Yachting Like It Is

There is talk about the industry of introducing an environmental officer qualification for the yachting industry. In fact it was a prominent captain and member of the Seakeepers society who mentioned it recently in an article. Well I would like to add my name to the list of people who think its a good idea. [...]

There are any unanswered questions in the world; like why is there a control that lets you reduce the suction power of a vacuum cleaner, does anyone ever use it on a setting less than Max? Or, why do we pay for flood insurance outside the rainy season? Or, most intriguingly, why do Floridian cars [...]

There has been much talk of late about the idea of “unionising” the yachting industry. Unfortunately it is clear that the word union conjures up all sorts of, albeit unfair, images of picketing and striking or industrial action. Not the sort of thing we really want to see in the yachting industry.

There are however, some [...]

The increase in the ability of different social groups to communicate easily and efficiently has to be one of the main advantages of the internet revolution. Social networks carry with them the promise of never being out of touch and always staying in the loop with peers. Lets face it, even older people and when [...]

Tough times call for tough measures, a mantra that anyone could agree with.  But, tough times are subjectively determined and as yacht crew how do we value what a wealthy owner sees as tough times.  If they own a yacht, times cannot be that tough right?  Well there are clear signs that times are getting [...]

As we expect the first brush with a hurricane of the year, the signs are there that the summer is passing by. For most of us in South Florida that is a good thing as it means an end to the stifling heat. However the Autumn does have its problems which start with an influx [...]

There has for a long time now been much discussion about the training that novice yacht crew receive.  In the not too distant past the most a newbie got was where to drink in order to meet captains and find work.  Things have moved on and today most incoming yacht crew are recommended to undertake [...]

It is a little known fact that the yachting industry lacks the normal industry level of buzzwords associated with a business of comparable size. Or to put it another way it lacks the proprietary vernacular vocabulary. Without such management jargon yachting is doomed to remain a cottage industry, and, is possibly even further doomed to [...]

One of the most common problems facing the crew industry today is the problem with crew turnover amongst vessels. There is no obvious magic solution to this issue, nor many proposed solutions despite occupying a place high on the agenda of many. In fact even the Dockwalk recently published an article that would seem to [...]

Undoubtedly, corruption is a very strong word.  It is usually associated with politicians, senior business figures or third world governments.  Most often when we hear of corruption it involves sordid meetings, sexy women, Swiss bankers and big numbers.  But make no mistake, there is nothing romantic or glamorous about corruption.  If you ‘sell out’ you [...]