BUCK THE STEREOTYPE – WORK SMART

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 monitor the crew, make sure they’re doing their job properly. I might be liaising with the Chief Officer one minute, allocating jobs to deck crew the next, helping with repairs, using an angle grinder or sanding machine or teaching a deckhand the art of varnishing.  It’s so varied, no two days are the same, but it’s crucial for the smart running of any yacht that crew learn their craft properly and don’t take shortcuts.

Do you think it’s important to pass on your skills?

Definitely. If you’ve got 4 people who know how to paint, it makes the team so much stronger and more efficient.

What makes a dream crew?

A strong work ethic.  You’ll get so much more satisfaction if you work hard and soak up as much as you can from the experienced crew around you.  There’s a strength in knowledge and experience.