I have always loved the water from a young age. I used to be a competitive springboard diver, lifeguard as well as scuba diving from the age of eight. So working on the water was always inevitable. After I completed my basic training, I managed to get a job from a Facebook group. After a few weeks at home after my courses, I flew to Fort Lauderdale to meet the boat before sailing to Bahamas for the charters. I didn’t have to dockwalk or hand out CVs; I got pretty lucky and found a boat fast.
If I wasn’t working on a yacht, I would probably be doing some sort of training at a maritime school. I enjoy helping others with study and enjoy seeing them progress.
My goal in yachting is to continue as an officer on board and get back on an expedition vessel that goes off the beaten track and eventually complete my Masters modules and continue to progress.
The toughest part of the job is probably being away from home for a long time and missing important events; however, the great places I have visited and the people I have met make up for that.
My advice for impressing your HOD would be to always be early for the morning meetings, be ready and prepared for the day, don’t clock-watch, keep your work area tidy and organized and stay enthusiastic and focused.
Time in industry: five and a half years
Previous vessels: 262-foot and 180-foot motor yachts
Nationality: British
In my opinion, extra qualifications are important. Not only are they great for personal development and fulfillment, they also help your chances of standing out in the crowd. The more skills and qualifications you have the more rounded and useful you become for the guests and crew.
The most important thing I’ve learned is the importance of all departments working as a team. It ensures the service delivered is the best standard possible and it also creates a good, fun working environment that leads to crew wanting to work harder while enjoying their work.
I got my OOW 3000GT in March 2024 at the age of 22, and I have also just got my Chief Mate 3000GT.
The best part of the job for me has been traveling to some amazing places. I have been lucky enough to travel to the Arctic and Antarctica while on board an expedition vessel. I love traveling and seeing new cultures.
If you have a warm water tap on deck to wash down with, it dissolves the salt faster and easier, making the boat look even better quicker.