Know Your Rights Before Something Goes Wrong | Superyacht Laundry

Yacht crew work across borders, contracts, flag states, management structures, and onboard procedures, but many do not fully understand what those details mean until something goes wrong.

In this episode of Superyacht Laundry, host Cherise Reedman is joined by Lucy Goff and Jenny Harris from Ocean Legal for a practical conversation about yacht crew rights, marine law, employment contracts, NDAs, jurisdiction, reporting, evidence, and the realities of working at sea.

This is not a fear-based conversation. It is a knowledge-based one.

Lucy and Jenny explain why yacht crew need to understand their contracts before joining a vessel, what governing law and jurisdiction clauses can mean in real life, why union support such as Nautilus can matter, and why NDAs do not automatically silence crew after serious incidents.

They also discuss one of the biggest myths in yachting: that working in “international waters” means there are no rules.

For crew, captains, senior crew, yacht managers, recruiters, owners’ representatives, and anyone involved in the superyacht industry, this conversation belongs in the wider discussion around safety, accountability, welfare, and professional standards.

In this episode:

•  Yacht crew contracts and red flags 
•  Governing law and jurisdiction 
•  Nautilus, union support, and legal backup 
•  NDAs and privacy limits 
•  Onboard reporting versus criminal reporting 
•  Evidence, timing, and documentation 
•  Why crew should ask questions before there is a crisis 
•  How Ocean Legal is making marine law more accessible 

Guests
Lucy Goff, Ocean Legal
Jenny Harris, Ocean Legal

Host
Cherise Reedman, Superyacht Laundry

Learn more about Ocean Legal:
 https://oceanlegal.co.uk/

Prefer to read? Head to Yachting News on the website:
 https://www.yachtinginternationalradio.com/yachting-news

Superyacht Laundry | Yachting International Radio

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Important note: This conversation is for general information only and should not be taken as legal advice. Crew facing a specific issue should seek qualified legal or union support as early as possible.