Captains, Managers and Owners: Why Should You Use a Crew Agent?
At the end of the day, you can have the best yacht in the world, but if you have the wrong crew on board, it’s going to cost you in more ways than just financially.
In today’s yachting industry time is usually of the essence. Busy programmes and tight yard periods keep the pressure on the team; as yachts increase in size and complexity so must the crew. Sometimes a captain simply doesn’t have the time to source individuals with the specialist skills and experience required – that’s ok though, that’s where people like me, the humble crew agent, come in.
Each year that passes sees yachts grow in size and with the rate of developing technology so do the systems on board. As such, new positions have arisen. For example, we now see Interior Managers residing above Pursers and Chief Stews, and ITOs (Information Technology Officers) working alongside the ETOs and Engineering teams. Quite often with these specific roles we need to spread the net a little wider and actively seek people from outside the yachting industry. This takes time and research; quite often the yacht captain or manager simply does not have the time to dedicate to finding these people.
But the same goes for the traditional positions; everyone in yachting knows how hard it is to find suitable crew, most captains will tell you unequivocally it’s the part of their job they simply detest and often, it gets pushed to the bottom of the list of things to do before season starts (you know, that list which mostly consists of putting the boat back together after a lengthy winter of maintenance and projects, and making sure everything is ready for the first boss trip of the season), so that’s probably why crew agents evolved. We have a niche to fill, and we have evolved further to satisfy the different wants and objectives of our clients.
Some captains would still rather do the leg work themselves and search through suitable CVs on a database and check the references to get feedback from industry peers. In this case, a headhunter style agent probably isn’t for you – it’s more expensive and if you are going to be repeating their work anyway it’s a little pointless. For this reason, we are seeing more of the shopping cart approach agents popping up. You can pay an annual fee to search through an online database yourself and contact whoever you like for any position. Works for a lot of people, if you have a good amount of time!
Social media is a great way of gathering CVs. Be warned; you will have to sift through a large number of applicants in order to find those crew who are suitable. Try it – it’s quite an experience; a captain said to me in Antigua earlier this year he had been inundated and it gave him a newfound respect for what I do. Which was nice.
Basically it all comes down to best use of time. Although I hear “management (or owner) is trying to save money!”, this is illogical and should be challenged. Let’s pretend for a moment you own a €50,000,000 superyacht. Don’t you want to make sure you have the best of the best working on board? Minimising risk to your vessel, and ensuring you and your guests and family are receiving not just the best service, and incredible food, you’re safe and well looked after, and you know, you can rest easy knowing your crew are doing the best for you and your yacht?
And, as a captain, don’t you want to be reassured that you have an awesome team working with you to help you achieve these goals, and feel secure you can let them run their own departments successfully and safely?
So ask yourselves – realistically do you have the time, and expertise required to source the top tier of superyacht crew? For the sake of saving a little money in the short term, is it worth it. Plus it’s worth considering that by not outsourcing recruitment to highly experienced specialists like myself and my peers, you’re taking the Captains or
Heads of Departments away from their other duties. Once you tot up how many hours they’ve spent sifting through CVs, trying to check references and interview and check certificates and all that good stuff… are you really saving that many euros?
As an owner, would you do this in your land-based operations? Probably not. So I’m not sure why costs are trying to be reduced on what is potentially the most important part of a superyacht’s operation. If you hire a bad engineer who costs you thousands of euros of damage, or a chef with a drinking issue who fails to serve your charter guests and costs your vessel’s reputation and damages future income streams, well, was it worth saving that fee?
At the end of the day, you can have the best yacht in the world, but if you have the wrong crew on board, it’s going to cost you in more ways than just financially.
Each week Erica Lay, owner of EL CREW CO International Yacht Crew Agency talks to a crew member currently in Mallorca either seeking work or based here to learn a little more about our local yachting community. For more info on any of our stars featured here, you can contact Erica directly on erica@elcrewco.com
Today I’m speaking with Helen Stachini, Owner of HS Yacht Services and co-owner of Mats & Flags. Helen, originally from the UK, has lived in Mallorca for twenty years.
Q.— What attracted you to the island? What do you like about living here?
A. — “Having lived abroad and travelled since the age of 19, I wanted a home. I wanted to continue working with yachts, but also wanted to have all my things in once place. The thing I love most about Mallorca is the natural beauty, the sea, the climate and the multicultural vibe it has. There are people from all over the world here.”
Q.— What’s the hardest thing about living in Mallorca?
A. — “Without a doubt: the amount of paperwork and tax.”
Q.— What’s your background before you set up your business?
A. — “I started my business at the beginning of 2021. I had been working in the refit and maintenance sector of the industry previously and loved it. I formed solid relationships with many clients and companies whilst working for a refit company and some of them I still work with today. Prior to this I worked in yacht recruitment, but originally started in the hospitality industry and worked on the QE2 cruise ship and superyachts.”
What does your business do?
Q.—
A. — “I have a recommended services business, so I offer personal shore-side support for yachts; mainly refit services but I help with many other things too. The companies I work with not only produce good workmanship but are good people too. It’s a pleasure for me to generate business for the companies I have collaborations with, knowing my clients are going to be in good hands. My business objective is to provide a great service by saving the yacht valuable time and often money too by connecting them to the right people.
I collaborate with Carpenters, varnish specialists, metal workers, upholstery specialists, scaffolders, painters, polishers, air conditioning, professional cleaners and more. You need it? I’ll source it.
I also have another business with my good friend and work colleague Melanie Winters: Mats and Flags. Welcome mats with logos for yachts and businesses, and bespoke yacht flags. It’s something everyone needs, and we now have an online shop.”
What’s your USP (unique selling point)?
Q.—
A. — “After 20 years of being here I have a wealth of contacts that Captains and heads of department need. I take my job seriously and will always go the extra mile to ensure the best experience is received. I am sincere and have integrity and I really care about my clients and what I do.”
Any achievements or special things stick out?
Q.—
A. — “Oh I have a few. I’ve survived quite a lot over the years! I’m very proud that I started my own business. Being self-employed in Spain is a challenge to say the least but it has worked from day one and continues to grow. I am also proud I learnt Spanish, which took a very long time and certainly makes for an easier life.”
Q.— What’s the best thing about your job? What do you enjoy most?
A. — “Happy clients! I enjoy working with professional people and a job well done. I love the variety of jobs I am asked to help with. Once a Captain asked me if someone could crack open 2 safes that had been locked for some time with no paperwork or code. Yep, that one was a NO. You could call Ocean’s Eleven?
Q.— What would you like to do next? —
A. “My main objective is to continue growing my company in
Mallorca but I do want to explore other areas in Spain too.”
Q.— If you could have any yacht in the world for a day, which one would you pick?
A. — “I’m quite happy with a kayak if I’m honest, which I will be rowing this summer. If I had to choose a yacht for the day it would have to be a big yacht, as moments are best shared and I would take a lot of friends and family. So maybe MY Eclipse in Tahiti. When I was on the QE2 we went to Tahiti and I remember the colours were just so vibrant and the men wore sarongs. That would do!”
Q.— What do you like to
do when you’re not working?
Meet Helen Stachini, Owner of HS Yacht Services and coowner of Mats & Flags.
A. — “I swim most mornings before work, currently in a pool but I’m looking forward to swimming at sunrise again at my local beach. Above everything, I love being with friends, they are worth their weight in gold. I also love camping, live music and traveling.”