Superyacht Captain Kelly Gordon has emerged as a prominent advocate for crew welfare, particularly championing the rights and well-being of female and green crew members. Her dynamic presence on social media has amplified her message, drawing widespread attention and support. Central to her success is the steadfast backing from her headline sponsor, Suntex Marinas, a leading US marina group of numerous ports across North America.
“Suntex Marinas has partnered with Captain Kelly to support her platform that focuses on the mental health and overall wellness of the yachting community, as well as her advocacy of inclusivity, leadership, and growth opportunities for those in the yachting community,” says Erik Johnson, senior vice president of marketing and brand at Suntex Marinas.
Dockwalk caught up with Captain Kelly to delve deeper into why the support from Suntex Marinas is so vital to her mission.
The most pressing issues amongst yacht crew
Captain Kelly has touched the hearts of many crew members, particularly green crew starting out in such a competitive environment and female crew navigating the difficulties of working in a male-dominated industry. “At one of my talks during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) last year, a young woman walked up to me and said, ‘I just want you to know, I flew all the way from Italy just to listen to you talk.’” She later met the same woman again and discovered that she was happily working on board a yacht. This story is just one of many that highlights the profound impact Captain Kelly's advocacy has had on the lives of those in the yachting community.
Having faced her own struggles as a young woman in her 20s, including experiencing sexual harassment in the yachting industry, Captain Kelly understands all too well the challenges that young crew members endure. These personal experiences fuel her passion to support those navigating similar hardships.
There are four issues that Captain Kelly identifies as the most pressing that significantly impact crews’ mental health: drug and alcohol abuse, sexual harassment, bullying, (especially on the interior), and discrimination. “Discrimination in what you may think traditional, as in racial discrimination, but also size discrimination,” Captain Kelly explains. “I talked to a captain who had previously interviewed for a boat where the girls could be no larger than size six, and the men had to be six foot two.”
These concerns highlight the urgent need for better welfare and support within the industry, and Captain Kelly believes the solution lies in fostering a "cultural shift,” which starts with better leadership.
“We become captains because we like to drive boats, navigate and read the weather. Nobody tells us that we also become counselor, parent, therapist, CEO of a business, etc.” This underscores the need for better leadership training for captains so they can create more professional environments for crew and ensure that crew members feel comfortable approaching them with any issues they encounter on board. It's an issue that Captain Kelly has passionately campaigned about, advocating for comprehensive training that addresses the multifaceted responsibilities of captains. “At my talks, my goal is for everybody to leave with a sense of empowerment, a sense of ‘I can do this,’” Captain Kelly says.
Changing the industry for the better
What began as a passion project four years ago, with Captain Kelly sharing tips and advice for yacht crew on social media, has blossomed into a significant platform with over 12,000 followers on Instagram alone. As her channel grew, so did the demands of managing it alongside her full-time responsibilities as a superyacht captain.
To keep up with the increasing engagement, she sought assistance with social media management and PR, but continued sponsorship is crucial for her to sustain and amplify the positive, meaningful changes she aims to bring to the industry. “The only way for me to keep doing this is through sponsorship,” Captain Kelly notes. “Over the years, I developed a great relationship with Suntex, and they saw what I was doing so it just grew organically.”
Suntex Marina’s partnership aims to provide Captain Kelly with additional speaking opportunities and distribute video content that promotes wellness amongst crew in the yachting industry.
“I have an amazing, unique platform, I’m a female captain and I'm not afraid to speak up,” Captain Kelly says. “If all I have to do is share my story, create some content and do a few talks a year to change people’s lives, then I have to.”
What’s next for Captain Kelly?
In addition to her usual talks at upcoming boat shows, including the Monaco Yacht Show, Captain Kelly is excited to announce the launch of a non-profit organization dedicated to providing essential mental health support for crew members who may not otherwise afford it. Furthermore, Suntex Marinas has collaborated with Captain Kelly on the Yachtie Minds Matter Mental Health Survey, an industry-wide survey aiming to gather crucial data and enhance support systems for those in the field.
To find out more information about Suntex Marinas, contact the team today.
Sponsored content created for Suntex Marinas