Faircliff Posted August 12, 2014 #1 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Just returned from a lovely trip to Alaska and was wondering, who actually drives the tender boats? Also, we were speculating, do all of the crew have to have lessons in the event of an emergency where they may be required to operate the tender boats? Sent from my iPad using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisead Posted August 12, 2014 #2 Share Posted August 12, 2014 It depends on what tenders are used. In some ports, it's required that the ship use local boats, and for others, the ship's crew/officers operate the ship's own tenders. In an emergency, each crew member has a specific assignment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare steamboats Posted August 12, 2014 #3 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Ships tenders are steered by trained crew. Not all crew members are allowed or able to steer the tender boats. You need a special training. steamboats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted August 12, 2014 #4 Share Posted August 12, 2014 As mentioned above, I have even seen the captain being tendered ashore as he was not designated to pilot the tender.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upwarduk Posted August 12, 2014 #5 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Just returned from a lovely trip to Alaska and was wondering, who actually drives the tender boats? Also, we were speculating, do all of the crew have to have lessons in the event of an emergency where they may be required to operate the tender boats? Sent from my iPad using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app One of our wait staff was trained to drive the tender. This was a number of years ago, not sure if it was our TA on Galaxy (2005) or Australia / New Zealand on Mercury (2008) He & his wife were also trained in First Aid and had to attend special Muster Drills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted August 12, 2014 #6 Share Posted August 12, 2014 One of our wait staff was trained to drive the tender. This was a number of years ago, not sure if it was our TA on Galaxy (2005) or Australia / New Zealand on Mercury (2008)He & his wife were also trained in First Aid and had to attend special Muster Drills. Most of the crew have multiple responsibilities for emergencies.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscoSteve Posted August 12, 2014 #7 Share Posted August 12, 2014 My husband persuaded the crew to let him steer the tender boat in Cabo on returning to the ship. He did a few doughnuts! Hope the crew didn`t get into trouble! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare hcat Posted August 12, 2014 #8 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Huh...thought only someone with proper license can operate tender vessel ...hope someone has definitive answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestLakeGirl Posted August 12, 2014 #9 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Is it April 1 already? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo70 Posted August 12, 2014 #10 Share Posted August 12, 2014 It is an elite plus perk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cle-guy Posted August 12, 2014 #11 Share Posted August 12, 2014 While strolling the lifeboat deck on my TA this spring, I noticed that each lifeboat had a laminated card on it that indicated who was on command of each lifeboat, 2nd in command and the assistant. It didn't NAME them but assigned a position, such as Casino Manager, Head waiter, etc. each boat was different. Also there was a full passenger manifest kept in a clear box posted near the entrance to the lifeboats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CathyCruises Posted August 12, 2014 #12 Share Posted August 12, 2014 While waiting to get moving on the tender one day, I asked the driver what he did when he wasn't driving the tender. He looked at me kind of surprised and said, "I drive the ship!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tunaman2011 Posted August 12, 2014 #13 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Greetings I would believe that anyone "steering" the tender must possess a captain's license. That's the certification that is required to operate a vessel which transports passengers. This doesn't mean he's a "ship's captain". Your license allows you to operate vessels up to a certain size limit i.e. you may have a 100 ton license that allows you to operate vessels up to 100 tons. Yes, I am a licensed captain, but they don't allow me to steer the cruise ship :). Good Sailing Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_G Posted August 12, 2014 #14 Share Posted August 12, 2014 My husband persuaded the crew to let him steer the tender boat in Cabo on returning to the ship. He did a few doughnuts! Hope the crew didn`t get into trouble! They should make it an excursion. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare hcat Posted August 12, 2014 #15 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Greetings I would believe that anyone "steering" the tender must possess a captain's license. That's the certification that is required to operate a vessel which transports passengers. This doesn't mean he's a "ship's captain". Your license allows you to operate vessels up to a certain size limit i.e. you may have a 100 ton license that allows you to operate vessels up to 100 tons. Yes, I am a licensed captain, but they don't allow me to steer the cruise ship :). Good Sailing Tom Thank you...I thought that was the case.. Feeling a bit more secure...some tender operations can be challenging...esp in rough waters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cle-guy Posted August 12, 2014 #16 Share Posted August 12, 2014 I would think regulations should vary by country as to specific licensure requirements. Is there some sort of overall international licensure group for such things? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tunaman2011 Posted August 12, 2014 #17 Share Posted August 12, 2014 I would think regulations should vary by country as to specific licensure requirements. Is there some sort of overall international licensure group for such things? Greetings Yes, requirements vary from country to country but the OP asked about Alaska where they must operate under U.S. Coast Guard rules and regs. For the EU and USA the license requirements are similar. I believe that the UK still has a separate license. There are probably small countries that allow anyone with a boat to transport passengers regardless of training, but then you better also worry about the condition of the vessel being used for transport. Good Sailing Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honeybearhollow Posted August 12, 2014 #18 Share Posted August 12, 2014 It is an elite plus perk. LOL Gonzo, Cathy Cruises, loved your response. You guys gave me my morning laugh. Thanks.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSCruiser Posted August 12, 2014 #19 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Recently on the Brilliance, CD Clo O'Connor (she is a blast, best CD ever) mentioned onstage that she is a tender boat captain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted August 12, 2014 #20 Share Posted August 12, 2014 (edited) duplicate post Edited August 12, 2014 by MicCanberra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted August 12, 2014 #21 Share Posted August 12, 2014 In Australia special training is required so that the tender captains can safely navigate around all the dangers like reefs, ferries, sharks, crocs, surfers, drunken boat owners, etc.:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozark74 Posted August 12, 2014 #22 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Sometimes we have seen junior officers or other trained crew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rucruisn2 Posted August 13, 2014 #23 Share Posted August 13, 2014 They actually let the guests pilot them, give us experience in case of an emergency and the crew takes off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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