From Superyachts to Sea Shepherd – why this captain is fighting for our oceans
A Captain on superyachts for the last 18 years, David Evans has long been a familiar face in the sailing superyacht industry running several significant vessels throughout his career, including the 45m Clan Viii (Perini) and 45m Salperton (Dubois).
Last month, Evans confirmed he was leaving the superyacht world behind him to join motor vessel Sharpie for a three-month stint in San Felipe, Mexico. Sharpie is one of the five-strong Sea Shepherd fleet, battling with illegal fishing practices and pollution in the hope of helping conserve and protect our oceans.
“When my beautiful young daughter began to comment on how dirty the sea was on one of the regular beach cleans we attend in Palma de Mallorca, it got me thinking about my love of the sea and reminded me of how and why my life has taken the path it has. When I was younger, my original intention had been to volunteer for conservation projects and try and make a difference, even in just a small way. That admirable notion became lost however when I found my career progressing to larger yachts but, with the tickets I now hold as a superyacht Captain and the experience I am lucky to have gained, I hoped I might find myself returning to this original purpose with the Sea Shepherd volunteer programme.”
Sharpie is currently located in the Upper Gulf of California (north of the Sea of Cortez), active on Operation Milagro (Operation Miracle) – a campaign to protect the world’s most endangered marine mammal, the Vaquita Porpoise.
On board with Evans are a volunteer team serving as deck crew, engineers, scientists and biologists. “We are not rigid in our departments or stations on board, pulling in the numerous illegal fishing nets is hard work and we all want to help in every way we can. It’s an incredibly strong team from varied backgrounds, but all have the aims of Sea Shepherd in common and everyone is totally committed to the task in hand.”
Sharpie is in action alongside motor vessel Farley Mowat, another Sea Shepherd ship, and this is the fourth season of their important operation. The Vaquita Porpoise is threatened with extinction due to the illegal gillnet fishing which happens in the Sea of Cortez. These nets hang like a curtain, invisible to fish and marine life, entrapping all that swim into their path. The team work to remove these nets from the protected area and free any sea life they find trapped, particularly the Totoaba fish which is trawled for relentlessly by the local cartels for the acquisition of its swim bladder, which is worth a small fortune on the black market due to its falsely believed properties for Asian medicine.
It’s not only the illegal fishing that endangers the remaining and extremely small population of Vaquita in the area but loss of habitat too. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is in action around the world protecting marine wildlife, restoring habitat and educating local communities on the delicate balance required to preserve their food sources and ecosystem.
Image credit: Tamara Arenovich / Sea Shepherd
Evans encourages any who can to get involved, in whatever way possible, “The wide skill set of the yachting fraternity would be an incredible asset to the teams aboard the Sea Shepherd vessels – these volunteers could teach you a thing or two about seamanship too! It really is a fantastic programme to be involved with. If you can spare the time, join us. If you can’t join us, you can donate. If you can’t donate, support us in sharing our news, our aims and our achievements.”
Donations can be made on the Seasheperd website here and willing volunteers can also apply to put their name forward for Neptune’s Navy!
Featured image credit: Tamara Arenovich / Sea Shepherd
International Womens Day 2022: 6 Women Proving Yachting Is No Longer a Man’s World
Not too many years ago if someone was asked to name a female yacht designer, it would have been tricky to think of even one. Now times are changing and it isn’t just in design. Women have been making their mark across the industry and they’re making a big impact. In honour of International Womens Day 2022, we have been catching up with 6 women proving Yachting is no longer a man’s world. Let’s find out how they got into yachting, why they are so passionate about it, and whether they feel happiest on land or on the water.
Sabrina Monteleone-Oeino: Managing Director of Sabrina Monte-Carlo
The first time I visited Kismet with Espen was 14 years ago. I was so impressed, it looked so futuristic! Even years after its construction, it still is so unique compared to other yachts.
What are the best aspects of your job?
Definitely having the opportunity to meet clients from all over the world, who all have very different stories and tastes! I am also lucky to have visited some of the most beautiful homes and yachts, and work with the greatest architects. I also love working with my family; my sister and my two daughters!
As one of the biggest names in the industry, how do you see the luxury yachting market changing over the next 10 years?
I have the feeling that the idea of the classic yacht, the “palace on water” will disappear and make room for a more contemporary style, with lighter and brighter colours.
I also think that research and exploration vessels will be seen more in the landscape. They are generally eco-friendly yet adventurous. Yachting will have more than just a leisure purpose.
Could you tell us something about you that might surprise us?
I started my company because of plastic chairs! I simply could not believe these superyachts with sumptuous interiors had such basic outdoor furniture. That is why I started looking for something that would correspond to the luxurious pieces the clients had inside their yachts.
When are you most content – on the water or on land?
On the land, at the beach for sure! But I definitely love being on the water for my holidays.
Pascale Reymond: Managing Director of Reymond Langton Design
Pascale Reymond
What is it about the yachting industry you are passionate about?
People working in this industry are very passionate about what they do and this is very contagious.
What is the favourite design you’ve completed?
It would have to be 91m Lady Lara exterior styling and Mogambo for the interior.
MY LADY LARA | Image credit: yachtharbour.com
What are three of your most proud achievements?
o Setting up Reymond Langton Design
o Winning Serene, a 134m yacht contract without having any yachts completed at the time to show
o 75 % of our workforce are women and I am very proud to promote all these super talented persons in the yachting industry
Tell us something about you that might surprise us?
I am a qualified archaeologist and have done many excavations in Italy, France, and the most disturbing one was in the heart of a 12th-century church where I was surrounded by many ancient bodies.
When are you most content – on the water or on land?
On my paddleboard, at my beach hut in the south of France which is literally 2 meters away from the most wonderful turquoise water!
Sylke auf dem Graben: PR & Marketing Manager at Lürssen
Sylke auf dem Graben
Tell us a little about your background?
Before I started to work in the yachting business in 1991 I worked in an advertising agency where I obtained my marketing background.
Since 1991 I have mainly worked for two yachting companies. The first 12 years for the Dutch shipyard Jongert and their exclusive sales and marketing company Dahm international, at their office in Düsseldorf and since 2003 for the German shipyard Lürssen in Bremen.
A sentence description of what you do – and why you love yachting?
I look after all the PR and marketing communication activities for Lürssen with regards to yachts. I love my job in yachting because it allows me to get in touch with a unique and fascinating product.
What are the best aspects of your job?
There are many…
As I am looking after all marketing activities the job is very diversified. You have to jump from one theme to the next and always keep the overview and be up to date on what is happening in the market. I like that.
The boat shows give me the opportunity to travel from time to time and to stay in personal contact with the people I am dealing with and meet new people. I think that is the most interesting and important part. Meeting people from all over the world keeps you alive and on your toes!
And the best thing is, that the yachting industry is relatively small and it feels a bit like a family. During the past 27 years, I have buildup very close relationships with journalists, designers, brokers, and colleagues from other shipyards and from all over the world and it does not matter which nationality you are.
Tell us something about you that might surprise us?
Things that would surprise you – difficult task… I have been told I am a good kart driver and I really love to do that. It is possibly in my blood as my father was a successful rally driver.
And I love to dance the night away, which people around me had to experience a few times. Unless you push the STOP button I do not stop dancing as long as the music is good.
When are you most content – on the water or on land?
One of the best holidays I spent on a 12m sailing yacht. I have a very generous friend who invited me a few times to sail with him in Sardinia and Croatia. Also sailing on a Catamaran in the Caribbean was one of the best experiences. On the water you can relax immediately and I love that feeling. On the other hand, the land has so much to offer and to explore. And luckily my other half and I share the same interests and it is the best thing in the world to experience things together.
So, difficult to say, I guess I am happy wherever I feel good and where I have nice people around me, no matter if on sea or on land.
Procurement Manager at Winch Design. I went on to lead all Aviation and Amels shipyard projects, with personal career highlights including the delivery of 65m M/Y “Z” and 83m M/Y “Here Comes The Sun”.
What is your current role in the industry?
I own Gillian Jacquest Ltd; a boutique interiors consultancy, working with and advising a select number of private clients and the industry’s most respected designers and suppliers, to ensure complex projects are meticulously managed; run seamlessly on-time and within budget.
What is your favourite part about your role?
My role takes me all over the world, where I am fortunate enough to meet some of the most talented artisans, craftsmen, and designers in our industry. I am motivated every single day by these people, the different cultures, projects, and experiences. I feel very fortunate to be able to work with such gifted and inspiring individuals on a daily basis.
Helping to deliver HERE COMES THE SUN was a career highlight | Image credit: yachtcharterfleet.com
How do you feel the industry will change over the next 10 years?
I see a deeper understanding and appreciation of what it means to deliver a true “luxury” product. Pollaro Custom Furniture creates some of the most beautifully handcrafted pieces of art case furniture in the world; I see these pieces becoming the collectibles of the future. It is important to support these traditional methods of craftsmanship while continuing to innovate and generate bespoke designs and luxury products, which will continue to inspire the next generation of our industry.
When are you most content – on the water or on land?
Without a doubt on the water. Some of my most treasured memories and experiences have been on the water. You can’t beat a boat day with good friends in the summer!
Sara Gioanola: PR and Press office manager at Heesen Yachts
Sara Gioanola
How did you get into the industry and when?
Since I was a child, I have always sailed during the holidays with my family and this is where I developed my passion for the sea. I started my career in yachting working as crew on a 52’ Baltic called Escondida. The Owner of this wonderful sailing yacht introduced me to Perini Navi, where I began my career in 2005 in the superyacht industry in marketing and communications.
What are your favourite parts of the yachting industry?
I truly love the sea and the shipbuilding element of the industry. I particularly enjoy the construction of a yacht at the shipyard. The aluminium workshop is my favourite shed, and I love the sea trials in the North Sea.
Taking guests for a walk under the hull at Heesen
What do you do – and why do you enjoy working for a shipyard?
At Heesen, I am PR and Press Office Manager. I really enjoy welcoming press and guests to the shipyard and showing them around our beautiful facility. Anyone can see a yacht sailing, but just a few people have the privilege and honour to see one under construction. I feel when a yacht it is out of the water, it is even more impressive… I usually take our guests for a walk under the hull to take a photo. You feel very small!!
How does the yachting industry need to change?
I hope that one day (soon) more women will have key roles…
When are you most content – on the water or on land?
Lilli-Marie Rollwa Neubelt: Founder of German Art Couture
Lilli-Marie Rollwa Neubelt
Tell us a bit about yourself, your background and what you are what is your current role?
Since I was a child I have always been surrounded by the yachting industry through my father, Frank Neubelt, who is a Yacht and Naval architect. Consequently, I knew from a young age I wanted to work in the yachting industry.
Three years ago I started to work as my father’s Personal assistant. Recently I established my own company, which is referring to the yachting industry, called German Art Couture.
As an artist myself, I always dreamt of combining my two passions; Art and Yachting. Together with my business partner, Maire-Claire Bartmann, it came to our minds that contemporary art on superyachts is the subject we want to focus on. Our mission is to bring talented upcoming artists, onboard yachts.
Why are you so passionate about the yachting industry?
The yachting industry is a familiar and open-minded atmosphere that always inspires me. Every yacht is a piece of art itself. Seeing how the biggest luxury is meeting together with the purest nature, is a breathtaking experience.
JUBILEE’s contemporary and futuristic design is inspiring | Image credit: Rupert Peace
Do you envisage art will influence yacht designs over the next 10 years?
Friedrich Nietzsche once said: “A life without music is a fallacy”. I transfer this quote to art. As I already pointed out; in my opinion, any atmosphere is inchoate without art. Looking at recent projects in the industry I think, that art is becoming a more indispensable topic in the yachting industry.
Art is increasingly integrated into the furniture as well as more space for artworks being created on board of almost every yacht, as especially the new generation is interested in integrating contemporary art in their yacht-interior.
What is your current favourite superyacht and why?
That’s a difficult question to answer, there are so many different new designs. I am a big fan of Jubilee by Oceanco because the design is contemporary and futuristic. This design goes with the general design development and then takes a step ahead.
When are you most content – on the water or on land?
I grew up in a sailing family so I always felt connected to boats and life at sea. To my mind, there is no place on earth that is more peaceful than sitting on a classic sailing yacht, touching the water, and watching the sunset.
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How We Can Improve The Oceans One Department At A Time
Unless you have been living in a parallel universe, you will know that our world is fragile and our oceans are under threat. It’s hard to ignore the heartbreaking images of polar bears searching for food, horrifying plastic statistics and the slow death of coral, we all scroll through the social media posts but are we doing our bit to help combat these problems?
Being “green” in yachting should no longer be the newbie label or embarrassing initiations, “green” is now about being environmentally aware and responsible. There are a few easy changes we can make, for everyone to get on board (no pun intended…) with to give our marine world the help it needs, so who can do what?
Captain
Advances in green technology in the marine industry mean new designs for the future of yachting, Captains involved in build processes can ensure the owner is aware of what is out there to reduce the environmental impact of the yacht itself and the toys that will no doubt be available in abundance. Once on board, as a Captain you are the one to influence change, raise awareness and ensure your crew are taking proactive steps in being green. Help with local beach clean up’s, become involved in data collection for conservation, monitor environmentally responsibility within all departments and provide support.
Chef
Being resourceful for any chef is key, especially to reduce the amount of waste on board. Try growing herbs in the galley, be proactive with sustainable fishing practices, introduce meat-free days on board and stock the freezer with leftovers.
Outside the galley, make sure you are reducing plastic consumption to zero, use reusable shopping and food bags. Team up with the stewardesses to ensure that everyone on board is recycling everything properly. It can be hard to reduce food miles, having to meet demanding guest requests and changing opinions is hard but if they are open to eating local and seasonal produce then shop at local markets, get involved with local producers without having to fly in provisions from elsewhere.
Stewardess
Maintaining the interior of a yacht can now be easily done with the ocean-friendly products on the market, both eco-friendly and natural. Do your research, from cleaning and laundry to toiletries -there are a lot of products out there. Also, make sure that you are using natural cleaning products whenever possible.
Reducing plastic usage of both guests and crew on board can be a great role for the stewardess to battle. Start with water bottles, purchase reusable drinking bottles for guests and crew, not only will it mean not having to fit in 100’s of Fiji water bottles into the smallest locker it will also mean you are doing your bit to reduce the contribution to the plastic soup. This may prove tricky with some guests but at least the crew should be keen to make changes where they can. Keeping the crew in line with recycling is something you can also help the chef out with.
Deckhand
Eco-friendly cleaning products aren’t just available for the interior, there are plenty of these for you deck crew, which can help eliminate pollution into the ocean. Making sure you have eco-friendly hull paint can also help make a difference. Helping protect our oceans doesn’t just come down to sustainable cleaning it is also about responsibility when dropping the anchor, be aware of wildlife habitats and coral around the anchorage that you are in.
Engineer
As an engineer, it is hard to think about being green with the amount of fuel that both engines and generators consume on a daily basis but there are some steps that you can take towards better consumption. Correct maintenance regimes to keep on top of jobs can help towards a more efficient engine and disposing oil responsibly as well as having an oil spill kit on board is very important for the health of the oceans. Another step an engineer can take to reduce energy consumption is making sure that there are energy efficient light bulbs on board.
As both departments and individuals we have the power to improve our oceans, make sure as yachties we are working together to stay green!
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Whilst most of the time, our jobs are rewarding, fun and varied; sometimes, cooking on yachts can simply go into overdrive; the thrill level hikes up several notches and fun stakes hit a peak.
When the fun level escalates, rewards magnify, and since variety is the spice of life, our world goes into sensory overload! More than we ever wished for. It’s these moments that we cherish, and it’s what allows us to laugh maniacally at the end of the charter, chain-smoking whilst simultaneously burying ourselves in gin and reflecting on the important things in life such as health, wealth, happiness, freedom! Because let’s be honest, without our daily challenges, our jobs would be too easy and that would just be boring right…
So what I’ll say is this. If any yacht chefs out there are even slightly interested in comparing notes then read on, some of these have happened to me, others have come from some stellar chefs in this industry….
Let’s kick it off with the boss’s wife!
Scenario 1:
Boss’s Wife during week 6 out of 7 weeks on board, floating somewhere in the Med. She’s irate. ‘Kobe’s for the dog. Make sure leftover wagyu gets fed to the dog. Because the dog only eats wagyu.” Just to make absolutely certain those rotten crew don’t eat any leftovers! Goodness, can one imagine?!?
Scenario 2:
Russian guest’s wife upon being presented a crudité platter:
“You call these crudités?!” [Contemptuous laughter ensues] “I’m not eating these! A horse would eat these!” [guffaws at own joke] “Darling please – I want my crudités small and dainty!” [Like now!]
5 minutes later after fresh crudités have been presented: “No good! Too small for my fingers. Ve vont 10cm long and 1.5cm wide. No more, no less.”
5 minutes later “Are you positive these are 10cm?”
Oh yes, measured precisely.
The classic timeless last minute dinner party request.
Scenario 1:
It’s currently 2pm. Guests request to speak with the sole chef.
‘Chef, hello. We have 12 guests coming over in 3 hours time, we’ll need 10 canapes, 5 starters served buffet style, a lamb tagine, chicken tagine, vegetable tagine with couscous and vegetables, and a selection of 5 desserts. But first, lets have lunch. Hope that’s ok’
[xoxo]
Scenario 2:
It’s currently 4pm. Guests speak with Chief Stew to pass on message to chef.
“Please could you ask the chef if it would be possible to have a Chinese for dinner tonight instead of that steak we discussed? It’s just that we have a guest coming tonight who would just love to have Chinese. Also, the whole family can have dinner together which would be just so nice. Nothing major… just some of the usual prawn toasts, spring rolls and a few starters. Some dumplings? You know, the steamed ones? Those would be amazing if we could have some of those. My wife loves a Szechuan curry, but I really love a sweet and sour. Benny’s favourite is a chow mein, and Annie adores those sweet and sour chicken balls, and also a black bean noodle stir fry. Ooh I love a General Tso’s, and prawn crackers! Yes, lots of prawn crackers, and oh! Crispy Duck. We ALL adore crispy duck. Ok, so if we could have a selection of the above then that would be just perfect. 7.30 would be a good time, if that’s possible?”
Fussy eaters
Scenario 1:
“We’d like a superfood salad to start”
Upon receiving the salad: “What is this? You call this a salad? This isn’t right! Blueberries in a salad?! No, no, no. Blueberries are for breakfast! And leaves? We don’t eat salad leaves!”
Scenario 2:
The time the guests requested sweetbreads because they’d heard they were the thing to eat. When served their supper, they looked offally surprised at what was on their plate, asked what they were, (“the what gland??!!) and promptly turned green.
Millennials, especially wealthy millennials, love their social media.
This scenario is all about that time the insta-prep presided over dinner… Selfies of happy smiling friends at the dinner table, with pictures of the fancy plates in front of them… simply wonderful! But once those phones were switched off, the food was cold and they sat there in silence barely touching it. Two hours later, the request came through- ‘burgers for all.’
Ok these two aren’t chef related but they were too good to leave out.
The skydiving owner:
So there was this one time, the owner wanted to skydive onto the boat, land on the aft swim platform and do immigration and customs right there. The airport staff were contacted and subsequently agreed, why not (!) for a laugh. The stunt unfortunately never happened, but the point is, all arrangements were made because no request is too much on a superyacht.
The beach clearance:
A chief officer was asked, with a wadge of cash in hand, to clear a beach of tourists in order that the owner could have the spot to himself. The beachgoers mostly obliged, accepted the dough and relocated to the neighbouring beach, although (and I think we are all thankful for this) the final couple took a stand and refused to budge. Why the heck should they?! All the money in the world needs to sometimes be met with some simple but basic defence of liberty every now and then! Plus if they did have that inkling that they could just hold out (I mean, everyone has a price right?) then they’re walking to that beach next door, cash in pockets, laughing all the way home – a quick win.
What would you do?
The rapid demise of your first yachtie paycheck (or how to blow 3 grand in 7 days)
It’s been a month since mom’s last deposit cleared into your brand new Bank of America bank account and you are on the bones of your now slightly rounder backside (thanks to 2 for 1 alcohol specials and McDonald’s that is probably cheaper than a sandwich).
The 15 dollars an hour for your last 3 days of daywork, before joining your very first permanent boat, are a distant memory. Having gone directly from your sweaty, dirt or silver polish stained hands to the well-manicured fingertips of whichever crew house manager was lucky enough to rip you off this time.
The anticipation is killing you, you know that first paycheck is on its way. You have vowed to take your cousin’s, boyfriend’s, best friend who is a yachtie’s advice and save your first paycheck. Only keeping enough to pay your share in the next crew dinner, you’re new and need to show face after all. But that’s it, the rest is going straight into your, as yet non-existent, savings account. Well maybe after one or two little treats for yourself, you’ve worked for it after all.
Hello first of the month, payday is finally upon you, coincidentally it is also the first day of the week. Yes folks, young money Monday is about to rear its ugly dollar depleting head.
MONDAY
The excitement is overwhelming as you look at the fresh funds in your account; you blink and see dollar signs. You start justifying your first spend before your feet hit the dock. It’s a new week, why not kick it off with a healthy start and pick up that new Garmin/Fitbit/Apple watch you’ve had your heart set on. No better way to get motivated to get back in shape and ready for charter season. Plus, it’s not even that expensive and you did promise yourself one special reward to celebrate your new job. No more splitting $5 burgers at Tap 42 on a Monday night for this athlete.
TUESDAY
Before you know it, it’s time for a change Tuesday. You’re a bona fide yachtie now, you’d better look the part, got to get that hair cut and coloured. Not to mention those toe and fingernails, heaven forbid a charter guest catches a glimpse of your natural toenails at a beach setup. Last treat, you promise as your perfectly tinted lashes flutter closed beneath your freshly waxed brows, bringing your second night of having money to a beautifully made over close.
WEDNESDAY
You’re not wild about Wednesdays and those midweek blues are really sinking in. As your day crawls to an end you’re aching for some fun. What’s that, the boys are going surfing, after swinging by the surf shop to pick up some wax. You love surfing and can’t wait to hit the waves, well you like the idea anyway, you’ve never actually touched a board before. There’s a first time for everything you think, as you set out to buy your first board and of course a matching rashie, or three (can’t be repeating outfits), besides, chafe isn’t a good look for anyone.
THURSDAY
Ok, maybe surfing isn’t your thing, but you won’t be discouraged, maybe after a drink with the guys you’ll feel a bit better about your paddling style and non-existent pop-up. It is thirsty Thursday after all. After a couple of rounds and some wings at Duffy’s you’re keen for a quick stop at your old stomping ground, ladies night at Tap, always a good time. Shame you think, seeing that guy Mike, still looking for a job, best get him a tequila and tell him to keep up the search “it’s only a matter of time, take it from me”. Then a round for your crew, not the free drinks though, something a little classier. Money and drinks are flowing, before you know it, it’s 3am and you’d better rush home before you end up back on the job hunt.
FRIDAY
Friday, the hangover at work is real, Struggle Street is fully occupied and you’re ready for bed. Maybe you’ll quickly sort out some admin on your computer; man that thing is a dinosaur. Wait, didn’t the engineer mention he’d got a sweet deal on a laptop on Amazon? You’re heading to the Bahamas soon, not much opportunity to get one there, and deals like this don’t come along every day. Better set up your Prime account while you’re at it. Maybe you should get a drone too while you’re there, would be great to get some aerial photos of your travels…
SATURDAY
Satur-yay is finally here, time to get out of Laudie for the weekend. Orlando here you come, fast passes for all the theme parks and a night at the Hard Rock, could things get any better?
SUNDAY
No, unfortunately, they couldn’t, you shuffle your feet awkwardly as you ask the bosun to spot you a 20 for lunch on the trip back to the boat (and reality) on Sunday.
Committing yourself to something will keep you sane onboard
Time; An indefinite continuous existence where events are in the past, present and future.
Time in yachting; An existence filled with never-ending tasks in a changeable location, interlaced with a range of hobbies if and when there is free time.
It is a well-known fact that time to yourself in yachting is situation dependent and not always guaranteed. It is important to keep committed to things that interest you in order to achieve a work-life balance and ensure you stay sane onboard, so remember these things when committing to a hobby.
Yachting attracts a wide range of crew from across the globe, meaning there are plenty of people with similar mindsets who can inspire you to try something different or even teach you a new skill. Having people around you who can motivate you to keep at that hard yoga pose, get to the next level of Spanish or to finish your most recent blog post can help spur on commitment.
You may have a number of different interests and hobbies, so it can be hard to juggle them all. Try to maintain at least one regular hobby and dedicate a good chunk of your free time to it, this doesn’t mean to say you should rule out others, just try to be realistic. This will change whether you are on charter, in a shipyard or on delivery.Think about your itinerary for a month at a time to see what you may be able to achieve in that time and place, logic will prevail – you won’t be able to master the art of fine drawing whilst heeled over at sea.
Being surrounded by people with various skill sets can prove to be useful because crew members with their own speciality can teach you their expertise. There is always something new to learn and whilst you’re couped up on a crossing, you may find yourself in the perfect environment to pick up a new skill. If your cabin mate is fluent in French get them to teach you, if the new deckhand is a photography pro then get him to show you and if the engineer happens to be a real gym bunny, why not start working on some circuits that you can do together on the boat?
Become committed, set yourself challenges but don’t let them take over. It is important to have well-rounded interests and be sure to combine new found hobbies with relaxing and socialising. It can also be tough to switch off out of work mode especially when you live and work in the same place, having a hobby will allow your mind to wander elsewhere.
Traveling the world for work opens up a lot of doors to various hobbies. For example, there are plenty of photographic opportunities both at sea and on land, especially with the onset of aerial photography or perhaps documenting your travel experiences through writing and blogging. Getting creative is easy too, whether it be learning something different from a crew member or getting the chef to teach you some cooking tips. In terms of sporting hobbies, you may have access to plenty of different equipment and or instructors, which, location dependent, could see you developing a love for something you would never have normally considered!
The advice you wish you could give the captain’s wife
*Just a disclaimer up front, I am not a captain’s wife. Nor do I have any ambition to become one. This brief foray into the life of a liveaboard captain’s wife is a work of fiction, and any characters/incidents that may seem recognisable are pure circumstance.
*Double disclaimer – in the interest of 2017 and our abhorrence of sexism in any form, the term ‘captain’s wife’ should be applied to the partner of a captain of either sex.
To the wives that marry in – are you ready for this?
If you married a captain without ever having worked on boats, you now hold a unique position as you simultaneously have the least experience and arguably the most say onboard. Apart from the captain himself of course, although you’ve probably got more say within the marriage, so maybe that’s debatable too.
Walking onto a boat without experience is daunting at the best of times, even if a career in yachting is something you wanted. So I can only imagine what it must be like if you left your normal life to follow love out on the high seas. Now you are in a position you have no interest in, as a stewardess. Or a position for which you are completely unprepared or unqualified, as a chef or purser.
Either way, the crew are going to judge you
There is undoubtedly a gap between you and the crew, be it age, personality, interests or just the straight up fact that you’re sleeping with the man in charge. Everyone is well aware of the tender ground they tread when dealing with you in any capacity. So bear in mind, that when you decide, as the purser, that the boat no longer needs any type of antibacterial cleaners, including those amazing wipes that sanitize even the most filthy toilet, because you don’t like the smell, and all the stewardesses agree, it might not be because they think it’s a great idea.
Find some allies quickly.
Always remember to pick your favourites, the crew is a smorgasbord of people to make friends with. It is also an opportunity for you to divide and conquer. Divide the crew by seeking out those few who know the drill and will agree to anything you say and lend their support should one of the non-favourites dare to question why someone who has never done laundry on a boat is deciding how the laundry should run. Throw in a couple of extra service shifts or a strategically planned watch schedule every now and then to really cement the friendship.
For the wives that do the cooking… here’s how not to do it.
You only cook the food that you and your husband like, because the other 12 people on the boat don’t mind pizza, pasta and burgers for every meal, right?! Then when one of the stews starts to gain weight, you make sure you mention this fact to her repeatedly and that maybe she should consider sizing up her uniform. Don’t consider adding salad, vegetables or anything low carb to the menu, that would just be unreasonable.
A brief thought for those who married their captain
This tip is aimed at the lovely ladies (or men) who worked their way up through the industry and met and married their captain loves along the way. Some of you have been through it all, working from the bottom all the way to the top, or maybe you’re fairly new to the industry, but you’ve seen a bit and you know the job. Either way, please try to remember the times when you weren’t married to the captain.
Remember how you didn’t enjoy cleaning the captain’s cabin, knowing full well that his stewardess girlfriend was down in the laundry at that very moment, rocking out to her music while you snaked her hair from the drain. Think back to how hard it was when you were down a girl during a 12 guest charter because the captain’s wife didn’t feel like getting out of bed that day. Remember…
Thank you to the unicorn wives
Now to the ladies who have come into the role and taken it as an opportunity to see the world, make some new friends and lend a hand along the way, I want to say thank you. You are a rare and magical breed, the unicorns of captain’s wives. You help to spread the workload and your unique approach to the position leaves those around you feeling at ease and appreciated.
Captain’s wives who fill any of the descriptions above, I do not envy you, I just beg you try to put yourselves in the rest of the crews’ shoes. Be an active crew member and try to remember we work with you, not for you…
Yacht crew + money = no idea what’s going on
“I hope it’ll just go away.” “I am afraid to know.” “I don’t have time.” Sound familiar? Whether it’s regarding your health or your money, the reactions all sound the same.
And just like the doctor will tell you about the importance of treating that stubborn cough, putting off dealing with your financial health will surely result in more problems, paperwork, and costs down the line.
Whether you are new to the yachting industry with a season or two under your belt or are a seasoned veteran starting to plan what may come next, you’ll sleep better and have more money if you make a little effort to get your ducks in order finance wise.
Stressed already? Don’t be. Here are a few tips to bring your financial situation in order regardless where you are in your career.
Relatively new crew members are often diagnosed with malaise. The treatment is simple: a three-prong approach that gets your banking, savings, and taxes in tiptop shape.
BANKING
If you are being paid in one currency and your bank account is in a different currency (or you have a bank account offshore which someone told you to set up but you aren’t sure why), you are losing money on the exchange. In the case of offshore banking you may also be paying high fees without gaining any interest.
SAVINGS
Image credit: savingadvice.com
Your friends shore side are doing it, so why aren’t you? Put aside 100 or 200 quid each month in a dedicated savings account. This will allow you to save (and earn interest) and start a nice nest egg for that car, down payment, or a spectacular trip you are planning to take when you step off the yacht. (And notice we aren’t even mentioning ISAs, stocks, or shares…)
TAX
Image credit: blog.taxguru.net
It usually takes a couple of years to either pay attention or realise you need to do something about your taxes. Think your salary is tax-free? Think again. Just because it isn’t being deducted from your salary doesn’t mean you are exempt.
For those of you who have been in the industry for 4-5 years, you are by now earning a decent salary and have some ideas of how you want to use it in the future. You may or may not be doing your taxes, or you may have an investment property generating a little rental income. Here’s what you need to do to maximize your investment potential.
GET A CHECK UP
Image credit: dkonlinemag.com
A full physical of your investments will ensure your banking and finances are working as efficiently as they should, and this will help fine tune what options/potential you have for the future. Make sure your tax situation is in order to avoid any unwanted surprises down the line.
MAKE THE RIGHT PROPERTY INVESTMENT
Image credit: mompoppow.com
Many crew purchase property in the area they grew up/live in. While it seems logical, it may not always the best idea. You need to consider property costs, the rental market, and the management of that rental to make it worth your while financially. Get some professional property & mortgage advice.
BUSINESS IDEAS
Image credit: lovebeinghere.com
Have you come up with a few really interesting investment ideas but aren’t sure you have the resources to get them going? The meds here are simple. Get experts to help you understand and evaluate the market and help you get the best return you can for your great business idea.
You’ve been in the industry over 10 years and congrats… you are now considered an industry veteran. You have plenty of money saved, several properties, and a few investments generating a good return. Think you are all set? Think again…
OFFSHORE BANKING
Image credit: rodrm621.tumblr.com
Many of you have spent your entire career banking offshore and/or investing offshore for that matter. You may have in the back of your mind your post-yachting career but aren’t 100% sure you have enough to realise your plans. Long-term professional wellness planning is needed here to bring your banking and investments onshore with an eye on any potential tax liability.
PENSION PLANNING
Understanding your saving potential and/or how to leverage your pension so that your money works better for you in the future is fundamental to understanding how much you have to invest and play with for the future. Don’t just peruse your quarterly statements and throw them in the drawer. Get some professional advice to make sure your money is working for you now and not the other way around.
A big thanks to CrewFO who provided us with a lot of this great financial advice for crew and who are helping to diagnose and cure yacht crew of their financial aches and pains, one crew member at a time. You can take a look at their site and services here but regardless of whoever you reach out to… here are the last few pieces of advice for you.
1. The yachting industry is a unique sector, as we all know. Make sure the professionals you speak to have experience working with yacht crew and know the particularities of how crew contracts and banking are done.
2. Choose a qualified professional who is trained in the specific service you need them for. (IE: Have your taxes done by a chartered accountant rather than your buddy at home. Not only will you sleep better, but you’ll also be sure that you are covered by a local institutional body in the case of an audit.)
3. Make sure whoever is advising you is governed by the regulatory body that governs the profession. (For example, for financial advice your advisor needs to be regulated by the FCA in the UK. This offers a that extra piece of mind that you are checked out by the experts!)
The Superyacht Group’s new t-shirts can help protect our oceans.
One of the conversations I still never tire of having with professionals in the industry is how yachting has grown and developed in such a magnificent and swift fashion over the past twenty years. From its infancy when walking the docks and word-of-mouth was the only way to get a job onboard or to sell a product, to the industry’s place today prospering as a professional niche market in the luxury sector, perhaps no other business aside from telecommunications has developed so incredibly over past few decades. And one of the benefits coming out of our developing sector is the windfall of companies, associations, and organizations that are deciding to take concrete and structured actions towards protecting the world’s waters and delicate marine environment which are at the heart of our business and the lifestyle we sell. Looking back at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show and observing what has developed out of an inherent love of the water, it’s mindboggling to look at the development that has happened (and those of you who were at MYS at the turn of the millennium know what I mean). So it is with great encouragement and enthusiasm that we see so many initiatives now contributing to the protection of our livelihood.
There are a few companies that have been in it for the long haul. And this year The Superyacht Group, behind a host of well-known publications, global industry forums, and perhaps best known for the celebrated The Superyacht Annual Report, which has reached biblical-like status for those producing data analysis sales pitches one PowerPoint presentation at a time, is celebrating 25 years of business. This year for their landmark anniversary, we half expected one of their fabulous parties they are known to put on, but we were actually delighted to see that they won’t be sending out invitations anytime soon.
This year to mark their milestone, they have decided instead to give back to the community that has given so much. During their 25-week campaign (which began the 25th of September), they will be running initiatives to support the delicate marine environment that is central to all of our work. From beach cleanups, to dedicated media coverage highlighting key environmental issues, the Superyacht Group will also be actively raising funds for two key charity organizations supporting marine conservancy, namely The Ocean Agency and the Marine Conservation Society. The challenge is on with their 25th Anniversary Ocean Chari-Tee Campaign. For £25 (yes there is a theme going on here) you can purchase one of their Chari-Tee Shirts, with all the profits going to these charities.
While an initiative like this from one company surely won’t save the planet or change the world, we hope that this action, by one company, will generate a windfall of support in the industry for marine-based planetary issues. Rising sea levels, plastic waste, coral bleaching, and overfishing have become commonplace, just ask any captain today about the pollution and contamination they see each and every day cruising the world’s waters. This is, after all, our marketplace, our storefront, and also the playground, which our industry relies upon for its livelihood. Just think about what would happen if the 30,000 or so captains, crew, owners, shipyard technicians, brokers, attorneys, and service providers in our industry started to actively give back?
We are putting forward their challenge and would like to encourage everyone in the industry to do their part. Start here by simply buying a t-shirt and then dedicate time to evaluating other causes you can to support this year; there are so many worthy organizations out there in need of your assistance. Volunteer some time if you can, put your money where your mouth is, and let’s do it before it is too late. The waters are the lifeblood of all of our businesses and kudos to The Superyacht Group for leading the charge in honour of their 25th year!
Fancying having one of these t-shirts for yourself and helping out an important cause? Click here for all the info!
Step away from the snack cupboard: Crossing fitness 101
So your motivation is at its peak, you are sticking to a regime and are definitely beach body ready… and then you have to leave the marina and go to sea. Time spent on watch snacking on sugary treats and time off watch lazing around catching up on Game of Thrones, with no time for any fitness you say? Crossings don’t have to see your weights collect dust deep in a bilge, your yoga mat lonely or your trainers unlaced, they are a great way to reinvigorate fitness. Whether it’s continuing with a regime or starting afresh there are plenty of ways to keep fit whilst at sea, without all the excuses.
We all know that working on yachts comes with space restrictions although this shouldn’t be an excuse for not working out. There are plenty of workouts that cater towards a lack of space and equipment. If you work on a yacht with superyacht crew gym facilities, then lucky you… but if not there are still plenty of options. Cabins may be tight but if there is space to lie down, there is space to crunch! Taking workouts outside on deck is also a great option whilst enjoying the fresh air and ocean view.
Along with space, this is another element which sometimes lacks, whether its guests demanding your attention or a never-ending job list to be completed. On a crossing time should not be an excuse, working around your on and off watch time you will be able to find time to workout, although be aware that on a crossing you will need to be flexible, the ocean isn’t always favourable towards keeping fit. If the morning sea conditions look as though they will flatten your downward dog or the afternoon swells have the potential for weights to be dropped on toes then alter your timings.
Easy! All you really need to keep fit is yourself, there are plenty of circuit training and body weight exercises out there. Find creative ways to keep fit and use your surroundings; fenders as an exercise ball, dive weights for weight training, raised areas for stepping, stainless bars for pull-ups (sorry deckies)! The yacht is your fitness oyster, just be mindful, broken yachts are much more expensive than a gym membership! Although a fully equipped gym may be off the cards there are lots of small and easy to stow pieces of equipment that can be kept in your cabin; a yoga mat, skipping rope and small weights are great for this. With extra time on your hands on a crossing it can be fun to set group challenges which can spur on your motivation as well, pull-ups at every mile? Sit-ups every hour? Press ups each watch change?
If you are lacking motivation, advice or general inspiration then look to our online yachting community. There are loads of yachties now on social media in particular that have a fitness focus that they incorporate into their yacht life. If you have the opportunity to include fitness equipment on board then check out Gym Marine, specialises in fitness facilities onboard yachts for both guests and crew. For fitness regimes, set yourself a goal and do your research, there are lots of fitness apps out there that will help you along. You may be lucky enough to work with a PT on board, if so ask them for help in drawing up a specific crossing workout schedule.
A crossing can throw your body out of sync completely which is why it is even more important to maintain a balanced diet. Keeping well hydrated is important on a crossing, especially when working out. Stay away from the sugary treats and caffeine to keep you awake. Providing your body with enough rest and energy will help your fitness regime flourish.
The Big CrewFO ‘Rolex Giveaway’: here’s how to enter.
*This is for yacht crew ONLY!
Now that the Med season is winding down I imagine the first thing you will be doing is thinking about filing your taxes… (Well maybe not, but you should be!) With the January deadline closer than you think, CrewFO has put together a great motivator for you to get your financial health in order and win a beautiful Rolex Explorer I! Yes, you read that right… A Rolex!!
How to enter:
– Fill out the survey below
– Complete your tax return with CrewFO for 2017 (both new and existing clients for this fiscal year qualify!)
The winner will be announced on the 15th December via the CrewFO Facebook page and will be contacted via phone to arrange shipment, hopefully in time for Christmas!
So what are you waiting for? The quiz begins below…
Modern Classics Car Club: Owned By Yacht Crew, For Yacht Crew
Want to learn more about one of the greatest investment schemes for yacht crew we’ve ever seen? – It’s time to take a look at Modern Classics Car Club.
Picture this:
You’ve just landed at Gatwick for a long-awaited break. One month off to relax, visit friends and have some downtime after a busy charter season. How sweet would it be to have a Porsche 911 Carrera S waiting there for you at Arrivals? Fuel tank full, insurance taken care of, keys in hand and all yours for the month? Maybe over the holidays you need more space and a Range Rover Sport would be better? Flying into Bristol? No problem… your Mercedes C63 Coupe will be waiting for you there too. No hassle and no fuss. Just drop it back when you arrive back at the airport for your departure and pick a new car from Modern Classics Car Club for next time you are home. Pretty sweet huh?
But there’s more. These cars aren’t rentals. They are yours. You own them. But how?!
Prepare to be amazed
This simple idea (which has been invented by a company called Modern Classics) we reckon will solve a big problem for yacht crew. And, should facilitate flexible car ownership in the UK for the petrol-heads who have been searching for a way to exercise their motoring passion for years.
Of course, Modern Classics was founded by ex-yacht crew. Thus, their understanding is that renting, or owning, a nice car for your time at home in the UK, is a costly venture and one frankly that can be a pain in the ‘you-know-what’. And they’re right! Insurance, taxes, maintenance… this is all particularly hard to manage when you are cruising around the world. And while to the casual onlooker you may seemingly have the ideal life popping in and out of some of the most exclusive ports in the world, visiting more countries than you can even remember, it’s the simple things, like having a cool car to use when you’re finally shoreside, that can be a challenge to organise last-minute.
It’s more than just a posh car to show off to your friends
If you couple this with every yachtie’s sometimes-vague awareness of the fact that they “should be doing something with all the money I’m earning“, then you’ll begin to see why all of us at Superyacht Content think that this scheme is something you absolutely cannot miss out on. You see, Modern Classics don’t charge a subscription fee to use their cars. Rather, you purchase shares in the Modern Classics Car Club. These then entitle you to a certain number of points to exchange for use of cars in the fleet throughout the year. The secondary benefit to this already-sterling package is that your shares in the business will increase in value over time, and predictably at a faster rate of appreciation than any savings you parked in a traditional ISA or banking facility. This is because classic cars quickly go up in value regardless of economic conditions or market fluctuations, meaning that you are making a wise investment choice whilst also enjoying the fruits of your hard earned cash! Pinch me if I’m dreaming, but it sounds like a no-brainer, doesn’t it?
The nuts and bolts: proving the Modern Classic Car Clubs Concept
Because of how good this package seemed to us, we thought it would be a good idea to do some research into the scheme and related financial elements ourselves. First, we went onto popular car rental website Europcar and tried to rent ourselves a luxury car for 10 days in mid-July. Being car enthusiasts ourselves, we were surprised that the results contained very few cars which were truly exciting and sporty. After some debate, the choice was narrowed down to the 2 cars below, on the grounds that you could probably park up in front of a nightclub in both without being laughed at if you tried to skip the queue (which doesn’t apply to the Volvo XC90, funnily enough).
Further investigations around the internet resulted in some slightly better cars, but still with eye wateringly-expensive rental price tags:
Range Rover Sport: £1965
Mercedes C63 Coupe: £2549.04
Porsche 911 Carrera S: £2839.55
Audi R8: £3250
Audi TT: £1250
Nissan GTR: £2650
Porsche Cayman: £1750
Comparatively, purchasing a one-off £3,500 share in the Modern Classics Car Club affords you 3 weeks luxury car rental per year, forever! This means that, if you’re a fan of the Porsche 911 for example, you are saving £2,463.06 in year one if you use the car for the full 3 weeks. Never mind the extra cash you’ll pocket from dividends when the cars appreciate in value and are sold by the club to make way for new ones…
So, in a rare abandonment of our usual editorial cynicism, we are urging any yacht crew with even a slight interest in cars or sensible investments to sign up for this immediately. When we phoned Modern Classics, they told us that at this stage they would only be accepting 100 founding members, who would also be allowed to have an input into choosing which cars were purchased first by the club. I’ll just let you digest that for a few seconds. Mind, officially blown.
Let’s just say there are only 99 of those memberships left now…
To apply to join the Modern Classics Car Club, you need to go to Modernclassics.cc and submit your details via the form. Hope to see you all there!
For the latest Superyacht Content Crewmess News, Click here.
Further investigations around the internet resulted in some slightly better cars, but still with eye wateringly-expensive rental price tags: