When you first join a yacht, pack light and ideally in a soft shell bag that can easily be rolled up and stored. Don’t let the first words out of your mouth to the engineer be “what is the WiFi code?” Yes, I’ve actually heard that!
Tidy up after yourself. Whether on deck, interior, bridge, your cabin or the crew mess. It isn’t down to someone else to tidy up for you. You are an adult. On that note, always make sure your work area is left tidy. Especially on breaks or lunch. It sounds obvious but slips, trips and falls are the biggest reason for work place injuries.
Cabins. keep them tidy, be quiet, don’t turn on the lights if your cabin mate is on a different shift. Put your uniform in the bathroom if you’re first up in the morning. Try and work out a bathroom rota so you’re both on time for work!
Offer to help. We’re all tired and fed up at some point onboard. Helping your team mates out goes a long way. Whether that’s helping bring on provisions, helping on a wash down, or simply asking if you can help out a bit.
Try and think of other. Make a cup of tea for those on the bridge. Make a coffee for the chef or engineers. If the deck team aren’t down for lunch, plate them up something for when they can come and eat. If a stew is on a late offer to make them a coffee.
If you see something that needs doing, do it. Don’t separate yourselves by thinking that’s not my job/department. Put the dishwasher on. Vac the crew mess. Put the shoes away. Don’t spill your drink all over the teak!
Be quiet. Especially when you’ve got guests on or are travelling. Not everyone works the same shift pattern. Not everyone sleeps well at sea. There is nothing more inconsiderate than someone stomping down the crew hallway or slamming doors. Check your volume in the crew mess. You won’t be making friends if your disturbing people who are trying to rest.
If you borrow something from another department- return it, in the same state you received it. Don’t let them have to hunt you down to get back something they kindly lent you.
Compliment your crew. Whether it’s thanking the chef for all the meals they put out daily to keep you all fed, or thanking the engineer for sorting out the toilet issues! Thanking the deck for helping to carry the provisioning on board or thanking the interior for washing and ironing your bedding. Acknowledging the efforts of your team mates can go a long way.
Be considerate. If you’re in a relationship onboard, be aware that other people might be working away from their partners. Don’t flaunt your relationship. Keep it private, everyone knows you’re together. They don’t need you to rub their noses in it!
Be kind! You don’t have to love everyone you work with, but you do need to be kind and respectful to everyone.
