Curious/Dreaming about the Boats

[Napria]

My DH is in high gear planning for "our" retirement; I'm 8 years younger and it's a long way off for me!

Anyway, I'd love to take a year or two and work as a cast member when I do retire. I see myself working at the Meadows Trading Post, or the Christmas Shop in MK, if I'm lucky. My husband would like to captain one of the boats on Bay Lake". He said he thought all those Boat Captains probably were full-time captains prior to working at WDW. He has his boating license, and I think that, and the right attitude might be all you need.

Anyone know?

 

[Teamubr]

I'm not an expert on the boats. I did talk to one of the pilots/captains of the resort boat on the way over CR. He looked like he was 20.

He told me all the people piloting the boats have to be Coast Guard certified/licensed (forgot which he said) for commercial passenger ships. I didn't ask which grade school he got his from.

j

 

[Sundancer330]

Found this on another thread, should answer some questions.

As a former WDW Boat Captain I can answer this question for you. No special licence is needed. Disney will train you and if you pass the assesment your good and they will certify you, now this are some serious training. Watercrafts is the division of Disney Transportation that you want to look into and this include Launches, Cruisers, Ferry Boats, Grand One and Water Light Show, pretty much anything on the Bay Lake/Seven Seas Lagoon area (Friendships run separate from this division)

Once you get hire, you will be phase-trained:
1- Deck Hand
2- Cruise/Launch
3- Launch/Cruise
4- Ferry Boat
5- Light Show (with enough seniority and if you bid for it)
6- Grand One (with a LOT of seniority and after some serious bidding)

are the USCG rules waived because it's private property?

They are not considered an attraction, they are considered a private fleet of vessels for mass transportation purposes. The rules are waived because its in a private property but Disney DOES train and certify their CM under the USCG standards. So as a Watercraft Pilot you are certified by Disney with the same or higher standards that USCG require for commercial boat piloting, but can only use your certification at Disney, meaning you cannot go to, let say, Carnival Cruise Line and ask for a job as a Captain. Make sense?

 

[Napria]

Thanks! That's helpful and interesting!