Our work can keep us in a perpetual summer, so take precautions to stay well.
As deck crew we spend the majority of our substantial working hours outside, from full days of watersports in the Caribbean to time spent languishing in hot shipyards. Keep that up for a few years and it can take a toll on our bodies and skin.
This high heat and sun exposure can additionally cause fatigue just as much as lack of sleep can, affecting focus, physical performance and safety. Since we’re driving around high-net-worth- individuals, taking them scuba diving or taking their kids water skiing, maintaining performance and safety should be our highest concern.
Let’s run through a few basic items we can always have on board to manage it. Just a heads-up, this may require some liaising with the chief stew to organize.
Long-sleeve shirts: There are some great technical fabrics out there with both moisture wicking and UV protection. Incorporate these into guest uniforms as much as possible, as well as some throwaway long-sleeve cotton shirts for messy shipyards. It saves constantly reapplying sunscreen.
Buffs/neck gaiter: A type of tubular piece of fabric around the neck, these provide sun and wind protection for the nose and ears. Great for long days on the tender or in shipyards.
Sunglasses: Although likely at our own expense, good sunglasses are indispensable on deck. Nice, aesthetic designer pairs look good but don’t always fully cover the eye, and usually aren’t polarized. Boating-specific sunglasses (Maui Jim or similar) fully cover and protect the eye, while the polarization combats the intense glare we get out on the water and subsequent eye strain as a result.
Broad-brimmed hats: Better for covering the neck and ears in a way that caps can’t. Caps are pretty standard for on-charter uniform, but there are some nicer-looking wide-brimmed hats out there that can pass for charter uniform.
High-end water flasks: Having the boat provide decent flasks is a game changer for cold water on deck. With these, deck crew are more likely to drink enough water throughout the day, and it looks much more professional when all the crew have matching, labeled flasks. Pro tip: get the wide screw tops to fit plenty of ice in there.
Zinc: A popular alternative to sunscreen, and I much prefer it as it sticks on for the whole day without having to frequently reapply. Perfect for ears, brow and nose. You can, of course, buy the non-colored zinc that isn’t quite as noticeable.
Electrolytes: Good electrolytes are another life-saver; just make sure they’re not the ones with half the sachet full of sugar. Get a decent brand — they make a huge difference when managing hydration and fatigue.
Now that the essentials are in place, it’s just a matter of managing breaks and properly sharing the most strenuous jobs — ensure the rotation of deck crew who have been doing the hottest tasks.
Having all of the above items on hand keeps everyone as fresh as possible for long hours out on the water. Having grown up in Australia where sun safety gets taught early on in schools, I find it to be second nature. For the same reason, we wear PPE. If we take care of our bodies it allows us to go the distance and avoid the nasty stuff later down the track.