The Crew Report

8
editor’s note
looking after number one
We all know and I would hope accept that it takes a
tremendous amount of effort and teamwork to ensure
the efficient running of a superyacht both in terms of
providing five-star service to the owner or charter guests and in
terms of keeping the yacht spic, span and, of utmost importance,
safe and afloat. Yet it was evident from The Management Meeting
we recently held on the topic of Training, Manning and
Recruitment that due to a certain amount of inequality still
rife within the industry, it is the ultimate responsibility of the
crewmember to look after Number One to ensure you are not
mistreated or discriminated against. Job security is also a major
issue for yacht crew, with incidents of unfair dismissal being all
too regular events. It is for this reason that even though you
should continue to work well as a team, in this issue we are
encouraging you to think of you and you alone for a moment. Are
you covered for any eventuality? Have you put any thought to what
your plans are when you decide to opt for a shore-based life once
more? Read our essential advice from the experts in the Insurance
and Financial sectors on pages 42-50. In fact, we had so much
information that we have put more than half the amount of data
again on www.yotcru.com, so please be sure to log on and take
the time to read in greater depth all the advice we have gathered
for your benefit.
THE CREW REPORT
OK, so back to thinking as a team once more, as that is
the ideal. A vital component in the superyacht crew set-up
is the engineer, often having the same level of
responsibility as the captain but with less of the kudos it
seems (unfairly). As one of our forum members so aptly
states, “A well-educated engineer wears many hats,
maintains many systems and augments many areas
including (as in my case) the galley and the deck. A good
engineer helps out where help is needed, on top of
maintaining just about everything mechanical on the
ship.” (See pages 52-53 for the Soapbox debate on what
engineers want.) Emma Lister’s account of her career
journey so far (see pages 40-41) shows just what a
struggle it can be for female engineers to progress up the
career ladder, but why should this be so if the industry is
crying out for good applicants to care for these precious
assets and keep them running smoothly? – another issue
raised at our recent Management Meeting in Monaco (see
page 56 and next issue for more details).
Always right up there with the most current events around
the world, we had actually planned to publish an article on
piracy even before hearing of a recent incident that made
the news about a luxury cruise liner (much reported in the
news as being a luxury yacht) and her crew being held for
ransom just off the Somalian Coast, and of the even more
recent report of a first-hand piracy attack experience of
S/Y Dolphin in the Gulf of Aden. Our crew correspondent
Juliet Benning provides a first-hand perspective of how the
threat of crime in some parts of the world can create fear among
crewmembers (pages 71-73). Be conscious of security, but don’t
let it spoil your amazing adventures around the world.
Our team has recently returned from the Antibes Boat Show, let
down slightly by the weather but that’s life and we’re used to it in
the UK. Nevertheless, this is a show with great potential to vie for
attention alongside the longer-established international events of
the Monaco Yacht Show and Fort Lauderdale International Boat
Show. Crew are alert, refreshed and ready for anything at the
beginning of the season, a fact that adds to the attraction of the
Antibes Show. Find out more in our report on this up-and-coming
event on pages 54-56. If you have any special tips on how to
maintain the momentum and stay enthusiastic throughout the
season, let us know at info@yotcru.com and we will gladly share
your advice with your peers and the rest of those in the superyacht
industry who have to stay fired up throughout the boat show circuit.
Good luck, and stay in touch.
Natalie Vizard
Editor
Image by Brooke Shaw/Superyachtart.com
HALL OF FAME
MARINA
In the heart of Fort
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port. The first marina
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mission is to provide guests
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Scott Salomon
954.764.3975
hfmarina@bellsouth.net
HARBOUR TOWNE
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hrbrtowne@aol.com
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shmarina@fdn.com
ERROL FLYNN
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In the heart of the Caribbean
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John Louis
876.715.6044
info@errolflynnmarina.com
www.westrec.com Navigating the good life