Crew tips – Go Eco – #4

Going eco is a team effort. Nicola Jones from M/Y Jubilee tells us about how and why her crew-mates are eager to be part of the change.








“I began to realise the health issues I had,
were due to using products which
contained harsh chemicals and toxins.”






REASONS FOR GOING ECO? 

Meeting Sheila in 2007 was a stroke of fate, as being a stewardess meant lots of detailing, long days in the laundry room using mainstream products and a lot of American products, many of which I had never heard. As a junior stewardess, you follow the requests of your Chief Stew with very little questioning, as ‘this is how things have always been done’ became the general response. The products worked very well, with very little ‘reason’ to change. However, after a long charter and weeks in the laundry room the skin on my hand split. The skin under my nose also became chapped and began to peel.

I began to raise concern over the products we were using often in confined spaces for hours on end. I realised I had been unknowingly exposing myself to an array of toxic chemicals. The industry was not so ‘aware’ back then.

Meeting Sheila came at the perfect time, for both interior departments and the environment. Buying eco meant a win win. Better for the crew, interior and of course better for the environment. Sheila certainly woke up the industry at the right time.

WHAT HAS CHANGED BY USING ECO PRODUCTS?

Impact on the environment, industry awareness and attitude. The impact of education for interior teams, gaining knowledge of how to care for exquisite interiors and building core housekeeping teams which has been invaluable training benefitting the girls and owners alike. It has made housekeeping a lot more interesting and less mind numbing. The girls are very knowledgeable about what products to use and have a greater understanding regarding dosing, ordering and budgeting correctly, all important tools to becoming a great Chief Stewardess.

The main challenge I recall was changing the mindset of the crew from old ways to new, convincing captains from a financial aspect, as invariably eco-friendly products on paper looked more expensive. However, once you factor in the resources, and time away from the interior taken going to the shops, logistically, and trying to maintain a consistent standard, it became easier to sell the idea and gradually make the transition over to the Eco way forward. Additionally, when MARPOL also dictated the law in relation to what boats were discharging, this woke up management companies and therefore Captains and Engineers to the new way of yachting.

I also noticed a huge shift in conscious owners who requested eco-friendly products for housekeeping and for laundry purposes, which meant a welcome and much needed shift in mindset.


WHAT IS YOUR GOAL FOR THE FUTURE?

My goal for the future is to continue to encourage eco-friendly products as the only acceptable standard to be used, this along with continued education of interior teams, making seemingly mundane tasks interesting and meaningful, and reminding the girls even small tasks bring a lot of value not only to the team and owners but how they impact the environment in a positive way. With this we can continue to see the yachting industry give back to the seas and oceans we sail up on.