Harassment In Yachting: Speaking Truth, Finding Strength

The Silence Behind the Smiles

In the glittering world of yachting, silence has long been mistaken for professionalism. Behind the smiles, however, lie stories of fear, humiliation, and survival — stories that most never tell.

In this deeply personal conversation on UNCENSORED, Marién Sarriera sits with Halima Ferreira — a private chef, founder of Tailored Taste, and survivor — to confront what too many still deny: harassment in yachting is real, it is systemic, and it is breaking people from the inside out.

“I was the only woman among 200 men in a galley. My first experience with harassment was on that ship. He groped me and told me if I wanted an easier life, I had to do whatever he wanted.”

Ferreira’s voice doesn’t shake when she recalls it. It steadies. Because she’s spent years reclaiming it.

Where Empathy Should Live — and Doesn’t

Ferreira did what most are told to do. She reported it. She spoke to her executive chef. She followed procedure.But procedure without empathy is just paperwork.

“There was no real support. They made me the noise,” she says — a sentence that encapsulates decades of dismissals in hospitality and maritime work.

Even on vessels with HR departments and formal reporting channels, the cultural instinct to protect the powerful still overrides the duty to protect the vulnerable.

And for crew who have nowhere to turn — no HR, no welfare officer, no DPA who listens — the message is clear: survive quietly or leave.

The Weight of Laughter

Sarriera adds her own story — one that begins with shock and ends in silence.An owner, a door left open, a body displayed without consent. When she turned to her team in disbelief, they laughed.

“Everyone laughed. That reaction taught me to believe it wasn’t a big deal — even when I knew it was.”

It’s the laughter that breaks people — not because it’s cruel, but because it’s cowardice disguised as comfort. Every time a bystander stays silent, harassment tightens its grip.

What Healing Really Looks Like

Ferreira’s healing didn’t come from justice. It came from reclamation. From therapy, breathwork, and the radical act of telling the truth.

“Healing wasn’t about fixing myself. It was about remembering who I was before I was silenced.”

Today, she sits on a management team dominated by men, not by matching their energy but by redefining what strength looks like.

“I lead with empathy and calm authority. Strength isn’t loud — it’s steady.”

She refuses to harden, even in an industry that still rewards armor over authenticity.

The New Definition of Leadership

Real leadership, Ferreira insists, isn’t about hierarchy — it’s about humanity.It starts with boundaries, awareness, and accountability at every level.

Her advice to young and vulnerable crew is simple:

1. Trust your intuition. It will never lie to you.

2. Document everything. Truth deserves a paper trail.

3. Find an ally. You are never meant to face this alone.

“Confidence isn’t arrogance. It’s clarity about who you are and what you deserve.”

A Call for Collective Courage

Harassment in yachting is not an individual issue. It’s a cultural one.Change will not come from a single policy or poster. It will come from the day the laughter stops — the day crew stand beside one another and say, enough.

“You are safe. You are strong. Each time you speak truth, the world becomes a little braver. Healing is possible. Awareness is power. Together we can build a culture where respect isn’t negotiable — it’s expected.”

Resources & Support

If you or someone you know is experiencing harassment or abuse:

🌐 ISWAN Yacht Crew Help: https://www.iswan.org.uk/yachtcrewhelp/ — confidential 24-hour support for yacht crew worldwide.

For legal information and seafarer rights:

🎧 Maritime Legal UNCENSORED Podcast: https://yachtsmermaids.com/inspiration-blog/maritime-law-for-yacht-crew

About the Guest

Halima Ferreira is a private chef and founder of Tailored Taste, blending food, wellness, and education to create impact and resilience through awareness.

📍 LinkedIn: Halima Ferreira

📸 Instagram: @tailoredtastehalima

About the Host

Marién Sarriera, host of UNCENSORED, challenges the culture of silence that pervades the maritime world. Through raw, unfiltered conversations, she redefines what strength looks like in an industry built on appearances.

📩 Share Your Story: info@yachtsmermaids.com