The Superyacht Circuit from 1988 - 1993  We caught up with 52-year-old corporate tech exec Duncan Ward this week, Account Director for Oracle Software Sales team in the UK. By his own admission, he wasn't always a techno-nerd!   Duncan spent 5 years working on superyachts and whilst he absolutely loved every minute, he describes the industry back then "as being akin to the Wild West!!  It was the '80's and there just weren't the regulations!" How did you get your first yachting gig? I was 20. Living in the UK's south coastal yachting town Lymington.  A popular yachty haunt and my regular pub was (and still is!) The Chequers Inn and I'd hear friends swapping tales of working on yachts.  I'd always lov...

Stepping up and donating £1000 at any other time would have been hard enough but when Yotspot HQ heard that ISWAN were raising funds to create a much-needed, dedicated online support hub for superyacht crew ... pandemic or no pandemic ... we knew we had to help! ISWAN need to raise £20,000 to build Yacht Crew Help – a new online toolkit specifically designed for superyacht crew.  So they can access help and support 24/7, when they're finding life hard and need someone to talk to.  The service will include a free direct line, with 24-hour emotional support, guidance and access to useful mental health and welfare resources from across the globe. The online hub will specifically: Signpost organisations and help available Cata...

Specialist Superyacht recruiter Faststream and industry-leading job board Yotspot have collaborated to survey over 1,200 Superyacht crew to gain a unique insight into the views, thoughts and feelings that these individuals have about the industry they work in. How do crew rate their mental health on-board and do they feel there is adequate support if there is an issue? Do they feel they are spending enough quality time with their friends and family? Do crew care about pensions or are they saving for the future in a different way? What matters most to crew at work? What are crew's future ambitions in their careers? You can find out by reading the #thesuperyachtsurvey2020 below: Click here to view the Superyacht Survey 2020   https://www.yotspot.com/docs/The%20Superyac...

Like many superyacht crew working onboard vessels at the time COVID-19 travel restrictions were implemented, the crew onboard MY Mirage were given the choice to either remain onboard, move into local crew apartments or return home to quarantine with family (wherever that may be!). One crew member, Stewardess and Massage Therapist, Elle Watton, having moved ashore with fellow crew, was able to get back on board and start unpacking last week, ready for what will hopefully be the new charter season - as yet still to be confirmed. Sitting in STP shipyard, Palma, onboard "MY Mirage", we caught up with Elle, as she comes to the end of her first year as superyacht crew. As a completely green newbie, who'd never even sailed before, Elle told me she's now absolu...

As for charters, with the inevitable restrictions on travel worldwide, spring bookings have taken a nosedive, with many either postponed or cancelled. Despite this there are charter firms keen to take advanced charter bookings, for those clients looking to escape as soon as the restrictions are lifted. With some requesting the ability to re-book or cancel in case of future travel bans, with some brokerage firms even offering 'cancellation no penalty' clauses. The hope is that as soon as travel bans are lifted, the global charter market will bounce back, with people wanting to escape on a yacht and spend time onboard in a safe, secure, isolated but beautiful environment – away from home. Looking for remote? As for the safer destinations, favourite options will proba...

Everywhere you turn the disruptive effects of COVID-19 are stark.  First and foremost, we hope you're safe, well and where you want to be! It's a bit of an understatement that the superyacht industry has a whole has been hit pretty hard by the COVID-19 outbreak, with yachts unable to move freely in Spain, France and Italy, and many yachts heading to the UK as a safe haven. With such stringent lockdowns, crew can't easily join yachts and vessels are stuck unable to leave port.  Whilst some owners are using their yachts as safe havens, it's tricky for rotational crews whose counterparts can't get flights out to the boats. COVID-19 has obviously affected an enormous number of crew; causing repatriation issues, crew unable to access government fina...

Palma's loss was my gain this week! Hannah Mills, MBE, British Olympic Sailor and 470 World Champion is just back from the 470 Worlds in Palma, postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Making training and preparation for the recently postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics more challenging than ever. Team GB were reluctantly sent home from Palma and home on the south coast of England was where I caught up with Hannah to find out more about https://bigplasticpledge.com, the athlete-driven initiative - actually more like a movement - launched with fellow 470 crew-mate Eilidh McIntyre, with the full backing and support of the IOC. (The International Olympic Committee). With medals and international acclaim, Hannah is no stranger to focus, determination and hard work.  ...

Whilst event organisers worldwide do all they can to slow the spread of COVID-19, cancelling, changing and postponing planned events and travel plans, we're obliged to take the necessary precautions to look after and protect one another as we see how things unfold in the coming months.  With regard to the Superyacht calendar, obviously things are changing on a daily, if not hourly, basis so we advise you check individual events, travel, transfer and country policies directly with the relevant websites and helplines. In the meantime, here's an indicator of what's been postponed and cancelled due to COVID-19 for now:  Events MARCHDubai International Boat ShowOriginally set for 10–14 March, postponed until later this year, 24–28 Nov 2020, takin...

Before we look at coronavirus in the superyacht industry here's a quick round-up of the facts: The World Health Organization (WHO) has named the Coronavirus, COVID-19 Coronavirus (COVID-19) was first reported towards the end of 2019 in central China Originated in Wuhan Estimated that most healthy people who contract COVID-19 will recover uneventfully with mild to moderate symptoms, but for those with underlying health issues there is increased severity It's most likely transmitted through infected respiratory droplets, transmitted by coughing, sneezing or naturally airborne, so can be contracted simply by talking to one another It's possible to contract COVID-19 either by having contact (directly or indirectly) with infectious droplets or touching the face Ris...

Teak can be tricky to keep spotless. Whether it's the deck or furnishings, it can be difficult to keep the teak looking pristine, especially if it's a table and your guests unintentionally spill food or drinks during dinner.  Even if the teak gets thoroughly wiped down afterwards, oily food will leave it's oily calling card!  However delicious, any food that's either cooked in oil or contains oil and then lands on the deck is susceptible to mark. Teak is notorious for retaining oil stains, so here's a little run down of how to get rid of those tiresome blotches: 1) Grab yourself a box of washing powder (doesn't matter which brand) and vinegar (again, doesn't matter which brand) - they're great for the job, gentle but with a touch of acidity to remove marks left by water,...