Μήπως σκεφτήκατε να γίνετε ναυτικός για να γνωρίσετε τον κόσμο;

In every port from which sailing ships depart, it's possible to sign on as crew.

Were you aware that you could hitch a ride on a sailboat or yacht at just about any port around the world without paying a dime? You merely have to be willing to use a little elbow grease during the cruise. It may be cooking meals, swabbing the decks, and/or helping with the sailing itself. You don't even have to have ever set foot on a boat in your life to find placement (though, obviously, some experience helps opens up more options).

Many boat owners habitually take on even unseasoned crew in port before setting sail, whether to fill out the boat's necessary complement of hands, provide for a more relaxing trip by having others do the heavy lifting (or cooking), or simply for companionship or a combination of all three. Of course, since you aren't the captain you'll have little say over the itinerary or destination, but for a free-spirited traveler who relishes making friends and learning new skills while sailing the world's most idyllic coastline, island chains, and seas, it can be a dream come true.

There are three main categories of crew. First are true hired hands -- either for sailing trips or yacht deliveries/repositionings -- who will be expected to put in a day's work cooking, cleaning, and hauling on sheets (if you didn't know that means pulling on the system of ropes attached to the sails, you probably should stick to cooking and cleaning at first). Sometimes these are paid positions -- especially if you have a particular skill (gourmet chef?) or previous sailing experience -- other times you simply work in exchange for free passage. The second category is to act as a kind of hired companion for someone who simply wants some company on the trip, though you would, of course, do your bit to help run the ship; these positions might involve a token stipend, but are usually on a basis of free passage, or with the request that you pay for your share of the food. Finally, there are offers to share the boat and the sailing with anyone willing to chip in for their share of the trip's cost (groceries, port fees, fuel, etc.). You become a true equal on board -- though, again, unless it's a fully crewed yacht to begin with, you'll do your fair share of the work.

You can just head down to any port and ask the harbormaster if he knows of any captains in search of crew, or you can use the online messaging boards of the following sites: www.floatplan.com, www.findacrew.net, www.crewfile.com, www.partnersandcrews.com, and www.crewsearcher.com.

(πηγή: www.frommers.com, 9/11/2007)