A New Sheriff in Town

January 28, 2012

In some ways a ship community is like a prison community. Please don’t read that in an especially pejorative way. These are by and large wonderful people from the bridge to the galley. But as a ‘closed community,’ distinct subcultures can form with their own unique set of interactions and personal politics. One of them is the Crew Laundry. Although our uniforms are washed and pressed for free in the ship’s Main Laundry, the Crew Laundry is an additional service we offer to our crew members so they don’t have to do their own personal wash. Given the fact that time is at a premium onboard ship, very few people want to spend that precious commodity on such a task. So, for only one dollar per load they can take personal clothes to a special crew laundry room where it will be washed, dried, and folded for them. The crew who work there work two hours per day every other day, on their time off from their regular duties, to earn a little extra in their payroll. And guess whose job it is to manage this operation . . .

The description first given to me when this duty was explained went something like this: “The Crew Laundry is a nightmare. It is run by the mafia! These guys think they can get away with anything. Even though the laundry tickets are purchased from Crew Welfare and no cash is supposed to be exchanged, some of them are working on a cash basis under the table. They are giving free services to friends. They are selling soap to those who want to do their own laundry. They disregard all authority, dress code and safety rules, and are harassing the one or two crew members who work there that aren’t part of their inner circle. I’m so glad to be turning this over to you.”

Gee, thanks. Long ago, though, I learned that whatever filter you choose to view life through will color what the reality is. So, I chose to suspend any filter or pre-conceived notion in my first two weeks getting to know the laundry crew. There was unquestionably some truth in all of what I had been told, but I doubted it was as bad as they thought. Laura suggested I have a meeting with them to lay down the law. I chose to do so, in my own unique way . . .

We gathered in the Crew Training Room early one morning before any day shift had truly begun and as the night shift was finishing up. For some this was too early, for others too late. They were all equally uncomfortable. However, I chose to welcome them warmly and spent some time joking around with them, which I’m sure has rarely if ever happened with one of the ship’s officers. Most of them work in the galley, which is demanding work which receives little acknowledgement or reward. I started the official part of the meeting by thanking them for their service to the crew, as the Crew Laundry service was a benefit that most of the crew really liked . . . including me. I gently reminded them of the rules of how the laundry was to operate, and encouraged them to use the STAR service protocols when serving their ‘guests,’ the other crew members.

Then I lowered the boom. I told them that I knew what had been going on under the table. As I listed each infringement, I looked directly into one or another’s eyes and watched as each lowered their eyes in shame. I reminded them that all of the ship’s public areas are on camera and at any time I can review those videos and catch exactly what is going on. Then I offered absolution. I looked at the clock and saw that it was 8:11AM on January 27th. I told them that at that moment each of them was being given a completely clean slate and a fresh start. I stated that nothing that had happened up to that moment would be used against them. But starting at 8:12AM, ANY infraction reported would be fully investigated and once documented lead to a written warning or possible dismissal from the ship. I commented that this ship was really a small town and that people can’t help but talk, and that I would find out. I closed by saying that if they didn’t think I was serious then they could try to get one by me. I would be happy to walk them down the gangway and off the ship. And I might even wait until we were at a port . . .

They were making eye contact, again, and their eyes were wide. Smiling, again, I thanked them for their service and told them that they each had a choice to make a fresh start or face the consequences. I hoped they would make the right choice.

Later that day another crew member came up to me and asked me if I was the “new Sheriff in town,” as that is what the laundry guys were calling me. I laughed and told him that no, I was the nicest guy on the ship because I gave everyone a second chance. I said they were my guys and I would look out for them . . . but I expected them to look out for me, too.

Today, I did a surprise ‘drop in’ on the laundry and found one of the supposed ring leaders dressed in a polo shirt, khaki shorts with a belt, nice shoes, and he stood to greet me the moment I walked in!

They can be taught!

And the adventure continues . . .