While yachting is often seen as a young person's pursuit, latecomers to the industry often bring a wealth of experience, proving life's second act can be just as adventurous.
In superyachting, the image of crew is young, adventurous souls embarking on a career at sea straight out of school or college... But there’s a growing contingent of individuals who are challenging this stereotype — those who are setting sail on a new career path later in life. They bring a wealth of life experience, diverse skills and a fresh perspective to yachting. So, how are they settling in? I spoke to a number of these, let’s call them latecomers, and many were keen to share their stories in the hope that it might inspire others in similar situations to make that change.
Their motivations do vary. For some, it’s a desire for a change of pace, or embracing their passion for the sea. For example, engineer Aleksandra was teaching English, translating and running hospitality at film festivals for years before she had a realization that, “the only thing I wanted to do was be around boats… and enjoy a permanent summer!” So she started skippering smaller sail yachts, learned all aspects of small boat maintenance and then moved on to paid crossings before finding her first superyacht job at 41. After 20 years, Captain Gregg dropped his role as a management consultant who advised on corporate strategies, mergers and acquisitions to pursue a new career. He’d been sailing since his teens and finally took the plunge to make his hobby his career.
Others may have reached a point in their careers where they seek more flexibility, autonomy and the chance to escape the confines of a traditional office environment. Captain Fabian, 52, who runs an Oyster with his wife, entered the industry in 2019. Prior, he worked as a freelance IT expert. He says, “I didn’t want to sit in front of a computer for the rest of my life. I love watersports and nature; I wanted to work independently and I had a passion for sailing.” Similarly, cook/stew/deck Kelly was working in an office in Cornwall, UK, and made many friends who were working at the nearby Pendennis yard on board yachts. She says, “They’d tell me they were leaving to cross the Atlantic to the Caribbean or head down to the Med for summer, I’d go back to my desk, look out at the sea and I knew I needed to make a change while I still could.” She entered the industry at 34.
Older crew members (hopefully) bring a level of maturity and professionalism, which is appreciated by guests and fellow crew members. Their life experience enables them to handle challenging situations with grace and composure
Some parents have found they’re not stuck at home any more when the kids leave the nest. Captain Fabian says, “I waited until our son was old enough to be independent.” Chef Lacey had a similar story: “My daughter is living away from me now in university so I can pursue my new goals, with her full support. She can’t wait to come and visit me when I’m somewhere hot and exotic!” Chef Jan was running a bar/trattoria in Imperia, Italy, with her husband. She says, “I had various industry friends who encouraged me to look for work on yachts, so I did my STCW and gave myself a year to try it out. I was on a 40-meter (131ft) motor yacht two days later, and I was 50 years old.”
Whatever their reasons, these late-comers bring a unique perspective shaped by their backgrounds and experiences. How many job ads state they’re looking for crew who are adaptable or flexible, have a strong work ethic or good problem-solving skills?
Transitioning into yachting later in life and adapting to life at sea — which includes sharing a cabin, often with someone younger — isn’t easy. There’s no escape when you live in your place of work and that’s not for everyone. Mary and Scott, a former stew and engineer couple who now own their own yacht cited “crew dramas, long hours, mad bosses and being tied life and soul to the boat” as the main challenges when they were working on a 98ft motor yacht at age 53 and 55.
Chef Doris told me she’d encountered issues with crew agents. “Back then there were so many who told me at 45 I was too old for the industry and ignored my applications. Well guess what, 15 years later I’m still doing it!” Mary had the same issue and shares, “I had an agent tell me I was too old at 50 to chef. It was disappointing.”
Kelly found she was overlooked for interior positions when she was starting out as she had “too much” life experience and was told she’d be “bored or not challenged enough in a junior role, plus they assumed I’d find it difficult to take orders and direction from someone 10 years younger than me. At the other end of the scale, I had no yacht experience so was overlooked for sole or chief stew jobs too.”
Engineer John, 62, tells me his biggest challenge has been going back to school after so many years in the workforce. “The engineering courses are no joke, and you need to study hard to pass,” he shares. “They’re also very expensive which also adds pressure. I am a Y3 and have no plans to go higher.”
Older crew members will (hopefully) bring a higher level of maturity and professionalism, which guests and fellow crew members appreciate. Their life experience enables them to handle challenging situations with grace and composure. Chef Emm says, “I do believe that it is quite an asset for a boat to have a few oldies on board. In my experience, I have definitely noticed that crew like to be able to talk to an older person that’s not necessarily the captain or chief stew.”
For owners and captains, having a diverse crew with a range of ages and backgrounds could enrich the onboard experience and contribute to a harmonious working environment. Captain James, 52, tells me, “I like to have a good mix of crew on board. That means age as well as nationality and background. I feel this gives some balance; it’s like having just one nationality on board, that dominant feature often results in tunnel vision.” Captain Aled, 45, agrees, “We all joined yachting to travel the world and experience other cultures, so for me that really starts in the crew mess. Also I get bored being the only oldie on board; I start to feel like ‘boat dad’ and I’m not ready for that yet.” Chef Richard, 50, says, “I like to hire older sous-chefs as we’re a team and we can share ideas from our years of experience working in different places or on different yachts. If we’re on the same wavelength from the same generation that makes a happier galley for me.”
“Don’t doubt yourself or your age. There’s a boat out there for everyone.”
Are times changing? Chef Emm hopes so: “Why shouldn’t a chef still be working in their 50s or 60s? Or a chief stew or captain? It’s a profession; nobody thinks twice about an office worker, nurse or doctor working in their 50s or more.” Mate Rob says, “As long as we do our jobs well and get on well with the other crew, I don’t think age should come into it.”
The decision to embark on a crew career later in life is testament to yachting’s enduring appeal and limitless opportunities. As the industry continues to evolve, these older individuals will undoubtedly play an increasingly important role in shaping its future.