For some UAE residents, the sea isn't just a workplace—it's home. Living and working aboard charter yachts is a lifestyle choice for crew members who spend most of their time navigating the waters, catering to guests, and maintaining luxury vessels. Khaleej Times spoke with two yacht crew members, Captain Chito and stewardess Jenessa Marcos, about their unique lives on the sea.
Life Aboard a Yacht
Captain Chito: A Decade at Sea
For Captain Chito, the yacht has been home since 2016. While he enjoys the convenience of being ready for bookings at any time, the lifestyle comes with challenges.
- Disrupted Sleep: The harbour operates 24/7, and late-night visitors often interrupt his rest. "Once my sleep is interrupted, I cannot sleep immediately," he explained.
- Busy Schedule: Chito’s job often requires him to work through the night and continue into the morning without breaks. "As long as there is a trip, we have to go for that," he said.
- Minimal Downtime: With just one day off per week—or sometimes only twice a month—his free time is limited to running errands and meeting friends.
Jenessa Marcos: Home and Work Combined
Jenessa, a stewardess living aboard a yacht docked in Dubai Harbour, finds the setup convenient.
- Convenience: "Living on the yacht is amazing," she said. "Everything is in one place, and the crew feels like family." After late-night trips, she doesn’t need to commute, as her room is just below deck.
- Atypical Hours: Guests often arrive for boat rides late at night, with trips ending at 2 or 3 am.
- Challenges: While Jenessa appreciates the convenience, she misses cooking and socializing. "There’s no social life," she admitted, as her time is spent preparing for guests or maintaining the yacht.
Food and Daily Life
Both crew members rely on ordered meals due to their busy schedules.
- Captain Chito: "We almost never have time to cook food here, so it’s much better to buy already cooked meals," often ordered from fellow Filipinas (“Kabayan”) offering home-cooked options.
- Summer Heat: During the hot summer months, yacht bookings drop significantly. The crew spends most of their time inside air-conditioned rooms to escape the intense heat.
A Unique Lifestyle
Despite the challenges, living on a yacht offers a unique experience. For Captain Chito, it’s about being ever-ready for the next adventure, while Jenessa enjoys the simplicity of having everything she needs in one place.
