For many yacht crew, the off-season can feel like a welcome break. Often, the guests have left and things can be quieter on board. Either way, it’s a great opportunity to improve your skills and look after yourself.
So, whether you’re heading into the shipyard for maintenance, you’re doing a crossing, you’re on rotation, or perhaps you’re searching for your position, let’s take a look at how to make the most of your time during the off season.
Boost Your Skills
The off-season is a great time to focus on professional development. Consider taking courses that could help you progress in your career and become an even more useful asset on board, such as leadership training, specialist service skills, or working towards gaining your yachting Certificate of Competency (CoC).
Maybe you’ve always fancied learning a new language, or getting qualified as a yoga instructor. The world is your oyster.
Network and Connect
The yachting industry is all about who you know. Use the off-season to go to industry events, workshops, and crew meet-ups. These are great places to meet potential employers, keep up with what’s happening in the industry, and make friends with other crew members.
If you are based in Palma and want to join our YCRT yacht professionals network, get in touch today to find out about upcoming events.
Get Out There
For many crew members, one of the best things about yachting is seeing new places. Use your time off to have your own adventures. Whether it’s backpacking around southeast Asia, volunteering for a conservation project, or just going on a road trip in the UK, travel can broaden your horizons and give you a fresh perspective.
Rest, Recharge, and Reconnect
While it’s important to develop yourself, it’s just as important to rest and relax. Use the off-season to catch up on sleep, spend time with your family and friends, and do things you enjoy. A crew member who’s well-rested and refreshed is a real asset when the next busy period starts.
Plan Ahead
As the off-season comes to an end, take some time to think about what you want to achieve in the future. Update your CV, register with crew agencies, make sure your online profiles look good, and start searching for new opportunities.
Have a look at what courses are available and book on while you’ve got some time off. At The Crew Academy all our courses are designed to be flexible to fit around your work commitments and lifestyle.
By using this time to grow, explore, and recharge, yacht crew can make sure they’re ready to go whenever things pick up again.
To view our upcoming courses, visit: yachtcrew.uk/courses.
