Following on from part one of this article, Isobel Odendaal discusses tips and tricks for keeping pets happy and safe on board, including how to keep the yacht clean and poisonous plants to look out for.
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For hundreds of years, anything from parrots to cats to dogs to monkeys (and everything in between) have loyally travelled with their owners at sea, relieving their loneliness, protecting them and keeping them company.
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In the second part of our interview with Isobel Odendaal, the owner and director of Super Yachting South Africa talks us through her top tips for both green and established stews and stewardesses.
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Isobel Odendaal is celebrating 25 years in the superyacht industry this year, and on speaking to the owner and director of Super Yachting South Africa, it’s clear that she has relished each and every one of them.
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We have so many amazing discussions in our Facebook group, Yacht Stewardess and Steward Tips, on any given day. A frequent discussion is how to ensure that Russian guests have the best and most memorable trip possible.
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It’s no secret that quality and bespoke design are integral to the superyacht industry, and one company that prides itself on every detail of its trade is Hartnack & Co., a family-run business specialising in hand-crafted guest books, menus, portfolios and presentation boxes.
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Trans-ocean crossings are serious business. They can be carefully prepared and a great experience, but they can also be an encounter that hits you broadside with no prior warning, leaving you scrambling for what to do next.
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While flowers play such huge part when it comes to creating the ambiance of a superyacht, with so much information to navigate, arranging the perfect display can be a challenge. Here we’ll discuss some expert ways to arrange and care for flowers and more.
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While colour and variety are of course important factors to take into consideration when perfecting the ideal flower arrangement on board, it’s also essential to consider how long your flowers will last.
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Whoever has responsibility for a yacht’s AV/IT systems has two tasks. The first is to maintain the functioning of all units associated with entertainment and with communications/connectivity. The second is to detect and prevent malicious interference with such functioning. Read More
Seven years on, we have a clearer idea of the requirements for the Ship's Cook Certificate for yacht chefs, but there is still some confusion. With the help of OceanWave Monaco, we clarify what's involved and do away with some of the myths.
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The superyacht industry proudly boasts seven stars standards for guests in all aspects of the onboard experience, but when it comes to the suppliers to the yachts themselves, do chefs have the same peace of mind?
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During a busy yacht charter season, long hours, stressful conditions and demanding guests can take their toll on our physical and emotional health. We sometimes forget that we have to first take care of ourselves before we can serve others. Isobel Odendaal, ex-chief stewardess and trainer, shares her personal tips to soothe your body and soul.
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With Covid-19, some of us have had guests on board for extended periods of time, many wanting to live aboard for weeks or months to avoid the risk of infection. Here are some tips and ideas on how to keep your guests entertained during long stays at sea.
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With new anchorage regulations on the Cote d’Azur, the whisps of seagrass washing up on the beaches are unlikely to cause a stir, but Captain Rod Hatch outlines some important considerations regarding the potential impact on yacht operations.
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Yard periods can mean different things for different departments - some look forward to possible downtime while others, usually engineers, are preparing for a revolving door of contractors. In all cases, a yard period is an opportunity to learn what works and what doesn’t.
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As an experienced superyacht ETO, Ryan Porter shares his insight into the role for anyone wanting to get into the superyacht industry. From fixing the captain's email, to troubleshooting an engine fault, the role of an ETO is ever broad and varied.
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Rotational positions are becoming more common and naturally they are very popular with crew seeking a greater work life balance. Efficient handovers are key, and nowadays there is a raft of software and tools available to ensure they work smoothly.
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Despite there being such a high demand for it, the word ‘reliability’ is consistently overlooked when sourcing a new AV/IT system. Ryan Porter highlights the seven parts to consider, all of which play a vital role in the overall outcome of any integration or systems upgrade.
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The biggest, single subject in the professional syllabus at most naval colleges is leadership. In the commercial world, it’s rather catchily known as HELM, the purpose (and value) of which is still often misunderstood. Instructor and mentor Sean O'Reilly explains.
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After emergencies, shiphandling is a question I am always asked about. Not because it is the most important, but it's a black art to those not in the maritime profession, so I'm going to discuss my own shiphandling journey and the impact that a mentor made to this.
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With the world seemingly opening up again after the pandemic, who among us isn't interested in faster, more reliable and significantly cheaper connectivity? There are some universal limitations, but most owners could save a fortune and enjoy a better experience with minimal capital outlay.
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A crucial part of managing a successful interior team, whatever the size of the yacht, is to compile a useful and comprehensive steward/ess training manual. Here are some suggestions on what should be included.
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News travels quick. Maybe it’s because we live in an age of the creating and sharing information that we are hearing of more and more fires on board yachts. Most crewmembers out there will know of someone who has had an encounter with an onboard fire incident.
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Last month on OnboardOnline I talked about the best models of yacht management, and referred to the importance of a vision statement to guide the yacht’s efforts. This generated a lot of reader interest and in response I will unpack this a bit further.
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The impacts of COVID-19 have reached far and wide within the yachting community. Owners, suppliers and crew alike have all been impacted in recent months, causing a revaluation of how different elements of the industry interact.
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There was a time when I shared the view that yacht management reduces the ability of good yacht captains to deliver their service to yacht owners. Now with more experience and maturity, I see the view that management is not essential was wrong. Captains should not work in isolation.
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Isobel Odendaal knows how difficult it is to switch off and relax on charter, but as an ex-chief stewardess she has some insider tips on how to take care of yourself and restore your energy reserves so you can give your all to the guests.
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The story concludes with more than a sting... Captain Horatio Hardy is on a mission to find his lost triplet nieces whose parents have been kidnapped by marauding pirates in the Gulf of Socotra. His search leads him to the Cote d'...
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Fishermen Alf and his son have gone to sea for the day, expected home by 16:00. But they aren’t. Three days of angst-ridden searching reveals nothing, until ominously evidential flotsam washes ashore. There is no sign of either Be...
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