The 27th Captains' Forum, organized by the Captains' Club at the Monaco Yacht Club, brought together yacht captains and industry professionals to discuss the future of yachting under the theme Superyacht Commitment: Management, Leadership & Mentoring. The event highlighted the importance of teamwork, communication and training of yacht crew on board and we are very proud that our industry-leading President, Laurence Lewis, participated as one of the panellists.

The discussion was opened and moderated by Paul Rose, a British TV presenter, explorer and environmentalist with a strong background in diving and underwater exploration. He emphasised the necessity of good working conditions and effective management for the success and safety of both crew and guests.

Yacht crew with common goal and values

Recruitment was one of the main topics discussed at the event, with Chief Stew Nicola Watton suggesting that a clear vision and a set of yacht values should be established from the recruitment stage itself. "It's important to find crew that are on board with those values, as well as having a mission statement we can all get behind. " she said.

Marianne Danissen, Director of Yacht Management at Camper & Nicholson, stressed the importance of making crew members feel comfortable and valued, advocating for more training opportunities to foster knowledge-sharing and collaboration, stating that "nobody is a natural leader; you have to learn how to be a leader. " She emphasized the importance of a core foundation and values in recruitment, encouraging crew to try swapping positions for a day to get a better understanding of each other's jobs.

Captain Mike Gregory discussed the importance of understanding each crew member's values and behaviors to ensure they fit within the culture of the yacht. He pointed out that investing in crew training has an immense impact on crew satisfaction and longevity and is more cost-effective in the long run compared to the expenses associated with frequent crew replacements.

Captain Peter Fielding shared his experience of encouraging crew members to take take part in the progress and the program of the yacht. "We ask for their opinions and we also have suggestion boxes. You really need to get everybody invested in the progress and the program you are doing. " he said.

Hiring diverse crew leads to increased efficiency

The panelists also discussed the benefits of having crew members with diverse backgrounds and experiences, with Captain Christophe Guégan of M/Y Mimtee stating that having crew members with diverse backgrounds leads to a more efficient crew: "Generally, people start in this industry in their twenties, without much experience, but it's also very good to have profiles with a solid professional career behind them. Everyone comes with their own skills which help develop the crew. It's all a question of balance. "

Laurence Lewis, President of YPI CREW, the leading yacht crew recruitment agency, emphasized the importance of attracting a new generation to the yachting industry and how the role of leadership has been rising significantly. "We are all here to build united high performing team that will give the owners of these yachts an amazing luxury experience and so more than ever we need to attract the new generation." she said.

The panelists urged the need to listen to crew members and address any arising issues, with Life after Yachting consultant Titta Vaisanen highlighting the importance of monitoring crew mental health.

The value of each individual crew member is crucial to collective success. Captain Greg Foster James of M/Y Symphony noted that captains must create the best environment possible for their teams to thrive.

Captain Chris Andreason highlighted the importance of consistency in retaining crew members: "Every time someone leaves, training starts all over again. Turnover is not irrelevant. "

The Captains' Forum underscored the importance of training and professional development for crew retention. The event served as a platform for industry leaders to share their insights and experiences, highlighting the crucial role of training centers like Yacht Club de Monaco's La Belle Classe Academy in shaping the future of superyachting.