Name: Deanna Lee
Age: 26
Hometown: Vancouver, Canada
Years in Yachting: 3
Year Joined: 2019
Position: 2nd Stew
What was your background before yachting? How did you get into yachting?
I was a gymnastics instructor and worked in retail and then as a receptionist in a physiotherapy clinic. I only got into yachting by travelling as an au pair (nanny) in Mallorca, Spain. I am so lucky because thats where I met other yachties who introduced me into this industry.
I had no idea about yachting before I left Canada and below deck wasn’t a big thing then, so really I just took this guy’s word who told me about it and tried to do as much research and talk to other people via instagram to gather more information and what to do for my next steps!
How did you find your first job? How easy was it to land? What size yacht was your first boat? (private/charter; motor/sail)?
My first job took me about 2 months to get, even though I was in the right place at the right time. At this time 3 years ago it was very hard to find something. I started looking in about end Sept/Oct and then had a week ‘day work’ and then got my first job in December 2019. I was so stressed, so disheartened because I couldn’t find anything and I even dock walked in Palma, signed up for all the agencies and went to a few in person; applied to hundred of jobs posted via Facebook and websites, but was still no luck. I was very green and didn’t have much experience relating to yachting so maybe that’s why it was harder too. In the end, I got my first boat on a 52m private MY in Italy, but no… it was most definitely not easy, but well worth it and I’m glad I didn’t give up.
Have you always wanted to live abroad? What is it like being away from your friends and family for months at a time?
While I was au pairing for the year prior yachting, I loved living abroad and being away from home and getting to meet new people and explore new places, and discover myself and things I never knew about my personality. I think living abroad and having to almost start over somewhere uncovers so many different parts of yourself you never knew were there. I probably go home only once a year because I’m usually in any country but Canada working. But to be honest, from the start of the course I was so nervous as it’s a big step to be somewhere alone where you know no one, but I found it very easy to be happy and content with myself because travelling and seeing the world makes me feel alive. I miss my family and friends deeply and when I go home it’s like nothing has changed, but I think they know that this is me growing and living to my fullest potential at the moment.
Where did you take your STCW / ENG1? Did you take any additional courses before joining?
In Palma, I took Introduction to Yachting – Beginner Stew Course and Food and Safety. But, on your first boat if you have a good Chief Stew and 2nd Stew, personally that’s way more beneficial than taking any prior stew courses, because each boat teaches different and will have the patience to teach if you are willing to learn.
How did you find the process of entering the industry? Did you know someone who had done a season before?
I made a close friend who guided me in but it was hard because I still had to do everything alone and make the effort and bold steps to keep on going when I couldn’t find any work.
What is your position? What does a typical work day entail and what are the hours?
Now, I am a 2nd Stew on a 53m S/Y.
Off trip a work day is 8-5pm with an hour lunch break and 30 min breakfast break.
My job is maintaining and keeping on top of crew and guest areas – keeping them clean and tidy at all times, crew laundry daily, provisioning of crew food and toiletries or anything else needed onboard and then doing daily, weekly and monthly tasks we have lists of,
But I wasn’t aways a Stewardess, after my first boat, I really had the urge to try being outside as a Deckhand. I did this for about 9 months where I landed a job as Deck/Stew. I did really enjoy being outdoors and learning all the ropes and “lines” (haha) about deck, but I found it hard to bounce between both Interior and Deck departments and not to mention the extreme weather differences. In the end, I choose interior and I think it will be a great role to transfer to shoreside position too in the future.
Did you have any transferable skills before you went into yachting? (ie: hospitality for interior crew, managerial experience)? Do you think it helped you get your first job?
Not really, I just had customer service experience, working with kids and retail work that could be related. I wish I had more skills that were transferable or could’ve made me a more beneficial crew member, but you can learn on the way as well.
What is it like working on sailing yachts? What aspects do you enjoy most compared to your experience on a motoryacht?
I find sail yachts crew, captains and owners to have different types of personalities. They an be more relaxed and laid back and sometimes more inviting. I also like how boss trips and owners of sail yachts really appreciate using their boat for sailing purposes vs just as a “home”. It is exciting and fun and something the crew can learn and experience as well… if they like or are willing to learn how to sail. However, I do miss the bigger areas of motor yachts and the slightly bigger crew size.