I was
working in a surf
resort in Nicaragua when someone suggested that I apply as a Stewardess in the
superyacht industry. World travel, good
pay and no overheads? Sign me up!
Getting Qualified
I took myself off to Fort Lauderdale to
do the all important STCW 95 course
required to work on a superyacht carrying
more than 12 people. The 3 day qualification is by all accounts advanced common
sense and covers personal survival tactics, safety, social responsibilities, first aid
and fire-fighting. It was not only a crash
course on the basics but after the hairraising tales of maiming, amputation and
death, it was a dose of reality too.
Job Hunting
I was looking for work as a Stewardess.
Stewards make up the interior team onboard and are responsible for all housekeeping, service and general guest care.
It’s particularly hard for ‘greenies’; someone new to the industry with no yachting
experience. Often you need experience to
get a job, but you can’t get a job without
experience!