Job Description:
Crew have the largest impact on our guests' experience. We like to say that we're in the hospitality business as well as the sailing business, so we like to hire crew who are welcoming, cheerful, make a nice impression, enjoy engaging with guests and derive satisfaction from helping give guests an enjoyable experience. Maintaining a positive can-do attitude even in the face of adversity is huge.
Newport has one of the prettiest harbors in the world and is the sailing capital of the world. Many of the people we take sailing have never sailed before. Being able to point out sights, talk with guests and help provide a positive experience is vital. We want guests to come back again, write a great review online, or rave to the concierge at the hotel what a great time they had! You don't have to be a superstar sailor but having some sailing knowledge and experience is definitely helpful.
While these jobs are fun, offer a great learning experience, and allow you to make some good money, they are also physically demanding. We take out scores of people and offer 4-5 trips a day. You'll be hauling up and lowering sails, casting off dock lines, pouring champagne, tacking and gybing and restocking coolers, etc. Add up setup/breakdown time and at the peak of the season it's a long day. You need the energy and endurance for that.
For the right individuals, these jobs are a lot of fun. It can be hard work however you get paid to meet people from all over the world, show them a good time, hone your sailing skills and sail all day in the sailing capital of the world! If you're interested in becoming a licensed captain and would like to commit to working here, we can help you with that too.
Responsibilities:
- Learn about the sights we sail by and be able to speak about them casually. Ability to project voice and address large groups. Interact with guests, engage in casual conversation.
- Willingness to take direction and initiative, get one's hands dirty, jump willingly into tasks and demonstrate a desire to learn.
- Prepare Aquidneck or Sightsailer for sailing each day including cleaning decks, stocking coolers, sail handling, organizing stowing supplies, etc.
- Ensure guests safely embark and disembark vessel.
- Take active role in sailing vessel including raising, trimming, flaking sails, taking helm etc. Pay attention to sail trim. Demonstrate awareness of what's happening both on boat and vessels nearby.
- Load and unload food and drink for private charters. Serve drinks on sunset cruises. Stow beverages in coolers.
- Put boat to bed after sailing.
- Assist in performing daily, weekly and monthly safety, & maintenance tasks.
Crew Required Availability by Boat:
We hire crew for Aquidneck, our 80' schooner and Sightsailer our 46' sloop. These are very different boats so we look at different parts of your experience and background, however one of the most important things that will determine whether you're hired is your availability. We look to hire crew who are available and can commit to a boat's operating season so we don't find ourselves in the unenviable position of trying to find and train someone come mid to late season.
Aquidneck availability requirements: Ideally, Aquidneck crew should be available to sail from early May through the end of October so crew train and gets started together. Since we're a seasonal business and very busy at the height of the summer, the crew should not require any large blocks of time off. For instance, cool as it may be, you shouldn't need two weeks off in July and another two in August! Occasionally we may hire crew who have to leave before the end of the season, but we prefer to have a crew who can commit to the entire season.
Sightsailer availability requirements: Sightsailer's season is shorter than Aquidneck however you need to be available weekends from late May through mid to late June, then 5 days a week in July and August, and weekends only again in September. We usually only hire one crew for Sightsailer who sails 5 days per week on the above schedule.
Required Availability both boats: You should be flexible, a team player and be available to work weekdays, weekends and/or holidays. You should not require any long vacations or large blocks of time off.
Physical Requirements: Make sure to watch our Crew Employment Overview video at the top of the Employment section. Crew positions on Aquidneck require heavy lifting and physical labor. Due to the size of her sails crewing on Aquidneck requires a certain amount of strength and stamina. You also need to be agile and surefooted and so you can scramble out on the bowsprit or bow net, have no fear of heights or stability, balance or vertigo issues. Women can do it, but need to be fairly strong and in good condition. Crewing on Sightsailer is much less physically demanding than Aquidneck. You can see videos of Aquidneck and Sightsailer under sail in the Our Fleet section.
Sailing Experience: You don't have to be a superstar sailor but having some previous sailing experience and knowledge is definitely helpful. For instance knowing the difference between tacking and gybing, close-hauled and running helps. If you've got the right availability, sailing experience and personality, you'll be at the top of the list for an interview!
Compensation:
- Pay is very good. Crew are paid a day rate and also earn tips. Daily compensation ranges from $225-$350/day. Many of our crew have spent a season or two as crew and worked their way up to captain.
Appearance/Dress Code & Hygiene Standards:
Our Appearance, Hygiene and Dress Code standards are similar to many upscale, service-oriented businesses. They have been established to present the image of a friendly, professional and hospitality-oriented staff.
We will give you company shirts, outerwear and assorted swag to wear which must be worn while working. Excessive piercing or hairstyles of a fad nature are not permitted. You and your clothes must be clean and odor free. Additional dress, hygiene and appearance codes are spelled out in our company handbook.
Additional Requirements:
- Crew must pass a Pre-Employment drug test and participate in a mandatory USCG Random Drug Testing Program both of which the company pays for.
- Crew need to adhere to Appearance & Dress Code Standards.
- Since we serve alcohol, you must be over 18.