Women, Wellness & the Future of Yachting

A New Era for Women in Yachting

The yachting industry is in transition. For years, the conversation centered on vessels, owners, and luxury. But today, a new voice is rising — a voice that speaks for the people who keep the industry afloat. At the forefront of this transformation is Marién Sarriera, Founder of Yachts Mermaids and host of UNCENSORED on Yachting International Radio, whose work is redefining what it means to be a woman in yachting.

“If you don’t have crew, you don’t have a yacht. Period.”

For Sarriera, the message is simple yet revolutionary: the wellbeing of the crew is not an afterthought — it’s the foundation of the entire ecosystem.

From Burnout to Balance

Sarriera’s story begins at sea. For over a decade, she worked aboard superyachts, navigating long hours, relentless demands, and the emotional toll of life away from shore. By her eighth year, she was physically and mentally depleted.What followed was a collapse that forced her to confront the deeper issue: sustainability isn’t just about yachts — it’s about people.

“I was giving from an empty cup. My body was shutting down, my mind was exhausted, and I realized something had to change.”

That turning point led to a complete re-evaluation of what it means to live and work well at sea. Sarriera began exploring cyclical wellness — the natural hormonal rhythms that govern women’s physical and emotional energy — and how they could be honored rather than suppressed in a demanding maritime environment.

Cyclical Living and Crew Wellbeing

Sarriera’s concept of “cyclical leadership” challenges the one-size-fits-all approach that dominates most yacht schedules. She implemented crew rotations aligned with each woman’s hormonal cycle — offering extra rest during menstruation and maximizing productivity during high-energy phases.

The results were undeniable: fewer conflicts, improved morale, and better overall performance.

“When women are allowed to work with their natural rhythms instead of against them, everything changes. Energy, communication, even empathy improve. It’s not weakness — it’s wisdom.”

Her approach also fostered understanding among male crew, replacing stigma with support. Teams began to operate with mutual respect for each other’s physiology and limits — a rare culture of compassion in an industry built on perfectionism.

Leadership Through Empathy

For Captains like Liam Devlin of M/Y Unbridled, Sarriera’s work has become a mirror for leadership itself. The modern superyacht is no longer just a luxury machine — it’s a microcosm of humanity, where emotional intelligence and adaptability define true professionalism.

“Why should we expect peak performance from crew when we’re not supporting their wellbeing?”

Yachting is finally acknowledging that mental health, rest, and respect are not luxuries — they are safety protocols. They prevent burnout, build loyalty, and sustain excellence.

Reclaiming Identity Beyond the Sea

Leaving the ocean was not easy for Sarriera. Like many lifelong crew, she faced an identity crisis: Who was she without the uniform, the title, the motion of the sea?That question became the heart of Yachts Mermaids, her advocacy and educational platform designed to empower women in yachting to heal, learn, and lead from a place of authenticity.

“It felt like a divorce. I had to separate who I am from what I do. But once I did, I found freedom — and a new purpose.”

Today, she works to ensure that no one else has to reach the point of collapse before finding balance.

Education as Empowerment

At its core, Yachts Mermaids is built on education — helping crew understand their rights, their health, and their worth. From combating sexual harassment to promoting hormonal literacy, Sarriera’s programs advocate for awareness as a form of power.

“Don’t wait until something bad happens to educate yourself. Knowledge is what protects you, not luck.”

By bridging gender awareness, legal understanding, and wellness science, she’s helping to build a more equitable maritime culture — one where both men and women can thrive without burning out.

A Call for Collective Change

Change, as Sarriera reminds us, takes time. It requires captains, managers, and crew to face uncomfortable truths, dismantle outdated norms, and embrace empathy as strength.

Her work represents not just a shift for women in yachting, but for the industry as a whole — a call to evolve beyond survival and toward genuine wellbeing.