Relief Crew Foundation: Bridging Yacht Crew Expertise with Humanitarian Impact
With ex-Yachtie – Sam Stewart
The yachting industry thrives on its global reach, luxury, and dynamic workforce, but it also fosters innovation and philanthropy among its crew. Over the years, DSNM has worked with and witnessed many crew members who have channelled their on-board experiences into ventures that make a difference, ranging from innovative apps to humanitarian foundations. For Sam Stewart, former first mate on board motor yacht Sanam, the desire to make an impact led to the creation of the Relief Crew Foundation, a platform connecting yacht crew with meaningful humanitarian projects worldwide.
From Yachting to Volunteering
Sam’s yachting journey began in 2014 and has been complemented by his passion for travel and volunteering. Until recently, he served as first mate aboard the 52-meter Palmer Johnson vessel Sanam, a role he balanced with backpacking, surfing, and volunteering.
His interest in humanitarian work was sparked during a trip to a refugee camp in Lesvos, Greece, three years ago. “The idea had been brewing ever since pulling into a port in the south of Italy and driving past a coastguard boat packed with asylum seekers who had just been rescued from the sea. Witnessing that from onboard a yacht – seeing the disparity in such close proximity had a massive impact on me”, he says.
That moment inspired him to dedicate his time off to helping those in dire need, starting with six months of volunteer work at Europe’s largest refugee camp. His efforts ranged from building playgrounds and classrooms to amplifying the stories of residents through media and communications work.
“As much as I love travelling, after that moment I decided I’d rather spend my time off helping people who genuinely need it”, Sam notes.
This commitment deepened over time, eventually setting the stage for the Relief Crew Foundation.
A Trial Run in Morocco
The foundation’s first project came unexpectedly but proved transformative. After a devastating earthquake struck Morocco, Sam and the crew of Sanam rallied to provide aid. With the support of the yacht’s owner, who funded flights, tools, and accommodations, the crew spent three weeks in the Atlas Mountains constructing toilets in five remote villages.
“The captain was fully behind it and pitched it to the yacht owner who was amazing and said as long as the boat was ready for summer, we should do whatever was needed to help in Morocco”, Sam stated.
The project was a logistical challenge, involving the use of diggers and even donkeys to transport materials to inaccessible areas. For the crew, it was an experience as intense and rewarding as their yachting work—but this time, they were meeting basic human needs.
This successful pilot project underscored the potential of the Relief Crew Foundation to mobilize yacht crew for meaningful humanitarian efforts.
“The Morocco trip was the first project, and a trial in many ways. But on the success of that trip, it’s clear we have a model that works, and it can be scaled to involve more crew and help more organisations around the world that are having a genuine positive impact on the people who need it the most”, he says.
The Relief Crew Foundation: Mission and Model
Relief Crew Foundation was established to bridge the gap between the unique skills of yacht crew and the urgent needs of humanitarian projects. The foundation’s approach includes:
- Scouting Projects: Identifying meaningful projects that are a good fit for the skills yacht crew have.
- Due Diligence: Ensuring the safety and integrity of projects, communities, and NGOs involved.
- Logistics Management: Handling details like visas, transportation, and accommodation.
- Crew Recruitment: Engaging yacht crew and, where possible, collaborating with yachts to facilitate volunteering without affecting annual leave.
“For yachts that enable the crew to join a volunteering trip means they are likely to return to the boat more grounded, motivated and dedicated to the yacht. That helps with crew retention and helps boost the profile of the boat, making it more desirable to work on or charter.” Sam adds.
Why Do Yacht Crew Make Exceptional Volunteers?
“Yacht crew are full of manual, maintenance and logistics skills that can be easily applied in so many humanitarian situations.
They’re organised, adapt quickly and are trained in crisis management, first aid and firefighting. They’re physically fit and used to working long hours. They’re quick at making decisions, thrive at working in teams and think outside the box to solve problems. They get things done. And it’s those skilled, self-starters that are the biggest assets to NGOs when it comes to volunteers.” Sam declares.
Looking Ahead: Ghana and Beyond
The next Relief Crew Foundation project is in Ghana, where the team will help build 51 toilets for a village of 800 people lacking basic sanitation. Poor hygiene conditions in the village have led to waterborne diseases, affecting education, work, and quality of life. By working alongside the community, the foundation aims to create lasting change and improve livelihoods.
With the success of the Morocco project, interest in the foundation has grown. Conversations are underway with other NGOs and yachts eager to participate in future projects. Relief Crew is not only connecting crew to impactful work but also helping yachts establish philanthropy programs that benefit both crew and their vessels.
“I’ve been blown away by the amount of people who have come out in support of this and to learn how much involvement there already is from the yachting industry in this humanitarian space”, Sam expresses.
How to Get Involved
The Relief Crew Foundation welcomes yacht crew, captains, and industry affiliates to join their mission. Here’s how:
- Visit the Website or Instagram: Stay informed about upcoming projects.
- Express Interest: Reach out to discuss how your time and skills can fit into future initiatives.
- Collaborate: Whether it’s through direct participation, funding, or connecting the foundation to a new project, there are many ways to contribute.
Sam Stewart and the Relief Crew Foundation are proving that the yachting industry can do more than explore the world—it can help improve it.
Find out more –
Website – reliefcrewfoundation.org
Instagram – instagram.com/reliefcrewfoundation
