Sixteen years. It’s a significant milestone. In the maritime world, it’s the age at which you’re legally allowed to become a seafarer. And for The Crew Academy, it represents sixteen years of growth, adaptation, and a determined effort to shape the industry for the better.
Over the last 16 years, we’ve seen the landscape change, and we’ve strived to be a part of that positive evolution, from formalising the Purser role to championing crew wellbeing and equality, and from developing new ways to learn and encouraging HR best practices.
We’d like to extend a huge, heartfelt thank you to the 5000 crew who have studied with us over the years. We’ve seen so many of you progress from the beginning of your careers.
The initial idea
Founded in 2009 by Andrew Roch, we started with a simple yet ground-breaking idea: formalising the Purser role. At the time, this crucial position was often filled by experienced Chief Stews without the necessary knowledge and expertise in specialised areas like finance and legislation. This lack of standardised training led to inconsistencies and inefficiencies. We saw a gap, and we filled it.
Today, we are fast approaching our 1000th Purser graduate, each equipped with the skills and knowledge to navigate the complexities of their role. With the growing number of yachts over 100m, the Purser role is more crucial than ever. These graduates are not just employees; they are agents of change, driving standards upwards across the global yachting landscape. We remain the foremost provider of IAMI GUEST accredited Purser certifications, a recognition of the program’s quality and ongoing relevance.
Making positive waves
But we didn’t stop there. In an industry where needs are constantly evolving, we’ve always believed in pushing boundaries. In 2019, recognising the unique pressures faced by yacht crew, we integrated free Mental Health training into our curriculum. It wasn’t just a course; it was a fundamental shift in how we approached crew development.
This focus on mental health has become increasingly vital, reflecting a broader industry-wide acknowledgement of the need for supportive work environments. In 2024, we also actively participated in the working group that developed the IAMI GUEST Unit 44 – Mental Health & Wellbeing programme, contributing to industry-wide best practices.
To date, we have funded thousands of Mental Health programs, alongside our dedicated Addiction and Recovery programs to support crew struggling with alcohol and substance misuse, spearheaded by Andrew, who brings personal experience and empathy to this critical area.
Championing diversity
This commitment to positive change extends to championing women’s rights and gender equality throughout the industry.
We’ve consistently pushed for diversity and representation across all areas of yachting, and supported numerous crew on their less ‘conventional’ journeys. Our efforts are focused on creating a more equitable and representative industry, ensuring that talent and dedication are the driving forces behind success.
Whether that’s women in Bridge positions or Officers transitioning to the role of a Purser. We believe in fostering an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of gender.
Driving professionalism
The launch of the Yacht Owner’s Representative Program (YORP) in 2023 was another pivotal moment. Driven by SYBAss’s call for greater professionalism in this role, we created a program that attracts a diverse range of professionals, from existing ORs and build captains to Pursers, naval architects, brokers and many more.
Having just completed our fourth cohort of the IAMI GUEST accredited YORP programme, we’ve seen our alumni go on to join the recently-launched Yacht Owner’s Representative Register, led by The Superyacht Alliance, a not-for-profit organisation founded by MYBA, SYBAss, and IAMI with the goal of elevating industry standards, promoting collaboration, and enhancing professionalism.
It’s also been heart-warming to see crew who started their journeys with us over a decade ago who have now completed the YORP and are moving onto an exciting next chapter in their careers.
Recruitment & Retention
Beyond training, we’ve invested in developing and managing talent in the industry. Eleven years ago, we founded The Crew Hunter recruitment agency. What sets us apart is our team: former yacht crew who understand the industry from the inside out. This hands-on experience allows us to provide a level of insight unmatched by other agencies. We take a holistic approach, building long-term relationships with both crew and vessels, ensuring the right talent is matched with the right opportunity.
Moreover, we recognised the need to go meet and exceed the MLC obligations to promote crew welfare and practices in Human Resources, an area that has historically been lacking in yachting. To that end, we developed our HR, Recruitment & Retention course, teaching yachting leaders how to effectively attract, develop, and retain their crews, driving positive change in onboard management.
Learning to Pivot
The Covid-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges, but we adapted. We developed the industry’s first Virtual Learning Environment, ensuring our students could continue their education regardless of location or time zone.
The Crew Academy now delivers the majority of courses online to give crew the maximum flexibility and fit into busy work schedules, while continuing to offer residential and in-person training for those who still want that face to face interaction. This adaptability has paved the way for our latest innovation: kelp.
Launching later this year, kelp. is more than just an online platform; it’s the culmination of 16 years of experience and knowledge. With over 1500 courses, including live training, self-paced learning, and micro-modules, kelp. is designed to empower yacht crew and professionals at every stage of their careers.
How has the industry changed?
Looking back, we’ve seen significant positive changes since launching The Crew Academy: a greater emphasis on professionalism, training, and crew wellbeing. We’re proud to have contributed to this shift, supporting continuous professional development and ethical HR practices.
At The Crew Academy, our mission has always been to make the yachting industry a better place to work. Whilst there’s still work to be done, we remain committed to pushing for progress and embracing the opportunities that lie ahead, to help every individual realise their potential.
As we look ahead to the next chapter, we are excited to see the impact of kelp. in providing accessible and comprehensive training to the entire yachting community. We envision kelp. becoming a central hub for learning, fostering a culture of ongoing development and collaboration.
So, here’s to the next chapter, and to continuing to build a stronger, more professional yachting industry together.
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