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The most popular yachting spots for Christmas

by For CrewFor Vessels

Hollywood always depict Christmas as a snowy utopia, and many people wish for a white Christmas! But why not replace “white Christmas” for white beaches this year! Don’t settle for grey skies, wet and cold climates when you could be sunbathing in the Caribbean…No matter where you go, Christmas will always be Christmas, so spend it this year at the top luxury Christmas destinations for yachting.

The Caribbean is an ideal destination for Christmas. If you are looking for solitude this year, the Caribbean islands are only 10% inhabited, giving you the privacy, you desire. Soak up the sun and feast outside on the yacht’s deck around the main guest table and enjoy a grand Christmas dinner made by the finest yacht chefs. Don’t fancy a Christmas roast dinner this year? The Caribbean arguably has the best seafood in the world for you to try instead?

British Virgin Islands:

Christmas in a hot climate is already superior and socialising with friends and family in luxury and comfort in the British Virgin Islands is supreme! With four main islands and many smaller ones, there are plenty of locations to choose from. All have different things to do from sight-seeing, water activities and enjoying the local cuisine. The Islands have an excess of marine life, so it is a popular place for yacht charters. Plus, the British Virgin Islands is a great place to go snorkelling and check out the RMS Rhone, which sunk in 1867 and lies at the bottom of Salt Island. As this destination is the volcanic part of the Caribbean, why not check out the rainforest-like Sage Mountain National Park?

Antigua and Barbuda:

Antigua and Barbuda have an abundance of breath-taking beaches and scenic views! The most notable yacht destination in Antigua is Carlisle Bay. Carlisle Bay is a yacht friendly resort and is seen as the hub of the Caribbean. With an excess of exquisite cafés and restaurants, why wouldn’t you want to spend your Christmas here? Plus, you can enjoy delicious rum-based cocktails from a hammock soaking in the rays.

The Bahamas:

If you want a more action-packed Christmas, then The Bahamas is perfect for you! The Bahamas offers thrill-seekers an abundance of charter yacht water toys ranging from jet skis and water skis to paddleboards and kayaks. Why don’t you try diving in beautiful reefs in the Bahamas and exploring underwater caves and ancient shipwrecks? There are also plenty of activities on land, including splashing the cash at The Bahamas world-class casinos or trying out one of their luxurious golf courses. Of course, if you are a bit of a shopaholic, then the Bahamas offers top exclusive brands and high-end shopping to satisfy your shopping needs.

If the Caribbean doesn’t float your boat this Christmas, maybe going down under to the South Pacific and Australia will! The South Pacific has the world’s largest ocean making it a dream location for yachting. A quintessential tropical island Christmas is as idyllic as it sounds. Plus, the South Pacific is the home for romantic hideaways! Both Australia and the South Pacific offer a variety of action-packed activities ranging from whale watching to thrilling jungle tours. Christmas in this destination will not be dull! The diversity in culture and the inviting locals are just one of many reasons you must travel here for Christmas.

Australia:

Australia is a gigantic country that fulfils everyone’s needs with diverse landscapes, cultures, and activities. An endless amount of stunning surf beaches and the incredible Great Barrier Reef make Australia a leading tourist hot spot for Christmas. If you want an urban getaway this Christmas, then Sydney is the place for you! Sydney celebrates Christmas with various festive events, including light shows, Christmas markets, live performances, and funfairs suitable for all ages. If you desire a more extravagant Christmas, make the most of Sydney’s reputable world-class dining and luxury hotels. Sydney also offers excellent wine regions, including the oldest wine region Hunter Valley which offers fine wine and the most exceptional restaurants, including Muse and Bistro.

Image from ELLE Decor

Fiji:

With tonnes of thriving coral reefs and lagoons, Fiji is a tropical paradise on the top of most people’s bucket lists. Volcanic mountains surround clear blue waters and white sand beaches. With slight temperature variation, one can expect a sunny Christmas even in December! Therapeutic mud pools, hot springs, swimming with sharks in Beqa Lagoon, ancient archaeological sites, sand dunes, lush rainforests are just a few things you can check out in Fiji. Plus, with more than 300 islands to choose from, you definitely won’t get bored this Christmas.

Image from Lonely Planet

French Polynesia:

Lastly, but not least, the French Polynesia islands could end up being your new favourite Christmas location. French Polynesia is home to 118 islands; however, yachts tend to base in the Society or the Marquesas Islands. Expect to see coral-fringed lagoons and white beaches on your trip, but the array of mountains and towering waterfalls is even more impressive! Bora Bora is one of the most popular islands in this destination. This famous location hosts stunning overwater accommodation and crystal-clear waters that offers serenity and peace over the stressful holiday period.

Where are you planning to have Christmas this year? Let us know in the comment below and keep up to date with CrewPass via our social media pages!

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Yachting secrets that will shock outsiders…

by For Crew

When watching reality TV shows like Below Deck, viewers get a glimpse of what yachting entails. However, these yachting TV shows only show bite-size parts of the reality of life on superyachts. This blog unveils some of the most shocking and mind-blowing situations that happen on luxury yachts. I have collected a range of yachting stories, blog posts and news articles, which I consider the most unexpected yachting secrets.

Spoilt crew

Everyone expects guests and owners to be rather spoilt as they are used to the finer things in life. However, many yachties have stated that the yacht crew themselves can be spoilt. Although some may not come from wealthy backgrounds, all yacht crew are exposed to wealth and riches onboard. Thus, being around the most affluent people can start to rub off on the staff. If the guests are off board, some captains allow their crew members to use some of the amenities that the average person would never get a chance to experience. Onboard amenities such as gyms, home cinemas, jet skis, Jacuzzis, and indoor swimming pools are just a small example of yacht staff acclimating to.

Yacht crew typically receive a hefty tip at the end of a charter, this type of (tax-free) cash is not as impressive in most other services, but as their clients are wealthy, they can afford to pay higher amounts for gratitude. However, some yacht crew expect big tips, luxury items and gifts like Rolex watches around Christmas time. Sometimes, there can be a surplus of extravagant food and alcohol on board, which the crew can sometimes enjoy if the guests and captain permit this. Traveling to the best locations in the world, living on the most expensive yachts, mixing with the one percent-ers and being subjected to wealth continuous is bound to rub off on anyone!

No privacy

Lack of privacy onboard for yacht crew may not be shocking to many, but it always shocks the guests. Guests seem interested in where the yacht crew live, but the crew quarters and the galley are the only places crew members get privacy. Unfortunately, they don’t get much, though!  Some guest even requests to see the crew’s living quarters out of curiosity. Most crew members sleep in cabins, sharing their space with complete strangers, which means privacy is severely lacking. Most yacht crew must share bathrooms which can get interesting at the best of times! Even when crew members get time to rest and sleep, they can be woken up by constant drills, including fire drills late at night.

Image from Professional YachtMaster Training

No stability

Many people join the yachting industry to live an aspirational lifestyle or to get paid to travel to beautiful locations. However, travelling means leaving your life behind you, including friends, family, and partners. Although the idea of that sounds easy, homesickness can soon kick in when you’re having a bad day and need familiar faces. Brooke Laughton from season 3 Below Deck Med said the lowest point of her yachting career was missing her sister’s wedding. Missing family events are not uncommon, which can be a negative part of working on a luxury yacht. Plus, the work on vessels can be unpredictable. For example, if a boat has been sold or doesn’t want their boat in use anymore, you can be asked to vacate the boat within hours.

Random requests

The most random requests from guests seem to revolve around food, interestingly! Expensive taste tends to link to exotic food requests. Some food requests are cultural, like the request of a live baby octopus for dinner. Guests have requested fruit and vegetables that are not in season, making it almost impossible to import. Other guests will demand that they will have food flown in from different countries like a croissant made explicitly in Paris. Rare flower petals and mineral water brands must be freighted by air to please the guests, which costs thousands! According to Charter World, some guests are super picky:

Another guest requested cucumber cubes cut to 10 mm exactly for breakfast. A ruler was used to make sure the measurements were accurate.

Whilst other guests are so picky that they bring in their own cutlery and plates onboard.

Superyacht crew agency highlighted that some guests have requested “Louis Vuitton life jackets” and “prescription diving goggles.” Other requests include having guests pampered pets flown in mid charter! Most of the time, the yacht crew must find creative ways of fulfilling all these requests.

Image from BOAT International

Promiscuous activities

Something you will never see on Below Deck is that many guests bring prostitutes and escorts onboard. This is widespread knowledge from crew members, but outsiders may not know. 

Women installed on yachts in Cannes during the film festival are called 'Yacht Girls,' and the line between professional prostitutes and B- or C-list Hollywood actresses who accept payment for sex with rich older men is sometimes very blurred….

The yacht girls can make $40,000 per night on these superyachts. Most crew members are so used to the yacht girls that it doesn’t faze them, but it may take time to get used to if you are a newbie. Laws are clamping down on this type of activity in some countries. These activities onboard have been occurring for many years, according to Lebanese businessman, Elie Nahas, who was arrested in 2007 for running a Cannes prostitution ring: ‘Every boat has about 10 girls on it; they are usually models, and they are usually nude or half nude. . . The girls are all waiting for their envelopes at the end of the night. It’s been going on there for 60 years.’

Sources:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2322573/The-Cannes-luxury-prostitutes-earning-40-000-PER-NIGHT-million-dollar-yachts-annual-film-festival.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2021-07-22/superyacht-staff-secrets-from-cannabis-buffets-to-caviar-sex-and-drugs

https://www.charterworld.com/index.html?sub=10-outrageous-charter-guest-requests

https://www.superyachtcrewagency.com/blog/unbelieveable-superyacht-guest-questions-and-requests/15551

 

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PRESS RELEASE: CrewPass Enhances Maritime Safety With New Background Check And Crew Vetting Services

by For AgenciesFor CrewFor Vessels

December 3rd, 2021 – CrewPass today announces the launch of a new set of services,
carefully designed to improve the safety and security of the maritime industry through
enhanced background and certification checks.

The recently launched start-up has selected First Advantage – a leading global provider of
technology solutions for screening, verifications, safety and compliance related to human
capital – as their service provider to provide background screening and identity checks.
CrewPass have integrated First Advantage’s leading technology platform to fulfil global
vetting checks. It has already signed agreements with some of the leading crew agencies
such as Viking Crew and Bespoke Crew, who are supporting this accreditation as an
industry standard.

The CrewPass accreditation scheme includes background checks, criminal record checks,
ID verification checks and soon to be launched automated Certificate of Competence checks
through the MCA. A simple sign up process by the individual crew member allows CrewPass to verify their identity and to conduct enhanced global criminal background
checks, helping vessels, crew agencies and management companies ensure that only fully
vetted individuals are allowed on board.

The CrewPass software application also hosts a variety of impressive, enhanced features
that include a digitalised watch rota and encrypted inter-crew vessel chats. In addition, a real-time crew list displays persons on/off board using intelligent beacons. Tapping in and
out of the vessel updates status and collates working hours.

Signing up with CrewPass gives an identification badge which serves as a digital passport
confirming that crew members are fully vetted by the company. This will provide the
advantage to crew members applying for jobs earning confidence and trust of employers by
proving they have a clean and verifiable record with the CrewPass Accreditation.

Once onboard the new app and website allows vessels to improve their daily operations,
ensuring the safety and security of everyone on board, by enabling them to check,
communicate, and monitor the daily operations of crew members.

Interested individuals, vessels, and crew agencies can utilize the company’s subscription
services to enhance their vetting process instantly. Signing up for these services on the
company’s website to take advantage of this revolutionary app, ensuring that only fully vetted
and competent crew members are registered for your clients and allowing individual crew
members to stand out from the crowd.

CrewPass can also be reached through any of its social media handles on LinkedIn,
Facebook, and Instagram.

###
Social Media links
https://www.facebook.com/crewpass.co.uk/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/crewpassuk/ https://www.instagram.com/crewpass/

For more information, please contact:
CrewPass www.crewpass.co.uk
info@crewpass.co.uk

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Will 3D printing be the future of yacht manufacturing?

by For AgenciesFor CrewFor Vessels

Boat international spoke to some of the “most influential people in the yachting industry” to hypothesise key trends for the future of the yachting industry. 3D printing seemed to be a popular prediction for the future of yachts. Many large industries have already adopted 3D printing for manufacturing. For example, the healthcare industry, the aerospace industry, and the defence industry have all incorporated 3D printing into their manufacturing. This fundamental transformation has enabled distributed manufacturing and decentralised production. Furthermore, this has contributed to materials development, expanded digital architecture, and greater endurance within 3D manufacturing technologies. Additive manufacturing (3D printing) has offered more efficient solutions by saving time in the design process and “[enables] easy scalability in rapid prototyping to full-scale manufacturing” (Rush LaSelle, Senior Director, Jabil).

Gregory C Marshall (Canadian yacht designer) informs The Boat International that the future of yachting lies in new technology: “We are deep into the possibility that we could print an entire yacht using 3D additive printing.” Some innovative players in the maritime sector have already adopted 3D technology into some design components for their boats. For example, the 12’4″ (6.5 meters) long, 8’2″ (2.5 meters) wide, and about 1763.7lbs (800 kg) in weight boat named MAMBO is a fully functional 3D fibreglass boat. The Pioner 14 Active Dark Line model is Europe’s first seaworthy 3D printed boat, and it is made “layer by layer” from a mixture of glass fibre and plastic. The Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions and MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) has focused on the world’s first autonomous 3D printed boat: Roboat, as part of five-year research.

A notable boat that has been ground-breaking in the maritime industry is 3Dirigo. This boat was announced by the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center in September 2019. If you have not heard of 3Dirigo, the 3Dirigo is the world’s largest 3D-printed boat. It only took 72 hours to make the whole 25′ (7.6m) long, 5,000lbs (2,268kg) boat! This boat is so impressive that it holds the record for being the world’s largest solid 3D printed item.  Unlike other moulds, a 3D-printed mould is made from thermoplastics and wood composites that take a very short time to make, and they can be recycled, unlike traditionally made products that are disposed of in landfills.

According to MaineBoats:

“The 3D printing project puts Maine at the forefront of a rapidly evolving industry, and has the potential to make a ground-breaking difference not only for boatbuilders, but also for other manufacturing sectors.”

However, this boat won’t actually be used, but it has been tested in a pool at the Alfond 22 Ocean Engineering Laboratory test site.

But will 3D printing be the future of superyacht manufacturing? Well, on average, a superyacht is from 40 metres (130 ft) to more than 180 metres (590 ft) in length. In contrast, the Ingersoll Machine only has the capacity to print objects that are 100 feet long, 20 feet wide and 10 feet tall, according to MaineBoats. But when 3D technology advances and has the capacity to build larger objects, it is not impossible that 3D printers could make superyachts in the future. Thus, Gregory C Marshall states that this technology will disrupt virtually every aspect of the industry. It’s a lot closer than you think — I’d say 2050 — and we will see large component parts before that.”

Do you think 3D printing will be used commonly for superyacht manufacturing in the future? Let us know in the comment section below!

Sources:

https://maineboats.com/print/issue-162/university-maine-3dirigo

https://www.3dnatives.com/en/3d-printed-boats-300320214/#

https://www.jabil.com/blog/future-of-3d-printing-additive-manufacturing-looks-bright.html

https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/yacht-design/industry-insiders-predict-the-future-of-yachting–33997

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How the CrewPass app helps with day-to-day operations.

by For CrewFor Vessels

CrewPass is the new gold standard of employment, and leading crew recruitment agencies recognise our accreditation. We aim to make the marine industry safer for yacht crew, vessels, and agencies. CrewPass offers employers assurance that their staff are who they say they are by providing ID verification checks and enhanced background checks (including criminal record checks).

However, CrewPass is more than a crew vetting service; we also offer an innovative app that provides yacht crew and captains an operation hub that makes day to day operations run smoother. This app sets us apart from our competition as CrewPass aims to bring the yachting industry into the 21st century by putting all essential tasks, documents, and information in one app to improve the performance of vessels. In this blog, I will explain the key features of the CrewPass app, including encrypted chats, watch rotas, our vault of information, the ins and outboard, and crew lists.

Information kept in a "vault"

CrewPass’ app acts like a vault storing all of your useful information and documents in one place. Crew members can add all their basic personal information, i.e., visas, vaccinations, training certificates… Accessing all this information in one place makes life just a little bit easier for you. If you have signed up to CrewPass and you have been approved by us, you can also send out your unique ID number to potential employers so that they can send you a record request. If you accept this record request, your employer will have access to all your stored information and documents making the employment process hassle-free.

Other basic information can be added, giving you a chance to shine within our description box and skills box. Basic (but essential) information such as your name, date of birth and location are featured under your profile. There will be no more worrying about where you have misplaced documents because we will keep all of this secure within our app. Plus, we will even inform you when a document like a training certificate needs renewing, keeping you in the loop and on top of your game at all times!

Digitalised crew list

CrewPass’ app allows captains to effortlessly assign new and existing crew members to the current vessel’s crew list. Our crew list will enable vessels to have a complete list of employees in one place! The crew list is fully digitalised, allowing captains to access this list from their mobile devices. Like all of CrewPass’ app features, the crew list is straightforward to manage; therefore, it is easy to add or remove crew within seconds. The crew list also shows crew members’ vessel positions and if they have been approved or not and if they are on or off-board etc. Having access to a digitalised crew list increases accessibility to valuable information and enhances efficiency.

In and out board and smart beacons

The CrewPass crew list feature directly links to the in and outboard. This app feature allows crew members to update their vessel location to either ‘Onboard,’ ‘Off the vessel,’ or ‘On leave’ by tapping the CrewPass beacons with their phones. These beacons will be provided to vessels free of charge allowing captains to implement this new clocking system effortlessly to their routine. Once a crew member taps in or out with the beacons, their vessel status will be automatically updated on the crew list. This is a crucial safety feature as this allows captains to instantly locate staff in case of an emergency on board. For example, if there was a fire on board, the captain can account for who is currently on board and give that information to emergency services to prevent potential incidents.

Digitalised watch rotas

At CrewPass, we aim to make life onboard easier which is why we have digitalised watch rotas allowing you to access these rotas on your phones and tablets. It is a straightforward process; the captain can put anyone on the vessel’s crew list on watch. Crew members will be notified when they have been on watch via our app, and the crew will be categorised by their vessel department. CrewPass digitalised watch rotas so that everyone on board can access their rota wherever and whenever. Increase your vessel’s efficiency by planning weeks in advance! Easily assign or remove crew to and from the watch rota. CrewPass watch rotas also have a feature that allows captains to lock the watch rotas, enabling crew members to access and view the rota without editing or changing it.

Inter-crew encrypted chats

Many captains typically do not like crew using social media onboard, but communications is still vital, which is why CrewPass has created a professional chat feature to please all involved! With the CrewPass inter-crew vessel chats, crew and captains can create private and group chats. Create department group chats or speak one on one with the captain on a private chat. This innovative app feature is also handy for people who do not have social media or for people who keep their social media private. Crew members who do not subscribe to social media no longer need to be excluded from socialising and onboard communication! CrewPass’ encrypted chats allow crew and captains to communicate within their vessel securely.

If you are interested in CrewPass’ services feel free to request a demo. Make sure to keep up to date with CrewPass by signing up with our newsletter and our social media pages.

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Interview with Brooke Laughton: Below Deck Mediterranean cast member and owner of the Nautie Yachtie Coach

by For Crew

Brooke Laughton is a very influential figure in the yachting community. The ex-yacht chief stewardess has 7 years of experience in the yachting industry and was previously a cast member of Below Deck Mediterranean and Channel 5’s Secrets of Superyachts. Brooke was an aspiring journalist from Manchester, UK, who graduated from university and worked in the most magnificent countries worldwide as a yacht crew member. Brooke was so kind enough to take part in an interview to answer some relevant questions relating to the yachting industry.

Please can you tell me about your vessel position and what a day looks like in that position…

I’ve worked on various different types of Vessels, Sailing yachts from 40-93m, expedition yachts, motor yachts and a luxury Catamaran. My previous 4 positions were as a Chief Stewardess.

All different vessels will have different operations, such as sailing yachts being more tailored to the sport and so more rigorous preparation for stowing and securing the vessel for sailing and all crew members being involved in line handling and sometimes racing in regattas.

As a Chief Stewardess, a typical day (on a trip) would centre around service/ mealtimes/event planning with a high focus on guest relations as well as overseeing other stewardesses within housekeeping and laundry. This position is basically managing the interior of the vessel to an extremely high standard and often juggling different tasks to achieve this.

A typical day off charter (no guests on board) would be maintaining the interior state, undertaking time-consuming tasks you can’t do on charter such as polishing glassware/cutlery/ornaments and updating inventories. It would also consist of prepping for the next trip as it approaches- ‘detailing’ the interior (a perfect standard of cleanliness and organisation), provisioning, ordering flowers, to name just a few.

What training did you do to get into this position?

In order to work on any vessel, you need the marine course-STCW. This is a course that focuses on safety at sea from firefighting, first aid, abandon ship protocols, crowd management and security etc. The course is only one week, and I took mine during University in Liverpool, UK.

The second mandatory requirement is an ENG1 medical to check you’re fit to work at sea.

Although there are plenty of other courses available for green crew, I never did this prior to starting as every boat has a unique style, and most existing crew would rather train the new crew in the unique style of that vessel. I think that now the industry is a lot more popular than when I started out, further developmental courses would be beneficial to make aspiring green crew stand out.

During my time in the yachting industry, I obtained further courses such as my ‘Day Skipper Sailing’, ‘Power Boat level 2’ and my ‘WSET level2’ (for further wine and spirit knowledge). Some vessels even offer paid courses within your contract!

How did you end up in the yachting industry? What was the process?

I studied Journalism combined with creative writing at University and loved the idea of being a travel journalist. As I was about to graduate, I knew I didn’t want to start a job working in an office and felt like I wanted to travel and have an adventure first (and somehow tie in a travel blog to keep up my writing), but I had no idea how I could make this happen.

About a month before my final exams, I was watching TV, and Below Deck came on, the first time I had heard of the industry and decided to do some research on how I could do this for a few years. A few days after my last exam, I’d arranged to fly to the South of France with a pile of CV’s and stayed in a yachting specific hostel and began my job search there. Walking up and down the various marinas in the south of France handing out CV’s, meeting with yacht agents and networking with existing yacht crews all helped me land my first job- a beautiful 93m sailing yacht heading for a season around South East Asia! Needless to say, I never started that travel blog and stayed in the industry for 7 years.

What is your favourite yachting location?

It’s a super hard one but my top 3 would be the Galápagos Islands, Raja Ampat and Tahiti.

Can you share the highlight of your yachting career?

Probably getting the chance to explore the Galapagos, which is a UNESCO world heritage site and so really protected. It’s just such a beautiful place to experience nature and see the indigenous species. I would wake up to see seals sleeping in the tender, watching baby sea turtles hatch and surround the yacht. Yachting is the best way to experience once in a lifetime places on someone else’s budget.

And the lowest point of your career?

Probably the number of things that you have to miss because you’re on charter or in the middle of nowhere- the most stand out lowest point would be missing my sister’s wedding.

Were you or any of your colleagues ever vetted with background checks or ID verification for a job?

I’m not sure about this, but personally, I wasn’t, only reference checks!

I think it would be super beneficial to the industry to have something like this in place to keep the owners and crew safe from the potential bad eggs out there.

What was it like working for the TV show Below deck? Was it different to other yacht charters?

Taking part in Below Deck was a really great experience, and we actually filmed on the same yacht where I did my first ‘day work’ 5 years before, so I felt it was meant to be! It was extremely intense, as you can imagine when doing an already high-pressured job but adding cameras 24/7 and a bunch of big personalities into the mix could feel like a pressure cooker at times. When it came time to leave, I was so ready but looking back, it was something I absolutely don’t regret.

There were many of the same elements of a normal yachting job- charters, service, guest experience emphasis, laundry, housekeeping etc but just on steroids!

We crammed 9 separate 2–3-day charters into 6 weeks, and so we were all so burnt out at the end. I also think the guests (and sometimes the crew) ‘play up’ for the cameras, and so this can intensify it more than a normal yachting job.

Can you tell us about your own blog, 'The Nautie Yachtie Coach' and what made you start it?

I created the Nauti Yachtie Coach as a platform for green crew who want to join the industry but have no idea how. After Below deck, I received tons of messages about this, so I thought it would be beneficial to create this service.

I wrote an eBook for beginners with literally everything detailed for this topic, from making the decision of whether the industry is right for you all the way to landing your first job and even includes interview techniques.

I also offer a CV writing service where I will create your entire CV as it is a totally different structure than a normal resume which some people find daunting. On top of this, I can provide 1-1 zoom calls with me to answer all questions and help carve out a tailored approach to start a yachting career.

What has life been like since you've left yachting?

Life has been totally different but still a big adventure. After I went ‘land based’, I continued to use my expertise in VIP hospitality and worked in a luxury safari lodge in South Africa as a butler and then moved to Saudi Arabia to work in a Royal Palace for 2 years. Following this, I moved to Dubai with my fiancé and decided it was time to fulfil my ambition of working for myself and have since started 3 online businesses.

It's extremely difficult to go back to a 'normal' life following a yachting career, and I still and will always crave travel, challenge and excitement…

…however, when I left yachting in my late twenties, I felt I had taken enough from the industry and the experiences and was totally ready for the next!

Check out Brooke Laughton’s website and social media pages:

https://thenautiyachtiecoach.com

@brookelaughton

@thenautiyachtiecoach

If you liked this blog, then comment below and keep up to date with CrewPass by following our social media pages and sign up to our newsletter.

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Luxury yacht rape victim wins $70M suit

by For AgenciesFor CrewFor Vessels

TW: This entire post discusses multiple forms of trauma, violence, sexual assault, and mental health.

On February 25th, 2015, in Fort Lauderdale a stewardess was brutally raped by deckhand Rafal Dowgwillowicz-Nowicki. The intoxicated deckhand, aged 39, forced the victim to have ‘aggressive’ intercourse and oral sex, threatening to kill her if she did not comply. On the night of the attack, the stewardess was “raped for over an hour before she escaped and got the captain’s attention” said Edwards (the victim’s lawyer). The victim was not given a walkie-talkie to alert anyone and the intercom system which could have allowed the victim to call for help did not work as it was being refitted. The victim even tried to scream for help, but she was three floors below her supervisor meaning her cries for help was not heard.

The yacht owner’s failure to prevent cases like this happening is why they were also held accountable. Therefore, the owner of Endless Summer, a 130-foot luxury yacht, was forced to pay $70 million in damages including $70,000 in lost wages, $4.2 million in lost future earnings and $66 million for pain and suffering. The victim was also awarded $290,050 in past and future medical expenses, the Sun-Sentinel reports. Thus, the owner failed to offer the stewardess “prompt, adequate, and complete medical care” according to the suit.

Although there is a policy disabling intoxicated crew members from returning to their duties on the yacht, no one was on board that night to enforce. Meanwhile, the deckhand was found guilty of four counts of sexual battery and was sentenced to two years in jail in 2016. Rafal Dowgwillowicz-Nowicki was then deported to Poland according to sources.

The failure to provide property security and “negligently hiring and retain crew members with dangerous propensities” or warn the victim of these propensities according to sources. If background checks had been performed as part of the employment process, the yacht owner would have been aware of the deckhand’s “dangerous propensities.”

Sources:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5331679/Victim-rape-aboard-Florida-luxury-yacht-wins-70M-damages.html

https://www.wptv.com/news/state/victim-of-rape-aboard-florida-luxury-yacht-wins-70m-damages

https://www.dockwalk.com/news/crewmember-receives-more-than-70-million-in-yacht-rape-case

https://www.legalreader.com/yacht-rape-victim-awarded-nearly-71-million-damages/

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fort-lauderdale/fl-sb-yacht-rape-lawsuit-verdict-20180130-story.html

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How can CrewPass elevate your CV?

by For Crew

Adapt your CV specifically for the yachting industry

CVs used for the yacht industry are different to the CVs people use for other industries. Additional aspects of the CV are attached to meet the needs of marine employers. For example, most employers like to see a professional profile image on crew CVs; this is important for identification. Plus, the CV is typically split into previous work history and yachting work history to show both onboard and shore-based experience. If a crew member has no work history onboard but has transferrable skills from land-based jobs, this could be beneficial to state on the CV. Important information includes previous vessel position experience, previous seasons and location history, and relevant training, and this is crucial for employers to see on a crew member’s CV. Most importantly, having the CrewPass Approved Accreditation highlighting that you have cleared a criminal background check and proved that you are a safe employee is vital to add to your CV.

CrewPass’ services simplify your recruitment process

CrewPass’ services offer in-depth criminal background checks, job history checks, and verification of your ID, making you appear a more reliable candidate to employers. Thus, purchasing the accreditation will show employers that you are a dedicated person to this industry and willing to take one step further to work in yachting compared to other candidates that don’t take the initiative.

Add your Unique ID number and badge to your CV

Once a potential crew member is verified, they will receive the CrewPass approved accreditation, which will prove to employers that they are a worthy candidate. This will put you above others applying for the same job. Candidates can add their unique ID number to their CV, allowing employers to send out a record request to access all the valuable information about a candidate all in one place. When working on superyachts, crew members will have to work with respectable people.

Therefore, vessels and agencies must employ dependable, trustworthy, skilled employees to guarantee high-quality service. Unreliable employees directly affect vessels’ and agencies’ reputations; furthermore, CrewPass’ accreditation allows employers to make more secure and safe recruitment decisions.

The CrewPass CV template:

Download CrewPass' CV template for FREE

Still struggling to write your CV? Download CrewPass’ CV tailored for the yachting industry. Download the Microsoft Word document and fill in your information and send it to employers. If you are verified, you can add your CrewPass badge so that recruiters can easily recognise that you are CrewPass Approved! (CrewPass’ services are live on the 3rd of December 2021).

Click here to download

If you liked this blog and want to keep up to date with other useful recruitment tips and guidance, please sign up for CrewPass’ newsletter and follow our social media pages!

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What training do you need to become a yacht crew member?

by For Crew

Are you looking into becoming a yacht crew member, but you don’t know what training you need? The Superyacht industry is an exciting choice of employment, so choosing quality training courses is important and often a necessity on board. Understanding how different yachting qualifications are required depending on your desired vessel position can become daunting. Well, CrewPass has put together a useful list of training courses that could help you get one step closer to your dream job.

Firstly, all crew who wants to work in yachting MUST have STCW Basic Safety Training. This training qualification is split into five modules: personal survival, firefighting, first aid and CPR, personal safety and social responsibility, and proficiency in security awareness which in total takes five days to complete. A seafarer medical certificate such as the ENG1 is also mandatory for anyone hoping to get a job on a yacht. The ENG1 certificate is granted by the British Maritime and Coastguard Agency, which proves that you have met their health and fitness requirement to work onboard. Not all doctors can be awarded the ENG1 certificate, but if you live in the UK, you can find your local one here: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mca-approved-doctors-uk-based

Specific yacht training courses can help your career, and this will vary depending on the vessel’s department. Different departments include working on the deck, within the yacht’s interior, or in the engineering team.

Deck crew:

Deck crew jobs are competitive, so many people within the role diversify by taking extra training courses to stand out from others. Skills like being able to drive a tender, operate a Jet Ski, fly a drone, underwater photography or being able to drive are just a few examples that can make you a more valuable candidate. Some additional yacht training courses to consider include:

(The following courses require no prior experience)

  • The RYA Powerboat Level 2
  • The RYA Competent Crew
  • PWC Personal Watercraft Proficiency
  • General GRP and Carpentry Repairs
  • VHF Radio

(You will need some experience to complete the following courses)

  • The RYA Tender Operator – You will need to complete The RYA Powerboat Level 2 prior to this course.
  • The RYA Yachtmaster Certificate
  • Scuba-diving certificates

Other skills such as flying a drone, photography or having a clean driving licence should be mentioned within your CV.

Engineers:

Engineers on yachts must complete the Approved Engine Course 1, or the AEC too. This five-day course teaches you theoretical knowledge and offers a hands-on approach to diesel engines. Once completed the course, engineers can then move on to the Approved Engine Course 2. This course builds on the previous course and offers a more practical experience. If you want a more advanced training course, you can do the MCA Engineering Officer of the Watch.

Stewards/Stewardesses:

Stewards/Stewardesses can undertake further yacht training suggested by their Head of Department or even their Captain. The GUEST program is a training course that teaches all-round hospitality training. The WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) course is globally recognised and can benefit superyachts. Some interior crews are trained beauty therapists, or hairdressers making them versatile candidates for luxury yachts. Some additional yacht training courses to consider include:

  • Superyacht Interior Certificate
  • CIEH Food Safety Level 2
  • Online MCA Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD)
  • RYA Powerboat Level 2
  • RYA VHF Radio

Chefs:

Finally, crew chefs often have an array of culinary experience and qualifications before working on yachts. Many have worked their way up to crew chef! However, the MCA Ship’s Cook Certificate provides chefs with the basic skills and knowledge and offers key health and safety training.

Did you enjoy this blog? If so, please give us a like and keep up to date with CrewPass by signing up for our newsletters!

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The desirable life of a yachtie

by For Crew

Being a yachtie is not all sunshine and roses; a lot of hard work takes place, and most yacht staff must work long, unsociable hours with little to no breaks. However, there are so many desirable elements that come with being a yachtie.

The salary:

The most obvious benefit of working on a yacht is the salary. Your boss and owner of the yacht are likely to be a multi-millionaire or a billionaire, meaning they have enough money to offer good wages in exchange for high-quality service. The typical pay scale alters depending on the size of the yacht or if it is a private yacht or a charter yacht. However, crew members will usually be paid a minimum of $2500 USD (£1829.40 GBP)/ month.

As a yacht crew member, you will have no commute to work, no rent/accommodation bills, no food costs, and even no basic toiletry costs! Tips and gratitude are also customary on yachts, and a crew member can get 2000 euros per charter. Crew can expect to earn roughly up to 10k per month if a yacht has weekly charters booked for a season. Plus, all tips are tax-free, making working on yachts a lucrative career choice. So lucrative that yacht crew members can leave with sufficient money for a deposit on a house or kick-start their own business in a few years.

The lifestyle:

A lot of yachties are drawn to the unique lifestyle that comes with working on luxury yachts. Crew members get to travel to the most exotic and luxurious location in the world. This includes the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Hot climates, golden beaches, inspiring mountains, local cuisine, variety of cultures are just a few things crew get to experience. Of course, most crew members’ time is onboard; however, when they do come to land, they get to go to incredible ports and explore the local areas.

One of the best parts of being a yacht crew member is that the seasonal jobs allow the crew to travel during their annual leave/holiday. If their captain is lenient, then the crew may be permitted to enjoy the best facilities and amenities the yacht has to offer (if guests are off-board, of course). This includes using the jet-skis, tenders, other water toys, the gym, home-cinema room, swimming pool, hot tubs and more.

Friendships:

However, for the people drawn to relationships over salary, you’ll be happy to know that working on superyachts allows you to make lifelong friends. The crew are more like families due to their constant interaction enabling relationships to form quicker. Typically, yachties share the same interests because the type of person travelling across the world to work on a yacht tends to be fun, outgoing, and adventurous. Making friends from all nationalities is a great opportunity, and yachting allows crew members to have a network of friends across the globe! Plus, it’s not uncommon for yachties to form such strong connections with others that some end up in marriage!

Transferable skills:

You do not need a degree to become a yacht crew member, which is desirable for many people. However, people can be concerned about the durability of a yachties lifestyle due to the job’s longevity. Nevertheless, crew members’ experience working on a yacht for months or even years can put an impressive mark on their resume. Working on a yacht proves to employers that you are hard-working and a real team player. In addition, yachting shapes crew members with military-style routines and teaches respect towards a hierarchy-like system. The transferable skills such as managerial and administration skills from roles like lead deckhand and chief stewardess are greatly transferable to on-land jobs too. Plus, there are opportunities to work your way up the hierarchy to positions with greater responsibilities and better salaries.

If you are looking to get into yachting, CrewPass is your first step. The yachting industry is highly competitive, which is why it is crucial to stand out! CrewPass provides your employer assurance that you have cleared a criminal background check, and you are safe to work onboard.

Do you think you have what it takes to be a yachtie? Let us know on our social media channels, and if you enjoyed this blog post, comment below!