When you work on a megayacht, ship happens.

In a rarified world where owners, crew and guests mingle in close quarters, flush with fine food, premium libations and sunsets over blue water, the regular rules often don't apply – and that includes love connections.

Dating a co-worker is considered taboo in many land-based occupations, but hookups are a regular part of the landscape for many who work in the megayacht world. "It's a natural occurrence," says Capt. Rich, a licensed captain with 20 years at the helm. "People wind up together after spending so much time working so closely."

On some boats, sex is just part of the atmosphere. Ask most veteran crewmembers about the mixture of yachties and hotties and they usually have a story to tell – and that's exactly what we did. The resulting interviews are a window on the steamy side of big boat life, so much so that we changed the names of those we interviewed (often to protect the guilty).

Of course, not all megayachts are the scene of tabloid sexcapades. But there's no doubt that long days at sea and a short list of passengers often make for interesting bedfellows.

As Capt. Rich put it, "Most people crave intimacy at some point. Who wants to live like a monk when you're surrounded by beautiful people?"

ALL IN A DAY'S WORK

Onboard a megayacht, people work closely together, subservient both to rank and guests. When the party starts, the line between sexual harassment and flirtation can get slippery on deck. People cross it all the time.

"When the owner gets to know you and is drunk, they can make derogatory comments," says one stewardess. "I have never really felt threatened and have tried to take things in a joking manner. I am a big girl and can laugh it off, so no one has ever really stepped out of line."

Most incidents that do take place go unreported, crewmembers say. And when there is a complaint, determining if harassment occurred can be like solving a mystery.

"You have to ask a lot of questions to get to the bottom of things," says one Swedish captain. "It is often hard to tell who is telling the truth."

On some boats, sex is simply part of the job – and many crewmembers don't mind. One Swedish captain recalls having sex with an owner's wife – sex onboard right under the husband's knowing nose.

"He didn't mind and actually encouraged it," the captain said, with a shameless smile. "They hired me many, many times for repeated cruises."

Blue waters and five-star service make cruising on a megayacht a self-indulgent, real-life fantasy for some yacht owners.Others are less comfortable with a loose environment.

"I was definitely nervous," says Capt. Turk, recalling an experience when he was 19 and running a 60-foot yacht. "The wife of the owner's guest tapped me on the shoulder when I was in bed, sound asleep. I asked if she needed anything and she said, "˜yeah, scoot over.'"

Turk said he had sex with her after the guest said she would scream if he didn't perform. Once the deed was done, he was nervous, telling her to stay aft of the galley and his cabin. He couldn't look her husband in the eye during the rest of the cruise.

Another captain recalled one owner's personal assistant who was after him. He finally caved in and enjoyed more than a hug at the helm.

"I'm a single man at sea for a while," he said. "I didn't turn it down on the fifth try. But then I realized I risked my reputation and the charter's reputation. I couldn't tell the crew."

Not all such encounters end well.

One former crewmember recalls how a stewardess and chef got a huge tip from the guests of an all-male charter upon fulfilling their dessert order: the stewardess completely undressed, laid down and the chef artistically covered her in whip cream. The rest of the crew watched and laughed, but the captain later fired the Cool-Whip duo for crossing the line.

ZERO TO 60

Crew and guests are not the only ones making love in all latitudes. Blue waters and five-star service in a floating hotel make cruising on a megayacht a self-indulgent, real-life fantasy for some yacht owners.

Capt. Bill and his crew were the keepers of many secrets about sex on their superyacht, a 180-foot charter yacht based on the West Coast.

"The owner introduces me to his girlfriend and then they both leave," says Capt. Bill. "Then his wife came onboard with his son. Then the owner came back while his girlfriend stared at the yacht for four hours while drinking heavily in the restaurant bar. I had to discreetly tell her that [the owner] was gone for the weekend. When the owner came back with the wife, they missed his girlfriend by two minutes in the marina's parking lot."

It was a stressful day for Capt. Bill – and not the only one. He also remembers a charter guest who was having his "last hurrah" before rehab. He arrived with girlfriend number one in tow, who was miffed when three other women later arrived.

While not all megayachts are the scene of tabloid sexcapades, crew say it's not unusual."It went from zero to 60 in three minutes," Capt. Bill says.

The girls got friendly with the crew and wanted them to get involved in the action.

"I told the mate to get girl number one off my back because she was hot for me," he says. "Then the mate hooked up with her and everyone watched them as the head window steamed up. Guests are in another world on the yacht.

"Then the other three girls wound up in a catfight. When I told them to kiss and make up, well, that's just what happened. Then the stew wound up in bed with the girls, the chef saw them, and it was three seconds away from a full-blown orgy. These are the things that happen on some charters."

This captain later got crew t-shirts customized with the message, "July 10, 2005: The charter that never happened."

SAFER SEX

Whether in a relationship or just out for a fling, sleeping with a crewmate has its complications. Having shifts that are in sync and finding a place to get busy are not always easy.

"We have problems with privacy," said Capt. Tommy, first officer on a charter yacht in the South Pacific. "My girlfriend and I have been dating for a couple of years and while I have my own cabin, we try to keep a low profile. We don't want everyone knowing all our personal business with a crew of 18."

"I'm part of a couple," says Capt. John, a 10-year veteran. "She is the chief stew. I go to great lengths to separate personal time from crew time. Sometimes she fusses that we don't have any alone time together for a private dinner, others are always hovering."

The college dorm "sock on the door" is still the universal sign to stay out. "The stories I hear all the time are sneaking in the cabin in the middle of the night and kicking your roommate out," says Laurence, a crew agent who hears many stories from crewmembers.

Hotties and yachties make for convenient bedfellows at sea, but finding privacy is tough.Some say hookups are not always good for morale.

"It depends on how they handle themselves," says Capt. Mark, a Kiwi who's sailed for 30 years. "Guys and gals can be cliquish, almost. During their time off, some couples don't interact with the crew. With others, you don't even know they're a couple because they socialize with everyone. If they isolate themselves from others, it creates a strained atmosphere on board."

Capt. Ron, an American captain who has worked his way up the ladder over 15 years, says, "If one crew member is unhappy with something that another one did, you have two enemies when they are part of a couple.

Arguments at the dinner table can become tense for everyone when couples are fighting. "If they've had a tiff the night before, you'll ask a gal why she looks down and she'll say, "˜Well, he's a bastard,'" says Capt. Brian, who met his wife on the yacht and now sails with his son. "That's no way to start the day."

WEDDING BELLS

There is, of course, another side to the entire affair. "I have heard some wonderful stories," Laurence says. "Some are long-term relationships that turn into weddings."

Capt. Tim got married to his sweetheart with a wedding in Hawaii and a reception in Ft. Lauderdale. It was the kind of ceremony where you might have heard, "I now pronounce you"¦Captain and Captain?"

Tim married another 500 ton master, Gillian. They met in 2000 and crossed the Atlantic together on Super Service 4 Dock Express, a huge ship that carries yachts as cargo across the ocean. Gillian was running an 82 A-Team Montefino. She is now co-captain and mate on the same vessel as Tim.

"I loved my job, but I'm glad to have fun and explore with someone," says Gillian. "It's lonely running by yourself."