How are Superyacht Engineering Departments Structured?
Engineering departments vary widely according to the type, size, and usage of the yacht in question. But, most large yachts will have some or all of the following roles on board. Wilson Halligan share with us how Superyacht engineering departments are structured on board:
Chief Engineer (or Sole Engineer on smaller yachts with only one engineer)
The Chief Engineer is in overall command of all Engineering operations on board. They’re the senior advisor to the Captain on all matters related to the condition and serviceability of the yachts engines, propulsion, ancillaries, and hotel systems. Although, Captains always retain supreme responsibility for the safety of the vessel, the best ones will work very closely with their Chief Engineer and take note of any advice and requests they make. After all, they are highly trained, experienced, and knowledgeable subject matter experts.
Chief Engineers are responsible for ensuring that the Yacht is in all respects compliant with the relevant laws and regulations governing the serviceability of the systems and equipment. They are pivotal in ensuring the yacht passes any relevant flag state, port state, or P&I club surveys and inspections.
1st Engineer
Some of the very largest yachts afloat employ a 1st Engineer similar to those employed on Cruise Ships. A 1st Engineer takes operational (day to day) command of the engineering team. They do this by supervising engineering tasks and allocating work as appropriate. This allows the Chief Engineer to concentrate on a large amount of paperwork and business management necessary on board a very large yacht.
2nd Engineer
The more common understudy to the Chief Engineer, the 2nd Engineer often has responsibility for Engine Room maintenance. And, will certainly take on many of the more challenging maintenance and repair tasks as required. The 2nd Engineer acts as a supervisor for the more junior crew. And in some cases will be able to deputise for the Chief Engineer if required.
3rd Engineer
The 3rd Engineer will have specific duties. These duties may include maintenance of the ship’s lifeboats, tenders, jet skis, toys, and deck equipment like winches, davits, and hatchways. Very often 3rds are responsible for interior maintenance. Likewise, areas of responsibility vary from yacht to yacht. 3rd Engineers will often focus on gaining the requisite experience and ‘sea time’ to then progress to the position of 2nd Engineer.
4th Engineer
The most junior engineering officer on board. The 4th is very often new to Marine Engineering and is learning the trade. Typically, 4th Engineers areinvolvedin structured educational programs. Or, at least splitting their time between phases at sea learning on the job with phases ashore attending courses. Similarly, this can vary widely across the industry.
Motorman
A junior, but certainly important role found almost exclusively on large yachts in excess of around 100m. The motorman (not gender-specific!) is responsible for the operation and basic maintenance of the yachts’ main engines and engine room systems. As well as this, they may assist in starting and stopping large engines and generators, operating switch panels under the supervision of an officer or senior engineer, and reporting anything unusual. Engine room cleanliness and order will be an important part of the role.
Wiper / Oiler
On the largest yachts, especially those operating medium speed diesel or older conventional ship propulsion technology, a wiper, and oiler may be employed in addition to the above with a focused role in keeping engines and machinery spaces clean, keeping greased bearings fed, or keeping open rockers oiled. Because of this, an ability to access confined spaces is often useful. Also, a keen eye for cleanliness in bilges and bunded tanks, etc is often a must.
Image by Superyachts UK
Do you have a better understanding of Superyacht Engineering Departments? To find out how to become a yacht Engineer, Click here
Click here to see the latest Superyacht engineer jobs available with Wilsonhalligan.
Crew turnover is at an all-time high, and whilst everyone is discussing the reasons behind this, we’re revealing 3 key yacht crew management tips. After all, keeping your crew happy, while making sure you get the most out of them plays a major factor in being a great leader. This not only goes for Superyacht Captains, but also for chief officers, heads of departments, and yacht management teams.
We spoke to a handful of Captains to narrow down what skills are most important as a leader, so you can assess if you have what it takes to be a great yacht captain:
1. Communication is Key
Just like any working environment, good communication is a key skill to managing productivity and maintaining working relationships. Whether they’re senior crew or junior crew, a good captain will regularly speak with their crew and build a trustworthy relationship where yachties feel at ease to speak about certain situations/problems on board. By investing your time into the crew, the more effectively they can execute tasks.
“Whilst not on charter we had daily meetings before work started. Everybody had an opportunity to talk about anything they wanted: Any issues, ideas to improve the running of the boat or daily tasks, things they liked and things they didn’t. By giving all crew members a voice, they felt heard and valued, improving the overall morale onboard. I’ve always said that a good crew have great channels of communications.”
2. Support and empower your Crew
Have you ever been in a job where you felt you were putting your all in, and receiving nothing back, not even the slightest gratitude? It sucks. Now, compare that to a situation where you’ve done something good and someone has recognised you for it and shown their appreciation – it made you feel good, right?
The point we’re getting at here is that no matter how high up the hierarchy you are, you should always value others and the work they’re doing. The main reason is that they’ll not only want to continue working for you but will also work harder because when people feel appreciated, they thrive.
“I speak to everyone the same way, whether he’s the garbage man or the president of a university” – Albert Einstein
To further extend, Captain Luke Hammond shares his advice on yacht crew management tips:
“I think there are more than enough stories of people saying that yachting would be great without crew. But, in retrospect, it’s the crew that make or break any good yachting program.
Managing people is a hard enough task. But to elevate that to living and working together 24/7 can sometimes be a little overwhelming. Looking from the outside in, I don’t think enough credit goes to those Yacht Captains that maintain a happy safe crew.
Managing crew is fairly simple, as you can’t rule from the top. You have to give the power to the crew, but have them understand that the Captain has final say. And trying to implement procedures when it’s not wanted, doesn’t work. They just get forgotten, neglected, or worse off, people lie. Which isn’t the type of behavior or environment you want to live and work in.
I find that empowering the crew to make decisions (of which you already know the outcome), gives people a sense of empowerment. It allows them to be a part of the discussion. By giving ideas, they feel it’s their idea and they’ll work harder to maintain the status quo.
Another is direction, or better yet, purpose. Everyone is there to make money and travel. However, without purpose or direction, they wander. A clear outline of their role, but also the steps to how to move forward to their next role is important for a captain to make them aware of.
I always give people time lines… eg after X number of years you should have learnt what’s necessary and then it’s time to move on and learn from someone else. No one is getting fired, but if they realise that you as the Captain and the boat actually care, they stick around much longer.
We all started at the bottom with dreams and hopes. No one is bolted to the yacht, so they can come and go should they choose to. By empowering crew to make the right choices means you get the most out of them. They then go onto their next role with far more self-confidence.”
3. Make sure your crew are enjoying themselves
To conclude our three yacht crew management tips, let’s talk about the importance of enjoying your job. There’s nothing worse than being in a job you hate, working for someone that you also, hate. Put yourself in the shoes of a crew member that’s working 14+ hours a day, for a Captain who’s never once spoken to them about anything, apart from doing their job. Let us tell you now… You won’t be retraining your crew for the long haul.
Image by Captain Louis Simon
Captain Louis Simon explains the importance of being “an upright and fair-play Captain”:
“First of all, it is essential to be an upright and fair-play captain. By giving to your crew, the crew themselves will give back to you.
In fact, when you are too strict with your crew in terms of permission or time off, the latter will slip through your hands quickly. On the other hand, when you manage to reconcile work with time off, your crew follows you from boat to boat. Like a real family.
I also think that we’re in an activity called in ‘French pleasure commercial boat’. Meaning we have to enjoy ourselves in what we do. Therefore, it is essential that the crew feel good and that they have a smile. Because, a disgruntled crew is a showcase of the captain’s management and the customers see this directly.
We are here to provide quality service to customers, as well as entertain them. And as I often say: “you don’t have to be serious to do a good job”
It is essential to keep a hierarchy and that everyone stays in their place and at their position. But also, that the respect that relates to it is present because otherwise, it would be anarchy. However, to consolidate the bonds between the crew, it is important to share moments together (restaurants for example). By doing this, it shows them that we are there for work, but that we remain human also – although there are limits.”
If you have any other thoughts on yacht crew management tips, send us an email at – Hello@superyachtcontent.com
2022 Summer & Autumn Events in and Around Pendennis Shipyard
Pendennis Shipyard has locations in Falmouth, Cornwall and Vilanova, Barcelona. There is always plenty to do in the local areas, with festivals and other events to enjoy. Here you can find all the upcoming events happening around the Pendennis Shipyards in 2022.
Pendennis Falmouth Events
Sea Shanty Festival 17th – 19th June
The Sea Shanty Festivalis a free event, with shanty performances scheduled throughout the weekend at venues including The Greenbank Hotel, Events Square, Prince of Wales Pier, Custom House Quay and Church Street Car Park. Visitors are encouraged to explore the town, its shops, restaurants, gardens and beaches, and the 20+ official festival venues.
The Falmouth Classics – 17th – 19th June
Falmouth Classics is home to three days of racing and a spectacular Parade of Classic Boats and the Small Classic Boat Parade. Since it began, in 1987, Falmouth Classics has steadily grown to be one of the most significant Classic sailing events in the UK.
RNLI Castle 2 Castle Swim – 25th June
The RNLI Castle 2 Castle Swim is an iconic one mile open water sea swim across the Carrick Roads. It starts at Pendennis Castle in Falmouth and finishes at St Mawes Castle on the Roseland Peninsula.
Falmouth Week 5th – 14th August
Falmouth Week is a major attraction for locals and visitors alike. With its origins as a local sailing regatta dating back at least as far as 1837, the week is an opportunity for sailors and landlubbers to enjoy the many daytime and evening events in the picturesque seaside town of Falmouth.
Boardmasters – 10th – 14th August
Boardmasters Festival is a yearly music and surf festival held on the beautiful Cornish coast at Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay in Newquay. Attendees can experience sun, surf, and a variety of amazing music from som of the world’s biggest recording artists.
Falmouth Triathlon – 25th September
Falmouth Triathlon is a sensory overload, with golden sand, blue water, and panoramic views of the Lizard Peninsula from Henry VIII’s Pendennis Castle. You can find tickets for the event here.
Oyster Festival 13th – 16th October
Falmouth Oyster Festival is one of Cornwall’s largest and most popular specialty culinary festivals, dedicated to the mollusk. Consider attending for four days of eating and celebrations to honour the native Fal Oyster and the richness of Cornish seafood.
Pendennis Vilanova Events
OffWeek Festival – 17th – 18th June
OffWeek Festival is returning to Barcelona’s Parc del Fòrum for three days of electronic music showcases, from some of the most respected names in the world of underground house and techno. Grab your tickets here.
Festival of Sant Joan – 23rd – 24th June
The Festival of Sant Joan celebrates the Summer Solstice. It is a public holiday that is known for the atmosphere created. If you are in Barcelona during this period there is no way that you will miss the date – fires in the streets and the constant crack of fireworks will make sure of that!
Barcelona Beach Festival – 2nd – 3rd July
The Barcelona Beach Festival is an annual electronic music festival hosted in the Platja del Frum neighbourhood of Barcelona. It is one of Spain’s largest music festivals, with over 70,000 attendees every year. David Guetta, Armin van Buuren, DJ Snake, and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike are among the most recent performers.
Sants Festival – August 19th – 28th (TBC)
The Festes de Sants are some of the most popular of Barcelona, together with the festivals of Gracia and Mercé. They take place during eight days over the second half of August, include the 24th, the day of the neighbourhood’s patron saint – St. Bartholomew
Barcelona International Boat Show – 12th – 16th October
The Barcelona International Boat Show is due to commence in Port Vell this October. Sailing boats, yachts, catamarans, Menorquin boats, motorboats, inflatable craft, cruisers, and recreational fishing boats are all on display for visitors. Additionally, all manner of nautical products and services ranging from electronics and engines to paint, sails, trailers, fishing equipment, and small vessels are in attendance.
Often Superyacht chefs get caught up in planning meals for guests during a charter and their brains go blank when it comes to deciding what to cook for the crew on board. To help you out this charter season, we spoke to three Superyacht chefs who were happy enough to share their yacht crew meal ideas for fellow chefs looking for a bit of inspiration.
“When thinking about crew meals I prefer to do options that can turn into completely different styles and moods. I work usually on motor yachts with +/- 50m, so this is for this size but I have that in mind when in bigger vessels too and just have more options and bigger portions. Therefore I divide dishes into:”
leaf salad
grains salad
a couple of dressing on the side
one carbohydrate
hot vegetarian protein dish
animal protein
a couple of vegetable sides.
“This is the basic thought, keeping that in mind I will apply this to a theme, and on my last vessels, the all-time favorites were: Mexican, Indian, and poke. Keeping more options and variety when people are feeling like a “cleaner” lighter meal they can just do a big salad and add the protein and cooked vegetables to it for instance. For the crew that cannot live without their carb portion, they can have a little of everything. And the same for the ones that are more plain eaters; then they can choose the meat, carb and cooked vegetable option. A good variety as well makes sure everyone is getting all the vitamins the body needs. And obviously happy and healthy people work better and have a better quality of living.”
Chef Luca Mansueto
“On charter, there’s normally limited time to enjoy a meal, whatever the crew can scoop into a bowl will be a win, such as:”
Chicken curry with couscous salad
Beef stew with veggies and rice
Pasta (with whatever type of sauce)
Shrimp ceviche or tuna
Pies or quiche (ham&mushrooms or pumpkin or ricotta and spinach)
Hamburgers, Pizza, or Hot dogs (good solution when the guests fancy some, making more for the crew will be appreciated)
Salads (with plenty of ingredients will give the chance to the stewardess to have a nutritious light meal)
Roast beef and potatoes (great for those hungry deckhands)
Poke Bowls
Yacht Chef Dean Harrison
“I absolutely love curry and love cooking it even more. The depths of spices and flavours makes for a super comforting dinner for the crew. Especially if you want to make the English happy but you may confuse the Americans.”
For a crew curry night I would cook:
Dahl
Saag paneer
Chicken tikka
Prawn masala
Channa masala
Steamed rice
Naan
Pappadum’s
Chutneys
Salsas
Pickles
If you enjoyed reading our article on yacht crew meal ideas, check out our interview with head Superyacht chef, Even Mende discussing plant-based cooking on board, here.
Superyacht Tenders Share Their Yacht Tender Market Report
What’s new in the Superyacht Tender Industry?
Back in 2020, the global pandemic presented a serious obstacle for the yachting industry. But despite this, since early 2021 the yacht tender market has been incredibly strong. Reports reveal that the demand for both new and pre-owned tenders has been unprecedented.
“Currently, we’ve seen that the demand for tenders in the industry is at an all time high. However in general, availability still poses major challenges for the industry in 2022 and beyond. Production cannot meet this demand anymore…”
From a manufacturer’s point of view, they are struggling to meet the increased demand of requests for tenders. This is due to serious problems with the availability and supply of materials. As well as, GRP costs having more than doubled since the beginning of the year. And prices are continuing to skyrocket! It’s also been noted that there have been shortages of engines (both inboard and outboards), and other vital mechanical components.
Over the past year, clients have been finding out they’re going to have to wait one, two, or more years for their new order to be guaranteed as a result of a lack of available build slots, materials, and guarantees regarding the supply of engines and other major components.
With suppliers having to do the best they can with staff shortages, on top of all the above, it’s no doubt that many Superyacht tender manufacturers are now struggling to meet more recent deadlines. Subsequent orders are now being canceled (and this is without even mentioning the Russian owners and the sanctions in place).
“The threat of an imminent recession looming relates to a survival of the fittest from a manufacturers point of view.” – CEO of Superyacht Tenders, Nigel Upton
With the bad comes the good and reports reveal that an increase of clients have been opting for good, quality pre-owned tenders and chase boats for some time now. More so as they are readily accessible and present excellent value for money. But, will this have a play-on effect on the pre-owned tender market?
“Superyacht Tenders has seen a huge increase in demand for well maintained pre-owned tenders from their brokerage service. I’m proud to say we’ve supplied over 50 pre-owned tenders to yachts since early 2021.” – CEO of Superyacht Tenders, Nigel Upton
To conclude:
The once abundant stock pool of available used Superyacht Tenders is beginning to encounter shortages. Brokerages are now finding that stock is not being replenished because tenders owners are now hanging onto their boats due to a lack of other available, short-term options.
To learn more about the yacht tender market, get in contact with nigel@superyachttenders.net
Take a look at the 7 Tenders that were available on the yacht tender Market in May 2022 by clicking here.
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We recently bumped into Superyacht chef Luca Mansueto at the 2022 MYBA Charter show, from which we got to learn a little bit more about his background story. In our most recent interview, we unveil how the luxury yacht chef went from cooking in his fathers kitchen, to working in Superyacht galleys for UHNWIs. As well as, what Lucas idea of ” the ideal charter guests” look like…
Image by Luca Mansueto
About Superyacht Chef, Luca Mansueto:
“My name is Luca Mansueto. I couldn’t really tell you when I started to be a chef because my father is a chef and I grew up inside his restaurant . Anyway, my career as yacht’s chef started back in 2017 when I started working on a 60m expedition vessel. I signed my first contract as deckhand and finished in the galley as birthday gift in June 2017, on the same boat. I guess I would call this the day zero!
During the following years my goal never changed. The plan was to improve my skills to the next level and provide better food experiences to the yacht guests. To reach my goal I had to do courses in Michelin stars restaurants, where I had to read plenty of recipe books and watching hours of cooking class. You always know when the learning process starts but nobody knows when it finishes, as surely it doesn’t’ have any end!
What was your career path prior to becoming a yacht chef?
My chef career started at an early age inside my father’s kitchen. At the very beginning I was a kitchen porter, where cleaning dishes and peeling potatoes were my main duties (a very classic initiation into a kitchen). At age of 16, I was in charge of the starters and the bread, then a few years later I shifted to the main courses. From this, at the end of my University I moved to London to work as Pasta Chef in a busy Italian restaurant.
You say you fell in love with yachting when you joined your uncle’s business as a yacht agent. What was it about the yachting industry that sparked your interest?
I’ve seen in yachting a big chance of traveling around the world, exploring new places and came across different cultures. Beside that I saw it as a great opportunity to get a better salary. Last but not least, working on board for me was the only way for me to fully understand the dynamics and politics of the crew. This is something that I felt would help to me to become a better agent/provisioner in the future, which is an area that I wanted to keep open for after my yachting path.
It’s clear that your father had a strong influence on your choice to become a chef. Could you please tell us a little bit more about your catering service, on the side of being a yacht chef:
I’ve always seen my father as of the best chefs out there! His career as chef started inside a five star luxury hotel in Sanremo, followed by other high-standard hotels around Italy. Even if sometimes yachts and hotels are considered similar in a way, it is a completely different kind of work when it comes to a chef’s life.
On board we normally cook for 12 guests, alone or in a team of two; In a hotel, the guests can go up to 200 per service, with kitchen brigade of around 15/20 chefs. Catering for large amount of guests often brings many problems, such as coordination with the colleagues, several hours of working on the same dish or preparation and normally, a team has to complete 7/8 dishes over and over during the season. Whereas, on board the menu changes every service. This to me is the most exciting part of being a yacht chef – keeping the variety, crafting new plates and sticking to the guests preferences.
Having started working on board Yachts in 2016, do you think you could ever return to land and work as a yacht agent again, or work in a traditional kitchen?
I joined the yachting industry with the vision of been a better agent/provisioner at the end of my on board career. Therefore, I would be a liar by saying that I wouldn’t go back on land as an agent again… It is a part of my plan, but I’m still unsure about when it’s going to be the right time to call it a day in my career as a yacht chef. Right now, there are still many things I want to achieve, many places I want to explore and I’m still having a lot of fun along the way.
I see it as being much more complicated for me to go back in a restaurant, it goes against my explorers soul. It’s true also that the biggest ambition for a chef is to get a Michelin star for his own restaurant. Personally, this is something I’ve dreamt about so many times! I don’t like to exclude any career path, because “never say never” for the future. At the end of the day, I’ll find out what the universe has for me over the coming years, but right now ,my main focus is the next meal for my guests.
Where in the world have you travelled to that stands out as being the culinary leader and why?
I’m originally from Italy, where we’re recognised as one the biggest countries when it comes of food and wine. We start to talk about dinner while we’re busy finishing our lunch (no jokes here). During my travels, I found out that the passion for food is mutual and well spread around the globe. It took me a while to put together the top 3 countries leading the way and it is not a final one – I still have at least 150 countries to visit. However, at this moment, Italy, Japan and France make a solid podium in matter of food. And as runners up, I’d have to say China, Spain and Perù.
Having worked on board 10+ Yachts now, including M/Y Vibrance and M/Y Kisses, serving UHNWI all over the globe, what are your ideal guests?
I enjoy working with people who are passionate about food. My ideal guest is the one who gives me white paper, no dietary restrictions, and wants the full experience. This makes it easy in a way, but very complicate at the same time. When you can pick from a infinite list of ingredients it gets tricky to sometimes to find the right match. It also easier to open the doors of failure when we go over the edge, and creativity turns into senseless flavor combination. By working with very wealthy individuals, I’ve learned that sometimes they don’t want anything fancy. Often, a well prepared family-style meal that’s simple, fresh and nutrient is what makes them happy. There’s no need of cutting sesame seeds in half , or recreating the Eiffel Tour with chocolate. Keeping it simple with many yacht owners/charter guests has always been a winning point.
There’s a whole heap of unbelievable benefits that you get when becoming a Superyacht Chef, but we understand it’s not all fun and games. What would you say is the most challenging part of the job that yacht chefs new to the industry may not be aware of?
Provisioning in remote locations, such as some islands, the Caribbean, Croatia or wherever they are. This is one of the most critical parts of my job and it requires strong planning skills. To avoid mistakes and stressful runs to the supermarket during the charter, the yacht chef needs to source all the ingredients before. Whether this be throughout an agent or at the market, it doesn’t really matter. By the time the guests check in, every single ingredient needs to be on board. Once the weekly menu is planned and the provisions are on board, the final step of the mission is to store them correctly into a limited storage space, and then it’s show time!
Biggest achievement in your career so far, or an accomplished that is the most significant to you?
During my first charter season on a 20 meter power Cat, back in 2018, I made it to impress 10 French guests on a 10 day charter. I had a tiny galley with 2 home style fridges and one freezer in the lazaret (the same size of the one my grandma use for the meat). Making some of the hardest guests (French people are not easy at all) happy with such a small galley, was for sure the turning point of my career. I remember at the end of the trip I said to the stewardess on board, “if we made this one, now it can only gets easier.”
If you could create and serve a meal to anyone dead or alive, who would you like to cook for and what would you serve?
I’m a big fan of basketball, so it has to be my childhood idol, Michael Jordan! He’s still alive, plus he charters boats very often; So in a way, I’ve still got a chance to make it happen… It’s going to be a 6 course meal with wine pairing. I’m sorry, but I have no clue about his preference, so it is pointless to set a menu. Although, the one thing I do know is the dessert, my pistachio cheesecake with blackberry gelatine will strike to impress MJ. And I might as well get a signed Bulls’s jersey too (I hope he always hangs around with one in his suitcase haha!)
Lastly, where do you see “Superyacht Chef Luca Mansueto” in the next 5 years?
I gave myself 5 years time to accomplish my on board career, this happened 5 years ago and I’m still going. I’m really looking forward to call it in the next 3 years, by which point, it would be amazing to get back with my family business, as an agent. With a strong background as Superyacht chef and the experience of having a 45 years old company in the yachting industry, we could definitely be a very helpful asset for every yacht chef and chief stew out there. Providing top quality services and products, by helping the crew making their charter easier and successful. My cousin permitting…
If you haven’t already done so, make sure to follow Superyacht Chef Luca Mansueto on his socials to see his latest culinary creations – ChefLuca Mansuetos
For the latest Superyacht content galley news, click here.
Take A Look At The New Proton Yachting 28S Superyacht Tender
The Proton yachting 28S Superyacht Tender is a premium tender built of 5 mm thick aluminium which greatly benefits the sailing characteristics. The ship was designed by Trimm Design in collaboration with the engineers of Proton Yachting Technology.
The Proton Yachting 28 Superyacht Tender has groundbreaking on-board technology:
Almost everything on board can be switched digitally. The Proton 28 tender boat is a technical masterpiece that gives the skipper a lot of sailing pleasure. Everything on board can be operated from the large 12-inch Garmin screen on the luxury leather-covered dashboard. Furthermore, the crew or owners have the ability to control all electronic switched equipment from a second device, such as your iPad or smartphone. All they have to do is log in to an app that can monitor your boat (You can even control it from home). When you’re within a radius of 20 meters from the Proton28, click the “on board” button, and the electronic main switches, radio, and onboard lighting will be activated.
Performance
“The Proton 28 has been designed with modern Mercury Diesel engines that produce little noise. Following sea trials, what struck us most is the peace on board: the modern diesel engine is remarkably quiet and the sloshing water sound is not present. The playfully designed exhausts are deepened in the swimming platform and there too a quiet flow of outgoing cooling water has been taken into account and therefore no spitting sound there either.” – Proton Yaching.
Minimalistic and spacious
The modern tender boat has the capacity to hold 8 guests, with plenty of space and choice of seats. Trimm design finished the proton 28 using the highest-quality materials to ensure the guests and owners felt maximum comfort. Anyone who steps on board is immediately struck by the ”minimalistic” finish of all parts. For example, Proton yachting engineers designed the Eco-deck to be sunk into the deck, so that no edges arise. Creating space was a key element in the design process, for which we mounted the windscreen to give the entire foredeck, and the entire ship, a luxurious look.
Interior
Owners will step inside their spacious cabin, where they’ll be fronted with a large double bed that can adapt to become a round seat for four people, with a table. As well as, a state-of-the-art lockable toilet room. To continue with the minimalistic and spacious design, the guest cabin is filled with natural light glistening through the windows in the hull, as well as the foredeck.
Difference
Both the Proton 28S and Proton 28L were extensively tested out on the water. The Proton 28L with the steering wheel in the back of the cockpit can be driven like a sloop. Whereas, in the Proton 28S steering wheel is located in the front of the ship. Therefore, you are more sheltered behind the windscreen which makes this luxury tender boat ideal for sailing on open water.
Conclusion
“We’re proud to say after multiple days of sailing, Proton Yachting has developed an innovative ship, the Proton 28. This luxury tender will appeal to a wide audience due to its striking finish. She’ll amaze even the real critical water sports enthusiast!
The first Proton 28L and 28S models are now ready, and ten more hulls of type 28 are currently under construction at the Frisian Proton shipyard. This gives an impressive picture; it is certainly worth looking so that you can experience for yourself how these modern Tenders are built.” – Proton Yachting
CrewPass Background Checks & Daily Operations Hub For Yacht Crew
In most industries, background checks and ID verification are becoming a standard requirement for employees, however, this hasn’t been the case for the Superyacht industry. That is until CrewPass decided to do something about it. But why? Because it’s so easy for things to go wrong on vessels, resulting in damaged reputations. This is why CrewPass background checks have helped hundreds of yacht captains, recruitment agencies, and owners across the globe place more crew onboard yachts with minimal risk.
Why are more and more vessels and crew investing in CrewPass background checks?
Firstly, did you know that 38% of people falsify their personal information to gain an advantage? Crew agency reference checking is not sufficient enough to understand an applicant’s life before stepping on board. Now imagine this – you apply for a crew vacancy on a Superyacht that accommodates 29 other crew members, only to learn that 11 of them have committed multiple criminal offenses, from burglary to arson or sexual assault. Unfortunately, this isn’t an uncommon scenario in the Superyacht industry.
To avoid this happening, a flux of vessels and their crew are now signing up to CrewPass for their background checks, criminal record checks, and ID verification checks. Once all safety checks have been passed, members receive a digital pass that shows they are CrewPass accredited. This not only avoids threats and issues onboard but also enhances a yachtie’s chance of employment by elevating his or her CV.
Ask yourself this – would you rather pay a small fee of £9.99 and join a vessel where everyone on board has been CrewPass accredited, or join a vessel where no employees on board have been vetted?
Why is CrewPass accreditation beneficial to Superyacht owners and charter guests?
Once an owner or charter guest steps aboard, they’re placing their trust in the hand of the Captain and Crew to ensure their safety and wellbeing. As well as this, crew are responsible for the security of their priceless assets, from artwork to belongings. It poses a massive safety risk to guests and owners by employing crew members that have not undergone background checks.
“As a Captain, I am responsible for extremely expensive assets; the guests and the yacht. Often crew will chaperone guests on excursions or activities, or be in control of some very expensive equipment. I need to be as confident as I can that in a competitive job market, I have got honest, genuine crew members, where what they state on their CV is truthful.”
The CrewPass Superyacht Crew management software for vessels – What is it?
CrewPass has created a free Superyacht crew management software to allow vessels and crew to keep track, and manage daily operations onboard through an app.The innovation of the CrewPass app has sparked a change in the industry. More Captains and vessels are now turning to the digital daily operation hub as a solution for storing important documents and information. This is in addition to managing various daily operations.
How does it work?
The App includes a variety of features within one software system to improve the daily operations on boards. The features include:
Digital in/outboards
Watch rotas to keep track of who’s on watch and what vessel position they’re working in
Encrypted chats
Sea and rest time hours are monitored through an automatic calendar.
Captains can access vital crew information including DOB, bio, CrewPass status, visa history, vaccination history, training certificates, email address, phone number, and more background information. The daily operations hub app automatically sends notifications and reminders to Captains and administrators when an important document is close to expiring. This helps prompt them to update it.
A wide selection of crew recruitment agencies worldwide, including Wilson Halligan, Dockendo, Viking Maritime Group, YPI, and Yacrew are now partnered with CrewPass after recognising the importance of background checks when onboarding crew members. All recruitment agencies need to do is include a simple website integration. This then creates an easy checking procedure. And the best thing of all… CrewPass is completely free for all agency accounts when you sign up here.
The status of a CrewPass member can then be tracked by employers using a search function. Through this, they can see whether that crew member is approved (passed the background checks), pending (waiting for results), or declined.
For more information on CrewPass, contact conrad@crewpass.co.uk, and if you haven’t already followed them on their socials, click here to do so.
Yachtdrop announce €2,500 Airbnb getaway competition for crew
Win yourself a €2,500 Airbnb getaway to celebrate the launch of the Yachtdrop Competition
Trust us when we say you’ll need this holiday getaway after the up-and-coming Med charter season! Yachtdrop drinks provisioning service is celebrating the launch of their new app through a Yachtdrop competition over their Instagram. Continue reading to find out how to enter.
*P.S. Share this post to your story for an additional competition entry.
“At Yachtdrop we have one purpose; to make your life easier when ordering drinks. It’s that simple. GOOD LUCK!” – Yachtdrop Founder, Christian Townrow
Winners will only be messaged by @yachtdrop. We won’t ask for payment details – please beware of scam accounts. Block & report any scam accounts trying to imitate us. T&Cs – Competition closes on 12/06/2022 at 23:59. The winner is picked on 13/06/2022. The prize will be provided as a credit for an Airbnb booking of your choice up to the value of €2,500. Booking must be made before 01/11/2022.
*This competition is not affiliated with Instagram or Airbnb. (ad)
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Understanding The Portuguese Golden Visa & The 90-day Rule
The Portuguese Golden Visa & the 90-day rule
Brexit has caused significant upheaval in the last couple of years; in particular, the 90-day rule and working authorisations in the Schengen area. As a result of this, there has been considerable interest in residency through investment or Golden Visa products in Europe. Many people, including yacht crew, have heard about this but do not fully understand how these products work.
The Portuguese Golden Visa
What is the Portuguese Golden Visa?
The Golden Visa is a state-sponsored program designed to attract investment to key areas of the economy which are beneficial to the national interest. One of the best of its kind is the Portuguese ARI or Golden Visa; with over 10,000 applications granted, it is one of the most efficient and flexible products in Europe. With investment in property or financial products, it allows the applicant to work toward permanent residence or dual nationality over five years.
What are the benefits?
Investment opportunities ranging from €280,000- €500,000 in property or private equity funds are the most sought after and provide some outstanding features when compared with other EU products of this type, in that:
You are required to only spend a minimum of 7 days per annum in Portugal.
To qualify, you do not have to be tax domiciled in the country, although there are some interesting tax options for passive or high-value income and those seeking a more beneficial tax structure.
You have freedom of movement within the Schengen area and are exempt from the 90-day rule much as would have applied pre-Brexit.
It is generally* accepted that the main applicant has the right to work anywhere in the Schengen
area.
You may include your spouse and immediate dependents on the application which can provide significant legacy benefits to your children.
You qualify for permanent residence or a dual passport at the end of the period. Also, you receive full working authorisations anywhere in Europe, only requiring a visit once every two years to maintain validity.
The return on your investment can be very favourable.
*There are many variables involved as each country’s requirements are not completely harmonised and for those looking to generate more certainty about their status, there are potentially other products that can be combined that will set up a commercial entity ie. through Madeira that in many cases will allow recognition of qualifications and access to EU healthcare at very low rates.
The autonomous region of Madeira is home to the MAR registry which for those involved in the charter industry has some extremely attractive options for owners and crew. For more details, please see contact details below.
How can it benefit yacht crew?
As an investment opportunity, it is a good option for yacht crew. Due to the low number of days per year applicants need to spend in Portugal, this pairs well with the globetrotting nature of being a yachtie. Being able to secure a strong investment and work towards dual-citizenship whilst continuing to work all over the world is hugely beneficial. Additionally, yacht crew can also find themselves in the fortunate position of accumulating a healthy savings balance. When looking into where best to invest this money, the Portuguese Golden Visa is certainly a strong option to consider.
If you would like to learn more about this please contact info@crewfo.com
*Disclaimer – The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general information purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or general information.
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U-Boat Worx Under Water Entertainment Platform Revealed
A leader in manned submersibles, U-Boat Worx has been supplying Superyachts with the popular U-Boat Worx Super Sub for some time now. However, they’re now excited to announce the launch of a completely new class of submarines, the U-Boat Worx Under Water Entertainment Platform – designed to host the most prestigious and memorable events on the planet.
Also, called the “UWEP” for short. This innovative submarine is a completely autonomous submersible with a capacity for up to 120 guests, excluding crew. Guests will experience diving to depths up to 200 meters in comfort and style. All whilst being free to walk around, just as they would aboard a cruise ship!
The operator can configure this new class of submarines which has 150 m2 (1,600 ft2) of floor space. Its features will include an underwater restaurant, with 64 seats, a subsea gym, or a deep-sea casino. As a multi-purpose venue, the UWEP is suitably prepared to host product presentations, parties, weddings, conferences, or any other stage-based performance, in the most unique setting imaginable.
On board, you’ll find fourteen windows connecting the guests directly to the fascinating underwater world. Additionally, there is a series of exterior lights to illuminate the surroundings and add an extra dimension; whether it be for night-time diving or deep-sea dining experiences.
The UBoat-Worx Under Water Entertainment Platform runs solely on batteries and can operate non-stop for 24 hours. For the convenience of the guests, the air-conditioned UWEP is fully pressurised, so there is no need for decompression. As well as, luxury washrooms and a submersible galley for dining on board.
Between cruises, the UWEP can be recharged and reprovisioned in a port or floating dock. During this time, guests can comfortably board the submarine via its two grand access hatches.
The Founder and CEO of U-Boat Worx, Bert Houtman adds:
“The UWEP will shake up both the submarine and hospitality industry and lead the way in bespoke underwater events. We will not only present a stellar experience for the most discerning clientele but also a business opportunity that will benefit entrepreneurs and contribute to our understanding of the oceans.“
Roy Heijdra, Marketing Manager for U-Boat Worx adds:
“Our goal as a company has always been to make the oceans more accessible for everyone. With the launch of our UWEP we can truly say that U-Boat Worx provides ‘your gateway to discovery’.
The UWEP sundeck:
The U-Boat worx under water entertainment platform features a sundeck with over 85 m2 of deck space. It’s complete with safety railings for guests to relax and watch the sunset after an exhilarating dive.
Note – U-Boat Worx is currently reviewing opportunities with pioneering entrepreneurs and leading hospitality groups to select the most suitable locations.
Conrad Empson started a career in yachting many years ago, and since then has had a starring role on Below Deck and has now launched his own business – CrewPass, an innovative Superyacht crew management software. We recently sat down with Conrad to find out more about how he went from Below Deck to CEO of Crew Pass.
Photo by: Zev Schmitz/Bravo
What is your current job role and where are you based?
My current job role is Managing Director of CrewPass and we are based in Southampton – An easy one!
Before starting your career in yachting, what did you do, and did you always know you wanted to work on Superyachts? If not, what made you choose a career path in yachting?
Before I’d heard about working on Superyachts, I had never even considered it. I was in dead-end jobs, just trying to make my way and figure out what I was meant to do. Working on a yacht was mentioned to me by a family member, so I did a bit of research, did my courses and jumped on a plane. There’s green crew, and then there was me. I knew absolutely nothing. Luckily, I met a first officer who gave me a chance and taught me everything. I owe where I am now to this guy.
How long had you been working on Superyachts before starring on Below Deck?
I was working on boats for 4 years before I did Below Deck.
How did you find the exposure that came with the show? Do you believe it’s played a part in where you are in today?
I went on Below Deck with the intention of showing how yachting should be done. It wasn’t about the exposure or the money, but there was also a sense of wanting to do it for the adventure. At the end of it all, and looking back on it now, it was an incredible experience. I wouldn’t advise the crew who are looking to continue their career as crew to do it, but for the position I am now in, it’s the best conversation starter you’ll ever get. If I were to give any advice to anyone looking to do it, I would suggest thinking before you speak, they will use anything, and it’ll stick with you…
What year did you leave the industry, When did you know it was time to leave yachting and did you have an exit plan?
I left yachting in 2019, and I had no exit plan; I just knew my days of sharing a cabin were over, and I just wanted the normal life of being able to go home every night. The term ‘golden handcuffs’ is so relevant. We are fortunate to earn so much money in yachting that trying to find a job that pays to sustain that life after it is few and far between. You will have to exit knowing you will generally lose that and need to build your life once more.
Tell us a bit more about CrewPass, and how the concept came to be:
During my time working on yachts, I was never background checked to see if I had a criminal record. We have all worked with some odd people that have clearly escaped a life they lived back home. We are asked to sleep next to these people with no proper vetting of who they are. I’m not telling people to accuse their cabin mates, but we’ve all heard some horror stories, and some could’ve been prevented with basic checks. CrewPass was created to provide a safety standard within the industry.
CrewPass is a fairly new business that’s rapidly growing in the Superyacht industry, but what’s it like to now run your company, and has it been a difficult ride so far?
It’s been incredible! We’ve been up and running for a little over 4 months, and the reception from everyone has been overwhelming. It is no secret that the yachting industry is extremely exclusive and stuck in its ways, so trying to introduce something new was my initial worry. However, as we gained brand awareness, we started to build trust from industry professionals. We now have many crew recruitment agencies and vessels who have welcomed CrewPass one way or another. Plus, we now have one of the biggest agencies in the industry adopting our background checks in their employment process!
What 3 key bits of advice would you give yacht crew wondering what to do with their life after yachting?
Always have an end goal but focus and celebrate every little win until you reach that goal.
Be prepared to start from the bottom again.
Get used to paying taxes again.
Where do you see CrewPass in 5 years?
CrewPass‘s overall aim is to become part of the standard process for marine employment. This means our background checks will be a common practice by agencies, vessels and crew members. Hopefully, CrewPass will be widely adopted on a global scale! Of course, we strive for CrewPass to be a scalable business with a significant number of sales. However, one of our main milestones is to gain authority in the yachting industry whilst continuing to build long-lasting bonds with other established companies and individuals! We are continuously expanding our services and developing to stay relevant and meet the needs of our customers.
Our customers are very important to us! So, in 5 years, we would love to celebrate having repeat customers, and we hope to build strong customer loyalty/brand affinity!
Finally, as CrewPass grows, we hope to expand our team! In 5 years we anticipate hiring and training a more extensive, substantial team.
