Green crew is a term used to describe new crew members with less experience in the superyacht industry than their peers.

They may come from a variety of backgrounds, such as hospitality, tourism, and in our case the military. While they may not have the same level of experience as more seasoned crew members, green crew can be a valuable asset to any superyacht team.

There are a number of benefits to employing green crew on a superyacht. They are often eager to learn and grow, and they can bring a fresh perspective to your team. Military veterans are particularly keen to committing to the superyacht industry as a chosen second career, rather than just wanting to work a season or two. We naturally focus on presenting former Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel, whose maritime skillsets perfectly match the needs of today’s luxury expedition and superyacht industry.

When hiring military veterans as green crew, they can bring a wealth of assurance and additional skillsets to deck:

They have an inherent understanding of:

Life at sea
Long term overseas employment
The ability to adhere to and carry out instructions
Rank structure and its importance
Teamwork
Commitment
Discretion
Loyalty
Resilience

And often hold additional skillsets:

Advanced medical training
Commercial and or advanced PADI divers, water sports and personal fitness instruction
EOOW, Y tickets and MEOL
AV, IT and communications understanding
Aviation operations
Extreme cold weather operational understanding [IMO Polar Code]
Drone pilots and videography
SIA Close Protection

Of course, there are also some challenges to employing green crew. They may need more training and supervision than more experienced crew members, and they may not be as familiar with the specific requirements of working on a superyacht. However, with careful planning and management, and support from a specialist recruitment agency, green crew can be successfully integrated into any superyacht team.

How do I make the most of my new yacht crew hire?

Here are some tips for making the most out of your green crew hire:

Be clear about your expectations. When interviewing green crew, be clear about the specific duties and responsibilities of the position. It is also important to communicate your expectations in terms of work ethic, professionalism, and teamwork.
Provide adequate training. Green crew will need to be trained on the specific tasks and procedures of their job. This training should be comprehensive and ongoing. It is also important to provide green crew with access to resources such as training manuals and checklists.
Assign a mentor. Pairing green crew with a more experienced crew member can be a great way to help them learn and grow. The mentor can provide support and guidance, and they can help the green crew member to quickly get up to speed on their job.
Be patient and understanding. It takes time for green crew to learn the ropes. as they make mistakes. It is also important to provide them with positive feedback and encouragement.
Look for candidates who are passionate about the industry. Green crew members who are passionate about yachting are more likely to be successful in their roles.
Hire candidates who are eager to learn and grow. Green crew members who are willing to learn and grow are more likely to be successful in the long term.
Create a positive and supportive work environment. Green crew members need to feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes. Create a positive and supportive work environment where they feel valued and respected.
Provide opportunities for advancement. Green crew members who see opportunities for advancement are more likely to stay with the company in the long term.

Green crew can be a valuable asset to your team, and they can bring a fresh perspective and enthusiasm to your super yacht.

We are deeply committed to placing high calibre military veterans as yacht crew, and as such have a special incentive for clients who take on crew that fall into the green category. You can read more on this here