By KATE CONGER, DAISUKE WAKABAYASHI and KATIE BENNER from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2qk5SaW
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Hundreds at Google Plan Walkout to Protest Handling of Sexual Harassment
By KATE CONGER, DAISUKE WAKABAYASHI and KATIE BENNER from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2qk5SaW
DTNS 3400 – Ask Notch What Your Phone Can Do for You?
Starring Tom Merritt, Sarah Lane, Roger Chang and Shannon Morse.
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Spotting Disinformation Online Before the Midterm Elections
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Unique Travel Jobs: Working On Mega Yachts & Sailboats
Travel Jobs: Working On Yachts & Sailboats
Travel Jobs
I’ve met quite a few “yachties” during my travels over the years. People who work as yacht & sailboat crewmembers for a living.
Today, my friend Katie shares her experience working on yachts, along with tips on how to find yacht jobs. It’s truly a fascinating way to earn money while traveling the world! Enter Katie:
There are around 37,000 yacht crew members employed on the 6,000+ superyachts around the world. And that doesn’t even count the smaller yachts and sailboats out there too.
I’ve worked in the yachting industry on and off for almost a decade while traveling on my own in the off periods. Yachting helped me travel the world both on and off the boats, “living the dream” as they say.
I initially worked as a stewardess, then began taking jobs as a chef after finishing culinary courses at the Culinary Institute of America, to increase my earning potential.
After learning the ropes on sailing yachts, I also worked as a deckhand on the racing yachts Wild Wings and White Horses, a pair of 76’ modern classic rig sloops in the W class out of Newport, R.I.
Eventually, I also got my Captain’s License and Master of Yachts 200T certification with a sailing endorsement. So this is an industry I know very well!
Getting into the yachting industry is all about being in the right place at the right time. You won’t find a job from your computer at home — you gotta get out there and pound the pavement.
But chances are, if you’re dreaming of a life working on mega-yachts, the ability to travel is one of the main attractions. And it’s a fantastic perk!
Katie Working as a Yachtie
Yacht Job Benefits
You don’t have to pay rent when you work & live on boats, and your food is included too, so you can really save a lot of money. But many yachties get lost in the endless party lifestyle and waste their income.
Save your money, and when you’re done, you should have a nice nest-egg.
Another huge benefit is the ability to travel. Hopping around beautiful islands of the Caribean and Mediterranean, and while working most of the time, it’s possible to escape and enjoy these locations during time off.
Many people use the good money they save while working “in-season” to travel for fun in the off-season.
How Much Can You Make?
Inexperienced yacht crew working as deckhands or stewardesses can earn between $2000-3000 a month. With more experience and higher positions, your salary can be between $3500-$6000 a month.
On charter trips, guests typically tip 5% – 15% of the weekly charter fee, which is split between crew members. This can mean another $1000 per person, per week, in tips.
Yacht Crew Positions
Deckhand
As a deckhand, you generally clean and wash the exterior of the boat. You drive the tender (smaller boat that ferries back and forth between the yacht and dock). You take out the garbage, change light bulbs, do maintenance on the tender outboard engine when it needs it, clean the winches, etc.
If you work on a sailboat, there’s a lot more to learn about all the rigging & sails, but that can be done if you’re interested.
Stewardess
As a steward or stewardess, you’re generally on duty in the interior of the boat, as a waitress, a maid, a laundress, sometimes a nanny. You work with the chef to see that dinner happens in a fluid way. You work with the deck crew to plan the guests daily outings and pack their day bags.
Chef
Most yachts have a chef, and they are well paid, but you will need some prior cooking knowledge & skills. The larger the yacht, the more formal the expectations and entry requirements will be (like experience cooking at high-end restaurants or a cooking degree).
Other Positions
These other yacht jobs are not entry-level. You generally need to work as a deckhand or stewardess first — and need a lot more specialized training too. But you also make a lot more money.
Engineer – Upkeep and repair of engines and electrical components. Requires a proper engineering degree.
First Mate – Second in charge to the captain, helps manage crew and sail when the captain can’t.
Bosun – Responsible for maintaining the exterior of the yacht and managing crew members.
Captain – Sails the yacht. Hires crew members. Requires a captain’s license and lots of sailing experience.
Working as a Yacht Chef
Working On Yachts: A Typical Day
On Charter
When the yacht owners are on-board, or other people have chartered (aka rented) out your boat for a holiday, you are “on charter.”
Being on charter means you don’t leave the boat, you can’t drink alcohol, you keep to your work duties, and otherwise stay inside your cabin.
You are room service, the bellman, the front desk, their personal attendants, their laundress (washing clothes), sometimes their masseuse, taxi driver, waiter, chef, etc. Get the point?
When the guests or owners are off the boat, maybe sight-seeing in town or at the beach — it’s time to clean, turn the cabins, iron sheets, stock the drinks fridge, etc. Preparing for their return.
If guests stay up late drinking, you take turns with other crew members to wait on them and bartend as late as the last guest.
The yacht’s chef will be up at 5am to start pressing oranges for freshly squeezed juice at breakfast, and with the steward(ess), will set up the breakfast buffet.
When guests leave their cabins for breakfast, stews (aka stewards/stewardesses) clean their rooms, make beds, and prepare day bags for whatever the guests would like to do that day.
It’s a long hard run of working when you’re on charter. However, if the guests are not the owners of the yacht, often there will be a decent tip at the end of the trip.
Between Charters
Some boats charter (are available for rent) and others do not. If you want to work hard and earn more money, I recommend working on a boat that charters.
If you want to sit back and relax more and take a regular salary, choose a boat that doesn’t offer charters.
When you aren’t on charter, you essentially work a regular 9-5 job, just in some exotic location. The chef cooks a few meals for the crew so you’re taken care of.
Your job is to do general maintenance and upkeep work on the boat (there’s a lot) and are done around 4pm or 5pm each day, with days off.
Yacht Crew Training
How Much Does It Cost To Get Started?
To get started working on a yacht, all you need is a plane ticket to one of the international hubs, 2-3 months worth of cash to feed and house yourself while you find your first job, and $1000 – $1200 for a yacht training course or two.
Yacht Training Courses
STCW’2010 (previously STCW‘95) is not a regulatory requirement to work on yachts, but it’s becoming an un-official requirement from Captains and owners for safety and insurance reasons.
Investing in this course is also a sign of your commitment, and will improve your chances of getting hired for your first job.
The STCW’2010 course is a week long and costs about $1000 depending on the country. You learn the basics of safety at sea, and it’s actually a lot fun!
At IYT in Ft. Lauderdale, where I went, you’ll wear real firefighting suits complete with oxygen masks and fight REAL fires on a fake ship and then use survival suits, inflate an emergency raft and jump into a pool. Quite memorable!
To boost your resume and improve your odds over other green (in-experienced) yacht job hunters, consider taking a separate Marine Engineering course for deckhands, or the Silver Service course for working as a steward(ess).
Yacht Training Resources
- International Yacht Training in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
- Maritime School of the West Indies in St. Maarten
- Palma Sea School in Palma de Mallorca
Best Places to Find Yachting Jobs
Where To Find Yacht Jobs?
Location is everything in this business. Yachts move around the globe seasonally like migrating birds, chasing the best weather.
There are only a handful of international yachting hubs, and if you want a job, you need to spend time in one of these locations. Ideally 1-2 months.
Winter Season: The Caribbean
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida is America’s capital of yachting, and they kick off the winter season with the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show usually scheduled around October 1 each year.
If this is your season or location of choice, plan to be there in September and have your STCW course done so you’re ready to walk the docks and hand out resumes during the boat show buzz.
Ft. Lauderdale is a decent place to look for work in the winter, but if you don’t have a job by December and want a change of scenery, you can fly down to English Harbour, Antigua or Simpson Bay, St. Maarten (a larger community) and you might be able to snag a job for a holiday trip.
Summer Season: Mediterranean & New England
Most yachts leave the Caribbean in the summer months because of hurricane risk, and because it’s too hot.
Which is perfect because the Mediterranean and New England are wonderful in the summer and host all sorts of mega-yacht races for the sailing elite.
Summer season in the Med (yachtie slang for Mediterranean) begins in May as most of the boats are crossing the Atlantic in April.
The center of the Mediterranean yachting industry is Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Antibes, France is also a hub for sailboats, but it’s a bit smaller.
In the United States, the New England area has a smaller yachting scene, made up of smaller boats and more sailing oriented. Your best bet to find crew jobs here is Newport, Rhode Island.
Visas & Immigration Advice
Always check visa and entry requirements for any country you’re visiting. Depending on your nationality, the laws will be different.
Generally, Americans visiting Europe get 3 months visa-free travel, while Europeans get 6 months in the U.S.
When you fly into a country, make sure you have proof of ties back home, an income source or job that demonstrates you don’t have plans to stay forever.
While looking for yacht jobs on a foreign-flagged vessel in America is not technically illegal, it’s frowned upon and not something you want to tell immigration officers.
Don’t keep evidence of yacht job hunting with you nor electronically when you fly into America. It doesn’t have to be illegal to get you sent home!
Another immigration rule to be aware of, when flying into St Maarten you can’t arrive on a one-way ticket. The notorious “proof of onward travel rule“.
If you are flying into the country to join a boat you’ve already been hired for, the Captain will help you arrange all necessary B1/B2 visas for America, or whatever country, which you’ll show at customs.
If you’re European, Australian, Kiwi or South African or any other nationality, keep in mind that the Jones Act in America limits employment on U.S. flagged vessels to Americans.
This doesn’t mean it isn’t worth going to Florida though, there are tons of foreign-flagged vessels to make the job prospects real. And many American owners register their boats offshore, for tax reasons.
Time to Hit the Docks!
Informal Networking For Yacht Jobs
Make sure you stay in/on the right part of the island or city you choose to base yourself. As close to the marina as possible.
If you see the line drawing of a yacht on someone’s shirt, and they’re wearing khaki shorts and flip-flops, they probably work on a yacht — go talk to them!
Sailors are drinkers, so don’t be afraid to hit the local sailing bars!
Yachting is one of the oldest industries in the world and still runs largely in a social context — the more people you meet, the better your chances.
Crew housing is always a good place to meet other crew and hear about new jobs and day work.
Neptune Group or Mary’s Crew House in Ft Lauderdale are a bit nicer than hostel accommodation and are more likely to have seasoned yacht workers.
There are crew-specific hostels too, so ask around, some hostels are regular pick-up spots for day-work. If you sit out front every morning at 8am… Mates and Captains often stop by looking for day workers.
Yacht Day Work
What is day work? Work one day, get paid in cash. Simple. It’s a great way to earn a bit of extra cash and network with other yachties! Day work can often turn into a full-time crew position.
What will you do day-working? Clean. And if you want to keep getting work, clean with a level of perfection you never dreamed possible. If you’re in the interior, think maid on speed. Use toothpicks, q-tips, soft scrub, whatever is necessary to make every nook and cranny sparkling clean.
If you’re on the exterior, expect the same detail and attention, but with boats you’ll have to dry everything you wash. Chamois chamois chamois! (Pronounced shammy; if you don’t know what it is… you soon will!)
Working With Crew Agents
There are probably 30 crew agencies between Palma and Ft. Lauderdale, dozens of Facebook groups, social media and online sources. They help boat owners find crew.
It’s a good idea to register yourself with as many crew agencies as possible. Exposure is key. The first job could come from anywhere.
When meeting with crew agents and interviewing with captains, be sure to iron your clothes, have groomed hair, be clean, awake and presentable.
Working for mega-wealthy yacht owners means you must be presentable and dress conservatively.
It might be wise to cover tattoos, remove face piercings, apply fresh nail polish, trim your beard, and tie back your hair too. Some owners don’t care, others do.
Popular Yacht Crew Agencies
- Ft. Lauderdale Crew Agents
- Elite Crew International
- Crew Unlimited
- The Crew Network
- Northrup & Johnson
- Crew Finders
- Nautic Crew Worldwide
There’s Nothing Like a Life at Sea
Motor Yachts VS Sailing Yachts
You don’t actually have to be a sailor to work on a sailing yacht (especially if you work the interior), but you have to be willing to learn.
There will be more to your boat, in rigging, maintenance, and sailing. Some find it fun, while others find it intimidating. You must see if it suits your passion.
Pay can be higher on motor yachts, but not always. My advice, work a year on both and see which you prefer.
Sailboats tend to have a more relaxed vibe. From the cities sailboats tend to dock in, to the captains and the owners who have a passion for the sport. The joy of sailing is what draws them all together.
Sailing is a sport, a hobby, and a lifestyle.
Whereas “white boats” (motor yachts) tend to be a bit more status oriented and have higher standards of service from their crew. These boats are a status symbol, they are essentially a private floating resort.
They want the highest level of service and attention to detail.
Having staff at the beck and call of all their personal whims is what the ultra-wealthy one-percenters are all about. You have to be ready to suck it up, put your ego away, and be a servant.
But if you can fit the persona of a servant when guests or owners are on board (which is usually only 2-8 weeks per year), and you can clean like a maniac, you will make great income traveling the world on mega yachts.
Ready To Start Working On Yachts?
The sea will forever be a part of my soul, and sailing through those starry nights with a 360-degree horizon is a meditative place I return to. I have been forever changed by my time at sea.
I have young kids now so it’s not possible to leave for weeks on end. But once they are older I will take them sailing, and cross oceans once again.
The sea calls me back. And I hear the call.
Working on yachts can give you an exotic life of adventure, world travel, beautiful beaches, and a glimpse of what luxury living is like… all with a pretty damn good salary.
Just know that working on yachts can be hard, and it’s not all glamorous.
But if you can handle the workload, you’ll return with great memories, new friends, and a fat savings account. ★
Thanks for sharing your experience with us Katie! I’m sure it will help those who have been contemplating working on yachts in order to travel more. ~ Matt
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Have any questions for Katie about working on yachts and sailboats? Drop her a message in the comments below!
This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.
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Starring Tom Merritt, Sarah Lane, Roger Chang and Allison Sheridan.
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Thanks to Anthony Lemos of Ritual Misery for the expanded show notes!
Thanks to our mods, Kylde, Jack_Shid, KAPT_Kipper, and scottierowland on the subreddit
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Apple Announces new iPad Pro, Mac mini, Macbook Air – DTH
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Starring Tom Merritt, Sarah Lane, Roger Chang and Lamarr Wilson.
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A special thanks to all our supporters–without you, none of this would be possible.
If you are willing to support the show or give as little as 5 cents a day on Patreon. Thank you!
Big thanks to Dan Lueders for the headlines music and Martin Bell for the opening theme!
Big thanks to Mustafa A. from thepolarcat.com for the logo!
Thanks to Anthony Lemos of Ritual Misery for the expanded show notes!
Thanks to our mods, Kylde, Jack_Shid, KAPT_Kipper, and scottierowland on the subreddit
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IBM to buy Red Hat – DTH
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Saturday, October 27, 2018
Island Hopping On Oahu & Kauai With Hawaiian Airlines
Exploring Waikiki Beach in Hawaii
Hawaii, United States
The aloha spirit is alive and well on the tropical islands of Hawai’i. With delicious food, cultural experiences, beautiful beaches, and outdoor adventures — there’s something for everyone in the rainbow state.
Last week Anna & I visited the islands of Oahu and Kauai with Hawaiian Airlines to celebrate the re-launch of the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard, issued by Barclays.
Hawai’i and I go way back. Back to my college days, when I took a break from school and moved to Honolulu to become a beach bum. I lived in Waikiki for a year, and had such a great time!
Days were dedicated to surfing and hiking, while nights were spent working the front desk of an international backpacker’s hostel.
Temporarily living in Hawaii, I was able to experience ho’okipa — Hawaiian hospitality. I also fell in love with the state’s natural beauty. So many epic beaches, jungles, mountains, waterfalls, and waves to explore!
Even though I no longer call Hawaii home, I return every chance I get.
Aloha from Hawaii!
Flying With Hawaiian Airlines
To kick off the adventure in style, we flew Hawaiian Airlines first class from Los Angeles to Honolulu on the A330. I don’t fly first-class often, but it definitely helps with getting some good sleep on overseas flights.
Especially with lie-flat seats like the ones we had on this trip! As a side-sleeper, the ability to stretch out makes a HUGE difference in whether I get any sleep on a plane.
Free mai-tais and tasty Hawaiian-inspired meals prepared us for the start of our island hopping journey on both Oahu and Kauai.
In July, Hawaiian re-launched their Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard. It offers 30,000 bonus miles to new cardmembers after their first purchase, no foreign transaction fees, first checked bag free, and an annual $100 companion ticket discount on Hawaiian Airlines flights.
It’s a great way to earn miles towards free Hawaiian Airlines flights with 3x miles on Hawaiian Airlines purchases, 2x miles on gas/groceries/dining, and 1x miles on all other purchases using the card.
Breakfast With a View
Longboarding on Oahu
Exploring Waikiki
Our first stop in Hawaii was the island of Oahu, and the capital city of Honolulu. We stayed at the beautiful new Ritz Carlton in Waikiki.
Honolulu’s Waikiki neighborhood has some of the most famous beaches in the world, and it’s where most tourists stay during their first trip to Hawaii.
Waikiki is also where I learned to surf many years ago, just beyond the bronze statue of Duke Kahanamoku, known as Hawaii’s father of modern surfing.
The area is home to many high-rise hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs. One restaurant you shouldn’t miss is Roy’s Waikiki.
Kahanamoku Lagoon at Hilton Hawaiian Village
Water Biking Around the Lagoon
Hilton Hawaiian Village
It’s said the Duke himself learned how to surf the same waves in front of where the Hilton Hawaiian Village now stands. This slice of pristine white sand is full of history, and a fun sunbathing beach in Waikiki.
Along with the awesome beach, there’s also Kahanamoku Lagoon which is open to the public for swimming, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. Anna and I rented a water bike and paddled around the calm lagoon soaking up the sun.
Every Friday night, the hotel launches an awesome free fireworks display around 8pm. The best place to watch is from the lagoon, where fireworks explode right over your head!
Ma’o Organic Farms
Making Hawaii Self-Sufficient
Ma’o Organic Farms
Maʻo Organic Farms is based in Wai’anae on the west coast of Oahu. We visited to learn how they are growing sustainable, organic produce for some of Hawaii’s best restaurants — and giving back to the community in the form of college scholarships for local students who volunteer there.
Before Europeans landed in 1778, the Hawaiian Kingdom (with a population of up to 1 million) was self-sufficient at producing its own food supply using a sustainable agricultural system called ahupua’a.
These days Hawaii basically imports about 80% of its food from elsewhere, and being so remote, it’s very expensive to ship it there. For example, a gallon of milk can run $7!
There’s been a growing movement on the islands to produce more food locally, and small farms like Ma’o are teaching a new generation how to grow sustainable agriculture as their ancestors did.
History of the Aloha Shirt
Reyn Spooner Hawaiian Shirts
Aloha Shirt Fridays
Do you know the history of the Hawaiian shirt (aka aloha shirt)? It all started back in the 1920’s, when clothing manufacturers from Honolulu’s Chinatown started making colorful, gaudy shirts out of Japanese silk kimono material.
Eventually, in the 1930’s, aloha shirts were mass-produced for tourists, worn after a day at the beach in Waikiki, and taken home as souvenirs. In the 1940’s, some local companies began allowing employees to wear more relaxed clothing during the hottest months of the year.
Then came “Aloha Fridays” in the 1960’s. Wearing aloha shirts was typical business attire on Fridays all over Hawaii.
One of the most famous Hawaiian shirt makers is Reyn Spooner. We toured their offices and learned how they make these iconic shirts from scratch (and, I happen to be wearing mine right now as I type this).
Hawaiian Pupus Appetizers
Roasted Kalua Pig
Koko Head Cafe
If you’re looking for a good bite to eat in Honolulu, you need to visit Koko Head Cafe for their famous brunches. Chef Lee Anne Wong is an executive chef for Hawaiian Airlines, overseeing the airline’s in-flight meal program.
You may also recognize her as a contestant on Bravo’s popular reality show, Top Chef. Chef Wong prepared us a huge assortment of Hawaiian dishes, from raw fish pupus (bite-size appetizers) to slow-roasted Kalua pig.
Searching for King Kong!
Jurassic World Set at Kualoa Ranch
Kualoa Ranch
Kualoa Ranch is a 4,000 acre Private Nature Reserve and cattle ranch that’s open to the public on the East coast of Oahu.
The area is made up of jagged green mountain ridges and a series of three lush valleys, an ancient and sacred training ground for Hawaiian royalty in the art of war & history.
Because of its incredible natural beauty, Kualoa has been the backdrop for countless Hollywood movies and TV shows like Jurassic Park, Jurassic World, Kong: Skull Island, 50 First Dates, Pearl Harbor, Jumanji, LOST, and more!
We spent an afternoon touring the ranch in the back of a 4×4 truck, checking out all the famous movie set locations. Like the Indominus Rex padlock from Jurassic World!
My favorite stop was probably the giant ape “graveyard” from Kong: Skull Island. Massive and realistic-painted bones made of foam were scattered about under tall green cliffs.
Making Traditional Poke
Tasty Poke Bowl with Seaweed!
Learning How To Make Poke
One day for lunch, we learned how to make fresh ahi-tuna poke with Foodland Supermarket’s corporate chef Keoni Chang.
Poke is raw fish salad served as an appetizer in Hawaiian cuisine, and sometimes as a main course with rice.
There are many different ways to make poke, but I think the traditional style was my favorite. Chunks of raw ahi-tuna, seaweed, sea salt, and crushed Kukui nuts.
Koloa Rum Tasting Room
Hawaiian Rum Tasting
Hawaii has a long history of sugar cane production, first initiated by ancient Polynesian voyagers during their migration from the South Pacific. The first commercial sugar production began in 1935, and with it, the first batches of Hawaiian Rum.
After jumping on a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Oahu to Kauai, one of our first stops on the Garden Island was a free rum tasting session at Koloa Rum, located at the old Kilohana Plantation in Lihue.
Dark rum, spiced rum, coconut rum — we learned which types of rums pair best with different mixers, or on their own. Koloa Rum is distilled twice using a vintage 1,210-gallon copper-pot still from 1947 with a copper column and condenser.
The Grand Hyatt Resort Kauai
Anna Chillin’ at the Lazy River
Grand Hyatt Kauai
Checking into the Grand Hyatt Resort on Kauai was quite a treat… this place was stunning. Set right on the beach, with flowers and palm trees in all directions. It has its own lazy river, waterslides, and a salt-water lagoon.
Anna and I learned how to make traditional Hawaiian flower “leis”, attended a luau with traditional hula dancing and mountains of poi, and spent time floating down the lazy river to relax and cool off in the tropical heat.
Cliff Jumping in Kauai
Shipwrecks Beach
Shipwrecks Beach
Right next to the Grand Hyatt there is a public beach called Shipwrecks, a local favorite for surfing and body surfing. The waves can get quite big, and break close to the shore, so it’s usually not the best beach for swimming — but fun for watching the locals brave the massive water.
If you’re REALLY brave (or stupid?), there’s a large 40-foot cliff on the North side of the beach that can be fun for cliff jumping!
You can access the cliffs from a trail at the end of the beach, but after you jump it’s a long swim back into the shore (through those huge waves).
I leaped from the cliff a few times, but landed wrong once, leaving my ribs bruised enough I thought I’d broken one. Jump at your own risk!
There are sea turtles that swim below the cliffs too, landing on one could end badly for both of you…
Hiking Waimea Canyon on Kauai
Get Closer To Hawaii Every Day
Well, I hope I’ve inspired you to visit Hawaii soon (like you didn’t already need another reason)! These pacific islands are incredibly beautiful, diverse, and full of memorable things to do on your vacation.
And if you’re interested in collecting miles & points for a free flight to Hawaii, make sure to check out the all new Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard issued by Barclays Bank and get closer to your goal every day.
READ MORE TRAVEL STORIES
Best Of The Big Island Of Hawaii
How I Became Irish: Dual Citizenship Guide
Tips For Driving In Iceland
Morocco’s Mysterious Blue City
Have any questions about traveling to Oahu or Kauai? Have you ever flown with Hawaiian Airlines? Drop me a message in the comments below!
This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.
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