Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
h a l f b a k e r y
Expensive, difficult, slightly dangerous, not particularly effective... I'm on a roll.

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Work for your passage

Free trans-oceanic transportation for the poor
  (+1, -3)
(+1, -3)
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against]

This passenger ship would be human powered (by the passengers) and carry just enough cargo to cover the wages for a few crew plus maintanence, taxes, etc. For legality, contracts could be made specifying and then canceling wages for the passengers. (get paid for your work, pay it back for transportation)

A non-profit organization.

Voice, Jun 29 2007

[link]






       Well, the last sentence is right.   

       You know that a modern cargo ship only has about twenty crew, right? And these are trained tradesmen, not swabbies swept up from a dockside bar.
Galbinus_Caeli, Jun 29 2007
  

       //human powered // suggests oarsmen.
pertinax, Jun 29 2007
  

       Are there any cargos that can be economically delivered at the rate of a rowboat?
Galbinus_Caeli, Jun 29 2007
  

       Doesn't this just equal indentured servitude?
shapu, Jun 29 2007
  

       If you find yourself having to work too hard for your passage, you might try prunes.
bungston, Jun 29 2007
  

       Why yes, Shapu, it does, albeit only for the time it takes to travel the sea...
Voice, Jul 02 2007
  

       The Indonesians have this market cornered. 3,000 illegal immigrants per boat, standing room only. Regular services to all areas. Competitive back load rates.
Ah Supp, Oct 06 2011
  

       I thought this might be another bran product.
bungston, Oct 06 2011
  

       Sorry, [Voice], I don't think trying to re-introduce a custom that fell out of practice (and was subsequently outlawed in many countries) a century ago qualifies as a halfbake. I'm gonna hafta say nope on this one. Also, as [Galbinus] stated so well, there is no longer a place for unskilled laborers on the high seas.
Alterother, Oct 06 2011
  

       Agreed: prolly not a new idea in admiralty law. If I recall correctly, British admiralty law allows the vessel to be seized in port if a seaman complains he wasn't paid his wages. And doesn't recognize as a defence that he failed to do any work.
mouseposture, Oct 06 2011
  

       And so we say farewell to the "Reintroduce Tramp Steamer Travel For Bums" idea as the sun sinks slowly in the West.
Ah Supp, Oct 09 2011
  

       These people are so poor that I bet they would happily carry a few kilo's for me.
4whom, Oct 10 2011
  
      
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