The Rookie Realities: The Real Life Of Green Crew

So, you’ve decided to join the fascinating world of working at sea. It is truly the beginning of a unique path that comes with many rewards, memories to last a lifetime and experiences you will never forget. Starting a career in yachting is undeniably exciting. But there’s a steep learning curve to first conquer, even for those coming in from another hospitality industry or profession. 

We call them “green crew”… the new hires, fresh to the industry.

Almost all enter with a burst of refreshing enthusiasm and sheer wonder at the opulence of the vessels and the ‘fabulousness’ of the guest lifestyle. Almost all soon get hit with the sheer volume of hard work and elbow grease that goes into each job on board. This factor is often not portrayed in its entirety on TV and social media.  

Our Faceless Crew is here to help you to ease into your new role more smoothly. We will be contributing a monthly blog to Superyacht Content, called “The Rookie Realities”. Here, we’ll present some of the real aspects of crew life, from the very crew living the daily grind.

Here are a few things our community members want you to know, that they wish someone had told them when they first signed up for this career of a lifetime:  

Certification is Essential, but Experience is Key

“Training Doesn’t End With The STCW – You’re Always Learning on the Job”

Yachting is hands-on from the minute you step on board. The required course, the STCW certification, is essential and irreplaceable training. It is imperative that you learn safety at sea. This may be what saves your life and the lives of others, in an emergency. However, for the day to day life on the job, you’ll quickly realize that the STCW doesn’t teach the daily tasks of your role. So to enter with confidence and and “know-how” from day one, it’s a good idea to get some lifestyle training. If you want to be a stewardess, learn the basics of service with a Stewardess Course. Jump on YouTube for step by step demos on bed-making, ironing techniques and folding clothes.

Take a mixology course and enter the job already versed in making various coffees.

Learn various service styles so you can adapt to various cultures.

You may end up being required to do an Arabic tea service every afternoon on one charter, while wowing guests with your cocktail creations on another. 

One thing’s for sure…nothing replaces actual experience.

From scrubbing the teak and handling lines during docking, to learning every safety aspect of the vessel, your first weeks will be filled with physically and mentally demanding tasks you’ve likely never done before. 

Be prepared to pick things up as you go. In fact, many green crew members are often thrown into tasks like detailing the interior or intense deck work with minimal training, and are expected to learn through observation and repetition. 

Your first days will be mind-boggling.

Within 72 hours of you joining, general onboarding includes a full familiarization walk around the vessel by the chief officer, who will show you every safety aspect of the boat – eg. Location of all the emergency equipment, escape routes, water tight door operation etc. and learn the first aid equipment on board. Within your first two weeks, you’ll also be required to familiarize yourself with the yacht’s safety manual, learn how to correctly log your the Hours of Work and Rest document, and get fully familiar with the every day duties related to your rank… all while getting to know new people. There will be safety drills with all the other crew, where you’ll get to role play your part in an actual emergency. Trust us… it’s intense.

Expect Long Hours

Yachting is glamorous from the outside, but for the crew, it’s a job that often means long hours of hard work. Off season, a typical work day may run from 8am – 5 or 6pm, doing routine duties assigned by your head of department. When the season begins, whether you’re on deck, in the engine room, or working as a steward/ess, long shifts are the norm especially, if you’re on charter yachts or with the owner and guests onboard. The typical 9am-5pm of the regular corporate world, does not usually apply to yachting, especially when hosting guests. A yacht crew’s  24 hour day is 14/10 ( i.e. 14 hours of duty with 10 hours off duty. Of this 10 hour downtime, only 6 hours is mandated to be continuous, uninterrupted rest… And this is on the MLC regulated yachts. On private run programs, well…. Ahemmm… ( coughs). 

You’ll be constantly detailing and deep cleaning the same areas, over and over again.

In fact, cleaning makes up a great portion of green crew’s day to day life. Most are quite surprised about this when they settle into their role. Even while the guests are sleeping, cleaning the vessel is a priority. In fact, this is when a lot of it takes place. 

The constant pressures of the job is real, and pretty hard to ignore once you are there. The requirement to keep the boat in pristine condition, all while operating on limited time off, breaks many green crew in the first season. We know many who never returned. However, those who persevere, go with the flow and adapt to the new experience, express a deep satisfaction at their accomplishments when the season is over. And guess what, it’s not only hard work. There are so many aspects to life on board, and we’ll get to all of them eventually. 

Just remember that you’re a part of a team, so there is support there for you. Speaking of team, this brings us to our next point…

Be Ready for Some Culture Shock

The transition into yachting life can be tough for some and a challenge for others. You suddenly find yourself living and working with a diverse crew from all corners of the globe, in some cases. Each nationality brings its own customs, accents, language quirks, and even work ethics. This melting pot of cultures can be exciting.

But it can also require you to have an open mind, the ability to adapt and sometimes even patience.

You’ll encounter different communication styles, for example. Some cultures are very straightforward in the way they communicate, while others tend to be more reserved. Varying personalities are inevitable too. Some crew members may be very extroverted…boisterous even, while others prefer quiet solitude in their downtime.

Learning to live with these differences, along with balancing work relationships in very tight quarters, becomes part of the daily routine.

It’s not just about doing your job well. It’s also about developing an understanding and respect for the cultures and personalities that make up your new home at sea.

Well…Welcome to yachting. You’ve entered a career that blends adventure with hard work. If you are green crew, be prepared for non-stop learning, adapting, and being open to new challenges. Whether you’re working on a private or charter yacht, expect to grow both personally and professionally in this industry. If you’re willing to put in the effort, it can be an incredibly rewarding career with opportunities to travel, meet interesting people, and develop valuable skills.

Our Faceless Crew empowers yacht crew (that’s including green crew) to level up. For courses and free guides like the ones below, check them out!

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