Crew

Basic information for all crew members

Why this is not a job vacancy

We are not an employer and do not have employees. We see ourselves as a community of co-creators, a group of people working together towards a common cause. We are guided by our values and are committed to our guiding principles. What you’ll find here is an invitation to help shape an extraordinary project, in which, over the next few years, you’ll sail around the world across seven seas and along seven continents in the service of marine conservation, aboard a unique wooden full-rigged ship that you’ll help to build.

The construction of Zoé

The first phase of our project is the construction of Zoé. Together with a renowned European shipyard, we will build Zoé using a newly developed construction method on the Greek island of Crete.

The ‘getting to know each other’ phase

As soon as Zoé is completed and ready to sail, we will put her through intensive testing and get to know her really well. Initially in the Aegean Sea, then throughout the Mediterranean.

7 Oceans – 7 Continents

Our actual project goal is to sail – or rather, dive – around the world, whilst implementing various marine conservation projects. Among other things, we will focus intensively on potentially hazardous shipwrecks and, together with other NGOs and individual activists, carry out further projects, such as the removal of ghost nets. On the one hand, the entire journey is conceived as a major multidisciplinary research project and is intended to provide us with important insights to guide our work in the service of marine conservation. On the other hand, we aim to raise as much attention and awareness as possible for marine conservation through our circumnavigation of the world.

What you can expect

When we’re not busy diving for oil on wrecks, ghost nets or other stuff that doesn’t belong in the sea, we sail our ship to the next spot. That means we spend most of our time sailing or diving. This results in the following requirements that you should meet if you are considering a future on board:
The mastheads are at a height of around +30 meters. Unlike sports sailing boats, where in the vast majority all sails can be controlled from the deck or even from the cockpit, we routinely require you to climb into the rigging; and either way, the sun doesn’t always shine! Even, and sometimes especially, in a heavy weather, all the moves have to be right. This means that surefootedness and a head for heights are absolutely essential, as is a good “seaworthiness”. The good news is that resistance to vertigo and seasickness can be trained! But nothing works without a strong affinity for the ocean! Last but not least, you need to be a good team player, because at sea everything only works as a team – sometimes for many, many weeks. The reward for this is a great job, the likes of which are hard to find nowadays!

Basic requirements for all crew members

Fitness for sea service (comparable to STCW)
Fitness to dive (technical diving)
Fluent English
Basic sail training and safety in the rig
Basic safety training
First aid
Tec TMx Diver (OC/CC)
Swimming skills (lifeguard level)
Additional for all officers before the first mission: Short Range Certificate (SRC)

You do not necessarily have to have all the qualifications required for the individual position at the beginning. We all grow with the job! As with everything we do, it should be a win-win-win situation – for you, for us and for the sea! Some of the departments listed below must be staffed by several people. For example, there must be more than one deck officer. On the other hand, individual areas of responsibility can possibly be combined. In some cases, it will be necessary to be able to call on assistants if needed. For example, the ship’s doctor will need the support of one or more paramedics in special cases. The same applies to the SecO and all other departments that may require additional support from time to time. We can solve this with additional qualifications. It will therefore be one of the first tasks of the respective officers to find assistants among their colleagues and to train them to become competent assistants.

Departments with permanent crew

Officers in charge of the following duties must necessarily be physically present while the ship is at sea.

Design department (arch)

NAVAL ARCHITECT

As a certified naval architect with a strong affinity for tall ships and the ability to harmoniously integrate modern technology, materials, and construction methods into classic lines, you will be responsible for the design of Zoé and her sister ships in series production. You’ll work closely with the (marine) mechanical engineer, the ships engineer, and the craftsmen. Together, you’ll be responsible for all technical aspects of Zoé and will play an active role in solving R&D challenges.