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Yacht Crew Help: Providing 24/7 Support For Superyacht Crew

Yacht Crew Help was launched in 2018 by the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) following a research project conducted by ISWAN in partnership with MHG Insurance. Over 400 crew working on superyachts were surveyed to investigate welfare issues specific to the sector. We spoke to ISWAN about their goals for Yacht Crew Help, what they aim to achieve, and how to get in touch. 

The Primary Goals Of Yacht Crew Help

Whilst ISWAN’s survey revealed many positive experiences of yachting, it also found that:

• 82% of superyacht crew experienced low crew morale sometimes, often or always
• 57% of women and 39% of men suffered from social isolation or loneliness ‘sometimes’, ‘often’, or ‘always’ while working on board
• 55% of female respondents found accessing mental health care to be an occasional or regular challenge.

Prompted by these findings, ISWAN set up a steering group of representatives from across the superyacht industry and collaborated to develop Yacht Crew Help – a free, confidential, multilingual helpline operated by ISWAN for yacht crew. The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (24/7/365), and exists to provides practical, emotional and wellbeing support (with an additional short-term counselling facility where necessary) to yacht crew of any nationality.

Despite the many benefits of working onboard a superyacht, the challenges of working away from home for long periods and living in close quarters with colleagues can become overwhelming. Yacht Crew Help offers a safe space and a non-judgmental listening ear for crew and their families to share their thoughts and feelings, and provides support, information and/or resources to empower the individual to make the best decisions for themselves to find a resolution.

ISWAN has networks and contacts worldwide who its helpline team can refer cases to with the service user’s consent; for example, if long-term counselling or practical assistance from a union is needed.

“Yacht Crew Help offers a safe space and a non-judgmental listening ear for crew and their families to share their thoughts and feelings, and provides support, information and/or resources to empower the individual to make the best decisions for themselves to find a resolution.”

Resources & Practical Guidance Supplied

A number of self-help resources are available on the Yacht Crew Help website,  including ISWAN’s Good Mental Health Guides which provide practical guidance to prepare crew for the everyday challenges they might face while working on board away from their support networks at home. Accompanying these is:

• an audio relaxation exercise which combines muscle relaxation with the controlled breathing technique
• tips on psychological first aid to help crew identify and cope with signs of stress in themselves and others

ISWAN recently launched a new resource: Personal safety precautions for job-seeking yacht crew . This is to  guide and support all crew to increase their awareness of the potential risks associated with job-hunting in the yachting industry. It aims to empower crew by providing the guidance and tools necessary to make informed, aware, boundaried and safe decisions about their next role. The resource is for all crew, no matter what gender, nationality or level of experience within the yachting industry.

The Yacht Crew Help website also signposts to resources and support available from other organisations, including specific support for the LGBT+ community or those who have experienced abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination, or violence, for example.

ISWAN also provides a free mobile app, ISWAN for Seafarers , which offers a direct line to ISWAN’s 24-hour helplines, including Yacht Crew Help, and offline access to resources for crew. The app can be downloaded on Google Play or the App Store .

“The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year”

Contact Information

Yacht Crew Help is available on a number of different channels – as well as telephone and e-mail. Crew can also contact the helpline using WhatsApp or Live Chat on the Yacht Crew Help website.

Telephone: +44 203 713 7273 (or request a call back at www.yachtcrewhelp.org/callback )

E-mail: help@yachtcrewhelp.org

Live Chat: via www.yachtcrewhelp.org

WhatsApp: +44 7514 500153

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Support for yacht crew now available via WhatsApp

Yacht crew can now use WhatsApp to contact the free, international helpline Yacht Crew Help for 24-hour help and support.

Yacht Crew Help is operated by the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) and was launched in November 2020. In 2022 so far, ISWAN’s helpline for yacht crew has handled over 100 cases involving issues such as bullying and harassment, unpaid wages and mental health support.

Yacht Crew Help is free, confidential and operates 24 hours a day, all year round. As well as the new WhatsApp channel, yacht crew who have a question or problem or need someone to talk to can also contact ISWAN’s experienced helpline team via telephone, e-mail and Live Chat.

ISWAN’s Project and Relationships Manager Georgia Allen said:

‘Yacht crew should be able to access support when they need it as easily as possible, wherever they are in the world. WhatsApp is the second most popular channel for seafarers getting in touch with our core helpline, SeafarerHelp, and we hope that offering this convenient contact method on Yacht Crew Help will be helpful to yacht crew who prefer using messaging apps for communication.’

Yacht crew can contact Yacht Crew Help on WhatsApp on +44 (0)7514 500153. Further contact details, guidance and resources for yacht crew can be found at www.yachtcrewhelp.org .

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The welfare of superyacht crew - a support lifeline - yachtcrewhelp.org to become a reality....

Caroline Blatter 29 May 2020

The International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) has welcomed Bond TM as the primary partner for its new online toolkit for superyacht crew - with a focus on fundraising initiated by Colin Squire & Brendan O’Shannassy on a webinar in early May.

A survey conducted by ISWAN in 2018 found that 82% of superyacht crew experienced low crew morale sometimes, often or always, and 55% of female respondents found accessing mental health care to be an occasional or regular challenge. In order to be more visible to superyacht crew in need, ISWAN has been fundraising for Yacht Crew Help – a new online toolkit to provide crew with a direct line to free, 24-hour emotional support, guidance, and useful health and welfare resources.

Alongside gallant fundraising efforts from Colin Squire of Yachting Matters and Captain Brendan O’Shannassy, President of the ISS Captain’s Committee, Bond TM have contributed a generous €10,000 to help make the new platform a reality.

Will Faimatea, Director and Founder of Bond TM, said: ‘Having previously been crew for many years I recognise the topic of mental health is an issue like it is everywhere but obtaining support and assistance whilst you are crew can be difficult. Crew wellbeing is an area that can easily be overlooked.

‘After reading an article by Colin Squire about the drive to raise funds for Yacht Crew Help I spoke to Brendan O’Shannassy and Caitlin Vaughan whilst they were on the path of this project and they explained what they were trying to achieve. As well as the helpline this project increases awareness in the industry that the mental health and wellbeing of crew is just as important as it is in other walks of life and everyone should learn to recognise any warning signs for themselves and in others and do what they can to assist.

‘With Yacht Crew Help crew will not have to search too far to obtain help if they think they may need it and the fact that they know help is close by may offer support and comfort. Contributing back to the yacht industry that I am proud to be part of is in itself rewarding but what makes this even more worthwhile is being able to contribute to ISWAN to start Yacht Crew Help for those who may need it. ’

ISWAN’s Project Manager Caitlin Vaughan said: ‘We have been so fortunate to be supported by wonderful people and organisations within the superyacht industry who recognise the need for accessible mental health support for crew. We’re delighted to be partnering with Bond TM whose industry expertise will be invaluable to the development of the toolkit.’

Further generous pledges are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, including the final amount raised by a fundraising effort from Burgess. ISWAN would also like to thank MHG Insurance Brokers and wilsonhalligan who provided the initial support needed for ISWAN’s 2018 research and widely acknowledged report on  The Welfare of Superyacht Crew .

Fundraising continues to support the operation of ISWAN’s helpline for seafarers and efforts to address the recommendations in ISWAN’s superyacht crew welfare research report. Companies, organisations and individuals wishing to show their support can do so at  yachtcrewhelp.org .

Yacht Crew Help would not have been possible without the support of Colin Squire, Brendan O’Shannassy, Bond TM and ISWAN looks forward to working in partnership on this new platform to support superyacht crew worldwide.

International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) : A charity and membership organisation which works to promote and support the welfare of seafarers all over the world. The free, 24-hour, multilingual helpline, SeafarerHelp, is one of the direct welfare services that ISWAN provides to seafarers. Others include relief funds for seafarers and their family members in need and a range of health information resources. ISWAN works with companies, unions, governments, welfare organisations and ports for the implementation of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006. ISWAN supports those who establish and provide welfare facilities and services in port and on ships. ISWAN is funded by membership subscriptions, grants from foundations, sponsorship and earned income. For more information, visit  www.seafarerswelfare.org .

The PYA Supports the Launch of Yacht Crew Help

26 November 2020

The PYA has noticed an increase of mental health issues amongst yacht crew over the last few years and has been campaigning to raise awareness and actively support industry organisations providing assistance to crew. 

We have particularly been working closely with the International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) who has - up until this point - provided a 24/7 helpline to all seafarers worldwide.

The PYA, along with ISWAN and a number of other supporting organisations, has recognised the need for a specialised helpline tailored to supporting yacht crew with the unique challenges they face.

We are proud to announce that we have actively contributed to the development of the new 'Yacht Crew Help' helpline, providing guidance and consultation to ISWAN  and will continue to do so in the future by active contribution to the services offered.

Professional yacht crew anywhere in the world will now be able to access 24-hour support via Yacht Crew Help .

Why is there a need for a specialised helpline?

[Press release from ISWAN 24/11/2020]

Despite the many benefits of working on board a superyacht, the challenges of working away from home for long periods and living in close quarters with colleagues can become overwhelming. In a 2018 survey of superyacht crew, ISWAN found that 82% of superyacht crew experienced low crew morale sometimes, often or always, and 55% of female respondents found accessing mental health care to be an occasional or regular challenge.

Prompted by these findings, ISWAN set up a steering group of representatives from across the superyacht industry, including the PYA, who collaborated to develop Yacht Crew Help, - a free, confidential, multilingual helpline for professional yacht crew. Whatever problem someone is facing, wherever they are in the world, Yacht Crew Help will be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to provide guidance and support. The helpline is run by ISWAN, a charity which promotes the welfare of seafarers working in all sectors of the maritime industry. The helpline officers are trained in counselling skills, suicide risk assessment and providing emotional support to crew all over the world, and the team is connected with a wide range of organisations to help yacht crew find further support.

ISWAN’s Executive Director Roger Harris said: ‘Although the superyacht industry can be glamorous, the demands on crew are very high and living in your workplace away from loved ones can be tough. With Yacht Crew Help, we want to make sure that men and women working on superyachts can easily access the support available to them worldwide whenever they need it – free of charge, day or night. We are incredibly grateful to all of our partners for helping us develop a service tailored to professional yacht crew and their specific needs.’

Captain Brendan O’Shannassy, President of the ISS Captain’s Committee and one of the key members of the Yacht Crew Help steering group, said: ‘The most valuable component of the superyacht industry are the crews. Yacht Crew Help will be key to educating and supporting yacht crew as they strive to deliver the excellence demanded by the industry. ISWAN are a highly credible non-commercial entity to provide this support without crew having any concern of commercial compromise when raising personal concerns.’

How to get help

Crew members, whether they are currently on board or ashore, can currently contact Yacht Crew Help via three different contact methods: Telephone: +44 (0)20 3713 7273 (a call back can be requested via the Yacht Crew Help website)

E-mail: [email protected]

Live Chat: via www.yachtcrewhelp.org  

A range of information, guidance and resources on issues affecting yacht crew is available on the Yacht Crew Help website at www.yachtcrewhelp.org , including mental health and wellbeing, bullying and harassment, sexual assault, substance misuse and employment concerns.

Supporting organisations

Yacht Crew Help would not be possible without the support and guidance of a number of key companies and organisations: Bond Technology Management & Consultancy (Primary partner); Y.CO (Official yachting partner); Burgess (Gold sponsor); MYBA (Gold sponsor); LYBRA (Gold sponsor); The Professional Yachting Association; Nautilus International; wilsonhalligan; MHG Insurance Brokers; United Advisers Marine; Yotspot; AYSS; Yachting Matters; Superyacht Charities; Impact Crew; International Superyacht Society; and Superyacht Services Guide.

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Statement from the Professional Yachting Association (PYA) regarding the tragic sinking of Bayesian

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A bespoke approach to yacht crew recruitment and training, find superyacht crew, find superyacht jobs, a bespoke approach to yacht crew recruitment.

At TYS Recruitment, we’re more than just a recruitment agency; we’re your crewing partners who’ve been in your shoes. Our team consists of ex-yacht crew members, which means we intimately understand life onboard and the unique challenges that come with it. We genuinely care about crew and are committed to finding the perfect fit for both candidates and yachts. Our meticulous attention to detail ensures that every placement aligns seamlessly with your skills, personality, and career aspirations. With TYS Recruitment, you’re not just finding a job but embarking on a rewarding journey tailored to your needs.

We place crew in all departments, so if you’re ready to thrive in your superyacht career, TYS Recruitment will guide you every step of the way. To begin your journey with us, complete our online registration form and upload your CV. Once you’ve registered, you gain access to our exclusive job board, where you can explore the latest vacancies that match your skills and aspirations. Your superyacht adventure begins with a single click. Join us today, and let’s make your dreams a reality!

Why Choose TYS Recruitment?

Testimonials, what our crew say, edward, bosun.

I had the pleasure of working with Taryn recently, and I must say, her professionalism and expertise surpassed all expectations. From the moment we connected, it was evident that Taryn was dedicated in making sure the boat was the right fit for me. Taryn demonstrated exceptional communication skills throughout the entire hiring process. Tayrn promptly kept me informed with the boat movements and made the whole process very easy.

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What Our Clients Say

Thomas, captain.

Taryn at TYS did a great job with communicating the Captain and Stewardess Job available while providing a smooth transition onboard. The   resources of stewardess online training (through the sister company, The Yacht Stew Academy), progressed a green stewardess into a sole stewardess on a 112’ very quickly. Highly recommend TYS. 

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I asked TYS Recruitment to assist me in the hiring of a new stew. The team didn’t waste anytime diving in and asking me what kind of Stew I’m looking for and about the program of the vessel. The detail and time spent ensuring the candidates put forward were a complete match was evident. I gained a wonderful new Stew who fitted in very well. They were professional at all times and ensured I was comfortable and happy throughout the whole process. I will not hesitate to use The Yacht Stew again in the future!

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Yacht Crew Positions and Salaries

The organisational structure onboard a superyacht follows a strong hierarchy based upon a military model. Exact job duties and lines of authority are set and strictly adhered to. This hierarchy is followed on the vast majority of yachts; however, responsibilities of the crew on smaller yachts are often merged.

There are four departments on yachts with clear organisational structure:

• Deck (including Bridge) – Safety, passage delivery, maintenance of the yacht's exterior, guest outdoor activities
• Engineering – Safety and smooth operational running of the yacht
• Interior – Housekeeping, guest wellbeing, activities, accounting
• Galley – Food preparation, stock control, hygiene, galley maintenance

The top of the hierarchy on each yacht is the Captain , who reports to the yacht owner either directly, or through a representative or a yacht management company.

Salaries vary and depend on the yacht size, use, type and location, as well as the experience and qualification of the crew member. We included typical salaries of crew based on the data available from reputable industry sources, as well as our research of over 60,000 crew registered with us.

Deck Positions

The primary duty of the Captain is the overall safe manning and operation of the yacht. Yacht Captain is responsible for the vessel, yacht crew, owner and guests, including personnel management, shipyard/project management, legal and regulatory compliance, accounting, achieving owners' objectives, and answers to the owner regarding all decisions.

First Mate / Chief Officer

The First Mate or Chief Officer is the right hand of the Captain. Takes command of the yacht from Captain when required. Shares Captain's responsibilities as required.

Bosun / Lead Deckhand

Bosuns are usually experienced Deckhands with additional responsibilities. They are in charge of Deckhands onboard the yacht and often spend a lot of time with guests during outdoor activities. The Bosun is normally the main tender driver.

Responsible for the maintenance of the exterior of the yacht and keeping it in pristine condition at all times. Deckhands also assist in maintaining, cleaning and operating yacht's tenders.

Engineering Positions

Chief engineer.

Responsible for the Engineering Department and for all technical aspects of the boat and its equipment. The Chief Engineer's duties include overseeing all mechanical and electrical operations, ensuring all planned maintenance takes place and liaising with subcontractors.

Second / Third Engineer

The Second and Third Engineers report directly to the Chief Engineer. They assist in maintaining all mechanical and electrical operations of the yacht.

ETO / AV/IT Officer

Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) and AV/IT Officer are in charge of daily maintenance of all electronic, computer, audio/visual and communications equipment and their efficient operation. This includes the radio, radar, telephones, satellite communications, navigation systems, computers, Internet connection, interior equipment (TVs, sound systems), etc.

Electrician

The Electrician is responsible for maintenance of all electrical circuits onboard the vessel, circuit breakers, switches, lighting, batteries, etc.

This is an administrative position on large yachts. The Purser is responsible for all operations in the interior department, including inventory, purchasing, provisioning, accounting, organising guest activities, and assisting the Captain with the yachts paperwork.

Chief Steward(ess)

Duties are similar to those of other Steward(ess)es onboard the boat, but on a more senior level, including managing the interior department and training. Small yachts with less crew do not have a Purser. The Chief Steward(ess) is in charge of all the responsibilities normally carried out by the Purser on large yachts.

Steward(ess)

Steward's or Stewardess's main responsibility is to maintain the interior of the yacht and provide the highest standard of care to the owner and guests. They serve food and drinks, prepare guest activities, pack and unpack luggage and are on call for anything that the guests want anytime day or night. On some yachts, they help the deck crew moor the yacht.

The Head/Executive Chef onboard a luxury superyacht is a culinary trained professional responsible for the overall management of the galley department on larger yachts, including guest and crew meals, provisioning, food safety, maintaining strict hygiene standards and financial/budgetary administration.

Assists the Head Chef in all aspects of galley duties. The Sous Chef may be required to independently provide crew meals or guest meals at the direction of the Head Chef.

Crew Chef / Cook

Large yachts employ a separate crew and guest chef. The Crew chef provides meals for the crew.

Other Positions

Many yachts, especially the large ones, have several additional positions. These are often combined with primary roles, e.g. Stewardess / Masseuse or Deckhand / Dive Instructor . The most common are:

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