Girls On Deck: From Deck To Captain | The Wellbeing Project

In yachting, talent does not always get a clear path forward.

Marlies Sanders knows that first-hand.

After arriving in the Caribbean following a transatlantic crossing with no formal yachting background, Marlies built her career step by step, earning her Yachtmaster, gaining sea time, working her way through the ranks, and eventually becoming a Superyacht Captain with a Master 3000.

But the journey was not without resistance.

She was told she was too old. She was told some boats would not take a woman on deck because it would “ruin the vibe.” She saw the excuses, the bias, and the barriers that still affect women trying to progress in deck roles today.

In this episode of The Wellbeing Project, host Karine Rayson of The Crew Coach speaks with Marlies Sanders, Superyacht Captain, about what it really takes to move from deck to leadership, why standards matter, how networking changes careers, and why visible female leadership is still so important in the yachting industry.

This is a conversation about resilience, leadership, representation, and the women proving that the path does exist.

In this episode, they discuss:

• How Marlies entered yachting by accident and built a long-term career
 • The reality of progressing through tickets and sea time
 • Why women on deck still face outdated assumptions
 • What captains and vessels lose when they overlook capable female crew
 • The importance of leadership, ethics, and crew support onboard
 • Why networking matters more than many crew realise
 • What young women on deck need to hear when the industry tells them no
 • Why representation is not just symbolic, it is practical proof

Guest:
Marlies Sanders, Superyacht Captain

Host:
Karine Rayson, The Crew Coach
https://www.thecrewcoach.com

🎙️ The Wellbeing Project | Yachting International Radio

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