I’m the captain on a busy 147-foot charter yacht and have a fantastic team that works diligently. However, I can sense they’re starting to feel burnt out (as am I). How do I effectively propose rotation to the owner, and what information should I provide to support this initiative?
When a boat is constantly chartering, burnout becomes a significant issue — you know that! Crew members are not machines, and neither are the heads of department. The reality is that fatigue takes a toll on performance and well-being. If you want to advocate for rotation, it’s crucial to come armed with data, not just emotions. I just went through this with my owner and spent a lot of time getting input from other rotational programs and referring to industry studies. Owners need proof and data.
Start by outlining the current workload. Detail your charter schedule, guest days, miles covered, maintenance backlog and the hours your team is working. This data provides a clear picture of the demands placed on crew. Next, illustrate the impact of this workload — discuss how fatigue leads to mistakes, increases turnover risk and affects morale.
Once you have your data organized, propose a specific rotation model. Don’t simply approach the topic with a vague query like “Can we do rotation?” Instead, come with a fully developed plan that outlines how rotation will work. On a yacht of your size, creating a rotation structure for the captains and senior staff is reasonable and could even extend to the entire crew.
It’s vital to map out how your team would rotate. Emphasize the benefits to the owner. Highlight a better guest experience — happier, motivated crew members provide superior service. Emphasize that better-rested crew make fewer errors, improved longevity of the workforce reduces turnover costs and culture of well-being aligns with operational safety.
Come prepared, present your case professionally and lead the conversation with key points centered around safety, service, sustainability and wellness. This approach transforms the discussion into a constructive conversation about implementing a rotation plan.
To send a question to Captain Kelly, message her on Instagram @captain_kellyjgordon.