Boat Lovers Guide

A well managed business should be similar to a well managed sailing vessel.

The crew needs to know how to do their jobs, which involves training to learn the ropes and practical experience onboard. They also need to know exactly what is expected of them from day one and how to follow orders. They need to be able to trust their captain and his officers and know that they aren’t making incorrect decisions.

The crew also needs to know the course the ship is on with regular and timely updates. Don’t keep the crew in the dark about it, it’s their cruise too.

They also need to be rewarded somehow for a job well done, but they also need to be praised for it. Don’t be afraid to open your mouth and say, "You’ve done a fine job Jack, I appreciate your efforts and skills."

Take immediate action when a crew member fails to perform their duties properly, and have them explain to you what they did wrong and how they can correct it in the future. Don’t redress them for a mistake in front of the rest of the crew. Take them below if you need to and make sure you have enough room to swing the cat if it is needed. Re-educate them as necessary.

If you have to keel-haul and quarter draw a crew member, gather the rest of the crew and explain why that crewman had to go. Don’t let the rumor mill circulate falsities around the ship. The captain should be the source of all shipboard accountings.

The captain needs to lead by example. A lazy captain or one that is unfair will be villainized and reviled by all the crew, from the first mate to the powder monkeys. The ship will suffer as a whole for it. Never expect Jack to do what you aren’t willing to do.

Treat all the crew the same as regards their rank and skills. Disallow sycophants from bending your ear especially your officers or mates. Ensure that your skills and knowledge are at par with the course you’ve set for your ship and crew. It only takes one misstep to lose the confidence of your crew. If you lose that, your crew will become disgruntled and a few will jump ship at the next port. A large enough folly and they’ll openly revolt or even mutiny.

You’ll want to be a captain that the crew respects, but does not fear. Respect will gain you a crew’s confidence and their eagerness to do a job well done, where a fearful crew will only gain you a larger turnover of crewmen and a reputation you’ll find distasteful.

Keep a steady hand on the tiller. The direction of a vessel such as this has as much bearing on the livelihood and safety of the ship and crew as does the sturdiness of the hull. When the winds of fortune blow, a greedy captain will make all sail, but the prudent captain will know when to reef.

A ship is only as good as its crew, and the captain is simply the master of the crew. Together, they are a team. Divide them, and your ship will founder in the foam.

Do not mince your words when giving instructions to an officer or crewman. Ensure that he fully understands what it is that is required of him, especially if the assignment isn’t a normal part of his daily workload.

A knowledgeable captain will run his ship in accordance with maritime law and the laws of God. He will not risk his ship nor crew to unlawful or unethical activities, He will not allow either activity to propagate on his ship and any such activities should be dealt with immediately and harshly.

Don’t allow Jack to become bored or complacent in his shipboard duties. A good captain will have a crew that is cross-trained. A well rounded sailor is a happy sailor indeed.

Never allow a crewman to shirk his duties or get away with any laziness. Correct it immediately.

Unless Jack has a monetary interest in the ship, don’t expect him to do more than his fair share of the work. A little profit sharing goes along way with Jack and his cohorts. Don’t push him beyond his limit unless the ship is in a dire emergency. He’ll give you another shift to house the topmast in a blow, they all will, but don’t expect it for months on end. Regular shifts and good time off are as important to Jack as good pay and decent work. A fine meal with grog at Christmas time is always appreciated as well.

Your vessel should be kept shipshape and Bristol fashion at all times. Your crewmen should be aware of and ready for any inspection you or other authorities may conduct.

It is your ship and it should reflect your ideals, work ethic and abilities.

Good luck captain!

The first Answer is true.

I have no idea of sailing, but I always did know the importance of
the team work, the communication & the will
(I would better say the Will is everything, like the First Necessary Step!)
in any domain of our life, including business; I see:) that must work for Sailing too.

Have a good wind and Will, to the same direction!