“I worked on a boat and incurred expenses because the boat’s credit card was blocked. I was assured I would be reimbursed, and I kept all receipts. But now that I’ve left the boat, they claim they already paid me — yet I never received the transaction. The amount they supposedly sent doesn’t even come close to what I’m owed, and their breakdown of costs excludes most of the actual expenses. What authorities can I reach out to in order to recover the money?”
I would say that this happens a fair bit, and my general stance would be that you never use your personal card for boat expenses, ever. My reason for this is that I have heard too many stories just like this, all too often. In fact, I have had it happen to me with a few programs, and on occasion I will use my own card, but that is very seldom and because I have a great and very trusting relationship with my current owner. They are extremely prompt and detailed with our reimbursements.
However, I still think that it is good practice to avoid it. I completely understand that when you are in line with a cart full of provisions or a load of deck items, that you just want to get the purchase made and get on with your task, but don’t — or you will likely find yourself in the situation that you have just asked about. Yes, it is quite embarrassing and frustrating when you have to abandon your overflowing cart at the register, but the consequence of using your own funds is worse.
I am being somewhat contradictory in my stance with my own actions as I will use my own card from time to time just so that I can get on with my day, but I have a long-standing relationship with our home office and I know without a doubt that I will always be reimbursed. So, as a general practice, this is a hard no. The individuals that we work for are well funded and certainly better funded than us as crew, so there should really be no need for it.
To send a question to Captain Kelly, message her on Instagram @captain_kellyjgordon.