Social Media Use On-Board Yachts

The Superyacht industry has always been known for luxury, excess, exclusivity and above all, discretion. Whether it’s the golden teak decks, unique interiors, or luxury destinations, superyachts are floating gin palaces that cater to the world’s elite.  However, behind this world of extravagance, there exists a crucial aspect that is often overshadowed these days – the importance of discretion and secrecy by the crew, particularly in the age of social media.

Everyday I see photos from crew tagging their location and even their next destination, clearly with guests onboard, if you see enough of their ‘stories’ you can piece together exactly what cruising the yacht is doing.  Dinner table and party set up pictures, posted in real time can easily give away numbers of guests coming, a 200 person party set up is bound to be attended by some persons of interest. 

I remember the days we were asked to not mention to anyone our upcoming plans on-board, which was easy to comply with, as long as you didn’t blab about it when at the Blue Lady or the Mad Mongoose.  These days you ask the crew not to post anything on social media about the upcoming trip with resounding nods and agreement, then day one of the voyage and everybody has seemed to have turned into Cameron Crowe, documenting every wave that hits the porthole or every glistening sunset.

A simple location tag on a photo from a crewmember is often enough for a keen yacht spotter to deduce where the yacht is and reveal the presence of high-profile guests on board, potentially compromising their privacy and safety. 

The crew onboard superyachts are privy to the personal lives, preferences, and sometimes even the darkest secrets of their guests.  Business deals, mistresses, prostitutes, secret games and affairs are all to be kept tight-lipped about.  While crew wouldn’t intentionally post about the guests themselves, it is getting more and more usual for guests to add crew as ‘friends’ on their social media accounts, this then means if a crew member posts about the yacht, they may inadvertently give away some personal information the guests would rather their friends not know about.  Crew often sign non-disclosure agreements and are expected to maintain the public perception of their guests, however, these are usually forgotten about and not followed up by the senior crew.  Discretion and secrecy are of utmost importance to protect the privacy and reputation of the guests and the integrity of the superyacht industry as a whole.

Maintaining confidentiality is not just about respecting personal boundaries; it is about creating an atmosphere where guests can unwind, be themselves, and enjoy their time without the fear of being exposed to the public eye.

The superyacht industry’s success largely depends on its reputation for providing a secure and discreet environment for high-profile clients.  Business meetings with rival firms are kept quiet while it could effect stock prices and trust from shareholders.  Any breach of confidentiality can damage this reputation and deter future clients from seeking the superyacht experience.

The introduction of social media has transformed the way information is shared and consumed. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube allow anyone to become a content creator and instantly share their experiences with a global audience hoping to become the next big thing.  While this has undoubtedly brought numerous benefits to individuals, it has also presented challenges to the industry.  All too often the news outlets are grasping onto negative stories shared on social media, barely having to do any investigatory work themselves as people have shared their limited thoughts on an incident all over their profiles. 

The use of social media is a worry to all who hold a position of command in ensuring the privacy of their guests is maintained, paparazzi, fans, or even fellow crew members can inadvertently or deliberately share sensitive information, photos, or videos of guests on social media platforms.

On the flip side, social media can be a valuable tool for marketing and promoting the superyacht industry. Crewmembers can showcase the beauty and fun of the industry, its destinations, and the exceptional service provided – as long as it’s done without violating the privacy of guests.  These days we have all seen certain yachts that have their own social media pages or YouTube channels to help promote themselves for charter and I’m sure they do well out of it, although I often wonder what potential charterers watch these. 

It is a delicate balancing act between preserving guest privacy and leveraging the power of social media for positive promotion.  This requires careful training, clear communication, and strict adherence to guidelines, often the best approach is to employ someone with prior training in social media and marketing.  In doing so, the superyacht industry can continue to offer a haven of luxury, exclusivity, and discretion for its discerning clientele.

The Opulence Of Superyachts

In the world of luxury and extravagance, few things are as iconic and beautiful as a superyacht.  These floating gin palaces represent the pinnacle of wealth, showcasing not only exquisite craftsmanship, the finest materials money can buy and cutting-edge technology.  From immaculate decks to opulent interiors, superyachts spare no expense in creating an unparalleled experience for their fortunate owners.

Superyachts are known for their stylish and designer exteriors, often crafted from expensive materials to achieve a perfect finish of beauty and functionality.  From the keel up, generally, on larger vessels, the hull is made from marine grade steel and the superstructure from aluminium, renowned for its lightweight properties and corrosion resistance.  It not only contributes to the yacht’s overall durability but also allows for weight-saving and intricate exterior designs.  The bare metal is then sealed with primers and faired numerous times until a perfectly smooth surface is achieved to paint over with polyurethane paints, leaving a perfect mirror finish. 

Teak, a hardwood renowned for its natural beauty and resilience, is another favourite for superyacht decks.  Its warm, golden tones not only provide a stunning visual contrast against the painted elements but also offers a comfortable, hardwearing and non-slip surface for guests to enjoy on the open sea.  Teak is also used for perfectly varnished handrails, supported by mirror-finished stainless steel railings. 

All fittings on the exterior are made from highly polished mirror finish stainless steel, from door handles, to mooring bits, fairleads and windlasses. 

The extravagance of a superyacht is most evident in its interiors, where no expense is spared to create a haven of luxury.  Hardwoods such as mahogany, teak, and oak are commonly used for wall panelling, and bespoke built furniture.  

Marble is used for the flooring throughout communal areas, bathrooms and dayheads, with silk carpets used in cabins and salons.  The yacht’s bathrooms are usually crafted with marble countertops, floors, walls and even intricately designed sinks, sometimes with gold or crystal fittings. 

The interiors are adorned with the finest fabrics and furnishings, elevating the onboard experience to unparalleled heights of comfort.  From custom-designed sofas to handcrafted bed linens, every inch of a superyacht’s living space is a testament to luxury.  There may be exotic materials such as stingray skin, leathers and silk used to create bespoke wall coverings or furniture.  Exquisite curtains and blinds delicately filter the sunlight, adding an extra layer of refinement and privacy. 

Priceless paintings and art pieces adorn the living spaces, many being one-of-a-kind and irreplaceable.

In addition to the lavish use of traditional materials and handcraftsmanship, superyachts boast cutting-edge technology, integrated into the overall design.  Smart glass technology allows windows to transition from transparent to opaque with a simple touch, automatic blinds, curtains and lights offer both privacy and ease.  Huge entertainment systems, onboard Internet, air-conditioning and lighting are all controlled through sophisticated touchpad interfaces, enhancing the overall onboard experience.

The other extravagance of a superyacht, is the level of crewing involved, from ratios of 2 or 3 crew to every 1 guest onboard, all highly trained and highly skilled in their fields.  The crew offer every type of service imaginable and make every request of the guests a priority, all while maintaining absolute discretion. 

The extravagance of a superyacht is not merely a display of wealth, it is an artful combination of engineering prowess and the use of the finest materials available. These floating marvels are a testament to the limitless possibilities when money meets craftsmanship, creating an experience that is truly beyond compare.

Rotation: Limited Experience in Half the Time

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 3^rd or 4^th 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.