I've been in contact with a crewman who worked recently on Duane Hagadone's megayacht, Lady Lola. He provided some insights into his duties, the ship and his bosses. This is the first in a series.

We would start around 7 a.m. and wipe down all the stainless and any dew on deck. Depending on what was happening. We would rotate one guy waiting at the gangway to help anyone on or off and to be there when the Hagadones returned from their walk. We might be able to get in a cup of tea while this was happening before setting up golf, etc.

If we were underway, comeone had to be constantly up on the deck to clean up water from the jacuzzi. It was designed in such a way that if the yacht moves at all the water spills over the sides. It truly was the bane of our existence.

After the guest left an area, we would be in there to clean the stainless, tidy up. Every cushion had to be just so, every chair had marks on the deck to be lined up with. We also had our own "baby" area to clean if we ever had down time. Mine was the lazarette and all the water toys, which wasn't bad. It was out of sight and I could sit in the tender or on the jetskies and wipe the same spot over and over.

We would get some lunch, then just keep going. When they were landing the helicopter on the wharf, we had to race out and open the doors. One other job was to collect the mail from the rear compartment, which happened to be directly under the exhaust. Whoever got that job had to have a shower and change in order to get the smell of aviation fuel off them.

There was one instance where the English bosun ran behind the helicopter. Not only was it incredibly stupid and dangerous, but Keith (chopper pilot) couldn't see her and anything could have happened. She was technically my boss, but I gave her an earful anyway. Keith was pretty angry as well.

---

---