July 2005 Vol. 2, No. 4 www.the-triton.com
Yachting industry takes notice of joy-riding terrorists By Lisa H. Knapp
Red-hulled boat turns blue
The world was surprised to learn that the terrorists who hijacked four airplanes and killed more than 3,000 people on Sept. 11, 2001, had spent months in the United States learning how to fly. Americans were soon shocked to discover that the terrorists were interested only in taking off and flying, not landing. The little red flags that should have gone up then are going up now in the marine industry, where international security observers have documented several cases of potential terrorists hijacking large boats – mostly container ships – kidnapping the crew and then just driving around. “They drive the boat for three hours and leave with the crew still tied up,” said Rob Gaylord, a former U.S. Air Force aircraft commander and adviser to senior U.S. defense officials. Gaylord, a specialist in terrorism and transnational crime, is recognized as a security expert by the International Maritime Organization. IMO records indicate an upturn in crew abductions that could signal a move by terrorists to train themselves in operating and navigating large vessels, he said.
See SECURITY, page A14
Find out more on page A21. The crew of M/Y Freedom: From left, Chef Mike ‘Scooter’ Nix, Capt. Moe Moses, Stew Jenna Elwell and Mate Shaun Koper. PHOTO/LUCY REED
Bridge: Standards for crew needed but unenforceable A few months ago at a Triton Connection event, crew and placement professionals suggested there was a need for a set of standards for crew in the yachting industry. So this month we raised the issue with our Bridge captains: Do you think there should be an industry-wide set of standards for operating yachts? As always, comments FROM THE BRIDGE are not attributed to any LUCY CHABOT REED person in particular so as to encourage frank and open discussion. Attending captains are identified in a photograph on page A12. The conversation stuttered a bit at the beginning. “It’s hard to set an industry standard,” one captain said. “Schools around the world all set different standards. It [the industry] is not at a point where you can do that, write a manual and say ‘This is the manual for captains,’ and make it work across the board.” “Safety and licensing standards are covered, so I assume we’re talking about operations standards,” another said. “There is no entity that
See THE BRIDGE, page A12
Crew rotations put positive spin on yachting careers There’s a megayacht – two, actually – based in Ft. Lauderdale where the crew get at least eight days off a month, and they can accumulate up to four weeks vacation a year. A majority is married, have children and homes, and live a life away from their boats. On these THE CONNECTION megayachts, first officers regularly take LUCY CHABOT REED the wheel to gain experience and confidence at the helm. Second officers, too. And captains
are confident to leave junior officers in command while they take time off between hectic trips with owners and guests. Attendees of The Triton’s recent Connection event heard all the details of the crew rotation and relief system in place in the Gallant Lady fleet. At one point, one attendee couldn’t take it any more. “That job doesn’t exist,” said Phil Nicholas, owner of crew placement agency Carole Manto Inc. and a working relief engineer. “It’s too good to be true.” But it is true. A crew of 40 run the
Find out what Ft. Lauderdale can learn from its little sister, page A6.
five Gallant Lady yachts operated by JM Family Enterprises, a familybuilt corporation of car dealerships and charitable foundations based in Deerfield Beach, Fla. Half of the existing crew were hired with no experience and the company counts employee tenure in double-digit years instead of double-digit months. Though more a relief system for the senior officers than a true job-sharing program, it works because the owner wants it to, said Tim Griffin, manager of marine operations for the fleet and the Connection speaker.
Yup, that’s a megayacht, all alone in Chile. Page A26
“The philosophy of the approach is very land-based corporate – you have a staff of people you train to move up,” said Griffin, himself once an engineer in the fleet. The Gallant Lady fleet is made up of five yachts – a 172-foot Feadship, a 160foot Delta, two 65-foot sportfish yachts and a 58-foot Sea Ray. Two captains and four first officers fill the top four positions in the fleet in a relief system. Four engineers and chefs also work in a relief system on the two megayachts.
See THE CONNECTION, page A18
Check out “Earning Your Stripes,” The Triton’s new career, training and education section.