There is a story of a whale landing on a boat off the coast of South Africa with photo's. There are varying opinions on the photo being real or fake. Here is the link from msnbc.

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38339576/from/toolbar

Or click on the attachment below to see the picture.

Please let us know what you think.

Can you say yes to any of the following...?

Impatience and irritability with trivial setbacks.

Lack of interest in training/orientation of fresh and willing crew?

Irrational outburst,verbal abuse and humiliation in public directed toward professional crew,when they are demanded to work as deckhand so you can save $$?

Resentment about missed special occasions with family?

The need to pontificate/rant about your correct political views and express hatred and intolerance?

Bullying and insulting management 'style'

So, you’re a yachting professional – probably one of the up-and-comers in the 20- to early-30-somethings range – and you’re thinking how much grander the world would be if more regulation concerning certifications and operations became the rule of the day; how much faster you’d be able to climb into the wheelhouse with four stripes on your shoulder if such were the case.

Take it from your kinfolks in aviation: Be careful what you wish for.

After attending a recent Triton Event and experiencing hot crowded conditions and loud drunk people,  I thought that perhaps there was a better way of networking than this....what if the actual networking took place in an alcohol free venue,  and the partying took place at another afterwards.   

I am freelance and just worked a wonderful charter for a fantastic family.  After the guests left the boat and fave me my tip in cash (quite a generous one, at that), the captain told me that that particular boat splits the tips with a guy who works behind the scenes kind of "managing the boat" and keeping it up. 

I have never had to share tips to anyone who wasn't working directly on the charter and am unsure how I feel about this.  I am wondering what others thoughts are about this.

About five years ago I wrote the book "How to make money with boats". It's a book for dreamers that explains in detail 50 methods of earning a living from a boat. It covers everything from welding, chartering, methods for the crew and kids to earn a living while traveling and even treasure hunting from a yacht.

I read the long article about appendicitis, but you give no recommendation. [“Appendicitis ache tricks you, shifts before pain settles in,” page B2, September 2009.]

I’m surprised you would write an entire article without concluding with the advice to have an appendectomy.

1. Preventive appendectomies are simply painless for body, soul and even one’s wallet.

They will free anyone from appendicitis problems forever and leave crew free to sail wherever the owners want them to.

Capt. Herb Magney’s article [“Do you have the crew tools to succeed?” September 2009, page C1] was great and a big help to crew as well as newcomers to the industry. The insightful tips are something we should all practice in any profession.

I have been out of the yachting industry as crew for more than six years and have been working in the corporate world. I can say with all honesty that most of what Herb writes about can apply in any job setting.