What If My Boat Gives Me a Bad Reference — Or No Reference At All?

For yacht crew, a bad reference can happen for many reasons. If you're up front and know how to approach it with potential employers, it doesn't have to be a major career setback.

In the competitive world of superyachting, good references from previous seniors and/or captains are crucial. They serve as a testament to your skills, professionalism and reliability and can be your golden ticket to landing that dream job. But what happens when the seas get rough and you find yourself with a less-than-stellar reference, or none at all? Whether it’s due to misunderstandings, personal conflicts or performance hiccups, a negative reference can be concerning. But there are steps you can take to keep your career on course.

In cases like these, most will leave without even asking for a reference, which is becoming much more frequent as crew realize they don’t have to “tough it out” in toxic environments for the sake of getting a full season (or longer) on their CV.

Trial periods work both ways — it’s not only them trialing you, you’re trialing them; if things aren’t right, then it’s perfectly acceptable to part ways.

You might even choose to omit a job on your CV, which is fine if you were there and gone in a matter of days. I’m always reminding people trial periods work both ways — it’s not only them trialing you, you’re trialing them and the job; if things aren’t right, then it’s perfectly acceptable to part ways at this stage. But if you were on board for a longer period, then it needs to be on your CV. And when you’re asked why you don’t have a reference, be honest, keep it professional, and tell them why.

You don’t need to throw anyone under the bus — even if they deserve it. For example, Anna* left after her chief stew started an affair with the married captain, who told the crew they had to cover up for them and lie to his wife, who often visited. As if that weren’t bad enough, chiefy also got lazy and bossed the crew around as she felt she was now in charge of the boat. So Anna left and couldn’t ask the captain or chief stew for a reference as they were not happy she departed. Explanation? “The chief stew and captain started a relationship that changed the crew dynamic. Several of us left.” That’s all you need to say — anyone who’s worked in yachting for more than five minutes will understand.

Another example? Deckhand Johnny* left his boat as the captain and engineer kept drinking on duty and he didn’t feel safe. Explanation? “There were some alcohol issues among the senior crew, and I felt my safety was compromised.” Or “I didn’t feel safety was taken as seriously as it should have, so I felt it best to move on and find a new program that suits my style of working better.” You get the idea.

There are other situations where crew leave a yacht on good terms but then discover that their captain/HOD is giving them bad press. This can be trickier to navigate and may also take a little self-reflection, which not everyone is ready for.

Before taking any dramatic action, it’s essential to understand the nature of the bad reference. Try to determine why it was given and whether there are any underlying issues that need addressing. Was it due to a misunderstanding, a personality clash or genuine performance issues?  Was there something you could have done differently?

When applying for new positions, be upfront about the bad or lack of reference if asked. Honesty is key in maintaining credibility and trustworthiness in the industry.

Sometimes the best course of action is to own your mistakes and hold your hands up. If you misbehaved, if you messed up or if you didn’t do a particularly good job, perhaps that reference isn’t malicious — maybe it’s just an honest reflection of you, at that time in your life. Sometimes our heads aren’t in the game and as long as you can acknowledge that, you can learn from it and move on.

An example here is Mate Alistair* whose girlfriend broke up with him halfway through the season. Looking back, he realized how much it affected him: “I was so wrapped up in feeling sorry for myself I didn’t realize the impact my misery had on everyone else in the crew. I was not easy to work with. I resigned at the end of the summer and when people phoned the captain for a reference, he said I started the season strong but, after getting dumped, I had the rest of the crew treading on eggshells. At first I was furious but when I look back, well, I’m mortified. This was a couple of years ago and the captain and I now have a laugh about it.”

If someone calls up your reference and asks about you, they can’t exactly lie. Because it’s not just about you, it’s about them too. That’s their reputation on the line. Like Alistair, consider reaching out to the person who provided the negative reference and ask for constructive feedback. Politely enquire about the specific concerns they had and express your willingness to address them. Approach the conversation with an open mind and a genuine desire to learn from the experience. Understanding their perspective can provide valuable insights into areas for improvement.

If there are legitimate concerns raised in the reference, take proactive steps to address them. This might involve seeking additional training or more certifications, improving your communication skills or addressing any performance-related issues. Demonstrating your commitment to self-improvement can go a long way in mitigating the impact of a bad reference.

One negative reference doesn’t have to define your entire career. Gather positive references from other employers, colleagues or industry professionals who can attest to your skills and professionalism. Having a diverse range of references can help counterbalance the impact of a single negative one.

Honesty is key in maintaining credibility and trustworthiness in the industry. Explain the situation candidly, acknowledging any mistakes you may have made, but also highlighting the steps you’ve taken to address them and improve. And if you’re not sure how to spin it, talk to a trusted person in the industry who could help.