If you’ve been in yachting for more than five minutes, you already know this:
Interior and deck crews are basically in a long-term relationship.

You work together, depend on each other, annoy each other, and, at your best, make an effortlessly smooth guest experience. When things click between the two departments, the entire boat feels calmer, quicker, and more fun. When things don’t click… well, let’s just say the radio calls get a bit spicier.

The good news is, 90% of the tension between Interior and deck isn’t personal. It’s just timing, communication, and perspective. And with a few simple shifts, the whole vibe can go from “mild turf war” to “dream team.”

Why Interior + Deck tension happens (and why it’s totally normal)

The Interior lives in the world of quiet elegance, lint-free everything, perfectly aligned cushions, and soft-close doors.
Deck lives in the world of noise, wind, salt, heat, and ‘we need to move the tender right now!”

Both worlds are hectic, just in completely different ways.

So, when Interior is lovingly placing orchids on the coffee table while the deck is dragging in wet lines and scrubbing the aft deck… a little friction is inevitable.

But recognising that BOTH departments are under pressure (just different pressure) is the first step to making peace.

The golden rule: communication before action

If there were a single magic sentence that prevents 70% of departmental drama, it would be:

“Hey, just a heads-up…”

• Deck letting Interior know when they’re about to start a washdown and to block the doors equals fewer wet carpets (and less murderous looks!)
• The Interior radioing deck that the guests are talking about jet skis makes sure someone is standing by to assist!
• And a million other little snippets of information that are easy to take for granted.

Most drama doesn’t come from the task.
It comes from being surprised by the task.

Creating a smooth guest flow (together)

Once guests are onboard, the two departments ideally become one machine. 

Small habits create huge flow:

• Clear, calm radio calls when guests move. (No mumbling. No cryptic code words.)
• Deck giving Interior a 2-minute warning that the tender is on approach.
• The Interior lets the deck know if guests are heading to the jacuzzi, so they’re ready to assist.
• Agreeing on who is responsible for everything such as, washing and folding  towels, topping up sunscreen baskets, keeping coolers full etc.

It’s choreography, and when it’s done well, trust me the guests notice.

Help each other’s day, not make it harder

This is where the real teamwork shows up. Tiny gestures go so far:

• Interior offering to help with the trash run after a passage
• The deck team seeing the dishwasher needs emptying  and (gasp) emptying it!
• Plating for each other if you can’t make meal times

These little cross-department favours build goodwill, trust, and that “we’re in this together” feeling everyone craves.

Respecting each other’s expertise

The Interior is the domain of detail, textiles, guest psychology, and presentation.
Deck is the domain of safety, logistics, machinery, and heavy lifting.

Problems start when one department “creeps” into the other’s lane.

When everyone does what they do best and supports each other, life is easier for everyone.

At the end of the day, the only goal is this:

Make the guests feel effortlessly cared for.

Not “prove Interior has it harder.”
Not “prove Deck is busier.”
Not “win” a departmental competition.

When both teams think,
“What serves the guest best right now?”
the whole culture shifts.

Suddenly, it’s collaboration over competition.