Winter yacht crew wellbeing: Tips for a healthy, happy crew

Where is your yacht this winter?

Winter looks different depending on where a yacht finds itself—and so does crew wellbeing. For many, the shift in seasons also brings a shift in rhythms: shipyard periods that pull crew away from the sea, or long stretches at anchor in the Caribbean that limit shore leave and social connection.

“Within the shipyard, crew are often removed from the adventure and freedom that drew them to yachting in the first place,” says Kayleigh Liddell, Crew Services Coordinator and host of popular yachting podcast, Wavelength. “For many, it becomes the thing you have to do, not the thing you want to do, and motivation can be hard to find.”

In the Caribbean, the challenge is different, but no less real. Extended time at anchor, limited shore access, and long distances from family can lead to feelings of isolation.

Across both scenarios, one theme dominates: loneliness.

“Isolation and loneliness are the biggest challenges during winter,” Kayleigh says. “The focus needs to be on coming together as a community.”

Motivation, burn out, and the winter slump

Winter burnout is rarely about winter itself. More often, it’s the aftershock of an intense summer season.

“Burnout tends to be the result of a busy summer,” Kayleigh notes. “You want time to rest and recover. But rest doesn’t have to mean coming to a complete stop.”

Without structure, it’s easy for crew to fall into an unhelpful loop: work, Netflix, sleep, repeat. Add grey shipyard surroundings, reduced access to onboard spaces, and—in some cases—hotel living with less than nutritious food options, and momentum quickly drains away.

“All these things add up,” she explains. “You stop moving, habits slip, and suddenly you’re a couch potato. It’s easy to fall into, and much harder to break.”

Winter-specific health and wellbeing

Small habits can have a big impact. From a health perspective, winter brings familiar issues—colds, flu, fatigue—but amplified by months of high-intensity work, standard fare in the yachting industry.

“Your body has been running flat out for months,” Kayleigh says. “When things slow down, that’s often when sniffles settle in.”

Her winter crew tips are refreshingly simple:

• Keep moving
• Protect diet and nutrition
• Load up on vitamins
• Prioritise recovery and mental health
• “Never underestimate the power of movement and diet,” she adds.

Stretching, exercise apps, local walks, and hiking trails are all easy wins, as is carving out small moments of daily joy with a good coffee, a message home, a book, a hobby, or even planning the next holiday.

“Having something to look forward to makes a huge difference.”

How to set the tone

Leadership matters. And when motivation dips, it’s crucial.

“Captains and Heads of Department working on board need to lead by example,” Kayleigh stresses. “Get the crew out for a walk. Set up the first quiz night and rotate the quiz master. Find the local gym. Check the shipyard events calendar.”

Not all shipyards are created equal. Some offer crew spaces and easy access to amenities; others are, as Kayleigh puts it, “a sea of grey.” Understanding the environment and planning accordingly is a cornerstone of effective superyacht crew management during winter.

The same applies to the Caribbean. Shore leave doesn’t always come easily, which makes proactive planning essential.

“Make sure every crew member gets off the boat when they can,” she says. “Even small opportunities are a good idea.”

Training, growth, and wellbeing

Winter is a great time for growth, both personal and professional.

“Shameless plug,” Kayleigh laughs, “but winter is the perfect time for training.”

With fewer guest pressures, crew are better positioned to engage with professional development, whether that’s wellbeing-focused seminars, webinars, or technical upskilling through specialist courses. Hill Robinson Academy is one such provider.

Training not only builds competence, but confidence, motivation and long-term retention, particularly during shipyard periods when crew turnover often spikes.

“Shipyard season is something all crew will face at some point,” Kayleigh says. “It’s a valuable experience. Learn from those around you and seek out new opportunities.”

The wellbeing conversation in yachting is evolving—and that’s a good thing.

“We’ve moved from talking about mental health to wellbeing,” Kayleigh reflects. “Now we’re heading towards culture, and that’s where everything comes together.”

Culture, she explains, is the culmination of years of discussion around wellbeing, training, leadership, and human-centred management. It’s about creating a working environment where crew feel supported year-round, not just when something goes wrong.

Management companies, she believes, play a vital role by opening doors: connecting crew with training, helplines, wellbeing professionals, and support networks, even if they’re not expected to provide those services directly.

Looking ahead, Kayleigh hopes to see continued collaboration between shipyards, ports, and local yachting communities, expanding crew spaces, engagement programmes, and shared initiatives that make winter feel less isolating and more intentional.

Start a conversation about crew wellbeing this winter. Our Crew Services team is here to support captains and management with practical guidance, training, and trusted resources.

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