Introduction
CrewPass is happy to announce that we partnered with Cara-Lees Yacht Crew, a crew recruitment agency based in Edinburgh, Scotland. We were lucky enough to have Cara-Lee agree to an interview to inform our readers what her agency offers and other helpful insights/information relating to the yachting industry.
What Cara-Lees Yacht Crew has to offer
“The company offers a truly bespoke and personalised yacht crew placement service based platform of professionalism, honesty, transparency and unrivalled personal relationships.
Also, we don’t adhere to the ‘traditional’ office hours, enabling us to be on hand for clients when they find themselves in need of crew urgently night or day or on a Sunday, e.g. and this also enables us to encompass yachts working in differing time zones.”
What sets you apart from other crew recruitment agencies?
“Cara Lees Yacht Crew is about maintaining and reinstating the traditional values that perhaps may
have been lost along the way in recent years in crew placement services. Automation having taken
on a significant role in recruitment.”
“Another aspect is not just being driven by targets and sales, but making that placement because it’s
making a difference to someone’s life and career advancement. And also, importantly, contributing
positively to the crew dynamic, operations and yacht owner/guest experience. It’s important to take the time to find out what is beyond a CV.”
“Too often, good candidates can be and are overlooked by automation. If a crew member appears to
have ‘boat hopped,’ Ask why? Find out the back story. Have that conversation. Technology and automation certainly has its place, but person-to-person interaction shouldn’t be substituted.”
“Having worked in the yachting industry for many years on both private and charter, motor and sail,
along with several years in crew recruitment in a highly regarded crew agency, I’ve achieved a
wealth and depth of knowledge in all aspects of daily life in this unique setting – including
understanding the ideal crew dynamic. My business now brings this experience and knowledge
together in the recruitment and placement of top-class crew.”
Why did you partner with CrewPass?
“In this incredibly unique and ever-growing industry, it has become more of a necessity to now be a lot more security and safety conscious when placing crew. Reference checks are obviously a good indicator but perhaps don’t always bring to light anything unsavoury about a character’s record or
arrests if they have them.”
“We are placing crew who work, eat, sleep and breathe in incredibly close proximity to one other. It
is imperative that we as a crew placement service have done our due diligence and vetted candidates as comprehensively as possible. CrewPass will help to ensure the safety of our crew, and
clients, who are some of the most influential and powerful individuals in the world, giving them
peace of mind that every measure has been taken in creating that safe haven for all.”
What trends have you noticed in the superyacht industry in 2022?
“It’s become a massively competitive industry recently, and a great flood of entry-level candidates wanting to break into the industry. Also, more mental health awareness and support are being made available. No longer is this an undiscussed subject, and crew is left to suffer in silence.”
What are your red flags when interviewing a crew member?
“Lack of manners, over-familiar, inappropriate language used. Any evasion to pass on referee
contact details is a big red flag. It’s very rare but has happened.”
What are the most in demand and sought out roles within the yachting industry?
“As there are more Deckhand and Stewardess positions for the level candidates. Rotation, of course, is also in demand. Charter yacht positions are also very much sought after.”
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What advice would you give a green crew member trying to get their first yacht job?
“Perseverance and determination are key. It’s can be very tough to break into the industry with such a lot of competition. But present your CV and yourself well. Be courteous and polite. If given a day work opportunity, work hard, be punctual (early is better still), show willingness and leave any attitude or demands on the dock! Go the extra mile, but be yourself.”
Our partnership...
“I’m delighted to have formed a partnership with CrewPass and firmly believe this is the way forward when it comes to ensuring a safer working and living environment onboard. Without doubt, it’s a very affordable and worthwhile accreditation that all crew should have and one I support fully.”
-Cara-Lees, founder of Cara-Lees Yacht Crew