Working on a Superyacht is all about hard work and dedication, all while maintaining a five-star professional demeanour. But that is during the season. When it is over, you are likely to return to South Africa and find some free time on your hands. But what does a superyacht crew member do in South Africa during their off-season? Let’s find out in this article!
What do the Superyachts do off-season?
To understand what a crew member does off-season, let’s first understand what a superyacht does.
Once the season is over, superyachts often focus on maintenance, refitting, or rebuilds This means that the vessel will be docked in a yard for such purposes.
Or, if they are in good condition, they will travel to another region that is currently “on-season” or is about to be.
For example, once the Med season is over, superyachts set a course for the Caribbean for the Fort Lauderdale show or just an all-around cruise in the region, or vice versa. We have already talked about these seasons in our articles before.
So, if a superyacht is considering such trips, the crew will most likely stay on the yacht as well. Or, if a yacht is off-season, doing maintenance and all that jazz, then some of the crew members will still bear the responsibility of overseeing and maintaining the operation.
However, for most crew members, that means a well-deserved time off. So, how would a superyacht crew utilize their time off?
What does a Superyacht crew member do off-season in South Africa?
It is not unusual for a Superyacht crew member to have long holidays. After all, they have returned from a difficult and demanding work environment. They deserve the rest that comes after it. But how to make the most out of it?
Spending Time with Family
After working for a season or two, it is time to go home and recharge and refresh with your family. If you have been reading our articles, you know how gruesome it can be to work on a superyacht. You barely get to keep in touch with your family. The feelings of isolation and homesickness can make things difficult for a crew member on a superyacht.
However, a much-needed time off like this is when they can decide to spend some time with their family. There are plenty of ways to make memories with your family. This time is precious for family people as it is limited and they will likely return to work when the season begins.
Upskilling Yourself
If you are serious about working on a superyacht long-term, it is a good idea to upskill yourself during your time off. To advance in your career and receive promotions, you will require qualifications.
For example, take a look at this article. It gives a general idea of the necessary certifications to become a Captain on a superyacht.
However, it does not end here.
We all know that the superyacht crew must be versatile and prompt.
You may consider taking courses that may make you the ‘jack of all trades’ sort of person on a superyacht.
These courses may include engine repair, hospitality courses, advanced powerboating courses, navigation-related courses and much more.
Spending Time with Yourself
It’s not always about your family. Sometimes, you are grinding because you have your wishes. It could be world travel, having uncharted adventures, developing a hobby, or simply buying a gaming PC. It can be anything!
Whatever it is, you understand the importance of the precious time off that you are getting. Spend it however you love and be your own king/queen. You deserve it, after all!
Work
Not everyone prefers a life of leisure. Some of us just love to work.
Once you are off-season, you may consider finding some freelance or part-time work in South Africa. If it is relevant to your superyacht career, then all the better. You can use such opportunities to create diverse resumes and invite more opportunities to your doorstep.
Conclusion
Coming back to South Africa after long, tiring months on a superyacht can be a refreshing experience. If you are considering upskilling yourself, Sail and Power SA can help you. With more than 30 years of experience in the industry, we focus on equipping our candidates with the best knowledge and training programs in Cape Town, South Africa.
For more information, please visit our website or contact us today.