Yacht week was a success! I had an absolute blast catching up with friends and meeting new ones. It was a good mix of staff from the Croatia and Greece route so I met some new people and mutual friends. The crew boat was awesome, super chill work week, and I would love to do it again. All the guests that first week were great, lots of returners and I got to see some friends I was a guest with back in 2022. My guests the second week were okay, they had their ups and downs, and it was a very small route with only 6 guest boats, but we made do. I had a female skipper named Milla that week, and we became pretty close. It is stunning out here, great landscapes and weather, and the locals are so nice!
The fun has continued post-yacht week :) I have been lucky enough to squeeze in a full week and counting of free accommodation and cheap food. First, the charter company people let Milla and I stay 2 nights for free which was super kind, then I moved to Scrub Island where my friend James is based with his company DCB. Apparently like 90% of DCB staff is yacht week employees so I knew way more people here than I even realized. James’s AC has been broken so I spent 2 nights with Caydon and Milla, One with Harry and Cole, then met a couple named Jake and Mackenzie at a group dinner one night who invited me to come on a day trip and stay with them at a popular bay. They had friends visiting from home so it was full vacation mode, we all had a great time. I am now back on Scrub Island which is basically this private island/ resort where all the DCB boats are docked. James is still working on the AC so I stayed with Brynn and Rosie last night and might go back there tonight. Last night we used the pizza ovens to have a group pizza night. We have also had a BBQ and Trivia night. It has been lovely living with professional chefs, with unlimited resources. I just help out with odd jobs and prep/clean up and everyone seems happy to have the company since there isn’t much to do around here when they are off charter. I will be sad to leave the little community here, but the inevitable awaits.
No big updates on the job search. I have been applying like crazy and have gotten a few referrals from coworkers here but not much to report other than a few phone interviews and shortlist emails. I suppose I will need to head to Florida soon and start dock walking/ networking in crew towns. Boats are already starting to hire for the Med summer season as well, so might have to ship off there earlier than expected.
Hylton has mentioned visiting South Africa the first week or two of March, which I am obviously keen to join but he won't know his future work schedule until mid Feb. He is hoping they will extend his contract and consider him for a Captain position but just have to wait and see where that goes.