Sussman earns global recognition for round-the-world voyage

South African yacht captain Brett Sussman won the Voyagers Award at the World Superyacht Awards on 1 and 2 May after completing a global journey that lasted three and a half years. 

While Sussman has spent more than two decades working at sea and his seafaring career has taken him across the world, it’s this voyage that set him apart from the rest. 

Sussman says he believes he won for circumnavigating the world in a motor yacht, which is unusual and a huge achievement. 

The trip followed a route that covered tens of thousands of nautical miles and included crossings of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans. 

Sussman received the recognition at the World Superyacht Awards in Venice, an annual event honouring excellence in the design, construction, and operation of the world’s finest yachts. His specific award highlights exceptional long-distance journeys and the skill required to complete them. It’s judged by experienced yacht owners and industry experts, and is considered one of the highest honours in the global superyacht sector. 

For Sussman, the award prompted reflection. “You realise the enormity of what you’ve achieved,” he says. “It’s not to be taken lightly to go around the world in a motor yacht.” 

Sussman grew up in North West and later attended high school in Kimberley. After school, he served in the army and then on the family farm. He was just 20 and, as the oldest son, took responsibility for the farm after his father passed away. “To be trusted with that responsibility at that age was too young,” he says. 

After six years, he decided farming wasn’t for him and chose rather to travel the world and explore new opportunities. He visited his brother in Israel, where he discovered diving in the Red Sea. He trained as and began working as a dive instructor. 

Sussman later worked on dive boats in the Caribbean. During this time, he obtained his captain’s licence. By 2002, he was working as a captain, and by 2004 he had moved into the superyacht industry. 

He describes the career path as one that requires continuous learning and experience. “You start, then you step up, then you become a mate, and eventually you become a captain,” he says. 

His recent voyage stands out because of its scale and duration. During this journey, he had extended stays in several locations, including Polynesia, the Galapagos, Indonesia, New Zealand, Thailand, and South Africa. 

Sussman says these visits were among the highlights of the trip. Polynesia and the Galapagos stood out for their natural environment, while time spent in different countries allowed the crew to experience local cultures. The voyage included a crew of nine, along with the yacht’s owner, who joined for major ocean crossings. 

“As a South African, having the opportunity to bring a boat into Cape Town Harbour was something special,” Sussman says. 

The journey required extensive preparation. The yacht had a range of about 5 000 miles, allowing it to travel long distances across oceans. Before departure, it underwent a full refit in the United States. Further work was carried out during scheduled surveys, including a major survey in New Zealand. 

Sussman says the condition of the vessel was critical to the success of the voyage. He also highlights the role of the crew and support team. “There are many people behind the scenes who don’t receive recognition,” he says. “Our engineer was an integral part of making sure we achieved this.” 

The journey was not without challenges. During one leg, a tender boat capsized in rough conditions and had to be cut loose. It washed ashore after drifting for weeks. Sussman says incidents like this are part of long-distance travel at sea. 

Leadership is central to his role as captain. With more than 20 years of experience, he says the role involves constant planning and decision-making. “You’re always on it, you’re always planning,” he says. He also emphasises teamwork. “You’re either a leader or you’re not,” he says. “But it’s still a team effort.” External support also plays a role. Weather routing services, for example, provide guidance throughout the voyage. 

Sussman says there are common misconceptions about life on a superyacht. “People think parties and glamour,” he says. “But there are months away from family. It can be a lonely life.” 

Sussman is married with two children, aged 16 and 13. His wife, who previously worked in the yachting industry and understands the demands of his work, lives in Somerset West. “There are sacrifices,” he says. “Time away from home is one of them.” 

Despite this, he says he would choose the same career again. “If I could do it again, I would”. 

Sussman identifies strongly as South African and Jewish. He says both aspects of his identity are important to him. “I’m very proudly Jewish,” he says. “It’s deeply ingrained in who we are.” He says he often seeks out Jewish communities while travelling, although he finds they never quite feel like home. 

He also speaks about the impact of global events, including those affecting Israel, and rising antisemitism. He says that he hasn’t personally experienced significant antisemitism in the yachting industry, but that effects of the conflict in the Middle East, such as closures of certain shipping routes, had an impact on this journey. 

Sussman says he remains focused on his job as captain of this superyacht. “I’m quite content,” he says. “There are always more places to see and more adventures to come. I’ve always gone with the flow,” he says. 

For young South Africans interested in the industry, he offers practical advice. The work requires commitment and persistence. “It’s not easy,” he says. “You have to work hard and be prepared for time away from home.” 

He also highlights challenges such as visa requirements and the difficulty of securing a first job. “You just have to get that first opportunity.” Once established, he says, the industry can be rewarding. “If you work hard, it will treat you well.” 

From his early years in the North West to captaining a yacht across the world’s oceans, Sussman’s career has followed an unconventional path. The award marks a significant milestone, but he remains focused on the work itself and the journeys still to come.