Do you have some fears regarding starting a career in the Superyacht industry? This is totally normal!

In this podcast episode and blog we dive into some fears I know many of you are having and it’s holding you back from taking the leap to becoming a yacht stew or deckhand. 

From not knowing if you can do the long working hours, the uncertainty of wether or not you will get a job after completing your yachting courses, not being informed enough about the industry to being worried it will be as dramatic as below deck. Hint hint… it’s a reality show for a reason! 

#1: The fear of long working hours and not much time off during the season

I have had several people ask is true you have to work everyday for three months? And when you actually get time off? And I wanted to clear this up,  The industry works in seasons (unless you’re a private yacht your itinerary is a little different) and during the season for example the med season, people hire the boat or the owner uses the boat with their family and friends. This is why you are hired…to work. Not to have endless time frolicking ashore at the beach. You are there to give a seven star service and guests an out of this world holiday or trip onboard. 

Why so many hours i hear you ask? Well to give seven star service it requires a much more personalised style compared to that of a hotel guest, as you have to remember these guests are paying over 500,000 euros to hire the boat for the week. You are anticipating their needs, you are attending to every ‘Excuse me miss’ and you are smiling ‘Absolutely right away’ not matter the crazy request may be.  So yes during the season you are required to work whenever the captain requires you to work. No complaints.

Now don’t get me wrong I can completely understand these fears are normal coming from a land based job!  However this may come as a shock that somehow 12-14 hour days become normal during the busy period. You work like clockwork, eat sleep (-rave) work repeat. You’re surrounded by your crew all working together as a team to pull this off, and theres always an end to it all, and yes you are certainly rewarded at the end either with a charter tip of time off in a beautiful port.  

Your time off is when  you don’t have guests on and your working days are usually Monday – Friday 8-5. Weekends off!

#2: The fear of uncertainty and not knowing if you’re going to secure a job after completing your yachting courses

My parents thought i was crazy for leaving a marketing job I went to university for, only to do a couple of expensive seafarer courses, buy a one way ticket to Europe in the HOPE for a job?

Now I look back. Yes it was crazy but in my mind i remember thinking well what’s the worst that can happen? I don’t get a job. I was ready for an adventure and I am so happy I ran with my gut instinct to go.

Dont get me wrong The industry is very competitive and is not suited to everyone! But if you have listened to my podcast episode “five things you need to know before you join yachting” you will know it’s not an easy road or the easiest job but are the easiest paths ever the best?

So how do we overcome uncertainty?
– If you are well informed you reduce the risk of uncertainty by making informed decisions to get you the best results my free e-book has so much valuable info which helps you to determine the best seasons to look for jobs, the locations to search for these jobs. It will help you gain as much insight into the industry as possible to understand if it’s a right choice for you.
– Another way is to maintain positive thoughts as they quiet fear and irrational thinking by focusing your brain’s attention on something else- Ask yourself what’s the worst that could happen? Don’t be afraid to step up and admit to yourself, “There’s an uncertainty of not attaining a job at the end of this, but I’m going forward based on the risk of knowing this. We may make mistakes, but that’s a lot better than standing still.”
– AND lastly If it helps have a contingency plan–  my back up plan was to try work in a ski resort in France or the Swiss Alps. It wasn’t the yacthing dream yet it was better than sitting at home pinning to my travel dreams Pinterest board.

#3: You don’t feel informed enough about the Superyacht industry

The online course I am building is trying to knock this fear on the head because this was my no. 1 original fear mainly because there was literally no resources out there which had honest reliable information about the Superyacht industry! 

My aim is to inform you with a no BS approach, with my podcast, free ebook and info on social media really providing you with the tools and information you need to decide if yachting is a career you want to pursue. 

#4: You are worried it will be as dramatic as Below Deck 

Now please don’t sit at home thinking Below Deck is like a real life Superyacht job, it’s a reality show for a reason. There are plots, story lines and drama added for effect. I have never worked on a boat that has had that much drama. Captains and heads of departments don’t deal with dramatic crew members, like the way the stews talk to their chief stews ond the show. Don’’t be warped by the below deck effect it’s not real people.

Hearing some of your fears about starting yachting has me thinking as a few people have said they don’t think they could leave their hometown without knowing they have a job to go to… and trust me I get it. I have been there. But what about if i said that taking this risk has the potential to give you so much more life experience, travel, connections and opportunities than you could ever hope for? ⁣

I know it’s scary… leaving your comfort zone, maybe a boring job that allows you to live week to week, leaving the security of knowing you have your friends and family around the corner….⁣

Yachting is certainly NOT for everyone, and I suggest you do some research first however if you’re reading this i’m sure there’s a little something inside of you that already says you’re willing to work your bum off and give it a go.⁣

So I am wishing you the best of luck on your adventure!