances of unhappy crew members who have left with what they consider to be less that their fair share. Once back and tied off I have always appreciated it when everyone leaves when everything is done to my satisfaction and not before. I think a lot of us have been on trips where there was one guy who's "gotta go" and now leaves the rest with extra duties. Ask me again if there is anything that you can do.

Hope it helps, and another part of it is selecting a crew that enjoys each other's company and can work together out there. I remember one trip where I was trying to enjoy my cigar on the way home and was cornered by a religious zealot and could not get the guy to shut up for two hours. Now I know why everyone else went to sleep...

Kevin

[lowlands]

I've been both captain and crew. There are a few things crew can do to increase safety, especially since the captain has to sleep at some point and can't watch what's going on.

First, it always makes me feel a lot better when people wear inflatable PFD's at night. It's too easy to lose your balance on a moving boat and end up on the wrong side of the gunnel. The PFD's I carry have lights and whistles. It makes it much easier to find someone in the dark, and you don't want to be floating in the canyons out of sight.

Second, ALWAYS keep two people in the cockpit at night. Again, this is a major safety issue. I've seen cases where guys actually try to land big yft alone, at night. That's a recipe for joining the fish in the water. At least if someone else is awake in the pit, you stand a good chance of getting dry again.

Next, watch the damn gaffs! Don't swing them around in the pit, don't leave them point up in the pit, and always secure them when not in use. The same goes for bait knives. I must lose one a trip because someone leaves them on the gunnel.

No casting from the pit with other people around unless it's underhanded. You won't like how I get a hook out. You won't want it left in.

If you have any medical conditions, please let someone know. If there are meds that might save your llife like nitro or even insulin, let the crew know in case you need them. If you don't want everyone knowing, just tell one person. I don't have a portable defib unit, though they are coming down in price. Maybe someday, but not yet.

Lastly, don't be a drunken idiot. Nobody can or will police this, but it is dangerous enough out there when you are sober. Risks increase when you drink. You won't be invited back if you choose this lifestyle.

There are probably a long list, but thats what comes to mind.

PS one other thing that is a pet peeve for me. WEAR YOUR DAMN SHOES!!!!! I don't need someone opening a foot up on something on the deck. Even wahoo teeth will send us back to dock and you to the er.

[Captain Greg Sears]

Safety Drill Before the trip...

When a charter arrives on the boat we always give a safety presentation ....

Show them the life Raft.. And give a brief description on how to use it and when....

Show them the EPIRB ... and explain what it is and how to use it

Show them the life Jackets .. and explain when and how to use them..

Show them the Fire extinguishers

Show them the Radio and how to make a distress call

show them the first aid kit

Give a briefing on how to operate the controls of the boat... who knows you might be the one who fell overboard and you may need them to get you. Make sure you tell them how to get the boat off Auto Pilot..

Explain the hazardous nature of going out to sea and how it could take a long time for emergency services to arrive ( So pay attention and be safe) always hold on to something

Explain what to do if someone falls overboard... Yell and keep pointing at the person... Show them the life ring and other objects they can throw to the person..

Make sure they have their medication if they need it to survive.. and ask if anyone has any major problems like diabetes or heart problems..

On my boat Drunks Go home no Refund... Drinking in moderation and staying under the legal limits is OK

Not only is a safety drill a good Idea but it also helps relieve a little liability.... the passenger can not say we never told them.....

As a Captain I always check the bilge before we leave the docks to make sure we are not taking on water before we leave... And I watch my bilge pumps constantly. I check for possible loose items that could fly and hurt someone. I turn on all of my electronics and set them to the correct settings before leaving... I also make sure I collected my money first thing...

When we get Home I tell them to get the hell off my boat and go get me a cup of coffee.....