What does a typical workday look like for you - if there is such a day?
It’s true that there’s no typical workday in this industry. You go to bed and have a rough plan for the next day but in the morning, circumstances can be completely different.
Since we’re a charter boat, I can still tell you a little about our structure on board. We usually get up at around five or six in the morning. Each crew member has their own area of responsibility and I’m in constant communication with all of them. I do the basic planning for the day’s itinerary and also check which technical jobs have to be done.
After breakfast we usually go out on our first excursion. This can be to the swimming pigs, the sharks, the Lazy River or some other place. Then after lunch the guests can either do water sports, go swimming or go with us on another excursion.
I interact with everyone on board to make sure everything is running smoothly. I talk to the guests and make sure they are happy. But I also look out for my team. We do what we do because we love it, and I want to make sure they're doing well, too.
What do you like most about your job?
What I love most about my job are the relationships I have with my crew members. We are like a little family and we`ve created an environment on board in which everyone feels comfortable.
Often, people even approach me wanting to know if I have a vacancy on the yacht. That´s quite a compliment for me. You don´t always see the camaraderie that we have on other vessels. It took me a long time to create such an environment, but the fact that we have it means a great deal to me.
On the one hand, my crew can sometimes be the most difficult part of my job. But on the other hand, the relationships I have with my crew are the most rewarding part of my job.
It’s never easy to deal with different people and personalities.
Exactly. Different personalities, backgrounds and age groups come together and that doesn't always make it easy to get along.
Another thing I love about my job is navigation and handling the yacht. I love maneuvering through a new area, studying charts and making plans. Navigation is very rewarding for me.
I also love all the trappings that come with being on a charter boat.On a busy charter boat like ours, there is always a lot to do. You're in constant touch with crew management off the boat, supplier management, managers or the owner of the yacht, as well as with prospective charter guests. Not to mention everything that needs to be taken care of mechanically on the boat itself.
During your work, you probably visit many beautiful places: Which of these places fascinates you the most?
I love Cuba because the people there are incredible. But the Bahamas is my home away from home. Some people here have become family to me. A few months ago I had an emergency at sea where my mate broke his hand. We were pretty far out in the outer islands where there is no medical help.
But five different locals helped me get him off the yacht and onto a plane so he could have surgery in the States. The relationships I've built here are just incredible.When I called about an emergency, they dropped everything and were there for me immediately. It's not the landscape that makes a place, but rather the people who live in it.
Navigationally, the Bahamas are also a challenge for me because it’s difficult to navigate the waters surrounding them.
In what way?
The water is very shallow and there are many uncharted coral heads, which can be a little tricky. As a rule, we don't go at night unless it really can't be avoided. But a lot of it is charted and I know my routes and the obstacles in those areas pretty well. Still, as a captain, you have to set your routes in advance and then find out what difficulties are along the way.
Do you have many female colleagues in your crew, or do you know other women captains?
Both of my deck stewards are female. So my crew is well balanced – with three men and three women.
What advice would you give to women who work in the maritime industry or would like to work there?
It’s difficult to find the right words. Women just as much as men owe it to themselves to pursue their dreams. No matter whether you’re talking about the maritime or a completely different industry. Once you find something you're passionate about, the rest will fall into place. Don't give up on yourself.
If you’re attacked by self-doubt: Keep going anyway and don't give up. Sometimes it helps to look outside for a cheerleader who can support and strengthen you. I pursued my dream and went through some rough patches along the way. Getting to where I am now wasn't an easy road. But I’m as happy as I’ve ever been!
