Professional Yacht Crew and Family Life?

Most yachts have one captain and crew. Swedish registered yachts need double setups (if they run all seasons) and some others are actually following, but it is still very rare.

Crew having kids onboard? Never heard of, except some teenagers helping out their parents on yachts with a couple as only crew.

When the owner is not onboard, sometimes the captain can have his partner living onboard, instead of living ashore.

my example

I have been lucky enough to have a girlfriend who is also the owners friend so she often gets invited along when he is onboard, especially when there are little ones among the guests.
Mostly however the life on a yacht is not very family friendly. The last time I managed to get time for my family was in Feb and the next time may be in Sept. If you get a good owner they will recongnise the family issues and be flexible to allow you family time. The problem is, some owners just think you are on a big holiday at their expense!!!!

Unless you are lucky enough to have a spouse who is in the business and complements your position don't count on spending much time with family in this business.
Years ago I had an owner who allowed me to bring my son for a week aboard while they were not using the boat. Most other yachts I've worked on have not allowed non-crew, including family, aboard (sometimes not even a tour of the yacht).
This business is very hard on family life, sort of like the military. Plan on long seperations from family and friends.

Hi,

I was on several yachts over the years with very long stretches of not getting away.

One I was on for 11 months with 2 days off. another 13 months straight joined at shipyard in Holland and went home for leave from Australia( my wife was allowed to sail on that with me when Owners were not there). After my daughter was born I had to go away 3 days later for 3 months back for 3 weeks away for 5 months back for 4 weeks went away for 4 weeks that turned into 4 months. I missed her first birthday.

I changed jobs after that and had a few great years where I was at home more than away but now it's back to the old away more than home routine. I try to get home twice a month now but it's not always possible. I recently had to rush to see my Father in NZ who is very ill and didn't get to see my daughter for nearly 2 months that time. I was home the weekend before last and am going for a long one next weekend as there is a Public Holiday here on the 25th May.

So even having a shore based job in yachting you are not guaranteed to go home to your family every night.

sorry

sorry to hear that you missed you daughters first birthday, that must be tough.

One of the worse things is when family are sick, sometimes there isn't alot you can do but just wait for the dreaded phone call. Unfortunately I had that last month and it makes you almost want to pack it all in.

28th May is my first anniversary with my girlfriend, she is away in chicago and I'm away at sea. So both of us aren't home so neither of us get the blame..... phew!!!

"If it was easy, everyone would do it"

I forget what movie that is from but it's sure true.

I like sailronin's last reply, "if it were easy every one would do it". Where else could deckhands make 30 - 40 thousand dollars per year with that sort of knowledge (not under cutting there skills, some seriously deserve that pay). Mainly the fact that you have to give up your whole life and spend every waking moment while on the boat for the boat (yes, you can get a way to see places but not just when you want to and some times you don't get to see the place except through the port holes). Not all are willing to give or can give such and that is were supply and demand takes effect and the money comes to play. It's good and bad and it's the hardest thing I deal with going away on these yachts (being home sick and missing the ones that love me). I have learned you have to try and play it smart to get time off to go home. Some times it so unfortunate you get worked so hard that you only want to go home to rest and the schudule won't allow it. You feel the only answer is to quit. You then get your rest see your family and then find another job. It happens often and that is just the way it is at times right or wrong. Just fortunately there is a lot of jobs out there.