The Superyacht Stewardess Drought of 2020
Can’t find a fulltime Stewardess this Summer? This could be the reason why
Summer is here, yachts are in full swing and coming off a
year of harsh lock downs and minimal international travel, owners are keen to
use their yachts. But where are all the stewardesses?
The very simple answer …..Freelancing !
Gone are the days where stewardesses are gunning for
fulltime positions onboard superyachts.
Once upon a time daywork was reserved for the keen ‘greeny’ frothing
to get some experience, hoping it might lead to a permanent position.
Now, it is reserved for the experienced stewardess keen to
share their time between both work and the beach (and getting paid top dollar
for it)
But who can blame them… the freelance rate for a stewardess
in Sydney harbour has gone through the roof !
We’d all prefer to hit the beach over summer and work when
we want. And why wouldn’t you if your financially better off.
2-3 years ago the standard day rate in Australia was $250 /
day , maybe $300 / day for someone experienced.
Now, girls are freelancing for upwards of $400-$500+ / day and
over $1000 for the major events like NYE.
Captains & Engineers are scratching their heads
wondering what happened to their salaries.
Decky’s are discreetly looking up stewardess fast track courses
in their spare time.
Networks are flooded, with “we need a stew this weekend
URGENTLY” “Can anyone recommend a stew” “ I need a Steeeeeewwwww
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Over 50% of the stewardess positions on yachts in Sydney harbour
are now filled by freelancing stewardesses
How did this position turn into a role that is now only
filled casually?
Here are a few reasons…
- Fulltime Stewardess Salaries haven’t budged much
in 10 years
You pay for what you get. Owners need to be
educated that if they want the best possible service, the same faces, the crew
to live on constant standby ect… they have to pay for it
- Demand far out ways Supply
2020 has seen an influx of new yachts arrive into
Australia to take up residence here. More yachts means more crew are needed and
there just doesn’t seem enough crew (namely stewardesses) to go around
- Fulltime salaries are always taxed
There is allot of in the hand transactions in
the freelance market , or in the very least through an ABN where rates are paid
in full
- The freelance rate is enough to make lawyers
blush
When demand is high, the price goes up …
its simple business
- People want a better lifestyle balance
Everyone would prefer to be at the beach
than go to work
- Some yachts (not all) don’t fully look after
their fulltime crew
No finger pointing here but if yachts take care of their fulltime crew and meet their financial and lifestyle needs, they tend to keep them long term and fulltime
So how does the fulltime stewardess drought get fixed?
Short Answer…There needs to be a cultural shift back to
making the fulltime stewardess position attractive again.
Otherwise rates will keep going up , the drought will get
worse and the search to find that elusive stewardess will go on
