A practical, real-world handbook for communication, behaviour, networking & online presence.
Professionalism in yachting isn’t just about the uniform you wear or the tasks you complete. It shows up in how you communicate, how you behave when no one important seems to be watching, how you carry yourself around guests and crew, and yes — how you present yourself on shore and online. These are often the real deciding factors in how crew are remembered, hired, and recommended. Mastering professional etiquette is what truly separates good crew from exceptional crew.
This became especially clear in the latest episode of our Crew Chronicles podcast, where we spoke with Andreea Moldovan — an ex-dockmaster-turned-deckhand, recently nominated for Lead Deckhand at the Crew Awards 2025, and now stepping into a junior yacht broker role on shore. Not many people have navigated as many corners of the industry as she has, and her story embodies the kind of practical insight and lived experience we aim to highlight at ACREW.
Watch the full episode here.
What stood out in our conversation with Andreea was how she consistently returned to the idea of the “unwritten rules”of yachting — the things no course teaches, no training manual outlines, but every good crew member should know. And while every boat is different, with different captains, cultures, and quirks, these rules are the ones that quietly separate truly professional crew from everyone else. Following them isn’t always easy. In fact, for many, they’re the hardest part of the job. But they are also the habits that open doors, build discipline, and earn respect onboard, ultimately helping Andreea stand out in interviews with top captains and first officers throughout her career.
Communication & Networking: The Everyday Skills That Shape Your Reputation
Before diving into the more debated areas of etiquette, it’s worth acknowledging that good communication sits at the centre of everything that works well onboard, and it naturally extends into how you network in the industry.
Professional communication is not about saying the most; it’s about being clear, respectful, and aware of how your words affect the flow of the day. Strong communicators know when to speak up, when to ask for clarification, and when to simply listen. They avoid gossip, keep conversations solution-focused, and understand how to adjust their tone depending on who they’re speaking to.
This awareness becomes just as important off the yacht. Networking in yachting doesn’t just happen at formal events — it happens in the marina, at crew gatherings, in shipyards, and in day-to-day interactions. A single respectful conversation or a helpful moment can be the reason your name lands on the right CV stack months later. How you communicate with people everywhere becomes part of your professional identity, long before you realise it.
Good communication earns trust onboard. Good networking earns opportunities onshore. Together, they form some of the strongest foundations of a lasting yachting career.
Online Presence: The Grey Area No One Warned You About
One of the most important — and arguably one of the most debated — areas of professionalism today revolves around how crew present themselves online. Social media blurs the lines between personal life and work life, and in an industry already associated with luxury and exclusivity, it’s easy for those lines to become confused.
People see the champagne, the views, the destinations, but rarely the “invisible” work that makes every guest experience look effortless. Posting content that suggests a glamorous, guest-like lifestyle onboard can send the wrong message, even unintentionally. This includes selfies on deck, interior photos, or anything taken in guest spaces.
And this is where one of the longest-standing etiquette rules becomes especially relevant:
crew should never sit, lounge, or take downtime in guest areas. These spaces aren’t just “off-limits”; they represent the owner’s private environment and the standard the yacht upholds. Sharing photos from these areas, or curating content that makes it seem like you’re enjoying the vessel as a guest, can damage trust and even breach confidentiality.
Even if your account is private, screenshots travel. Recruiters, captains, agencies, and owners all take note of how crew present themselves online. Social media can either support your professionalism, or quietly undermine it. The strongest crew understand that maintaining their professional image doesn’t end when their shift does.
Building a Career Through Discipline and Awareness
Building a career in yachting is about much more than technical skills. It’s about awareness, behaviour, and the choices you make daily, even the ones that may feel small or go unnoticed. These unwritten rules, the ones crew like Andreea learned from experience, are what carry you from your first day on deck to positions and opportunities that you might not even know to aim for yet.
Professionalism is not about striving for perfection — it’s about consistently respecting your environment, your colleagues, and yourself. When you do that, your work becomes easier, your relationships stronger, and your opportunities broader.
If there’s one thing Andreea’s journey makes clear, it’s that professionalism is never wasted effort. Whether you stay onboard for two seasons or twenty, or eventually move into a shoreside role, the yachting industry rewards those who approach their work with intention and respect.
