Young workers tell us what it’s really like working on super yachts overseas

From News.com.au

CRUISING around the Mediterranean and Caribbean, earning thousands of tax-free dollars, partying with celebs and royalty. Forget working in an English pub, there’s a new scene young people are flocking to.

Superyacht Crew Academy’s director Deborah Brown said there has been huge growth in the number of young people going to work on boats overseas.

Most find work as captains, deckhands or stewardesses on gleaming yachts owned by the world’s super rich, which can earn them up to $195,000 a year tax-free — depending on their role and size of the boat.

“They’re travelling with the world’s rich and famous. They have adventures, it’s well paid … There’s a lot of glamour attached to it too which is undeniable but it’s absolutely a lot of hard work,” she said.

But despite the glitz of working in Antibes, Fort Lauderdale and St Barts, it can be a gruelling job with long-hours, cramped living conditions and a “pressure cooker” environment. Here three young people give us the inside scoop on what working on a super yacht is really like:

KATE, 31,

Kate spent three years working in the Caribbean and Mediterranean with her now husband — her as a stewardess and him as a deckhand. They scored their first job on a 120-foot yacht with seven other crew by walking the docks in St Maarten and stayed for six months, before working on another four boats over three years.

One of the yachts was owned by a US-based business mogul and chartered out for about $216,000 a week. During this time the crew would work long days giving five-star service; fluffing cushions, making beds and providing silver-service dining. When it was empty they would clean, maintain and restock to ensure the five-star standard.

“It’s ridiculous to think these people could spend US$200,000 (A$216,000) on a week holiday and literally be served hand and foot in these luxurious cabins. As a crew we shared cabins in bunks, we couldn’t both stand up at the same time.”

Kate said guests would arrive on charter planes with Louis Vuitton luggage filled with clothes that still had labels attached. Once in St Barts for New Year’s a charter full of guests that didn’t drink came back with a huge bottle of Dom Perignon worth $17,000 they had taken from Jay Z and Beyonce’s table at a beach club.

“We ended up having to tip it down the sink — they just wanted to keep the bottle.”

Charters generally earned tips of up to 18 per cent which would be divided among their seven-person crew. Salaries, which range from $75,000 to $195,000 for a captain or $24,000 to $51,000 for a deckhand depending on the size and type of boat, were tax-free with accommodation and utilities also taken care of.

“A chef cooked us three meals a day, the amount of money we saved was insane, but the contrast between our living conditions and that of guests was ridiculous,” Kate said.

“On charter you’re working 18 hours a day, all of a sudden you have three days off and $2000 in your pocket. To save money it’s awesome. We did some great holidays and I have a great handbag collection.”

ALEX, 34,

Alex spent six months working on a new 37m super yacht as a deckhand after walking the docks in Antibes.

“It was a brand new boat, you’d think ‘great’ but it’s actually the opposite. Because it’s brand new the shelving isn’t up. It’s made for owners, not crew. From the crew side … you have to spend a lot of time to make it perfect.”

He said a deckhand is a “glorified cleaner” who works to chamois the boat every morning, remove any condensation and polish everything on board to a high sheen.

“When you do varnishing it’s not just one or two coats, it’s 10-12 coats. That’s what it needs to keep it in the immaculate stage. It’s worth millions and millions of dollars so that’s what’s expected here.”

Inside the yachts are polished to a high sheen. Pictured, Richard Branson’s boat Necker Belle. Picture: Andrea Francolini/Virgin Limited Source: Supplied

He said people tend to work on either private or charter boats which generally cost the owner around 10 per cent of the total price to maintain each year. It can be a mixed experience depending on the owner and crew.

“If you’re a person chasing the money you want to go on a charter boat. You’ll be working your ass off but you get a 10 per cent tip of however much the charter is going for. For a 37m that’s usually between US$120,000-US$150,000 a week. (A$129,000-A$161,000)

“If you’ve got a private owner they’re there only two months a year. Some are alcoholics, some are really nice and friendly. It depends on how they’ve made their money. The ones that are self-made are more genuine … the ones who’ve come from money, they’re the ones who can be obnoxious and rude and demanding and irritating when they’re drunk.”

He said while you do hear stories of people getting fired for having their shirt untucked, overall there are more good stories than bad.

“It’s tax free money — that’s a great start, you’re living on board. All food is paid for, the only money you spend is on the bar and the toys you want to buy. If that’s your goal to knuckle down and save, you do it for two or three years and you would come back with a deposit for sure.”

SARAH, 30

Sarah started on the boats after a chance meeting in Valencia. She was running low on cash when some people she met suggested day work, but within two weeks had a full-time job.

She first worked on a small, family-owned private yacht before transferring to Florida, then as a chef on a boat with 15 crew based in Italy and said every boat was different depending on the situation and owners.

“Small boats are more laid back. You get to know the owners. Bigger boats it’s more regimented but you earn better money.”

Sarah agreed crew are required to sign secrecy agreements when celebrities are on board but in a close-knit industry, rumours abound — like that of a well-known rapper who worked his crew hard and provided signed CDs instead of a tip. Or a charming actor who took the crew out to dinner afterwards to say thank you.

“The extreme wealth on some of these massive boats is something you would never dream of. You can’t contemplate how much money these people have, it’s crazy.”

Sarah spent five years in the industry and said it’s a great life which is easy to stay “one more year” in. Ultimately, she decided to give it up to start a new career and gain more control over her life.

“Everything depends on who’s coming on board and the owners. You’re far from family and friends. You’re working with 15 crew that you live and sleep and play with. It’s a really intensive situation. It can be fabulous in one sense but you’re working 12-16 hours a day, everyday. It can become like a pressure cooker situation.”

HOW DO I GET THERE?

Superyacht Crew Academy director Deb Brown specialises in training people for a maritime career and said Australians are sought after for their great work ethic and love of the outdoors.

To apply, a STCW95 certificate covering personal survival, fire fighting, first aid and personal safety is essential.

Common roles include captain, deckhand, engineer, chef or stewardess with salary depending on experience, qualifications, size of the boat and the owner’s budget.

Seasonal work can last for three to six months starting in June, with permanent contracts usually lasting one year. Global meccas include Antibes in France and Palma de Mallorca in Spain. Fort Lauderdale in Florida and Caribbean islands are also filled with boats all year around.

Ms Brown said while many people do it as a career, others might spend two to five years in the industry and set themselves up financially.

“There can be a burnout rate with the kids but the age of the majority of them starting out are early twenties so they have the energy to keep going. [Some] get to a point where they can progress up the ranks and become more qualified.”

Generally the boat is regarded as the employer and will look after visa requirements, with crew paid in either US dollars or euros depending on where it lives in the world.

“Like any employer the employers are expected to pay tax in some country. It’s up to individuals to pay their own tax,” she said.

For more information on the industry visit Superyacht Crew Academy. Have you ever worked on a super yacht? Tell us about your experience @newscomauHQ | @Victoria — Craw

PHOTOS:

You might be scrubbing a boat, but imagine days off in the Caribbean. Source: ThinkStock

Kate spent three years working on super yachts after working the docks looking for work. Source: Supplied

Kate pictured in the Caribbean. Source: Supplied

The living conditions for crew. Source: Supplied

Luxury living conditions inside the boat. Pictured, Necker Belle owned by Richard Branson Source: Supplied

Some crew work on charters for high-profile celebrities, but most are restricted from talking about it through confidentiality agreements. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

The Caribbean islands are playgrounds for celebrities. Pictured, Jessica Alba on holiday in St Barts Source: Splash News Australia

Antibes in France and Palma de Mallorca in Spain are two meccas for the industry. Picture: Superyacht Crew Academy Source: Supplied

For more on this story and to see the videos go to: http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/young-workers-tell-us-what-its-really-like-working-on-super-yachts-overseas/story-fnkgbb6w-1226933257409