Your First 90 Days On Board
What good looks like in the first three months, and the habits that get contracts renewed.
Week one
Learn names, learn where things live, and write everything down. Ask questions once, note the answer, do not ask twice.
The three rules
- Be early
- Be findable
- Never let someone else discover a job you walked past
Month one
Master your core duties before you offer opinions on how the boat runs. Volunteer for the jobs nobody wants; it is the fastest reputation you will ever build.
Month two
Start anticipating. Set out what the next task needs before you are asked. This is the exact behaviour that separates crew who get promoted.
Month three
Ask for feedback formally. "What would you like me to do differently over the next three months?" Then act on it visibly.
Living well
Keep your cabin tidy, keep gossip out of the crew mess, and protect your sleep. Most crew who leave early leave because of the living, not the work.