Crew safety forum: driving urgent change in the yachting industry

For too long, most crew’s concerns have been dismissed, delayed, or denied. That’s why the crew safety forum is crucial to address these issues.

But when you create a safe space to speak, something powerful happens:

They show vulnerability and openly share their lived experiences. Our recent forums have highlighted that the industry is in need of urgent reform.

In the wake of Paige Bell’s tragic death, what began as a single Crew Safety Forum has become a catalyst for industry-wide reflection and reform.

Captains, crew, industry professionals, risk consultants, and a handful of dedicated advocates have shown up, ready to listen and lead. In future discussions, I hope to see the industry’s leading recruitment firms and yacht management companies step forward to support and help drive this much-needed change.

We’ve sat in Zoom rooms across time zones, and spoken the truths many in our industry still whisper about or worse, ignore.

This isn’t another industry talk shop but rather a co-ordinated industry response and it’s long overdue.

The problems we can’t afford to ignore

Across multiple forums, we’ve heard common themes:

Unsafe reporting environments. Crew still fear retaliation, blacklisting, or silence when they report abuse or misconduct. Even when they’re physically harmed, many still choose to stay quiet.

Poor vetting of crew. Last-minute placements and the pressure to “fill the spot” often override careful recruitment. Criminal history and red flags go unchecked, not out of malice, but because it is not prioritised.

Mental health support is patchy at best. Some vessels offer comprehensive care. Most offer none. Programs like Yachties Minds Matter, Wave Wellness and Yacht Crew Help exist but uptake remains low, and visibility is even lower.

Overwhelmed leaders, underprepared crew. One ex-chief stewardess experienced three deaths on board without guidance, grief protocols, or any formal support. We’re asking the crew to perform at elite levels without giving them the tools to cope.

What’s more concerning is the pace of change.

We don’t lack solutions; there are excellent tools, training programs, and support services already in place. The issue is how slowly they’re being adopted. Despite growing awareness, uptake remains inconsistent, especially in smaller operations or under-resourced programs.

Rather than pushing for blanket standardisation, which risks becoming just another box-ticking exercise, what the industry truly needs is a commitment to raising standards. A nuanced, vessel-specific approach to crew welfare and risk mitigation can be both flexible and robust, if only we’re willing to prioritise it.

A way forward: From crisis response to risk management

Here’s what we are currently working on behind the scenes since our meetings:

A systematic risk management framework
We’re building a practical tool to help vessels assess and address risks, from recruitment through to exit. 

Data-driven decision making
Without data, we can’t prove the cost of churn, burnout, or crisis. We’re working on quantifying the cost of crew turnover and making a business case for prevention.

Training that prepares, not just qualifies
We’re calling for a culture shift in training: from one-and-done certifications to crew readiness that includes emotional intelligence, leadership development, and crisis preparation.

Unified collaboration across the sector
From insurance to management, from recruiters to captains we’re building bridges. Crew welfare and safety are no longer the responsibility of one group. It requires shared accountability, and a willingness to step up rather than look away.

The bottom line: This cannot be another talkfest

The crew deserve better than luck. They deserve systems that protect and support..

I invite you to be a part of the solution.

Join the crew safety forum

Want to get involved in the working groups? Contribute data? Share your tools?

Reach out at karine@thecrewcoach.com or caroline@superyachtpublications.com or find us on LinkedIn 

This isn’t about creating another committee.
It’s about co-creating an industry we can be proud to pass on.