The Crew Network

The ethos, commitment and drive that built the world’s first global crew network..

Read The Story Behind
Our Success

35 years of TCN

Today, when you reach out to one of our specialist recruiters, in any one of our offices around the world, the welcome, attentiveness, knowledge and networks you will enjoy and benefit from, are the result of over 35 years of innovation, practice, learning and drive.

It started with one woman, a big idea and 21,000$ of life savings and one man with a vision to offer a complete one-stop-shop services solution for yacht owners worldwide.

A Superyacht Chef, a big idea and 21,000$ of life savings.

When the young and accomplished superyacht chef, Norma Trease, decided back in 1988 to give up the nomadic crew lifestyle and settle on terra firma, she had one big idea – create a crew recruitment network that properly understood the dynamics and needs of owners, captains and crew at sea.

With years of onboard experience behind her, and a clear idea of what owners, captains and crew needed most from a recruitment agency, she set about sourcing the best talent she could find for her team and in 1989 opened up her first offices in Fort Lauderdale and Newport, RI, USA.

“At the time there were maybe five recruitment agencies in existence,” remembers Norma, “but I knew from my own experience – having been placed by some of them – that there was a lot we could do to improve the service and results for both crew and owners.”

For Norma that meant having professional recruiters who understood yachting and an online database that allowed her teams to work seamlessly together in sourcing and placing crew that properly matched each yacht’s needs.

“I’m no computer geek,” she laughs. “I remember telling my IT people when they first showed me how to use emails and later the internet, that neither would ever work in yachting! I was definitely wrong! But as far as recognizing early on the importance of a personalized online database was concerned – that was spot on. And once we developed it, the difference it made to the efficiency and speed with which our teams were able to source quality crew, reference-check them and then present them to clients was exponential.”

The Fraser Integrated Solution

It was Norma’s far-reaching reputation and TCN’s much talked about success that soon came to the attention of Carlo Agliardi, newly appointed CEO of Fraser Yachts in 1993 and a man with a truly global vision for the company.

“We expanded Fraser Yachts with David Fraser from 1993,” recalls Carlo. “It was a very exciting time. Fraser was a major player in the US and we wanted to replicate that success across the rest of the world. But not solely as a brokerage house! Yachts were getting bigger then and we could see our clients and captains needed a lot more support and guidance after they bought their yachts. We wanted to offer the first ever global 360-degree, ‘headache-free’ solution for our owners. We started by creating a specialized in-house Yacht Management division back in 1995 and our next focus was crew recruitment.”

It wasn’t long before Norma and Carlo teamed up and The Crew Network (TCN), as it was then known, became a part of Fraser Yachts’ worldwide client solution.

“In professional crew placement, two essential elements must always be in place,” explains Carlo: far reaching and personalised relationships and, secondly, properly developed IT and software solutions to facilitate accurate and uptodate worldwide sourcing of quality crew. Many agencies had the former, most missed out on the latter. TCN had both and we worked for a number of years constantly improving it, aiming always for perfection.”

As with the rest of Fraser, TCN quickly expanded its offices around the world and a ground-breaking new online database, FraserLink, was written and created specifically for Fraser specialists to better serve their clients with increased data-driven solutions and knowhow

The Crew Network Difference

Today, TCN operates from four offices worldwide, has placed over 9,000 crew in the last 35 years and is proud to still count amongst its team, two of the original pioneers – Diane Leander, who worked closely with both Norma and Carlo on building the foundations that make the Fort Lauderdale office the success it is today, and Louise Cailbourdin, who co-founded TCN Antibes back in 1999.

“There were many people who helped us along the way,” reflects Norma. “Diane, Louise, Nelly Green and many others. TCN has always been ahead of the curve – on implementing online databases, software, using statistics and profiling for better candidate matching, business development, partnerships and new ways to better serve clients. Carlo, and the Managers and Directors of TCN and Fraser today, have taken that focus and expertise to another level. Fraser has never stopped adapting to change and new technology. It is never afraid to reinvent itself and evolve. I am so proud to see how my baby has grown and matured today.”

For Carlo Agliardi, his legacy is clear. “Being able to help our clients throughout their yachting journey at every step – at every moment – with knowledge, understanding and care across all Fraser divisions, around the world…that’s what I am most proud to have played a part in shaping and nurturing at Fraser and TCN.”

One Regret?

TCN has always been fueled and guided by data. For Norma, however, there may be just one statistic she wishes she had tracked throughout her time with TCN:

“When you are a crew agent, if you are good, you are the perfect matchmaker. You find the right candidate with the right profile and the right expertise for the right yacht. You can genuinely change people’s lives. So I have only one regret…that we never actually kept track of the number of relationships, marriages and new families that came about as a result of TCN. And there are a lot. I even met my own husband through TCN…how’s that for the gift that keeps on giving?”

Our Mission

Your Guarantee Of Performance and Ethics

To always be learning, adopting and adapting skills, experience, tools and connections in the pursuit of delivering the most professional, personal, timely and rewarding service – service that delivers results to benefit each and every one of our clients throughout their entire yachting journey.

For Owners & Captains

  • We will reply promptly and efficiently to your recruitment requests, taking the time to understand your precise requirements and sharing insight or guidance with you as appropriate
  • We will undertake professional and regulated research, reference-checking and pre-filtering as necessary to provide you with the most suitable candidates based on the profile you require and the specifications you request
  • We will provide you with those pre-filtered and selected candidates we feel are best suited to your requested position(s) and who we feel will best integrate into your existing crew dynamic based on our knowledge of your yacht and existing crew
  • We will at all times protect the confidentiality of any and all sensitive information or data you may share with us in the pursuance of our role as your crew recruitment agency and will act in accordance with the provisions of GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
  • We will at all times be transparent in our work with you and will take all reasonable steps to avoid or alert you of any possible conflicts of interest that may prejudice yourself, a candidate or ourselves in any way
  • We operate under a strict policy that no remuneration of any form is received or accepted by TCN from any candidates (actual or potential) in the pursuance of our role as your crew placement agency
  • We will remain at your disposal for help, guidance or queries throughout and at any time after any recruitment and placement we provide for you

For Candidates

  • We operate with an equal opportunities ethos, respecting the basic rights of each and every individual.
  • We work with you in a transparent and open environment and exchange necessary information with you to help ensure you are able to make the most informed decisions possible regarding potential positions.
  • We will remain in contact with you throughout your application for posts with us for which you are shortlisted. Should your application not be successful, we will aim to guide you as to any changes or improvements that can be made for future applications.  
  • Our teams will be open and transparent with you throughout our dealings together. Our success in representing candidates is firmly based on our candidates sharing all and any information with us which they feel may have any bearing on any positions they wish to apply for via TCN
  • Job search and recruitment through TCN is free of charge for all candidates in accordance with MLC 2006 provisions – and specifically Regulation 1.4 Recruitment and Placement.
  • The best Crew Recruitment Agency I have had the pleasure to work with. Efficient, always punctual, they show competence, courtesy and confidentiality.

    Andrea Niccolai
    Captain, 76m (249′) motor yacht
  • I personally thank the TCN team for their dedication and contribution to the commercial success of M/Y SALUZI!

    Bertrand Petyt
    COO, Operating Company 69m (226′) M/Y SALUZI
  • The Crew Network was the first and only recruitment agency to believe in me. They were fundamental to my entry in the yachting industry and have offered constant support ever since.

    Massimiliano Frazzetta
    Captain, 60m (196′) motor yacht
  • By far one of the best services I’ve had from a crew agency! I couldn’t be happier with the job I have now and that’s thanks to The Crew Network.

    Deckhand, 56m (183′) Research vessel
  • I gave you a very defined criteria when I was looking for a Chef. You absolutely nailed it – your candidate had everything I was looking for and then some.

    Captain,
    45m (147’) motor yacht
  • The Crew Network never let me down. They manage to find just the right candidates without the necessity of me having to go through a stack of CVs.

    Master 3000
  • A one of a kind agency with a special and personal approach showing a commitment to each crew member’s personal success and career growth.

    Gevi Georgieva
    Chief Stewardess

THE POWER OF TCN

Our strength at your side
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Hubs Worldwide
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Open Positions Every Year
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Database Clients
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Database Crew

Driven by the world’s longest serving full service brokerage house:

SALES & PURCHASE | NEW CONSTRUCTION & REFIT | YACHT MANAGEMENT
PROJECT MANAGEMENT | CHARTER MANAGEMENT | LUXURY YACHT VACATIONS

Crew Network - Fraser Yacht Crew

Tell Us What You Are Looking For?

The Crew Network can help you find the best candidates for your crew. Thanks to our in-depth profiling you can trust that you will be presented with a stellar selection. Let’s start the search today.

At Your Service

TCN WORLDWIDE

Meet Your Recruiters

For fast and effective recruitment or a jumpstart to your yachting career
The Crew Network - Yacht Crew Recruitment Agency Fort Lauderdale

TCN Fort Lauderdale

USA

The Crew Network Fort Lauderdale is where it all began 35 years ago. Inside the Fraser offices, off SE 17th Street in the Harbordale district, our experts are on hand to help with all crewing enquiries.

  • Mon – Fri 8am-5pm
  • English, Bulgarian
TCN Antibes

TCN Antibes

France

The Crew Network Antibes office is a 5-minute walk from the busy superyacht and crew hub Port Vauban. Our welcoming recuitment specialists are ready to help you with all your crewing enquiries.

  • Mon – Fri 9am-5pm
  • English, French, Russian
The Crew Network - Yacht Crew Recruitment Agency Viareggio

TCN Viareggio

Italy

Conveniently located in the heart of the Viareggio superyacht marina, The Crew Network Viareggio office services superyacht crew looking for jobs and clients looking for crew in Italy and beyond.

  • Mon – Fri 9am-5pm
  • English, French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese
The Crew Network - Yacht Crew Recruitment Agency Palma

TCN Palma

Spain

The Crew Network Palma is located within the Fraser office, overlooking Puerto Palma. Our local experts can assist you with your superyacht crew needs or yachting jobs in Mallorca and beyond.

  • Mon – Fri 9am-5pm
  • English, Spanish, Swedish

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