From Cadet to Crew: UKSA, Dockwalking & Building a Yacht Career | The Crew Car

Yacht crew careers do not begin with glamour. They begin with training, resilience, humility, and the willingness to learn from the ground up.In this episode of The Crew Car, Captain James Battey speaks with Charlie Streeten, a recent UKSA cadetship graduate, about what it really looks like to take the first steps into the yachting industry.Charlie shares how his early experience in a boatyard in Cornwall helped shape his interest in yachting, why he chose the UKSA cadetship, and what the programme taught him about seamanship, deck skills, engineering pathways, crew life, and the reality of working at sea.The conversation covers the practical side of starting out, from learning to live and work closely with others, to navigating recruitment agencies, avoiding scams, considering dockwalking and day work, and staying resilient while searching for that first role.For young crew looking at yachting as a serious career, Charlie’s story offers a grounded look at what the industry demands, what training can provide, and why attitude matters as much as qualifications.In this episode: • Charlie Streeten’s route from school to yachting • How boatyard experience helped shape his direction • Why the UKSA cadetship became the right pathway • What cadets learn during the programme • Life onboard as part of a crew • Deck skills, ropework, splicing, and seamanship • Engineering pathways for young yacht crew • Job hunting, recruitment agencies, dockwalking, and day work • Avoiding scams and false opportunities • Why resilience matters when building a yacht careerConnect & Learn More:UKSA https://uksa.orgYacht Workers Council https://yachtworkerscouncil.comPrefer to read? Head to Yachting News on the website. https://www.yachtinginternationalradio.com/yachting-news🎙️ The Crew Car | Yachting International Radio