What are your thoughts on boats hiring “permanent” crew without a proper contract?
Don’t do it, just don’t! I have heard so many horror stories about crew being promised a contract after weeks of work while being promised pay at the same time and never getting either.
The last was a story of three crew who joined a vessel, and all were promised a contract and pay. Weeks went by, they weren’t being paid and they never received a contract. After about two months of this, one of the crew members stood up to the owner and demanded payment and a contract. They were let go on the spot. They didn’t have much recourse as they were without a contract and foreign crew in the United States on a B1/B2 visa — a topic for another day.
Can you get an attorney? Sure. Can you go to the flag state? Sure. Can you go to Nautilus or the PYA? Sure, but you don’t have a contract so you don’t have much to fight with. In my experience, if a boat/company cannot offer you a contract before you step foot on the vessel, they are not reputable, and that is a big red flag for me. These programs are likely to do many other things that aren’t up to snuff. I could go on and on about this, but I think you get my point. Just don’t do it. There are plenty of well-run programs out there to pick from that will have you sign a contract before you start working on board.