Ship & Shore – Emma Kate Ross

I’m a South African rotational crew chef, I have been living in London for the last 5 years and run my business from here. It gives me the opportunity to ground myself and welcome any friends transiting through London and now travel is opening up, use it as a base to travel more of Europe… I have grand plans to finally see the Northern Lights this year!

It’s been over 15 years now, from my first 45m motor yacht, to my current boat, a 66m Lurssen, with a few sailing boats in the middle to keep it interesting.

I started on heavily chartered motor yachts, as a stewardess, then fell in love with a boy on a sail boat, and pretended I could sail so we could work together and spent the next 7 years with him on sail boats.  It’s during this time I made the transition into cheffing by standing in for our chef whilst on her holiday and found that was a much better fit for me. I did a couple of chef courses to build up some skills and confidence, then a stage in notable London restaurants each and every year since to give me more confidence and brilliant food inspiration. I am back on motor yachts now, the walk in fridge and freezer made that an easy decision…

So many! Cruising the South Pacific and daily 7am snorkels in Tahiti.  Swinging in hammocks and reading while the hours melt away until your next watch…Star gazing mid Atlantic and sharing music, books and life’s stories with no interruptions, really living in the moment. The ultimate highlight for me though has to be meeting some of the best, most brilliant people ever. Friendships on yachts are forged in fire and I couldn’t have asked for better people to come in my life, many who remain my friends today, from detailing toilets to packing cars full to help move into first homes, we’ve done it all!

Missing birthdays and weddings, the pain and guilt of not being present for someone you love is a very particular low point most yachties know only too well. Also having to deal with cocaine addled Chief officers and not getting the understanding or support from the Captains or management teams was beyond depressing and dispiriting. Feeling lonely on a boat that is full of people, none of whom are your tribe in life, taking that on and internalising it, rather than moving on to a boat that makes you more content.

It had been a thought for a while, but getting rotation made that a possibility and gave me the time to think and consider what I wanted to do next and plan the exit strategy from yachts.  I am so grateful for rotation as it gave me the time to build a life outside yachts, with the safety of a job and boat I know and the security of a salary that keeps me afloat whilst I build up my company.  I really believe it should be more widely offered to crew of all positions.

The expense! Having to pay for your own food and toiletries and budget for so many more outgoings than ever before. Also having to live a “real life” with no one to beautifully launder your clothes was a wake up call…we are spoilt so much on boats, it was good to take a step back and made me really appreciate the perks when I walk back onboard.

For me it is mostly being able to connect with people at home, being able to be present, say yes to parties, celebrations and life events and actually be there.

Also, the freedom and being able to have control over your daily life, what you eat, where you go and what time you wake up, it didn’t seem important until I had it onshore, now I have it in my life it is much harder to give up when I am back onboard.

I’m still working in yachting and due to my rotation chefs position, I’m fortunate enough to get six months off a year to focus on my company SEAS THE MIND.

I co founded SEAS THE MIND a company dedicated to creating mentally healthy and resilient yacht crew through Mental Health First Aid training. MHFA is an educational course that teaches people how to identify, understand and help a person who may be developing a mental health issue. In the same way, as we learn physical first aid, for STCW95, MHFA teaches you how to recognise those crucial warning signs of mental ill-health.

We offer two Mental Health First Aid training programs for crew, both online and in-person for yacht crews across all departments.  The course is a practical resource for crew to tackle, recognise and fortify their own and others’ mental health on board.  MHFA is an opportunity to reduce depression and anxiety risks in seafarers, which may also reduce risks of injury and illness, and drastically improve crew retention.

What advice would you give to fellow yachties looking to leave yachting?

Be prepared, and get support from family/friends/ anyone. Think through the financial, emotional and psychological implications and plan for the best and the worst. You are going to experience both and they will be wonderful, complicated and frustrating. However, if you know it’s coming and you have people to help you through the tough times and celebrate the good times, you will be doing pretty well!