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1. 

   I was thinking about aiming to be a peace boat volunteer interpreter, but I don’t know if I could stand 3 months of left-wing indoctrination on a leaky ship (>_<)

   Comment by Alec — July 18, 2008 #

2. 

   Wow, the most scathingly angry piece I can recall reading on JapanNewbie! Maybe the stress of America is starting to get to Harvey?

   Seriously, what can I say? In my experience, people that work for an NGO are not usually the brightest bulbs in the socket.

   Comment by Joe — July 19, 2008 #

3. 

   The Recklessness upsets you ?

   Why ? nothing to do with failing the interpreting exam no doubt

   Comment by Ivan Plapp — July 21, 2008 #

4. 

   The recklessness upsets me because it is needlessly putting people in danger. Safety violations on a cruise ship… Not informing the passengers… The media had the full story before the crew informed the passengers. That’s ridiculous. The boat was told not to leave the port in Greenland due to it’s poor condition, but they left anyway. I know they have a schedule to keep, but safety first! That’s reckless.

   Comment by Harvey — July 21, 2008 #

5. 

   Not that I want to defend them, but the ship itself seems to be run by a different company - so blame the ship company itself for anything to do with the crew and the maintenance. an ngo would hardly be responsible for the actual engineering side of the ship - rather, the ship is run by a company in the usa it seems.

   and as for the “left-wing” ness - they make their stand about their ideological viewpoint quite clearly on their website as far as i can see just looking at it now - if you dont agree with that why would you even apply for a job with them in the first place?!

   Comment by ts — July 21, 2008 #

6. 

   About the left-wingness, yeah we knew about that before applying, and my wife was fully aware of it. We have attended many NGO sponsored events and lectures and what not in Japan in the past. However even given all that, for some reason it still put some people off… Maybe it’s actually not anymore lefty than the usual socially conscious organization, but the extended contact with them (months on a boat) just makes it feel like a little much? Not sure about that as I didn’t ride it myself.

   And you’re right about the boat maintenance and the NGO. The only link would be that the NGO was responsible for selecting and hiring the boat company and crew.

   In fact, my wife told me that the captain of the ship was changed 3 times since this cruise began. Once after they had engine trouble on the way to Oman, and again later for reasons of “poor performance”. This was told to my wife who was working as a translator by the PeaceBoat staff. The other passengers were not informed.

   All said and done though, the PeaceBoat cruise completely changes every single voyage. There is almost no continuity between trips. The peaceboat staff responsible changes, the ship changes, the route changes, the guest speakers change… So I would by no means discourage anyone from joining PeaceBoat as a volunteer. A free, around the world cruise, while gaining valuable skills, in an educational environment? What more could you ask for? (well, I guess you could ask for a boat with working life vests and no holes, but hey, just sayin’)

   Comment by Harvey — July 21, 2008 #

7. 

   don’t knock Peace Boat - it’s trying to do good !
   They have been unlucky with minor problems this time round. Don’t kick drowning dog !

   Comment by Satoko — July 21, 2008 #

8. 

   If the dog is no good let’em drown. It’s up to PB to get their ducks in a row.

   I appreciate your blogging this. Captain has changed three times? Hmm.. not good..

   For ts— and others..
   Japan Grace is in Shinjuku, Tokyo. It’s a business. They run Peace Boat, they run the GET English school, same floor, separated by paper thin walls. For anyone in Takadonobaba I’d suggest going for a visit.

   They had been leasing the aging Topaz until just this year. Now it seems they’ve got this:

   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_of_Norway_(ship)

   My question is:
   When are we going to see their books? How much of all this gratis PB volunteerism is funneled to the bottom line of Japan Grace (a private company)? It is a touchy issue with them. It becomes a hornets nest!

   Nothing is free. You’re trapped on a boat. You work, and you don’t get any money.

   Comment by smart — July 30, 2008 #

9. 

   Hi, I’m a former Peace Boat volunteer English Teacher. I went on the 33rd southern hemisphere voyage way back in 2001… well, the M/V Olvia broke down en route to Africa(left engine totally disabled),which resulted in a 3 week delay and stop in Mombasa as they frantically searched for another ship. The M/V Rus - a Baltic ferry, if I’m not mistaken - was eventually found. Many passengers had to leave because they did not anticipate 3 additional weeks off work, etc. The Rus did not seem like a very safe ship. In retrospect, it was a risky situation to cross the Atlantic in that thing. (Also, the ship director was later charged with embezzlement or something and fired.) I was 24 and adventurous, though. I had a once-in a lifetime experience and my views were 100% in line with PB’s. Despite the problems, I still believe it’s a good organization.

   Cheers!

   Comment by Shoko — August 16, 2008 #

10. 

    I feel glad when read and see all advertising in everything about the Peace Boat (The Topaz),because some my friend have been working on this ship and great all is good company and now some of them still is there to working.
    I am by the some cruise ship experience and hotel operation want to apply working on this ship,but I don’t know whit the ways and what should I do,Please by your arrange to give me all the information for applying working on this ship operation and I am very like to do round the world to get and find many experience in my life.
    Thank you for your cooperation,I am looking forward to hearing from you.

    Yours sincerely,
    Sarfitos Chandra

    Comment by Sarfitos Chandra — January 31, 2009 #

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