Cameron Baker
Founder and MentorStarted as a deckhand and worked up to Chief Officer over about 12 years. He's been hired, and he's done the hiring.
Made by crew, for crew.
Practical guidance for new and working yacht crew, from people who've done the job.
Getting started involves much more than finding a job.
Visas, flights, courses, CVs, interviews and career decisions, all in an unfamiliar industry. When Cam finished yacht school he had no idea what to do next, how to get a visa or where he was going. Yachtlaunch is the help he wishes he'd had.
“I wish someone had told me it's not a gap year. It's an actual career.”
Cam Baker, founder and mentorRead the transcript
My name is Cam Baker. The thinking behind Yachtlaunch is to make the process easier for the person trying to break into the industry. I know that when I started there was no one there that was able to tell me what to do. I knew that I had to go to yacht school. After yacht school, I had no idea what to do. I didn't know how to get a visa. I didn't know where I was going and I didn't know what I was going into.
Three main services are visa assistance in the application, the booking and issuing of marine fare flights, and mentorship to help you map out your career journey towards whatever position it is you want to become.
Yachtlaunch is here to hold your hand through the entire process, submit all of your documents on your behalf, proof check your documents, and make sure that they are abiding to the set of standards that the embassy or consulate require to issue a visa.
I wish someone had told me that it's not a gap year and it's not a holiday. That it's an actual career, not what you see on Instagram. It's work, and it's hard work, and it's long work, but it's rewarding.
It's not a necessity to go through an agent, or to come through Yachtlaunch for that matter. It is possible to do it on your own. However, through my experience, it was a lot more expensive to do it on my own and it took me a lot longer. So I wish I'd had someone there to help me through the process, to help me with my visa application, to hold my hand, and to help me figure out where I was going.
The team
A small team, on purpose.
Kate Ferguson
Admin and Visa ConsultantKeeps every application and booking on track, and is often your first hello on WhatsApp.
Sarah Kroxton
Visa Consultant and Head Stewardess MentorVisa support, plus mentoring for interior crew from someone who has run the interior.
Martin Wheeler
Travel Director35 years in marine travel, with a 12-person team answering calls and emails 24/7.
Crew who've launched with us
Straight from Instagram, in their own words.
“Their knowledge of the game and attention to detail gave me complete confidence that everything was being taken care of properly.”
Read Greg's full review
“I would highly recommend Cameron and Kate from YachtLaunch for their exceptional service and professionalism. I was faced with a very tight timeframe to obtain a Schengen visa, arrange flights, and get all the necessary documentation in order. From the very beginning, Cam and Kate went above and beyond to make the entire process as smooth and stress-free as possible. They assisted me with preparing all the required documentation, guided me through each step of the visa application process, and helped arrange flights to the appointment within very limited time. Despite the time pressure, they remained professional, efficient, responsive and incredibly helpful throughout. What really stood out to me was their willingness to go the extra mile and their ability to handle everything calmly and professionally, even under the pressure from my situation. Their knowledge of the game and attention to detail gave me complete confidence that everything was being taken care of properly. A huge thank you to them both for making what could have been a very stressful situation straightforward and manageable. I genuinely appreciate the effort and efficiency they put into assisting me, and I would have no hesitation in recommending YachtLaunch to anyone needing assistance with visas, travel arrangements and the overall process surrounding the travel requirements for a yachtie. Excellent service, from start to finish.”
“Using them saved me on money, time and headaches.”
Read Keagan's full review
“A huge shoutout to @yachtlaunch for helping me secure my Schengen visa! The team was incredibly professional, organised and helpful throughout the entire process, making everything so easy and stress-free. They guided me through every step, answered all my questions and helped me get my visa without any issues and in record time! Using them saved me on money, time and headaches. Thank you for making the whole process so seamless! Could not recommend enough.”
Speak to Yachtlaunch.
Tell us where you are and we'll help you work out the next step.