Jack Brown
20 years experience as a Superyacht Captain
When learning to drive a car, passing your test and gaining your licence is only the beginning, after that is when you really start learning. Passing your orals and achieving your CoC is just the same.
For many crew members, the allure of rotational jobs appears to be an ideal compromise between a career at sea and a stable personal life. However, there are several major drawbacks, most notably the limited experience gained when working only half of the year.
When gaining experience at sea, you need to endure all of it, the good, the bad, the easy and the hard, if working a rotational role too early in your career, you are dangerously missing out on getting the experience needed. When working half the year, of that half a year, how much seatime are most yachts actually achieving? They may be tied up in port, or going through a yard period when the individual is onboard, then suddenly on their 3rd or 4th rotation they might be thrown into the thick of it navigating through busy and difficult areas with little to no navigation experience, but 8/9 months signed on to the vessel with everyone expecting them to know what they are doing.
Another dangerous element of rotation is lack of familiarity of onboard procedures. From knowing how the bridge operates inside-out, to emergency response, crane operations, tender operations, maintenance issues, history of machinery and equipment, even guest interactions and etiquette. These all take time to gain the understanding and proficiency to work safely and efficiently.
Skills can erode over time, and the skills of rotational crew members are no exception. Extended breaks between work stints may cause crew members to lose competence in their duties, which can jeopardize the safety and security of the yacht, its crew and its guests.
Limited experience can lead to reduced confidence and competence among crew members. Handling various aspects of superyacht operations requires a high level of expertise and self-assurance. Without consistent exposure to the job, crew members may feel ill-prepared and unsure about their abilities when returning to work. It’s almost like having a new crew member join each time there is a change over.
Providing top-notch service to guests is a core responsibility also, limited exposure to guest trips can result in a diminished ability to anticipate guests’ needs and provide a seamless and unforgettable experience. The absence of regular practice can lead to guest service that falls short of the industry’s high standards, we’ve all seen the first trip of the season when crew are a bit rusty after a long maintenance period or winter alongside, is this really acceptable for clients that are paying hundreds of thousands a week to enjoy the experience??
To conclude, rotational jobs offer an enticing balance between work and leisure, but they come at a cost. The limited experience gained during half the year can hinder career progression, reduce confidence and competence, and compromise the quality of service provided to guests. It is crucial for crew members to consider these negatives when opting for rotational positions and to seek opportunities for continuous learning and skill development to overcome the limitations posed by working only half the year.
In my opinion, rotation is ideal when you have the need for it, such as having a family and you have put in the years of dedication and gained the experience to confidently carry out the job no matter what unfolds.
