Burgess Yacht Crew

What does it really take to become a yacht chef and build a successful career at sea? In this episode, Lorena sits down with Dean Harrison, better known as The Yacht Chef , to talk about his journey into yachting and the lessons he has learned along the way. Dean shares honest advice for aspiring yacht chefs, from understanding the realities of the role and getting that all-important first opportu...

How early should you start planning a refit? According to Dean Smith of Hampshire Marine, the answer is probably earlier than you think. Joined by Steve Galloway Kirkland, Fleet Technical Manager at Burgess, this episode explores why successful refits often begin one to two years before a yacht enters the yard. Together, they discuss the benefits of early planning, from securing shipyard availabil...

Life on a superyacht often means long hours outdoors, making sun exposure an unavoidable part of the job. While a tan or occasional sunburn may seem harmless, repeated UV exposure can have lasting consequences for your skin health. In this episode, Lorraine is joined by Susanna Daniels, CEO of Melanoma Focus , to discuss the realities of working in the sun, the misconceptions that can leave people...

In this episode of the Burgess Crew Podcast, we discuss how the industry can move towards a more sustainable future, and what that looks like on board today. Featuring: Captain Max, Chief Engineer Sasha, and Chief Officer Albert – M/Y LAMMOUCHE Lorraine Hanrahan, Yacht Manager & Sustainable Seas Programme Lead What we cover: The growing importance of sustainability across the global fleet An i...

In this episode, Matt Batchelor and Ewan Ferguson from our Compliance team take a practical look at cyber security on board - breaking it down into simple, everyday actions that can make a real difference. From email risks and compromised accounts to passwords, multi‑factor authentication and emerging tools like passkeys, the conversation focuses on how cyber incidents often start with small momen...

In this episode, Lorena is joined once again by Melanie White , founder of Marathon4MentalHealth , to discuss crew wellbeing, harassment awareness, and the practical tools available to support safer, more respectful environments on board. Mel shares insights from her experience as both former yacht crew and a wellbeing advocate, and talks through the updated 2026 edition of the ‘How‑To for Yacht C...

In honour of International Women’s Day earlier this month, we sat down for an honest and wide‑ranging conversation about the realities and opportunities for women entering and progressing through the maritime and superyacht industries. Our guests - Fleur Brewer and Lauren Saltonstall from UKSA, and Ellie Wilson, a recent UKSA graduate - share their very different pathways into maritime, the factor...

In this episode, we step inside the world of Jonny Sims, Head Chef of M/Y ASANI, whose career has taken him from his grandmother’s Yorkshire kitchen to fine‑dining restaurants in France and now to creating exceptional culinary experiences at sea. Jonny shares how he first fell in love with cooking, the unexpected path that led him into yachting at just nineteen, and the years he spent running his...

In this episode, Lorena sits down with Lorraine Hanrahan, Yacht Manager at Burgess , to talk openly about her journey from life on board to a shore‑based career in yacht management. Lorraine shares how she first entered the yachting industry, her time working on board, and the factors that led her to consider coming ashore. Together, we explore what that transition really looks like - from adjusti...

In this festive‑season special, we’re joined by Gemma Hulbert - former Chief Stew and founder of The Yacht Stew Academy - for an honest, warm and insightful look at what December really feels like onboard a superyacht. From decorations and traditions to the realities of long hours and being far from home, Gemma shares stories from nearly a decade at sea and the creative ways crew keep morale high...

In this episode of the Burgess Crew Podcast, host Georgina Menheneott is joined by Lauren Wardley, founder of Ethical Yachtwear, and Loren Curry, Interior Manager at REV Ocean, to explore how crew uniform choices impact our oceans. From extending the life of your kit and repairing instead of replacing, to choosing fabrics that respect marine ecosystems, this conversation is packed with practical s...

In this episode, we’re joined by Toni Frost from Safer Waves , a charity dedicated to providing confidential support to seafarers who’ve experienced sexual harassment or abuse while working at sea. We dive into a crucial topic affecting crew culture across the industry: what happens when someone witnesses inappropriate behaviour onboard - and why speaking up truly matters. Whether it’s a comment t...

In this episode we're thrilled to be joined by Sam Stewart, founder of the Relief Crew Foundation. Relief Crew is a brilliant initiative that connects the yachting industry’s skills, resources, and influence with humanitarian projects around the world. They create purpose-driven volunteering adventures for yacht crew, giving them the chance to use their talents in meaningful ways - and offer y...

In this episode, we’re joined by Daniel Smith, founder of NeurodiversAtSea and a maritime professional with over a decade of experience in commercial shipping. Daniel - who is autistic - shares his personal journey and explains why supporting neurodivergent crew is so important. We discuss: What neurodiversity really means in the maritime world Common myths and misconceptions about neurodivergent...

Getting your first job in yachting can feel exciting - but not all opportunities are what they seem. In this episode, we speak with Laura Beard, Welfare of Yacht Crew Project Manager at ISWAN, about the darker side of yacht crew recruitment . From spotting red flags to setting boundaries and avoiding scams, we break down essential advice from ISWAN’s Personal Safety Precautions for Job-Seeking Yac...

As part of our drug awareness campaign, we’re diving into the surprising world of over the counter medications and wellness products. We’re joined by Dr. José Restolho, a technical adviser and forensic expert from Eurofins, who helps us uncover what’s really hiding behind those innocent-looking labels. From sleeping tablets and CBD oils to diet pills and the latest ‘miracle’ supplements trending o...

In this episode of the Burgess Crew Podcast, we're joined by Karen Murphy - also known as 'The Crew Counsellor'. With over two decades of experience working on board and now supporting crew as a qualified counsellor, Karen shares powerful insights into how unresolved issues from life before yachting - such as people-pleasing, anxiety, low self-esteem, and past trauma - can be triggered...

At Burgess, we believe that sustainability is everyone’s responsibility and that means it isn’t just about cutting-edge technology – its the daily choices we make on board every single day. That’s why we’ve created the  Sustainable Seas Handbook , a practical guide designed to help yacht crew  minimise their environmental impact and adopt best practices  that make a real difference. To celebrate t...

Welcome to a special International Women’s Day episode of the Burgess Crew Podcast! In this episode, we’re joined by Andrea Tagliaferro, journalist, content creator, and founder of Yacht Femme - a platform dedicated to celebrating and connecting women in the yachting industry.  Andrea has built a powerful community where women can support and uplift each other throughout their careers. She has int...

In this episode, we explore the art of building emotional resilience with practical tools and insights designed for high-pressure environments. Joining us are Ruth Galloway-Kirkland and Richard Mason, Accredited Senior Coach Practitioners and Therapists, who have founded a company specialising in critical incident stress management and coaching for luxury brands. Together, we unpack the difference...

To celebrate our Crew Healthy Living Week, we have a special podcast episode. Join us as we sit down with Rachael Dickens, a renowned osteopath and founder of the English Osteopath clinics in Antibes and Monaco. Rachael shares her personal journey from recovering from a serious back injury to becoming a leading expert in osteopathy for yacht crew. She offers invaluable advice on preventing injurie...

We're wrapping up the year with a truly uplifting episode. We’re joined by Nick Entwisle, the founder of Yachting Gives Back, a remarkable charity which unites the yachting community to help fight poverty and hunger in Mallorca. Nick was an absolute joy to talk to and is so passionate about the work he and his team are doing. After a successful career in the yachting industry and organising variou...

Today, we’re excited to bring you the third episode in our series on the Environmental Crew Guidelines. We’re welcoming back Danella Hopkins, the visionary behind curating version one, and joining her is Gemma Harris, who played a key role in refining and shaping version two. Together, they’ve elevated this initiative to new heights and in this episode, we’ll explore the latest updates, what’s in...

In this special episode, we celebrate International Men’s Day with Andrew Ball, founder of Thrive Together and a passionate advocate for mental health awareness. Andrew, a mental health first aid trainer and avid runner, shares his inspiring personal journey of using sport—particularly running—as a powerful tool for maintaining his mental wellbeing. Together, we explore: - The profound impact of s...

In this episode, we continue our exploration of loneliness at sea, a theme highlighted during our recent Mental Health Awareness Week. Join us as we speak with ex-crewmember Rachel Boughton from Seas the Mind, who shares valuable insights on how yacht crew can combat feelings of isolation and foster meaningful connections while working on board. Key Topics Discussed: The unique challenges of lonel...