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So Who Needs to do STCW95 Crew Basis Training?
Wherever crew choose to do basic training and whatever they pay it is a lot of money when you don’t have a job! Quite simply, you need a job to pay for basic training and you need basic training to get a job! Sound familiar?
So do you REALLY need to do basic training or is this a myth that no-one has thought to challenge?
Here I am going to explore the realities and the myths that surround this subject. I shall start with a simple answer to the above question; the answer is NO! and also YES!
Oh dear! Now I sound like a lawyer. So let’s start with the legal facts…….who LEGALLY must attend basic training? That’s easy to answer for some people. Anyone who wishes to obtain a Yacht Rating Certificate, an Officer of the Watch, Chief Mate or Masters certificate or anyone who wishes to attend the Medical First Aid course or gain a Certificate of Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue boats must obtain the relevant basic training module before they can even be admitted to the advanced course.
As far as the other members of the crew are concerned Section 6.1 of the STCW convention states clearly that:
“seafarers employed or engaged in any capacity on board on the business of the ship as part of the ships compliment with designated safety or pollution prevention duties shall, before being assigned any shipboard duties [attend 4 element basic training]”
So, in fact the rules have stopped short of formally requiring all yacht crew to attend as an automatic requirement. They have said that all crew who have a nominated role in the emergency organisation should attend 4 element basic training. So what does THAT mean?
It is possible to imagine that on a passenger ship with a crew of maybe 1500 there could be a few of them spare in an emergency but in a yacht crew of, say ,15 it is hard to imagine someone without something to do in an emergency! It means that nannies, masseurs, secretaries, butlers and security guards etc. do not need to do basic training but, practically speaking, everyone else does.
But to hell with legal requirements! Basic training is not about legal technicalities. It is about YOUR safety and the safety of your fellow crew members and your guests. The MCA place a lot of emphasis on the importance of this programme and you should note the recent comments by the Chief Examiner, Captain Roger Towner at a PYA seminar, to the effect that they consider that five full days of instruction are needed as a minimum for the course material to be properly presented. A course provider in Budapest was specifically mentioned as being sub standard; using videos instead of practical training, they ran all four courses plus Crisis Management and Crowd Control in one weekend! Don’t sell yourself short – train properly!
Don’t forget that basic training is only the first step in gaining the professional knowledge that new crew need to be safe and effective team members; the other key element is the yacht specific training that should be organised on board.
So in the end the answer is an emphatic YES! Those who have not taken their basic training courses already find it difficult to find work whether on large yachts or small. Management companies and crew are all making it a requirement. But the thing to remember is that there is a reason for this: these courses are genuinely REALLY IMPORTANT!
Blue Water Yachting is an exclusive yacht charter company specialising in luxury yacht charter in the South of France. Whether you are interested in a Mediterranean yacht charter, Caribbean crewed yacht charter or a South of France luxury yacht charter, we always provide a first class service.
More infomation at WikipediaAll About Freelance Public Relations Jobs
Public relations is an involved field of work for freelance writers. Freelance public relations usually entails writing reports, designing presentations, putting together ad campaigns, creating press releases, writing speeches, coaching, informing employees/clients/regulatory agencies about what’s going on at the office, and so on.
In short, if you want to freelance as public relations writer, you need a diverse set of skills. This includes exceptional writing ability, a knack for marketing, superior computer skills (with knowledge of presentation and desktop publishing software), and exceptional customer service.
If you don’t have these skills, you can probably outsource some of your work. However, hiring others to do your job for you will seriously dwindle your profits.
Who offers freelance public relations jobs?
Every publicly traded company needs PR people, including many private businesses. Marketing and communications firms are popular examples. In addition, government and non-profit organizations always seek the services of freelance PR pros. Museums, charities, and hospitals are just a few examples that encompass the endless list of organizations needing someone to handle their public relations.
To find public relations jobs, check out employment sites like workopolis.com and Yahoo! HotJobs. It’s also smart to sign up with websites like workinpr.com that specialize in connecting PR jobseekers with employers.
Don’t forget to check out websites like IFreelance and Guru. These freelance job auction sites allow you to bid on projects that suit your timeline, scope of abilities, and desired income level.
How much money can I make in freelance public relations?
That depends on the PR work that you’re doing. Freelance public relations encompass many “sub-jobs,” and consequently, each client will have different tasks that he or she wants you to oversee. A PR client may hire you to do everything from employee newsletters to nationwide marketing campaigns; or the client may hire you to type, copyedit, and proofread press releases. You and your client will have to agree on the list of expectations.
If you’re a jack-of-all-trades public relations writer, then don’t charge less than $40 an hour. If your client wants you to charge by project (which is more common for large PR campaigns), estimate the number of hours you will need and then multiply it by your hourly rate. As your list of happy PR clients grows, you may want to charge more. Many PR freelancers make $150 an hour and up.
In public relations, it is also common to charge by the day. PR professionals usually charge in the range of $300 to $1000 per day or more.
How do I properly respond to a public relations job ad?
Again, it depends on the work the client wants you to do. It also depends on the company it is. If a kids’ soccer league were looking for a PR freelancer, you’d hope to quote them a far smaller fee than you would an oil and gas company!
To ensure you create the best response possible, follow these guidelines:
1. Identify yourself as an extremely capable and professional PR freelancer.
2. Assure the client that you can handle each of the items he or she listed in the ad.
3. Mention how satisfied your previous clients have been with your work.
It’s obviously much easier to get this complex job with prior experience. However, if you don’t have previous PR clients, remember that any job experience with any required job skill is useful. For example, you may have written website content before. It’s not PR experience technically, but it shows you can handle that aspect of the job.
Sample ad
Below is a sample ad for a public relations freelance writer. What would you include in your response?
We are a mid-sized software company that needs a public relations specialist to add energy to our existing ad campaigns. We want to be well positioned within our market to reach out to new customers and generate more sales. You will rewrite our marketing material, design slideshows, and create two press releases per month about our products.
First, let the advertiser know you’re enthusiastic about this job opportunity. The company is looking for someone to reenergize their marketing efforts, so you should convey yourself as an energetic, dynamic person.
Second, address their task list. If you have relevant experience and satisfied past clients, discuss it here. If not, focus on how solid your skills are.
That’s all there is to it! Getting the client excited about your abilities is the key to success in public relations.
Brian Scott is a full-time freelance writer with over a decade of experience. He finds many of his paid freelance public relations jobs at Online Writing Jobs ( http://www.online-writing-jobs.com ), a free jobboard that lets you search thousands of freelance writing jobs.
More infomation at WikipediaAll About Freelance Proofreading / Copyediting Jobs
The terms “copyediting” and “proofreading” have distinct meanings. Copyediting is the revision right after the draft is finished. It includes correcting spelling, formatting, and grammar mistakes, as well as changing awkward sentences, ensuring that ideas flow well, eliminating ineffective portions of text, etc. Copyediting is a very involved, often lengthy process.
By contrast, proofreading is the final look-through before the creator turns in the document for publication, posting, grading, etc. It still involves correcting, formatting and grammar errors, but it does not usually include much sentence or idea restructuring. Proofreading can also include ensuring the creator of the document placed all photos correctly, hyperlinks work, sources are correct, etc.
What is the average pay rate for freelance proofreading/copyediting?
Both copyediting and proofreading can pay very well if you’re good at what you do and you have adequate experience. Freelance rates are the same for both types of work, assuming proofreading takes less time than copyediting.
For both freelance jobs, it is common to charge by the hour or by the page. A brand new copyeditor or proofreader shouldn’t ask for more than $2/page or $25/hour. Experienced copyeditors and proofreaders may charge up to $15/page or $75/hour or more.
What type of experience do I need to get these jobs?
Most importantly, you should have excellent grammar and spelling skills. You must have a keen eye for detail. Control freaks and perfectionists make great proofreaders and copyeditors because they don’t let one mistake or inconsistency slip by them.
It’s helpful if you have a degree in English or education, so clients will assume you have strong language skills. You’ll also want to develop a strong portfolio of work that you can show to potential clients.
If you don’t have any relevant education or experience, think outside the box. Have you written anything at all? The answer is probably ‘yes.’ Put together some of your best work, such as resumes, reports, short stories, etc.
If you don’t have any of this, then make some! It’s okay for you to make sample documents from scratch – you’re just trying to give people an idea of how good of a writer you are.
How can I find freelance proofreading/copyediting jobs?
Many individuals, schools, and businesses need copyeditors and proofreaders. Authors generate manuscripts, companies generate reports and presentations, students generate essays… all can and do use copyeditors and proofreaders.
If you’re just getting started, try joining websites like Elance and IFreelance. They’ve got tons of projects waiting for people to bid on them. On sites like this, price is often a factor for the buyers, so if you’re inexperienced and willing to underbid a bit, this is the place for you.
These sites are also good because they help you establish a reputation with buyers. One job could lead to ongoing work with that company or referrals to other businesses.
Once you’re more established, get your own website and make sure it’s search engine optimized so that customers can find you. A dedicated website implies an additional level of credibility that will help you command higher fees.
What’s the best way to respond to an ad?
When you come across an ad you like, respond to the needs and concerns of the client. Read this sample ad to see if you can spot what this client is looking for:
I’ve written a 200-page book. It’s a fiction novel about a boy in Ancient Rome who grows up to be king. The manuscript is ready but I want one last read through before I submit it to publishers. I need mistakes fixed and maybe suggestions for parts that are hard or boring to read. Experienced editors only.
Okay, this ad asks for an experienced editor. Does that mean you shouldn’t bid without a mile-long resume?
It sounds like what the author really wants is someone with an eagle eye to make his manuscript perfect before he sends it out for consideration by publishing houses. If you know you can do it despite a lack of experience, then go ahead and bid.
Emphasize your skills and provide examples of work you did in college or create some new samples. Do your best to include samples that relate to the author’s work – in this case, fiction pieces, especially those that are historical in nature. Assure the author that you are more than capable of doing the job, and you’ll have yourself a customer!
Brian Scott is a full-time freelance writer with over a decade of experience. He finds many of his paid freelance copy editing jobs at Online Writing Jobs ( http://www.online-writing-jobs.com ), a free jobboard that lets you search thousands of freelance writing jobs.
More infomation at Wikipedia