I was a dive instructor in Honduras when I met a deckhand who came to the dive center I was working at for his instructor course. He told me about yachting, and I instantly knew I would be successful transferring my land skills onto the water. One month later, I did my STCW and another month later I was walking the docks in Palma.
I have been so lucky to have held this position since the early days of my career, since I basically did this job on land (not quite to this standard though) before joining yachting. I wanted to break into the 100-meter-plus yachts and always wanted to do a new build. I have been very privileged to have achieved everything I set my mind to. Now my goal is to enjoy my last few years in the industry and leave on my own terms, whenever the time comes.
So many things come to mind when thinking about the best parts of being a stew: some of the conversations we are privy to at the dining table, the world of fine dining and premium wines/quality spirits that has opened up, the beautiful things and places we are exposed to, the knowledge of interior design and fashion that we gain.
At the end of the season, getting a deckhand to return the same amount of uniform they were given at the beginning is the biggest challenge.
When I turned 40, we had the owner on board for a long period, as it was in the middle of Covid-19. She told us she wanted to go on a helicopter ride, so we got everything ready for her and her friends. When I walked her to the helicopter, she asked me to get in and told me that it a was a birthday present for me. When we landed after the ride, she was waiting for me with her friends and a glass of champagne.
When starting out, have a great and flexible attitude and be willing to take everything in like a sponge. I would much rather have a crew member with a positive attitude and willingness to learn on my team than someone who is good at their job but with a negative demeanor.
One lesson I learned from experience: Only voice your opinion when you are asked for it.
The strangest request I’ve received was to do the same towel inventories with the owner at 3am every night into the early morning hours for two months. Over and over again.