I work on a superyacht AMA

[belowdeckyoubet]

I was thinking about describing my job in an abstract way, it's very hard to do. So, I work on a big white boat, like you see on the tv. AMA

Please tell me you’re on below deck!

Do you throw tantrums at the interior crew?
What's the most amazing place you've seen?

@ErrolTheDragon 50m. Nearly 500 gross tons, so big(ish)

@floofycroissant all depends on the owners needs. Usually, the owners do not travel with the boat, they fly and meet you where they want to be. You’d be surprised by how many get seasick... personal life, yeah, it takes its toll

@Rainallnight the boats have really just closed to become their own communities. You can only socialise together and can’t really meet up with other crew. When guests are due, everyone is tested.

@bathorshower yes, everyone shares - except the captain. Facilities are good, and even though the spaces are small, you are well taken care of. Probably a few more years, I’m getting old..

Christ, who cares?!

@andannabegins below deck is where careers go to die...

@M0nstermunch no it is not! Is a really professional environment

@LabbyNoona are you sure?

@marthastew a few celebs, yes. A well known figure from the tv snorting coke on the aft deck. I’d tell you more, only I signed a non disclosure

@millenialblush $300,000 a week

@HollowTalk the boat I’m on is mostly private. The boss says he’ll charter but he doesn’t really like the thought of someone else sleeping in his bed

@RoundedTum yes, every time. But you get used to it

@AndWhatNext $25 million. Yes, I work solely for them, sometimes functions in their home too. People can charter, yes. Mainly in one area, but seasonally they like to change it up. We go to Europe or the Caribbean mostly. Scariest weather was between Corsica and Sardinia. The chandelier fell down the boat was rolling so much. No, no pirates

@Echobelly I have never worked on a boat with hookers, but it’s very common.

@Spillanelle more than I could earn on land

@idontlikealdi we are all the owners personal crew

@TheSpottedZebra I have never heard that term...

@Soontobeseller no, I was not....

@jay55 maybe one or two - but only when really pushed! Croatia is the most amazing place I’ve been, hands down!

Are you on call all the time? If the boss wants an omlette at 3am do you have to make it?

@HermioneKipper yup

Thanks OP, thats really interesting. It looks very hard work!

What can/do you do when you are off duty and still at sea?

TheSpottedZebra I have never heard that term...
I cross-posted with Echo it's 'famous' or semi famous women, being guests of yachts but being bought, basically. Eg lots of 'models' installed on yachts for Cannes.

What's the balance of time at work (when I think you've said you're on call all the time) and leave? Does your leave get interrupted if the owner decides he want to use the yacht? If you're on leave, do you get flown 'home'?

Ever felt unsafe with regards to risk of pirates? (Might have seen too many films)

How many crew are there on your boat?

Do you cook for the owner and the crew?

Is it true that the Captain is the boss on the boat regardless of anyone else including the owner and can make certain overruling decisions

@SunnyAgain as long as all your chores are done, you can do what you like. But being at sea is really exhausting, so mainly you watch movies in bed. Or sunbathe on the sun deck

@TheSpottedZebra ah, like groupies. No, they are not a thing. Even very well known people get turned away from private parties.. it’s strictly guests only

@bathorshower that is something that really depends on the captain. Some are workaholics who expect you to keep going, but some are good at offering you extra time off after a big trip. Your leave is more likely to get cancelled rather than interrupted. Depending on your position, the captain will get a temp in while you are away. You get one or two flights home a year

@Nomorepies there are 9 of us

@B1rthis not really - that’s mostly around the gulf of Aden, and you get armed bodyguards for that..

@Strike000 yes, I cook for both owner and crew

@Ponypizzy the captain would only overrule the owner in terms of safety. If irs not safe to go to sea, the insurance companies wouldn’t cover you for damage and no one wants to see their $25M toy damaged. The owner is always in charge, but the captain is the master and commander

@B1rthis

Ever felt unsafe with regards to risk of pirates? (Might have seen too many films)

I think about this, too.

I have a friend whose parents own a superyacht. They are not famous but incredibly wealthy. They do not charter it out and are careful where they use it. They use a private jet to get to it as they have it in a certain place for tax reasons.

My friend's told me a bit about it and tbh, it doesn't appeal to me. Like you said, you can't even use the bathroom in private.

Please don’t tell me anything bad, my eldest dd now working in the industry and I worry about her all the time!

Do you feel under pressure to come up with new dishes or do they like the same things?

And do you have to cater for parties?

@rawalpindithelabrador most owners have at least one jet to get around

@Reduxrabbit I am sure she’ll be fine

@mcmooberry I work for Americans. They are creatures of habit who like simple American food. Yes to the parties, but that’s the interesting bit!

Do you have a family or partner? If so, how do you manage?

Is there as much drama as on below deck? Is any of it realistic or dramatised for tv do you think?

How can you stand being around rich people?