Superyacht Stewardess

How to Manage Superyacht Crew Uniform

How to Manage Superyacht Crew Uniform

A lot of companies provide their staff with uniform workwear, especially if they have to perform some physical tasks or be in constant contact with the guest and this is so true with superyacht crew.

Uniforms can make work personnel look more professional and it helps businesses appear more established and trustworthy. However, having all your crew wear uniform can be costly if not managed properly.

The establishment of specific applications such as a uniform inventory management program in superyachts can help reduce and even eliminate misuse and wastage of uniforms. It may even enhance the overall efficiency of work operations.

The basic stock control system

A superyacht should have a uniform and even linen inventory management system in place. Large establishments use the bar code system in keeping their inventory updated and this can also be used in huge yachts, especially if the owner maintains more than one boat.

However, even if this type of system is quite effective, it can be very labour intensive because the success of the program relies on workers scanning every uniform on an individual basis. Unless this entire task is completed, you can never have a reliable inventory file.

It also requires a sizable amount of money because the boat owner has to purchase scanning equipment in order to track the uniforms effectively.

Super yacht Stewardess

Super Yacht Crew Uniform:

Changing crew what to do with the old uniform. There are large establishments which designate a uniform manager who takes care of the purchase, distribution, and handing out of uniforms. On a superyacht, this is usually managed by the chief stewardess or the chief housekeeper on a mega yacht.

For the purpose of this chapter, I will refer to the manager as the chief stewardess. The chief stewardess, in effect, takes care of the image of the yacht by making sure the crew wear the right uniforms and that these work clothes are maintained and are kept neat and clean at all times.

The chief stewardess, should conduct uniform inspections and check new uniforms when they arrive. She also tracks the number of uniforms needed and places the order for them.

She is in charge of stocking for future distribution. Most of the time, she also takes care of laundering, repair, and other maintenance jobs in connection with uniforms.

The Old Uniform

This is where a little common sense and good judgement comes into play and it is a bit of a no-brainer.

  • If the uniform is in good condition keep in and return it to the uniform stores.
  • If it is worn, then use it for downtime.
  • If it is really worn then cut it up for rags.

Choose a Uniform Supplier

Whenever there is a need for new uniforms, the chief stewardess will buy them. She meets with clothing manufacturers and tailors to check for swatches and customize uniforms to the yacht’s specific standards.

This may include considerations regarding employee comfort when working at different temperatures and textile performance under strain. Especially when onboard a boat. There are many uniform suppliers that can offer their services.

Please refer to the Yachting Pages for a full list of uniform suppliers in your area.

How to Store Uniform with Limited Space

The smart use of space onboard is sometimes ignored in the boating industry. Making sure that you have enough space for storage can have a huge impact on a yacht’s efficiency. Making sure that you have ample room for uniform storage inside the boat can lead to a harmonious and productive staff.

Modern boat manufacturers make use of furniture to provide extra space. Most furniture inside super yachts serves more than one function. Sofas can be used for seating and storage as well. Deck benches can also act as stowage for shoes, towels, and a lot more. As with all stowage, make sure your inventories are kept up to date.

Superyacht Crew Uniform

Case Study

How many uniforms should I order?

This is a question that I get asked A LOT, and to be honest, it really depends on so many variables, for example, the uniform requirements of a 30 m sailing yacht will be a lot different to that of a 120 m mega yacht.

Other factors to consider are as follows:

  • Is the yacht private or charter?
  • How often does the crew change?
  • How often do you change the style of the uniform?
  • How much storage do you have specifically for the uniform?

For example, let’s look at a 50 Motor yacht

  • The uniform style stayed the same for a few years.
  • The crew changes on average every 2 years.
  • The owners are on board a moderate amount of time.

I understand that many other people would issue much more uniform, however, I  think it is important to consider the crew’s living space, therefore if you pack the crew cabins with uniform then ultimately the uniform will get squashed and pushed around to accommodate personal belongings. 

In the end, you will find that giving crew too much uniform will just make extra work for the stewardesses.

Note: The on charter uniform will vary with ties, epaulettes etc. per the yachts uniform design.

For a general overview, I would issue the following:

On Charter:   

  • 4 Polo shirts
  • 4 Shorts/skorts
  • 1 Pullover
  • 1 Day shoe
  • 1 Night shoe 3
  • Nightshirts
  • 2 Night trousers/skirts
  • 1 Spray jacket

Off Charter:

  • 3 T-shirts
  • 3 Shorts
  • 3 trousers
  • 1 Shoe
  • 1 Gilet
  • 1 Fleece
  • 1 Spray jacket

Concerning the engineers and the chefs. It is important that they have the same uniform as everyone else, as well as their technical uniforms.  I would lessen the amount of general wear to 2 pieces each IE shorts, polos, T-shirts and issue them with the specific technical uniform that they require.

Super Yacht Crew Uniform

Below are just a few uniform suppliers to get you started, however, there are many places that you may visit to find that perfect crew uniform.

For a comprehensive listing start by visiting The Yachting Pages,

In addition to the above, if you would like your uniform business listed here, please email admin@stewardessbible.com and we will list it on this page free of charge.

Country

Uniform Supplier

Web Address

France
 Antibes: Dolphin WearSea Design www.dolphinwear.comwww.sea-design.com
Italy
Rome:Varese: Just Uniforms Crew – JIT ItaliaFloating LifeStyle www.uniformcrew.itwww.floatinglifestyle.com
Spain
Mallorca: Deckers Ocean Attire www.uniforms4yachts.com
Mallorca Clothing Company www.mallorcaclothing.com
Wave Uniforms www.waveuniforms.com
USA
Ft Lauderdale: Haute Yacht Wear www.hauteyachtwear.com
  Smallwoods www.smallwoods.com
  Antibes Yacht Wear www.antibesyachtwear.com
  World of Yachting www.worldofyachting.com
 

The Interview Process: Selecting the “Right” Stewardess

While “want to be yachties” are walking the docks and putting their best smile forward in interviews, you as the Chief stewardess/interior manager, also bear some responsibility for the success of the process…

I mean at the end of the day this new crew member is going to be living with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so it is important to get it right.

The Interview Process: Selecting the “Right” Stewardess

So let’s start at the beginning… Depending on how your yacht operates, more than likely the Captain has had a role in the process and with your assistance, have managed to narrow the harrowing list of potential stewardesses down to the top 4 candidates.

Get your facts straight:

Before you even put the word out there about the position available, you need to establish the facts:

  • What position are you looking to fill?
  • What is the salary, insurance, vacation package, etc.?
  • What are the details of the yacht, i.e., size, age?
  • What is the cruising program?
  • An overview of the owners and crew. Do not go into great detail here is this is a sensitive area due to privacy issues etc.
  • What they will be wearing
  • What times they are expected to work
  • What is expected of the candidate as a team member on board XXX

How to select the short list:

When selecting the short list of candidates, you will need to look at the stewardesses/stewards who possess the critical criteria for the job.  You don’t need to worry so much about the non-critical criteria, because you as a “super stewardess” can instruct the candidate and your team at a later date.

Critical criteria is quite a simple concept… can they do the job? Make sure they reach at least 60 to 80% of the skills, traits and abilities that you are looking for.

For example, you may be interviewing for a strong second stewardess, the critical criteria will be:

  • 3 years’ experience on a vessel 50m and over
  • Good communication skills
  • Excellent leadership skills
  • A good understanding of superyacht operational procedures.
  • Excellent personal presentation

What to look for in potential candidates:

Now that you have the short list ready and you are about to spend your precious time and their time on an interview, make sure that you prepare for the interview in advance… “Don’t just wing it”.

  • Will they fit in with the crew and with the organisational structure?
  • Do they have a pleasant personality
  • Do you have a good feeling about them? (Trust your intuition here… it will not fail you).
  • Are they suitable for the position?

This is where you get to find out who they are. This is a little more difficult to gauge as you will need to find out as much about the person as possible in a very short time. Further, the candidate may unintentionally lie about who they really are. They may be nervous, therefore, not show their true colours.

To find out as much as you can about the candidate, adopt the 80%, the 20 % rule. You listen for 20% and let them do most of the talking.

  • Listen carefully
  • Watch their body language
  • Take notes

Remember that skills can be taught, but a person that is not a right fit for the team can be professionally and emotionally costly.

Look for transferable skills:

This is something that I think gets grossly overlooked in the superyacht industry. Obvious industries that are relevant to the superyacht interior department are:

  • Customer service
  • Hospitality, hotels, airlines, cruise ships etc.
  • Health care industry such as nursing, aged care worker, home help
  • Beauty industry

During the interview process the candidate will have a chance to effectively demonstrate their skills, for example:

  • You may be interviewing a junior stewardess, but you need to know if they can do it. Test their hospitality knowledge by asking some simple customer service questions, wine knowledge, types of service and cocktail knowledge.

Facilitate open communications:

Excellent communication skill is a must in the superyacht industry. Break the ice, by asking about their morning (something completely off topic). Keep the questions on track by asking open questions, which will provide valuable insight into their personal characteristics.

If you need to ask personal questions (which you will need to), try to keep it as respectful as possible. For example, do you have tattoos, are you in a relationship etc.

Next step is to try to gauge their communication patterns. In my opinion, it is hard to teach someone tone, speed, and sense. This takes a lot of time and patience on your behalf.

For example:

  • The candidate consistently uses inappropriate language. You really don’t want a stewardess who just does not shut up and is clearly annoying the guests, but she doesn’t see or can’t read their non-verbal signals.

Look and Act professionally in the interview:

Obviously, it is just as important that you look your best for the interview, remember that you are representing the yacht. Other tips to remember here are:

  • Be on time,
  • Conduct the interview away from noise and distractions
  • Do not patronise the candidate, I think everyone can learn something from the other person.
  • Do not get involved in any drama. If the candidate is wrong for whatever reason, concluded the interview in a timely manner, thank them for their time and move on.

The interview questions:

This obviously is a topic that can vary enormously, so I will write down just a few of my favourite interview questions.

  1. Did you have a good morning? (Icebreaker question)
  2. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself? (Standard “getting to know you” question)
  3. Tell me about your greatest achievement? (This looks for what the candidate values)
  4. Have you ever felt overwhelmed in a job? (This looks at what the individual finds hard, and how they potentially solve the problem)
  5. What prompted you to apply for this job (This looks at motivation, money, travel, career progression)
  6. What are your greatest strengths, list 3 (This examines what they can bring to the yacht, it doesn’t have to be professional skills it can be anything).
  7. What motivate you professionally? (What do they actually want from the job)
  8. What do you look for in a leader? (Can they be truthful with you their boss)
  9. When you work with a team, describe the role that you are most likely to play on the team. (Are they a leader or a follower)

 

The above article was a combination of over 15 years in a management role. The questions changed over time as did my interviewing style. The important thing here is to remain flexible and honour your current position responsibility.

Finally, my biggest tip here is to follow your gut feeling, your intuition. I say this because the yachting industry is not a regular industry. This new candidate will also become your housemate and it is just really important to like the person as well as the person being able to do their job properly.

 

 

 

 

The Superyacht Stewardess & Conflict Management.

The Superyacht Stewardess & Conflict Management.

For many in the hospitality or service industry for that matter would have heard the expression “the customer is always right”, and I guess for many this is true. But what about dealing with conflict that may occur with your colleagues or that guest is just stepping too far over the line (yes there is a line!).

This article will examine boundaries and how to handle conflict in a manner that won’t break your spirit or destroy your belief system.

The Superyacht Stewardess & Conflict  Management.

Conflict usually occurs when two or more individuals demonstrate differing needs and can occur between employees, management and customers”.

Sadly, conflict for many of us is unavoidable and is a part of life; how it is resolved can make the difference between positive and negative outcomes for all parties involved.

Given that there is a very high turnover of professional crew from season to season, I believe that conflict resolution is an important element for senior officers and departmental heads to master.

Furthermore, I believe that is equally as important for individuals to take personal responsibility and accountability for their actions in the conflict.

Conflict within the crew:

We are shaped by family, culture and experiences, which can at times create a polarizing effect with colleagues. Each conflict is unique and can have its own dimensions and behaviors to the conflict situation.

This, in turn, can affect work performance and have a negative impact on the individual who is already under the pressures of the hospitality industry.

Due to the very nature of working at sea, there are limited resources to ‘de-stress’, lack of personal space, cramped crew accommodations, and long work shifts can result in poor work performance, demotivation and even depression.

Conflict may occur for many reasons, some may include:

  • Poor communication processing.
  • Exhaustion and stress due to the nature of the work.
  • Personality clashes.
  • Poor interdepartmental cooperation
  • A poor internal culture created by a senior crew (i.e. Captain, Chief Engineer, Chief Officer).
  • Hierarchical dominance and lack of respect for fellow colleagues.
  • Sexual social difference and behaviours.

In my experience, conflict within the crew usually occurred due to a combination of two or more of the above points. Professional superyacht crew, in general, is usually very nice open-minded people, therefore it is unusual that conflict will arise due to one reason only.

Furthermore, (and this point is specifically in relation to the interior department, that consists predominantly of women), in my experience I found that avoidance of the initial irritation led to an escalation in the conflict, which required more energy and resources to mediate.

The difference in the genders on board also results in the difference in behaviour. For example, conflict on deck seemed to be resolved faster and with greater ease than that of the interior department.

However, a conflict between genders took much longer and seemed to linger on and on. This difference in gender behaviour can be researched independently, however my hypothesis for this is that many women working in a male-dominated industry (for various reasons) feel highly stressed, which alters their psychological state, and can affect their sensitivity and affect how they communicate effectively.

 

More about The Super Yacht Stewardess & Conflict  Management is in my new book:

The Stewardess Bible: Achieving Excellence in Service – Module One.

Stewardess Bible

Conflict with a Guest Case Study

When a Situation Conflicts with your values.

In this case study I will use an example where the conflict occurred against my inner values and belief system. We were half way through a very busy 2 week charter, yes, I know all charters are busy, however we were travelling with another yacht, in and around the St Tropez area .

Everything was going well until one day it was our turn to host the cocktail party. The conflict occurred when one of our guests was showing off to another guest , he was a hunter and was boasting that he had shot over 5000 birds (of some kind) one of his hunting trips.

The next statement he made was even more damaging. He went on to say that he had shot and killed a black rhinoceros on his last African safari. He was bursting with pride. As my stomach was turning I looked over and saw the horror and absolute devastation on the South African deckhands face as he was tiding up the sundeck.

My first instinct was to protect the deckhand from hearing any more of what this guest had to say and he was removed from that area to work in another. Secondly, I had to check my own behavior and body language. The thing about conflict with your inner values is that they are your values.

I don’t know if what the guest said is true or not and that is exactly the point. People say things for different reasons. Killing an endangered species is illegal, and killing anything for fun just makes me feel sick, however hunting is not illegal and the feeling sick part becomes my problem.

How would you handle such a situation?

Thank you for reading my article: The Super Yacht Stewardess & Conflict Management.

Time Management

Time Management

A skill every superyacht stewardess must learn to master.

The life of a superyacht stewardess is incredibly busy with many tasks demanding her attention seemingly all at once, therefore time management is the greatest skill that a superyacht stewardess can possess.

  • Time management is the ability to effectively manage your goals by implementing good planning and task management.
  • Poor time management can be related to lack of focus, distractions and procrastination, as well as problems with self-control and personal power.
  • If you are a stewardess who wishes that there were more hours in a day, then below are some helpful tips to help you achieve more throughout the day.

Focus:

The more you focus on a set task the more you can achieve in a day, additionally the less you focus on the task the more distracted you become which results in a sub-quality of work.

Delegate:

Many people attempt to do everything themselves, which quite often results in a burnt out and stressed out stewardess. However many tasks can easily be assigned to other colleagues so that you have more time to accomplish the most important tasks.

  • This is a very valid point to make if you are the Chief Stewardess or second stewardess and have a more structured day.
  • If you are a junior stewardess than this is an important point to make if you are feeling inundated with too much work, let your superiors know what task you are up to so that they can redistribute the workload.

Priorities Tasks:

Procrastination and putting off tasks that can be completed during the day is a recipe for disaster.
Procrastination occurs for several reasons:

  • You do not like the job
  • You are too tired
  • You do not have the skills to complete the task within the time required

Quite often because of the above reasons, this leads to avoidance of the task. Therefore, it is a good idea to do the more challenging tasks first, when the team is fresh and has enough mental energy that is necessary to complete the task.

In addition to this tackling, the more difficult or unpleasant jobs first reduces the amount of time to build up stress and anxiety, making it seem less hard.

Set Goals:

Setting goals is a very effective way of achieving workplace demands in a timely manner. By simply setting a goal you can organise your day, week and month better.

One advantage of setting a goal is to improve time management and to have a realistic understanding of how much can be achieved in one day. However, a goal must be set in an effective manner, for example:

  • The right person must be delegated to the task.
  • You must have enough resources to achieve the goal.
  • It must be a realistic goal.
  • You must be interested in achieving the goals set.

Meet the deadline early: Deadlines are there to help us manage our time better. Certain tasks are inevitable and must be met by a certain time. Rushing to get a job done can result in poor attention to detail, however, if you break the big task down into smaller manageable jobs that can also be delegated then the task can get done before the deadline and with a higher standard of work.

Stay Organised

Organisation and time management are like two pee’s in a pod. Many people waste time by:

  • Playing on the computer.
  • Messaging their friends.
  • Or just being too consumed by too many things at once.

To stay organised follow these simple steps:

  • Maintain a cleared workspace, clutter is a killer of time, every day clean your workspace. This will ensure a clear mind and a more efficient way of working.
  • Make sure you have the tools and resources readily available to you.
  • Keep your day planner or schedule up to date, when one task is finished strike it off the list, and if it is not completed on the day, put it down to be completed the following day, or work the extra hours to get the job done.

Minimize stress:

The effects of stress on the body can be damaging, and there are many books written about this subject.

Stress impairs your ability to manage your time well.  To effectively manage your stress, identify the triggers. Next, remove the triggers, or if this cannot be done to take steps to reduce the amount of stress that you place on yourself by

  • Sleeping well.
  • Eating right.
  • Exercise daily.

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How Much Does a Superyacht Stewardess Get Paid?

How Much Does a Superyacht Stewardess Get Paid?

Working on a Superyacht can be described as a bittersweet experience.

It is work characterized by a mix of extreme highs and extreme lows. The adventure that is touring some of the most exotic destinations on earth also doubles up as around the clock service job for the yacht crew, specifically the Super Yacht stewardess.

A yacht stewardess is charged with the responsibility of making sure the hospitality and accommodation bit of the guest’s stay is up to standard, any time any day. This then begs the question: What is the Super Yacht Stewardess Salary?

Before deliberating on the salary, it is important to understand the job description of the Superyacht Stewardess

In this regard, one begins by appreciating the other yacht crew members offering services to the guests in the yacht. They are the:

  • Captain
  • First officer
  • Second mate/bosun
  • Deckhand
  • Engineers and the chefs.

A stewardess’ work is complemented by that of the other crew members. The number of crew members, except the captain, of course, depends on the size of the yacht and/or the number of guests.

This goes to show that for each crew member there’s a clear job description. For the stewardess, the job description comprises a host of tasks; some of which are sometimes not put in writing.

A stewardess is responsible for everything that happens inside the yacht, although, this is the general description of all stewardesses who exist in three categories.

Yacht Stewardess Elegant Table Setting

There’s the chief stewardess:

Senior or first stewardess and a junior stewardess or stewardesses depending on the size of the yacht. The senior and junior stewardesses mostly feature in major and medium-size yachts.

Small yachts tend to have one stewardess, who attends to the needs of the guests.

The job description is a cocktail of housekeeping activities which needs a can-do attitude for the better part of the day. The stewardess is expected to provide 7-star services when it comes to dining, drinking, laundry and cleaning up services, floral arrangements and cabin preparation.

Stewardesses also obtain local currency besides planning trips/events and arranging transport for the guests. Their job mainly involves serving the guests and ensuring that their trip is as enjoyable as it should be.

A stewardess is answerable to the chief stewardess or the captain of the yacht she is on.

In this position, she anticipates every situation before it happens. The Stewardess’s ability is pinned on how much attention she pays to detail and the way she carries out her duties.

She should be fast to learn every guest’s preferences and need and use this to make them as comfortable as possible on the yacht.

There’s no such thing as a typical day at work for a stewardess; work for a stewardess has no specified time and requires that one be prepared for any outcome.

For one to qualify as a stewardess, they would need a convincing background in the service industry such as customer care or hospitality, culinary mastery and/or housekeeping.

The other important requirement would be STCW95 and ENG1. It is an added advantage to possess the mastery of silver service, wine knowledge, cocktail service and bartending skills.

In addition, it may not be written but a stewardess is a discrete person who practices confidentiality and displays good organizational skills. A Chief stewardess may also be called upon to see to IT/ accounting and management matters.

The guest also expects that the stewardess speaks his/her native language, therefore being multi-lingual comes in handy.

Cocktails

Upon review of this information, we re-visit the earlier question:

What is the Super Yacht Stewardess Salary?

A look at the industry’s salaries reveals that position matters and hence a chief stewardess’ salary is not similar to a junior stewardess’ salary neither is a 20-30 meter yacht stewardess’ salary the same as one working in an 80 meter plus yacht.

Besides position and size of the yacht, experience, use of the yacht (charter or private) and the style of the boat (power or sail) play a major role in determining how much a stewardess on Superyacht gets paid.

Other contributing factors include qualifications of the stewardess and the travelling itinerary of the yacht.

On average, a Super Yacht stewardess gets paid about £1,750 – £3,000 on a small yacht and £ 2,500 – £ 4000 per month on larger yachts.

Important to note is that these salaries are not inclusive of tips which add to the salary amount. Though they add to the salary’s final tally, tips hinge on the guest’s resolve.

Stewardesses are expected to file their own personal income tax in accordance with the tax rules and regulations of their respective countries. In most cases, this is done with the help of an International tax guru.

While on board, a stewardess is entitled to food and drink, accommodation, basic toiletries and uniform, transport to and from home and others on board expenses.

In fact, most yacht owners cover the stewardess’ health and accident insurance. Furthermore, on the stipulated annual 4-6 week holiday, a stewardess is paid in full. Pay increment is dependent mostly on performance.

In essence, the stewardess does not incur any costs related to overheads. However, the stewardess is expected to provide for their personal effects.

In matters of career progression, a stewardess advances to become a purser.

A purser’s role is mainly administrative and found mostly in extremely large yachts. In this position, one works for a monthly income of between £ 4,500 and £ 6,000.

She is however required to have strong and competitive skills in administration, crew management and all service industry abilities.

Other stewardesses progress career-wise to become more influential staff members in the hotel industry such as operations managers. There are those who move to become housekeeper/butler of the yachts owner’s residence or even secure a job in a cruise liner.

For some, this compensation is not enough for the stewardess’ hard work and diligence; while others see it as one of the best jobs to cultivate a savings culture.

There’s much about being a stewardess which hasn’t and can’t be documented. How much a stewardess is paid plays a big role in service delivery. However, it is passion and determination for the job that makes a stewardess appreciative of the payment received.

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What Does A Superyacht Chief Stewardess Do?

The superyacht chief stewardess has all of the qualities of a yacht stewardess only more refined. She is an elegant, bubbly hostess with a warm welcoming personality, with the knowledge and experience to can get the job done.

Who is the superyacht chief stewardess?

The superyacht chief stewardess has all of the qualities of a yacht stewardess only more refined.

She is an elegant, bubbly hostess with a warm welcoming personality, with the knowledge and experience to can get the job done.

The superyacht chief stewardess is a yacht stewardess who has the most experience among those in such a position. A professional in this position usually reports to the captain of the yacht directly.

  • She will be in charge of the yacht interior. The male counterpart in a similar position is usually known as a superyacht chief steward.

The duties of a stewardess in such a high position are quite varied. If you think that a job at such a level would suit you, then you need to be familiar with the job description of a superyacht chief stewardess.

The following job description is a broad generalisation of some of the roles of a chief stewardess and it is important to note that the job description and duties will vary for each yacht, depending on size, culture and geographical location.

What Does A Superyacht Chief Stewardess Do?

When considering the role of the chief stewardess, one must think along the lines of a hotel manager.

Hospitality

The superyacht chief stewardess is the ultimate go-to person with regard to the hospitality services that are provided to the guests. It is her job to ensure that she anticipates the needs of the guests.

This will enable her to give instructions for the stewards and stewardesses to meet those needs.

Some of the services that she is in charge of include ensuring that guests have the meals and drinks that they need. She is also in charge of ensuring that guest activities keep the guests happy and occupied.

The chief stewardess is also in charge of making sure that guests in need of valet services are able to obtain them. If a guest needs, local currency, she will have to make sure that it is obtained. Transportation and personal shopping for guests will also be her responsibility.

Housekeeping

Depending on the size of the yacht, the chief stewardess may or may not be hands-on with housekeeping duties. However, she is responsible for keeping the vessel clean and she is in charge of organizing the stewardesses/steward’s who will execute the housekeeping duties.

The ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the yacht is clean and comfortable for both the guests and the crew is on her. If anything goes wrong, then all the responsible parties will be held accountable by her.

All cleaning and polishing of the cabin and property of guests are supervised by the chief stewardess. The chef of the yacht is responsible for the food and kitchen.

However, the chief steward needs to make sure that the standards of hygiene in the galley are upheld. If those standards are not upheld, then she will be accountable to the captain of the vessel.

The superyacht chief stewardess will also be required to liaise with the galley when it comes to menu planning. This is to make sure that any special nutritional needs that guests have been taken into account and met.

Super Yacht Stewardess

Vessel Operations

Everything that is required to run the interior of a superyacht successfully is in the hands of a superyacht chief stewardess. For that reason, keeping the inventory of all the items needed within the yacht falls on her shoulders. If anything is missing, then it falls on this professional to find out the parties accountable.

The interior accounting duties are the responsibility of the chief stewardess. She needs to be able to reconcile the accounts. Anything that has been purchased for use within the yacht must be accounted for.

Budgeting for things that need to be purchased is also her responsibility. If the financial system she is using does not provide accountability, then it is her duty to report the matter to the captain. Even the purchasing of items needed for both the crew and the guests of the yacht is part of the job description.

Human Resources

The chief stewardess is only as good as the team who is supporting her. In order for a yacht to be fully functional, then it needs a number of people to perform different functions.

The superyacht chief stewardess is responsible for obtaining these people. She will be required to source for the staff, which may include housekeeper, stewards and stewardesses. The job of vetting them is hers because she will be in charge of them.

While the captain is ultimately responsible for the maintenance of discipline in his vessel, any issues of discipline that come up will likely go through the chief stewardess first.

If one of the crew is slacking on the job, she will be responsible for rectifying the situation. She is also responsible for ensuring that the crew within the yacht treat the guests with respect and in a professional manner.

Any difficult cases of indiscipline are likely to go through her to the captain.

Working in a yacht every day can become quite difficult, especially for the newer crew of the yacht. The work of motivating the stewardesses, especially those at the entry level position falls on the superyacht chief steward.

She has a duty to ensure that there is a fair distribution of duties among her juniors. She is also responsible for creating a rotational chart that will vary the duties among all the people working under her.

Vessel Management

In order for any yacht to keep on operating smoothly, there must be guidelines and policies that each person follows the letter.

As with every department head, the chief stewardess is responsible for the execution and maintenance of the policies, rules and regulations within the yacht.

She is also in charge of creating and updating manuals for both guests and employees within the vessels. These are meant to provide information while guiding the conduct of everyone on board the vessel to establish order.

Safety

During emergencies, everyone on board must have a clear direction of what is required of him or her. Safety is part of the job description of a superyacht chief stewardess too.

Depending on the operational procedures of the yacht, generally, she is in charge of ensuring that boats for emergencies are stowed away properly.

She is also responsible for ensuring that safety is maintained in the event of any emergency that occurs at sea.

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