All hands on deck
Victoria Gladkikh talks to Frances and Michael Howorth whilst onboard Irimari and explains why she prefers working on deck
What made you want to join the superyacht industry in the first place?
In my gap year before going to university, I followed my Mum’s advice and headed for Antibes to find some work on yachts. My friends all predicted that I wouldn’t come back home after this stint; they were right, I am now three years into my adventure and still loving it!
Why did you choose to become a deckhand rather than a Stew?
I started off working inside on my first yacht but got involved in doing watches when we crossed the Atlantic for the Caribbean season. The Captain was so patient and took a great deal of trouble explaining everything about the bridge equipment and how it operated. By the end of the crossing, I realised that I was working in the wrong department and was ready to switch as soon as an opportunity arose.
What then is your ambition? I would like to work my way up through the ranks and I have applied for the Slater Scholarship, which is managed by the Marine Society with Nautilus International. It helps ratings study for their first certificate of competency and offers up to £18,500, with an additional discretionary £1,500 for completing the programme.
Who would be your three dream dinner party guests?
My mum would be my guest of honour, we are so very close. Next it would have to be Hannah Reid, the lead singer from London Grammar. I am mesmerised by her voice and I know she would make great post-dinner party entertainment. Finally, I would invite Heston Blumenthal, the chef, because I am a foodie at heart and the way Heston plays with mixing science and culinary art is fascinating to me. Something I would like to know more about! With those three around the table, I figured we would have really good chat, entertainment and food!
What is your favourite restaurant or bar in the Mediterranean and why is it special? In the El Born district of Barcelona there is a cocktail bar called Dr. Stravinsky. It’s small but well laid out with multiple floors.
36 | SUMMER 2018 | ONBOARD
Which superyacht service provider has impressed you?
Hello Yachts the Barcelona yacht agency is a really helpful company offering a great all round service. They have a team of local people with an international background.
What tip for doing your job better are you willing to share?
I have found it is always a good idea to ask the person giving you a task: ‘How long do you want me to spend on this job?’ For example, I could spend all week polishing the stainless on the yacht but if you are told to finish the job by lunchtime, you understand very quickly how much detail they are expecting you to put in.
What makes you stand out as a superyacht crew member?
If I do stand out, it is because others believe I am a girl in a man’s world. However, I don’t see it this way. I believe this job can be done by men and women. There are many good role models out there to prove this point.
What is the most funny superyacht experience you can recall?
Last summer, one of our deckhands dropped his radio in the water; while he was in a harness, over the side, washing the boat. As our radios cost something like 1000 euros a pop (and we are all held personally responsible for what happens to them), this particular deckie panicked as he rushed to get back inboard, change out of his uniform into his rash vest, grab a pair of flippers and a dive mask and dive into the dirty port water in Palma to retrieve it! I had never seen him move so fast. He did find it and fortunately it was still usable after some quick, post- saltwater maintenance and TLC. However, when he left the boat, I was given his radio to use, only to discover that half of the buttons on the keypad don’t work! Doh!
What advice would you give to someone thinking of working on a yacht? I would stress that it’s not what you know, but who you know that is important. I would advise all greenies to use their social skills to sell themselves. Make friends with the permanent crew you work with when day working, impress them and they will
remember you when a vacancy becomes available. For girls hoping to work on deck, I would point them in the direction of the Facebook page Girls on Deck or Antibes Palma Yacht Crew and Crew Yacht Jobs
If you could wave a magic wand and change anything on board your present yacht what would that be?
I would remove the fly deck. No guests ever seem to go there and it takes so long to detail and clean.
What do you most like about your last job? I love the variety of tasks we get faced with each and every day. No day is ever the same as the last and I love it when I get to enhance my skills on deck. I am also lucky to be working with great people who I can learn a lot from.
QUICK FIRE Are you a morning or night time person? Night time
How do you like your steak? Rare
What was the last film you saw in a cinema? Peter Rabbit
What is your favourite style of cuisine? Asian
What would your last supper be? Sausages
What are your favourite clothes? Monochrome colours / leather jackets
Where in the world would you visit if you had the chance? Patagonia
Where would you want to retire? Washington State, USA
What sport do you most like to watch? Formula One
What is your Nickname? Too many to mention!
What superpower would you like? To read other people’s minds
What’s your guilty pleasure? Chocolate
What is your biggest regret? Not continuing to study Spanish at A Level
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