Q&A with Sarah Diggle Whitlock
Captains & HOD Specialist at West Nautical

Discover more about Sarah Diggle Whitlock, West Nautical’s ‘Captains and Head of Department (HODs) Specialist’. From diving with great white sharks to shaping superyacht careers, Sarah’s journey into the maritime world is anything but ordinary. Here, she shares her story, insights, and inspirations from her years in the industry.

1. What did you enjoy at school and what did you want to be when you grew up?

Sarah always had a flair for creativity and connection: “At school I enjoyed English, Art – and making people laugh! I wanted to be like Long Distance Clara from Pigeon Street. I then wanted to save all animals in the world. At the age of nine, I joined Greenpeace. I soon realised I just wasn’t old enough to make a change, so I decided I wanted to travel the world instead…”

2. How did you get into yachting/your role at West Nautical

While globetrotting and picking up all kinds of weird and wonderful jobs, Sarah decided to become a dive instructor. She completed a six-month internship in Byron Bay, followed by instructor training in Mallorca.

A year spent in South Africa, specialising in great white shark cage diving, was a standout chapter in her career.

Returning to Mallorca, Sarah worked in a local dive shop for two years. There, she befriended many yacht captains who ultimately encouraged her to pivot into the yachting industry.

Starting as a chief stewardess, she worked aboard both sail and motor yachts, circumnavigating the globe twice, making her childhood dream a reality.

After a decade onboard, she transitioned ashore, settling in the South of France and continuing to work in the superyacht sector for another 15 years.

3. What does your role at West Nautical involve on a daily basis?

Now in a dynamic new role, Sarah is responsible for connecting captains and HODs with outstanding yacht crew candidates within West Nautical’s external recruitment division.

“I spend a lot of time communicating with owners' reps, captains, and HODs (Head of Departments) to understand their needs and requirements. No two yachts or owners are the same, I love the challenge of matching crew to each unique environment, relating from first-hand experience’

‘I genuinely enjoy supporting captains and crew with their industry CVs. Many of them have led extraordinary lives, yet often remain incredibly humble about their experiences. That’s where I come in – offering an outside perspective to help shine a light on their achievements, character, and unique stories.”

4. What advice would you give someone starting out on a career in yachting

“From my time as a chief stewardess, I’d say always work as hard as your team, be patient, kind, and a positive leader. You have to be able to work under pressure, so remaining calm with a ‘can-do’ attitude goes a long way. Oh, and always make sure the chef is your best friend!”

For those looking to step into superyacht recruitment, Sarah highlights the importance of industry experience: “Having a yachting background helps you speak the language of the roles on board to really connect with clients and candidates alike. Many yachts choose to work with agents who they know understand the crew dynamic, so I’d say prior industry experience is a must.”

When working closely with owners reps, captains and HODs, Sarah also emphasises the added bonus of understanding refit and newbuild procedures, having started her career with West Nautical as a Vessel Management Assistant and being on the yachts, “Knowing the ins and outs of shipyard periods has proved hugely beneficial to me. They’re extremely complex processes so coming to the table with a strong understanding of them is a huge time saver that owners and captains appreciate.”

5. What do you enjoy most about your current role at West Nautical?

“The challenge, building relationships within the industry, hitting targets, and the team,” Sarah shares.

“I worked independently for a long time, so I really value the team get-togethers and collaborative environment.”

Each day is different for Sarah, communicating with different yachts and personalities: “It’s true that no two days are the same in yachting, and while it can certainly be intense, it’s never boring that’s for sure!”.

6. Are there any challenges you have had to overcome as a woman in the yachting industry/any stereotypes that you’d like to break?

“Yes – especially 10 to 15 years ago. Back then, it was very much women on the interior, men on deck,” Sarah reflects.

“But things have changed. There's far more equality now in the superyacht space.”

One of her biggest personal challenges has been balancing her career with being a single mother. “It’s limited my travel, especially in pursuing my yachting dream job of becoming a charter broker. But while my career might not have reached its pinnacle, my greatest success is my daughter.”

7.Who inspires you and why?

Sarah has deep respect for her fellow females in yachting: Lynne Edwards, Kim Woody, Angie Wallace, and the ever-positive Captain Kelly. But it’s her daughter, Emmeline (named after suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst), who inspires her most: “To be inspired is to strive to be a better person because of that person.

She’s the most powerful inspiration I have ever known.”

8. Do you have any hidden talents/particular skills/traits that help you succeed in your role?

A natural people-person, Sarah thrives on connection: “I genuinely love hearing people’s stories and helping them reach their goals.” With 18 years as an IAMI GUEST trainer under her belt, she’s mentored countless students and answered every question imaginable – from on board superyachts to private villas and islands.

To accommodate life as a single mum, Sarah recently created an online course for those looking to enter the yachting industry, across all departments, including shoreside roles. West Nautical was the first to embrace her course, marking the beginning of her journey with the company.

“I’m proud to be the only accredited trainer offering this online, for every department. That’s a skill and achievement I’m truly proud of.”

Ultimately however, it is Sarah’s combination of personability, with a deep understanding of the industry that makes her invaluable to Captains, HODs and all level of crew members alike:

“The world of yachting is so complex and fast paced, that I know my experience sets me apart from a lot of crew recruiters. I pride myself on being thorough, efficient, always making people laugh as I’ve felt the urgency of last-minute emergencies and crew requirements first-hand.”

Get in touch via crew@westnautical.com for more information or crew recruitment needs.