SUPERYACHT SERVICE

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IMPERIAL CREW

CREW WITH IMPERIAL

Imperial places the utmost importance on the calibre of our superyacht crew. We ensure that they are prepared and supported for any and every situation.

Life on a superyacht is the epitome of luxury, ultimate comfort, and new experiences. The latest technologies, mind blowing interiors, and incredible infrastructure make a superyacht the most desirable vacation spot for most people. But without a team to keep the yacht alive and to provide the highest level of service, the luxury holiday people dream of is simply impossible. That is why Imperial Yachts pays great attention to selection, training, and supervision of crews on its vessels, relieving the owners of this responsibility. Imperila Crew Recruitment department is staffed by top recruitment experts who have an in-depth understanding of the industry, are familiar with the nuances of all yachting professions and can be trusted to screen candidates, selecting only the very best among them.

Working as part of a superyacht crew is demanding and dynamic, and thus, as a rule, extraordinary people come to work here. They need to know and be able to perform the routine tasks of ordinary sailors, with double the workload. It is not enough for them to limit themselves to their main profession, and it is preferable to be able to work in an additional capacity, such as a paramedic, lifeguard, diving instructor, massage therapist, hairdresser or bartender. New equipment, changing regulations, the digitalisation of paperwork, sanitary measures, trends in sustainability and conscious consumption, confirmation of existing skills... and on top of all that, it takes up to a year to thoroughly master a newly built superyacht that no one has ever sailed on!

In a yacht crew you can meet a variety of people: for some it is their first profession, others have six generations of sailors in their families. There are also people who have come from a related field, so they can not only do what they love, but also travel. So how does recruitment and hiring work in the superyacht industry, what does Imperial Yachts bring to it, and how does it differ from other management companies in this regard? Initially, the captain is responsible for selecting the candidates. After an initial screening of CVs, applicants submit documents and are interviewed by senior officers and then by a relevant representative of the management company and, sometimes, representatives of the owner. It is not uncommon for yacht owners to leave this responsibility entirely to specialists, but some clients prefer to personally review CVs, for example when recruiting senior crew members, and may even meet with candidates in person.

“I am involved in the hiring process of all engineers, whether they are mechanics or AV\IT specialists,” says Ian Harris, Head of Technical Department at Imperial Yachts. “First, they are interviewed by my colleagues, who assess the qualifications and form their own opinions about the candidates. Then I go through their reports, and personally talk to them. This process may seem too complicated to some, but it is what helps us at Imperial Yachts to recruit not just people with the right skills, positive references and a diligent attitude to their duties, but people who understand and respect our high standards.”

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01 Service with a smile – the FLYING FOX crew 02 As well as their main profession it's preferable to be trained in an additional capacity, such as a paramedic, lifeguard or diving instructor 03 The recruitment process at Imperial Yachts is highly professional and designed to select the very best

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“The recruitment process at IY is highly professional and aims at selecting the very best,” the deckhand of LANA superyacht shares his observations. “When I applied for this job, the hardest part was the multi-stage interviews, because there was a lot of time in between, and I had other offers. Nevertheless, I have made it to the end, and I consider myself very fortunate to get a job on a yacht like LANA. Now I continue to study in order to pass exams and become an officer in the near future.”

The intervals between interviews are due to the utmost importance of confidentiality for superyacht owners and guests, therefore Imperial Yachts cannot neglect to vet candidates. By asking them about their previous jobs, managers assess the correctness of the answers and note whether they violate the privacy of previous employers, because maintaining the client confidentiality is one of the most crucial tasks of the company, and one for which we are especially valued.

“In addition to crew selection, we provide a full package of services related to crew work on a vessel, including employment contracts, termination notices and personnel cost records, as well as all aspects of employment according to flag state requirements,” says Emma Laycock, Head of Crew Recruitment & HR at Imperial Yachts. “Additionally, we provide crew members with uniforms, make sure their appearance meets the standards and of course, continually improve their qualifications. Finally, we help prevent conflicts onboard and handle situations, which for whatever reason cannot be managed by the captain. Nowadays, superyacht crews are usually multinational: a variety of cultures and languages enrich the crew, and we encourage mixed teams. Industry has shown that not only individuals with experience in yachting are most in demand right now, but also those who have many additional skills. Professionals who are mentally and physically capable of combining completely different responsibilities onboard are especially valued.”

At Imperial Yachts, we know that every sailor dreams of becoming a captain, and we create necessary opportunities for talented employees to build their careers. The company wants people to stay long term, understand the internal processes and grow within the company. When mutual trust is built, employees are always promoted with encouragement for long-term employment relationships, because in the end it benefits everyone. “Previously I worked on commercial ships and cruise liners, and I have had my Chief Engineer Unlimited licence for 12 years now,” says the Senior Mechanic on the superyacht RoMEA. In that time, I have accumulated management and consulting experience, so now I want to grow in my career as a senior mechanic on one of Imperial Yachts' major projects under construction, where my knowledge and skills will come in handy. At the same time, after working behind an office desk, I realised that I am still a sailor to the core, so I hope to keep going to sea, because that is where I really belong.” A love of the sea and a penchant for travel are the main, but not the only, reasons why people choose to work on private yachts, whose owners usually want them to be run by real professionals. Some psychologists believe that there is no particular personality type best suited to this job, but there are still certain traits without which it would be difficult to work as a crew member. First and foremost, it is openness to communication, the ability to act as part of a team and to find the positives in any situation.

"The beauty of my job isn't just about earning money and seeing the world," explains the stewardess of LANA. "I enjoy meeting and interacting with people from all over the world. Working to the highest standards, I try to look for new ideas guided by the formula “how to surprise and entertain” to make sure our guests have a memorable time onboard. There's nothing better than knowing that you've exceeded all expectations and seeing passengers smile, looking you in the eye, sincerely thanking you and shaking your hand when you come ashore!"

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04 There are a surprising number of diverse skill sets required of the crew to ensure a safe and entertaining charter for the guests 04

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On a private yacht, the crew is best suited to the lifestyle and specific requirements of the owner, whereas on a charter boat you have to get to know the passengers all over again. Some input about the guests comes after the contract is signed and when they arrive onboard, the team turns on all their “sensors” to determine their likes and dislikes and then adjusts to them on the fly. "The yachting industry is constantly evolving, and my job has become much more demanding in terms of ensuring the safety and command of the vessel I am entrusted with," says the captain of the FLYING FOX superyacht. Our job is to ensure that guests can truly relax and unwind in luxury, knowing that their loved ones are taken care of at the highest level. When we succeed and when I see my crew functioning as a unit, I get the greatest satisfaction from my work".

Often, having selected a crew, the management companies will not intervene until problems arise onboard which are reported to them by the owner or captain. Imperial Yachts acts differently: it is proactive in removing the preconditions for such situations to arise and develop. To this end, the company has managers who supervise and control crews and maintain close liaison with the shipyard, contractors and suppliers who were involved in building and equipping the vessel. With vast experience on yachts, they not only provide supervision, but also help the crew to satisfy guests' requests more quickly and efficiently. "We always have to be prepared for the most unexpected requests, whether it is news of a party of two hundred people or the owner's sudden decision to stay on the yacht for another month or two," explains the head of the interior department. "Each of these situations creates stress for the crew, and it can only be reduced by planning such scenarios in advance, so qualified management from Imperial Yachts is very important here".

It is not easy to constantly hit the mark on the expectations of sophisticated passengers, but over the years, managers develop an understanding of what works and what doesn't. For example, the speed of serving guests at the table can be significantly influenced by the layout of the buffet, while a set of pre-conceived “special effects” helps to diversify the experience during spa treatments, and the combination of all this know-how helps to create a special atmosphere for guests. "The level of service our guests receive is 7-star and far superior to any of the best spas on land," says the spa manager of the FLYING FOX superyacht. "Our protocols are constantly being refined to ensure that every spa technician and hairdresser has received proper training and hands-on instruction. I am not new to the spa industry, having been in it for over 20 years and having acquired the basic skills even before I joined the yachting industry six years ago. But Imperial Yachts' standards have definitely improved my professional conduct and the product training for the different brands has broadened my knowledge and strengthened my skills".

Imperial Yachts’ fleet grows every year, and it is in the company's best interest to ensure that its carefully selected, well-trained and well-coordinated crews remain in service as long as possible and that their members, if they do change jobs, do so within the company. "I took the transition from yacht to land as a natural progression in my career," recalls Renata Potalenko, who has worked her way up from stewardess to interior manager. "This change has in many ways reinforced my desire to remain in the industry, not only because it has helped to balance my work and personal life, but also because it allows me to maintain a close connection with yachts. I am involved in their monthly checks, sourcing and selecting crew members, travelling to exhibitions, and staying up to date on all interior design trends. It took me a few months to learn my new specialty: you go from being a crew member to a manager acting as the owner's representative. I had to develop my own management style so that the captain and the team could hear me, while maintaining my own friendly approach.”

Those who have served long and successfully on superyachts know that this is a job for those who are truly passionate about what they do. Those who work hard, constantly improving themselves and are open to new opportunities are able to build impressive careers. It is people like this who become part of Imperial Yachts’ team and work on the most impressive superyachts in the world.

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05 The crew always have to be prepared for the most unexpected requests, whether it is news of a party of two hundred people or the owner's sudden decision to stay on the yacht for another month or two

2022 ...

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