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Ship to Shore

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Rialto Living: Stewardess’ Pick of the Month

Keeping a Cool Head for the Christmas Craze!

Ship to Shore

by Melanie Winters

Hannah Lawes

Hannah Lawes left home at the age of 19 and has since worked on yachts. It took her a few attempts to move from Ship to Shore: “...nothing seemed to match the excitement and freedom I had working on yachts.” She is now based in Antigua working for Starboard Card, an onboard financial management tool that helps manage yacht budgeting, reporting and expenditure.

How long did you work in yachting? Can you tell me about your yachting career – highlights, low points?

I flew to Palma, searching for my first yachting job, in April 2014. Since then, I’ve worked in various interior and exterior roles and had a couple of stints out of the industry. But, I always seemed to gravitate back to boats. Although I had grand ideas of leaving the industry, for years I was never really able to achieve that goal and found it impossible to resist a good itinerary or interesting boat.

I’m glad that was the case though, because there have been so many highlights as a result! I’d have to say that my crossing onboard S/Y Amazon Creek was a real high point for me. It taught me lots about myself and my abilities as a person, as well as a crew member. It also brought me some lifelong friends and was incredibly good fun. I don’t think I’ve laughed as hard or as often as during that time.

I think the same can be said for a lot of crossings. They are certainly unlike any other work environment I’ve known. I so enjoy how your world shrinks and nothing apart from the boat, the crew and that journey seems to matter. I always thought it such a privilege to be able to sail across an ocean and be paid to do it! Now, I’d say it’s probably the aspect of the job I miss the most.

Another high point was actually my very first boat, M/Y Mia Zoi. It was a private yacht that toured the Greek islands each summer, owned by a loud, charismatic Greek Australian. He took great pleasure in teaching his five crew members about the islands we were visiting and his Greek heritage. I always felt very valued in that role and found the experience to be an enriching one. The crew onboard were a real family unit too, which is what I needed at 19, living away from home for the first time.

Of course, it wasn’t all highs, I have had low points too. Most of them were induced and amplified by stress and sleep deprivation though. The work hard, play hard culture in yachting can seem invigorating at first, but wearing sleep deprivation as a badge of honour is something I definitely left behind when I left the industry. Not only is it bad for the head, it can be dangerous in too.

How did you know it was time for you to make the move to land?

As I said earlier, there have been a couple of times when I thought it was time to move on from the industry, but ended up back the next year nonetheless. I think I came back each time because nothing seemed to match the excitement and freedom I thought I had by working on yachts.

But, I think I knew it was time for me to go when the work didn’t excite me anymore. Once I’d realised that, I stopped taking seasonal or permanent work and just took freelance gigs until I worked out my next move.

What was the most difficult thing about the transition?

I always thought that the wage drop would be an issue when I left, but it really didn’t matter, because having a base felt so much

more fulfilling than a healthier bank balance and those kinds of adjustments are often temporary anyway. In truth, it wasn’t difficult because I felt ready for it, so all the little challenges that came with moving ashore were just part of the adventure. I have settled in Antigua, working for a company within the industry, so I don’t feel like my transition has been as big as some, I’m still around boats every day!

What was the best thing about it?

I’m sure I’m not unique when I say that having my own space was a huge novelty for a while. I think it goes further than just physical space though, I have total autonomy over my own life now. I get to choose where I go 100% of the time because my bed isn’t going to leave without me if I want to stay!

What do you do now?

Now, I work for Starboard Card, an onboard financial management tool that helps manage yacht budgeting, reporting and expenditure. So, I still haven’t been able to sever my ties with the industry completely!

I love that my knowledge of the industry has been repurposed to help build a really impressive product that is of genuine benefit to current crew. Accounting is an area of the job not often talked about, but it is important. Managing expenses onboard can sometimes be a hassle but, it shouldn’t be a part of the job that takes up any time at all, considering all the other things to think about during a busy season. I’ve heard so many horror stories about days of reconciliation or thousands paid on crew’s personal cards when the boat card just didn’t measure up. What we’ve built makes things so much easier and I’m glad to have been a part of that.

Do you have any advice for fellow yachties about going land-based?

Make sure you leave the industry because you are ready to do so, not because your current position isn’t the right fit. The next one could be a totally different experience. If you are ready, try and give yourself the space to explore your options. That might be by working in a different capacity for a while, like me with freelancing, or it might be saving up your charter tips all year so you can support yourself while you find your feet ashore.

For me, still being part of the industry in some way has been the right choice, made easier by a flexible company culture that means I can still go sailing if I want to, or go for a swim at lunchtime if I need a break.

PALMA

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Sail Loft: Son Fosquet, 10 - Polígono Son Noguera, Llucmajor, Mallorca palma@incidencepalma.com | (+34) 627 003 185 | (+34) 616 138 032 | www.incidence-sails.com

Michelle Van Der Werff

Founder of Bolsita Verde I: @bolsitaverde.es www.bolsitaverde.es

We take a sneak peek into the routines and lifestyle of a Mallorca based business owner

Michelle explains that Bolsita Verde is a meal kit delivery service, ideal for health and environmentally-conscious Chefs and Stew/Cooks.

Bolsita Verde delivers plant-based recipes -including portioned ingredients- to your doorstep or passarelle! Every week you can take your pick out of 9 recipes. Once you decide [or] have decided on the meal plan that suits you best, you can simply start cooking! It takes the stress out of meal planning and shopping whilst making conscious cooking easy and fun!

Bolsita Verde promises inspiring and healthy recipes, local and organic ingredients, all delivered in reusable and plastic-free packaging. The result is stress-free conscious cooking! You can try it any time without any commitment required!

Running such a great business, with such a clear ethos and message would make anyone curious to learn how you live day in day out. So allow us to be curious and ask about your routines! Starting with...

What did you have for breakfast today?

Yoghurt with my home-made granola and a kiwi. And a cup of green tea.

What does your morning routine look like?

My alarm goes off at 7 in the morning. I’ll put my sports clothes on and either go for a run by the water or do a little HIT workout on our rooftop terrace. Then I’ll take a shower, have my breakfast and I’m ready to rock the day!

What is your number one health habit?

My sports routine in the morning! Before Covid, I always said that I could never do sports in the morning and that I needed to have breakfast before going for a run. But ever since I changed my routine, I couldn’t advise it more. You start your day full of energy and you’ve done your portion of sports for the day. Your evenings are free for whatever comes up!

What is your guilty pleasure?

Cheese!! Coming from the Netherlands, there’s just not a day that goes by without eating cheese. I’ve been guilty of greeting the cheese in the fridge, before even saying “hi” to my boyfriend after coming home from work.

What’s one show you recommend everyone to watch?

A must-watch are the documentaries ‘Game Changers’ and ‘What the Health’.

In Mallorca, where is your favourite place to:

• De-stress: The mountains! There’s no other place where I can completely disconnect and live the moment. • Move: Again, the mountains! Whether on the bicycle or hiking, I can’t get enough of them. • Shop: I love to check out little concept stores. • Dine: Vent in Portixol. Simple and good! • Stay: Palma! Although I’m a big fan of the mountains, I love the city buzz and having everything in walking distance.

Stewardess’ Pick of the Month

Photos: Pär Olsson courtesy of Rialto Living

Rialto Living

Palma’s Rialto Living, conveniently located on Carrer Sant Feliu 3, is just a stone’s throw away from STP and sells a wide selection of eye-catching super yacht must-haves. Have a snoop around and see for yourself. And if you make a purchase, don’t forget to flash your STP (or other) entry card so you can relax in their leafy, oasis-like café and sip on a complimentary “cafe con leche” before you head back to the boat.

Whether you’re seeking upholstery material to spruce up the yacht’s interior or to decorate your own Palma pad, Rialto Living will have you covered. Browse the store’s ground floor and you’ll find an extensive collection of gorgeous interior and exterior textiles, in every shade imaginable. From soft peach to earthy olive and everything in between, either plain or decorated with elegant patterns.

Our favourite in-store collection is made by high-end fabric makers Güell-Lamadrid, popular with interior designers and stylists alike. The collection, evocatively named Mediterranean Seaside, is dreamt-up by Rialto Living’s Swedish owner Klas Kall. What sets this collection apart is that it’s been inspired by some of Mallorca’s most awe-inspiring sceneries. Think Cuevas de Arta’s postcard looks, Puerto Pollensa’s historic charm, and Cala Figuera’s sapphire waters. Kall’s artistic flair has translated the distinct shapes, colours, and textures of these gems into fabrics that will instantly transform the look and feel of any home or yacht.

The Mediterranean Seaside collection’s Bellver Floral and La Calobra Rocks are durable fabrics that are perfect to upholster sofas and armchairs. Orient Road Stripe, Cuevas de Arta, and Puerto Pollensa Waves are cotton/linen blends and ideal to use as curtains. Cala Figuera Stripe is made from 100% cotton. The fabrics feature a stunning array of browns, earthy reds, vibrant blues, and greens as well as neutral colours inspired by the island’s rocks, mountains, and sand. And if you’ve seen a design that is a perfect match for the yacht’s saloon, or your home, talk to Rialto Living’s in-house seamstress. She can whip your material of choice into the perfect sized cushion or seat in a heartbeat.

Keeping a Cool Head for the Christmas Craze!

Ahhh the December holidays – it’s the most wonderful time of the year! Whether you subscribe to Christmas or not, it’s great to have a well-earned break after a year of buckling down. The holidays can be a stressful time as there is a lot to coordinate, plan and prepare. We’re sharing our top three tips to make this festive season the stress-free break that you deserve!

Plan ahead

This goes without saying in terms of eliminating stress in any facet of life but the sooner you start, the better. When you start seeing Halloween decorations, that’s your cue! From writing Christmas cards & ordering presents (specially to avoid the price hikes!) to making sure you’re stocked for the month on all non-durable items so you only need to pop to the shops for the fresh stuff. Do what can be done today and don’t leave it for tomorrow.

Virtual Pursers co-founders, Bec McKeever and Dominique Smit, offer 3 of their top tips for keeping yourself stress-free and organised for the holidays. Virtual Pursers provide yacht administrative assistance to all vessels; no matter the size of the yacht or the extent of the need.

Don’t over-commit and make time for yourself

Don’t RSVP yes to every end-of-year function you are invited to. There is a lot going on this time of year and you will need some free time to get your own tasks done. It is also important that you take some ‘me time’ every now and then to reflect and relax, your family will thank you for it. Whether you’re going abroad, working away, or staying put at home, we hope you have an absolutely wonderful festive season!

Set expectations

We all have an idea of how things are going to go in our heads, and that’s no different for a holiday. If you’re the one doing the planning, be clear about what the others should expect. Be clear with your communication and give others the freedom to not be tied in too tightly to a schedule. A holiday should be relaxing after all! Dominique Smit & Bec McKeever,

Co- Founders of Virtual Pursers; the shoreside solution to yacht administration