a decade of change

REFLECTIONS ON SAILING YACHT CREW RECRUITMENT

Rachel and Jessie have been recruiting crew for sailing yachts for nearly a decade between them, and it's been fascinating to watch the industry evolve. Here's what they've noticed changing in the S/Y world over the years.

THE POSITIVE SHIFTS

More women on deck

One of the most encouraging changes we've seen is the increasing number of female crew working on deck, and more yachts actively seeking this. What was once a rarity is now becoming the norm, with many captains and owners recognising that strong sailors come in all forms. We're seeing more women in mate, bosun, and deckhand positions, and it's refreshing to see the industry moving in this direction.

Better packages across the board

Salaries have improved, but perhaps more significantly, leave packages have become far more generous. Although rotational packages outside of captain or engineer roles are still rare on S/Ys, more yachts are offering generous leave packages, recognising the importance of a work/life balance.

More adventurous itineraries

The appetite for adventure has grown significantly. We're seeing more yachts heading to high latitude destinations, exploring off the beaten track cruising grounds, and owners who are genuinely passionate about sailing rather than just owning a yacht. The Pacific is almost the new milk-run itinerary, and more yachts are heading even to Antarctica, Svalbard and other far flung places.

The rise of new builds

There's been a notable increase in new build projects since the pandemic, particularly performance sailing yachts. It's exciting to see investment in the sailing yacht sector, and these projects offer crew the unique opportunity to be part of something from the very beginning.

Crew bringing diverse skills

We're seeing more crew who've worked in other industries before yachting, or invested in their learning, bringing valuable skills to the table. Engineers with renewable energy backgrounds, deckhands with commercial diving qualifications - the breadth of experience crew now offer is impressive, and yachts are increasingly valuing this diversity.

THE CHALLENGES

Male interior crew still underrepresented

While we've seen progress with women on deck, the reverse hasn't happened in the interior. Although male chefs are commonplace, male stewards on sailing yachts remain relatively rare, and we haven't seen a significant increase in demand for this over the years. The industry still has some way to go in breaking down these traditional gender roles.

Demographic preferences persist

Despite all the positive changes, many yachts still insist on a very specific demographic: young, Western, and often native English speaking. This remains one of the industry's blind spots, and it's disappointing to see talented, experienced crew overlooked because they don't fit a particular mould.

Rotation expectations without longevity

More crew are requesting rotational positions, which is understandable given the improved work-life balance they offer. However, we're seeing this expectation from crew who don't yet have the longevity or experience in previous roles to justify it. Rotation works well when there's proven reliability and skill, but it's challenging when crew are still building their foundation.

Tightening visa restrictions

EU visa restrictions for yacht crew have become increasingly complex, particularly post-Brexit. Recently it has become very hard for non-EU crew to sign onto yachts in the shipyard in Europe. B1/B2 visas for the US and Caribbean are now essential for many programmes, and the bureaucracy around crew documentation has grown significantly. It's added another layer of complexity to an already challenging recruitment landscape.

Looking Ahead

Nearly a decade in, we're optimistic about where the sailing yacht industry is heading. The positive changes far outweigh the challenges, and we're seeing a sector that's slowly but surely becoming more professional, more inclusive, and more focused on crew welfare.

That said, there's still work to be done. Breaking down demographic preferences, supporting male crew in interior roles, and helping crew understand the value of building longevity before seeking rotation, these are areas where the industry can continue to evolve.