Rotational Captains and Shared Command | Forward Watch

Rotational captaincy is becoming more common across yachting, but the industry rarely talks honestly about what it takes for two captains to share command without destabilising the crew, the culture, or the standard onboard. In this episode of Forward Watch, host Karine Rayson speaks with Captain Dean Pilatti about the reality of rotational captaincy and the leadership skills required to make it work. Dean has been in yachting since 1991, became a captain in 2000, and has been rotating with his captain partner Rowan since 2020. Their six-year rotational partnership offers a rare look at what shared command can become when trust, communication, vulnerability, and consistency are treated as part of the job, not optional extras. This conversation explores why the right rotational partner matters, what happens when captains are not aligned, how ego can damage the structure, and why crew quickly sense when leadership is shifting from one rotation to the next. Dean also speaks about the importance of handovers that go beyond operations. The logbook, owner movements, charters, and shipyard planning matter, but so do crew dynamics, morale, trust, and the emotional temperature onboard. When those elements are ignored, rotation can turn into confusion. When they are handled well, it can strengthen the vessel. At the heart of the discussion is a simple but powerful point: the crew are not “my team” or “your team.” They are the vessel’s team. For captains considering rotation, chief officers working toward command, managers supporting rotational structures, and crew who have lived through inconsistent leadership, this conversation offers a grounded look at what shared command really requires. Prefer to read? Head to Yachting News on the website: https://www.yachtinginternationalradio.com/yachting-news 🎙️ Forward Watch hosted by Karine Rayson 🎙️ Guest: Captain Dean Pilatti 🎙️ Forward Watch | Yachting International Radio