TV series Below Deck sparks interest in superyacht crew work – here’s how to get on board
FED up with British winters? How about a job sailing around the world’s glitziest beach resorts?
Thanks to the hit reality show Below Deck, interest in yacht crew jobs is at an all-time high.
The TV programme chronicles the lives of the crew members who live and work aboard a yacht during charter season.
Although the destinations are glamorous, the role is incredibly hard work, with some shifts lasting up to 20 hours to meet A-list guests’ demands.
But the pay can be good too, with stewards and stewardesses earning up to £4,000 a month.
While 2022 was already a record year for new crew registrations, there has been a 15 per cent rise in the number of Brits registering to work on yachts this year.
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Around 5,200 UK nationals are employed full-time in the industry.
Demi Pearson from Suffolk swapped a job as a Tesco team leader to work as a stewardess on a 60m private yacht sailing the Caribbean.
Demi, 25, said: “I always thought working on a yacht would be something I’d love to do but had no idea where to start.
"I came across the page of a stewardess on Tik Tok who was documenting how to get into the industry and she recommended UKSA.
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"After calling up and speaking to one of the course advisers who was super helpful and explained to me everything I needed to do, I managed to get booked onto a course."
“I am now living a life I thought I could only dream of. I couldn’t recommend this enough to anybody wanting to travel the world whilst meeting new people and making a good money.”
To meet demand, the UK Sailing Academy has launched an enhanced Superyacht Stewardess and Steward course, which will provide highly trained entry-level crew.
The five-week programme has been designed by maritime experts and will see students equipped with the skills, and advised of the attitudes expected, on seven-star vessels.
The course includes the “five golden pillars” of yacht service excellence, personal presentation and etiquette skills, housekeeping and attention to detail, table management and flower arranging, professional laundry duties and an introduction to food and beverage service on board a yacht.
Funding is available to ensure courses are diverse and accessible, with 80 per cent of students being helped with fees on the last intake.
Five courses will run during 2024.
Find out more at tinyurl.com/3m355m3d.
Pitfalls of party season...
CHRISTMAS parties can leave a hangover for bosses as alcohol fuels inappropriate behaviour.
Natasha Kearslake, director of HR consultants Organic P&O Solutions, shares her view on what managers need to look out for . . .
- If you’re supplying alcohol at a work event, you are responsible for ensuring it is consumed safely and sensibly. Keep an eye out for employees drinking to excess – ensure transportation is available for them to avoid safety issues.
- A party atmosphere can encourage employees to vent workplace frustrations, and petty grievances might become exaggerated. Watch for rumours spreading as alcohol loosens lips. All these might need clearing up on the next work day.
- Romantic hook-ups between colleagues can get messy, especially if one person is senior to the other. A misunderstanding about consent can quickly become a serious HR matter. Ensure your policy is clear about how these situations are managed, not just what the rules are.
- Make sure events include all staff members and accommodate issues like accessibility and family needs. Parties centred around alcohol risk alienating teetotal workers and people from certain religions.
- Watch out for political or religious discussions becoming ill-tempered, and be ready to step in if it looks like turning into a shouting match.
- Oversharing on social media can create a public record of misbehaviour that reflects badly on employees and the business. Encourage staff to think twice before they post photos and gossip online.
Fibs just the job?
THREE in ten workers admit embellishing their CV, while one in 20 has filled it with outright lies.
Exaggerated responsibilities were the biggest whoppers, used by a third of fibbers, while 30 per cent fabricated experience in a job.
Nineteen per cent upped their GCSE grades and 16 per cent invented skills.
But a quarter of those who had lied on their CV had been caught out – with seven per cent challenged during their interview.
Caitlin MacLean, from research agency Perspectus Global, which carried out the study, said: “It is surprising that so many people fib in their CVs, exaggerating their skills and experience and even making up roles.”
Jobspot
Be a high iFlyer
REACH for the sky with a career at iFLY.
The indoor skydive attraction is hiring instructors for its venues around the UK.
Hayley Baldwin, who works at the iFLY at The Bear Grylls Adventure, in Birmingham, spends more than 400 hours a year in the air.
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She said: “I prefer being in the air to being on the ground. I absolutely love being a teacher at The Bear Grylls Adventure. It’s an amazing job and lets me pursue my passion in the workplace.”
Find our more at iflyworld.co.uk/careers/andbeargryllsadventure.com/about/jobs/.
Jobspot
GOVIA THAMESLINK has ten places on its engineering apprenticeship scheme.
Apply by December 10 at gtrailwaycareers.com/jobs/vacancy/2026/description.