Retention or Recruitment

17th October 2025

The phrase “crew shortage” gets thrown around every season.But the real question isn’t just how many people are available — it’s how many stay.Retention vs recruitment. That’s the crossroads the industry’s at right now.Pay cycles, tax clarity, compliant contracts, social security coverage, crew welfare, support networks — these aren’t admin details. They’re some of the reasons good crew stay on board.Its what we do......get in touch#PersonalisedProtectedPayroll | #ComplianceAsAService

CYPRUS & SCHENGEN — WHAT’S THE DEAL?

15th October 2025

We’ve had a lot of questions from crew about Cyprus and whether it’s part of the Schengen Zone.Here’s the quick rundown 👇 🔹 Yes, Cyprus is in the EU.But… 🔹 No, it’s not (yet) part of the Schengen Area.That means Cyprus still has its own border controls, and a Schengen visa doesn’t automatically cover entry. For non-EU crew, that’s actually a bonus — time spent in Cyprus doesn’t count against...

Its what we do....

3rd October 2025

Cost Vs Value

30th September 2025

“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.” – Benjamin FranklinCouldn’t have put it better myself.When it comes to crew payroll, you owe it to your yacht and your crew to look at all the issues — not just the cost.At Cornerstone, we don’t dangle low fees as bait. We deliver certainty: FSA oversight, MLC-compliant contracts, and HR-first payroll management that keeps risk...

You cant park there mate!!

26th September 2025

Taking a page out of the Seven Sins playbook, the 89m Amels 'Here Comes The Sun' rocked up to MYS 2025 with an Aston Martin Valhalla perched proudly on deck.Not just any car, either:🔋 Plug-in hybrid 4.0L Mercedes-AMG V8⚡ Combined output of 1,064 HP🏎 0–60 mph in just 2.5 seconds🚀 Top speed: 217 mphThe crossover between supercars and superyachts gets stronger every year ....its pure theatre and luxury brands know...

Gabrielle - now a hurricane

22nd September 2025

Despite forecasts of an exceptionally busy Atlantic storm season, the recent lull was broken this weekend as Tropical Storm Gabrielle finally got her Hurricane lapels badge as a Category 1 storm.Current projections show her tracking north, then east — sparing both the Caribbean and U.S. eastern seaboard. As Gabrielle moves into cooler seas and stronger wind shear, she’ll lose intensity, but the Azores may still face storm surge and heightened...

New YET scheme from IOM Flag

12th September 2025

/ Yesterday evening I attended the launch of the Isle of Man Ship Registry’s new YET (Yacht Engaged in Trade) scheme.Creating the perfect berth for private pleasure yachts, over 24m, that want the option to occasionally charter, YET once again shows the IOMSR leading with innovation in the yachting space.We also got an intriguing teaser on a new insurance benefit for Isle of Man-flagged yachts - watch this space 👀.Thanks...

Mother Nature is sneaky

5th September 2025

Typically….all eyes are on the Atlantic this time of year.Forecast cones, spaghetti models, constant updates — it’s peak hurricane season, and attention is locked on the familiar tracks across the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf.But……….this week, Hurricane Kiko popped up in the Pacific — a powerful Category 4 — reminding us that Mother Nature always has a surprise up her sleeve.The same applies to crew management. Risks don’t always come from...

From Seized to Seas?

1st September 2025

/ ⚓ Same Yachts, Different Fates: Why the Country Matters I’ve posted a bit over the last 12 months about the fate of superyachts and their roles as pawns in Geo-Political chess.  However 12 months is a long time in politics and what was previously gridlocked, has become free flowing……. well for some it has! So why has the outcomes for the likes of Alfa Nero, Flying Fox and Amadea...

See you there.....

30th August 2025

How much??!!!

12th August 2025

And I though the Oasis tickets were expensive! So is this price gouging or effective, essential filtering??? I mean I'll still be at both events nonetheless 🙂 #somemightsay #mys2025

Conerstone joins forces with Animo Associates

22nd July 2025

Cornerstone Crew Management is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Animo Associates, an innovative provider of corporate entity and asset management services for HNWIs. This collaboration brings together two firms with complementary expertise — combining Animo’s strength in corporate structuring, tax advisory, and regulatory compliance with Cornerstone’s deep experience in crew management, payroll, and welfare services. Together, we're enhancing the level of support available to yacht owners, captains, and...

PARIS MOU 2024 report

1st July 2025

The Paris MoU 2024 report is out and as usual it makes interesting reading!MLC Title IV deficiencies (seafarer employment agreements, medical care, welfare) make up around 10–10.4% of total detainable deficiencies.MLC deficiencies, coupled with SOLAS deficiencies highlight to very real risk to our seafarers.These costly detentions reasons can be avoided by engaging with MLC compliant and cognisant employment companies such as Cornerstone."Compliance as a Service" is what we do!The full report...

Worldwide tensions increase

24th June 2025

Geo-political events of the past 72 hours have once again shone a spotlight on the Hormuz Straight. Over 1,000 vessels per day are reporting GPS (GNSS) jamming and spoofing near Bandar Abbas and across the Strait, likely tied to Iranian electronic warfare efforts after recent U.S. airstrikes and escalating tensions tied to Iran–Israel dynamics. A collision between VLCC Front Eagle and tanker Adalynn sparking a fire was attributed to such spoofing.Seafarers...

⚓ New Compliance Alert: Cayman Registry Updates Tender Regulations

30th May 2025

The Cayman Islands Shipping Registry has released GUIDANCE NOTE 01/2025 Rev1.3, focusing on the operation of tenders and auxiliary tenders for large commercial yachts. Here's what you need to know: 🔑 Key Compliance Highlights: Scope: Applies to yacht-carried tenders and auxiliary (support) tenders under 24 meters in load line length. Operational Limits: Tenders must operate within 3 miles of land in sheltered waters and favorable weather conditions and at a...