ONBOARD Magazine summer 2021

GREAT SCOT
Katy McGilvray tells Frances and Michael Howorth how much she
enjoys her job as Chief Officer on board a private sailing yacht
What was your first superyacht and where
did you join her?
I grew up in Gourock, Scotland, a town just
about 40 min west of Glasgow. This is where
I started sailing when I was about 11 years
old. It was only after university that I took a
chance and went out to Antibes looking for
a job on a yacht. I started on a small 25m
motor yacht called Galaxy and joined her in
Corfu, Greece and never looked back.
Which is your favourite Mediterranean port
and why do you like it?
Palma - Every time I come back it feels like
home. There are always friends passing
through and La Llonja is a great spot to catch
up with them. Great location, wonderful food
and just the best staff.
What is your favourite restaurant or bar in
the Mediterranean and why is it special?
It’s small and local and I’d love to shout about
it from the rooftops, but that would be telling
and may spoil things! My second favourite
must be Chèvre D’or in Eze. Spectacular
views over Cap D’ail. It serves irresistible
food with impeccable service. It’s a ‘once
every couple of years’ experience, but always
well worth the wait.
The Mediterranean is said to be crowded
with superyachts, where do you think the
best spot to get away from the others is?
I completely agree, it is saturated and I don’t
actually know if there are any places left that
no one knows about. So my advice would
be to hop over to Croatia. It still feels like
the Mediterranean but very quickly can feel
like you’re in the middle of nowhere. But my
personal favourite Mediterranean anchorage
is Santa Manza Bay in Corsica, but only on
the rare occasion when it’s quiet and the
weather is calm.
If you could recommend a Mediterranean
yacht service to another Chief Officer, what
would it be?
Coming from sailing yachts I’ve used Marine
Results for all things rig related. Ed and his
team are great, very experienced and always
happy to accommodate us whenever and
wherever they can. I have complete faith
in the work they do and would very happily
recommend their services to anyone.
Does being at sea affect your family life?
I have been at sea for ten years and so I’ve
missed a lot of important things. Birthdays,
funerals, Christmases, you name it. I have
the privilege of working with my other half,
but as we get older we really do appreciate
a home life. We spent 6 months at home
this year and loved getting to spend the time
with our families. Luckily, they are all very
understanding and drop everything for us
as soon as we have a date for coming home.
It’s hard, but it’s the nature of the beast.
What makes your yacht special?
Many things! She is a real sailing pedigree!
A big yacht that both sails well and is easy
on the eye can sometimes be hard to find
but here I feel we have it all. She is simply
breath-taking and everyone comments on
what a beauty she is.
Do you have a pet hate? If so what is it?
People beating around the bush! I believe
you should get to the point, and honesty is
always the best policy. On board I hate it if
crew do not ask questions if they are unsure
about anything. My door is always open and I
want crew to feel as comfortable as possible
and be able to ask me anything.
If you had a magic wand, what would you
change in your job?
Over inflated prices just because you are
a superyacht. I hate feeling we are getting
ripped off!
What is the most curious request you have
had made of you?
My parents once suggested I bring the
owners up to our house to meet them
when we were visiting Scotland! That
was one for the books! Let me tell you, it
takes a long time to try and get the family
home resembling something to that of a
superyacht.
What’s the most funny superyacht
experience you can recall?
I once bought toilet roll emblazoned with
pictures of Donald Trump in a dollar store
and placed it in the owner’s bathroom.
Despite the fact that they were republican,
they thought it was hilarious. And yes, it only
cost 1 dollar!
What important things have you ever
learned from your crew?
So much!! A favourite saying comes from
an old first mate “there’s many ways to skin
a cat”. Meaning that we were working in a
very much democratic environment and not
a dictatorship. The mate was open to ideas
on how to tackle various things. Humility also
goes a long way with crew and guests and
is vital in our industry. Another saying “It’s
only easy when you know how” - in other
words, never assume people know how to
do something. It might be easy to you but for
others, not so much. Make sure the working
environment encourages question asking
and teaching, it will build a stronger crew
working relationship!
QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS
Where in the world would you like to live?
I already live there - Scotland
What would your last supper be?
Pan fried scallops, duck breast and mum’s
chocolate fudge cake
3 dream dinner party guests?
My Gran, Prince, and Daft Punk
Where in the world would you most like
to visit ?
New Zealand
Where would you want to retire?
Antigua
What sport do you watch?
Rugby
Best childhood memory?
Practicing fly fishing in the garden with dad
What superpower would you like?
Mind Reader
Pet peeve ?
Laziness
Biggest regret to date?
Not buying a Porsche 944
Closest you’ve ever came to death?
Taking a corner too wide on my motorbike
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Simply Red
What makes you angry?
Overcooked duck!
38 | SUMMER 2021 | ONBOARD