I have a dream

[Rancho]

Somebody who really knows how to weld stainless steel can always pick up a few bucks.

[sailingdog]

The damn frenchman forgot the line that says "Invitation subject to revocation..."

Originally Posted by TrueBlue

In case you missed it, "Give us your poor, your tired, your huddled masses longing to be free..." is clearly engraved onto the base of the Statue of Liberty.

[Cyrus]

Have the dream of leaving the land for the sea. Plan an eight year program to funnel my land life into a life afloat on a sail boat. I was wondering if anyone knows about the power plants, water treatment facilities on the islands. Can cut, burn, or weld: steel, aluminum, and SS, fabricate and repair, pipefitting, hydraulics, and steam propulsion, civilian ship yard experience, former US Navy Machinist Mate, 35 years working skilled trades. Was wondering if I would have to return to the US to feed the kitty, have considered hauling extra tools for these purposes. Heck I may just stir up some rum and never work again, a back up plans never hurts.
Cyrus

[sgkuhner]

In most other countries it is very hard to get a work permit unless you have a kill that they need and do not have, like familiarity with certain markets in the US, especially if they want to do business in those markets. Australia can be very sticky. For example, we had a friend who was single-handing around the world and he played the clarinet. As soon as he got to a new destination, he would go to the biggest Hotel and get a job playing the clarinet as dinner music entertainment. He actually did OK until he was in Brisbane Australia. While he was playing at a hotel bar there, one night an immigration official was there and after his performance came up to ho him and asked to see his work permit. Of course he didn't have one and the official said that that was work an OZ can do so he would have to quit playing. No problem, our friend just loaded hs clarinet etc on his boat and headed up the Barrier Reef, across the top of Australia to Darwin. When he got to Darwin, he immediately got a job playing the clarinet at the Darwin Yacht Club. Wouldn't you know; one night while he was playing, the very same immigration official, who happened to be on vacation, came to the yacht club and saw David. He recognized hm and said, "David! I thought I told you....." and gave him 24 hours to get out of the country.

The we have another friend who spent 11 years sailing around the world and every so often he would haul his boat in a reputable yard, fly home and work for six months to rebuild his cruising Kitty. Where theere is a will there is a way

[MattGardner]

I understand that artists don't need a work permit in Mexico. Is that true in other countries?
I am sorta hoping to pick up extra cash/fuel/food/barter by stopping in at tourist or sport fishing mecas and selling landscapes, yacht portaits, store signage, family portraits... whatever. I'm also a coffee roaster and hope to buy local green beans as i find them available along the way and sell or barter fresh roasted coffee to cruisers.

^^^Crazy???

[tjaldur]

In most European countries there is a surplus of workers, particularly unskilled workers. The unemployment-rate being between 4% - 10%. The labour-traffic is typically going from pour countries to rich countries. That is from southern/eastern parts to northern/western parts. Such migrating workers are hired seasonally because they are considered cheap labour.

A foreigner would probably need to seek employment by some enterprise. The "free-wheeling"-marked being quite limited. That is (as an example) a person being in need of carpentering skills is at the same place, at the same time as a person having such skills and that they have at least one language in common.

There may also be the problem of appropriate tools. A freewheeling mason will be expected to carry a concrete mixer. (or being a part of a business network that makes him able to order ready-mixed concrete at the building-site).
The same applies to many other professions, where it will not only be a question of skills, but also the question of supplying raw-materials. Which in turn entails some fiscal and taxation-problems.

So I believe the strategy for a working sailor must be seeking employment. This strategy calls for a labour-permit. Such a permit can not be expected to be obtained if there is unemployment in that particular country for that particular field of work.

There is of course a "black-marked" in many countries, but that is quite hazardous. In case of accidents or sickness there is no insurance/protection.