QuarterDeck
5th Floor
The Office Group, 133 Whitechapel High St,
London E1 7QA
Skipper
Host
About
Partners
Karen
Skipper
When did you start working for Quarterdeck and what made you get involved!?
2015 baby seeing the flags every year when I was sailing with my fam and thought I NEED TO BE PART OF THIS
How would you say your life has changed from then until now?
It has given me unforgettable memories and friendships all over the world. Not only that, it has taught me a lot about myself, what I'm good at, what I'm bad at, how to deal with tricky situations, and to appreciate experiences and travelling
Favourite part about the QD community?
My friends in combination with sharing the thing we all love so much, being out at sea
Summarize a day in the life of a skipper?
A great combination of peace in the morning when no one is up yet, at some point explaining the guests on board that want to know more about boating and sailing and sharing this great experience with them. Then having a coffee with your skipper and hosts buddies before getting ready to party your ass of with new and old friends!
Favourite part about being a skipper?
To see the sad faces of the guests on Friday because they know one of their best holidays is over, and to get them hooked on sailing holidays.
Describe a memory from TYW or QD that you know will stay with you forever?
So many! But one of them definitely the QD Amsterdam Reunion with 3 boats cruising the canals, with so many host/skip/event staff! The community is the best!
Charlotte
Host
When did you start working for Quarterdeck and what made you get involved!?
I started in 2017, I had just finished some pretty tough exams and wanted to take a break from study to do some travel and meet new people. I knew I wanted to go to Croatia and came across Quarterdeck when I was on a job hunt online. I always had an interest in cooking so it looked like a perfect match for me.
How would you say your life has changed from then until now?
I gained a huge amount of confidence working with Quarterdeck. Meeting lots of people and putting yourself out there are big parts of the job so you really build up your self confidence.
What is your favourite part about the QD community?
I sure everyone answers the same to this, the people. I challenge anyone to find a more welcoming and diverse group. I never imagined I would have friends from all across the world like I have now. The kind of friends that when they tell you to come visit them, they really mean it. Its possibly due to the fact that we are somewhat nomads while we are working, we all appreciate a warm welcome and we all offer it to others when we can.
How would you summarize a day in the life of a host?
I'm the first one up so I have the boat to myself for a while. I would usually get the yacht organized first while listening to music. When you are working you are often with people most of the time so its nice to have these seldom moments in the morning! Then I get going on breakfast while the skipper and crew wake up. Breakfast consists of sharing stories from the night before and bringing people back to life with food and coffee! I would then help the skipper drop anchor in a nice bay for a morning swim stop. Myself and the skipper would then get breakfast cleaned up so we can both catch a swim too. Once everyones done swimming we would sail to our next island, I spend this time chatting with guests or working on my tan! Depending on the day there may be activities, beaches or a day party. Once we've made a plan I get lunch cleaned up, get the rubbish off the boat and head to the shop for some reprovisioning and ice coffee. This is usually a catch up session with other Hosts and Skippers. Once I get everything onboard I've got the afternoon to myself. I'll hang out with friends, head to the beach and grab a shower after. Then its time to head to dinner! I have some amazing spots where I am good friends with the restaurant owners. Dinner is usually a long, family-style affair. After this I would brief the crew on how to get home later and we would head on to the event. These are always so much fun and a chance to unwind after a busy day!
What is your favourite part about being a host?
The community of other hosts around me. There is always someone to give you that one ingredient you need and a listening ear when you need to let off some steam. There is such a strong support group there that will become your family by the end of the season.
Describe a memory from TYW or QD that you know will stay with you forever?
Its very hard to pick one. Once a week we have a dingy meeting at the raft to discuss the week. This is a meeting of just staff and usually ends with music and dancing. This always made me feel like part of something bigger than myself!
Ralph
Skipper
When did you start working for Quarterdeck and what made you get involved!?
2 years ago, had my yachtmaster but wanted to get more experience as a skipper!
How would you say your life has changed from then until now?
An amazing community of people involved, new friends all over the world and all outward-looking like myself!
What is your favourite part about the QD community?
The comradery between skippers and hosts, we're a true family now as we've all been through something unique and special together.
How would you summarize a day in the life of a skipper?
Wake up. Dive in. Keep the ship floating and your guests happy. It is an extremely rewarding job if you put the effort in.
What is your favourite part about being a skipper?
Being a part of your guests' experience, you make their trip, it's you they are grateful towards.
Describe a memory from TYW or QD that you know will stay with you forever?
My first week, excitement levels couldn't be contained and my guests were still the best I ever had to this day. The beginning of an amazing adventure!
Hannah
Host
When did you start working for Quarterdeck and what made you get involved!?
I started back in 2016, I had been on holiday with my best friend on a sailing trip and fell in love with it a bit! I had heard of The Yacht Week, and a little bit of research pointed me in the direction of QD. I was looking for a way to travel and earn money at the same time, so hostessing sounded like the perfect fit! Now I do it part time alongside my 'real world' job, but couldn’t imagine my life without it now!
How would you say your life has changed from then until now?
QD opened up so many opportunities for me, and can easily say it was the best decision I've ever made! I was living and working in London on next-to-nothing income so it was the perfect opportunity for me. Now I've got friends all over the world (guests and colleagues) and although I don’t do it full time anymore, if I ever wanted to go back I know I could!
What is your favourite part about the QD community?
Everyone is like family, anywhere in the world you go, you're pretty much guaranteed a sofa to sleep on and someone to show you around! Also the shared experiences, no one understands the job until you actually do it.
How would you summarise a day in the life of a host?
In three words, incredible, exhausting and rewarding. It’s a tough gig, but you get SO much out of it, like when I'm serving up lunch in a secluded bay with crystal clear water, thinking is this real? Like is this actually my job?
What is your favourite part about being a host?
You are essentially paid to travel! I have been able to see places in the world I would never have even known about if it wasn’t for QD. The people really make it as well, your fellow hosties become friends for life and are like sisters! Also just being able to give people such an amazing experience that will stay with them forever is SO rewarding, reading my reviews after an epic week is one of the best bits of the job for sure.
Describe a memory from TYW or QD that you know will stay with you forever?
My first time in BVI, it was raft night and that 'golden hour' kinda time, all the boats had BBQ's going so it smelt amazing, we had just seen a shark swim by the boat, my guests were awesome and making me cocktails, and I was just like wow, as IF this is my life right now.
Connor
Skipper
When did you start working for Quarterdeck and what made you get involved!?
I started working for QD in June 2019, I was working as a scuba diver in Australia in 2017 when I saw the yacht week on social media. I loved to sail and it looked like an incredible experience for me to work, travel and meet new people!
How would you say your life has changed from then until now?
Quite drastically! Since I packed my bag and brought a one way ticket to Europe from little old New Zealand I have been working as a seafarer in 7 countries and just completed an Atlantic crossing! I’m a freelance captain with opportunities too frequent my biggest problems is not having enough time!
What is your favourite part about the QD community?
Best part is the people you meet, after my season with QD finished I travelled to two countries with my fellow skipper and hosts which was amazing! I then joined a superyacht for a few months when we ended up stopping in Capetown I met up with over 15 YW crew! It’s crazy to think wherever you stop you’ll always have someone to share a beer with!
How would you summarise a day in the life of a skipper?
Always starts with stories of the last nights experiences , making sure your guests have exactly what they need and more. Your prepared for the days actions and events by filling your galley table with iced coffees , setting the sail and see where the wind blows.
What is your favourite part about being a skipper?
Favourite part again has to be the QD Community and your guests! By the end of the season you have a new family of brothers and sisters but also a network of friends around the globe making sure whenever you have a layover you’ll always have a couch and a beer waiting. The swimming in crystal clear water and parties aren’t too bad either 😂
Describe a memory from TYW or QD that you know will stay with you forever?
Can’t put it past our weekly gatherings at Malibu Bar in Poros, it’s the beginning of the week on our Greece route the sun is always shining and the excitement is high as we all set alight this tiny bar on the Greek island for one night of dancing on the barrels & singing our hearts out🕺
Tony
Skipper
When did you start working for Quarterdeck and what made you get involved?
I attended QD Academy in April 2016, and started work that summer. I heard about it the day before I did my RYA/MCA Yachtmaster exam in 2011, when another guy showed me the 2010 Skipper Academy video (the infamous one with “Black Betty” as the song) on his phone in a bar, and I immediately tried to sign up. Unfortunately I was only 18, so too young, so I went off and went to university/got a job for a few years and promptly forgot about it, until I realised I hate sitting at a desk.
How would you say your life has changed from then until now?
My life has changed considerably! I used to work in Marketing for a Life Sciences manufacturing company, with the standard routine - wake up, commute to work, sit in an artificially-lit room in front of a compute screen all day, drive home, have dinner; rinse and repeat.z Now, I get to travel all over the world to sail yachts; be it delivering them, or deliver a memorable holiday to a group. I get to meet a new group of people each week, and hopefully make a lasting connection with them. My office is now the sunny cockpit of a Jeaneau 54, or the flybridge of a Lagoon 4.
What is your favourite part about the QD community?
My answer is going to have to be what everyone says, because it’s true. My favourite part is the bond between the other members of the community - the other Skippers and Hosts. If you go on to work for The Yacht Week through QD, you’re working day-in day-out with some of the most incredible people all summer, and even once that summer finishes you never leave the community. If you’re travelling to a new place and need somewhere to stay, odds are there’s a member of the community that lives there and will offer you a sofa or a spare room, and take the time to show you around - even if you’ve never even met them! Need a lead for some work? Someone will have those contacts you need, and will pass them on. Once you’re in, you’re in.
How would you summarise a day in the life of a skipper?
A standard day in the life of a skipper is a full-on one, but very rewarding. You wake up before your guests, making sure to clean the boat and get your admin done - pay the mooring fees, get a coffee, stock up on ice (can’t let those beers get cold!). Once they’re up and having breakfast, you can see what they want to do for the day, and agree on a plan based on your knowledge of the area. After that, it’s time to head out to the next place! Stopping in a picturesque bay for lunch and a swim, followed by a sail to the evening destination. After you’ve parked like a boss, you make sure the boat’s all packed up and clean, before guiding your gang to this great little restaurant you happen to know the owner at, for a warm welcome and some local delicacies.
What is your favourite part about being a skipper?
My favourite part is the variety. No day is the same, even if you go to the same places each week. You’ll be on a different boat, with different people who have different interests and priorities to the last group you were with. You get to might get to experience a new side to a location you’ve been dozens of places, like going on that island history tour you keep seeing advertised after four years of going to the island, or staying in a bay you’ve never been to on the other side of that hill.
Describe a memory from TYW or QD that you know will stay with you forever.
I think the memory that will stay with me forever is when I hit my head sailing in Greece with TYW (quite literally have the scar to prove it!). I was sailing downwind with just the headsail on a Lagoon 450, and for whatever reason stood up into the boom and hit my head on a D-ring. I almost knocked myself out with the impact, and there was a LOT of blood. Luckily I managed to get my guests to throw me a towel to compress my head, turn the engines on and furl the sail away. The reason I’m mentioning this memory is because as I was sailing in the TYW flotilla, I was able to quickly radio to the Crew Boat to get the medic and spare skipper ready, anchor in a nearby bay, and get them on board to patch me up. I was taken to hospital by the Crew Boat, and the spare skipper was able to take over my boat and guests for the afternoon. If this had happened when I was without the help of a team like mine, the situation could have been a whole lot hairier. But because I had the support of the flotilla, I was able to quickly get the medical attention I needed and my guests still got to have a day out on the water.