From Purser to Yacht Agent at Asia Pacific Superyachts NZ

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“Our newest recruit Emma Crawshay joins Asia Pacific Superyachts NZ freshly from a 5 ½ year stint on the 90 meter Royal Huisman, Athena”, announces Duthie Lidgard, managing director of Asia Pacific Superyachts New Zealand.

Noting while on board she progressed from stewardess to chief stewardess and then finally Purser, Duthie said she had completed many shipyard periods, Atlantic crossings and tours through the Panama Canal, so knows what it takes.

For Emma, “The move from purser to a yacht agent was made simpler having been on the other side of the fence with an insight of what goes on in the industry. I thrive on the fast paced lifestyle, not quite knowing what the next work day will bring.”

However, Emma wasn’t always interested in being in the superyacht industry. Initially, she spent 2 ½ years studying towards a Computer Science and Business degree at the Auckland University of Technology. She then decided to take a gap year to travel while she was still young. The rumours of being paid while travelling the world led her towards the superyacht industry. This then turned her intended gap year into eight gap years! She explains, “I want to help make the yachts time here in New Zealand as hassle free as possible, all the while supporting the crew by passing on local knowledge so that they can make most of everything this great city and country has to offer.”

Spending time on both motor and sail yachts, Emma knows her keels’ from her stabilisers’ and is well accustomed to the endless demands of keeping vessels afloat. She wants to ideally, “have both crew and guests planning their next trip back to New Zealand before they even leave.”