Peter Edwards, Chair of the MYBA Yacht Management Committee, discusses the need for enhanced background checks in the recruiting process
The recent murder of a stewardess, on a superyacht in the Bahamas, has sent shockwaves throughout the yachting industry and sparked serious conversations about making background checks compulsory for all yacht crew members. It was a tragic incident that denied a young woman a bright future and the first question we need to ask ourselves is whether it could have been avoided. Is there a gap in safety protocols within the yachting industry? And if yes, what are we going to do about it?
The fact is that, currently, there are no global regulations mandating regular background checks for yacht crew. There are strict regulations in place concerning the safety standards of the vessels themselves, but none designed to protect owners, guests and other crew members from potential harm.
The yachting industry has always relied on personal references, qualifications and word of mouth. It’s basically a matter of trust. However, while references and certifications are important, they do not always tell the full story. Background checks delve deeper. They often include criminal record checks and a look at past behavioral problems or tendencies that might jeopardise safety onboard.
Their aim is to help ensure that crew members are not only qualified but also trustworthy and safe to be around. They serve as a shield against potential threats by providing deep insights into a candidate’s past. By conducting meticulous background checks, employers can uncover any red flags and make informed hiring decisions.
Some may say that they are time-consuming and, in some cases, expensive but they are an investment worth making. We spoke with Peter Edwards, Chair of the MYBA Yacht Management Committee, who believes that a wider campaign concerning background checks needs to be conducted. One that would involve direct lobbying to flag states to get them to include them in their regulations. “That would certainly be a step in the right direction, but I also strongly believe that change should start from within the industry which should proactively adopt a culture of due diligence. We shouldn’t wait to be forced by regulators to do it. It should be adopted as an industry best practice and the result of collective will.”
Peter pointed out that some yacht management companies do carry out these background checks, and also carefully check work references, but they are becoming fewer as the industry expands. “We have grown and, in the process, have unfortunately grown out of some valuable habits. Years ago, we all made a couple of calls to people we trusted in order to check out a candidate. Because there are things easier said than written. Today, we are seeing recruitment via social media, little or no reference verification, and a hastiness that should not be associated with a high standard of operation.”
There have been suggestions of placing pressure on the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) to review its legislation but that would not be enough. The United States hasn’t formally ratified the MLC, with compliance being voluntary. And while the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has developed standards for seafarers, they also do not include specific requirements for background checks.
So, the yachting industry needs to think and act collectively in order to raise industry standards in this department. Whether such a campaign is led by MYBA, the Superyacht Alliance or another association, what we all agree on is that there is a real and pressing need for enhanced safety and security onboard. And we need to all work together to achieve it.
