Interesting point of view for crew transitioning from yacht life to land life.
Are the ‘golden handcuffs’ getting ever tighter for crew in yachting? It’s no secret that yachting can provide significant financial benefits for its crew. From high salaries to mind-bending charter tips, these financial benefits make the industry a very attractive vocation, from a monetary point of view. However, once in the industry, and once bums are settled on their proverbial seats, crew can become accustomed to a certain lifestyle that the industry/inflated salaries and packages provide. Meanwhile, the skills acquired/required in yachting, whilst extremely valuable on a yacht and at sea, are not deemed as valuable on land and accordingly, crew invariably struggle to find equivalent land-based employment that pays a fraction of what they are used to/their lifestyle requires. The lack of viable alternative land-based employment often then compels crew to stay in the industry far longer then they would like, and/or forces them to return to the industry after an extended period attempting to settle back on land. - a feeling known rather un-affectionately as the ‘golden handcuffs’. Being compelled to return to an industry/job purely on a financial basis, combined with the significant sacrifices that come along with being a crew member at sea, can create a genuine and enduring attitude of resentment and bitterness to the industry. This attitude often then contributes to unhealthy working environments, which invariably leads to a number of serious and unwanted HR outcomes (a topic for another day). So, what can be done to help crew get around this one? How can crew better prepare themselves for the realities of a transition back to land on both and mental, and financial basis? This topic seems to be a growing issue and if increasing concern for many so please do share your thoughts, views and any advice you may have. #yachting #superyacht #maritime #yachtcrew
