On Monday the meeting took place and my suspicions were right, the top brass of the new management company came onboard accompanied by the owner's representative, his lawyer and asset manager as well as the current yacht manager present I was told that management was going to change to new in the following month, so the handover will start now and notice was served. It was quite a surprise to me but what can we do, owners are free to manage their asset as they see fit.
Next in turn was time to inform the crew and and the new management wanted to know of people interested in continuing with them, actually quite a few. The scales did not differ at all for the rank and file, so basically nothing changed. We were also told the vessel would be heading to Indian ocean in near future.
On Tuesday all the service stewardesses who've have had face time with the principal was axed and not taken into consideration to move on with the new management. Not sure what that was about but possibly they wanted scorched earth to start from zero, who knows.
My counterpart flew in and asked if there is any continuation but was offered 5:1 contracts so he declined and was out, in the same breath it was also declared that I am also not needed in the future. So that was that, a good thing had finally come to an end. At least there was no second questioning about it. The new captain was already onboard and seemed friendly, he also looked surprised of getting the news. At first he had told me he was only onboard in a consulting capacity.
On the same day we were also boarded by a dozen of new managements crew and office staff and to my surprise there was also my ex c/e in the group. I had last worked with him decades ago, he was now 64 years old and was rejoicing that he will leave all this behind next year on a well deserved pension. The staff all started walking around and getting familiar with the yacht assisted by the crew onboard.
The balance for the day was that most deckhands would follow and deck officers but some others were open for negotiation like the technical department.
Wednesday was quite bleak too, it started with our old management Director coming onboard meeting with Owner's rep and the new management as well as some crew. We had a "closing" meeting with platitudes all around and assurances that relationships will not be severed etc. etc. followed by a walk around checking out achievements during the previous winter wet docking. Back pats all over and job well done but it was time to say goodbye.
The day carried on with new management interviewing crew to continue and finally in end of the day there was a mail with lists of crew staying and others going. It was clear now how the future was going to be shaped.
On Thursday the next step was going to get the marching order from the owning entity to the old management and then I could start arranging flights and immigration clearances to offload the leaving crew. There was a bit of ping-pong between the two parties and by end of play there was no resolution or instruction yet and the clock was ticking.
In the evening I was invited out for dinner with the new management and the subject was broached about my continuation, it looked more like a consolation prize. I guess they just wanted to ensure that I would handover properly until the end and remain to consult on guest operations. I would still do the handover to my best ability, I don't need anything extra for that, I am still being paid a salary.
Come Friday and new management crew came onboard for doing some alongside tests of machinery and gear so it kept us busy. The other captain also signed off for the last time leaving me to finalize the handover of the yacht. It was a touching departure with Scottish music playing whilst he descended the gangway through an arch of oars held by the deckhands. In the end of day on Friday there still was no news of the signing off crew procedure from owner's end.
Saturday and Sunday was quiet. Nobody came onboard, just an email agreeing to terminate the crew contracts as per the old management company's proposal, this was a discussion I was not privy of. Opinions in the messroom was getting into the mood that they would reject the new management offers and go try their luck elsewhere. I went out for a curry.
Monday was already 12 days into the month and office presented the crew pay off calculations to the old management and waited for the instructions to proceed. Myself I was growing weary of this haphazard exercise and expediting it. After having chased the office I was told the payroll was almost done, now they just needed the approval from owners side to go ahead and start issuing termination letters.
On Tuesday I was requested passports for crew that had chosen to stay. Chief mate showed the new officers how to launch boats with our gear. The new captain asked me if I am staying but I said that as far as I understood from the Director they had nothing on the table so I am going at the end of the month or earlier if possible. The new captain made a call to their office and they had replied they could offer 2 months but there was no mention of the remuneration package, not sure for what purpose I was needed. Then by lunchtime office sent payroll to owners so now we had to wait for their go ahead as the ball was in their court.
In the afternoon one of our stewardesses decided she would not wait for a termination but resigned with immediate effect and probably lost out on a couple of weeks pay but after all it is better to have the memories than the few hundreds she lost. She can always make them up on another job. At end of the day there was no reply from Owners side so no termination letters issued. Furthermore we scheduled a seatrial for Thursday.
Wednesday I signed off the stewardess, on deck the boats operate tenders, engineers continue their routine. Marina informed we will disconnect electricity this afternoon and run on gensets for tomorrows seatrials. All day waited for owners office to get back to us but at end of play there was no message. Another deckhand left also for good.
Thursday morning started with casting off for a short seatrial, weather was sunny and clear and 10am we motored out of the marina. There the new captain did a bit of trial to see how she responds to the different commands by propulsion and thrusters. After that we anchored and ran the tenderboats we had had not yet opportunity to try out this spring. Once done we packed it all up and came back alongside and connected shorepower. One more stewardess gave her resignation. Still no feedback from owners.
Friday starts with windy weather, we were lucky yesterday. Crew continue with testing some fire alarms with the new crew. One deckhand and stewardess taken to airport to go home. Crew is getting less. Owners contact me for the head chef, looks like they want to retain him on some other terms. In the afternoon we get a request from owners to draft an additional payroll that seems to be the contractual obligations +20%. I informed the crew straight away as they naturally are waiting for a conclusion to this, subsequently was attacked by one crew member telling me I need to have a crew meeting dissecting the information. I did not want to go speculating over a simple one line information with possible outcomes or scenarios and told as much, because it is just waste of time and causes unnecessary grief and fantasies. We all knew we are going to be terminated in due course. Seemed some people take stress different ways, some whip themselves up in a frenzy for no reason at all.
Saturday was quiet with crew going about their normal duties and enjoying the weekend ashore with hikes, walks, etc. In the evening there was the spectacle of the Eurovision.
Sunday was quiet as well and crew went about watch duties quietly. I guess by now everyone had accepted the fact that they will be sacked by old Management and was only waiting for the termination letter from the powers that be.
Monday morning I got message that the old yacht manager would be onboard to meet with the new management. According to him they were still compiling an updated payroll but he thought they would in the position today or latest tomorrow to start issuing termination notices to us. Another stewardess left for another full time job and our 2nd officer, probably not to return. Owners called me to request the other captains private number, turns out they want him to send a thank you letter to the principal for getting sacked. Also got an email from our yacht manager arriving tomorrow for a visit.
Tuesday starts normally for us except the complaints of engineering not wanting to do anything for the arriving new crew, unprofessional and childish behavior. Yacht manager sends me a text that he's coming as he was stuck in rain due to very bad weather along the riviera. Finally onboard he was attacked by crew mess advocates et al for their questions and demands. There was also a meeting with the new captain and me about some cooperation issues that was also sorted out. Finally, as the day wore on, we all got terminated (I had to send out 41 individual emails) and now we're waiting for the last pay slip (termination of employment - toe) and flights home. Three of the crew got sent away immediately as a wish that was expressed by the new management. New management offered me 2 months continuation with same pay but less the leave. So in essence nearly 50% paycut. I'll take it as the 2 months will feed me quite awhile.
Wednesday we start getting toe's and the question was raised that when can they go home. During the day I signed off the chief mate, electrician and carpenter. I was also perplexed not having been in this situation before and also thinking I have to vacate the cabins for new crew coming so blurted out that I think we could go anytime. So had to check with the yacht manager and he said that we're required to stay until 31st. Very confusing day but I realized that it was clearly said on the termination letter, just the questions that keep coming is throwing me off. Obviously if the new management asked to send the crew before 31st then the toe would stand as is.
Thursday getting on with it, more equipment checks with new crew on deck and engine, put the last tender in the water for testing. Toe's coming in fast now, some of them required corrections, agreed with the new management HR that they'll inform of incoming crew so that I can start sending crew home to make space. In the evening marina offered free drinks at their club for the old crew.
Friday getting the last toe's corrected & signed off. Met with new management and was told I could sign off the stewardesses at my convenience after a bit of temper tantrums from some flared nerves although there was nothing to be nervous about. The chief stewardess at home contacted the office saying her toe was wrong as she had worked from home about 2 weeks which I had specifically said not to do as she was having a gripe at me before she departed for her leave. Seems that she had ignored that order as well, hardheaded as she was. Also signed off another deckhand. An engineer gets peeved that he didn't get paid accrued leave despite it saying in his contract that whilst on probation leave is not accrued. Our yacht manager did promise to ask the owners if in his case they could make an exception as he was not leaving by his own fault but from not accepting poorer t&c's on offer after the change. The reply came back negative so that's that, however there was still the bonus put in. Seems self-entitlement is all the rage with younger generation, life is sometimes tough and gives sour grapes but you take what you are given and get on with it.
Saturday started with a blackout from shoreside, like we're getting told goodbye by the yacht. It turned out it was a probably a case of arson at a local power plant that sent 160.000 homes and a film festival into darkness. Lights go out, performance finished. Other than that only the watchkeepers carry on their duties.
Sunday went on without any drama or other incidents.
Monday I collect the last signatures and send the termination of employment letters to the office, three crew had not signed the toe paper and I informed the office. Meeting with new management HR about repatriating the remaining crew. Dates set and all crew will be repatriated by end of this week in dribs and drabs. Only one stewardess started dithering when to go, I told them to take the ticket and go, leave this behind and close the chapter.
Tuesday finally starting to sign off crew. Three stewardesses from interior sent off. Afternoon we get a blackout due to marina guys opening our terminal cupboard that has a cutoff switch. They said sorry. One crew sent their toe-letter signed, only remains 2 under discussions.
Wednesday all engineers signed off incl. some more interior. New crew move onboard, deck officers, chef and engineers. Yacht manager visit onboard, he told me that the irate engineer was planning to take legal action. Then we met with new management's director to confirm everything was going well, there were no major issues. All is in line except some minor gripes from the new eto/ av-it person that I sent to the ex av-it. The reply that came back addressed all 10 points raised in a fashion that is unprintable. I sanitized the unpalatable bits off and sent it to the new captain in order not to start any unnecessary drama. Our old management was still being kept on a short leash, no funds had been received for the 2nd quarter so all invoices remained unpaid, they had a deposit for the crew payroll but it was still short, yacht manager sent emails to owner's that their asset are getting liable for legal action. Later on emails exchanged with owner's confirmed funds being sent. In evening three new stewardesses sign on. Lastly we had a blackout before dinner.
Thursday I signed off another 3 crew (2 stewardesses and a deckhand), not many left now. Office confirmed they've received funds so they can start running with pending payments and crew payroll. The ch. stew at home is not understanding the toe and I receive an email from her telling it is wrongly calculated. I then reply and explain to smallest detail (and confirm it is correct) to which I receive another calculation from her, of the same, showing a discrepancy. I referred it to the office and notified yacht manager that they may need their legal beagles help. I understand the dialogue was taken to the office for both the ch stew and irate engineer and something was arranged in the end. Received 4 quitclaims from the Filipino manning agency confirming the 4 crew terminations as per their rules. The bosun onboard is accepting to continue as he got an offer from the new management with better t&c's. He'll have the job set up for training a new deck team though. Possibly also one Filipino deckhand will return after he has gone home for some r&r.
Friday goes quietly, our purser is finalizing her accounts as it is her last day. I take out my deck officer for dinner. More new crew arrives, 1 deckhand and 4 stewardesses. The Filipino motorman has to go home to transfer to their preferred manning agency but I can't arrange this as accounts are being closed. Office informs they have done the payroll run for crew (except the two that supposedly have not accepted their toe's). In the afternoon we smell a strong scent of smoke and finally we discover the new management's director onboard smoking a thick cigar in the staff mess room. The whole yacht smells of smoke late in the evening.
Saturday I take my last officer to the airport in the morning and also my Filipino crew is disembarked, one deckhand and motorman (to return later I guess). The purser accounts for ships cash and carries her luggage across the marina to another yacht where she got a new position, some people are just born under very lucky stars. From the old crew now only remains 2 laundrymen, boatswain and the crew cook. Myself, I am staying for a short period to help them get on with the show. The last day of the month with the old management, my last job remains to record the fuel status onboard at midnight for the seemp2 fuel consumption report and then it is over. It has been a hectic and emotional month, now more new crew will embark and start training in the ship operation. I send an email to our yacht manager checking out for the last time.
On the whole I think this was not at all a well executed exercise, in a perfect world they would have had meetings on higher level and prepared the pay off's and way forward so when everything was ready then go onboard and drop the bomb so to speak. As the whole circus went ahead, like it did, the yacht lost all crew as it has been more like a slow hanging and many crew were impatient for a clear future and program, so they made up their own mind and voted with their feet and they were probably also affected by the negative sentiment of some of the new managements office staff. Had it been better organized then probably more crew could have potentially stayed on (or not, as the team was effectively broken), hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Then the next 3 weeks goes by as the new captain goes home for some admin, I sign on crew and keep things ticking over with necessary admin preparing for a guest trip. Then the new captain returns and sends me home on the 23rd and tells me he will call me back for the guest trip when it is confirmed. I had already signed the 2 months temp contract they had offered. I then signed off and traveled back to my pad. No call or contacts came after I had left, I saw on Marinetraffic they left for a guest trip, the last pay however did drop into my account so I can't fault them for that. Another closed chapter in my career.
In post scriptum I could ascertain that all the stories they told us about the intended future usage were figments of their imaginations as the yacht never left for new vistas and come winter she was taken for a refit to a familiar venue. The Head Chef was probably the only lucky guy in this story as he was employed as shore based chef with very good t&c's. All the old crew eventually left one by one apart from the bosun and laundryman.
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