The crew 2.0 era is here; how are specialized crew redefining the future of yachting? Rewind 20 years, and typically, yachting was more about being seen in Monaco, sipping champagne. Today, while that element remains, the yachting industry has developed. Yachts move more off the beaten track, owners’ and guests’ demands have shifted, and the charter market has exploded, requiring yachts to stand out from the crowd. While traditional roles remain integral, today’s yachts demand a new breed of multifaceted crew who can offer diverse experiences on board. Charlotte Saunders, a former chief stew with two decades of experience, witnessed this trend firsthand. “The owners and program I worked with demanded specialized skills, from mixologists to scuba divers,” she explained. “We would always struggle to find the right fit for these onboard roles.” This challenge inspired Saunders to launch Inspired Crew, a recruitment agency that connects yachts with a curated pool of crewmembers with extra, unique talents. Ever-Evolving Demands The charter market has become increasingly competitive and standing out from the crowd is imperative — driving this evolution of crew roles. In recent years, the industry has seen an influx of yachts with a content creator on board, typically in a dual role. Charter yachts such as Instagram-famous M/Y Loon have honed their offering and marketing efforts through content created on board. Other yachts such as M/Y King Benji, M/Y Gladiator, and M/Y Project X have onboard content creators who document footage, utilize social media platforms, and create guest videos. “I like to call it the ‘Loon effect.’ Many owners want their charter yachts, like Loon, to increase popularity and bookings. I have had yachts reach out to me for possible dual positions, and they all mention Loon,” said Chris Sparkes, deckhand and content creator on board M/Y Gladiator. But it’s not just about getting likes and follows; guests also demand more action-packed trips, meaning crew with sporting and watersports skills are in high demand. “At the moment, the most requested dual roles are those with an active program surrounding watersports,” Saunders said. It isn’t uncommon to see most charter yachts with experts on board who double as instructors, in areas such as scuba diving and kitesurfing. The rise in health and wellness-focused trips has also added to this dimension of specialisms. “With the increase in wellness charters, we see a lot of specialized spa crew, yoga and pilates instructors, hair stylists, make-up artists, etc.,” Saunders said. Vanessa Ekin, who has worked for more than 20 years in the wellness sphere and is also a yoga and Pilates instructor, says, “The current guests I work with are very into a fitness and health regime. The gym and spa are designed to be part of the wellness experience.” Ekin is currently spa manager and part of the housekeeping team on board a 109-meter motor yacht. Alongside the general demand for yachting, the increasing trend of yachts straying from the milk run and cruising off the beaten track is here to stay, steering experiences farther away from prime yachting hubs. “With yachts traveling farther away to the likes of Antarctica and remote Pacific islands, they lack services and hospitality they may have looked for ashore, so having crew on board with extra skills provides these additional experiences,” Saunders said “For example, musicians, DJs, and mixologists can ensure that a lack of bars is not a problem, while the nurses and paramedic roles on board mean yachts can cruise remotely without worry.” Then there are more unique requests for dual roles such as security, florists, helicopter pilots, nannies, tutors, submarine operators, and specialized sports — the list is as ever-expanding as guests’ preferences. A Dual Purpose While catering to the guests’ demands, dual roles also help crew facilitate their hobbies, passions, and side hustles. “I want to really inspire those looking to join the industry or those on board aiming to develop their career potential,” Saunders said. “When guests can work with an experienced PT, pilates, yoga instructor, or spa services, it adds more value to the experience,” said Josh Goosen, deckhand and personal trainer (PT) on a 100-meter motor yacht. “It also allows me to interact more with guests and crew. You build personal relationships as a PT and help them realize their full potential.” “Dual roles are taxing; simply being in a stew or deck role is always quite mentally and physically challenging, so adding that extra dimension can be tough, but I 100% would say people need to work on other skills, whether videography, watersports, or spa — more yachts are looking to start chartering or offer extra experiences, so to have specialized skill is becoming a must,” Sparkes added. “It’s very noticeable when only a select few crewmembers have extra skills,” said Anél dDe Vos, stew, masseuse, and PT on board 74-meter M/Y M’Brace. “With my PT, masseuse, and drone skills, I get calls in different directions each day compared with someone who doesn’t have a dual role.” Compensating these multi-talented crew members — similar to the broader topic of salaries — remains complex and are based on factors such as yachting experience, relevant qualifications, and demand for additional skills. For example, an experienced DJ transitioning to a deckhand may begin on a lower salary due to limited yachting experience, while a qualified masseuse with prior yachting experience might receive a higher salary. As this trend evolves, we may see more in-depth analysis of dual role salaries going forward. Career Satisfaction A specialized skill set not only helps yachts stand out in the market but also enables the crew to differentiate themselves and pave the way for a future trajectory — perhaps when and if they choose to exit the industry. “I want Inspired Crew to act as that crewmember’s cheerleader, helping them to live their best lives,” Saunders said. These dual roles also help mitigate the ongoing longevity problem and encourage crew to stay in their roles longer. “There comes a time where daily deck/stew duties don’t bring the excitement we want, so having an extra skill you enjoy allows you to find purpose in yachting, especially if you aren’t looking to climb the ladder,” Goosen said. “The market is [currently] saturated with crew, so having these skills helps you stand out with recruiters and yachts while helping with job security once you secure a role,” Sparkes said. “Having extra skills allows your personality to show through to the guests on board, bringing a unique flair to the experiences,” Ekin said. Due to the nature of dual roles in the industry, Inspired Crew mainly has junior crew candidates. “Working with junior crew is exciting as these individuals will be the future of yachting; we want to shape the industry into something more fulfilling and professional,” Saunders said. In addition to balancing her current combined role, de Vos always looks at developing her skills. ”Having a passion that I can incorporate into work is such a blessing; it gets me energized. I recently took over the videography for the boat, mostly during boss trips, because of my interest in it, and I am looking to develop and improve these skills,” de Vos said. “We live in a world where people want to be entertained by education; taking self-learning and upskilling seriously will definitely be viewed positively by any employer, especially in yachting. It’s an industry that can allow you to branch out into different pathways,” Ekin said De Vos also shares that offering these extra skills gives her a sense of authority in the role. “I love being in charge of something but don’t necessarily want to be in the position of a HOD just yet, especially if you don’t have the necessary experience. I feel more valued with all the additional quality I can offer,” de Vos said. An Inspired Future “Inspired Crew is new. We only launched in August, and although we have had some great sign-ups and feedback from crew and yachts, we already have plans for the future,” Saunders said. The company is building a community and sharing its crew network to benefit everyone. They are also considering a freelance option. “There are a few charter yachts that may only need someone doing a dual role just for the week or even a day, so having a dedicated freelance crew will be something we will look at,” Saunders said. The yachting world is evolving, and crew with specialized skills are at the forefront of this change. It’s not just about standing out — it’s about creating a career that’s uniquely yours and truly living your best yachtie life. Are you looking at developing that extra skill? If so, your passion could be your ticket to a long-lasting and fulfilling career on board.