My husband found this site where people can hop on a freighter and travel around the world cheap. Looks very interesting and something we would do later in life. It looks like we would need a lot of time.

Found this website:
http://freighterworld.com/

When you were on the ships did you ever carry passengers?

Can you also explain the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886?
It says "No foreign vessels shall transport passengers between ports or places in the United States, either directly or by way of a foreign port, under a penalty of $200 (now $300) for each passenger so transported and landed."
but it gives no reason why this act was enacted. Who or what were they protecting when they made up this rule?

This type of travel seems really cool!

J,

Yes I had ships that carried passengers. Namely the the M class Sealand container ships as well as several others. The cabins are large, the cost is not as inexpensive as one might think and there is NOTHING to do. If you want a very quiet sailing experience it's just fine but I've had passengers that wound up whining "captain I'm bored" Remember that the crew has a job to do and that job doesn't include pampering or entertaining passengers. In general I would let them up on the bridge once or twice but the last thing we need is some charter boat "captain" hanging around and getting in the way. Sorry to sound negative but if the truth be known, most masters and crew would much prefer to not have to carry them but if you figure that it can mean 20,000 in pure profit to the company.......

The Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 as well as the Jones act were passed in congress at the behest of the Pitcarin family who were the most powerful shipping companies at the turn of the century. Both acts artificially protect American shipping interests from foreign price cutting. Of course this killed American shipping because it priced us out of the market. You will note that there a VERY FEW American flagged vessels carrying freight or passengers any more. Right after 911 and Katrina Pres. Bush suspended the Jones act to facilitate moment of supplies around the country. Pres. Obama didn't see the necessity after the Deep Water Horizon explosion and some of the most modern oil skimming ships in the world were not allowed to assist. The Jones act insures that our maritime union workers are paid way over the world standard and he didn't want to alienate them.

Hope this was of some help

Cap