We are looking for a motivated crew

Looking for a crew! Ahoy – we are a sailing ship co-op and we are open to applications from motivated people who want to share life at sea. This text originally referred to a 2020–2021 trip in the western Indian Ocean (Madagascar, Mayotte, Comores, Tanzania, Kenya and Seychelles) and then onward to the Atlantic. Karaka is still active as a community boat, but the current route and position are different. Please always check our website for the latest voyage plans.

We do not have a fixed schedule or a strict itinerary. What we have is a solid ship to share and beautiful parts of the world to explore together.

Sailing crew – conditions

We are not looking for simple hitchhikers. The idea is to share the ship with motivated long term crew and form a small community. Sailing experience is not essential. What matters more is a good attitude, a wish to become part of a team and a deep craving for an alternative, nomadic “sea gipsy” lifestyle.

We appreciate well rounded, independent, world savvy people with open plans, who are as comfortable with tools as with musical instruments, and who also have a way to sustain themselves financially while travelling.

Anyone interested should read our website carefully, where we publish detailed information, the application process and updates about the route and position of the boat (see contact details below).

Host type

• Sailing community // Eco-village style floating co-op

What help is needed

• General help with running and maintaining the ship

Mission and philosophy

We are a sailing ship co-op run as a non-profit collective. The crew is usually a mix of nomadic wanderers and non-conforming individuals. Anybody is welcome, regardless of nationality, age, gender, worldview, background or financial status. Attitude is what matters.

This is more than just a cheap sailing opportunity. It is a chance to experience what being a “feral sea gipsy” on a well travelled ship is about. The boat is operated as a cooperative and runs on limited funds from crew contributions and shared skills.

Crew size and timing

How many people: more than two crew members on board at a time.

When: year long, depending on the current trip and position. See the Karaka website for present plans.

Hours and days of help

There is no fixed “9 to 5” schedule. Life aboard is organised around watches, sailing conditions and daily tasks. Everyone is expected to share the practical work of keeping the boat safe and liveable. Please refer to the Karaka website and crew agreement for more details.

Volunteer work and expectations

This is not a classic work exchange. There is often less formal “work” than on a farm or hostel, but all crew members are expected to:

• help run the ship under the captain’s guidance
• keep living spaces reasonably clean and in good condition
• take part in watches, maintenance and daily chores
• contribute to a positive, respectful community on board

For detailed expectations, please read the crew agreement and information pages on the Karaka website (see contact details below, not the comment section).

Food and accommodation

Yes, accommodation and shared meals on board are included, but a crew contribution fee is required.

Accommodation

Type: boat accommodation on a liveaboard sailing vessel.

Diet and food kitty

The crew eats a lot of seafood caught from the boat and simple shared meals. For practical reasons the hosts avoid taking vegans and vegetarians because they would be excluded from most common meals and it is hard to manage separate diets with limited storage and supplies.

Crew fees and cost sharing

The financial contribution is used exclusively for the running of the ship. Tom and Emma, as owners and permanent crew, do not make a profit from it and also cover their own share. As a cooperative, everybody on board is expected to contribute fairly.

Visa information

No, the hosts cannot provide formal visa support or invitation letters, but they can offer practical advice.

Benefits

Crew members benefit in many ways. This voyage is about exploring beautiful parts of the world on a characterful sailing boat with a group of like-minded people, in a non commercial way. There is a lot to see, to do and to learn about seamanship, simple living and community life at sea. Please check the Karaka website for more information about life on board, music, fishing and typical projects.

Free time

When the boat is at anchor or in port and work is done, there is time to explore, swim, socialise, make music, read or simply rest. Details depend very much on the route and season, so again the website and direct contact with the crew are the best sources.

Languages

English and French are commonly spoken on board.

Geography

Karaka moves a lot. The original version of this listing described plans in the western Indian Ocean between Madagascar and the east coast of Africa. The current position and cruising area now change from year to year. Check the “Where in the world” section on the Karaka site for up to date information.

How to get on board

The meeting point for joining the ship depends on the current route. Prospective crew must arrange their own travel to and from the boat.

Internet access

There is no regular WiFi on board. Connectivity depends on local mobile networks when close to shore and on what each crew member arranges individually.

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Contact details 🔍📧