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First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone who makes this site possible. I can't tell you how much help I have found in the past few months. Here is my deal...
I am a 22 yr old male working with a volunteer organization in Biloxi, MS doing Hurricane Katrina rebuilding. I am under contract here until mid October or so, and have been seriously considering a move to the USVI when my contract is up. After much research, St. Croix seems to be the most agreeable with my lifestyle, and I would love to soak up as much information as possible before making a final decision.
I am using my vacation hours to visit the islands July 17 for a brief PMV, and hopefully between that experience and the ones I have already found using this site, I will have a more complete understanding of what I would be getting myself into.
A few questions...
-I would love to find a job working on a boat (whether it be fishing, sailing, charter, etc...), but I have absolutely no experience in this field. How likely is it to find a job like this with no experience? I know that face to face contact is the best way to discover opportunities, and I plan on doing a lot of networking when I get to STX. Anyone have any suggestions on where to start (where are the marina's...)?
-Casually looking through the classifieds on the site, housing seems sparse. I am aware of a newspaper on STX- does it have a substantial amount of housing available? Is it common to find people looking for roommates?
-I am flying into St. Thomas and would like to get to STX asap. I arrive at the airport around 3pm. What would be the fastest/most affordable way to get over by night time?
-Lastly... I am really just taking things as they go, I have no set plans when I arrive in July. If anyone has suggestions on cheap hotels/motels/hostels/campgrounds (could I just camp on the beach???), please share any info you have.
Thank you all for your help. You make things much easier than they should be!!!
-Conor
Posted : July 1, 2007 4:28 pm
Conor, go to the Classifieds section from the main page - you may find a roommate or a place to stay there. Best way is word of mouth. Most affordable and fastest is probably the seaplane, which will put you out in downtown C'sted harbor http://www.seaborneairlines.com/
No, your mother would beat us all up if you stayed on the beach - definitely not recommended. Read some more on this site, go back as far as you can. It's simply not safe. There is Mt. Victory on the other end of the island, and if you decide to stay there I'd try Cape Air for a quick flight - the airport is much closer to Mt. Victory than the harbor. You can reserve a ticket online with either airline.
Conor, go over to the classifieds and write danieljude...he has a studio open for short term stays which is very nice - I've been in Daniel's home many times - it's reasonable and he will be a good source of info for you as well....he's within walking distance of downtown or Schooner and that whole area, so you could walk downtown and talk to folks about crewing....good luck!
Posted : July 2, 2007 12:25 am
DearMnL
I'll see if i can help with a coupla things.
First the boat. If you really want to work on a boat you should go to St Thomas. There are more possibilities for an inexperienced crew person. There are many more boats going out of St Thomas than St Croix.
Secondly, getting from St Thomas to St Croix in a hurry. Nothing here is done in a hurry. The Sea plane is the fastest and easiest. The round trip cost varies, i think it is about $200 right now. Seaborne Airlines telephone is 340 773 6442 or toll free 888 359 8687. You can take the ferry ..when it is running.. at slightly less cost. The trip takes over two tough hours.
In July everything is cheap (comparatively). Do a web search and you will know more than we do.
ms information
Posted : July 2, 2007 12:41 am
the tourist boats out to Buck Island are always looking for new deck hands. They don't expect you to know what you are doing and they will train you. Pay is basic, but the tips can be pretty good. Get some experience and also get certified to SCUBA dive to open up more opportunities once you are here. Some of the dive shops also hire people regularly to work in the shops, run the boats and to assist visiting divers. They'll even pay for your boat captain's classes to get a 6-pak license once you have enough days on the water crewing a boat.
Posted : July 2, 2007 2:35 pm
