The Superyacht Life: Erica Lay on Success, Sanity & Crew Culture | Captain’s Chat

How do you start, succeed, and stay sane in the high-pressure world of superyachts? In this inspiring episode of Captain’s Chat, Captain Liam Devlin of M/Y Unbridled welcomes Erica Lay — founder of EL CREW CO and author of The Superyacht Life: How to Start, Succeed & Stay Sane. Drawing from over 18 years in yacht recruitment, Erica shares why she wrote the book that every crew member — from green to seasoned — needs on their shelf. They dive into the changing face of yachting: the pressures of modern crew life, the importance of mentorship and empathy onboard, and how mental health and leadership are redefining success at sea. 🧭 You’ll Learn: ✅ What inspired The Superyacht Life and how it’s changing industry conversations ✅ The challenges of balancing ambition, burnout, and belonging in yachting ✅ Why mentorship and vulnerability create stronger, happier crews ✅ How the next generation is reshaping expectations for work-life balance ✅ Erica’s top advice for anyone building a lasting career at sea 🌐 Follow & Connect: Website: elcrewco.com Instagram: @elcrewco 📖 Buy the book: The Superyacht Life: How to Start, Succeed & Stay Sane on Amazon Guest: Erica Lay Host: Captain Liam Devlin – M/Y Unbridled 🌊 Learn more about M/Y Unbridled: yachtunbridled.com ⭐ Love the show? Tap “Rate Show” on Apple Podcasts and leave a quick 5-star review — it helps indie media like YIR stay visible. #CaptainsChat #EricaLay #SuperyachtLife #Yachting #YachtCrew #CrewWelfare #LeadershipAtSea #YachtRecruitment #MentalHealthAtSea #YachtingInternationalRadio