We’ve all been there: worked our butts off over the season and now finally get to enjoy some “downtime” while the yacht is hauled out in the shipyard or alongside for maintenance and repairs. This feels like our time to unwind and relax. So, when it’s just us crew, you find yourself hitting the town at night, mingling with other crews, living it up because the next day’s tasks seem less demanding. Maybe it’s just polishing the stainless fittings or going through the inventory—stuff you figure you can handle even if you’re not exactly functioning at 100%. After all, isn’t professionalism in yachting about pleasing guests and the owner when they’re onboard?

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And, this is where you would be wrong. Thinking it’s okay to slack off because the work seems “easier” can be a huge mistake. We reached out to the crew who know this dance all too well—captains and heads of departments. They’ve seen firsthand how a laid-back attitude (ahem, hangover) can ripple through the crew, impacting everyone’s work. We also caught up with a few hard-working yacht stews and they shared an eye-opening insight into yachting life and the drinking culture. These conversations showed us the fine line between de-stressing and keeping it professional.

► The Captain and HOD’s Dilemma

1. A Captain’s Chaos

Let’s meet Captain Mike – master of a sleek 55m Feadship. He’s weathered a few storms in his 30 year career as a yacht captain. It’s safe to say that he’s seen it all. At the moment, his yacht is hauled out in a shipyard for routine maintenance. He’s on a tight schedule to get the yacht ready for a transatlantic voyage, so they can be in the Caribbean for the upcoming winter charter season. 

He’s kept his full crew on for this yard period and hired additional dayworkers just to keep up with the maintenance and repair schedule. When asked about his progress, he replied, “We’re hitting delays because some of my crew and dayworkers had to be relieved of duty (sent home) for showing up to work still drunk or hungover. They don’t realize the safety issues they’re causing by being impaired. I can’t trust their judgment.”

Captain Mike observes a trend among some of the newer crew members and dayworkers. He sees them as young adults on a gap year adventure, funded by their parents, with little to no prior work experience—never mind yachting experience—yet they expect equal pay with seasoned yachting professionals. Stating, “They come over here and it’s just a non-stop party for some of them.”

He reflects on his new approach to discipline, adopting a two-strike rule to instill responsibility and underscore the importance of safety onboard. “First time, it’s a learning curve. The second time, it’s clear they haven’t learned,” he explains. In an industry where safety is paramount, he can’t have someone onboard who is a liability. And being hungover all the time is definitely a liability.

2. Chief Stew Blues

Next up, we caught up with Chief Stew Leah aboard a stunning 60m Amels motoryacht, and she shed some light on a struggle that’s all too real in yachting. Managing a team of yacht stews, Leah faces the tough challenge of keeping the interior immaculate and guest-ready, especially when turnaround times between charters are tight. But here’s the rub: some of her team hit the party scene a bit too hard in those precious in-between days, leaving them less than sharp when detail-oriented tasks demand their full attention.

Leah’s take on the matter is pretty straightforward, “I’m all for having a good time, and trust me, I can party with the best of them. But this yacht is my workplace, and I’ve got the captain, crew, guests, owner and agents counting on me.” She points out the added strain placed on the rest of the interior crew when “half the girls are dragging from the night before, and we’re racing against the clock to get everything perfect.” It’s a sentiment many in the industry can relate to: that crunch time frustration when there’s just not enough hours in the day, and not everyone’s pulling their weight.

In response to the ongoing issue, Leah and the captain have decided to implement a new strategy: a curfew. It’s a move that underscores a commitment to professionalism and acknowledges the need to manage downtime for yacht crew. “It’s just so frustrating, you know? We only have so many hours to get the boat ready,” Leah adds, highlighting the fine line between work and play that every yacht crew must navigate.

► The Crews’ Perspective

Later, while grabbing lunch in the shipyard canteen, we got the chance to talk about yachting professionalism with four insightful women. Jess, a Deck/Stew, balancing duties on a 24m sailing yacht, shares the table with Nessa (Second Stew) and Kerry (Junior Stew) from a 40m motoryacht, alongside Susie, their dayworker, all navigating their yachts’ annual maintenance periods.

The conversation quickly steered towards the hot topic of drinking and socializing. Nessa, with four years under her belt, told us about her early days on a strictly dry yacht, recalling how some crew members were let go for sneaking alcohol onboard. “At the time it seemed so unfair but the longer I’ve been in the industry I realize the effects all those late nights and binge drinking have on our work,” she remarked. Kerry chimed in, noting the social ritual of unwinding with a drink as a part of yachting culture, also pointing out the transient nature of this world, “You hang with friends now, ’cause who knows where we’ll all be tomorrow? One of us could get a job on the other side of the world.”

Susie, the newbie with just six months in the industry, shared how socializing after work is important for networking and finding daywork. “There are a lot of green crew here and we’re all trying to land a job onboard one of these yachts. It’s competitive but we still try to look out for each other. We’re in the same boat!”, she laughed and then added, “We try pick bars and cafes where we know other crew hang out. So, drinking is a big part of finding work.”

Jess recalled her days as a Second Stew, detailing the wild nights that often extended into the early hours of the morning, including an incident involving a stolen scooter that nearly jeopardized a charter. “We were drunk and one of the deckhands took this scooter from outside the bar. I didn’t know it was stolen when I accepted a ride back to the marina. They used the security footage in the parking lot to trace us back to the yacht the next day. The captain had to get involved and it was the day before a charter too. We were in so much trouble.”

Nessa wrapped up the discussion pointing out that yachting is intense and stressful, so crew use drinking as a way of coping. “We have to play as hard as we work. Drinking is expected.”

► How to keep the balance:

So how do we balance our professional and personal lives when we live and work in the same place? 

Navigating the thin line between professionalism and having a social life in yachting is a bit like trying to walk a tightrope in the middle of the ocean. It’s tricky, and let’s face it, we’re all in this unique bubble where the lines blur a little too easily. On one hand, we’re a family, sharing meals, jokes, and the day’s activities in close quarters. On the other, we’re a professional crew, expected to operate at peak efficiency, ensuring everything from the engine room bilges to the sky deck bar is in pristine condition. 

Here are a few tips on how we can maintain our balance:

1. Embrace Structure with Flexibility

Captain Mike’s approach of setting boundaries, like a curfew, underscores the importance of structure. However, flexibility is key. Recognizing the need for downtime and accommodating it within the framework of professional obligations allows crew members to recharge effectively.

2. Lead by Example

Leadership plays a crucial role in establishing a professional culture onboard. As Leah highlighted, it’s about walking the talk. Leaders embodying the standards they preach inspire the crew to follow suit, fostering an environment that values both professionalism and personal time.

3. Cultivate Open Communication

Creating channels for open communication lets everyone freely share concerns and suggestions. This approach shapes policies regarding downtime and professional conduct with everyone’s insights, promoting a collective responsibility to maintain balance.

4. Recognize the Importance of Downtime

As Kerry pointed out, the transient nature of yachting means making the most of the moments you have with your friends. Acknowledging this, it’s vital to respect each other’s need for relaxation and socializing, provided it doesn’t compromise professional responsibilities.

5. Network Responsibly

Susie’s experience highlights the importance of networking in yachting. Balancing socializing with professionalism is crucial, especially for newbies seeking to make a mark in yachting. Choosing the right settings for networking and keeping interactions professional can pave the way for future opportunities without risking one’s reputation.

6. Address Stress Constructively

Nessa’s admission that the crew uses drinking as a stress reliever points to the need for healthier coping mechanisms. Encouraging activities that promote well-being, like group fitness sessions or mindfulness practices, can offer alternative ways to unwind.

7. Learn from Experiences

Jess’s anecdote serves as a cautionary tale about crossing the line between fun and folly. Reflecting on past mistakes and learning from them ensures that fun remains harmless and doesn’t lead to professional setbacks.

“It’s about finding that sweet spot. Sure, we work where we live, but it’s all about setting boundaries. When we’re on duty, it’s go time—no ifs, ands, or buts. Off duty? Enjoy your time, but keep it sensible. We’re a team 24/7, and every action we take, on or off the boat, has an impact on the rest of the crew.”

Captain Mike

► Final Say on Drinking and Professionalism in Yachting

Balancing work and fun on a yacht is a skill we all learn on the job. From Captain Mike’s insights to the stories from Leah, Jess, Nessa, Kerry, and Susie, one thing is clear: maintaining professionalism on a yacht is more than just following rules. It’s about building a strong team where everyone trusts, supports, and looks out for each other. After all, a happy crew is a productive crew, and finding harmony between work and play is key to maintaining not just the yacht’s standards, but our own sanity too.

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Share Your Story 💙 🛥

Got a story to tell about your life onboard? We all have our ups and downs, and sharing them can help others. Tell us how you keep things balanced between work and fun. Your experiences, tips, or lessons learned could help someone else find their way. Share it on our social media!

Let’s help each other make yachting life the best it can be.

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