Crew Life
2020 was a year like none of us had ever experienced before. Not only did we find ourselves coming to grips with a deadly virus, each one of us no doubt experienced our own challenges within the industry we work in, whether this was from a business or crew perspective.
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During a busy yacht charter season, long hours, stressful conditions and demanding guests can take their toll on our physical and emotional health. We sometimes forget that we have to first take care of ourselves before we can serve others. Isobel Odendaal, ex-chief stewardess and trainer, shares her personal tips to soothe your body and soul.
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The new year is the perfect time to take stock of those areas of our lives where we want to achieve greater balance. New Year’s resolutions rarely last, usually because we’ve set unrealistic goals but here's a remedy to strengthen your resolve.
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This year a lot of work has gone into supporting seafarers' mental health, from the agreed standards to certify crew in ‘Mental Health Awareness and Wellbeing Training’, to the launch of ISWAN’s 24 hour support line for superyacht crew - YachtCrewHelp.org. Read More
With Covid-19, some of us have had guests on board for extended periods of time, many wanting to live aboard for weeks or months to avoid the risk of infection. Here are some tips and ideas on how to keep your guests entertained during long stays at sea.
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With the introduction of social distancing, the traditional method of training courses has been superseded by online offerings. Luxury Hospitality Management have tailored their courses accordingly - a savvy and forward-thinking move in these increasingly unusual times.
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Luxury Hospitality, superyachting’s premier training and leadership agency, has formed an exciting new partnership with Crew-Glue, strengthening their pioneering position in leadership training and development across the superyacht sector.
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We know the feeling - you’ve been at sea for a while and it’s getting harder each time to go back to sea after being on leave, but the money is good, the travel is exciting and the crew are (sometimes!) like family. So how do you know when you're ready to move ashore?
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With new anchorage regulations on the Cote d’Azur, the whisps of seagrass washing up on the beaches are unlikely to cause a stir, but Captain Rod Hatch outlines some important considerations regarding the potential impact on yacht operations.
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Feedback. It’s important and you know it. According to American author Kenneth Blanchard, ‘feedback is the breakfast of champions’, and the giving and receiving of feedback is probably one of the most vital skills of a leader.
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Serious allergies have been shown to be on the increase. When we talk about 'serious', we mean something which may be or is life-threatening, usually rapidly in most cases although there are rarer, different, slow-developing allergies that could happen after exposure.
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Yard periods can mean different things for different departments - some look forward to possible downtime while others, usually engineers, are preparing for a revolving door of contractors. In all cases, a yard period is an opportunity to learn what works and what doesn’t.
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In the last 10 years we have seen an influx of applications from commercial deck officers looking to enter the yachting industry. We spoke with a number of deck officers who have made the transition to see how the two worlds compare.
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As an experienced superyacht ETO, Ryan Porter shares his insight into the role for anyone wanting to get into the superyacht industry. From fixing the captain's email, to troubleshooting an engine fault, the role of an ETO is ever broad and varied.
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Starting out as yacht crew and working his way up to head chef on iconic boats such as 113-metre Luna, Duncan Biggs has always had a passion for knowledge. In 2015 he co-founded Ocean Wave Monaco to educate aspiring superyacht chefs and pay it forward.
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At Luxury Hospitality we believe nine Service Qualities make exceptional guest service possible. Here the team at LH describes what each Service Quality means to them and their significance in practice.
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At the height of the pandemic, the world of yachting began discussions behind the scenes about our lives and the future of the planet. Unsurprisingly, mental health also came to the fore and Lynne Edwards of Luxury Hospitality shared her candid view on the industry’s way forward.
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The management consultant, Peter Drucker, famously said: "Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things." Putting this into context, leadership coach Martin Mainey steps on board to answer some common questions raised by captains in relation to their crew.
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Rotational positions are becoming more common and naturally they are very popular with crew seeking a greater work life balance. Efficient handovers are key, and nowadays there is a raft of software and tools available to ensure they work smoothly.
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Video interviewing is not new, but with the recent pandemic and the subsequent boom of video calling platforms such as Zoom or Teams, they are rapidly becoming mainstream for crew interviews.
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Despite there being such a high demand for it, the word ‘reliability’ is consistently overlooked when sourcing a new AV/IT system. Ryan Porter highlights the seven parts to consider, all of which play a vital role in the overall outcome of any integration or systems upgrade.
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After emergencies, shiphandling is a question I am always asked about. Not because it is the most important, but it's a black art to those not in the maritime profession, so I'm going to discuss my own shiphandling journey and the impact that a mentor made to this.
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The biggest, single subject in the professional syllabus at most naval colleges is leadership. In the commercial world, it’s rather catchily known as HELM, the purpose (and value) of which is still often misunderstood. Instructor and mentor Sean O'Reilly explains.
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Growing up far from the sea where a superyacht was never to be seen, how does an A grade student in Germany become the chief stew on one of the world’s most iconic vessels? Now a specialist trainer at Luxury Hospitality, Svenja Halligan tells us how it all came about.
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With the world seemingly opening up again after the pandemic, who among us isn't interested in faster, more reliable and significantly cheaper connectivity? There are some universal limitations, but most owners could save a fortune and enjoy a better experience with minimal capital outlay.
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A crucial part of managing a successful interior team, whatever the size of the yacht, is to compile a useful and comprehensive steward/ess training manual. Here are some suggestions on what should be included.
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From running his own lounge bar in Greece to winning awards and training bar tenders around the world, mixologist Rob Rademaker is a natural when it comes to the theatre of luxury F&B.
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Recruitment within the yachting industry is somewhat different to more 'mainstream' recruitment, and if you are someone who uses yacht recruitment agencies, there are a few differences that you need to be aware of.
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As head of interior training at Luxury Hospitality (LH), Renata Balla is well versed in delivering seven-star service for superyacht owners and guests. We caught up with Renata to learn about her background and her role at LH.
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I wrote an article for OnboardOnline back in 2015 discussing the extent of sexual harassment in the superyacht industry, but how has this changed five years on? We can expect to have seen some significant changes in all aspects of the industry.
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