Over the past 3 weeks we have in the yachting industry seen a shift in companies and agencies choosing not to conduct business with Russian's.
My thoughts come to all the yacht crew currently caught up in yachts that have been recently seized.
I have personally received a message from a good friend who worked for one yacht for over 10yrs and the whole crew has recently been let go, he worked for Russian's!
Crew agencies have been inundated with crew calling them for advice on whether they should jump ship or not. Its difficult for anyone to have the answers at the moment. We are all of course hopeful that the war with Russia and Ukraine will end soon, but with no end in sight and the news channels permanently on in the background whilst I work drumming out ever increasing bad news I fear that this isn't going away soon.
So, what does this mean for new yacht crew? Of course you are happy to be offered a job and perhaps this is working on a Russian owned yacht and this the only one and they are pushing you for an answer straight away.... What should you do?
Naturally Yachts do not disclose who owns the yacht until you are under NDA with them, but they can tell you the nationality of the owners and this information is good for you to obtain. Ask questions, its good to be inquisitive. Morally how do you feel about the possibility of working on a charter yacht with Russian guests?
I still stand by the saying 'if it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't, go by your gut instinct' and I would say that for anything you have to make a decision on.
According to the SuperYacht Times Russian owners made up 9% of all superyacht owners in 2021. Many yachts have already been seized and more to follow.This does effect many crew who are now looking for work, so there is a little competition out there but that shouldn't stop you in your goal. What makes you stand out?
According to the SuperYacht Times Russian owners made up 9% of all superyacht owners in 2021. This does effect many crew who are now looking for work, so there is a little competition out there but that shouldn't stop you in your goal. What makes you stand out?
Many crew agencies have seised working with yachts linked to anyone who may have links with the Russian invasion currently and no doubt others with do the same shortly.
The PYA have a wealth of information to offer and support crew members at this time.
There are plenty of billionaires in the world looking for yacht crew, so what are you waiting for?
