On this episode of On the Bridge, we sit down with Captain Chris Gartner on the upper deck of the iconic sailing yacht Black Pearl.

Captain Chris shares his journey and unique insights, having served not just as an operational captain but also as a build captain. He discusses the incredible challenges and rewarding experiences that come with managing one of the world’s most advanced and largest sailing yachts.

From the complexity of her DynaRig system to the sheer awe of the yacht in real life, Chris offers a fascinating look into life on board a true engineering marvel.

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On this episode of On The Bridge, Alicia heads to the Isle of Wight to explore UKSA, one of the world’s leading maritime training charities. From six-year-olds stepping onto the water for the first time to cadets training for careers on superyachts, commercial vessels and workboats, UKSA is creating real pathways into the industry, regardless of background.

We speak to the Director of Development and Impact about the £1m+ in bursary funding awarded each year, cadets who have completely changed career direction, and how the organisation works with industry partners to remove financial and educational barriers. We also hear from students and alumni about life on the superyacht cadetship, interview preparation with leading agencies, and why that first job at sea can make or break a career.

CEO Chris Frisby shares his own journey from student to CEO, and explains why welfare, careers support and long-term alumni relationships make UKSA truly unique.

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Chapters / Timestamps
00:00 – What is UKSA and why are we here?
01:00 – How does UKSA fund opportunities for young people?
03:00 – How do bursaries remove barriers into yachting?
07:00 – What makes the superyacht cadetship unique?
14:30 – Why is the first job at sea so important?
22:30 – How is UKSA tackling crew mental health?
28:50 – How did the CEO’s journey start at UKSA?
33:30 – What funding options exist for students today?
41:00 – How is UKSA preparing for the future of training?
45:00 – What’s next for UKSA and maritime education?

In this episode of On the Bridge, we sat down with Superyacht Times Editor in Chief, Francesca Webster. She tells us about her career to date and shares insights into life at one of the industry's biggest media outlets.

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In this episode of On the Bridge, we speak with Cally Cooper, owner and founder of WellCrew. She tells us how she found her way into the industry and talks about the techniques and technology she uses to increase the health of superyacht crew.

Find out more at - https://www.well-crew.com/

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What really happens behind the scenes of yacht crew welfare, and why are more crew reaching out for support than ever before?

In this episode of On the Bridge, we’re joined by Laura Beard, Welfare of Yacht Crew Project Manager at ISWAN (International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network). Laura brings a rare combination of lived yachting experience and professional welfare expertise, having spent over 15 years working both shoreside and onboard before stepping into her current role.

Laura shares her journey from shipyards and refits to life as yacht crew, and how studying psychology led her to a career dedicated to supporting others. We explore the realities of crew welfare today, why yacht crew often struggle to reach out for help, and how Yacht Crew Help, ISWAN’s confidential 24/7 support service, is changing that.

The conversation dives into mental health, contracts, workload pressures, leadership responsibility, and the often overlooked impact on families back home. Laura also explains how ISWAN uses real data from crew to shape education, campaigns and industry collaboration, and why welfare goes far beyond mental health alone.

This is an honest, compassionate, and essential listen for anyone working in or around the yachting industry.

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Chapters

00:00 – What is your role at ISWAN and what does Yacht Crew Help do?

01:05 – How did your own yachting career lead you into welfare work?

03:00 – What is it really like transitioning from yacht life to shore-based work?

04:10 – Why weren’t yacht crew reaching out for support in the past?

05:30 – What is Yacht Crew Help and how does it support crew confidentially?

08:20 – What trends are you seeing in crew welfare right now?

10:40 – How can captains and senior crew better support their teams (and themselves)?

17:10 – What misconceptions about crew welfare need to change?

22:30 – How do contracts, training and education link directly to wellbeing?

26:30 – How has social media shaped perceptions of yacht life and welfare?

31:35 – What’s next for ISWAN and the Welfare of Yacht Crew project?

In this episode of On the Bridge, we speak with Captain Chris Halligan, captain of a 90-meter superyacht.

We pick his brains to find out how he builds the best Bridge Team, how he manages the team and how he helps in their career development, and also how he's used his experience from previous positions to make him the captain he is today.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

03:41 Superyachts

09:00 Bridge Team

10:50 Crew

12:25 Team

14:05 Bridge Regulations

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In this episode of On The Bridge, we speak to The International Seakeepers Society Director of International Relations, Gill Rodrigues.

She tells us a bit about her background, how she joined Seakeepers, their mission and some of the projects they undertake, her challenges and achievements, and how people can get involved to help.

https://www.seakeepers.org/

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In this episode, we sit down with Claire Hagen, the industry’s leading creative marketer and AI specialist, to unpack how creativity and artificial intelligence are reshaping modern marketing, branding, and business strategy.

Claire shares how forward-thinking founders, marketers, and leadership teams can use AI not just for efficiency—but as a powerful creative partner. From building authentic brands in a tech-driven world to staying ahead of rapidly evolving digital trends, this conversation blends strategy, creativity, and practical insight.

We explore:
• How AI is changing the role of creative marketers
• The biggest misconceptions about AI in branding and content
• Where human creativity still outperforms automation
• How businesses can integrate AI without losing authenticity
• What the future of marketing really looks like

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, marketer, broker, or business leader navigating digital transformation, this episode offers clarity, inspiration, and actionable takeaways.

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