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“Tell Us About Your Experience In The Industry As A Woman”
Cherise:
I found the yachting industry particularly late. I was in my 30s. I’d already been travelling in Australia and New Zealand. I did some research into the yachting industry and thought that it couldn’t be that hard to serve drinks to rich people on yachts. I had a challenging experience getting my first job, but I was determined. like every job there are highs and lows. Still, all in all, it was quite exciting and enjoyable.
Hannah:
Navigating the maritime industry as a woman indeed comes with unique challenges, especially when working on deck where physical strength is often emphasized. It’s crucial to recognize and appreciate the diverse strengths individuals bring to the team beyond just physical strength. Mental toughness, problem-solving skills, adaptability, and effective communication are just as essential for success at sea. As a woman in the industry, it’s important to know your own limits while also pushing boundaries and challenging stereotypes.
Chief Officer:
I am a woman who doesn’t like being recognised for doing a “male” job. I like to be recognised for doing a good job no matter what that job is. I joined the yachting industry as a deckhand simply because that is what I decided I wanted to do. I grew up spending a lot of time outdoors with my father, fixing or driving landrovers, jetskis and tenders. He was always a keen sailor and had me in the water from a young age so being a deckhand seemed like the right thing for me. I tried it out and I am still here 10 years later.
A young female deckhand wasn’t heard of much back when I first started. People laughed, people frowned but most importantly some were intrigued as I walked the docks of Antibes, Cannes and Monaco. These where the most important people in my career as they would be the ones to give me opportunities to work and grow.
Georgina:
Working within the interior of a yacht is very much all about how you look and present yourself, followed by how good you are at the job. It took me a few years to come to terms with this and realising that everyday was basically a diet and your ultimate goal was to always be a skort smaller than the season before.
Here are a few stories/ experiences I came across during yachting:
- A previous yacht only employing girls that were between US sizes 0 – 6, because they did not want ‘chubby’ stewardesses serving the owner.
- I will never forget the day I had to break to the new stewardess that recently joined in the US that we had to let her go once we had crossed The Atlantic and arrived into The Med. It broke my heart. Basically, she didn’t resemble her CV photo quite as the captain hoped, so he said she couldn’t stay on board and must be flown back as soon as we got to port. I was honestly so shocked and disgusted. It was also a reminder that anyone is replaceable especially if their ‘appearances’ slip.
- A vessel that would only hire blonde haired females that had to be 5’7 or taller and slim.
- Female crew members losing their jobs because they had declined propositions from the owner or captain.
- My old cabin mate told me how on her previous boat she was afraid to eat in the crew mess after the captain making multiple comments on the sizes of her plates and what she was putting on them. This resulted to her not eating properly, and when she did she hid away in her cabin to eat or snack.
Sadly, the above does in fact happens a lot and I am sure there are many of you reading this and can relate to some if not all of the above. I feel that women are rarely supported in the industry and unfortunately, this leads to a high rate of female stewardesses developing eating disorders and also depression.
“What Challenges Have You Overcome?”
Cherise:
I am proud to have made it into the industry having a visible tattoo and my age made it a little more difficult than the average lady to come again, but I managed to overcome that I was pretty determined to get in and I did I ended up being on an amazing boat, that really looked at people skills rather than anything else.
Hannah:
As a female deckhand, you undoubtedly faced a unique set of challenges every day. Physically demanding tasks like, handling ropes, agility, and endurance. Mentally, you had to navigate a traditionally male-dominated industry, proving your skills and expertise. But despite these challenges, you persisted, demonstrating resilience and determination. Each day brought opportunities to learn and grow, whether it was mastering a new knot, refining your navigation skills, or gaining a deeper understanding of maritime safety procedures. With dedication, persistence and passion, you can overcome any challenge that comes your way.
Chief Officer:
Like most people in yachting, I have had ups and I have had downs but I try not to associate either of those to the fact that I am a woman. It has been noticeably harder to find jobs as a woman on deck but understandably so – there are less female deck positions out there and this is often to do with cabin arrangements.
I have faced my challenges, I am a very devoted person and I want to do well so sometimes coming across situation where I am not strong enough, or tall enough or fit enough can be upsetting. The key to this though, is knowing that I am not as strong as most men, admitting it and asking for help when I need it. I have made mistakes when wanting to prove myself, I would push too hard and eventually get hurt. The deck crew see this and then have to carry my weight and that is frustrating for both parties. I now know that asking for help is ok, because I know I can help others when needed. Acknowledging my strengths and my weaknesses has been a challenge but taking the time to sit back and really think about them has been important.
I have found over time that my true weakness doesn’t necessarily lie in my muscles – it lies in my emotions. I am a very emotional person. As women we often are although we don’t like to admit to it. It will be a lifelong challenge to learn to control myself in particular when I am tired.. As I have climbed the ranks and gained more and more managerial skills, I have realised how important it is to take time to reset and approach every situation with a clear head. I love my work, I invest myself into it, I invest myself into my crew too but sometimes it becomes a bit too much. A captain once told me “you put so much into your work that you need time every week to decompress” and he was right. Emotionally investing one’s self in exhausting but as women we do that a lot. Yachting is such a strange industry all living, sleeping and working together in a very small area and you find you often need someone to turn too. I have found myself mothering crew, or the “fun aunt” I’ve been called before. Many captains have pointed out how beneficial having a female officer has been for crew as from what I’ve experienced they feel happy to open up to me about work, home and most importantly medical issues. Looking back on my career I would often have that one figure: a purser, a chief stew or a chef who I would turn to and have now realised that person is me! It is something I am proud of.
Georgina:
- No longer totally obsessing with with what the scales tell me each and every week.
- Realising that it is ok to eat carbs. You need them. Especially when on charter!!
- Not being afraid to reach out to the vessels DPA (Designated Person Ashore) if the captain acts inappropriately.
- Realising and learning that you should most certainly stand your ground and call people out for their inappropriate behaviour.
“What Are You Looking Foward To, Regarding The Industry’s Future?”
Cherise:
Having the opportunity to create pearls of wisdom has allowed me to work with some incredible women, and we really are now starting to create a community of individuals with a common purpose. We are all very supportive and very positive about the future and the improvements that we know are possible to ensure that every woman who chooses a career at sea has the best possible experience.
Chief Officer:
I think one of the biggest challenges the industry is faced with these days is communication. Different sex and different nationalities do mean that people sometime struggle to communicate. I don’t mean words themselves, I mean the way we communicate. Learning how to liaise with each individual so that they understand you and you understand them is complicated. I don’t think this is a subject that is taught, considered or touched on enough especially in our industry. I find most issues I have with crew is because of the way I have communicated or interpreted something. I also find it very hard to use the same words and the same tones as a man might use without it being misinterpreted as “snappy” or “rude” because I am a female. This is a difficult challenge I am still learning to overcome.
Georgina:
- I would like to see an industry that embraces all shapes and sizes.
- I would also like to see more support in the industry for female crew as there are a lot that struggle, have nobody to talk to, and as mentioned, many have eating disorders.
- Pearls of Wisdom are great, as they support women in yachting from sea to shore life. It is a great community to be a part of.
“What Do You Think People In The Industry Can Do To Support Women, & Indeed Everyone As A Result?”
Cherise:
I think the industry needs to put its money where its mouth is. There is a lot of talk about crew well-being and what we can do to improve life on board and also life after yachting, but not a lot is being put into action. Times are changing. There are lots of individuals and organisations that are pushing for change, but I think a lot more support for Crew initiatives across the board would be very beneficial to all.
Hannah:
Continual growth and support for all departments is crucial for success. Continuous learning and development, everyone on board can improve their skills and knowledge, ultimately enhancing the efficiency and safety of operations. Through ongoing growth, support, and understanding, teams can overcome challenges more effectively, achieve their goals, and create a positive and enriching work environment for everyone involved.
Chief Officer:
I am happy to see the industry continue to open up to women but I think we need to remember that the day women have been accepted on deck, engineering or in the galley is when no one notices we’re there. To get there, I feel we need to learn to interact better between us.
Georgina:
Be there with an open ear and for it to be ‘okay’ to discuss any concerns with crew members without feeling you may be judged or punished for doing so.
“Who Are The Influential Women In Your Life?”
Cherise:
There are lots of strong and inspirational women in my life. I’m blessed to have some incredible women in my immediate family. Famous people I draw inspiration from the Elizabeths. Queen Elizabeth the First and Queen Elizabeth II were both pioneers in their own way both were given responsibility when they weren’t expecting it and tried to do as much as they could for the common good.
Georgina:
- My mum and sister.
- My first two chief stews, Bernie and Suzie – absolute legends!
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