Veteran Captain Brendan O'Shannassy Champions Sustainable Change in the Superyacht Industry

Captain Brendan O’Shannassy has spent decades at the helm of iconic superyachts, developing a keen understanding of the complex dynamics of the industry. From his unique vantage point, he has identified a growing disquietude within the sector. With increased expectations from yacht designs and crews, O’Shannassy calls for a seismic shift in the service and manning model, recognising that the current practice is untenable in the long run. He notes a tenfold improvement in the onboard experience, lauding designers and builders, while pointing out the unchanged operational model of the past two decades.

O’Shannassy’s remarkable journey from his beginnings in the coastal town of Fremantle, Australia, to operating ski apartments in the Austrian Alps and captaining leading charter yachts, gives him a unique perspective on the industry’s workings. His experiences have led him to question the widening chasm between capability, culture, service and structure in yachting.

Furthermore, he emphasizes a pressing need for professional respect akin to the aviation industry. O’Shannassy points out a concerning double standard where owners treat their yachts as private bubbles, often pressurising yacht captains to overlook safety concerns, contrary to their usual adherence to corporate responsibility. He stresses that this practice undermines safety and morale, and calls for owners to uphold the same respect and rules they maintain elsewhere.

By voicing these perspectives, O’Shannassy is offering an invaluable beacon of change, seeking to steer the industry towards more sustainable and efficient waters.