Superyacht Crew Giving Back

As yacht crew, sometimes we forget just how fortunate we are. The positions we are in are well paid and we have few, or no, responsibilities outside of the yacht. We make a lot of money which we sometimes spend unwisely, and when we have free time it’s usually spent equally so.

There’s surprisingly little noise made for charity in the industry, given the privileged positions and tax-free wages we are able to earn. However, if you do want to give a little something back, whether it’s time or money, there’s always something you can do.

YachtAidGlobal

After Cyclone Pam, YachtAidGlobal came to my attention with a video from M/Y Dragonfly covering their aid efforts. It was a very touching sight, watching crew doing something really meaningful within their time. Here's what YAG do:

- YouTube

YachtAid Global is dedicated to delivering humanitarian, developmental and conservation aid onboard yachts to isolated and underprivileged coastal communities worldwide.

In times of natural disasters, YachtAid Global has the ability to mobilize and shift resources quickly to provide disaster relief in ways that others have not explored. The charity works closely with yacht owners, crew and industry professionals to achieve its mission by:

• Determining the needs of a particular area that yachts cruise to
• Sponsoring and/or raising funds to meet the needs
• Acquiring the goods, resources and supplies to furnish the needs
• Transporting and distributing the goods to ultimately fulfill the needs

Since its foundation in 2006, YachtAid Global has:

• Worked with over three dozen yachts around the world
• Sourced funding for over thousands of dollars  worth of goods and services
• Delivered tons of  supplies
• Helped over 50 different remote and/or underprivileged areas worldwide"

If you’re a captain, owner or decision maker, you have the power to participate. If you’re more junior, you can still make contributions, volunteer or participate in a fundraising event. More information here.

Cogs4Cancer

Cogs4Cancer has been running for three years now and has raised a staggering 705,081 Euros (305,521 Euros in 2015) for cancer charities by organising long distance cycle rides within the yachting community.

For more information about Cogs4Cancer click here. 

Asociacion Ondine

A simple vision of combining science, local communities and conservation to protect and improve local marine ecosystems around the beautiful Balearic Islands.

Asociación Ondine is the only non-profitable entity in Mallorca entirely dedicated to the protection of local marine ecosystems in the Balearic Islands.

They combine science, local communities and conservation to raise awareness of the importance of protecting and improving local marine ecosystems.

The Mallorca Stingray Survey is Asociación Ondine´s first official project, supported by local government and involving volunteer divers, local marine biologists and the youth of Mallorca. 

This project is a perfect representation of Asociación Ondine´s philosophy: Science, Community & Conservation.

The aims of the project include understanding local stingray aggregations which will be used to provide valuable data to management bodies. Our future projects include: Marine App, Marine Reserve Public Awareness, Balearic Shark Tagging, Stingray Survey Phase 2 & 3, and more…

The simplest way to help AO is to purchase annual membership, or to help provide things on their wishlist. If you're interested to volunteer you can contct them here.

Shake a Leg

Shake-A-Leg Miami, the International Adaptive Sailing Program, is South Florida's premiere Community Boating Center that has partnered with the City of Miami for more than two decades.

Located on Miami's Biscayne Bay, it boasts a marina with sailboats and powerboats, kayaks, and paddle-boards, multipurpose classrooms, multimedia lab, rooftop observation deck, and its very own private Eco Island. 

Their mission is to use the marine environment to improve the health, education, and independence of adults and children with disabilities, as well as disadvantaged youth and their families.

If you’d like to help disabled or disadvantaged children to do what we take for granted every day, and get out on the water, this is your chance. If you're a qualified sailor, instructor, or would just like to offer a helping hand, this small charity needs you. More information here.    

These are just a few examples of some ways to give a little back, no matter where you are based. Wherever there are beaches there’s a marine environment in danger and kids who want to sail. Aside from that, local charities are a great way to do some good for the community that you’re a part of, even for a short amount of time.

If you’re the kind of person who needs to do more than tend to a billionaire's every whim, get out there, volunteer, donate, meet local people and get fulfilled. It won’t look bad on your CV either.