About us

Our purpose

Relief Crew volunteers and local residents happily posing for a group photo in an earthquake-affected village in Morocco.

Relief Crew is a registered Non-Government Organisation (NGO) committed to supporting communities in need by connecting the yachting industry’s skills, resources, and influence with humanitarian projects.

We organise purpose-driven adventures for crew which create pathways for yacht owners to have a trusted, values-aligned outlet for philanthropy. Through a connection to volunteering, the entire yachting industry becomes a catalyst for meaningful change.

Our journey

2018

Relief Crew founder Sam Stewart was the First Mate on a 50-metre motor yacht when a chance encounter changed the direction of his life.

As his yacht entered an Italian port, he spotted a coastguard boat tied to the dock, packed full of asylum seekers.

Sam, founder of Relief Crew Foundation, waving from the deck of a yacht, surrounded by other luxury yachts in the marina.

“We had six guests on the aft deck drinking cocktails," Sam remembers.

“Seeing those two polar opposite worlds in the same moment was one of the most gut-wrenching feelings I’ve ever had.”

2020

Fast forward a couple of years and Sam was based on Lesvos, the Greek island home to Europe’s largest refugee camp, where he had started volunteering.

Sam spent nearly two years in the camp before returning to boats where the idea to bridge the gap between the yachting industry and the humanitarian world took shape.

Sam, founder of Relief Crew, smiling and taking a selfie with a local man in a refugee camp setting.

“In the camp, I was so far away from the yachting industry but there were so many similarities. The volunteers worked like a crew, constantly relying on practical skills, logistics, and ‘fix it with what you’ve got’ solutions."

2024

On the back of another successful humanitarian project in Morocco, Sam left his boat after 10 years in the industry to work full-time on Relief Crew Foundation.

Connect with Sam here
Sam, founder of Relief Crew Foundation handling communications and logistics on the phone during a humanitarian project.
How it started
Developed in a refugee camp
Next steps

Our journey

2018

EYE OPENER

Relief Crew founder Sam Stewart was the First Mate on a 50-metre motor yacht when a chance encounter changed the direction of his life.

As his yacht entered an Italian port, he spotted a coastguard boat tied to the dock, packed full of asylum seekers.

Sam, founder of Relief Crew Foundation, waving from the deck of a yacht, surrounded by other luxury yachts in the marina.
“We had six guests on the aft deck drinking cocktails.

“Seeing those two polar opposite worlds in the same moment was one of the most gut-wrenching feelings I’ve ever had.”
“In the camp, I was so far away from the yachting industry but there were so many similarities. The volunteers worked like a crew, constantly relying on practical skills, logistics, and ‘fix it with what you’ve got’ solutions."
2020

Lesvos

Fast forward a couple of years and Sam was based on Lesvos, the Greek island home to Europe’s largest refugee camp, where he had started volunteering.

Sam spent nearly two years in the camp before returning to boats where the idea to bridge the gap between the yachting industry and the humanitarian world took shape.

Sam, founder of Relief Crew, smiling and taking a selfie with a local man in a refugee camp setting.
2024

relief crew

On the back of another successful humanitarian project in Morocco, Sam left his boat after 10 years in the industry to work full-time on Relief Crew Foundation.

Sam, founder of Relief Crew Foundation handling communications and logistics on the phone during a humanitarian project.
Connect with Sam here
Two participants in helmets preparing to race handmade go carts while surrounded by Relief Crew volunteers and locals.

What’s in it for us?

We’re a non-profit that simply wants to help as many people in genuine need as possible.There’s no financial incentive. All our operational expenses are covered by one generous sponsor, which means we can focus on the real work - running meaningful projects.

It also means that 100% of any additional funding we receive goes directly to supporting the projects and communities we are helping.

Who benefits

This is the cool part, everyone does.

Non-profits

Increase their output and positive impact thanks to human and capital resources from the yachting industry.

Collectively, we help thousands of people who genuinely need it have a better quality of life.

Crew

Have a meaningful way to spend their time off, volunteering with a purpose through non-profits we know and trust.

They get to experience new cultures, reset from the boat, use their skills to help those in need and connect with humanity on a new level.

Yachts

By enabling crew to volunteer, you’ll retain the quality team members who are more invested in the boat. Keeping their skills and knowledge onboard ensures the boat is safer, smoother and the guest experience is improved.

Less time / money is spent on recruitment and the yacht’s connection to humanitarian projects makes it even more desirable to work on and charter.

Yachting industry

By financially supporting the volunteer projects crew are involved with, the yachting industry takes a step toward meeting key environmental, social, and development goals.

This human-centred approach demonstrates the positive impact the industry can have on the world, showcasing its commitment to global responsibility and meaningful change.