So you’ve decided to train as a deckhand or superyacht stewardess!
It may be one of the most exciting decisions you will ever make, and you have so much to look forward to in your flight attendant and deckhand training programs.
However, if you’re in the same boat as some of our former students at Flying Fish, you may have one hurdle to overcome before you can get started: your parent/guardian approval.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions about working on a Superyacht that crop up regularly – for example, that it’s all about partying, or that there really isn’t much work to be done. do or many skills to learn – which your parents may be opposed to.
They may also have reservations that the courses are very expensive and that training as a flight attendant or deckhand will be worth your time and hard-earned savings.
Whatever the reason, it all comes down to your parents/guardians caring about your well-being and your future. And the best way to fight their fears is with the facts!
This is something we at Flying Fish know very well, so we have shared the following top tips for successfully introducing your deckhand or stewardess training course to your parents…
7 key points to share with your parents about Superyacht training:
1. “I will learn lots of new skills”
As mentioned above, one of the things your parents/guardians may not be sure about in your training is whether you will actually learn useful and transferable skills – and the answer is: you absolutely will – and more than you probably think!
As a deckhand, for example, you will learn practical skills such as rigging, maintenance work, cleaning and driving a motorboat, and as a stewardess you you’ll also learn how to operate a powerboat, as well as barista training, food safety and more – all skills that will come in handy either when you start your Superyacht career or in jobs in completely different industries !
On top of that, you’ll train alongside other deckhands and stewardesses, and you’ll need to develop your teamwork and communication skills in order to be successful in your training.
In fact, there’s no end to the skills you’ll learn through the flight attendant and deckhand training programs – so that’s already a worry for your parents/guardians!
2. “It’s a chance to develop my independence”
Every good parent hopes their child will have the opportunity to develop their independence – and training to be a deckhand or superyacht stewardess can provide just that!
When you embark on training as a flight attendant or deckhand, it could end up being one of the longest trips you’ve had away from home from school or college, or the further. Our courses at Flying Fish, for example, take place over two weeks in Cowes, Isle of Wight (take a look at Google Maps and see how far away that is from you!)
Chances are, you will travel to the training location on your own, rather than with friends or other students, as you would on an educational trip.
Additionally, you will be responsible for yourself during your training period; for example, making sure you show up for training sessions on time, have everything you need on the day, source and/or cook your own meals, etc.
At Flying Fish our team will of course be there to support you if you need anything, but the independence you will gain in just two weeks on one of our courses is phenomenal!
3. “The job and career opportunities are amazing”
Once you’ve completed your Air Hostess or Superyacht Deckhand training programs, that’s just the beginning.
As a deckhand, you can either choose to stay in the role, progress to Bosun, or work in other departments, such as engineering.
As a stewardess, you can stay in the job, progress to becoming the chief stewardess aboard the yacht, or even try your hand at deckhand work and progress that way!
Whatever your ambitions, at Flying Fish we’ll help you find the right starting position and stay connected for years to come.
4. “Not to mention, the pay is fantastic once I qualify…”
As noted above, your parents may be worried about the costs of your education and wondering if your hard-earned money could be put to better use.
However, you can happily tell them that the cost of your training pales in comparison to the amount of money you can earn once qualified.
Specifically, as a Deckhand or Superyacht Hostess, you could earn between €2,000 and €3,500 per month!
If it helps, however, we also have course financing options here at Flying Fish, so you can spread the cost of your course over a longer period of time.
5. “And even if I’m not embarking on a career in yachting, experience is desirable in other industries!”
As we mentioned above, there are so many different skills you can pick up during your training – and most of them are transferable to other industries!
So, for example, if you take your Superyacht training as part of a gap year and succeed along the way in your barista and customer service skills, you may be able to find yourself a part-time job in a bar, restaurant or pub to support you while you’re at university!
6. “It’s totally safe”
Naturally, your parents/guardians may be concerned about your safety while training (boats on the water may seem dangerous to many!).
You can reassure them very quickly here that Superyachts are actually incredibly safe, and that you will not only undergo rigorous basic STCW safety training during your course, but those training you and the people working on Superyachts, will know exactly what to do. do in the (very, very, very) unlikely event that something goes wrong.
7. “I’m going to make amazing friends and have a great time!”
One of the best things about superyacht deckhand and stewardess training is the people you will meet; people with so many different hobbies, experiences and interests that you can all learn a lot from.
As a result, you will also have the chance to make amazing lifelong friends with whom you can create amazing memories during your workout!
You’ll also have the chance to enjoy local attractions and entertainment at your training site – for example, there’s tons to do near our crew houses in Cowes here at Flying Fish!
I hope you now have all the tools in your arsenal to make a strong case to your parents/guardians.
If they need a little more persuasion, be sure to show them our selection of amazing Google reviews from our graduates.
Once that’s done, it’s time to book your lesson!
You can find out more about the Superyacht Stewardess and Deckhand training programs available on our website and book them there, or contact our team to discuss them in more detail.
Oh, and if your parents/guardians still need convincing, don’t worry, we’d love to chat with them too!
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