Jako Hall is an experienced maritime captain and adventurer, with 13 years of experience as a naval officer and 11 years of experience as a superyacht captain, including 5 years of experience as a fleet captain. The high levels of fitness he maintains means that he can participate in sports and other physical endeavors regularly. He holds a national higher diploma in maritime studies, which he received in 2007, having completed all subjects with distinction.
As a navigator in remote areas, Mr. Hall’s success has hinged on his ability to build strong and dynamic teams in which everyone has a shared sense of purpose and feeling of belonging. Throughout his career, he has gained extensive experience in leading teams as a captain, lieutenant commander, and operations manager.
Mr. Hall’s professional topics of interest include A.I. in superyachts, human management software platforms (such as Leapsome), off-the-beaten-track cruising destinations, how to create an effective team, how to be an effective leader, and how to lead multiple generations. He also has a strong interest in conservation and living a green lifestyle, as well as what superyachts can do to minimize their environmental impact and reduce their plastic footprint.
In his free time, Mr. Hall enjoys running in the mountains, long-distance ocean swimming, standup paddleboarding, surfing, and playing squash. He likes to read, citing some of his favorite books as Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts, A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, and Nathaniel’s Nutmeg by Giles Milton, etc. He is currently learning to play the piano.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My days vary considerably depending on whether we’re at sea, hosting onshore, or if I’m on leave. As a superyacht captain, I’m fortunate enough to visit some of the world’s most iconic destinations, as well as some lesser-known regions. Whether I’m at home or at sea it’s important for me to stay active, so I usually start my day with either a run or gym session, depending where I am, followed by meditation. I also enjoy paddleboarding, road cycling, kite surfing, and long-distance ocean swimming.
I try to maintain a healthy diet, so if I’m working, I’ll grab a light lunch, joining the crew for dinner in the evening. I have a passion for food and have been lucky enough to dine at some of the world’s most revered restaurants, including Arzak and Etxebarri. During the evenings, I like to enjoy a little downtime watching TV documentaries like Master Chef Professionals. It’s important for me to get enough rest, so I tend to head to bed quite early.
How do you bring ideas to life?
As a superyacht captain, it’s all about collaboration. It’s crucial to invest in building a strong and dynamic team where all your crewmates feel a sense of belonging and purpose. Whether we’re contemplating a new itinerary, planning a refit, or putting in place new procedures or systems, working closely with the crew is imperative. Communication is critical to effective leadership. It’s also vital to manage people’s expectations.
At sea, safety is obviously a primary concern, but conservation and living green are also priorities for me, so I factor them into all of my decision-making processes.
What’s one trend that excites you?
AI in superyachts. I find the pace at which AI is advancing astounding. Innovations we could only have dreamed of a short time ago are transforming the industry today, delivering vessels that are not only exceptional in terms of craftsmanship but also pose next-generation capabilities.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Exercise. Whether it’s surfing, squash or paddleboarding, exercise allows me to decompress, leaving me feeling better and more equipped to tackle the daily grind.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I took my studies very seriously at college and I can look back now and say I’m very proud of all I have achieved. I don’t think I actually have any regrets as such, but perhaps I could have spent a little less time worrying about what my friends were doing and a little more focussing on my own passions.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I think, for a lot of people, the attraction of working on superyachts lies in the opportunity to visit glamourous and exclusive locations such as Antigua, The Seychelles, Monaco, etc. However, as a captain, I really enjoy charting a course to the more unusual, remote, and challenging destinations, such as the Arctic. In 2019, I was fortunate enough to captain a non-ice classed vessel through the Northwest Passage – an incredible adventure I will never forget.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I’m a firm believer in investing in people and bridging generational gaps to create cohesive teams, so teambuilding and crew training is incredibly important to me.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Exercise then meditate.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
I’m a consummate planner. For me, it is crucial to maintain a tight rein over budgets, tracking expenditure to guard against overspends. In the role of captain, I have been responsible for large-scale refits, where fiscal responsibility has been of paramount importance.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I’ve had a very varied career, from serving as a warfare officer for the South African Navy to captaining a fleet of luxury superyachts. I can’t say I feel like I’ve failed in any of those roles. Of course, like anyone, I have made mistakes, but they provide our most valuable learning opportunities. I think, if anything, a shortcoming of mine in my early days lay in the fact that I was incredibly eager to advance, in retrospect, before I was really ready. I think, looking back, I needed to relax, slow down, and cultivate a little patience, enjoying the journey rather than doggedly focussing on the destination. I was just in too much of a hurry to enjoy it properly.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Responsible tourism is really gaining traction. Rather than focusing on the familiar, well-trodden routes, passengers are becoming more experience-orientated and seeking out epic adventures. If I were to launch my own charter boat business, I would focus on off-the-beaten-track locations, such as Greenland, which is untouched and breathtakingly beautiful yet remains massively underexposed.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I use a financial management platform designed specifically for superyachts.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I recently enjoyed Giles Milton’s novel Nathaniel’s Nutmeg. It follows the story of an English adventurer in the 1600s and how his actions led to the birth of New York. I found his heroism quite inspiring.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
My all-time favourite TV series would have to be The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. It’s pithy with a wry British humour and engaging characters. It delves into weighty topics like religion and philosophy while still remaining light-hearted and entertaining, all wrapped up in a wildly imaginative sci-fi setting.
Key learnings
- Collaboration is crucial. Invest in building a strong and dynamic team.
- Exercise when possible. It can reduce stress, allowing for a positive mindset to tackle the day ahead.
- Failure is not always negative. It can provide valuable learning opportunities to grow.