Superyacht Laundry – Détails, épisodes et analyse

This episode of Tales from the Superyacht Laundry features Jayn Willis, who shares the story of her daughter Gemma's battle with cervical cancer. 

Gemma was a vibrant and passionate individual who found her calling in the yachting industry. However, her life took a tragic turn when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 28. Despite undergoing treatments and receiving support from the yachting community, Gemma's condition worsened, and she ultimately lost her battle with the disease. 

Jayn shares her experience of caring for her daughter, Gemma, during her battle with cancer. She discusses the challenges of dealing with uncertainty and anger, as well as the lack of communication and information from medical professionals. Jayn also talks about the spread of Gemma's cancer and the treatment options they explored. She recounts the decline in Gemma's health and the final days leading up to her passing. 

Jayn reflects on the lack of end-of-life discussions and the unanswered questions she has. She then explains the Do It For Gem campaign and the goals of the Do It For Gem Foundation, which aims to raise awareness of cervical cancer and provide support to cancer patients. Jayn emphasizes the importance of educating women and men in the yachting industry about women's health issues.

https://floatingflorista.co.uk/

In our sixteenth episode of Pearls' Tales from the Superyacht Laundry, we chat with Kayleigh Liddell, Crew Services Manager for Hill Robinson, who brings a fresh perspective to the industry.  

Despite not having worked as crew herself, Kayleigh has a naval family background and spent time living in yachting hotspots. She shares her journey from working in HR and operations for an education company to first joining Hill Robinson as a yacht assistant. Kayleigh explains the challenges faced during the pandemic and how it has reshaped workplace dynamics, particularly for the younger generation. 

The conversation delves deep into the industry's complexities, touching on an intricate web of regulations and employment laws that make yacht management a challenging field. 

She chats about Hill Robinosn's innovative approach to crew services, which Kayleigh has worked hard to develop, initially stemming from a client's request to improve crew retention. The holistic system at Hill Robinson listens to and supports crew through their entire journey. She also discusses the important collaborations with organisations like Seas The Mind and ISWAN and the vital topic of crew welfare. 

Kayleigh talks about future developments, including the collaboration with YPOW, a wellness pop-up for crew at the Monaco Yacht Show, and their new crew services space. 

Tune in to hear Kayleigh's story, how she and Hill Robinson are updating and improving the industry to be more supportive and positive for crew in the realm of yachting's evolving landscape…

In our seventh episode of Pearls' Tales from the Superyacht Laundry, we sit down with Emma Mannering, an ex-Chief Stew who returned to school to become a therapist. 

After three years of debating, Emma launched herself into the industry after meeting her now ex-captain husband. The episode follows Emma's journey in yachting, the trials and tribulations of working as a couple onboard, how she accidentally stepped up to Chief, and how she never actually knew where in the world she was. 

Landing a rotational position in what they thought was their dream job, the pandemic hit, and so did the many realities of asking, "What Next?" Emma talks about the injury she experienced onboard and what she now recognises as burnout. At home on medical leave, she delved into therapy and began putting her needs first. 

With too many options in her mind about what she could do after yachting, therapy opened her eyes to how forming connections with people made her happy, and perhaps she should turn her hand to it. After previously saying she would never go back to studying, spoiler alert: she did! 

Emma chats about how she handled the transition ashore and juggling a long-distance relationship with having a baby. She advises on how preparation is key and how it is important to rediscover who you are after yachting. 

Tune in to hear Emma's journey in and out of yachting, her plans to open up her private practice this summer, and the meaning behind the mysterious black sheep necklace…

In our sixth episode of Pearls' Tales from the Superyacht Laundry, we sit down with Jenn Downes, an ex-yacht chef turned 'Mother of Antibes' and dedicated entrepreneur.  

Jenn, a Native New Yorker and trained psychologist, began her journey managing high-end restaurants and running her own catering business. Unexpected events of 9/11 meant Jenn found herself working and living the Caribbean island life in St Martin where she met the 'boat boy' - her eventual yacht Captain husband, Jason. 

Their whirlwind romance also marked the beginning of her yachting career, as she joined him sailing and working around the world. The episode discusses the ups - her as the best chef an owner has ever had - and downs of yachting life, including Jenn's challenging time with her mother's passing. 

Once they had had enough of 'billionaire babysitting,' they bought a property in Antibes, and the Crew Grapevine was born. Initially a place to share information, then potential apartments, they turned the Grapevine into the OG crew house: Portside, and welcomed guests the same day beds were being built. 

Juggling this entrepreneurial journey as expats while expecting a baby wasn't the easiest, but with a confident persona and a desire to naturally look after people, Jenn quickly made the Grapevine into what it is today - a safe haven and fun community for yachties to stay in Antibes. Giving her best advice, Jenn has been there and continues to help all crew in their journeys. 

Tune in to hear Jenn's inspiring journey and how she has created a brilliant community for yachties. In between shouting at owners, food fights, and the occasional cat fishing…

https://crewgrapevine.com

In our fifth episode of Pearls' Tales from the Superyacht Laundry, we sit down with Cally Cooper. Cally founded WellCrew, an organisation committed to prioritising overall well-being and coaching individuals and teams to excel in professional and personal development. 

As a performance and wellbeing coach, Cally brings her unique experience in special forces mentorship and military coaching to the yachting industry. Having noticed various crossovers between yachting and the military, she uses her expertise to help crew deal with the pressures and environments crew face. 

The episode delves into Cally's coaching philosophy and how she discovered that aligning mental, physical, and emotional health is essential for creating a high-performance culture. 

Passionate about the industry, Cally recognised the lack of support within yachting and has helped various crew members since she began her mission. Her approach is unique, incorporating tools and techniques used by not only the military but F1 drivers and Olympic athletes. 

Cally helps individuals and teams better understand how to handle stress and themselves and others while building resilience and confidence. She shares her insights on the importance of self-awareness and an exciting collaboration between YPOW and WellCrew for those looking to come ashore. 

Tune in to this insightful conversation and discover how WellCrew empowers the yachting community to unlock their full potential, both onboard and beyond…

https://www.well-crew.com/

In our fourth episode of Pearls' Tales from the Superyacht Laundry, we sit down with Hannah Russell, an inspiring entrepreneur who is improving the industry with her sustainable solutions company, Viveco. 

Hannah accidentally fell into yachting armed with the Delia Smith recipe book and had her eyes quickly opened as a crew chef. Switching to the inside, she made her way to Chief Stew, where her new norm was buying €100,000 beanbags and cleaning things that were already clean. 

The episode follows Hannah's exciting days of travelling the world until she became bored with the monotony of the job. She talks about the ups and downs and why she took up quilting! She left yachting with no idea what to do apart from being thrown into the next chapter of her life - hello, motherhood! 

She shares the tough realities of moving to a new home, how making friends is like dating, and being thrown back into a world with which she wasn't familiar. Spoiler: no, you don't need 20 litres of vinegar on land. 

While raising her child, Hannah discovered the Zero Waste Movement (before most had heard of it!) and found her true passion. She bit the bullet and started selling five eco-friendly products at markets. Fast-forward to teaching herself the ropes of entrepreneurship along the way, Viveco is now at the forefront of positive change in the industry.

Tune in to hear Hannah's passion for the industry and how she found her calling, from not wanting to launch a website to now launching her very own product brand…

https://vivecoyachts.com/

In our third episode of Pearls’ Tales from the Superyacht Laundry, we sit down with Daisy Kelliher, Chief Stew, and Below Deck reality TV star. Hailing from a family full of yachties, it isn’t surprising that Daisy gravitated to the superyacht world. 

Without the usuals that yachties have to endure to land their first break, Daisy managed to escape daywork, dockwalking, and crew houses. Thanks to her strong background in hotel management and hospitality, she got her first job on a sailing yacht. 

The episode follows Daisy’s yachting journey as she works up the ranks to bigger yachts and then to the panic stations of the pandemic. Losing her job and moving back home, once rolling her eyes at Below Deck a friend suggested she apply - desperate to escape lockdowns, she went for it. 

Daisy’s unfiltered and unapologetically herself personality meant many had told her she was always destined for TV. She candidly chats about all things Below Deck, from her first season to a few more under her belt, and how she has become a TV personality. 

With no plan to leave yachting and now no exit plan to leave the show, she shares her highs and lows of navigating this journey, balancing in and out of the yachting and media industries. 

Aside from love triangles and crashing into docks, Daisy delves into what happens behind the cameras and what her whirlwind life is like. Tune in to listen to the behind-the-scenes of the industry's most controversial TV programme and what she plans to do next…

In the bonus episode Cherise and Max discuss their journey in the superyacht industry, from meeting in a crew house to transitioning to land-based jobs. They highlight the challenges they faced, such as finding work with visible tattoos and adjusting to life on a boat. They also discuss the importance of crew houses and the support they provide. Max shares her experience of working on a yacht while pregnant and returning to work with her baby. 

They then talk about their involvement with Pearls, a platform that aims to support women in the industry. Pearls of Wisdom is a platform that aims to support and empower women who are in the yachting industry and after they have left. The founders, Cherise and Maxine, discuss their journey and the challenges they faced in building the platform. They talk about the importance of community and connection, and how the Pearls of Wisdom app can help women find support and resources. They also share their vision for the future, including expanding the podcast, writing a book, and connecting with more experts. The conversation ends with some entertaining and humorous stories from their time in the industry.

From Captaincy to late-night toasties and five-year plans…

In our second episode of Pearls’ Tales from the Superyacht Laundry, we sit down with Alisha King, CEO of Tidal Yachting. The episode follows Alisha’s journey from the military seas of New Zealand to the yachting scenes of the Med. 

After a five-year stint - a theme for Alisha - in the Navy, her start into yachting began with a one-way trip to Antibes. Being a female on the bridge and learning the ropes of sailing, Alisha had her ups and downs. 

But as a testament to her adaptability and embracing change, Alisha went from Captain to Chef to a now land-based entrepreneur. The episode covers the trials and tribulations of yachting roles and careers, with tattoo and uniform-size discussions thrown in. 

Five years - again - on from yachting, Alisha moved back to land, to New Zealand, and started Tidal Yachting in 2017. She chats all things about her entrepreneurial journey, from flipping burgers, driving haul out cranes, to expanding and diversifying from recruitment to yacht and project management. 

Having recently expanded her business and a full circle moment developing Tidal Maritime - now also working within the defence sector - she gives a whole host of advice to women in and out of the industry, those looking to join the entrepreneurial bandwagon, and those contemplating the next move to ‘find their thing’. 

Sharing how her empire has grown, she is slowly but surely revolutionising the yachting experience in the South Pacific. Tune in to listen to her journey, the ups and downs, and those all-important five-year plans…

From Friends analogies to global domination and expensive rose…

In our first episode of Pearls’ Tales from the Superyacht Laundry, we sit down with Emma Ross, a former yacht chef turned mental health advocate and founder of Seas The Mind, a mental health training provider for the yachting industry. 

The episode follows Emma’s journey into (and out of) yachting, from the days when she had her plane tickets faxed, exciting worldwide adventures to the bad bits and how she recognised the need for mental health awareness and support within the industry. 

She touches on her life and travel experiences right from the beginning, from browsing the Oxford Circus Topshop flagship store (why is it now an Ikea? No one will know!), paying over the odds for Rose to enjoying gelato in Positano and spending months onboard living out her own castaway moment on a boat - without owners! - in French Polynesia. 

Emma opens up about the harsh realities of yachting and transitioning back to land life and the mental health struggles that can come with the intensity of the industry. But she also fondly recalls the incredible friendships and once-in-a-lifetime experiences that made it all worthwhile.  

Discussing her inspiration and entrepreneurial journey in founding Seas The Mind, she emphasises the importance of believing in what you set out to do and navigating rejection. Wanting to walk away from the industry with pride about her experience and to give back and support the next generation of yachties, Emma has found her passion and land-life calling in her impactful venture. 

Emma chats about all things exiting yachting, the entrepreneurial journey of Seas The Mind, her determination for the future and how she hopes to expand the team in the future. Oh, and if anyone loves social media management, hit her details in the link below!

Tune in to hear Emma’s inspiring story and advice, including what a famous onboard supermodel finds on her morning swim…

https://www.seasthemind.co.uk/