The first ever Yacht Crew Survey is live.  Your chance as superyacht crew to tell us what you think needs to change in the superyacht service industry. Jenny Matthews, founder of www.sheofthesea.com has developed and launched the first ever annual Yacht Crew Survey.  The aim?  To gather information about crew on the frontline, who you are, what you're doing and what you want improved.  Whether it's mentor support, training opportunities, better rotation schedules, improved career progression or help when the pressure's on. To continuously improve this industry of ours, we need to find out what you think needs to change, effect those changes and monitor how effective the action implemented is. That's why this survey will come out an...

Have you signed Sailors' Society's petition to the International Labour Organisation, calling for wellness training to be made mandatory for seafarers in the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC)?  If not, then do it now (sign Sailors' Society's petition here). It doesn't take a minute and could help increase awareness of depression and reduce the number of suicides amongst seafarers working hard but struggling with their mental wellness off our shores today.  Sailors' Society launched their "Not on My Watch" campaign earlier this year and so far, have more than 2,500 signatures across 80 countries.  But for the Maritime Labour Convention to change policy they need more signatures, so please do sign and share it too...

  Students as young as 16 with an interest in a career in maritime, now have the chance to opt for a 2-year Maritime Foundation Course, courtesy of UKSA, the national youth maritime training charity based in Cowes, Isle of Wight.  The ideal entry level qualification to get them started on their seafaring career. This brand-new, fully-funded foundation course is ideal for young learners who have just completed their GCSE's in the UK, with absolutely no experience of the maritime sector, simply an interest in a career in this arena and a willingness to listen and work hard. In return they'll gain a broad base of knowledge, skills and qualifications that will demonstrate to potential employers their competency to work as a seafarer, making them far more employable ...

The mental health of our seafarers is as important today as it's always been but with increased awareness and new research into this extremely broad but endemic subject, comes investment in the shape of expert support and a better understanding of what we can all do to help struggling crew mates. The International Seafarers Welfare & Assistance Network (ISWAN) recently conducted research into the welfare of superyacht crew and found that out of nearly 400 respondents, 82% said they had experienced low crew morale 'sometimes', 'often' or 'always'.  Whilst the work itself might not be stressful, the work environment can feel like a pressure-cooker!  Long hours, the expectation for high standards over long periods, working remotel...

By visiting remote locations crew can sometimes find themselves in a position where they can actually have a positive impact on local communities living there.  Crew from M/Y Legacy and support boat Pursuit have been doing just that for the last 18 months, during their visits to Papua New Guinea (PNG). When they first arrived in the remote bay, dugout canoes would appear at the stern, the chief (or someone related) would appear and once they'd identified themselves and requested permission to stay, the crew would generally receive a warm welcome, and food, fishing lines and hooks would be exchanged. Having seen the condition of the local's clothing, the crew decided they would return and do more.  On a following trip they handed over bags of c...

Kate's story … "I was a personal trainer back home when I decided I needed a change. I heard about a programme which would give me an introduction to the Cruise industry, which sounded great!" It wasn't quite what I imagined to start with though, and it was tough! The shock of living and working in such close proximity to my crew mates and discovering I was only earning commission on the products I sold wasn't something I was prepared for. Looking back, perhaps I hadn't asked enough questions, or rather I hadn't asked the right questions. Starting on cruise ships was a totally spontaneous decision for me. I was personal training at home, wanted something different, applied online for cruise ships at 21, but was definitely green around the gill...

There are lots more females working deckside these days, but for years there has been a stereotypical divide. With mainly guys on deck and girls working on the interior, women are starting to prove that their skillset is just as suited to working on the exterior, engine room or bridge. But it's a constant challenge.  With traditionalists believing that girl's attention to detail is better suited to working on the interior rather than the more physically demanding roles of deckside, women are having to prove that they can work smart too. We caught up with "Miss S" this month, who is so excited to have recently qualified as Bosun.   What is the bosun? It's like the link between Deck and Chief Officer. What's your role? I have to mon...

Following the mammoth success of the reality TV series 'Below Deck' the yachting industry has witnessed a huge influx of people wanting to get jobs as crew.  The perceived glamour and excitement of each episode, with drama amongst crew members on board charter yachts, those featured through 2017 measuring 150 feet and larger.   Although there has been a direct increase in charter bookings amongst those yachts featured, there has also been supposedly a 100% increase in guys and gals wanting some of that extravagant lifestyle.  A recently qualified bosun on board superyachts explained, "the reality is far less exciting, whereas you might see 20 different storylines in one episode, in reality you'd have to work an entire season before any of tha...

The LateSail team's top tips for Mediterranean yacht charters with a difference     Looking for somewhere a bit different to sail to and get away from the crowds? The team at LateSail have picked some of their favourite, off the beaten track places to visit on a yacht charter.   San Pietro Island, Italy   San Pietro is a small island off the south west coast of Sardinia, with a tight knit community, giving the whole place a family-like atmosphere. Transforming from beautiful beaches, to sheer cliff faces, to caves of soft clay; the coastline is ever changing.   There are a few places not commonly known to tourists on San Pietro Island, and if you choose to sail there you must make sure you get to them. First of all in Carloforte, if you'...

  "There is no such thing as a low-risk lap in Monaco. It doesn't exist. If you want to be fast you have to be on the limit …" Max Verstappen (F1 Red Bull Racing)   It's time for the exhilarating Monaco Grand Prix!  Whether you're watching from an apartment or from the deck of a luxury yacht, from Thursday 23rd May until Sunday 26th May (2019) you couldn't fail to be swept up by the glamour and thrill of the Monaco Grand Prix. One of the most challenging and exciting circuits on the Formula 1 calendar, this legendary race, now in its 90th year matches prestige with excitement.  Running since 1929, with originally only 16 competitors, Monaco will close its roads next week while resident...