The Leadership Shift Yachting Needs: Why Crew Wellness Starts at the Top

Yachting International Radio
4 minutes ago
3 min read

“Captains aren’t taught the soft skills. But we can learn them. And that starts with admitting we don’t have all the answers.”

In a windswept virtual meeting that crossed continents—Alaska to Spain—Captain Liam Devlin and WaveWellness Founder Xanthe Bowater brought one of the industry's most urgent conversations to the surface: crew wellbeing.

For many, wellness onboard is still treated like an afterthought—if it’s acknowledged at all. But this Captain’s Chat pulls no punches in identifying the root of the problem: leadership gaps, outdated systems, and a reluctance to address real human needs.

From Survival to Support

Xanthe Bowater’s story isn’t uncommon—but it should be. After entering yachting at just 17, she faced sexual assault, bullying from a captain, unpaid wages, and toxic environments that drove her ashore after five years. What she discovered on land shocked her: land-based marine employees had access to support systems yacht crew could only dream of.

“I realized shoreside staff had mental health resources, financial guidance, even discounted eye care. And yacht crew had… nothing.”

That realization sparked the creation of WaveWellness, a platform designed to support yacht crew through holistic care—mental, physical, nutritional, and financial.

A Captain's Honest Perspective

Captain Liam Devlin, known for his humility and heart-forward leadership, didn’t shy away from owning the problem from the helm.He admits that while captains are expected to wear every hat onboard, emotional triage is not one they’re trained for. And when crew members face trauma, isolation, or burnout, it's often the captain who becomes the default "fixer."

“When you’re ashore and something’s wrong, you go to a doctor. At sea? You go to the captain. But I don’t always have the tools—and I shouldn’t be the only one.”

That’s why Liam implemented WaveWellness onboard Unbridled—not as a tick-box solution, but as a cultural shift. The program gave his crew confidential support while lifting the emotional burden captains often carry alone.

More Than Mental Health

WaveWellness isn’t just about therapy. It’s about building resilience and self-sufficiency through practical tools: access to online fitness, nutritional advice, financial literacy resources, and structured onboarding that encourages engagement.

“Crew need to understand this isn’t being ‘pushed’ on them. It’s a gift. It’s yours—use it.”

And it’s working. Not only did Unbridled crew engage, but the program also created psychological safety onboard, paving the way for transparent communication between leadership and crew.

The Bigger Problem: Management Silence

Despite success stories like Unbridled, Xanthe notes that most management companies still avoid committing to third-party wellness programs. Their answer? “Our DPA handles that.” But DPAs are crisis responders—not culture builders.

“We’ve got too many ambulances at the bottom of the cliff. What we need are guardrails at the top.”

The solution, they agree, must be systemic: onboarding tools through crew agencies, wellness programs mandated by management, and captains empowered with options that go beyond reaction and into prevention.

Building What She Never Had

Xanthe doesn’t come from a clinical background or HR department. She’s crew. And that’s her strength.

“I’m not a therapist. I’m someone who lived through it. WaveWellness is the program I wish I had for the past 12 years.”

With upcoming appearances at yacht shows across Europe, plans for a mobile app, and evolving onboarding methods, WaveWellness is moving from concept to movement—one boat, one crew, one culture shift at a time.

A Culture Built on Care

This conversation wasn’t just about wellness. It was about leadership evolution—from ego to empathy, from control to collaboration.

“We can’t fix every issue, but we can create space. We can give crew the tools. We can lead differently.”

If the future of yachting depends on the next generation of captains, then it’s time they understand: leadership isn’t how many miles you’ve logged—it’s how many people you’ve helped thrive along the way.