Mediterranean

Should you stay in the Med or travel to the Caribbean?

by For Crew

There are numerous reasons why a crew member may choose to work in seasonal cruising destinations such as the Med and the Caribbean in peak season, but why might a crew member choose to stay onboard long after the majority of the crew has gone? The Caribbean yachting season is just beginning, and the Med season is closely coming to an end. Many may expect crew to jump ship and travel to the Caribbean for work. However, some crew might choose to stay in the Med off-season. In this week’s blog, I will unpack each argument’s pros and cons to help anyone struggling to decide what they should do next.

Stay in the Med?

Pros:

1) Some yachts remain year-round because the owner lives in the region.

2) Some crew like the solitude that off-season usually provides.

3) Crew will potentially have more time off to enjoy activities like winter sports such as skiing.

4) The ports, museums and historical attractions are quieter.

5) It’s easier to find marine service providers.

6) Med cruising destinations typically stay open year-round.

Cons:

1) The biggest potential downside for staying in the Med off-season is the weather. You can’t count on the weather being nice; at night, the temperature can plunge as low as single figures (expect a lot of rain).

2) Places may be closed. Shops and attractions that run for tourist season may be shut during quiet months.

3) Many crew will be heading to the Caribbean (FOMO may creep in).

4) If you like the peak yachting seasons’ hustle and bustle, you may quickly become bored.

Travel to the Caribbean for work?

Pros:

1) The warmer water in the Caribbean makes it more pleasurable to swim in.

2) Ideal sailing conditions and crystal clear water.

3) The Caribbean is arguably a nicer place in the winter as the weather is less humid, and the weather is sunnier than in Europe.

4) As it’s peak yachting season, there will be way more things to do and keep you on your toes

Cons:

1) If you have only worked on the vessel for a short time, you may risk looking flighty and unreliable if you jump ship to the Caribbean.

2) The Caribbean is prone to way more rain and unpredictable weather.

3) Crew will be working long hours, unlike in the Med (off-peak season) where the crew will have a more 9-5, moderate work pace.

To summarise, each argument has many pros and cons, but it truly comes down to what a person is looking to get out of the experience. The saying “the grass is always greener” is true in this case. Humans are always looking for the next best thing and worrying about missing out or making the wrong decision. But at the end of the day, you must do what’s best for you, weigh up your options, speak to friends and family, do your research and good luck!

Did you enjoy this blog? If so, please visit our blog section, where we host many different blog posts that you may find beneficial.

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Interview with Paul Rutterford, Operations Director for Viking Crew.

by For AgenciesFor CrewFor Vessels

CrewPass teams up with Viking Crew to bring background checks to the attention of the yachting industry. Employers need to feel assured that who they place on board are not only well-qualified but also safe. Our integration into Viking Crew’s software allows employers to search CrewPass Approved crew who have passed a comprehensive criminal background check and ID verification. Whilst providing crew with the opportunity to gain the trust of their employers by validating their CrewPass status through Viking Crew’s website.

In the following blog post, Paul Rutterford speaks on behalf of Viking Crew to shine a light on the yacht recruitment industry, our partnership, and Viking Crew’s services.

Introduction

Viking Crew is the leading Cruise, Superyacht and Specialist maritime crew services provider.  Our aim is to keep the at-sea operations moving through Crew Placement, Crew Management and Crew Deployment.  A British company with a global reach, for over 30 years Viking has long been a pioneer in the maritime industry.

With 25 years’ experience within the maritime industry, as Operations Director I oversee all services that Viking Crew delivers to our clients and candidates on a daily basis.

Tell us about your experience in the yachting industry

I have been actively recruiting and crewing within the super yacht industry since coming ashore in 2011 and taking up the position of Marine Recruitment Manager with Viking; since then and progressing to Operations Director the company has placed and crew managed thousands of individuals in positions onboard some of the worlds most exclusive and prestigious super yachts.

What advice would you give green crew before joining the industry?

Do your research, and make sure you have the relevant and transferable skills that the super yacht industry requires.  It is a very high profile industry when only the best will do. Additional qualifications and training can assist in securing an opportunity within the industry.

Tell us more about Viking Crew

Viking Crew has been in business for almost 25 years, established in 1988 our reputation is a name that is at the forefront of the industry.  Our services offer a professional solution to the crewing challenges and needs across the superyacht sector.

"Viking was involved in the initial set up and delivery recruitment for the world’s largest yacht, and we still source candidates for her now, almost 10 years since her launch."

– Paul Rutterford, Operations Director for Viking Crew (2022)

What is the yacht recruitment market like in 2022?

After the challenges of the pandemic the yacht recruitment market remains strong, and with many new builds in the yards and some crew not returning to sea since Covid there are some excellent opportunities across the industry.

Why did Viking Crew join forces with CrewPass?

Safety and Security are two words synonymous with the yacht industry, Crew Pass provides the technology in a cost effective and efficient way to allow crew, captains and yacht professionals to have this all taken care of.  Viking Crew understands the importance of this within the superyacht industry and are proud to partner with Crew Pass in delivering this superb solution to Captains and crew. 

Where do you see Viking Crew’s future?

With more yachts being built, and the need for more crew we see the continuation of growth within the superyacht industry as an exciting time for Viking Crew.  Our services remain to be at the forefront when you need to source and manage super yacht crew onboard.  

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Interview with Marli Schoonraad, founder of Pull North Yachting

by For AgenciesFor CrewFor Vessels

CrewPass is delighted to announce that we have formed a new partnership with Pull North Yachting. Pull North Yachting is joining us on our mission to make the yachting industry safer! Our newfound partnership enables CrewPass to spread awareness of the importance of background checks at the very beginning of every yachties journey… yacht training academies. Pull North Yachting is an exceptional yacht training academy based in Cape Town, South Africa, that fully prepares green crew with every tool they need to succeed in their yachting career. As a celebration of this new partnership, CrewPass wants to shine a light on the training academy and introduce our readers to the founder, Marli Schoonraad.

Introduction

My name is Marli Schoonraad and I am the founder of Pull North Yachting that started out in January 2019. I used to be a yachtie myself who has now gone from an adventure seeker to newly aspiring entrepreneur. The change has been real! But so rewarding. My passion lies in nature, adventure, creating, travelling, hospitality and helping others find ways to step out of their comfort zones. I believe we all have so much more in us, we just don’t always take the opportunity to meet. Networking has always been a big part of who I am, and I think due to that, here we are today! I grew up in Stellenbosch, and left home after studying photography and marketing when I was 21, 9 years later and I am now based in Cape Town, I live and work from here these days!

How did you get into yachting?

One of my best friends arrived at my house in Stellenbosch after class asking if she could please shower as she was extremely dirty, she started telling me about her Fire Fighting course she just completed and that she was about to fly to the USA and go work on a Superyacht. I had absolutely no idea what she was talking about, but all I wanted to do was join her! We both ended up going our separate ways, I stayed in touch with her and soon as it was possible, I made my way to Palma! I’ve always enjoyed hospitality and meeting new people, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to escape the norm. 

Do you have any advice for green crew joining the yachting industry?

The hustle is real and building your network is so important! Not to only get jobs (which is of course very important as well) but to get to know others in the industry who you can always learn from and gain as mentors! Chasing YOUR vision and what YOU want out of this going forward can open doors you never even knew existed you just have to keep faith!

Why did you leave yachting?

I injured my wrist (not knowing how), and it took exceptionally long to heal as no one could really tell me what was wrong. Turns out it was a pinched nerve that stemmed from my back, and I just needed a really good chiropractor.

Tell us a bit about Pull North Yachting

Pull North yachting is like a seed that landed in the right soil and now it’s this amazing tree that keeps on growing, and the branches are starting to flower in all directions. Haha

We started out as a Guidance & Consulting agency who assisted green crew on how to step into yachting and how to pursue it as a career. I was actually on holiday on the West Coast in South-Africa and so many kite surfing friends of mine wanted to know how and what they can do to get into the industry! Before I knew, I had daily consultations booked with people I have never met. Soon thereafter we started assisting crew with their Visas as well. I recently finished developing an amazing Steward/ess Training Program which I am extremely proud of and excited about! We focus a lot on industry values and how to be the best you. I have added two modules which includes mental awareness & financial guidance. We like to have our team members start out by being prepared while also thinking ahead and focusing on their futures. 

We are based in the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, South-Africa.

What is Pull North Yachting, and where are you based?

Pull North yachting is like a seed that landed in the right soil and now it’s this amazing tree that keeps on growing, and the branches are starting to flower in all directions. Haha

We started out as a Guidance & Consulting agency who assisted green crew on how to step into yachting and how to pursue it as a career. I was actually on holiday on the West Coast in South-Africa and so many kite surfing friends of mine wanted to know how and what they can do to get into the industry! Before I knew, I had daily consultations booked with people I have never met. Soon thereafter we started assisting crew with their Visas as well. I recently finished developing an amazing Steward/ess Training Program which I am extremely proud of and excited about! We focus a lot on industry values and how to be the best you. I have added two modules which includes mental awareness & financial guidance. We like to have our team members start out by being prepared while also thinking ahead and focusing on their futures. 

We are based in the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, South-Africa.

Why did you create Pull North Yachting?

I’ve always had a passion to help others and with my experience in the yachting industry it just kind of happened. I wasn’t ready to leave just yet, is one ever… So this seemed like a great way to still be a part of the industry whilst waiting to go back, little did I know. I also have so many stories & lessons to share, by helping others take the leap I can now make proper use of what I’ve learned throughout my time in the industry and how it made me grow as an individual. I have created a space where I can network & keep meeting new people as well as be creative while guiding & teaching others, I’ll never be bored haha It’s everything I enjoy in one.

Can you explain what makes Pull North Yachting unique in the market?

We give hands on guidance and like to get to know you for who you truly are, that way we can guide you better and hopefully also assist in finding you your first position on board! Not only do we teach you job related skills that prepare you for your physical position, but also how to stay resilient under pressure and keep your mind set positive while working with your team. We also focus a lot on Networking, we find ourselves to be pretty diverse and once you are apart of the team we will always be by your side, we always help where we can!

Why did you start a partnership with CrewPass?

CrewPass is something that immediately puts you in the league of a professional yacht crew member and it makes it easier for the person on the hiring end to know they can trust you instead of taking their time to find more out about you. I feel it can also make a great beneficial difference when it comes to industry standards going forward. 

Where do you see Pull North Yachting in the future?

My vision is to support and guide crew, I want Pull North to make their lives easy offshore & on. I have a big passion for the industry and what I’m busy with excites me a lot. I really believe that yachting has so much potential, the opportunities you can create for yourself (and others) are endless. We are busy with a few very exciting projects. There’s so much fun to have with Pull North and I can’t wait to see it happen. I feel very strongly about keeping it a “Boatique agency” as I like to work with our clients personally and the team that I’m busy building has the same vision, keeping it real and personal is important.

Summary

We want to take the time to thank Pull North Yachting for supporting CrewPass and enabling us to spread awareness of the importance of background checks internationally. Partnerships are truly the backbone of all businesses, allowing all to thrive and sustain within the industry. This mutually beneficial partnership also allows us to offer more tools to our crew, furthering their yachting careers. If you are looking to get into yachting and are based in South Africa, we highly recommend Pull North Yachting as your future yacht training provider. To see our other partnerships, please go to our Home Page.

Image source: https://www.pullnorth.com/

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Why Everyone Needs a Mentor in their Life

by For Crew

There are times as a crew member, no matter how senior your position and how many years of experience, when it’s difficult to know where to turn when you need advice. It could be career related, a professional, personal or ethical dilemma, your training, your future plans, a business idea, or your own professional development. 

Finding a mentor isn’t easy, someone who is truly committed to being available to supply intelligent, informed, advice without agenda, someone who has “been there and done it” who will challenge you as well as support you, with the benefits of their own experience and knowledge. 

For the uninitiated, the idea of seeking a mentor, is to find someone that has specific skills in your sector and who has the experience to help an individual to develop and grow within their career, supplying time, wisdom and direction. In my capacity as a professional mentor, I help crew find solutions to their career, training, business and sometimes personal challenges, finding pathways and resources to lead them to successful outcomes. The aim being to enable them to find clarity and motivation to achieve their goals, not only in their current careers but forward onto life beyond yachting. 

At times it can be a very careful balance, my role is to seek to add perspective and insight to help solve a dilemma, issue or decision that an individual is facing. By taking the wrong line of approach it would be easy for me to undermine the line of command on a vessel, rather than seek to give the individual the tools to deal with a situation professionally. Sometimes there is no perfect answer, the nature of the industry means that the issues I discuss with a mentee can kick up real moral and professional dilemmas, where tough decisions have to be made as to whether the response is one that would reflect the individuals personal moral and professional code, or one that retains their job. 

Being a mentor is both a privilege and a challenge, I am acutely aware of the responsibility, especially when it comes to major decisions. But it’s not all a one way process, it’s a hugely rewarding experience for me too. A good mentor/mentee relationship is full of debate and conjecture, where both parties learn so much through each interaction. I love the work, following crew through their careers and watching them grow as individuals, the highs, the lows the cock ups, and the triumphs….. it’s all a huge pleasure. Even the whatsApp messages at 4am in the morning when someone “forgets” the time zones. On a more serious note it continues to allow me an extraordinary window on to the day to day reality of life onboard, and the collaboration of a group of professionals who support and underpin the work I do to effect positive and proactive change within the sector. 

I take on a small number of new mentees each year, if you think it is something that would enhance your professional life, then please take a look at my testimonials and get in touch.

                                                       https://www.the-om.co.uk

Mentor Q & A

How did you start mentoring crew? 

Completely by accident, after 12 years at sea, I was fortunate to transfer my skills into developing and delivering training for superyacht crew in interior, chef and latterly running the first Superyacht Deck Cadetship Programme for 10 years. 

I built relationships with the individuals that I trained both in the classroom and once they were at sea actively working in the industry. It became obvious very early on in the evolution of the program that the students stuck at the training and developed a much more professional approach to their careers if they were able to access advice and support when they needed it. WhatsApp was the key to making it work and enabled me to message and chat to crew globally with ease. The immediacy of it meant that, I was able to help in real time and help them avoid, knee jerk decisions and unwise behaviour. The vast majority of those individuals are still in the industry in senior positions or are out on the other side working in related careers, and although I moved on in my working life, our relationships have endured, and I still work with them to support their career journeys.

How do you have the knowledge and experience to mentor crew from all departments? 

That’s a really good question, I am fortunate that I have a pretty good level of emotional intelligence and I find it easy to both understand and build strong empathetic relationships with crew. That and three other factors, I am passionate about the industry and have built an in depth knowledge of all aspects of it over the years, I am a bit of a geek in that respect! I worked in the industry for a long time across all departments bar engineering however I have a strong technical interest, particularly in sustainability and recently worked with a UK College to develop a pioneering superyacht engineering cadetship, and that combined with my previous experience, means I can tick most boxes. Ultimately the issues and challenges are different onboard when an individual goes from a junior to leadership level, I am always learning and developing my skills and that’s something I try and pass on in my work.

Do you mentor crew new to the industry? 

Yes I do, I do work to encourage awareness of the industry amongst young people whenever I can, through partnerships and collaborations and also by talking to anyone who will listen!, through that, I take on a small group of individuals each year to help them to find the right training and support them into their first roles and beyond.

Who do you mentor? 

I work with over 200 crew, on a regular or ad hoc basis, across the board from Captains, Chief Engineers, Officers, Pursers. Interior HOD’s Bosuns and deck and interior crew.

How does it work?: 

Usually I start with a phone call, where we just chat and get to know each other a little better, we can start to look at the individuals hopes for the mentoring process whatever that might be and gain an understanding of potential goals or what the relationship will look like. From their we will arrange an additional call where we set goals and agree terms of engagement 

Alternatively not everyone is ready or interested in that kind of process and what they require is someone who they can consult occasionally for guidance on how best to deal with issues onboard or help at certain points, for instance when looking for a new job, and weighing up the pros and cons or different job offers. So it’s very much tailored to the individual and completely flexible, from regular structured sessions to occasional calls or WhatsApp messaging, to close contact through an intense period where advice is needed.  

  • Ad hoc: We range over all areas of the help and advice available and start and stop on an open basis. 
  • Agreed process: Agreed goals and a series of sessions and agreed outcomes over a period of time.

Back up: I am here when needed.

What do you help with? 

    • Education and Training: Advice on mandatory and non-mandatory training and education, what’s available, when to do it and what benefits your career the most.
    • Professional Development: Building qualifications and professional skills, associations and experiences to build on your career and employability.
    • Personal Development: Guidance on your own personal journey of discovery and growth alongside your career.
    • Career Planning: Making the best decisions to benefit your career, weighing up the options, choosing the right time to stay and the right time to move on and how to best do that to for all concerned. How to choose the right position on the right vessel to achieve your goals and have a happy and rewarding career. 
    • Life Goals: Long term planning and guidance on how you can balance your career whilst learning new skills and preparing for the future. 
    • Burn Out: Helping crew survive and avoid burnout and find a strategy to move forward, reset and regain their focus and enthusiasm. 
    • Interpersonal Issues and challenges onboard: Un biased, neutral, honest and professional advice to navigate the challenges of working onboard. 
    • Life After Yachting: Help with planning and achieving a successful exit from the industry 
    • Business and Start Up advice: Guidance and advice on business ideas.

Wouldn’t it be better for crew to find a mentor who is a senior member of their crew? 

Mentoring is so important in all its aspects, I would always encourage finding someone on your yacht who is senior to you or having someone who is ahead of you in their career to advise and guide you, there is no limit to who you work with and ask for support. However sometimes it is valuable to have a mentor that is neutral and is not directly involved in the operations of the vessel and who can provide unbiased and much broader guidance through the nature of their career.

Have there been highs and lows in the experience for you? 

Yes for sure, I still get emotional when crew that I have trained and or supported pass their CoC’s or attain their lifetime career goals. I know how much blood sweat and tears; sheer hard work and tenacious drive lies behind those achievements.  It’s always fantastic to share the euphoria of a new promotion or position gained. It’s also very rewarding when an individual has maybe lost heart, lost sight of themselves and is considering leaving the industry and through our interaction is able to rediscover their enthusiasm and find a new way forward. 

But yes, there have been lows and continue to be so, not all conversations are uplifting and not all conversations result in the outcome you would wish. There continues to be some very unprofessional individuals and practices within the sector and when those behaviours are supported from the very top, it can be very difficult to find a solution. For me it’s always very disappointing and frustrating to see and hear about circumstances that were prevalent 20 years ago still going on now, but that’s what drives me to run my business and create training and change in the sector to create a more innovative, equitable, professional and inclusive future.

What is the one most important aspect of being a mentor? 

I think building trust, listening, and whilst supporting, giving guidance, and sharing experiences and wisdom are very important, the key to the process is to enable a crew member to develop the skills and tools to help them find solutions independently.

What else do you do? 

Mentoring is just one aspect of what I do, I am fortunate to run my own company called THE OM https://www.the-om.co.uk (which roughly translated means pathway to enlightenment) which is dedicated to working with crew and the industry. I work to develop pathways and solutions for superyacht crew to achieve success within their professional lives; whilst driving the industry to develop new strategies to evolve and grow towards an innovative, sustainable and equitable future.  My work takes me right across the board from mandatory and non-mandatory training and education to business development and involvement with a number of partners and industry bodies to help influence and effect change.

Competition Time!

If this post has sparked an interest for you there is an exciting opportunity to win a year’s free professional career mentoring support and advice with Emma Baggett at THE OM, exclusively for CrewPass members. 

How to enter: 

Simply write a short sentence/paragraph on “Why I would value the help and support of a career mentor.”

Send your answers to theomcompetition@crewpass.co.uk 

Competition ends on: 

31st of August at 11:59 pm

We will contact the winner on the 1st of September directly.

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This or that: Yachtie edition

by For Crew

This week CrewPass decided to ask our Instagram followers a variety of this or that questions based on yachting. We aim to help green crew feel completely prepared to join the industry; sometimes, it’s best to go straight to the source and see what the people within the industry have to say. After 24 hours of voting, the results are in. Let’s look at what our followers favour in the yachting industry…

Jet Skis or Jet Packs?

Yacht toys play a massive part in the charter experience for guests and crew. There has been an increasing demand for water-based toys noticed by charter brokers. “Most successful charter yachts will have an excellent selection of toys onboard. They are seen by the crew as crucial to meeting and surpassing the guests’ high expectations for enjoyment.” (Ocean Premium).

Jet skis are a standard on most yachts, and they tend to be great fun for all. Jet Skiing also gives your cardiovascular system a great workout as just 30 minutes a day improves your endurance hugely.

A jet pack is a device worn on the back that uses gas or liquid jets to propel the wearer through the air. However, unlike jet skis, learning to fly with jet packs is a challenging, time-consuming process. But once you get the hang of it, you can fly 30 feet above the ocean, dive under the surface like a dolphin and walk on water.

The Results:
Jet skis: 68%
Jet packs: 32%

There is an unmistakable winner; jet skis are the favourite water toy! They are a standard on many yachts, they are great fun and easy to manoeuvre!

The Med or The Caribbean?

The Mediterranean and the Caribbean are arguably the most popular yachting destinations in the world. Both places offer a unique charter experience full of individual culture, food, scenery and landmarks.

The Caribbean sailing season is from November to July. The tropical paradise in the Caribbean islands offers pristine beaches, vibrant cultures, ideal sailing conditions and crystal clear water. The warmer water in the Caribbean makes it more pleasurable to swim in. But the Caribbean is prone to way more rain and unpredictable weather.

Whilst the Mediterranean prides itself on the best food in the world, extensively rich cultures and breathtaking cliffside sites. The Mediterranean is the world’s largest yacht charter area, covering Greece, Croatia, Italy and more. The history in the Med is incomparable, featuring the Greek and Italian ruins, monumental cathedrals, mosaics, music and art.

The Results:
The Med: 54%
The Caribbean: 46%

Overall, the results are pretty close, whilst they fluctuated in the last 24 months. From these results, it’s clear that they are equally impressive, but both locations offer something unique, with pros and cons.

Sailboat or Powerboat?

Sailboats and powerboats both have notable advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the size, both sailboats and powerboats will have the same marina costs. The main thing people focus on is the type of experience they wish to have on the water.

People who choose sailboats tend to feel pride in navigating the water, and the sailboat arguably offers a more adventurous type of travel. Sailboats connect people to the water and the weather on a primal level whilst feeling a sense of satisfaction. Plus, this form of travel is more environmentally friendly as wind powers the boat. However, sailboats tend to be more time-consuming, energy-draining and demand more training.

A powerboat is an ultimate bay and ocean boat and is excellent for transporting short fishing trips into the wide-open water. Sailboats will never contend with the speed of the dual engines of a powerboat. Plus, powerboats tend to have more space, including deck space and interior space with amenities such as cabins and stand-up galleys. However, powerboats rely on fuel, have expensive engines and have constant noise of an engine.

The Results:
Sailboat: 27%
Powerboat: 73%

Powerboats are generally more comfortable for living and sleeping than sailboats, and more of the boat is above water and tends to be more open in space. Powerboat decks are not cluttered with sails or masts; therefore, they are much more leisurely moving around and excellent for onboard entertaining.

Private Boats or Charter Yachts?

In a private yacht job, you will work on a yacht used only by the owner and their guests. On a charter yacht, you’ll be working on a boat chartered primarily by families for lavish holidays, businesses for corporation use or special events. Before you apply for yacht jobs, we recommend you learn what type of yachting experience you wish to undergo.

Private yacht jobs typically pay a little less than those working on a charter boat. However, private yachts offer generous bonuses and other benefits, including health insurance. Private yachts go where the owner fancies, which means crew may have the opportunity to explore some of the world’s remote destinations, anywhere from Antarctica to the Galapagos Islands. Plus, surpassing the owner’s expectations is more manageable as you develop a working relationship.

Yacht charters offer lucrative tips! Crew typically receive a gratuity at the end of charters, which could end up being 20% of the price of the charter. A charter yacht has continuous guests coming on and off the boat. This means the crew is constantly kept on their toes and must try to anticipate their guests’ needs. On a charter yacht, every trip is different, which is a great opportunity for crew who enjoy spontaneity in their lives.

The Results:
Private Boats: 41%
Charter Yachts: 59%

Although the results were relatively close, charter yachts came up on top overall. Many crew a drawn by the lucrative earning potential that charter yachts tend to offer.

Yoga or Gym?

Many green crew question if they can keep up with their fitness routine and stay in shape while working onboard. Even with cramped living quarters and long work hours, there are still opportunities to maintain a good exercise programme and stay fit at sea.

Many superyachts contain a gym board, and now that the rise in health and well-being has directly affected the yachting industry. Some yachts have the state of the art gyms fully equipt. Many crew members are allowed to take advantage of the equipment when guests are off board.

Yoga and pilates on yachts are taking social media by storm, with many yacht crew creating separate social media accounts dedicated to this type of fitness. Yoga is a set of specific exercises, called poses, combined with breathing techniques and meditation principles which can be practised anywhere. Yoga can be practised on the beach, on deck, in the gym, in a studio and pretty much anywhere with a bit of space.

The Results:
Yoga: 26%
Gym: 74%

Shockingly, the gym surpassed the yoga results, with the majority of yacht crew voting that the gym is their favourite way to keep fit and healthy.

Do you agree or disagree with the results? Let us know what you think and comment below if you have any other questions you would like CrewPass to ask our followers!

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Yachting problems- What to avoid? How to solve them!

by For CrewFor Vessels

CrewPass has already touched on the pull toward yachting in the blog post “The desirable life of a yachtie”, but today we look into the push away from yachting. What drives people to leave the industry? Many positives come with working onboard, like great tips, higher salaries, opportunities for travel and more! However, we also believe it is just as crucial for crew to understand the job’s flaws and how to overcome potential issues that may arise. So this week, we will dive into common yachting problems that repeatedly keep popping up and how to avoid or solve them. Don’t let hardships ruin your experience!

Underpaid, Overworked

The most common problem onboard is too many people are being overworked and do not feel like they are being paid enough. Feeling underappreciated is horrible; throw exhaustion on top of that, and you may feel completely deflated. An unnamed crew member online stated that they worked 17 hours on average per day, which worked out to be three euros an hour! Plus, when the workload keeps piling and pilling with more responsibilities being put on your shoulders for the same wage, you start to question, is it really worth it?

Solutions:

  1. Have a professional, open conversation with your Captain and avoid bringing emotion into the talk. Don’t come across as confrontational.
  2. Consider leaving- Work during your notice period and depart on good terms. Sometimes it’s better to leave than stay. Trust your gut.

Avoid:
To avoid this situation, we advise crew to stop taking questionable low-wage jobs out of desperation. Green crew may feel like any job is better than nothing, mainly because they lack experience. However, it’s not worth taking on a job that makes you miserable and taken advantage of!

Preference sheet shenanigans

Unfortunately, in any job, even outside of yachting, you may have to deal with some problematic colleagues; however, how you deal with conflict is what counts! There is always that one guest who demands an item that wasn’t put on the preference sheet and then turns around and blames the crew. Unfortunately, this is more common than one may think, and it has consistently been a struggle getting guests to take the time to correctly complete the sheet before the trip. Guests tend to assume that crew can efficiently “run to the store” when needed or the yacht magically has unlimited storage. Whilst the fault isn’t with the crew member, the anger is taken out on them because the ego of the primary is dented.

Solution:

  1. If a guest is making a fuss about an item that isn’t on the preference list, you cant seem to get ahold of reaching their charter broker and explain the crisis. The broker will liaise with their client and highlight the reality of the situation.
  2. Reach out to surrounding agents to see if they can aid and assist you.

Avoid:
When sending out the preference sheets, you can ask, “what would you be most disappointed at if we didn’t have them on board?” Add some examples such as espresso, soy milk, gluten-free bread etc.

Add a disclaimer stating that the yacht can’t guarantee the item will be available during the trip if it’s not on the preference sheet.

Dodgy recruiters and job ads

There has been an increase in fake yacht jobs in the industry, taking advantage of green crew who lack the experience and knowledge about the yachting recruitment process. Many scammers post ads claiming to represent leading companies, asking for money or passport details upfront. Some unlucky crew have fallen victim to identity fraud, embezzlement or something more sinister!

Solutions:

  1. Do your research! Go on yachtie Facebook groups and ask around on social media to see what others say about the ad/recruiter.
  2. Ask to see their data protection policies as crew agents use a secure online database, not just an email.
  3. Go for jobs that offer contracts!

Avoid:
We advise crew to avoid poorly written adverts with spelling mistakes, typos and grammar blunders as that is a likely giveaway that the ad is fake.

Avoid ads that do not offer any contact details, including an address, phone number, email etc.

Difficult crew members

Unfortunately, in any job, even outside of yachting, you may have to deal with some problematic colleagues; however, how you deal with conflict is what counts! When you start a new job on board, you will share tight living quarters and spend most of your time with complete strangers. Without knowing a person’s life or history before stepping onboard, potential threats and risks are always feasible. Although there are many like-minded, great people who join yachting, there may be times when you have to work with a few oddballs or not very agreeable people. Verbal and physical fights can occur onboard, as well as bullying, favouritism, and other issues may occur on board. What can you do to avoid these threats?

Solution:

  1. Be direct and talk to the crew member about the problem. Calmly approach the conversation with respect and make sure you talk in private.
  2. Schedule a time to talk to your captain about the issue and respectfully request them to find a solution.
  3. Remove yourself from the situation- If there is no resolution, sometimes it’s better to cut your losses than to be put in danger or let it affect your mental health. Work during your notice period and part with the vessel on good terms.
  4. Find a vessel that exclusively hires CrewPass Approved crew onboard. Although our checks can’t anticipate character, work ethic or personality, we can minimise serious danger onboard! Our checks allow Captains to place fully vetted and safe crew onboard. Feel safe knowing everyone onboard has passed a full criminal background check and ID verification.

Avoid:
Blaming and labelling may heighten the threats.
It’s easier said than done but don’t take it personally.

“Working in yachting isn’t easy, and crew may work long hours for months during the season. This should be well known, which is usually why yachties get paid well.”

“Unfortunately, yachting may not be for everyone, and it’s much more mentally and physically challenging than you think.”

  • Conrad Empson, Managing Director of CrewPass
west nautical

Add your unique ID badge to your CV

by For Crew

The yachting industry is booming, the market is actively growing, and there has been an influx of green crew joining it. Dockwalk (2022) states that “the departments with the highest growth were chef and stew with a 57 per cent increase in job orders.” However, as the yacht recruitment industry expands, so does the competition. Green crew share the same training certificates and lack industry experience. Thus, the primary way to impress potential employers is to make their CV stand out. If you are interested in how to write a yachtie CV, CrewPass has 2 blogs that would benefit you: “How can CrewPass elevate your CV?” and “Superyacht CVs: Make sure your CV looks its best!” However, in this blog post, we will discuss why it’s important to add your CrewPass Approved unique ID badge to your CV.

Why should you become CrewPass Approved? (If you are not already)

CrewPass is multifaceted, and promotes many different benefits for a wide range of people. Whether you are a captain looking to take advantage of our superyacht crew management software, an agency that wants to promote fully vetted crew or a crew member wishing to gain an edge in the industry. CrewPass has you covered. For Crew, we offer you a chance to add value to your CV by providing a desired accreditation and a badge to let employers know that you are CrewPass Approved.

To become CrewPass Approved, a crew member must take a few steps. Firstly you must sign up and submit your application. Then CrewPass conducts in-depth, international checks, leading to your final results. You will be awarded the CrewPass Approved accreditation if you have passed your checks. We will send you an email which will have your unique ID attached to it.

Stand out with a unique ID badge on your CV

Your unique ID badge will host your name, unique ID number, Approved status and our tick. This badge is 100% personalised to you, meaning no one can replicate it. Show off your new status by displaying it proudly on your CV and let all employers know that you are safe to place onboard.

When everyone is sitting, stand up! When everyone is standing, stand out! And when everyone is standing out, be the standard...

- Pinkie Seth Hlazo

CrewPass is a five-star, globally recognised and supported company which is why we are trusted by some of the largest businesses in the industry! Crew agencies, training providers, management companies, yacht owners, Captains, job boards and more are on board with our mission to make background checking an industry standard. Companies including Viking Maritime Group, Bespoke Crew, Wilsonhalligan, Quay Crew, Diana Corell, The OM, Superyacht CV’s, The Superyacht Chef, Dockendo, Trilogy Luxury Training, Ya crew, UKSA, YPI Crew and Seven Seas Recruitment, all support and welcome CrewPass Approved crew.

Don’t forget to add our accreditation to your CV under certificates and add your ID badge to the CV. Show off to captains and agencies that you have something other green crew don’t have. Highlight to potential employers that you are a quality candidate that is dedicated to the industry. 

Pay over 2 years for just £9.99 p/m or pay annually and get one step closer to your dream job. 

Become CrewPass Approved
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How to combat seasickness onboard

by For Crew

Motion sickness is a common issue for many people, and nearly 80% of the population will or have already suffered from it at least once in their lives. If you are more prone to motion sickness, it is more than likely that you will suffer from seasickness. Plus, if you are a woman, you are more likely to suffer from seasickness than men! People mostly feel sick because of the yacht’s motion on the water. Therefore, your dream yacht job could become a nightmare if you suffer from it. However, as yacht crew cannot avoid the sea, CrewPass has researched many articles and pharmacy sites to hopefully help you minimise seasickness onboard.

Fun fact:
‘Plague of the sea’ is what the Ancient Greeks used to call seasickness.

What causes seasickness?

Seasickness is a result of a conflict in the inner ear. Our inner ear is where the human balance mechanism is found. Due to the yacht’s disruptive motion on the water, the brain responds with stress-related hormones that can lead to feeling seasick. Some people theorise that the brain believes it’s being poisoned, which is why people end up having similar symptoms, however, this theory is not proven. Yacht stabilises and gyros can help limit the symptoms, but they won’t 100% guarantee that people will not suffer from it at times. Furthermore, people suffering from seasickness may find that their symptoms worsen by smelling intense odours like fish or fumes. On a positive note, some people feel better after a few days of sailing once the body starts to acclimate to the motion of the yacht.

Symptoms of seasickness:

It is very easy to diagnose seasickness as it occurs typically quickly after boarding a vessel. However, we have collated a list of seasickness symptoms (CrewPass are not health professionals; if you think you need medical guidance, please get in touch with your doctor or a healthcare professional). 

Symptoms differ from person to person; some suffer a lot more than others, but they can include:

  • Pale skin
  • Dizziness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Headaches
  • Increased saliva production
  • Nausea
  • Vertigo
  • Vomiting

How to minimise seasickness:

Luckily for anyone who suffers from seasickness, plenty of methods reduce these symptoms.

Avoid overheating.
Avoid the heat and exposed sun, heat stroke on top of seasickness is not a good combination!

Drink water but not too much.
Due to the movement on yachts, the water you drink tends to move around in your stomach, making you feel even sicker. Avoid alcohol, coffee and acidic juices like orange juice as this can irritate your stomach.

Avoid reading.
Like in cars, reading on yachts is never a good idea, especially when feeling sick. Whether it’s on your mobile device, a computer or a book, try and stay away from these activities.

Get some sleep.
Of course, sleeping through your sickness is not easy if you are working on a yacht. But where you can get some sleep in, take this opportunity as sleep reduces the mixed signals in your brain by removing vision and hearing.

Take medication.
Many medications ease or prevent seasickness and can be bought over the counter or prescribed by your doctor. Cinnarizine is an antihistamine that stops you from feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting). Cinnarizine is a drowsy (sedating) antihistamine, and it’s more likely to make you feel sleepy than other antihistamines. It’s used for travel sickness (also called motion sickness), dizziness and sickness caused by inner ear problems (such as vertigo, tinnitus and Ménière’s disease). Cinnarizine comes as tablets and is available on prescription or to buy at pharmacies and supermarkets.

Hyoscine is one of the familiar medicines for motion sickness and works by blocking the signals sent to your brain during motion. It can also decrease saliva buildup in the mouth (a symptom of nausea).

Avoid the engine room.
The engine room is a no go zone for seasickness sufferers as the combination of fumes and bad weather can be too much to bear.

Ginger.
Ginger is a natural remedy for nausea and is an effective way to combat dizziness. You can consume it in its raw form, candied, in a tea, in ginger beer, in a pill and more!

Sea sickness bands.
Sea sickness bands are an affordable option for sufferers, the bands are influenced by acupuncture by blocking the signals to the brain that causes sickness.

What should I buy?

To make your lives easier, we have attached links to a range of seasickness cures (UK). If you have any remedies or a different cure for seasickness, make sure you write it in the comment section below! Thank you for reading this week’s blog, we hope you have found it useful.

Anti Nausea / Motion Sickness Travel Wrist Bands. Ideal For Holiday And Travel

Description:

“Anti Nausea Wristband One Size Fits All Features The Anti-Nausea Wristband Is A Knitted Elasticated Wristband, Which Operates By Applying Pressure On The Nei Kuan Acupressure Point. Assists The Prevention Of Nausea From Air, Sea And Road Travel Suitable For Adults And Children May Be Washed Up To Five Times Instructions Included One Size Fits All”

Price: £2.49

Reliefband

Description:

“100% natural FDA cleared prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting. Developed For Use In Hospitals… Our patented technology “Turns Off” feelings of nausea and vomiting, without drugs and without side effects!”

Price: £129.99 – £249.99

Kwells travel sickness tablets

Description:

“Kwells can be taken up to 20-30 minutes before the start of your journey to prevent travel sickness occurring, or at the onset of nausea.”

“Features of Kwells travel sickness tablets x 12
Hyoscine hydrobromide
Tablets may be sucked, chewed or swallowed
Ideal for travel sickness.”

Price: £3.19

20 Counts Motion Sickness Patch for Car and Boat Rides, Cruise and Airplane Trips-Relieves Nausea, Dizziness&Vomiting from Seasickness, Fast Acting & No Side Effects

Description:

“Effective Against Vomiting. Patches for seasickness relieves the vomiting, nausea, dizziness, anorexia, and other symptoms resulting from sickness of cars, ships, aeroplanes, trains and other means of transport.”

Price: £39 – £64

Sea-Band nausea relief ginger capsules

Description:

“Each Sea-Band ginger capsule includes 250mg ginger produced from natural ginger root, which supports digestive health and proper stomach function. It’s gluten free and good for vegetarians and vegans, and it’s ideal for usage before or during lengthy journeys by car, boat, rail, or airline.”

Price: £6.09

Stugeron - 15 Tablets

Description:

Stugeron Tablets can be used to help prevent and relieve the symptoms of travel sickness:

  • nausea  
  • vomiting  
  • anxiety  
  • headaches

Price: £3.75

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Is it worth dockwalking in places like Antibes to find a job on a yacht?

by For Crew

Finding a job on a yacht can be challenging for newbies, especially as the yachting industry is highly saturated and crowded with green crew. So what is the best method of getting onboard a yacht? Is travelling to Antibes really the best option? Is dock walking outdated? Is there any other options out there for green crew? CrewPass has asked a handful of yachting professionals and yachties to see what their opinions are!

What is dockwalking?

Dockwalking is the process of walking along a dock, approaching yachts and crew to bag day work, permanent work, or to hand out their CVs. It is undoubtedly the most common route for any crew member looking to get a job on a yacht. The most established location for dockwalking would be in the South of France, Europe. However, dockwalking has become increasingly difficult to access the docks for numerous reasons.

Why do crew dock walk in Antibes?

One of the main reasons crew dockwalk in Antibes is to make themselves accessible and readily available for day work and interviews. If you live further away, it may be helpful to temporarily move to Antibes to remove travel time. Living in Antibes offers a great opportunity to socialise with many other people who are in the same boat as you.

On Instagram, CrewPass asked if it is worth travelling to Antibes to dockwalk and this is one of our responses:

“Definitely! Even if it’s to do some day work, you get a feel for working on a yacht”

If you are planning to go dockwalking in the Med, the best time to head down there is as early as February/March as well as April. You will need to get up pretty early for dockwalking (around 7/8 ish). Please do not approach crew on their lunch breaks or over the weekends as they will not be happy being disturbed. Plus, make sure you dress appropriately, ready for work! Crew are expected to wear white polo shirts, deck shoes, skorts and your hair should also look professional.

“Dockwalking can be vital for putting a face to a cv. Seeing green crew out and about looking for work can only be a positive thing, when their cv does come through for a role, the crew may remember them as a friendly face from the dock previously and it could be the difference of getting an interview or not. Crew should be smart about Dockwalking, don’t break the law and don’t bother crew who clearly aren’t interested in your cv. Read the room. The first job is always the hardest, keep trying and stay positive!”

- Rachel Cunningham, Head Chef, 88m (8 years in yachting)

Why dockwalking may not be worthwhile anymore:

Travelling to Antibes isn’t the cheapest or most convenient option for some green crew looking to find a job on a yacht anymore. Flights from the UK have recently been a nightmare due to strikes, short-staffed airports and constant flight delays. Plus, the rising cost of living has caused people to be a bit more cautious with money. Without the correct European working visas as a British passport holder, you can not work in the South of France and most of Europe. If a person is found looking for work without it, there is a chance they will be deported. If you are not signed onto a vessel, a British passport holder is only entitled to 90 days in any 180 days for travelling. If you are not sure if you need a visa, check with the UK-based embassy of the country you want to work in to see what you need to do.

"Many people are still achieving successful jobs without the need for Dock walking, even with very little or no yachting experience.”

- Jessica Mountford , Wilsonhalligan

We are currently living in the digital age where everything is done online via mobile devices and crew databases are now widely adopted by captains and yacht owners. Finding a job online via crew agencies, job boards and Facebook pages has never been so easy, whilst dockwalking has never been so difficult. Due to Covid, there are new travel restrictions, and on top of that, marinas have added new access restrictions. These restrictions have made finding a job through dockwalking extremely difficult to achieve. Financially, it is not pragmatic for crew to support themselves through the odd day jobs onboard whilst paying to stay in a crew house.

“Dockwalking is dated, just get yourself to a yachting hub and apply for jobs online from there. Sign up to the various crew pages on Facebook and be ready to an interview at any time. Answer your phone. Look professional. Be on time. Don’t come to the boat unannounced and annoy the crew with your cv”

- Nicholas Varley, Chief Engineer 80m+

Is it worth travelling to Antibes to dockwalk? Here are our Instagram responses:

Conrad Empson- The Founder of CrewPass, offers his opinion on this topic:

“Antibes and the surrounding areas used to be the vibrant hub for yachties walking the dock every morning, hoping to find day work or a potential position onboard. However, over the past 2 years, everything has massively changed!

99% of jobs are now posted online through crew agencies or Facebook pages. From my experience, crew spend most of their time sitting in crew houses, applying for jobs online.

If all jobs can be applied online, it begs the question, why do crew need to be in Antibes?

There are two sides to my answer; if you live in the UK, if you got offered a position, you could easily be in the South of France within 6 hours. If you come from a little bit further afield, Antibes may be the place for you but be prepared to spend money sitting around waiting and using up your 90 days. Antibes is an amazing place and can offer unique opportunities for some crew but is often regarded as a holiday for some green crew. Crew that use their time in Antibes as more of a holiday generally go home empty-handed.”

Suppose you are looking to find a job online; CrewPass is partnered with many crew agencies including Wilsonhalligan, Seven Seas Recruitment, YPI Crew and many job boards! Kick start your yachting career today…

Many of our partners have integrated CrewPass into their website, allowing CrewPass Approved crew to validate their status and automatically update their job profile. This is great for green crew trying to stand out from the crowd and gain employers’ trust.

If you are a green yacht chef wanting to find work, our partner, The Superyacht Chef has posted a blog: Dockwalking for yacht chefs [updated 2022]. Make sure you check this site out if you are an aspiring yacht chef!

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CrewPass celebrates a new partnership with UKSA

by For Crew

Today we celebrate our new partnership with UKSA. UKSA is a national maritime charity based on the Isle of Wight, offering accessible maritime training, enhancing life skills and increasing employment opportunities in the sector.

The charity is one of the UK’s leading maritime training providers, offering a wide range of courses, including Superyacht Cadetship, Superyacht Crew Training, Superyacht Hospitality Training, and Professional Yachtmaster Offshore and more!

Like CrewPass’ other partners in the industry, UKSA saw the significance of pre-screening crew for the safety of individuals within the yachting industry. With UKSA’s support, CrewPass aims to make background checking an industry standard.

"34% of [UKSA's] graduates went into the superyacht industry"

Both companies strive to make the journey toward employment straightforward by providing crew with the tools they need to succeed.

UKSA cadets can sign up with CrewPass and undergo a comprehensive criminal record check and ID verification check so that by the time they finish their course, they will be fully ready to join the industry. Not only is this convenient for vessels, agencies and management companies, but this collaboration is also directly worthwhile for crew.

"879 students completed MCA courses"

CrewPass removes the time spent screening every crew member coming through their systems, and crew do not have to undergo multiple checks for each company. No matter where you are in the world, CrewPass will be able to undergo checks for you.

If you are looking to do yacht training in the UK, we highly recommend you use UKSA as your training provider! If you are a UKSA cadet or applying to join UKSA, make sure you look out for UKSA’s unique promotional code to get CrewPass’ subscription at a discounted price.

UKSA’s website: https://uksa.org/

UKSA’s Social media links:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

LinkedIn

YouTube