What is a Yacht Purser?
"If you want a limited career, have limited knowledge" - Tony Robbins.
​Sandra Jordaan, also known as The Yacht Purser, embarked on her yachting career in 2006 after graduating from university, knowing that she would never be happy working a traditional 9-5.
After working on some of the busiest and most prestigious charter yachts in the industry and having travelled to all seven continents, during her ten-year career, Sandra is now a sought after yacht crew career coach, mentor and purser teacher. The Yacht Purser is a PYA Partner and proud She of the Sea Ambassador and Pledge Signatory. Sandra is also the 2020 partner for the Adrift Film Festival, a non-profit which celebrates yacht content creators and donations benefit YachtAid Global.
Why become a Yacht Purser?
​If you are an experienced yachtie who is organized, has good communication skills, and understands that with great power comes great responsibility, then becoming a yacht purser may be a good idea for you. A yacht purser holds an exclusive and prestigious position onboard the world's finest mega yachts and giga yachts. Similar to a conductor of an orchestra, the yacht purser is the executive officer onboard who ensures that every department shines and thrives. A yacht purser is like a COO/CFO in one and liaises with yacht authority figures, guests, agents, brokers and is the first line of contact for the vessel.
What is a Yacht Purser?
​A Yacht Purser is the administrative hub onboard a yacht, which is generally larger than 65m. This person works closely with and reports directly to the Captain in all aspects of the vessel, crew, and guest administration and logistics. Principally charged with the accounts onboard, their duties will include but not limited to: vessel clearance into ports, contracts, insurance, visas, transportation, secretarial duties, destination management, and concierge services, assisting the Captain with maritime legalities, orchestrating shipyard periods, and refits, ensuring the yacht's policies are adhered to, liaising with management companies, owners, agents, the flag state, shipyards and officials. A brilliant communicator, computer literate, and proficient in administration with a solid understanding of maritime legalities and accounting practices, the Purser is the go-to person for all yacht related management tasks.
Yacht Pursers should hold the IAMI G.U.E.S.T. Purser Certificate (introduced in 2020) and with enough sea time and an appropriate Leadership course, the IAMI Purser CoC.
With the rise of self-publishing, it is important to seek out accredited courses to ensure that the information you learn has been verified, trainers assessed and your certificate recognised in the industry.
