For decades, the superyacht industry was renowned for its high standards of service, precision, and excellence, but conversations around crew mental health and well-being often remained behind closed doors. What was once whispered about in galleys or dismissed as “part of the job” has now become an area of focus that owners, captains, and management companies can no longer afford to ignore.

Karine Rayson, Director of The Crew Coach and a long-standing advocate for crew welfare, has witnessed this shift first-hand. “When I first began facilitating conversations on mental health, there was resistance; crew were worried it would expose weakness or harm career prospects. Today, the tide has turned. Awareness has grown, resources are in place, and we are seeing a cultural shift towards valuing the crew as human beings, not just as service providers.”

Raising awareness through collective voices

The journey began with awareness. Over the past few years, forums and roundtable discussions have provided a platform for crew members to share their lived experiences, many of which are for the first time.

At a recent Crew Forum session hosted by Karine Rayson and Caroline Blatter a stewardess *Charlotte, shared her journey of six years in yachting, much of it overshadowed by abuse and silence. From her very first role as a young “green” crew member on a small vessel, she faced harassment and intimidation without any safe reporting channel. On another yacht, the abuse escalated physical assaults, threats to her life, and even rape, yet when she tried to report it, she was silenced by fear and the influence of powerful owners.

What struck everyone listening was the pattern we are noticing through Crews’ accounts of workplace abuse and lack of support. Charlotte became “the problem” for speaking up, while perpetrators were protected or retained. And yet, amidst those years of trauma, she also shared one rare experience of hope: a vessel owner who took her complaint seriously, dismissed the abusive captain, and told her, “The number one thing my employees deserve is to feel safe and respected every day.”

“These forums weren’t just conversations,” Karine reflects. “They are mirrors. They forced us to confront what happens when silence takes precedence over support. Over the years working with Crew whether it be through counselling or our leadership training , I have seen first hand, where Crew have become more confident to reach out for help and HoDs and Captains are beginning to recognise their responsibility not just for safety drills and service delivery, but for creating an environment where well-being could flourish.”

Charlotte’s courage to speak out became symbolic of a broader turning point. Her lived experience underscored not only the human cost of inaction but also the immense power of leadership to change the trajectory for an individual and the broader yachting culture.

From awareness to action

Charlotte’s story and others like it have not been shared in vain. They helped propel the industry into action, shining a light on the urgent need for safe reporting mechanisms, leadership training, and accessible mental health support.

• Onboard training: Mental health awareness courses, once seen as optional, are now being integrated into leadership development. Captains and Heads of Department are being taught how to recognise early warning signs and create safe spaces for disclosure.

• Confidential counselling: Today, more crew than ever have access to counselling services, whether provided through management companies or forward-thinking Captains. These initiatives directly address the silence that kept Charlotte and many others isolated.

• HR frameworks: Through programs like The Crew Coach’s Uplevel Program, yachts are now binning tick box exercises and establishing professional job descriptions, performance reviews, and crew surveys, practical systems that not only improve performance but also protect well-being by giving crew a structured voice.

The ripple effect

The cultural shift is becoming visible. Crew who feel supported stay longer, perform better, and engage more deeply in their roles. Owners benefit from loyalty and consistency, while Captains find they spend less time managing crises and more time building high-performing, cohesive teams.

Most importantly, the narrative is changing. Where once Charlotte’s complaints were dismissed or punished, today more leaders understand their duty to act. “The old narrative of ‘toughen up and get on with it’ has lost its grip,” Karine explains. “Crew are learning that strength lies in honesty, in seeking help, and in supporting one another. That’s a huge cultural milestone.”

Lessons learned

Charlotte’s testimony crystallised key lessons that the industry has since embraced:

• Silence is costly. Ignoring abuse and unspoken struggles endangers not just individuals but the integrity of entire operations.

• Support saves careers. By intervening early and creating safe spaces, leaders prevent crises, protect crew well-being and retain industry talent.

• Leadership sets the tone. A single Owner or Captain who chooses to act, as Charlotte experienced, can transform the culture onboard and set new standards for the industry.

A future built on care

As the industry looks forward, the challenge is to ensure these gains are not temporary but embedded into yachting’s DNA. Forums, training, and structured HR systems must continue to evolve so that no crew member feels they are “the problem” for speaking up.

Karine believes we are at a pivotal moment: “We now understand that well-being is not separate from performance; it underpins it. Investing in crew welfare is not just the right thing to do; it’s a sound risk management strategy. A supported crew reduces turnover, prevents costly mistakes, and builds the resilience every yacht needs.”

Final word

The superyacht industry has come a long way, from silence and stigma to awareness and action. Thanks to voices like Charlotte’s and the shore-based companies that are leading with integrity, the conversation is no longer about whether crew mental health matters, but how we collectively ensure it remains a priority.

The Crew Coach – Unleash Your Potential