By Georgia Tindale   Content note: This article contains discussion of suicide. In recent years, there has been a clear increase in the number of conversations around mental health within the yachting industry, with helplines and other organisations such as 'Yacht Crew Help' stepping in to fill the gap which was previously evident for those looking for support and guidance on board their vessels when times get tough. More broadly, as well as helplines and more immediate help for those in crisis, there has also been an uplift in the number of instructional courses appearing that help to educate those in yachting on this topic. These cover topics such as how to identify the warning signs of suicide and mental health difficulties among friends and fellow crew, what ...

  By Georgia Tindale  An indisputable fact: Yachting is an industry which stimulates a lot of questions for those who are outside of it. As someone who was not even aware of the industry's existence until I fell into it five years ago or so (a story which is certainly not uncommon) I had plenty of questions of my own about this somewhat unusual, and definitely distinctive sphere of work and leisure!  Here, I tackle some of the most common questions that those in yachting face from outsiders – aiming to help you navigate the demanding task of explaining our industry to the uninitiated!  What is yachting? Although it may seem obvious, it is surprising how many people struggle to give a succinct answer to this, and it is best to make sure you understan...

My name is Mia Muscat, I am a counsellor/psychotherapist and am trying to reach out to more people by promoting online therapy. As I am sure you are aware mental health issues are on the rise, with anxiety and depression in particular. I'm reaching out to people who are not in a position to keep regular appointments every week but may still benefit greatly from therapy. As long as you have a decent Wifi connection we can easily arrange appointments to suit a busy schedule. I've been working with clients online for the past 5years and have found the work to be just as effective as face to face work I have 17yrs experience as a qualified counsellor and an understanding of the yachting industry (several family members who work /have worked in the industry) and would love to help yatch...

By Georgia Tindale When it comes to surviving and thriving the quirks of the yachting industry, there are some unwritten rules which you need to follow. Here, we speak to Andrew Roch, Founder and CEO of the Crew Academy, to learn his top 'dos' and 'don't's for staying afloat within this unusual and extraordinary industry.  First off, there is a lot of drinking and alcohol around yachting, and yacht shows in particular! How should I manage to have a good time and still remain professional? This is a key point: how you are perceived at these shows is totally dependent on how you behave. So if you are at Stars'N'Bars, drinking and dancing all night long and still get up in the morning, present well and perform at the optimum level, then you've don...

By Georgia Tindale As we sail on through the busy yacht show season, it is time for those looking to enter the industry for the first time (or those looking to land a new position) to pull their socks up, slap on their game faces and get ready to schmooze as if their lives depended on it. Indeed, no one could deny that job hunting can be something of an overwhelming and disheartening activity at the best of times.  But never fear! Here at the industry's leading jobs board, we've got your back. We speak to Shelley Viljoen, former purser and now Head of Recruitment at The Crew Hunter and learn her top tips for how to secure a position at a yacht show – and the pitfalls to avoid along the way.    First off, what kind of mindset should you be a...

"Don't spit in the water": Kateryna Kyslyak on forging success as a charter broker  By Georgia Tindale In the latest in our 'ship to shore' articles, we meet the Ukrainian-born charter broker Kateryna Kyslyak. A former crew member, and now working as a Senior Charter Broker at Contact Yachts, in Turkey, we discover how Kateryna made the transition from crew to shoreside, how much you can really make as a charter broker in 2022, what to do about challenging clients, and her top tips for getting ahead in this highly competitive field. How did you first find your way into yachting? I initially worked as a hostess on board a gulet in Turkey. I didn't have any experience in service at the time, but they hired me because of my personality. ...

  For Every Size: Rethinking Crew Uniform with Deirdre Colgan  By Georgia Tindale One accusation which is sometimes levelled at the yachting industry in 2022 is that it is somewhat old-fashioned and slow to adapt to change.  Although there are many aspects of the business which can be pointed towards that demonstrate the total opposite – just take a look at recent technological advances in yacht building for example – when it comes to crew uniform, there is plenty of work left to be done. To find out more, we speak to Deirdre Colgan. Originally from Ireland, Deirdre is a former charter chief stew and founder of the clothing brand Nautilus Yachtwear, based in Palm Beach County in the US.  Using her own experiences as crew as a springboard, Deirdre&rsq...

How to nail a yachting job interview  By Georgia Tindale  When it comes to the job application process, there are few things that are liable to prompt more mixed emotions in candidates than an email informing them that they have successfully secured a job interview. On the one hand, they are one step closer to landing that dream job, but on the other, they will now have to convince that recruiter that they are the best thing since sliced bread – and the best possible candidate for that position. But if this is you, never fear! The trusted team at Yotspot have your back. Here, we catch up with Paul Robson, Chief Operations Officer at the boutique head-hunting agency, The Crew Hunter, and discover the biggest pitfalls to avoid in a job interview, what recruiters are loo...

Beyond the sea: How to find a job after yachting  By Georgia Tindale  Thanks to our network of over 89,000 professionals who are currently using our platform, at Yotspot, we are very much aware of the fast-paced nature of the job market. Although some will, of course, enter yachting as a life-long profession, there are many who will look to move from a crew role across to a shore-based position, whether in the industry or outside of it – a transition which can initially seem to be a daunting one.  Here, we catch up again with Gemma Hulbert, Sophie Wells and Rachael Avara. All former chief stews, and now Company Founder and Online Trainers respectively, they are just some of the expert team behind 'The Yacht Stew' which is one of the world's...

Everything you need to know about yacht hospitality roles    By Georgia Tindale  To the uninitiated, a job working on board a superyacht can seem a thousand miles away from the everyday reality of working ashore in other hospitality roles, thanks, in large part, to its perceived glamour, incredible travel opportunities and competitive salary.  Although this can, of course, quite literally be the case – depending on whether or not you fancy tackling a trip in the middle of the Pacific Ocean – the story is a more complicated one.  Here, we speak to Gemma Hulbert, Sophie Wells and Rachael Avara. All former chief stews, and now Company Founder and Online Trainers respectively, they are just some of the expert team behind 'The Yacht Stew'...