Nekton Rorqual 7/25/09 - 8/1/09

[cappyjon431]

cappyjon, with all due respect didn't you work for Nekton like 10 years ago? A lot can change in that amount of time, especially considering how high the turnover is on those boats. I graduated from high school 11 years ago, I couldn't begin to say what my high school would be like these days, incredibly different I would imagine. I heard many great things about Nelson and Ephey who unfortunately were not on our boat and as I understand both no longer work for Nekton. The week of our trip, we were told by crew members that a good chunk of the crew the week prior had been fired for skinny dipping in the hot tub with guests. Was I not to believe the crew members? During our week one of the crew members was more than friendly with a guest and she was in his room when one of their other crew members went missing, he was the last to have seen him. I heard this latest news about a former captain being fired for drug abuse from two former Nekton employees that in my opinion were not disgruntled. Most liveaboards have high turnover and it appears that many people float from one boat to another, that doesn't mean they all have axes to grind and are always going to bash other boats.

I don't dispute that there are people that love Nekton and are repeat customers. I had my experience with them and have chosen to never travel with them again. We had maybe 12-16 guests on our trip, several had complaints about our trip for various reasons. For the record, I posted a trip report on the other liveaboard I've been on and it was very positive. I work in customer service/sales and I completely agree that more often you hear about the bad. Still, I hear more and more negative experiences on here about Nekton than any other boat. There has to be a reason for that, perhaps it's possible that they aren't what they were when you worked for them. Personally, if I'm researching a trip on here I want to hear the good, the bad and the ugly to be able to make my own decisions on who to spend my money with and what to expect. It just isn't fair to try to discredit someone's comments by saying the more people you have the more chances for negative comments. Out of about 12 or so guests on my last liveaboard, as far as I have seen only myself and one other person posted a trip report on here and both reports were positive. On my Nekton trip I know of about 4 out of 16 that posted a report or comment on our trip and they were all negative. All that tells me is the majority of people are not on scubaboard or don't bother to post a trip report at all regardless of their satisfaction or lack there of.

You make some very legitimate points and I would like to say that I too am concerned about the recent number of negative posts regarding Nekton. For the record, after leaving the boat I worked for Nekton in their office until May, 2005, which was only four years ago, not 10. This gave me the opportunity to see all of the feedback left by the guests, not just on report cards, but people who called in to the office as well.

In this thread, I have never tried to discredit someone's opinion about their experience with Nekton. I certainly never denied their was "drama" on the boat nor did I downplay the negative impression it left with the guest. If you look back at my posts in this thread, I never denied drug use must have occurred on the boat (something that concerns me deeply), I simply wanted to address an accusation against the captain of showing "favoritism" towards some crew members when the truth was that the crew revolted because everyone was required to take a drug test. I don't think anyone would argue that the captain did not do the right thing.

The issue of crew fraternizing with guests is something that I had to fight on a regular basis, and i actually had to fire someone for going into a guest's cabin (this is grounds for automatic termination, but if a guest goes into a crew cabin it is not grounds for termination unless the crew member is neglecting his duties). The guy went to work for another liveaboard company but told everybody he QUIT because he felt the boat was unsafe. This is the type of disgruntled ex-employee thing I am writing about. I agree that this type of behavior is unprofessional, but when you have a group of 18-30 year old oversexed males, it is difficult to eliminate, especially if the guests are willing participants.

The short stint I did in the Nekton office (two years) really opened my eyes to a side of the business I had never seen as a crew member. It made me somewhat cynical in terms of dealing with customer complaints. I actually had a guest call up and ask for a 50% refund on his cruise fare because his reading light fixture was not operating. The company refused, and the guy turned around and slammed us on another scuba forum for a litinay of complaints that were blatently made up. As an employee of the company, I was not permitted to respond to set the record straight, as I would appear biased and only fuel further negative comments. I saw this type of scamming activity more times than I can remember, so now I realize that with many complaints i read about on these internet forums (not just liveaboards but resorts, day boats, online retailers, LDSs, etc.) have two sides to them. Someone posts a negative comment about Nekton, then others chime in, then people who have had positive experiences chime in too--nothing wrong with that!

I too am concerned with the recent complaints, please do not infer that I am trying to deny or discredit them. I just want to make sure that issues that are raised are addressed fairly. There are plenty of posters on this board who describe positive experiences with Nekton (even recently), but the issues raised by those having negative experiences are just as valid. Perhaps Nekton is not the same company it was in years past, but I do know the management/ownership of the company is committed to offering a quality product at an affordable price--that has not changed. Hopefully these recent negative experiences are just a temporary bump in the road.

 

[Doc]

The "thank you" circle is in full swing.

All the old Nekton Haters have come out of the woodwork.

Diveie, above, wrote what sounds like a reasonably worded and well constructed post- still with some minor construction issues that leave some small details in doubt.

The rest of the posts so far? Including the OP (that started this) ? A little lightweight in the details department.

If a Captain has to deal with a drug problem, fur is undoubtedly going to fly.

As all dive operations are currently affected, I hope they survive this worldwide economic downturn. Their internal payroll issues can certainly affect crew members attitude and attendance, but as of yet, there has been no stream of guest reports that describe a critically affected dive vacation experience. Still~ a bad week or longer period can occur. Overall long-term view? That's the test of quality. (This applies to SB Post History as well)

I have been on dozens of liveabaords and seen all kinds of wild behaviors from crew-members... young people all caged-up will do that kind of stuff. The Captain's role is unenviable. If you care to watch as entertainment, I always do. If you want to get all wound up in it, that's your deal.

This is a US Flagged Vessel. For us, as passengers, that's a big plus (and a one-of-a-kind type of rarity). For the management of the ship- that adds a pile of problems, not the least of which is a steady stream of noob-to-the-industry starry-eyed kids with no economic ties or shortage of other employment venues. The entire formula changes when you are skating-by, through the flying of a ship's flag from Belize (or worse), not the least of which is pay scale.

As long as it floats and I have air, I'll be on board the Nekton this late September- for sure.

 

[vladimir]

Most of our tips have not been recieved on account that credit card charges go to the office and are then supposed to be included in our pay checks. No check, no tip.

I have asked captains if they prefer the tip in cash or on the card--they always say it doesn't matter. From now on I will just tip in cash. Presumably the captains can be trusted to distribute it properly.

 

[cappyjon431]

I am one of the crew members that walked on that trip and I will testify that part of the reason we walked that week was absolutely over pay. We we're jerked around over pay while we were there time and time again. It took 8 weeks to recieve my first pay after the crew had banded together and threatened legal action. After this the pay checks came reguraly but then stopped again 6/13/09. Most of our tips have not been recieved on account that credit card charges go to the office and are then supposed to be included in our pay checks. No check, no tip.

Myself and another crew member had already given our notice we would not be returning from our next vacation two weeks before the drama filled week in discussion.

There were 8 crew members that quit that week. Two were on account of the surprise drug test,
the other two were on account of verbal abuse including the stewie being yelled at and having food thrown at her. The other being sworn at infront of a passengers 10 year old son by the captain. The next including myself left on account of poor judgement and tyranical behavior by the captain including putting unqualified improv. crew members from the island in safety sensative positions as well as leave them to fend for themselves in said positions while the captain napped. This would only be the tip of the iceberg in behavior from the captain that week but I am saving it for the article I am writing for multiple publications.

The other two were left alone by the captain, as he was running out of crew members, and finished out the week but walked off the boat as soon as the charter was over on account of the behavior they had witnessed out of the captain that week. That and not getting paid. To recap; two quit on account of the drugtest, the other six that quit did not do so on account of the drug test. Two had already given notice and were scheduled to get off the boat at the end of the charter. The other four were on account of the captains behavior.

The drug test itself was administered at lunch in front of passengers where open containers of urine rested on the food coolers. He did not address the situation immediatly after the paraphanalia was found. He actually never discussed it with the crew except for the 19 year old female crew member he was involved with. He waited five days after the incident for the drug test. The crew was just getting used to this captain and he had their support until this point. Had he confonted the crew directly and asked for the responsibe party to come forward and on Saturday before our next charter showed up it could have prevented much of the drama that unfolded in front of our passengers. Instead he chose a "surprise" drug test in order to trim the "fat on the boat". His words and a common topic of discussion. Oddly enough he was involved with the one crew member unable to accomplish her work tasks on account of not being physically fit enough to, lack of knowledge and experience despite the fact she had been employed for three months, personal fears, or emotional troubles.

Several crew members are in the beginnings of legal action against Nekton for our pay. We have sent the owner of the company numerous e-mails and ignored or unreturned phonecalls over his inability to pay what was owed long before this incident. The company also has a prior habit of not paying it's employees. Many crew and previous crew are still waiting to recieve their pay from a previous term in shipyard. Some crew members including previous captains claim being owed as much as three thousand dollars. This is a lot of money to us.

There it is from the horses mouth, the gossip, speculation and assumptions can now be put to rest. A more detailed account of the week in discussion as well as the work conditions, quality of the vessel, dive equipment and safety will be available at a later time. It is regrettable that the incident took place during a charter and with a group of passengers that we were truly enjoying.

Are the same pay issues happening on the Pilot? How many of ya'll were actually smoking pot on the boat? Was it just the two, or were there more? Please feel free to be totally honest here, your privacy is assured. How many of you had knowlege of illegal drug use onboard but failed to report it to the captain or the company? Perhaps if I wasn't getting my paycheck on a regular basis I too would start smoking weed in violation of USCG regulations, U.S. law, and company policy. Nah, probably not.

After 911 and the severe curtailment of international travel, Nekton was forced to cut our pay 50%. Many crew members wanted to jump ship, as this was considered a slap in the face. We sat down with management and worked out a deal with the company to repay the remaining 50% once the company recovered. We all stuck it out, all were repaid, and none of us needed to threaten legal action or resort to drugs to get through the rough period. The company valued us as employees enough to follow through and pay us the salary we had lost.

 

[H2O Gal]

I hope someone who works in management from Nekton is reading these posts. I know that people hiding behind the anonymity of the internet can get a bit overexaggerated with their stories, but there is still some good information here that can be used to improve things for their company.

 

[Shasta_man]

Cappy you don't admit that you are "always" dismissing these issues, but you are.

My two paragraphs were defined as a "rant", a word used to describe comments somebody doesn't agree with. You spent most of the thread telling crossroads that they don't know what they're talking about. Then you're telling Divie that since you were old good employees that you stuck with the company, obviously inferring that they aren't good employees for fighting for their pay and having problems with the captain, and then somehow mixing them in with whoever was smoking dope on the boat, inferring they either were smoking too or knew about it without reporting it.

And hey man, these guys are having to sue the company over their pay over what has been an ongoing problem according to an actual employee. That doesn't reflect well. If they can't work with the people who are always there, what does that say about how they will value any customer.

And I'm not the convienent label of a Nekton hater but just someone who sees that every time somebody has a complaint, they're immediately labeled a whiner, a liar, or or have some other axe to grind.

And yes you are entitled to post your experience, but that's not what you are doing. You go beyond that when you add your dismissive and discrediting comments to anyone who posts a complaint.

Ok, wasted enough of everyone's time here, particularly mine.

 

[cappyjon431]

Cappy you don't admit that you are "always" dismissing these issues, but you are. .

Shasta, where did I ever dismiss the original poster's claim? I read through the thread again and I never denied there was drama on the boat, I even went as far as to say it sucked that passengers had to deal with it. Just because YOU say I am always dismissing these issues does not make it true.

My two paragraphs were defined as a "rant", a word used to describe comments somebody doesn't agree with. You spent most of the thread telling crossroads that they don't know what they're talking about..

Please show me where I said that.

Then you're telling Divie that since you were old good employees that you stuck with the company, obviously inferring that they aren't good employees for fighting for their pay and having problems with the captain, and then somehow mixing them in with whoever was smoking dope on the boat, inferring they either were smoking too or knew about it without reporting it. ..

I just gave my experience. Nowhere did I comment on the quality of those employees. Infer what you like, it is your right, but if you are going to say that I am implying something, explain how? As far as the questions I asked Divie, I really would like to know the answers. As dive consumer, you should want to know the answers to the questions I asked too. I was not implying he was smoking, he knew, or anyone else knew about it. Isn't it my right to ask these questions?

And hey man, these guys are having to sue the company over their pay over what has been an ongoing problem according to an actual employee. That doesn't reflect well. If they can't work with the people who are always there, what does that say about how they will value any customer...

Never denied this, and if it is true (AND NO, I AM NOT IMPLYING ANYTHING HERE), I would be pissed too. It does not reflect well on the company if it is true, but one thing I can tell you with 100% certainty that the company always puts the needs of the guests before those of the crew.

And I'm not the convienent label of a Nekton hater but just someone who sees that every time somebody has a complaint, they're immediately labeled a whiner, a liar, or or have some other axe to grind. ...

Not by me.

And yes you are entitled to post your experience, but that's not what you are doing. You go beyond that when you add your dismissive and discrediting comments to anyone who posts a complaint...

If you feel that my asking questions is being dismissive, I guess there is not much I can do about it. I think it would benefit everyone if you were a little more specific here--instead of saying I'm doing it, show me where.

Ok, wasted enough of everyone's time here, particularly mine.

I don't think you have wasted anyone's time. The purpose of this forum is free discussion back and forth between individuals so that people can make informed decisions. While I may disagree with you, I will defend to the death your right to say it. Perhaps that is the difference between you and I.

 

[diveie]

Cappy Jon the two crew members you are refferring to weren't even on the vessel at the time of the infraction if they were guilty of smoking pot it was while they were on their own time on vacation. As far as others I personally have no knowledge of others smoking. I'm not what you would call Mr. Social. I do my work and go to sleep. As far as reporting what others choose to do or what codes, or laws they break... who cares? Not me, I know I commited no crime and I don't care about a company that doesn't pay me. I also didn't report to the coast guard when a improperly trained crew member was told by the captain to pump a propshaft bilge resulting in an oil slick behind the vessel.

By sticking around for half pay you set a precident that said it is okay for you to pay people when you can get around to it. You may be a loyalist and not value your work but I do. No pay, no work. And there was no agreement with the office about "hey just pay me when you can get caught up." If that was their terms of payment I never would have taken the job in the first place. I have no time for half ass, and would have walked from the boat long ago if I didn't have to stick around just to make enough off of the cash tips to be able to fly out from the boat.

 

[robint]

Cappy Jon the two crew members you are refferring to weren't even on the vessel at the time of the infraction if they were guilty of smoking pot it was while they were on their own time on vacation. As far as others I personally have no knowledge of others smoking. I'm not what you would call Mr. Social. I do my work and go to sleep. As far as reporting what others choose to do or what codes, or laws they break... who cares? Not me, I know I commited no crime and I don't care about a company that doesn't pay me. I also didn't report to the coast guard when a improperly trained crew member was told by the captain to pump a propshaft bilge resulting in an oil slick behind the vessel.

By sticking around for half pay you set a precident that said it is okay for you to pay people when you can get around to it. You may be a loyalist and not value your work but I do. No pay, no work. And there was no agreement with the office about "hey just pay me when you can get caught up." If that was their terms of payment I never would have taken the job in the first place. I have no time for half ass, and would have walked from the boat long ago if I didn't have to stick around just to make enough off of the cash tips to be able to fly out from the boat.

This is starting to sound alot like Mutiny on the Bounty!
diveie - Will you be kind enough to give us the name of the Capt? Just curious. With the finger pointing going on here I think it is only right we have actual names, including your own. The allegations here are going way beyond the OP's "too much drama"

robin

 

[Ron G.]

As long as it floats and I have air, I'll be on board the Nekton this late September- for sure.

RoatanMan,

I have to admit that the issues raised here have given some pause about Nekton....especially the Rorqual.

My next trip begins next Saturday to CoCo View, Roatan, followed by another in October to Cozumel. However, I'll take a hard look at deals with Nekton for December. I had such a good time on my two trips within the last year (on the Pilot), I'm pretty sure that they'll get the current problems remedied. I just loved the set-up of the boat, and our crews were great.

Ron