Looking for a professional crew position (deck/chef/stew)
Hi there!
I’m currently in the US and available to join a quality sailing crew anywhere on the planet. I’m fully vaccinated, B1B2, I have a British Seaman’s book and hold a Canadian passport. I have a Day Skipper with STCW, Medical First Aid, VHF, Power Boat II, ENG 1, Advanced PADI and I am working towards a Yachtmaster Offshore. Excellent references. I've been mostly working as a all-rounder on 50-70’ luxury yachts. I'm an excellent cook and like to tend to people but I also enjoy sailing and working on the boat. I have experience with hydraulic sailing systems and other fancy yacht equipments and systems. I have strong people's skills and I have a talent for navigating through a wide range of people. I respect authority and have no problem taking on orders from superiors but I'm also capable of leadership if need be.
Overall, I'd describe myself as being fun, resourceful and thorough. I've proved myself to be a sharp, very organized and capable woman in everything I commit myself to. I'm physically strong and hard-working, handy with tools and enjoy manual work. But I also know how to behave like a lady ;) . I have a long lasting passion for food and I'm told to have sophisticated tastes. I like to sing when I'm happy and I'm great with kids (I've got nanny experience). I'm outdoorsy and I love the water. I'm also educated, thoughtful and I make good conversation.
I have extensive travel experience and I am comfortable working in remote places. I'm very resourceful and adaptable when it comes to navigating foreign cultures. I’m bilingual french and english, intermediate in spanish, beginner in portuguese, italian and swahili.
I took a break from sailing in the last year as I was working on getting a coaching certification and spent some time in Alaska fishing and exploring the mountains. Previously I worked as mate on a private Hinckley 49' ketch, slow sailing down the US east coast. Before that, I worked In Indian Ocean on a European family owned 66ft cutter as solo chef/stew/deck/admin. It was a strong experience as our boat had a very complex systems and lot of issues to work on, I had to go through 4 changes of captains and I was left in charge of the boat for 5 weeks in Zanzibar.
My duties on my last boat included night watches, assistance on deck with sail's trimming, handling lines, fenders, anchoring, cleaning, polishing, boat maintenance... I was in charge of the interior of the boat (provisioning, laundry, interior organizing and cleaning) and I was the Chef when the owners are onboard. I worked as a team with the skipper doing administrative work such as boat accounting, purchasing and importations in foreign countries, helping with immigration processes, looking for crew, etc.
I had the chance to be taught by very experienced sailors under harsh conditions which provided me with not extensive but good sailing experience. More recently, I've been practicing my seamanship skills with my present captain as we navigate tides and channels on the US east coast. I'm eager to learn more about sail trim and about other boat systems.
My eclectic past work experience (group facilitator, business consultant, carpenter/cabinetmaker, private chef, massage therapist, hi-end restaurant manager and waitress, event coordinator, ...) makes me a very versatile person who can easily adapt to new environments and switch from one task to another.
I don't smoke and I’m not an alcoholic. No tattoos either. And just to be clear, I'm not looking for romance.
Best,
Chiara
- Locked
Recommendation
Kiara is a gem of a human. Excellent communicator. Hire her-you'll be lucky to have her!
12th Feb 2023