How To Access A Superyacht’s Hard To Reach Places | Super Yacht Training To Keep You Safe On Deck
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- čas přidán 21. 11. 2020
- Keeping all the areas of a super yacht in perfect condition is a bigger task than you might think. Not only is it a lot of work, it also poses some significant safety hazards; so, in this video we take a look at how to stay safe whilst working on a yacht.
The Code Of Safe Working Practices (COSWOP) plays a big role in ensuring the safety of seafarers, and therefore your life on board a super yacht. Download your own copy from the following link to see exactly how:
www.gov.uk/government/publica...
Not only does this allow you to carry out your yacht crew duties in safety, it also prepares you for some of the courses and exams that you will need to take in order to obtain deck and engineering qualifications.
A day in the life of yacht crew often presents challenges, and the opportunity to further your super yacht training. In this case, the simple task of washing a super yacht becomes an in depth study into your health and safety on board. It also helps you to understand the sort of duties that will become a big part of your job as you progress your super yacht career, and step up into the role of a super yacht deck officer.
No matter your role on board, every yacht crew member should have a good working knowledge of this information, in order to stay safe and make the most of their super yacht crew life.
Safety first! For your very own copy of the Code Of Safe Working Practices, just follow the link in the description. I look forward to hearing your thoughts...
Is this Code of Safe Working Practices in addition to the STCW (The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers)?
I was ready to take the STCW safety training course, as it was required for a position I was interested in. $850! Really!
@Rick Hinkle The Code of Safe Working Practices is a regulatory framework for health and safety on board a ship. It isn't part of the STCW basic safety training, although reference may be made to it on these courses. It is intended primarily for merchant seafarers on UK-registered ships, and following it's guidance will help ensure that all crew are working safely.
Thanks for showing us a side of the yachting industry a lot of CZcamsrs just dont. 👍
It's great to be able to offer something a bit different. Thank you for your continued support.
This has to be the most undersubscribed channel - your content is excellent and your presentation is entertaining. Really look forward to seeing what you’ll post next. Hoping comments help push the algorithm.
It's great to hear that you think this! As you say, every comment helps with the algorithm; thank you for always leaving your thoughts on each video. I look forward to next (or rather this) week!
Matt, your video is interesting and informative as usual.
But you seemed to have notched up your humor on this one which
I enjoy very much, using your self as a double or maybe in future as other crew members is smart, interesting and successfully funny. This is my kind of humor, don't stop, in my opinion it adds to the informative video.
I think your other viewers feel the same way.
It goes to show, if you have the will, you will find the way. With the lack of yacht space to use and show, and other crew members to help, you are persevering in delivering your very knowledgeable and credible information.
To me this was your best video so far from the entertaining portion of this video.
The information I found very valuable, as it filled in a lot of blanks from other CZcams channels.
Again, you take the time to actually inform in a detailed manner, that covers the majority of the information, rather than quickly passing through the content.
Thank you Frank. I'm glad you appreciated the humour here; I even made myself laugh a bit!
Whenever I make a video I realise just how much depth you can go into with any topic. It's a fine balance knowing what to include, and what not to include. I typically go into more detail than is really necessary, and that is because of the way I like to learn. I always want to know exactly how something is done; and, why it is done that way.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht All I can say is you're a clever, funny man. Now me and your 1,000+ subscribers have to wait till next Sunday for another Video! What will we do in the mean time? :) LOL
@Frank V I shall do my best to make sure that the next video is worth the wait!
Your videos have made me wish I was 30 years younger. What a career!
I appreciated the warning of blowing the boat’s horn as a safety issue. My then 3 year old toddler was entering the main salon which was directly under the horn on the port side just as the horn blew. Immediately my son fell prostrate on the floor in complete fear, then crying, which really made me angry. His reaction was simply an automatic survival response to an unfamiliar threat. 40 years later, it still makes me angry!
Hello Rick. Thank you for sharing your experience about this. These whistles are very powerful, so I'm not surprised to hear that it upset your son so much.
When you finally get done at sea Matt you would have a great career as an instructor. Great video x
Thanks Amanda! I never thought of myself as an instructor, but through this channel I've found that I actually really enjoy it!
My favorite boat channel on youtube!!
I'm so pleased to hear that! Thanks Caio.
Matthew your videos are wonderful, very useful to understand every aspect of life and work on board a superyacht, professional but at the same time funny. Far from the glamorous aspect of the other channels. keep it up that you are the best!
Thank you Andrea! This is some really great feedback. It's wonderful to know that you think so highly of the channel!
as an irata l3 with almost 20 years under my harness working on ropes at oil rigs, I would not trust my life with bowline knot on ropes that are not in constant tension... for this application my favorite knot is the classic figure 8.
No intent of any criticism. just helping the yt algorithm thing, commenting something with meaningful consideration.
I appreciate your videos thank you for you time in putting them together.
Hello R FS. Thank you for bringing your experience to this subject; I really appreciate it. In any given field there are always more experienced people to learn from, and I welcome the chance to improve my skills.
I shall put a note on this video recommending a figure of eight where there isn't constant load; and, ensure that we implement this going forward.
Great video again, I hope you can add to that video and actually show how you suspend yourself, connect etc while cleaning sides of vessel, and how you carry your supplies? Thanks again.
Thanks Stephen. Our over the side working rails are currently undergoing maintenance, but once that is complete I shall most certainly be making another video on this topic.
Great video, loved the humour for a pretty boring subject, you managed to make it interesting and entertaining. Keep up the great work
Thank you Steve. Glad to hear it kept you interested!
Very interesting and informative video, thanks! Touching on the intro of all your videos about climbing the ranks, a video about the ranking structure and how it works; how it is regulated and verified would be great. I was always wondering on the pecking order on vessels because in its simplest form it is linear but then you would have crew members with same ranks in the different departments so how does seniority and overall command of the vessel work? What I mean by this is, starting at the Captain; he's the top dog and in his absence the First Officer is in overall command, now what happens if the F.O suddenly also becomes incapacitated or whatever hypothetical reason, who is next in line to take charge overall of the vessel until you are safely back in port? Will command stay within the Deck department, or will Engineering, or the Interior department's most senior crew member take over. Hope this makes sense.
Hello Juan. Thank you for this video idea. It's a big topic and definitely one worth covering, so I shall add it to the video list!
You are amazing, many thanks for sharing your knowledge...
Interesting & educational makes for a great combination. Keep up the good work!
This is great to hear; interesting and educational are two of my main priorities for each video!
Again, another grate video!
Thanks Tiago. It's a pleasure to read your comments each week.
Another great video!
The new camera and microphone is working a treat! 📷🎙️
Thanks Meg! I'm glad to hear you noticed the difference. I love this new camera setup!
Another excellent video Matt. It's good to know the yachting industry treats Health and Safety seriously. I do have a question though. How often are your Carabiners inspected? and do you check (as part of your SOP) that they are still in date?
Thanks Nick. All of our climbing gear is inspected annually, along with other lifting apparatus such as the tender cranes, chain blocks and lifting strops. The yellow cable tie on the carabiner in the video is this year's indicator that it has been inspected. Next year that will be cut off and a different colour used.
The SOP doesn't specify checking that the carabiner is in date, although the permit to work asks us to confirm that the equipment is in good order. In addition, each piece of equipment is logged in our maintenance system with an alert set for when items are due to expire. Thank you for raising this; I shall review the process and add checking of expiry dates to the SOP.
good explanations on rules, regs, gear -- would have liked to see it in action and how you attach to what part of yacht.
Hello Carol, and thanks for your comment. I wanted to go out on the Master windows for this video, but the track and car system we attach to is currently out of service. I plan to make a follow up video when possible. I chose not to show the exact system we use on the side windows that I did walk out on, because it is not representative of what would be found on most yachts.
Good content to view on Sunday evening. :) I can learn while smiling at your jokes :D
Hi Remus! Glad to hear this one made you smile. I had a lot of fun making it!
Matt! It is so fun 😆
Your introduce is best 👍
Cool flowers 🌵🌻 and cool instructions for safety.
I hope you will get the best mentor award!
I like the sound of a mentor award. And maybe a gardening award!
@@WorkonaSuperyacht 😆 sure!
As always like before watching. It's very precice and informative.
Thank you Bogdan. I learnt Russian at school and my ability to read the Cyrillic alphabet is about all I have left; I hope that I'm writing your name correctly!
@@WorkonaSuperyacht it's fine. One thing I am Ukrainian but frenkly speaking we are pretty similar. Anyway I hope you will not stopping your channel because it is extremely important information for men from countrys like these. I do watch your videos several times.
I don't have any plans to stop, and it's great to know that you find the information so useful. Thank you for watching more than once; every view helps!
Exelent and very funny ! Thanks
Another great video, Matt. Is there a chance to show (at least part of) the standard procedures?
Thanks Juan. I'll work a sample of one of our standard operating procedures into a future instructional video.
Think you help a lot
Thank you, Mike. I'm happy to hear that you found this one helpful.
well you learn something everyday
Thanks Wayne. I too learnt something about my love of plants!
How tf don’t you have 1 million subs
Love this comment! Thank you, Thomas. Watch this space!
Great video! The only thing I would say is that is you slip/slide while working aloft you have no head protection if you hit you’re head on anything, on the commercial fleet we generally have to wear head protection. Saying that on my last ship you weren’t even allowed to step on deck without full PPE including gloves and eye protection
Hello 8atlantic8. Thanks for sharing your experience. We do have safety helmets on board, but don't consider them mandatory as there is no risk of items falling from above. They offer protection against banging our heads whilst working up the mast, but I am looking at getting bump caps instead because they will be less of a hindrance when working.
Whilst doing my PSCRB course I had to dress up in full PPE before engaging in any practical work. All of the commercial guys were totally comfortable in it because that's what they're used to; coming from a yachting background I must say that it feels quite strange. I think this is a big hurdle that the yachting industry has had to overcome, where looking "cool" has often been prioritised over safety. Thankfully, there are a lot of alternative PPE options on the market today that keep us safe and looking good.
Please remind me, what sorts of ships are you working on? I would be very grateful to hear more of your feedback, because we can always learn something from other sectors of the maritime industry.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht On the commercial side we do wear helmets to prevent injuries from above, but for the most part its to prevent people from hitting their head on parts of the ship and especially hitting their head from slips, trips and falls, I have sailed on a ship where they wore bump caps on deck and although technically against company policy they worked really well. Most of our engineers when working in the ER wear them. Once you get used to helmets then they tend not be a hinderance but it doesn't quite match the aesthetic of yachting. The other option would maybe lightweight climbing helmets as they aren't too bulky but again if you're not used to them they may be.
I've sailed on ERRVs mainly in the North Sea region, all around the 60m mark so kinda similar sized to you're average medium yacht. The weather limits are generally a bit worse so that's partially why our PPE is so strict, to give you an idea for that the routine launching of our rescue boats the max wave height is 5.5m and up to 7m in an emergency - it can get a wee bit wild at times!
@8atlantic8 7 metre waves! The majority of yachts wouldn't even be out in that, let alone launching tenders. It would make a right mess of the beach club! Thanks again for all your input on here. It's really good to get a different perspective.
Great video as always... I have a question. Let's say you wash the yacht today, and tomorrow starts to rain, do you have to wash it again the day after the rain? Thank you and keep up the great work
Thank you Lug. This will depend on how dirty the rain is; if it covers the yacht in red sand, or leaves black streaks all over the paintwork then washing is really the only way to get it clean again. Moreover, you want to do this as soon as possible because leaving this dirt to stick to the paintwork (especially when sitting in direct sunlight) will make it more difficult to wash away. However, if the rain is clean then simply drying it up and wiping down all the surfaces will be sufficient.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Big thank you.
Hi Matt, i have a couple of questions regarding the knot that you used as well as the carabiner.
The knot you used was a bowline, did you finish it off with the tail inside or outside of the knot, and why was there not some sort of stopper knot applied after to finish it off. (On slowmo it appears to be inside)
With regards the carabiner, why were you using a gridlock style with a Figure 8 knot tied through it (On slowmo it appears to be a standard overhand knot). That would lead to the rope being pinched when you open the gate to attach it to the cart.
Hello Ashley, and thank you for getting in touch. The points you raise were also picked up by R FS here in the comments, who corrected me on the use of bowline knots with ropes that aren't under constant tension. The bowlines I tied had their tails inside of the knot, and I didn't use a stopper in the video. Following the comment from R FS, I have changed the standard operating procedure so that we now only tie in with a figure 8 knot. I tried to add an annotation to this video to give the same advice to anyone watching, but unfortunately CZcams has removed this feature. It seems my only option will be to remove, edit, and reupload the whole video.
As for the carabiner, I use a gridlock style to prevent the rope from shifting around and cross-loading the carabiner. The diameter of rope that I'm using sits clear of the gate when it is open, and I haven't found a problem with it pinching. In the video, the ropes were tied to the carabiners using bowlines, and these have also been changed to figure 8 knots.
I really do appreciate you raising these points, and allowing me to learn from your experience. I welcome any further feedback that you may have.
Questions
1 do you have yearly or 6 month checks on safety equipment
2 do you have a tag on it to say if passed
3 do you inform boats /ships next to you that you have a man /person working aloft
Hello Patrick, and thank you for your questions:
1) The equipment is professionally inspected on an annual basis.
2) Yes. All items that pass the inspection are tagged, and the colour of the tag is different each year. We also receive an official report and certificate.
3) This isn't part of our standard operating procedure. Instead, we are required to check that all surrounding structures and vessels are a safe distance away.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht thank you for your full expleation and time
Do you have to notify adjacent boats that you are working aloft? It is one thing to tag out your own radars, transmitters, and horn, but if the boat next to you isn't notified, they could be running their radar while basically standing in front of it. .
We don't ask other yachts to tag out their equipment, but our permit to work asks us to check the surrounding area for any hazards. In the first instance, this would include checking that radars weren't being used in the immediate vicinity. Workers and on-deck supervisors are then asked to continually assess the risks as they carry out their work; if a radar on the yacht next door was started while somebody was up the mast, they would have to come back down until it was safe to return. Similarly, if the weather were to suddenly deteriorate, it may be necessary to suspend the work.
Oh.....That Daniel..
Who carries out your formal annual PPE inspection? What PPE inspection records do you keep? Do you have a rescue kit and rescue plan in the event of a fall from height or a person needing to be rescued due to incapacity? How often do you undertake WAH training?
Hello Staffordshire Dash Cam Videos. This year, the annual inspection was carried out by a company called Geetech. We keep their report along with any previous reports, as well as all the documentation that was received when the products were originally purchased.
Yes, we have emergency medical kit on board as well as spare climbing gear and man overboard equipment that may be needed to rescue somebody. Emergency plans for all possible types of emergency are a mandatory requirement.
We don't undertake any official working at height training (although I have done on one previous yacht that I worked); however, our risk assessments are ongoing, the standard operating procedures are reviewed periodically, and anyone undertaking work at height (or over the side) will be trained according to the standard operating procedure.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Thanks for that info, I am surprised that you don't receive formal WAH training and regular refresher courses. This is something I think you should look at further.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Hello there, Laura from Geetech here :) 1 year late, but just came across your videos and really enjoyed watching them! also wanted to say thanks for mentioning our company in your comments :) we are launching our WAH training dedicated to superyacht crew, would like to have a chat with you about this? Let me know how can I contact you for futher discussions.
Thanks again, Laura
Is it better to work on a riveted yacht or charter ? why.
In my opinion, one is not better than the other; they are just different. On a private yacht you are dealing with the same owner and guests all of the time. You get to know their needs and preferences, and this can make things a little easier. By contrast, on a charter yacht you have to be ready for anything with each new charter guest. For this reason, a crew member may stay longer on a private yacht. They get to know the program, and if it works for them it can create a stable and sustainable life on board.
Of course the big attraction with charter yachts is the potential for tips. We've all heard stories of crew members receiving huge tips from charter guests, and while they may be true it isn't necessarily the norm. There are many yachts available for charter, but not so many that are super successful. Regardless, you work very hard for those tips and as such you may only stay with the yacht for a couple of seasons, before needing to take a break.
A private yacht may not offer the same tips, but staying with the same owner for a long period of time can yield other rewards such as a better leave package, increased salary, courses being paid for you, or a 13th month bonus.
There is no wrong or right and each crew member will decide what works best for them. You will of course find exceptions to what I have written here, but this has been my experience of the industry.
Hey Matt,
Sorry this question isn't about hard to reach places, but I was wondering:
Have you ever been crew on a yacht where you were able to use your DM cert? Are scuba certs common among deckhands? I have my advanced open water and enrolled in the STCW course. I have aspirations of joining a crew but was thinking of getting my DM cert first. Just wanted to know if it would help me stand out at all among crew?
Hello Meghan. I have used my divemaster qualification to lead guests on a dive on one yacht only. However, the ability to dive for other reasons such as inspecting the hull has been very beneficial throughout my career. You may have seen jobs advertised on some yachts for a divemaster; it is usually a dual role such as deckhand/divemaster. For these positions a DM qualification is of course essential, but so is a decent amount of experience actually working as one.
If you don't yet have a divemaster qualification, getting one isn't likely to give you a huge advantage over your advanced open water certificate when looking for work as a deckhand. If you want to look for work as a deckhand/divemaster you will need to get the qualification; but, be prepared that it will likely require you to also get some experience actually working as a divemaster in a dive centre.
If you have the time and the money it certainly won't hurt to go and get the qualification. However, depending on what qualifications you already have there are other courses that I would prioritise. For example, the PWC proficiency and PWC instructor courses will be more valuable to a far greater number of yachts, and would complement your existing advanced open water dive qualification by demonstrating a broader range of watersports skills. You could even just do the Rescue Diver course, which would still make you stand out more than most.
Another option would be to look for work as a deckhand on a yacht that did lots of diving and had a dive instructor on board. They would be able to run the divemaster course and you'd get yacht specific divemaster experience; this could be a great option.
I hope that helps. As ever, there is no right or wrong, but from personal experience I don't think my divemaster qualification has ever given me an edge amongst other deckhands. It was a nice bonus for a yacht, but never the reason for hiring me.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Thank you Matt! That is great information, I appreciate your time and your videos are incredible! Cheers
@Meghan Dickmann Good luck with your STCW courses, and if I can be of any further help then please don't hesitate to ask.
question is there a required haircut in the yachting industry? are male with long hair is okay? alright take care there mate..
Hello Ranis. There is no required haircut, although many Owners and Captains prefer a clean cut appearance. Whatever your style, I think the most important thing is to be neat and tidy, particularly when looking for work. Once you have a job on board a yacht, you'll probably find that things become more relaxed during periods of downtime.
Hey Matt!, Do Superyacht crew get paid every month if the year? If not, how does it work in terms of monthly salary ?
Hello Kyan. Crew on permanent contracts will get paid every month, just as they would in a normal, land-based job. Crew on rotation will also continue to receive a pay check every month, even when they are not on board. Their monthly salary will simply be less than what it would have been if they weren't on rotation.
Crew who have seasonal positions where they are not required to be on board for the winter months may get paid a monthly retainer whilst away from the yacht; this will of course be less than their monthly salary when they are on board.
It is only crew who have temporary contracts that will stop receiving their salary when they leave the yacht, even if they plan to return in the future. In this case their employment will simply end when the temporary contract finishes, and then a new contract will be signed when they resume work for the yacht.
What exactly is rotation? What do you do that 1 month you are off?
Rotation is where you rotate with one or more other crew members in the same or similar role. As a deckhand you might get a 5:1 rotation; this would mean that you work 5 months on board the yacht and then have 1 month off. Better packages might reduce this to 3:1 (3 months on, 1 month off), and (in rare circumstances) 2:1, even in junior roles. However, you may not consider this a true rotation because the time periods are not equal.
When you hear the term rotation it typically means time-for-time (same amount on the yacht as off the yacht). This is only really found in senior roles particularly in the engineering department, and now more commonly in the deck department. In this case you rotate with one other; you both have the same role on board, and just take it in turns. These rotations are commonly 3:3, 2:2, 10 weeks;10 weeks, and even 6 weeks;6 weeks.
I hope that all makes sense. It is a commonly asked about subject; I think it might even be worth a video!
Hey Matt , do you have an email which I can directly ask you a few questions ?
Hi Kyan. Yes, please email me at:
workonasuperyacht@gmail.com
Do you not need a helmet?
Helmets are used where there is a risk of banging your head, or having something dropped on you from above. We have helmets available for use, but don't consider them mandatory when doing these particular jobs. This has been the case with the majority of yachts that I've worked on.
Dude, you're climbing a few meters up, not a Mount Everest!
Sanremo?₽
Correct! 😊