14/05/2025
"It's quite concerning how many boxes I ticked yes to."
This sentiment echoed through dozens of responses to our recent survey, revealing a concerning reality within the yachting industry. As mental health awareness grows across all sectors and more wellness-oriented yachting businesses emerge (often founded by former crew members), there's clearly an urgent need for meaningful change.
Our study captured insights from nearly 100 current yacht crew members, 90% of whom had been in the industry for over a year. The results paint a troubling picture that demands our attention.
82% of crew have felt uncomfortable or unsafe due to a crewmember's behaviour while onboard.
Let that sink in. Four out of five yacht crew members, professionals working in what should be a prestigious environment, report feeling unsafe or uncomfortable because of their crew mates behaviour. Breaking this down further:
82% have experienced or witnessed aggressive behaviour from fellow crew members
67% have experienced inappropriate behaviour of a sexual nature onboard from fellow crew members
These aren't just statistics, they represent real experiences happening behind the glossy exterior of luxury yachting. During my eight years in the industry since 2016, I've witnessed disturbing incidents that would be unacceptable in most workplaces: crew members being physically assaulted, substance abuse during working hours, and numerous incidents of sexual harassment.
71% of crew members choose not to report problematic behaviours due to fear of professional consequences.
This statistic reveals a fundamentally broken reporting culture where crew believe raising issues will harm their careers more than help resolve problems. When nearly three-quarters of professionals feel unable to speak up about misconduct, we've created an environment where bad behaviour can flourish without consequences.
73% of crew members have worked with someone who misrepresented their qualifications or experience.
In an era of sophisticated technology and AI, document forgery has become increasingly accessible. Someone could easily modify another person's certificates by changing the name and uploading the altered document. This raises serious questions about safety and competence. Do we really want someone with falsified qualifications doing bridge watch during rough weather in the middle of the night?
59% of crew members felt they were in danger due to other crew members onboard.
This is perhaps the most alarming statistic of all. When the majority of yacht crew feel their physical safety is compromised by their colleagues, we must acknowledge a systemic failure in how the industry approaches crew vetting, safety protocols, and professional standards.
What began as research into the need for background checks has revealed deep-rooted issues throughout the yachting industry's safety culture. The luxury and prestige associated with superyachts should extend to creating safe, professional working environments for the crew who make these experiences possible.
We need a comprehensive approach to change:
Mandatory background checks and credential verification for all crew
Anonymous reporting systems that protect whistleblowers
Zero-tolerance policies for harassment and aggressive behaviour
Mental health support for crew experiencing workplace issues
86% of crew members in our study felt that the yachting industry isn't doing enough to properly vet crew coming onboard.
70% of crew would feel safer onboard if it was mandatory for all crew to have criminal background checks and their certificates verified.
Initially, we created this survey to highlight the importance of background checks and the value that crew being CrewPass approved brings to make fellow crew members ultimately feel a hell of a lot safer onboard. We feel this massively highlights this, but also opens up a whole other can of worms.
Why are crew still feeling so unsafe and uncomfortable, even in this modern day era where safeguarding is such a huge part of employment? Regardless of whether you go with CrewPass or whichever background checking platform on board, we implore you to consider this as an industry standard. Captains are already under so much pressure to ensure safe working practices, they’re consistently staying up to date with compliance, making sure the team are using the risk assessments and permits to work. Why isn’t this translating to the hiring process?
An independent recruiter, who has no affiliation to CrewPass, even created a petition to make criminal background checks a legal requirement to apply to seafarers internationally, which received nearly 2000 signatures back in 2023. That’s a whole lotta crew who think it’s important. Be part of the change. Sign the petition to make background checks a legal requirement for yacht crew.
