Ten Commandments for Success as an Owner

1)  Always provide adequate warning of arrival. If guest numbers increase or decrease, give the crew ample time to prepare.

2)  Provide goals and incentives for your crew.

3)  Provide a good employment package.

4)  Stay out of on board politics. The captain answers to you, the crew answers to the captain. Do not interfere with the chain of command. In a crisis, it is essential that the crew know who is in charge and who is giving orders.

5)  Respect your crew for their skills.

6)  Crew accommodation should be adequate and comfortable.

7)  Pay should be in line with industry standards.

8)  A clear policy on guest and charter tips/gratuities should be in place.

9)  Offering a range of relatively simple perks like free daily e-mail access or use of yacht’s vehicle when in port, go a long way to making crew life on board more enjoyable.

10) To avoid possible conflict in the future have a clear and concise operating budget drawn up in conjunction with your captain and yacht management company if applicable.