MEET THE CREW SERIES - Toni Čulin, Chief Engineer

In this interview, we sit down with Toni Čulin, an experienced Chief Engineer with a passion for both the maritime industry and sports. Toni shares his journey from his early days in the cargo industry to his transition into yachting, offering valuable insights into the specific challenges and rewards of working on smaller yachts. From his experiences at sea to balancing family life, Toni offers a candid look into the demanding yet fulfilling world of a maritime professional.

Hi Toni, can you tell us about yourself and your journey as a Chief Engineer, and how you first entered the maritime industry?

My name is Toni Čulin, and I come from a small town located on the coast of the Bay of Kaštela. I am currently working as a Chief Engineer on a 37-meter yacht, which also happens to be my first new build project. Being involved from the early stages of the build through to delivery has been an invaluable experience and has greatly contributed to my development and growth within the maritime industry. I started my education at the Technical School in Split and continued my studies at the Maritime School in Split, further honing my skills for a career at sea. Outside of my professional life, I have a passion for sports, having played handball professionally for 12 years.

You started your career on cargo ships before transitioning to yachting. What made you take that leap, and how different has the experience been for you? What was your first impression when you stepped onto a yacht as a crew member compared to your time on cargo ships? What were the biggest challenges you faced when transitioning?

That's right - my professional journey began in the cargo industry, where I gained the most experience and, in many ways, the best foundation. After that, I spent a short period - about seven months - working on offshore vessels, which some might call a well-paid but physically demanding job. Following that chapter, I made the move into yachting, driven by the same motivation that's guided me so far: the desire for something new and better, and the goal of gaining as much knowledge and experience as possible. Since I’ve worked as a waiter in my free time - and still occasionally do—it felt natural to move into a setting where guest interaction plays a bigger role. One of my long-term dreams is to one day open something in the hospitality business, so being in yachting gave me an opportunity to work closely with people and refine those skills. Stepping onto a yacht as a crew member for the first time was a completely different experience compared to working on cargo ships. The crew is much smaller, and the workflow is more direct and personal - especially when it comes to owners and guests. One of the biggest challenges for me was adjusting to the hierarchy - or sometimes the lack of it—on smaller yachts. On vessels around 35–40 meters, there’s often not enough time or space to follow the structured routines and roles like on larger yachts. While I’m not someone who cares much about titles or ranks, I do believe it’s easier and more efficient when everyone knows their role—whether it’s a 35-meter yacht or a 105-meter one. As for challenges in general, I wouldn’t point out one in particular. Every day brings something new - new requests from owners, new expectations from guests - which can sometimes be hard to understand, even when you try your best. But that’s part of what makes this job interesting and rewarding.

How does the role of a Chief Engineer differ between the commercial shipping and yachting sectors?

The role of a 'Chief Engineer' in commercial shipping versus the yachting sector – particularly on yachts under 40 meters – is difficult to compare. In commercial shipping, the Chief Engineer is responsible for the entire engine department, including maintenance planning, managing a team, and ensuring the operation of critical systems for safe navigation. In yachting, on smaller vessels, the 'engineer' is often far more than just an engineer. He is also the handyman, housekeeper, electrician, plumber, and the go-to tech support for absolutely everything onboard. Coffee machine not working? Call the engineer. TV not working? Still the engineer. In most cases, anything that 'doesn’t work' ends on his shoulders. It’s pretty similar to long voyages in commercial shipping where, on the bridge, only two buttons on the phone are worn out – both leading to the engine room. So, with all due respect to every professional in the industry, the role of a 'chief' in commercial shipping and an engineer on a smaller yacht are, realistically speaking, two completely different worlds.

What do you enjoy most about life at sea? What does a typical day look like for you on board, or is every day different?

What I enjoy most about life at sea? Honestly – it’s that feeling when your sign-off date is getting close, haha – just joking (a little). When it comes to the love for the sea, I’ll quote something I recently wrote on LinkedIn: 'It’s a tough life – like eating bread with seven crusts, and each day it gets tougher. Physically, you can take it. But mentally – it grinds you down. Rotations are cut to a minimum, safety is followed just enough to meet the rules, and we stay onboard for ten months straight without rest. And through it all, we’re expected to stay sharp, focused, serious – with zero room for mistakes. Because at sea, there are no second chances. But this is the path we chose. No one forced us into it. We knew it wouldn’t be easy. We knew there’d be days when we’d sit at the dock back home, staring at the waves, asking ourselves – was it worth it? And still, we know there’s no greater reward than that moment when you finally step off the ship, set foot on land, and think – it’s over, for now. That feeling, that peace, coming home – that’s something money can’t buy.'

Being away from family is part of the job. How do you balance your career with being a husband and father?

Balance between work and family? To be honest, there’s no real balance. There’s no scale that can measure it. Every time you head out to sea, you’re not just leaving behind your wife and child – you’re leaving birthdays, first steps, fevers at 3 AM, bedtime stories, laughter, and all those quiet little moments that most people take for granted. And you – you’re somewhere out on the open sea, while your heart is still back home. The hardest part of this job isn’t the lack of sleep, the stress, or even the responsibility – the hardest part is saying “see you in three months,” knowing that life will go on without you. And now, as things stand – after already spending my 18th birthday onboard, it looks like my 30th will be spent in the exact same place – somewhere between a swell and a shift change. And yeah, that stings. Because you know those years don’t come back. But when you're home – you’re really home. No phone, no distractions. Every second counts double. You hold your child’s hand, hug your wife, look out at the sea and say: “Alright now… give me a break.”

Many people imagine yachting as glamorous, but there’s a lot that happens behind the scenes. What’s something about your job that people might not realize?

What many don’t realize is that a yacht, no matter how luxurious, operates like a small floating hotel, villa, and technical station – all in one. And we, the crew, are the maintenance team, the emergency responders, the IT support, the cleaners, the logistics crew – everything. You work 16-hour days, with no weekends, no holidays, often in silence and behind closed doors – because the guest should never feel that something’s not right. Especially for engineers – if everything works, no one notices you. If something doesn’t – everyone’s looking for you. The beauty of the job is when everything runs smoothly, and you know you’re the one keeping it all together behind the scenes. And you do it with a smile, without complaint. That’s the reality – people only see the beautiful pictures on Instagram and social media, but no one knows that by the time you step out to grab a coffee and snap a photo of the view, the clock is ticking. You know exactly when you have to be back on board. No wandering, no full relaxation – because you're always on standby.

You’ve played professional handball for years. Do you think that background has shaped the way you work on board?

Absolutely. Playing professional handball taught me discipline, how to perform under pressure, and the importance of teamwork. Life on board is very similar to being on the court – you rely on your team, everyone has a role, and each person has to give their best for things to run smoothly. Sport also gave me mental toughness and endurance, which are essential when you're away from home for weeks or months, often working in demanding conditions.

What’s something you always bring with you when joining a yacht that makes life at sea feel more like home?

In yachting, there isn’t much you need to bring to feel closer to home – you’re almost always near the coast, always somewhere “close,” and everything kind of smells like home. It’s not like commercial shipping where you're gone for months in the middle of nowhere. But one thing’s for sure – I never go anywhere without something from Hajduk, haha. My wife’s probably going to kill me for this, but the truth is – I carry both of them in my heart. Without that, you can’t go anywhere – not to sea, not to shore. And yes, I’ve been waiting 20 years for Hajduk to win the title... so if I can survive that, I can survive anything at sea!

If you could give advice to engineers considering the switch from commercial shipping to yachting, what would it be?

I get a lot of messages on LinkedIn – people asking how, where, and why to make the move. And honestly, most of the time, nobody even replies to their emails. So I’ll be real here – because I don’t know how to sugarcoat things. And yeah, some people can’t handle that. As my new colleagues say – I’m brutally honest, but fair. In the yachting industry, knowledge is often the last thing people look at. It mostly comes down to connections, referrals, who you know, and who can vouch for you. Honestly, I got into this industry through a recommendation too – and I’m genuinely grateful to those who helped me along the way. It’s not easy – just like in any country, getting a good job isn’t simple. Everyone tries to help their own, to get someone they know on board, and that’s just how it goes in yachting as well. But if you're thinking about making the switch, be ready to start from the bottom, prove your worth, and do whatever it takes. And when someone does recommend you – make sure it’s with pride, not just as a favor.

What are your long-term goals in the maritime industry? Do you see yourself continuing in yachting, or do you have aspirations in other areas?

I have big ambitions, big goals – but I’ll let time do its thing. :)

If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self - or to engineers considering a career in yachting - what would it be?

Be yourself. Money doesn’t come overnight or fall from the sky – it takes time, effort, and a few grey hairs to reach the top. Don’t get too caught up in Instagram or the lives of the rich – that’s not our movie. Focus on your own path, and help each other along the way. Don’t envy someone else’s knowledge – because that knowledge might be the thing that helps you grow and get better. Respect your colleagues, stay human above all – and everything else will come in time.

If you're curious about more stories from fellow seafarers, head over to our blog to learn about the various lives lived at sea.