In a stark departure from corporate giants like Amazon and Meta, who have instated rigorous return-to-office mandates, the ultra-wealthy are forging a path less traveled, choosing to conduct business from the tranquil decks of their superyachts. As the pandemic continues to reshape work dynamics, high-net-worth individuals are leveraging their luxurious vessels to work remotely and broker significant deals in seclusion.
Richard Lambert, the Sales Director at Burgess Yachts, revealed that self-made business tycoons are seizing the opportunity to oversee their enterprises while enjoying the serenity of the high seas. Lambert remarked, “These are self-made successful business people who need to be able to turn around and actually run their businesses. We have clients spending up to four months a year on board, effectively managing their affairs.”
As reported by Insider’s Tom Porter, the super-rich benefit from fortifying their professional connections and striking deals discreetly, away from the prying eyes of the public. This contrasts sharply with the situation for many white-collar employees at tech giants such as Amazon, Google, and Meta, who have been mandated to increase their in-office presence. Google, since April 2022, requires employees to be in the office for three days a week, a policy mirrored by Amazon in February, and Meta in June, with both companies actively monitoring attendance.
However, it’s not just billionaires who are embracing this unconventional work arrangement. Roxy and Phil, a married couple, shared their unique experience of purchasing a 47-foot sailboat, enabling them to work remotely while circumnavigating the globe. They disclosed, “Our expenses are roughly $3,500/month, including our $1,350 boat payment. We took out a loan, similar to a mini-mortgage, to buy our sailboat. It’s the first piece of ‘property’ like this we’ve ever owned.”
This lifestyle of living and working aboard boats seems to be gaining traction. Research by Rightboat indicates that Google searches for “how to live on a boat” have surged by over 70% in the past year alone.
While Burgess Yachts declined to provide immediate comment when contacted by Insider outside of regular working hours, this emerging trend of remote work at sea continues to capture the imagination of individuals seeking a unique work-life balance.
