Burnt by a poor performer?
Bad Captain hires cost owners more than crew turnover, they cost programmes, charters and reputation. We start every search by understanding why the last one didn't work.
CAPTAIN RECRUITMENT
Trusted at the helm. Chosen for the long run.
30+/yr
Captain placements per year
20m-150m+
Vessel range we recruit for
176+
Years of recruitment and industry experience
100%
Placement guarantee
WHY OWNERS CALL US
Captain hiring is the highest-stakes call you make.
Every superyacht is a small business and the Captain is its Managing Director. Three things keep coming up when we are first called.
Don't want to repeat it?
Our process is intentionally slower at the brief stage and faster at shortlist. Verbal references, psychometric checks and an ex-Captain on the team mean fewer surprises in month three.
Need certainty of fit?
Skills are visible on a CV. Compatibility isn't. Every shortlist comes with a written compatibility note, operational style, leadership, owner relationship, backed by our placement guarantee.
EXECUTIVE SEARCH
The five stagesof a Captain search
Slower at the brief, faster at shortlist. Each step exists to reduce the chance of a costly miss in month three.
Collaborative brief
Understanding your needs, exploring key skills, personality attributes and experience. We agree performance metrics, salary band and a realistic timeline before we go to market.
Executive search
Utilising our network and relationships to source suitable candidates, both active and passive, in line with your operational, leadership and experience requirements.
Detailed qualification
Shortlisting, verbal referencing and initial video interviews, including psychometric and ability testing where appropriate, presented to you with our written recommendations.
Internal interview
We support you to conduct inquisitive interviews with a bespoke set of questions aligned to your yacht's objectives, ensuring the right stakeholders are involved at the right time.
Offer & placement
Assisting in the negotiation and offer process, finalising in-depth background checks and verifying references, with client and candidate support post-placement.
WHAT YOU GET
Five outcomes that pay for the whole engagement.
Better guest & owner experience
Hire a great Captain who aligns with your values and sets the right tone will help to create the best possible experience and memories for all on board.
Long-lasting relationships
We optimise for tenure, not turnover. The Captains we place stay long enough to compound the value they bring.
Lower crew turnover
The right Captain becomes the magnet that holds a crew together season after season, resulting in fewer resignations and the need for less re-hires.
Reduced overheads & costs
Turnover at the top of the org chart is the single most expensive thing on a yacht. Stability pays for itself.
Enhanced placement guarantee, minimising risk
We offer an enhanced placement guarantee with Captain hires, meaning if the placement doesn't work, we re-run the search at our cost.
THE PEOPLE ON YOUR SIDE
Two consultants. One ex-Captain at the table.
Captain searches lean on judgement that only comes from time on the water. Tim and Simon run every brief together, corporate recruitment rigour, paired with operational instinct.
18
YEARS OF RECRUITMENT EXPERIENCE
DIRECTOR & CAPTAIN CONSULTANT
Tim Clarke
Tim is one of our founding Directors. Having spent two years as a Deckhand, Tim began a corporate recruitment career in London and worked with clients such as Goldman Sachs, Barclays and HSBC. Tim set up Quay Group (originally called Quay Crew) with his sister Caroline in 2013. His honest client appraisals, personal coaching and mentoring have enabled him to place dozens of Captains on yachts ranging from 40m to over 100m.
ARRANGE A CONSULTATION WITH TIM
22+
YEARS AT SEA
CONSULTANT & FORMER SUPERYACHT CAPTAIN
Simon Ladbrooke
New Zealand-born Simon spent 12 of his 22 years at sea as Captain on three yachts. His experience includes being Captain for 5 years on Elixir (55m Amels) where he spent a year on the build followed by 4 years at sea. With a deep knowledge of vessel operations, crew management & recruitment, and owner relations, Simon advises on Captain sourcing and selection for all yachts 40+ metres.
ARRANGE A CONSULTATION WITH SIMONCLIENT VOICE
In the words of the people we work for.
If you want to hire the best possible Captain for your yacht then Tim and Simon at Quay Crew should be the first people you call. I have worked with them since 2015 and they have placed many Captains on yachts I manage from 20m up to 107m. Their knowledge of the Captain market is unrivalled, they know who is great, but more importantly, who isn't. Their insight on salary, packages, market intelligence and retention is incredibly useful too.
FREE CONSULTATION
A confidential conversation about your next Captain.
For a confidential conversation about your current Captain requirements, or some market intelligence on current salary and leave packages, book a free consultation here.
CAPTAIN'S COMMUNITY
A peer-led network for the people on the bridge.
Dinners, panels, podcasts, golf trips and a Captains-only WhatsApp advice group. A place to socialise away from the yacht, break up rotations at home and support each other's careers.