Hill Robinson launches industry-first Academy Online for superyacht crew

Hill Robinson launches industry-first Academy Online for superyacht crew © Hill Robinson

Hill Robinson's Crew Services announces the launch of Academy Online, a learning and development platform designed for working superyacht crew.

The platform, which will be formally launched at Palma International Boat Show (PIBS) on Wednesday, 29 April 2026 is the first of its kind to create educational content directly to crew that is relative to their roles and careers.

Developed by Hill Robinson's Crew Services in-house Academy team, Academy Online offers on-demand courses across every major onboard department, spanning interior service, housekeeping, laundry, table-setting, culinary skills and regional cuisines, mixology, barista, cigars, and spirits. Leadership and professional development modules cover team building, difficult conversations, constructive feedback, captain appraisals, stakeholder management, and mental health first aid. Safety and compliance courses complete the offer.

Over 1,500 learning modules are currently available, with packages starting at €50.

"We kept hearing the same thing: crew want training that reflects real life onboard—not generic hospitality content," says Laura Henighen, Head of Academy. "So, we built a platform around their world, their roles, and the pace they live and work at."

Every module of Academy Online has been built around the specific conditions, hierarchy, and service standards of life onboard a superyacht. It is one part of a broader training ecosystem that also includes in-person sessions and bespoke modules developed for individual clients.

The platform addresses a structural challenge that Hill Robinson's own fleet data has consistently identified. Vessels between 40 and 100 metres typically spend between 5% and 10% of their yearly payroll on crew—but when recruitment, employment, and training operate independently, that investment rarely delivers its full return. Across the fleet, vessels that invested in all three areas as a connected programme saw, on average, 30% lower crew turnover.

"Hiring is one thing. Employment is another. But without structured access to training informed by the vessel's actual needs, the investment rarely sticks," said Glyn Barker, Head of Crew Services. "Academy Online is how we make that possible—not just for the yachts we manage, but for the wider industry."

The platform has already been piloted with crew across Hill Robinson's managed fleet, with over 44,000 courses already completed. Feedback was consistent, with learners describing the curriculum as relevant, realistic, and well-tailored to industry needs. The inclusion of team-based courses also had a measurable effect on onboard cohesion, with crew reporting stronger communication and a greater willingness to share experiences across departments.

A deckhand on a private 55-metre motor yacht said, "Being able to buy training myself has been a game-changer. I didn't have to wait for approval or a training window onboard—I could start straight away. The content was practical, relevant to life on yachts, and immediately useful. It made me feel more confident in my role and more invested in my career progression."

The impact extends to senior crew managing team development onboard. A chief stewardess on a private 65-metre yacht, who purchased the interior package for herself and her team, noted, "Training was far more structured, consistent, and effective across the whole interior team. It's freed up significant time during the season—when guests were off, I could focus purely on the practical side rather than spending time explaining theory."

Until the end of May, crew may purchase their first package with a 20% discount.