What guests don’t see: The crew skills that matter the most

While qualifications are essential — proving you’re trained, safe, and legally able to do the job — what truly makes a great yacht crew member goes far beyond the folder of documents you’ll acquire.

Soft skills are the binding agent that holds life onboard together. Guests usually only glimpse the “front stage” moments: the perfect table settings, the seamless tender runs, the cocktail served with a smile, or returning to freshly plumped pillows.

Front stage vs behind the scenes

For crew, though, life happens behind the scenes. And the truth is: behind the scenes is the scene. That’s where we spend 95% of our time — coordinating, preparing, cleaning, fixing, setting up, and resetting again. It’s also where we let go a little, share a laugh, dance, or try (and fail) to stifle those fits of laughter. Honestly, those are the best moments.

It’s in those moments — the ones guests never see — that teamwork shows its real value. Whether it’s the stew letting deck know guests are thinking of a dip, the chef working around the engineer to fix a galley sink mid-service, or just someone making a crewmate a coffee, communication and collaboration keep everything moving.

Emotional intelligence isn’t optional

When you’re living with your crew in close quarters for months at a time, your ability to adapt, communicate, and get along with others is just as valuable as your STCW or Powerboat Level 2. Crew dynamics can make or break a season, your back, and sometimes even your career. Reading situations, picking up on moods, and showing empathy create a healthier onboard environment. Emotional intelligence isn’t optional — it’s survival.

Yachting is unpredictable. Guests change plans in an instant, weather shifts schedules, hours of rest vanish, and things break when you least expect it. And let’s be honest — when it rains, it pours. Certificates won’t teach you how to smile through your 140th 17-hour day or calmly handle a last-minute beach set-up. But soft skills like resilience and adaptability will.

Experience also comes into play, though it’s worth remembering that crew are rarely at the same stage in their careers, and ‘common sense’ isn’t universal. With the right leadership, and teammates who know when to lead and when to follow, you’re onto a winner.

Beyond the certificates

Soft skills extend to how you carry yourself too. Professionalism, discretion, and a positive attitude are traits every captain looks for. They’re also what make guests feel comfortable and cared for, while helping the team work cohesively.

Certificates open the door to a yachting career, but to truly thrive you need more than documents and common sense. Soft skills are the difference between simply working a job and building a career. But too often in yachting, learning stops after mandatory training.

As a team of ex-yacht crew, between us we’ve seen hundreds of variations in how crews operate and picked up our fair share of stories. We understand the realities of life behind the scenes – and that perspective is exactly why and how kelp. was built. 

What is kelp?

Kelp. is revolutionising personal development in yachting, by providing access to the world’s largest collection of skills training courses for yachting professionals. Our founder, Andrew Roch, had the foresight to start developing the platform 16 years ago in response to the real challenges faced by yacht crew from all walks of life. In today’s climate its approach is more relevant than ever. 

kelp. is designed to help crew grow both individually and as part of a team. Supporting the development of practical expertise as well as the soft instincts that help crew thrive onboard. Whether used by a single crew member independently or an entire boat or fleet, kelp. provides guidance and resources firmly grounded in the realities of yachting.

In the end, your certificates may get you the interview — but your soft skills will get you invited back, keep your reputation strong, and eventually give you pick of the bunch.

Find out more at kelp.yachts or contact us at info@kelp.yachts.