The first ever People and Skills survey has revealed the stagnant nature of recruitment in the superyacht industry.

Conducted by shoreside recruitment specialists Superyacht Recruiter (SYR) and BOAT International, the survey gathered insight from more than 450 participants across the industry. One of the key findings was the extensive length of time that most people have spent working within the superyacht industry.

In shipyard management, for example, 65 per cent of respondents had been in the industry for more than a decade and a further 27 per cent had been in the industry for three to nine years. This trend was also seen in brokerage, with more than 50 per cent of sales brokers having been in the industry for over a decade.

Unsurprisingly, industry longevity was highest at the C-suite level with more than 89 per cent of participants having been in the industry for more than 10 years and the rest having been involved for more than three years.

Despite the potential positives of dedicated service, contributors raised concern that this longevity, combined with a predominately white, male workforce, was limiting opportunities and progression within the industry. One participant commented that it appeared to be a “private members club designed for men”, while another said that there needed to be “greater progress through recognition of talent, ability and drive rather than old boy networks”.

Ed Ewer, CEO of SYR, has noticed a “steady decline” in “fresh…