Yacht life to Shore life: Diaries of an ex-yachtie (Q&A Edition)

It is a given fact that yachties often experience a unique lifestyle. Long working hours, frequent travel, and limited free time prevent many yachties from establishing roots in one place or even visiting family back home. While yachting can be an exciting and fulfilling experience, it can also be unsettling when switching to a more conventional way of life. Below are some of the things you can do to stay on top of the transition and get yourself ahead of the game.

• Create a Plan?

Creating a plan is essential when transitioning from yacht life to shore life. This plan usually involves establishing specific goals, creating a budget, and identifying potential career opportunities. It is essential to create a realistic plan that accounts for the challenges of finding a job outside of yachting and the potential pain of financial instability.

• Network and Connect with Other Ex-Yachties?

The transition might be made easier by networking and establishing connections with other ex-yachties. Many former yachties have experienced similar things and can provide guidance and support during this trying period. LinkedIn and Facebook are two examples of social media sites that might be useful for connecting with other former mariners and keeping up to date on job opportunities.?

• Take Time to Adjust?

An essential factor of the transition is giving yourself time to get used to life after yachting. While switching to a more regular way of life, yachties frequently experience a lifestyle shock, which can include getting used to a single location, a standard job schedule, and the absence of the yachtie community. Establishing a routine and taking part in activities that promote a feeling of community, such as joining a local gym, getting back into the sports that you love or developing a new hobby, can be great tools to slowly adjust you into having a day-to-day routine.?

• Take away??

It might be difficult to adjust from yacht life to shore life. Yet, ex-yachties are more than capable of navigating this shift with the help of a practical plan, networking, patience, and expert assistance. Ex-yachties can embrace the chances and difficulties that come with life after yachting by developing a clear vision for the future ahead.?Also keep in mind that there are so many transferrable skills that you can take with you from your experience at sea such as your commitment to excellence in client relationships, good work ethic, crisis management, and being a team-player.

Yacht life to Shore Life: Diaries of an ex-yachtie (Q&A Edition)

Victoria Osstyn

Ex-Head of Housekeeping

3.5 years at sea

What has been the biggest challenge transitioning from sea to shore?

Easily the biggest challenge is not earning the same incredible income that comes with yachting (which I think is easy to take for granted when you are in it!). And then having to pay for your own accommodation, travel, insurance (ugh!), food, etc, etc. Also, and this was a big one for me: not having a clear game plan on what I wanted to do with my life on land. And, missing the constant travel! And, and, and...The list goes on. There are many challenges, as life onboard is just so different to life on land. Looking back, I seriously miss my yachting life, and if you work hard, find a great boat that takes care of you, with great crew, there are a million and one incredible benefits to sticking it out and making a solid career out of it! That said, life on land is pretty peachy too…

What type of Shoreside job did you land after yachting?

After having spent a few months travelling and living the dream, getting back into work was a shock to the system, to say the least. I started managing a local café/deli in Cape Town, which was very social and a lot of fun. Soon thereafter, I took over the management of a yacht charter company, booking and curating yacht charters for clients all over the world. This was also a lot of fun – planning my dream trips for clients – but also a huge responsibility. I simultaneously started managing luxury villas and houses around Cape Town, which I then turned into a full-time role and have spent the last decade building and growing my own successful company from it. My husband (also an ex-yachtie) and I also started a wholesome, plant-based beverage company a few years ago too (check us out! @agoraplantbased). Basically, many fingers in many pies.

Did you plan to work in this field? If not, how did this job come to be?

No, absolutely not! Coming back from yachting, I didn’t really have a clue as to what I wanted to get stuck into, long-term. I was very lucky as an amazing opportunity landed in my lap. The property management, which is what takes up most of my time, started soon after hopping off yachts, when a family member asked if I would be willing to manage her luxury villa in Camps Bay (a very beautiful, beachy suburb in the Mother City). I loved it and it felt right, as it built on many of the skills I learnt in yachting, so I decided it should become a full-time role, and my business grew from there!

What do you do now and where in the world are you??

I am based in Cape Town with my husband, still managing luxury properties dotted around our beautiful city, and running our small, wholesome beverage company, called Agora Plant-Based Beverages. I am also a mum to one scruffy four-legged and two very cute, and very naughty, two-legged babes. We spend our time visiting markets, cooking great meals, having friends and family around and a lot of time travelling locally and soaking in our beautiful country. Life is busy, but good!

What skills from life as a yachtie helps in your current workplace??

Dealing with high-end clients, acute attention to detail, long work hours, plans changing at the drop of a hat, and needing to be 100% organised: these were all great skills learnt onboard that, without a doubt, help me in my current profession. Yachting really does give one skills that will benefit all professions.

What was the best part about moving to ashore?

Being able to plan ahead, even for small things, like a hairdresser appointment! Being closer to family and friends and being able to spend quality, uninterrupted time with them. And, of course, being able to get our majestic scruff of a dog, Moxie! Longer term perks: putting down solid roots, creating a home and starting our little family.

Any advice for yachties looking to make the transition to land life?

Probably the most important piece of advice I could give, would be to have a game plan before you transition. Keen to travel first? Study? Start a business? Get into a completely new industry? Figure out what floats your boat, and what you think will make you happy over the long-term. Then, plan and write out the steps to get there. You may make a few mistakes along the way, but that’s okay – you’ll get there eventually! Oh, also, if you have savings, invest them wisely.?