We asked for a certificate proving that we have experience at the wheel of a trawler. We were curious whether Captain Bob, without any certain knowledge of our experience or instruction, would provide such a document. He did, and under the heading, Safety and Seamanship Certificate, it reads:
This is to certify that from the dates of 5/24/2011 thru [sic] 5/25/2011[our names inserted] has successfully completed Trawler School Charters comprehensive hands on training course. The vessel Miami Mermaid a 40' sundeck Trawler powered by a single 165hp Perkins engine equipped with Chart Plotter, Auto Pilot . . . . . . Waters of chartered navigation was from the Port of Miami.
If you have read the previous seven blogs, you know that our training was, by no stretch of the imagination, "comprehensive." Please beware, Buyers, of this school!
Thank you for posting your experience. You saved at least one couple from disappointment and expense. My husband and I had been seriously considering booking this. I think not!
ReplyDeleteWe are so glad to know that we saved you from this school. That's why we created the blog. Florida does not regulate this particular industry at all so there is really no protection. I hope you find another captain and boat. I hope you have a grand time!
ReplyDeleteRecently satisfied customer
ReplyDeleteI feel obligated to post a comment here. My wife and I just completed a 2 day 3 night course/charter with Capt. Robert Hamilton (Capt. Bob) aboard the Miami Mermaid. For background I’ll tell you that I found this blog post after having sent in my deposit. I was broken hearted to read the posts and was sure I was in for a fight to get my money back, or about to be very disappointed. I contacted Capt. Bob and asked him plainly about this blog. I simply wanted to hear his side of the story as there is always another side to something like this and he has many positive reviews as well. He offered to refund my deposit fully if I was so concerned that I didn’t want to proceed with the charter. I’ll admit that was a possibility I thought of, but he was open about the fact that the Miami Mermaid is by no means a “new” boat, and that she is used weekly for charter with many happy customers. He spoke openly with my wife and I and we decided to give Capt. Bob the benefit of the doubt and proceed with the charter.
We arrived and found the Miami Mermaid easily. Capt. Bob gave us a tour of the boat and helped us feel comfortable moving around the boat and finding anything we might need. He explained the operation of the head(toilet) and we understand the use of the cup system for flushing (research the smell associated with salt water flush heads and you will learn that this is a very minor inconvenience!). Many new boats can be ordered either way now. The boat is clean and comfortable, everything operated with the exception of one light bulb in a reading lamp. Hardly a major fault in our opinion. She is not a new vessel, but rather a weekly working boat. Her systems are simple and VERY well maintained. I never for a moment felt like we were unsafe in any way. She is not a 5 star hotel, she is an older yacht in excellent working order and good cosmetic condition. Capt. Bob places a higher priority on mechanical condition than spit and polish. This I thought is a rather practical attitude. If you are happy in an average hotel while traveling then the Miami Mermaid will satisfy.
That evening we operated the boat under Capt. Bob’s supervision for the first time and were anchored out shortly after a very good dinner in a pleasant cove surrounded by residential homes. (much of the intercostal in the immediate area is built up, but we were never crowded, or lacked privacy). After a pleasant night we were off and for the next two days operated the boat almost exclusively ourselves with Capt. Bobs supervision as needed. We could always ask questions and never felt uncomfortable in the slightest way. Capt. Bob adjusted the course content to match our needs and boating background. We had wonderful scenery, excellent and healthy meals, and an experience aboard.
In the end, we are in fact quite satisfied with our charter. All I can speak about is our own experience, I cannot comment on anyone else’s. My wife and I came away satisfied customers.
Bob & Tammy G.