Crew Terms & Conditions

1. Nature of the trip

This is not a charter holiday and nobody onboard is paying for a “service”. Nimrod is a privately owned yacht used for recreational sailing by friends and invited crew on a genuine shared-cost basis.

All trips are:

• Informal
• Weather dependent
• Occasionally chaotic
• Entirely at the mercy of tide tables, wind direction and harbour availability

Crew will be asked to contribute towards direct shared costs, such as fuel, marina and harbour fees, gas, shared food supplies and trip consumables.

Crew will also contribute towards voyage-related operational and safety costs associated with offshore sailing, such as short-stay berthing, onboard consumables, and liferaft hire or servicing associated with the season’s sailing programme.

Nimrod is privately owned and maintained by Paul and Andy. Trips are operated on a genuine shared-cost basis and not for commercial gain.

2. The skipper (Person in Charge)

The PIC’s decision is final on safety, navigation, weather, boat operation and whether attempting that “shortcut” is a terrible idea.

3. Weather & plans

Plans are aspirational. Routes, destinations and timings may change because of:

• Weather and sea state
• Mechanical issues
• Crew fatigue
• Harbour access
• Tidal gates
• Excellent pubs discovered en route

Sometimes the adventure is not the destination originally printed in the WhatsApp chat.

4. Crew participation

Nimrod is a participatory boat. Everyone is encouraged to help with sailing, lines and fenders, navigation, tea production, washing up, spotting lobster pots and tactical biscuit management.

5. Personal responsibility

Crew join entirely at their own risk. Sailing involves wet decks, moving boats, ropes under load, pointy metal things, sudden angles and the possibility of falling over while making a sandwich.

All crew are responsible for their own clothing, medication, insurance, fitness for the trip and sensible behaviour onboard.

Crew should have appropriate insurance for personal accident, medical issues, travel disruption, and personal belongings and equipment.

If you accidentally damage equipment or launch something valuable into the sea, the decent thing to do is usually to help repair or replace it.

🆘 Make sure the skipper has your next-of-kin contact details before departure.

Also send anything the skipper should know in advance, including medical conditions, allergies, injuries, phobias, medication or other quirks relevant to life at sea.

6. Drinks onboard

Enjoying a quiet drink at anchor or alongside is all part of boating life. Safety always comes first, and excessive alcohol consumption onboard is not acceptable, particularly while sailing, berthing or handling equipment. The skipper may limit alcohol consumption where safety requires.

7. Seasickness

It happens to the best of us. Even experienced sailors occasionally feel queasy. If you’re prone, or unsure, bring something that works for you, such as Stugeron (cinnarizine), Scopoderm patches, acupressure bands or ginger sweets.

The skipper will generally carry Stugeron 15 or Scopoderm depending on conditions.

• Eat properly
• Stay hydrated
• Avoid disappearing silently into the forecabin of doom

Sympathy will initially be offered. Mockery may follow later once recovered.

8. Kit & packing

Soft bags only, please. No hard suitcases unless you enjoy being judged by sailors.

Sleeping

• Sleeping bag (pillows are onboard)

Clothing

• Warm layers, hat and gloves
• Quick-dry tops and trousers
• Swimwear and towel
• Deck shoes or trainers
• Sea boots, if you have them
• Walking shoes and gear for island adventures

Personal

• Wash kit
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Sunglasses with strap
• Medication and seasickness tablets
• Water bottle
• Headtorch, with red light if possible
• Midge repellent 🦟🏴

Optional

• Dry bag and power bank
• Book or podcasts
• Snacks to share
• Sailing gloves

9. Food & drink

There is normally a decent stock of dry food onboard and we’ll usually top up fresh food at the start of the trip.

Tell the skipper about allergies, dietary requirements, likes and dislikes, favourite snacks, essential tea or coffee preferences, and anything you consider critical to morale.

Veggie, vegan and gluten-free crew are all welcome. Just give some notice.

🍻 Feel free to bring beer, cider or wine to enjoy while alongside or at anchor. Fridge space permitting, we’ll keep it cold.

10. Phones & electronics

The sea enjoys eating phones. Waterproofing your own kit is strongly advised.

Charging opportunities exist, but power is finite, Starlink is not magic and hairdryers remain wildly optimistic.

📶 Starlink internet will normally be available at various times, subject to power, coverage and operational requirements onboard.

🧭 Track Nimrod’s progress live and share the link with friends and family.

11. Apps we use

12. Social media

Photos are encouraged. Please share them in the WhatsApp group and feel free to share our adventure to the Nimrod Chat.

Please avoid posting other crew looking dreadful, marina shower queues or any moment involving tactical bucket usage.

13. Costs & cancellations

Crew are expected to contribute fairly towards shared trip costs incurred during the voyage.

If you pull out at the last minute, you may still be asked to contribute towards committed shared costs, especially if your bunk then sails empty to Scotland. Reasonable flexibility applies for genuine emergencies.