I'm not sure i'd want to be on a boat full of programmers and entrepreneurs. Just imagine the sort of arguments one could get yourself into.
Also how will order be enforced? One cannot assume everyone will be nice and benevolent. What happens in a medical emergency, can you get to the nearest hospital in time (assuming the onboard facilities are insufficient)? The lead programmer just fell overboard during a storm, what happens?
> What happens in a medical emergency, can you get to the nearest hospital in time (assuming the onboard facilities are insufficient)? The lead programmer just fell overboard during a storm, what happens?
This problem has been solved for cruise ships. I don't know the details of how, but surely the same issues and solutions apply pretty directly.
Cruise ships are really big. They can have thousands of passengers (mostly elderly) and thousands of staff. It's pretty much guaranteed you'll have a few heart attacks. They have full-time doctors and nurses, and on-board hospitals. If someone dies, they hide them in their cabin (assuming they were not sharing) until they get to the next port. If someone's sick, they look after them until they land, though they can call for an airlift in extreme circumstances. They generally aren't that far from land (because cruising through empty oceans is boring).
The law is either the nearest country (if you're 12 or 24 nautical miles away, depending on the circumstances), or the law of their flag state (if they are in the high seas). Generally, they avoid making arrests, and throw trouble makers out the next port. I think their registered home state generally turns a blind eye on what they do.
So, a meaningful solution would be to have a small, but well equipped clinic on board. Required staff can be airlifted in from the mainland within minutes in emergencies - an airport helicopter transfer in NYC costs $1,600, so the cost isn't prohibitive. Regular appointments can be attended by the doctor taking the ferry.
The "avoid making arrests, and throw trouble makers out" approach seems viable. Make sure companies on the boat post a bond for their employees that will cover throwing them out (sending them to their country of citizenship or the ships flag state for trial) if they won't/can't leave on their own.
You're on a cruise ship for a very short time, with breaks in between. Imagine being on this sausage factory, I mean, "entrepreneur ship", for months on end.
what's the difference with your lead programmare having a motorcycle accident at 2.00 a.m. while coming back from a long coding session (or just from a party)?
A lot of them jumped. Some were last seen losing thousands in the casino, some were depressed, and others were from developing countries, good swimmers, and went overboard just off the US shoreline.
It's not that common for people to fall overboard accidentally.
Pay for some private military contractors, doctors, and a standby helicopter. Split the cost.
EDIT: If PMC are too militant, just any lenient security company would do. I don't really see how this is a problem. Think of it as a big festival with less alcohol and run for a longer time period.
... I'd much, much rather be policed by pretty much any western police force as opposed to a PMC. Heck, I'd sonner submit myself to the Chinese gongan than a PMC.
IMO private military contractors are pretty much a non-answer to the problem of policing. I'd go as far as to say that PMCs are an inappropriate solution to any problem that doesn't involve lots of people getting shot.
> Think of it as a big festival with less alcohol and run for a longer time period.
Festivals have to deal with minor security, not criminal problems. Police are still around - whether patrolling the area, or in an on-site office, or on the end of a phone call - to deal with any major problems (all the way up to rape and murder).
Also how will order be enforced? One cannot assume everyone will be nice and benevolent. What happens in a medical emergency, can you get to the nearest hospital in time (assuming the onboard facilities are insufficient)? The lead programmer just fell overboard during a storm, what happens?