Hannah Seay – Super Yacht Industry Veteran & ‘Hard Little Nut’

In this pod I talk to Hannah Seay, one seriously gritty, determined, & adventurous Kiwi who has just returned to Aotearoa New Zealand after spending the past 14 years working in one of the world’s most demanding service roles – super-yachting.

Coming originally from Taupo and with a background in hospitality that started with washing dishes as a 12 year-old before eventually working in high-end resorts including Huka Lodge, Hannah left NZ aged 19, bound for France & determined to work on super-yachts.

In the pod we discuss how she got her first super-yacht role, the long days and longer nights on the job, some of the perceptions and bigger misperceptions of the industry, and why Kiwis seem to do so well in it.

While I feel Hannah views her 14 years at sea positively, she also shares some of the more disturbing experiences she faced. This includes being sexually harassed and her adeptness at using soft skills to navigate intimidating & frightening situations with no land in sight. Listeners are advised that the pod includes stories of sexual harassment which some people may find distressing.

Hannah has packed a lot into her life – from skinning rabbits for kitchen prep to Silver Service for billionaires, to seeing some of the world’s most iconic sights and to ultimately becoming a super-yacht Chief Stewardess for the past eight years and a Chief Build Stewardess for three multi-million dollar super-yacht builds.

Having experienced the good and the un-good of the industry, Hannah has also been a champion for other young women joining the super-yacht workforce; something we also explore.

As a former sea-dog (on trawlers not super yachts!), I loved talking to Hannah about life at sea and appreciated hugely her willingness to speak openly about the great, the good, the bad, and yes the ugly too in our conversation.

For those interested in reading my Kiwi Flees OpEd published in Stuff, you’ll find a copy of the story on our website here.

Thank you so much for listening.

My huge thanks to the Kiwi Flees for candid conversations, and to my sound-meister Robbie at Matrix Digital (Wgtn) for his commitment to the craft. Thank you too, to Team Kea for promoting the pod.

If you’re a Kiwi Flee or know someone who should be, please get in touch at: kiwiflees@onlyfromnz.co.nz

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