How to get a job as yacht crew: a step-by-step guide
Entering the yachting industry as a crew can be confusing and unclear for those without the correct guidance.
This blog post explores all elements of getting onboard as yacht crew or being a 'yachtie.' Firstly the term 'yachtie' is for people working as yacht crew on superyachts. But within this category, there are various positions and job roles. Like any other industry, most new yachties (or 'green crew') start at entry-level roles and move up the ladder with experience and responsibilities.
What job is right for you?
There are four main departments onboard yachts; Deck, Interior, Engineering, and Galley. Within these departments, different roles depending on how big the yacht is and how the crew is structured. The salary ranges differ depending upon the job role and size of the yacht; typically, yacht crew salaries are in either Euros or USD. Below is an outline of the job roles per department and an average salary range. The salary ranges are a guide and will be dependent upon your experience, qualifications, the size of yacht and the yacht itself, these ranges can act as a helpful guide. In terms of other benefits, this will also be yacht dependent. Most yachts offer a good holiday package and return flights home, other perks can include the covering of training costs and bonuses. Deck
Captain: The Captain is responsible for the yacht's overall safe manning and operation. Salary range: (100ft-330ft+) $4,100 - $18,400 per month.
Chief Officer: The First Mate or Chief Officer is the right hand of the Captain, and they take command of the yacht from Captain when required. Salary range: (131ft - 330+ft) $4,100 - $13,300 per month.
Bosun/Lead Deckhand: Bosuns are experienced Deckhands with additional responsibilities; they are responsible for all the Deckhands and are usually the main tender driver. Salary range: (100ft - 330ft+) $3,600 - $5,600 per month.
Deckhand: Deckhands are responsible for the maintenance of the exterior of the yacht. They also assist with maintaining, cleaning, and operating the yacht's tender and toys. Salary range: (100ft - 330ft+) $2,800 - $3,600 per month.
Engineering
Chief Engineer: The Chief Engineer is responsible for safely and smoothly running the yacht's engines, machinery, and equipment. They oversee all the technical and electrical operations, ensuring all planned maintenance is carried out. Salary range: (100ft - 330ft+) $4,100 - $15,300 per month.
2nd/3rd Engineer: These engineers report directly to the Chief. They assist in maintaining all mechanical and electrical operations onboard. Depending on the size of the yacht, this role may be combined with a Deckhand position. Salary range: 2nd - (131ft - 330ft+) $3,600 - $8,200. 3rd - (229ft+) $3,600 - $5,600 per month.
ETO: Electro-Technical Officers are in charge of the maintenance of all electronic, computer, audio/visual, and comms equipment onboard. Salary range: (229ft+) $6,100 - $8,100 per month.
Interior
Purser: The Purser is an administrative position onboard larger yachts; they are responsible for the operations in the interior departments, inventorying, purchasing, provisioning, accounting, and guest activities. They also help the Captain with any other paperwork. Salary range: (229ft+) $7,100 - $8,100 per month.
Chief Stew: On smaller yachts, this position combines those of a Purser on a larger yacht. A Chief Stew is responsible for managing the interior department, overseeing the other stew's job roles onboard, and for training. Salary range: (100ft - 330ft+) $4,100 - $8,100 per month.
Stew: A stew's primary responsibility is to maintain the yacht's interior and provide a high standard of care to the guests. They serve the guests, prepare guest activities, unpack guest luggage, are responsible for the crew and guest laundry, and clean the interior. Depending on the size of the yacht, some stew's on larger yachts will have set tasks, e.g., 'laundry stew,' 'and housekeeping stew,' and on smaller yachts, the role will combine all tasks as well as sometimes helping out on deck. A stew's role can also be combined with other specialized roles such as 'spa stew,' 'stew/PT' etc . Salary range: (100ft - 330ft+) $2,800 - $3,600 per month.
Galley
Head Chef: The Head Chef is responsible for the overall management of the galley, including guest and crew meals, provisioning, budgets, food safety, and menu planning. Salary range: (100ft - 330ft+) $4,600 - $8,100 per month
Sous Chef: The Sous Chef assists the Head in galley duties. The Sous Chef may also be responsible for providing the crew food and elements of guest menus. Salary range: ( 164ft+) $4,600 - $7,100 per month.
Crew Chef: Larger yachts have a chef solely to cater to the crew.
Salary range: $4,100 - $5,100 per month.
Once you have concluded where onboard you will work there will be other things to think about like whether you would prefer a private or charter yacht and a motor or sail. Like everything, there are pros and cons to both. If you just want to break into the industry it is wise not to be too picky as without experiencing all elements it is hard to make a decision.
Yacht Crew Job Requirments
Once you have decided on the role you want onboard, how are you supposed to get it? The role choice will come from your previous experience, skillset, and preference. If this is your first experience within the industry, you are best placed for either a junior deck or interior position. If you have prior experience in your field with some external qualifications, you may be able to enter the industry at a more senior level.
Get the necessary qualifications
Before stepping onboard, you will, at minimum, need to have an ENG1 Medical certificate; this is a requirement set by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and is essential for all yacht crew. It assesses whether you are fit and can perform duties while working at sea. Next up, you will need to get the basic safety training, STCW; this is a six-day course and goes through safety, security, basic first aid, and lifesaving and fire prevention.
Complete training courses
If you have yet to gain experience in yachting and have no similar on-land experience, such as hospitality, then it is helpful to complete training courses. There are loads of course providers and courses for the various roles. Each yacht will ask for different skills, levels of experience, and qualifications. Even at a junior level, for example, some deck crew roles require a Yachtmaster, and some interior stew roles ask for either relevant hospitality experience or a stew training course.
Have correct visas and documentation
Firstly, one of the main perks to working onboard with the amount of potential worldwide travel you will do; you also need to be organized. Make sure you have an up-to-date passport with plenty of pages available for stamps and visas. Next up, if you are a non-American crew member applying for yachts on internationally flagged vessels cruising in the US, you will need to obtain a B1/B2 visa, which can be valid for up to 10 years, depending on nationality and situation. The visa doesn't allow you to seek work whiles in the US or to be employed on a US-flagged yacht. It will enable you to cruise in US waters and transit through US customs to a vessel. For Europe and non-European crew to move freely between European countries, you will need a Schengen Visa from the embassy of your first point of entry into Europe. Once you have a job onboard, applying for a Seaman's Discharge Book from the flag state on the yacht you are working on is helpful. It helps out for tax purposes and allows you to track your time spent at sea correctly.
Sell yourself well
As the superyacht industry has become more well-known, yachts and Captains are now looking for a step above. Having a well-put-together CV is a good start in getting to the top of the pile. Many recruiters and Captains see tons of CVs, so you need yours to stand out from the crowd and grab their attention. In today's world, having your social profiles in order is vital. The industry is becoming increasingly professional - which is a good thing. It is a good idea to think of your social media profiles as another outlet to sell yourself, create a personal brand, and keep it professional on all levels.
How to find yacht crew jobs
Once you are armed with your minimum qualifications, a great CV, and some additional training courses which can set you apart, you are ready to job search. The Mediterranean season starts around April-May, while the Caribbean season starts around October-November. These are only the popular cruising destinations; there are, of course, world-traveling yachts, an increasing number now based in the Middle East and the Pacific-based yachts. If you prefer cruising locations, factor this into your job search. For example, you will see few European-based yachts looking for crew in their summer months as they would already be crewed up and cruising, so time it right!
Dock walking & Crew Houses
This is as simple as it sounds, walking the docks searching for a job! Head to the Superyacht hub location in Europe. This would be Antibes in the Cote D'Azur or Palma in Mallorca, and in the US, head to Florida, Fort Lauderdale. Once you are there, you can approach yachts with your CV. Rather than printing reams of CVs out, you can get yourself a business card or even a QR card where Captains can scan your CV.
If you have placed yourself in-country, you will also need a place to stay while job hunting. Luckily for you, yachting hubs tend to have crew houses which are popular and affordable places where you can stay while you job hunt. They are a great place to network and meet other yachties either between jobs or looking for their first job.
Crew agents and recruiters
Whether or not you have headed straight to the hub, you will need to sign up with dedicated yacht crew recruitment agencies. This increases your chance of finding work as these recruiters are connected to Captains and can extend your reach. There are a lot of recruiters out there. Here are a few to get you started.
Online job listings
The recruitment agencies have online portals that you sign up to upload your information and qualifications. As well as the agency websites, social media platforms have been increasingly common to find yacht jobs on. There are dedicated Facebook groups online, such as 'Palma Yacht Crew,' 'Fort Lauderdale Yacht Crew,' and 'Yacht Crew Jobs', with regular job posts. The Captains use many of these directly, posting their job vacancies. Another reason why keeping your social media accounts professional will work in your favor! Lastly, are you sure?
Working onboard superyachts is a great opportunity, with excellent salaries on offer, limited outgoings, and a chance to travel the world and meet amazing people, but with the big pros come a few cons you should be aware of before leaping.
Do you have what it takes? Sometimes you will work very long, hard hours.
Can you spend long stints away from home without seeing friends and family?
Can you work to the quality, attention to detail, and high standards expected from you?
Are you suited to living in close proximity to other crew in what can sometimes be a high-pressure environment?
These questions aren't to put you off but to manage expectations. Different yachts with different owners, crews, and itineraries present entirely different experiences, so if you are looking to get on, take your time with the best job out there!
Happy job searching! If you have any questions about any of the information above in this step-by-step guide or anything else related to yachting, reach out, I would love to chat!
