Superyachts are the ultimate symbols of luxury and extravagance. These stunning vessels are often owned by the world’s wealthiest individuals and are equipped with all the latest technology, amenities, and safety features. One of the essential safety features of a superyacht is the fender system. Fenders are designed to protect the yacht’s hull from damage caused by collisions with piers, other boats, or any other solid objects in the water. In this blog, we’ll focus on superyacht fenders and fender covers, their types, and their importance.

Types of Superyacht Fenders:

1. Inflatable Fenders: Inflatable fenders are the most popular type of fenders used on superyachts. They are made of high-quality, heavy-duty PVC and can be inflated with air or gas to provide the required amount of cushioning.
2. Foam Fenders: Foam fenders are made of high-density foam and are very durable. They are designed to absorb shock and impact and provide excellent protection for the yacht’s hull.
3. Pneumatic Fenders: Pneumatic fenders are made of rubber and have a high-pressure air chamber inside them. They provide excellent protection against impacts and are used for heavy-duty applications.

Types of Superyacht Fender Covers:

1. Neoprene Fender Covers: Neoprene fender covers are the most common type of fender cover used on superyachts. They are made of high-quality, waterproof neoprene and are available in a range of colors.
2. Polyester Fender Covers: Polyester fender covers are another popular option. They are made of durable polyester fabric and are available in a range of colors.
3. Leather Fender Covers: Leather fender covers are the ultimate in luxury. They are made of high-quality leather and are available in a range of colors and finishes.

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Importance of Superyacht Fender Covers:

Fender covers are an essential part of any superyacht fender system. They protect the fenders from damage caused by UV rays, abrasion, and other environmental factors. Fender covers also help to reduce noise and prevent fenders from marking the yacht’s hull. Here are four benefits of using fender covers:

1. Protection from UV rays: Fender covers protect the fenders from the harmful effects of UV rays, which can cause the fenders to deteriorate over time.
2. Protection from abrasion: Fender covers protect the fenders from abrasion caused by rubbing against piers, docks, and other boats.
3. Noise reduction: Fender covers help to reduce noise caused by the fenders rubbing against the yacht’s hull.
4. Aesthetics: Fender covers are available in a range of colours and materials and can be customised to match the yacht’s aesthetics.

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Where to buy Superyacht Fenders and Fender covers?

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Conclusion:

Superyacht fenders and fender covers are essential safety features that help to protect the yacht’s hull from damage caused by collisions and impacts. When purchasing, captains should consider the size and weight of their yacht, as well as their specific needs and preferences. It’s important to choose high-quality, durable products that will provide adequate protection for the yacht’s hull and last for many years. Additionally, captains should ensure that their fender system and covers are properly installed and maintained to ensure their effectiveness in protecting the vessel for as long as possible.

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For the latest Superyacht Content crew mess blogs, click here.

The start-up Floatist, founded in February 2022, took team building to the next level with their recent offsite trip. 

Offsites help deepen connections that lead to more inspired work and, ultimately, a stronger company culture. With remote working the new normal and with a team distributed across the world, Floatist recently took advantage of the founders’ sailing experience to host an offsite on a charter yacht in Croatia. 

Ahead of their busy summer season, the 5-day charter boosted team morale and also helped the non-sailors gain a better and deeper understanding of the business, the industry problem they’re solving, and the needs of their users.

Floatist: A solution for the yacht charter market 

Floatist is a SaaS company disrupting the yacht charter industry. They are solving the operational challenges that fleet operators and yacht charter companies face, in turn creating a better and more streamlined customer experience and organising back office operations. 

The Floatist app provides a platform for clients and companies to use self-check-in and check-out, a tool for scheduling and tracking boat maintenance, and is integrated with various popular booking systems. From the beginning to the end of the guest’s chartering process, Floatist is on hand to support through its one-stop-shop support function. Although launched with their first customers less than a year ago, the startup already has 200 boats using the platform and is preparing for a very busy summer season ahead with plenty of new customers to support. 

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More SYC Articles: Lithium-Ion Batteries, Too Hot To Handle?

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Team building at Floatist

Building a startup is tough and life can often feel like all work and no play. Creating a good and cohesive company culture and a sense of community is vital to success. Particularly for remote teams, where milestones (e.g. product launches, securing partnerships, hitting sales targets) are achieved remotely, regular team-building activities are an essential investment. Recognising this and despite being a relatively new company, the Floatist founders decided to invest in an offsite and put the wellbeing of their remote team at the top of their agenda. 

But for Floatist, this trip was not just about building a team culture – it was also pivotal in showing the app developers exactly how the platform works in a real-time situation. The developers – some of whom had no sailing background – were able to experience what a yacht charter entails, and they were able to better understand the clear pain points that Floatist is answering. By actively using the app for the entire trip, they now better understand how well it works and where it can be improved – invaluable insights for future product and feature developments.

Floatist’s co-founder Cindy Allis wanted something different from the usual tried and tested offsite activities. Prior to launching Floatist, Cindy regularly worked as a skipper on charter yachts, and so she understood how a week onboard – exploring, living, sailing and eating together – has the power to unite people like almost nothing else. She decided that taking her team on a charter would be the perfect bonding activity and chose Croatia as one of Floatists’ biggest markets, where a significant portion of their clients are based.  

Supported by their strong relationship with Navigare, a renowned yacht charter operator, Floatist was able to secure a five-day rental of a Lagoon 50 based out of Split. The entire team stepped aboard the catamaran with an itinerary covering the popular Croatian sailing hotspots of Split, Hvar, Trogir and Milna. 

”Working remotely has many pros – however one of its challenges is the natural proximity you create when working in the same office space as your colleagues. Being able to share a yacht charter experience with the team was truly a relationship accelerator. If you’ve ever been on one you will know how intense and bonding it can be – in the best way possible. From meal preferences, breathtaking views, to swimming skills, everything becomes a conversation starter and an ice breaker. I could not recommend a team building event on a yacht more.” – Rebecca Florissi, Floatist Customer Success and Ops

Floatist’s future 

The opportunity to use the product first-hand throughout the offsite trip helped to cement the teams’ vision and conviction that Floatist is truly revolutionising the yacht charter market through their technology. The team found the chartering process simple and quick from start to finish, and returned to their daily lives full of motivation and inspiration to continue building their product and answering the needs of their users.

“I believe that to be successful in the startup world, a team needs to understand and believe in the founders’ vision. Until now, the Floatist development team had little to no experience in chartering, and all of their industry knowledge came from Rebecca or me. The whole team now truly understands the problem statement we are solving, and they have experienced how our product adds value for our customers and their clients. Our sailing trip enabling this – whilst also being a great team building opportunity at the same time – made this an invaluable week.” – Cindy Allis, Floatist Co-Founder.

In a startup environment, both time and money are precious – and sometimes, founders can be tempted to focus on activities that deliver more immediate value. Whilst an offsite may not bring instant revenue, it develops a team’s productivity and builds a stronger company culture, which will pay off in the long term. 

The app is playing a considerable role in the much-needed digitisation of the industry by offering solutions to improve internal communication between the client and charter company, providing support to clients through the app, keeping track of maintenance and providing data to analyse trends. 

The future looks bright for Floatist as they continue to offer additional features through their app. The forthcoming months will see a few exciting features such as ultra-fast check-in, enabling clients to sign the contract and pay the deposit while still at home and the ability to order additional services via the app, such as water toys or even a grocery delivery service ready for when you step aboard. For the charter company, new features will be released imminently, such as inventory management. 

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Ever wondered what it’s like to do an Atlantic Crossing as a crew member onboard a Superyacht? How does your frame of mind alter after your fifth, or even tenth day at sea, with only miles and miles of ocean surrounding you? Ever questioned what a typical day at sea looks like for each department? Or how to keep yourself busy and sane for 12 whole days in the middle of the ocean?

In this Transatlantic travel diary, Yacht Stewardess Alessia Oricchio gives us an insight into the experience of crossing from Antigua to Gibraltar as an interior crew member. Let’s see how she stayed busy and how she dealt with some tumultuous weather and early morning watches along the way…

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 9

• 1 Celery Stalk
• Handful of frozen mango
• Handful of frozen spinach
• Pure coconut water
• 1 teaspoon of matcha
• 1 scoop of collagen ( I use ARMRA Colostrum)
• Lime Juice
• Chia seeds

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

If you are an interior crew member based in the Mediterranean and are looking to brush up on your skills, taking a short course at one of these schools might be the answer. There are so many areas of interior that require experience to master, and learning from those with more time in the industry than you is always a great way to perfect your skills, but that might not always be possible when you are onboard an active yacht. This is where interior training courses come in.

From Floristry and service training to Cigar workshops, there are a plethora of courses that will enrich your CV and help you to stand out from an ocean of candidates when applying for a job onboard a superyacht. Here is our roundup of some of the best interior training schools in the Med and the courses that they offer…

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VIP Service School – Palma De Mallorca

VIP Service School has the GUEST training program as its foundation for all courses. The GUEST Program is the 7 star standard of training required as the minimum level for those working in the interior department of a Super Yacht.

The school offers bespoke workshops and specialist courses such as Advanced Professional Silver Service, Purser Training and even Art Management For Yachts, Estates And Private Residences. Their Workshops include Floristry, Table Decoration and Latte Art.

Based in the centre of the popular yachting hub of Palma, close to the ports of Club De Mar and STP, VIP Service School has an excellent reputation, particularly for their WSET Level 1 Wine course, taught by Helen Brotherton of Fine Wine Works.

You can find a full list of their courses here.

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Barcelona Crew Academy – Marina Port Vell

Based in Marina Port Vell, Barcelona, Barcelona Crew Academy offers some excellent interior courses to stewardesses. The school also follows the G.U.E.S.T. Program and is IAMI credited (International Association of Maritime Institutions). Amongst the packages offered are Junior Stewardess Guest 1, Senior Stewardess Guest 2 and Chief Stewardess Guest 3.

The school also offers to arrange local accommodation, with a discount for students. To discover more visit their website.

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Seascope France – Antibes

Seascope France, an Antibes-based yacht crew training school, offers a range of STCW, RYA and yacht interior courses including a GUEST/IAMI approved Yacht Steward/ess introductory course. The latter covers all the basics that ‘greenies’ are expected to know when applying for their first interior job: basic housekeeping and laundry, wine and mixology, food, and beverage services.

The highlight of Seascope’s course is that a lot of the training is practical and some is carried out directly onboard, including a live lunch on the last day of the course. Topped with the classroom module of the Introduction to Yachting and Yachting Life, such course arrangements not only give students hands-on experience in the yacht interior department, but also boost their confidence as junior stews.

Company Director Sophie Sevier stated:

“Our school’s training course is unique in that the students get the opportunity to do some of the practical training onboard a Superyacht, including a live lunch where the students are required to welcome guests onboard and serve beverages and food, practicing the skills they acquired during the week”.

To see their full range of interior courses and other yachting courses, visit the Seascope website.

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KDW Training – Antibes

Set up by ex-Chief Stewardess Kim Woodey, KDW offer their courses online, ashore and onboard. Shoreside courses include Food Hygiene Level 2, Advanced Service Training, Chief Stewardess/Senior Stewardess course and Yacht Administration amongst others. All courses are IAMI and G.U.E.S.T credited, though KDW also offer workshops on Flower Arranging and Table Decoration.

Woodey states that:

“There is something incredibly rewarding about helping my students grow and find their confidence. Creating the opportunity for them to fine-tune their skills and seeing them realise that they are able to do so much more than they thought they initially could. It’s these lightbulb moments that form part of the best reason for doing what I love on a daily basis.”

Take a look at their full range of courses and workshops here.

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For more Superyacht Content Interior articles click here.

Keen to bolster your skills in floral design? Fabulous Fusion founder Shannon Jayd and recruitment agency Saltwater Recruitment present their ‘Bubbles & Blooms’ workshop. This one-time workshop was designed to encourage Chief Stews and aspiring Chief Stews to burst out of their comfort zone and expand their skill set with floral design and table arranging, and to enjoy some networking and wine tasting too!

One of your main responsibilities as a crew member is to cultivate an enjoyable experience for your guests. To impress them, you might have to get creative and show off your presentation skills from time to time. A beautiful flower or table arrangement can really wow your guests and is sure to make a lasting impact. Interior work onboard is all about having a keen eye for aesthetics, and these are skills you can use again and again.

If you’re currently in Antibes and are looking for inspiration for your next onboard designs, why not sign up for the Bubbles & Blooms workshop on Monday 15th May? Continue reading below for all of the details…

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“Expand Your Creative Experience Within Yachting”

Workshop leader Shannon Jayd explains:

“The intention of the workshop is to encourage senior stews to expand their creative experience within yachting (as we never stop learning, right?) and knock the socks off their guests with some jaw dropping flower arrangements this season.”

You’ll be working with industry favourite Maud Creation Florals supplying the flowers. The Cabin Shop is the decor sponsor (you’ll get the place mats, napkins, napkin rings, and the like from them).

Once the workshop is over, you’ll take home an all-you-need-to-know guide, your very own arrangement, and photos of what you can create onboard. This will all look fantastic on your CV. A bit of artistic flair never goes unnoticed.

Wondering where the bubbles come in? There’ll be some bubble tasting (hosted by Onshore Cellars) to sweeten the experience too!

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Check out the pre-registration interest form for Bubbles & Blooms to sign up. Click here for access.

There are limited spaces for this special one-time event. Only 10 passionate Chief/Stews/Senior Stews will be selected!

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To read more about the art of flower arranging, click here.

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One of your primary responsibilities as a Superyacht stewardess/steward is to create an exceptional guest experience. One way to impress guests is through beautiful and captivating flower arrangements. A stunning flower arrangement can transform any interior space into a welcoming and luxurious environment. However, creating a visually appealing display requires a bit of skill and knowledge of the art of flower arranging, also known as ‘Ikebana’. In this article we explore some tips and tricks to creating unforgettable displays. We also spoke to Create With Claus to learn about his method and tips for stewardesses who want to flourish in floristry.

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The 9 principles of flower arranging

Selecting the right blooms

Before you start flower arranging, it’s essential to choose the right blooms. Selecting the right blooms will make the difference between a beautiful and lackluster arrangement. You should consider the color, texture, and size of the flowers to create a cohesive and visually appealing display. It’s also crucial to choose blooms that are in season and appropriate for the environment. For example, if your yacht is cruising in the tropics, you might consider using bright, tropical blooms like hibiscus or bougainvillea. Alternatively, if you’re sailing in a cooler climate, you might choose flowers that are more subdued in color and texture, like roses or hydrangeas.

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Choosing the right vase or container

The next step is to choose the right vase or container. The vase or container should complement the flowers and the interior decor of the yacht. You can choose from a variety of containers, including glass vases, ceramic pots, or metal containers. It’s essential to choose a vase or container that is the appropriate size for the flowers you’ve selected. If the vase or container is too small, the flowers will be crowded, and if it’s too large, the flowers will look sparse and out of place.

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Creating a visually appealing display

Once you’ve chosen the blooms and the vase or container, it’s time to start arranging the flowers. There are several techniques that you can use to create a visually appealing display, including:

1. The Rule of Three: This is a simple technique that involves arranging flowers in groups of three. This technique creates a balanced and visually appealing display.
2. The Dome Shape: This technique involves arranging flowers in a dome shape, with the largest blooms in the center and smaller blooms around the edges.
3. The Line Technique: This technique involves arranging flowers in a straight line. This technique works well for long tables or narrow spaces.
4. The Cluster Technique: This technique involves grouping flowers of the same type together in clusters. This technique creates a cohesive and visually appealing display.

It’s also essential to consider the height of the flowers when arranging them. Taller flowers should be placed towards the center of the arrangement, and shorter flowers should be placed towards the edges.

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“Creating beautiful and captivating flower arrangements is an essential skill for Superyacht stewardesses”

Claus has spent a number of years onboard Superyachts and has created many a floral display in his time. Claus believes that your passion should drive what you do, and states that teaching others is a fulfilling part of his job:

“A simple guy who was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan, I have a passion for the yachting industry, and have spent the past 7 years on 6 high profile superyachts, as well as on a large cruise ship. I graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Food & Beverage Management, along with gaining 7 years experience in 5- star hotels, focusing on fine dining and mixology. I am always happy to share my knowledge among team members, helping junior crew to improve.

I’m a really calm person and have a lot of patience for every challenge, enjoy every moment of working and love learning about different cultures. In conclusion, creating beautiful and captivating flower arrangements is an essential skill for Superyacht stewardesses. By selecting the right blooms, choosing the right vase or container, and using the appropriate arrangement techniques, you can create a visually appealing display that will delight your guests. With a bit of practice and creativity, you can transform any interior space into a luxurious and welcoming environment”

Q&A With Claus

1. Are there any essential flower-arranging tools and materials that you use when creating superyacht centrepieces?

I always take my own tools with me everywhere. The tool kit includes flower scissors, different sizes of pin frogs and hair pins. Some items you must have onboard are chicken wire, cable ties, tape, wires, tubes, sticks and different colours of spray paint.

2. How do you decide on the appropriate flower arrangement for a specific event or occasion on a superyacht?

I always do research on any kind of event element and check the guests preferences. I consider these in order to make a plan and decide how it is going to be presented on the boat. Also, I make a list of any item I need to order or make it in advance. In the
beginning, this process took me a lot of time to check Google and Pinterest, but once I got used to it, it became easier and easier.

3. What are some of the most popular flower types used for centrepieces?

My personal opinion you can never go wrong with seasonal flowers. There are certain flowers I order every time, such as Roses, Hydrangeas, Carnations, and Anthuriums. My favorite flowers in Spring and Summer are Tulips and Alliuns, and for Fall and Winter are Dahlias and Ranunculus.

4. Walk us through the step-by-step process of creating a flower arrangement for a centre table

I would say use your imagination first, think about what you are going to set up for the table, then start to do some research for your ideal design on the table, then we can start to make the centerpiece happen. For example, The Great Gatsby colours are gold, white, black and silver. For myself, I would use gold spray paint on flowers the day before.

5. How do you ensure that the flower arrangements stay fresh and last longer?

I change the water and put in flower food every 3 days to maintain flowers.

6. How do you incorporate the yachts interior design and theme into your flower arrangements and table pieces?

Interior design should always be checked, and then the preference of the guests, before I order the flowers and look around at the colours in the interior areas. Then, I can play around with the flowers. For the theme table, I have my own system for which theme colours should be used. For example, if I think about Capri, what colors come to mind are yellow, blue, and green. Then, I will choose those to put on the table.

7. Can you share some unique and creative flower arrangement ideas and centrepieces that you’ve done on board in the past?

I have made some very creative designs, for instance, one table I made a beautiful flower garden growing from a floating water can, a flower cloud theme table and a floating lemon tree when I was in Capri.

8. What are some tips for other interior crew who want to improve their flower arranging skills and create more impressive centrepieces?

I would say find your favorite Instagram account to follow, see more, and think how it will happen. As I said before, in the beginning, I really spent a lot of time on Google, Instagram and Pinterest the day before, then imitated it to set up on the table. After that, you will have your own style. You also need to look at a lot of designs, then, all the creative ideas will come from your sense of style and imagination.

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Saltlick Fitness has been appointed as Gym Marine’s crew wellbeing partner. In this exciting new partnership, Saltlick Fitness will offer its well-known, tried, and tested crew fitness programs to any yacht or crew collaborating with Gym Marine on a new gym or equipment installation, as well as those with existing Gym Marine-designed facilities and equipment.

Founded by ex-crew, both Gym Marine and Saltlick Fitness seamlessly bring their years of experience working in health and fitness environments aboard Superyachts to the industry. The two companies share a depth of understanding on how crucial it is for yacht crew to prioritise their fitness when onboard, and the difficulties of finding time to focus on their wellbeing.

Ed Thomas, Managing Director of Gym Marine comments:

“It is impossible for anyone who hasn’t worked at sea to understand just how challenging it can be to maintain a healthy physical routine during a busy season. This partnership between Gym Marine’s experienced team of gym designers and Saltlick’s crew fitness experts is the closest thing to a perfect match for yachts looking to invest in reducing turnover and improving crew wellbeing.”

Tom Jones, Co-Founder of Saltlick Fitness echoes this by stating:

“Saltlick are very excited to be given the opportunity to be partnered with the superyacht industry’s leading gym designers, Gym Marine. Understanding the need for crew to keep fit and healthy has always been at the forefront of Saltlick’s thoughts, and with Gym marine now in our corner yacht crew physical training can become something that everyone can get involved in!” – Tom Jones, Co-Founder of Saltlick Fitness.

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About Saltlick Fitness

Saltlick Fitness was founded by Tom Jones and Christie Surveson, two personal trainers currently working in the superyacht industry. To ensure people reach their goals, the company offers both vessel-specific group programs as well as customised individual programs and online coaching.

An important objective of the company is to help those in the yachting industry maintain a healthy mind and body. With constant time zone changes, long hours, minimal down time, and limited space and equipment, maintaining a work/wellness ratio in yachting can be quite challenging.

A members of the yachting community themselves, the Saltlick team understands these factors and wishes to educate and inform fellow crew members about how to maintain a healthy, well-balanced life on board, while simultaneously recognising the importance of mental and physical well-being.

 

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A Superyacht turnaround refers to the process of preparing a yacht for its next voyage, which involves cleaning, restocking, and performing routine maintenance tasks. As ex-yachties ourselves, we’ve put our heads together and brainstormed our top five key superyacht turnaround tips and hacks for crew.

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1. Plan Ahead

Tip – Superyacht turnaround involves a lot of tasks that need to be completed within a limited timeframe. Therefore, it is important to plan ahead and create a detailed checklist of all the tasks that need to be completed. This will help ensure that nothing is overlooked, and everything is done efficiently.

Hack – Use a digital tool, such as a task management app, to create a detailed checklist and assign tasks to team members, ensuring everyone is aware of their responsibilities and deadlines. Or, use templates for commonly repeated tasks, such as deep cleaning cabins, to save time and ensure consistency.

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2. Communicate With Your Team

Tip – A skilled team is essential for a successful superyacht turnaround and communication is key. A good team will be the difference between a quick and high standard turnaround, or a poor and disorganised turnaround.

Hack – Communicate to each team member what their turnaround job roles will be be, clearly outlining expectations and responsibilities, to ensure that everyone is aware of their duties and can focus on their assigned tasks.

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3. Use Cleaning Companies To Assist

Tip – Cleaning is obviously an essential part of the superyacht turnaround process, but its not always what you will have time to prioritise, especially with smaller teams. Consider using a cleaning company that can come onboard for one or two days to assist with the turnaround, that way you’ll have a dedicated team for cleaning whilst you carry out other tasks such as admin or shopping for provisions. It’s also worth considering sending any laundry ashore for a super-quick turnover on guest sheets, they will return ironed and ready to go!

Hack –  If you don’t have access to a cleaning company, create a cleaning schedule, breaking down the cleaning tasks into manageable chunks that can be completed in smaller timeframes. Similar to the planning ahead hack, use a team-based approach, assigning specific cleaning tasks to each member to ensure that the entire yacht is cleaned efficiently.

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4. Stock Up On Supplies

Tip – During the Superyacht turnarounds processes, it is important to restock all necessary supplies, including food, drinks, and other provisions. The last thing you want it to run out of stock for the next guests trip!

Hack – Create a detailed inventory list of all the supplies and equipment needed, including the quantity and location of each item, to streamline the restocking process, as well as create a master list of suppliers and vendors to use as a reference for future turnaround processes, streamlining the ordering and restocking process.

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5. Perform Routine Maintenance

Tip – Routine maintenance tasks are important for keeping the Superyacht in good condition. During the turnaround process, it is vital that the crew perform routine maintenance tasks, such as engine checks, electrical inspections, and other repairs. This will help ensure that the yacht is safe and ready for its next voyage.

Hack – Schedule routine maintenance tasks at regular intervals throughout the year, avoiding a backlog of maintenance tasks during the turnaround process. Then, create a maintenance log, documenting all completed maintenance tasks, including the date, time, and the person responsible for completing the task, to ensure that all maintenance is tracked and up-to-date.

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STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) basic training

An STCW Basic Safety Training course is the legal minimum requirement for anyone looking to work aboard a 24m+ yacht. To obtain an STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Basic Safety Training (BST) certificate, you will need to complete the required courses at a training center that is approved by your countries’ maritime administration or an authorised organisation.

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What’s included in an STCW Basic Training Course?

The basic Safety Training course is typically composed of five modules: Personal Survival Techniques (PST), Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF), Elementary First Aid (EFA), and Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR) and Proficiency in Security Awareness (PSA). The course may be completed as a single program or as individual modules, depending on the training centre.

Other elements of an STCW course include:

• Understand life-saving appliances and control plans onboard
• Demonstrating an ability to assist passengers en route
• Understand mustering procedures

To enroll in the course, you may need to meet certain requirements, such as being at least 18 years of age and in good health. You may also need to provide proof of identity and nationality, as well as any other documents required by your country’s maritime administration or the training centre.

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READ MORE: Superyacht Crew – Sustainability and STCW for Engineers

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Before you’re issued a certificate, students are required to take a continual practical assessment with theory based examinations. Once you have completed the required modules and passed the assessments, you will be issued an STCW Basic Safety Training certificate, which is valid for five years. You may then be eligible to work on certain types of vessels or in certain positions that require STCW certification.

It’s important to note that the specific requirements and procedures for obtaining an STCW Basic Safety Training certificate may vary by country and by training centre, so it’s best to check with your local maritime administration or an authorised training centre for more information.

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For the latest Superyacht Content career and training blogs, click here.

If you’re in the yachting industry, you’ll know that non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are commonplace to protect the privacy and confidentiality of yacht owners and guests. Superyacht crew members are often required to sign NDAs as a condition of their employment on a boat. This typically prohibits crew from disclosing confidential information about the yacht, its owners, and guests, including details about the yacht’s operations, locations, and onboard activities.

However, over the past few years, it’s come to light that NDAs can have a significant impact on superyacht crew career opportunities. You may be thinking “how?”, read on to understand.

Career opportunities

While NDAs are intended to protect the yacht owner’s privacy and confidentiality, they can also limit a yachties ability to discuss their work experiences and accomplishments with potential future employers. For example, if a crew member signs an NDA that prohibits them from discussing their work history on a particular yacht, they may not be able to include that experience on their resume or discuss it during a job interview. Therefore they have no proof of an excellent work history.

Networking and build relationships

Many crew have also commented on the fact that to some extent, NDAs can limit the ability to network and build relationships within the yachting industry. Some may argue against this, but imagine that you are a less experienced crew member and you meet someone at a social event who you; 1. get along with and 2. is interested in hiring you for a future job. They then ask you about your work, experience and so forth which legally, you’re not able to discuss due to an NDA. Although this is the nature of the industry and most will understand, there will always be the odd one that won’t.

Workplace issues and safety concerns

Before moving onto advice surrounding Superyacht Crew NDAs, we have one more issue to touch on – workplace issues and safety concerns. One of the main concerns is that NDAs can prevent crew members from reporting workplace issues or safety concerns. If a crew member witnesses or experiences something that they believe is unsafe or unethical, they may be hesitant to report it if they are bound by an NDA. Ultimately creating a dangerous situation where safety issues are not addressed or resolved, and crew members may feel that they are unable to speak up about concerns that could impact their safety or the safety of others onboard.

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We got in touch with Molly England, former crew member and current director of Seven Seas Recruitment to discuss what crew should consider before signing an NDA:

 

‘”NDAs are legal contracts that prohibit employees (crew) from disclosing confidential information about their employer(s). In the superyacht industry, where privacy is of utmost importance to some Owners and their programs, NDAs are particularly important.

As a recruitment company, we believe that all superyacht crew should consider the following points before signing an NDA;

– Understand your NDA’s scope. Before signing an NDA, it’s essential to understand what information is covered by the agreement and the consequences of violating it. Carefully read through the agreement and ask questions if anything is unclear.

– Weigh up the potential consequences of violating your NDA. NDAs typically come with severe consequences for violating the agreement, including termination of employment and legal action against you, so it’s important to weigh these potential consequences against the benefits of the job.

– Consider the impact on your personal life. NDAs may limit your ability to share certain information with your friends and family, which can impact your personal life and relationships. Consider whether the restrictions are reasonable and whether you’re comfortable with them.

– Our last and most important point is to seek legal advice if ever you have any doubts or concerns about your NDA or its potential impact on your career. A lawyer can review the agreement and provide guidence on whether it’s in your best interest to sign.”

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For the latest Superyacht Content career and training blogs, click here. 

Captain Luke Hammond is back with his monthly blog, this time delving into the topic of community, the importance of diversity and inclusion and the nature of making relationships within the yachting industry. Read on to hear his thoughts…

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Relationships Forged At Sea

Yachting is a special niche that has expanded rapidly since its inception. It’s an extravagant, glamorous, and adventurous world filled with more crazy stories than you can poke a stick at. 

At its core, one would assume that yachting culture is based on relationships and a feeling of community that unites people, (despite all the flash and glamour).

Many may imagine a true sense of belonging among yachting peers that work countless hours alongside each other, and share tales that can’t, and really shouldn’t, be repeated due to multi-page NDAs that would make even the best lawyers on earth twist their face.

Hailing from all walks of life and all corners of this amazing planet, we build enduring relationships forged over our time at sea. It’s these very connections that have developed into lasting friendships and also offer a vital support network in a society that is frequently chaotic and fast-paced.  

In such an environment, there is always something to learn and it’s only in this very global but very small network, where crew can discuss best practices, and exchange knowledge at events and through networking possibilities. Information sharing can advance the sector’s sustainability, effectiveness, and safety.  If we don’t, history reminds us with that common slap in the face that we need to share our wisdom, not take it for granted.

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Read More Captain Luke: Understanding Misconduct On Your Vessel

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A Fiercely Competitive Industry

But, there are drawbacks to our yachting community as well.

The potential for cliques and exclusion is one of the key disadvantages. The yachting industry is based on exclusivity, which might make some groups feel excluded. Making sure that everyone in the community feels included and welcomed is crucial.

On more than one occasion we have all felt the cold shoulder from a neighbouring boat.  Maybe our yacht was too small, too dirty, or maybe just the wrong build?

There is also the potential for rivalry and conflict. Yachting is a fiercely competitive industry, which may cause conflicts between various parties based on positions onboard or on other vessels. While fostering healthy competition, it’s crucial to preserve a sense of community and cooperation.  We all forget that whilst one door closes, another opens.  In my instance, for me turning a job down, opened up two jobs for friends of mine (which I found out after the fact).

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Encourage Diversity And Inclusion

So, how can we foster better relationships across all the sectors that provide for the Superyacht industry?

Focusing on expanding networking and collaboration possibilities is one strategy. Events like yacht shows, business conferences, and meet-ups or dock-parties can help with this. These gatherings offer a venue for interaction and idea sharing, and they can aid in the dismantling of barriers between various groups.  There is no better social lubricant than a frosted adult beverage shared by friends.

Promoting openness and transparency is another strategy. It’s critical to ensure that everyone gets access to the same information in a society where knowledge is power. We can foster trust and a more inclusive community by encouraging open communication and openness.

Thirdly, we may endeavour to encourage inclusion and diversity in the sector. White, male, and affluent people have always controlled the yachting business. Whilst I don’t see that demographic changing that quickly, we can build a more friendly and accepting neighbourhood that mirrors the larger world around us by encouraging diversity and inclusion.

Even during my short two decades at sea, I’ve seen countless numbers of people leave to continue on with their lives ashore.  The one comment that always comes up, how much they loved their time in Yachting.

The exclusions we create serve no one.  Community encourages collaboration, information sharing, and a sense of belonging. But it takes a village to make this a reality, it takes your comments, your positive feedback, and for you to empower one or two people that they are on the right path.As you grow, you too can mentor those around you.

We can create a more welcoming and cooperative society that supports the expansion and sustainability of the Superyacht community.  

Everyone started at the bottom, and it takes all of us to make this the best community for all of us to really shine!

Get after it and make sure you make today a great one!

Captain Lord Luke Hammond recently launched Reffr – A new yacht crew recruitment platform. Reffr aims to solve the problem of connecting people with the right jobs, which opens up amazing opportunities for recruiters, captains, and businesses that join the platform.

If you would like to be involved in the prelaunch, head over to www.Refrr.io – The solution to yacht recruitment that helps all, and sign up to be one of the founding members.

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Becoming a Superyacht stewardess is an exciting and rewarding career path that can take you all around the world. As a Superyacht stewardess, you’ll be responsible for providing exceptional hospitality services to guests on board, ensuring their comfort and satisfaction while they enjoy their luxurious vacation. So, let’s find out how to get your first yacht job: 

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to become a Superyacht stewardess:

1. Get the necessary qualifications and skills

To become a Superyacht stewardess, it’s recommended that you’ll need to have some qualifications and skills. These include having excellent customer service skills, basic knowledge of food and beverages, basic knowledge of housekeeping, and basic first aid training. You can obtain these qualifications and skills by enrolling in courses offered by Superyacht training schools. 

Note – Over the last couple of years, Superyacht owners have been more inclined to look for a stewardesses who has additional diverse skills, such as massage and beauty quals (especially on bigger boats).

Before applying for yacht jobs, green crew must obtain their STCW basic safety training and ENG1 medical certificate. Depending on the position you’re applying for, some yachts requirements may differ.

2. Create a winning CV 

A well-written CV and cover letter can make you stand out from other applicants. Your CV should include your qualifications, skills, work experience, an image of yourself and any relevant achievements. 

Your cover letter should be tailored to the job you’re applying for and highlight your passion for the job, your attention to detail, and your abilities. For more information on how to put together the perfect yachting cv, click here.

3. Apply for Superyacht stewardess jobs

Once you have your certificates and CV, it’s time to start applying for Superyacht stewardess jobs. You can find job vacancies on online yacht job boards, such at Yotspot,  through superyacht recruitment agencies, or by dockwalking.

4. Prepare for interviews

If your application is successful, you’ll be invited for an interview. To prepare for the interview, research to make sure you know what the job entails. Dress professionally, be on time, and be ready to answer questions about your skills, work experience, and qualifications. Discover 7 questions you should ask in your yacht job interview, here.

5. Additional advice from Lucy Wright, ex-stewardess and current Head Of Content at Superyacht Content

1. In the ear, green crew need to ensure that their social media looks presentable, as the first thing anyone does when they get a CV is go straight on their Facebook to get a better idea of what they’re like!
2. Do your research on wine. A good starting point would be to read our blog on ‘Improving your wine knowledge’, here.

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In conclusion, becoming a Superyacht stewardess requires a combination of qualifications, skills, work experience, and passion for the job. By following the steps outlined above, you’ll be on your way to a rewarding career in the Superyacht industry. Good luck!