Pull up a chair, I have. For the past few weeks I have been relishing the experience that a smaller yacht and workplace provides. I joined my latest home on the 6th of June. I had a late night learning the boats systems and to be honest I may have been a little bit tired from my time in Berlin(not sure why?). I commenced work on the 7th and our charter started at about 12pm the next day.

It has been a couple of years since I have worked on a conventional sized yacht. It has been a couple of years since I have worked during a conventional carter. I have always felt there is a sweet spot for yachting. Boats between 65-80 meters have enough crew that you can have a different conversation each day. You still get to dock in marinas as opposed to commercial docks. You also get to be in port a lot more often. So what has really struck me upon downsizing?

• The boat is surprisingly big. It has everything one would need for a good charter. There is a lack of DJ equipment. I will remedy this.
• We have a very good crew here. It is a very busy yacht and only really stands down when we are in a shipyard. One day turn arounds are the norm and as such everyone is very organised and efficient. We have to be.
• I have learned everyones names inside a month. It took me a year to learn everyones names on board my last long term job. The revolving door on my previous vessel meant learning names was futile.
• Smaller work places mean a wider scope of responsibilities. I have been doing things I haven’t done before. This is good.
• Much more banter.
• I am working with Swedes again. My hard fought for Swedish has come flooding back. Wait for the impending Swedish lesson. I have a choice and very useful phrase already.
• Swedes are still funny.
• Australians still swear a lot.
• I have seen more sunlight here than I did in the whole of last year.