Captains are the backbone of the superyacht industry in many ways. Cruising the world’s oceans and superyacht hotspots, these are the right hand men and women of superyacht owners, and the first points of contact when something doesn’t quite go to plan… Though an enviable job in more ways than we care to name, the coveted position certainly comes with its fair share of less-than-desirable aspects.
Here we invite you to take a peak into the life and times of four superyacht captains, who share an insight into their lives at sea and whether or not they will ever be called back to dry land.
How do you juggle your time between personal and crew life?
Casey Burrows - M/Y Ruya:
What personal life? It does actually become your personal life aswell, when you are younger it is much easier, as the transient lifestyle is still exciting, however it gets a little more difficult to juggle when you are wanting a more routine lifestyle, as most people want as we get older.
Angel Becerra - M/Y ME:
Well, on a superyacht, you don't really have a personal life unless you are on vacation! Life onboard is very busy and, of course, usually you have to live onboard. So, you learn to accept the crew as your family or friends and actually, you mix your personal time with the job. That's why this kind of job is not a actually job, it's a lifestyle.
Thomas Jones - M/Y Lionheart:
In my early years on board I was happy to go wherever the industry took me, to gain experience and build knowledge - personal time seemed somewhat of secondary importance. However when my family came along the need for a personal life obviously became crucial. Without doubt you need to retain a large portion of flexibility, it goes with the territory, but carving out time to be with the family is naturally very important and I’ll admit it’s something I struggle with even now - that is to balance my responsibility to my family and to that of my crew. I can only hope both sides feel they get the best of me!
Matthew Peak - M/Y Cocoa Bean:
I don’t, really! My personal and crew life tend to blur into one, I just have to strive to always be respectful, professional and emotionally objective. I am not sure I am always 100% successful, but I do think that this balance is probably the hardest discipline in the role.
What would you be doing if you weren’t a yacht captain?
Casey Burrows - M/Y Ruya:
Probably working harder to become a yacht captain!
Angel Becerra - M/Y ME:
I can't imagine doing something else for a living… I really enjoy this job! As a child I dreamed to discover the world, reading books like Jules Verne’s ‘In Search of the Castaways’ - I was inspired by the adventure and this job has a lot of that. It’s a lot more fun than most land-based jobs.
Thomas Jones - M/Y Lionheart:
I do often ask myself this question. If I had never fallen into yachting, it’s likely I would have found my way into the oil and gas exploration industry as many of my peers at university did (having studied Geological Oceanography). If I were to leave the industry now or some time in the future I am not sure in what direction I would head. I love our industry - the opportunities it gives, the challenges it presents and places and people we get to see and meet. I do like the idea of an entirely new challenge away from yachting but then I have heard that said by many who have tried to make the break but have ended up back in it in some capacity so who knows?
Matthew Peak - M/Y Cocoa Bean:
I have no idea. I dabbled in several areas before yachting and I think I have an aptitude for at least one of them, but I didn't become seriously career focused until yachting.
When it comes to life on board, do you feel certain scenarios onboard need to be dealt with in a more family-style manner, rather than strictly business?
Casey Burrows - M/Y Ruya:
I definitely prefer to run the boat more family style. It’s a much nicer environment for everyone, though sometimes you do still have to remind the crew it’s a professional workplace, but there is always a subtle way to do it. Hopefully if everyone is on the same page and knows right from wrong this rarely needs to happen.
Angel Becerra - M/Y ME:
Absolutely. Life onboard is similar to family life, as we work and live aboard 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and are expected to struggle with many scenarios with the crew in very close contact. You need to take care of your crew family.
Thomas Jones - M/Y Lionheart:
Absolutely. I would like to think that many of these scenarios are being dealt with within the crew and by the crew themselves long before they come to my attention. I am fortunate to work with many talented crew who have worked for this owner for many years - this naturally lends itself to a strong, and in our case a ‘family-orientated’ MO where if anyone steps outside of the accepted line of behaviour the first correction will come from a fellow crew member. In my experience a successful crew or department is one that can manage itself, support one another and recognises when it needs to correct behaviour or actions that fall outside commonly agreed limits.
Matthew Peak - M/Y Cocoa Bean:
I like to run a fusion of strict military style adherence to the rules combined with a friendly approachable way of dealing with the crew, again it depends on the person and the issue. I find that a friendly non-confrontational mentoring chat usually works better than a haul up to the bridge, and this is something I have softened my attitude towards a little as I have become more experienced over the years.
How do you overcome the difficulties of being away from home for long periods?
Casey Burrows - M/Y Ruya:
Social media has made it so much easier to stay in touch now, it helps with the long periods away, but keeping busy is always the best way to get through it.
Angel Becerra - M/Y ME:
You never overcome the feeling of being away your family, especially when your daughter or son asks for your presence on special days like birthdays and you are in the middle of the ocean with no way to return. I focus on the quality time we get together when I get vacations.
Thomas Jones - M/Y Lionheart:
In a word, FaceTime! Fortunately video calling as a technology came along at the right time for me and my family. My wife also came from the industry and for my children, they have never known any different, but being away from friends and family is the most difficult side of the industry from many. I have nothing but respect for the many crew whose only way of contacting their families in years gone was a payphone on the quay or even a letter in the mail. Access to email, social media, photo sharing and of course video calling are all great for keeping stronger links with home.
Matthew Peak - M/Y Cocoa Bean:
It's the worst part of the job, and I have not really reconciled myself with this! Modern methods of communications have all helped, but it’s certainly difficult.
Do you see yourself returning to land in the future?
Casey Burrows - M/Y Ruya:
Yes… but it’s a super scary thought!
Angel Becerra - M/Y ME:
We’re all getting older, and in my opinion it is just a matter of time until you have to return ashore to start a life on land. With experience collected over all those years working on yachts, however, it would be good to stay in the yachting industry. Maybe as CEO as a yacht maintenance company.
Thomas Jones - M/Y Lionheart:
Certainly the day will come and some part of me looks forward to it and the changes that will come. On the other hand I can honestly say there’s not been a single day in the last 20 years where I’ve not wanted to be working at sea - I am aware how fortunate I am to be in this situation and will continue to take advantage of it for as long as it is right for myself and my family.
Matthew Peak - M/Y:
In a word, yes. I love working in shipyards, and this is perhaps where I can see myself developing a shore based career. For now, however, I am very happy continuing to absorb the valuable operational experience.