Where this sits
Governing: COSWP 2026, Chapter 3; MLC 2006 (including 2022 amendments); ENG1 standards. Builds on: L3.2 and L3.3. See also ENG1 Seafarer Medical Guide.
What is different about yachts
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Long, irregular hours on charter | Fatigue (L3.2), poor sleep, little recovery |
| Shared cabins, no private space | Hard to switch off; small frictions grow |
| Service culture | Emotional labour: always pleasant, often tired |
| Young crew, far from home | Less life experience, less support nearby |
| Rotation and contracts | Job insecurity; some crew fear speaking up |
| Alcohol culture ashore | Easy to use as a coping tool |
| Social media | Constant comparison, no real time off |
None of this means yachting is bad for you. It means you have to look after yourself deliberately.
Looking after yourself
COSWP Chapter 3 puts responsibility for health and fitness on the individual as well as the company, and points to the MCA's Wellbeing at Sea guides. The basics:
- Sleep is the foundation; guard your rest periods.
- Eat regular meals, not just crew-mess snacks.
- Move: most yachts have a gym or allow swimming off duty.
- Stay in touch: the 2022 MLC amendments (in force 23 December 2024) require social connectivity, including reasonable access to ship-to-shore communication and internet.
- Get off the boat on days off, even for an hour.
- Watch the alcohol: it wrecks sleep and mood. (See L3.2.)
Heat is a physical stressor too. In hot or humid conditions drink at least 4.5 litres of cool water a day (COSWP 3.7.1), use shade and sunscreen, and take breaks.
Your medical certificate
Your ENG1 (or recognised equivalent) confirms that at the time of examination you had no condition likely to be made worse by service at sea (COSWP 3.2.1). If your health changes in a way that could affect your fitness for duty, seek advice so a doctor can reassess it. If you do not, the certificate may be invalid (3.2.2). Tell the responsible officer about medication that affects alertness.
Recognising someone struggling
Changes to watch for in a colleague:
- withdrawing from the crew, skipping meals;
- sleeping far more or far less;
- irritability, tearfulness, or unusual recklessness;
- drinking more, or drinking alone;
- remarks about hopelessness or not wanting to be here.
WARNING: Take it seriously If someone talks about not wanting to live, do not leave them alone with it. Tell the captain or a head of department straight away. On passage, the yacht can get telemedical advice.
Getting help
- On board: head of department, captain, or a trusted colleague.
- Ashore: the company's DPA or HR, and the MLC complaint route.
- Confidential: Yacht Crew Help, run by the charity ISWAN, is free, confidential, multilingual and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It covers mental health and wellbeing, bullying and harassment, substance misuse and employment concerns.
TIP: Buddy up On a new boat, pick one person you agree to check in with weekly, not about work. It sounds forced. It works.