The Travel
Picture your perfect oasis: perhaps it is a tropical island hideaway with white powder sand and azure seas, perhaps it is a remote lakeside bungalow surrounded by lush rainforest or perhaps it is a hip and exclusive destination such as the French Cote d’Azure. Today, with the superyacht industry expanding at a record rate and many superyacht owners becoming more adventurous, there is hardly a coordinate on the globe that is beyond the reach of a luxury yacht.
The Money
“Show me the money,” is a line heard time and again in yachting and in an industry founded on wealth, and enormous amounts of wealth at that, there is plenty of money to be shown. What is more, without the expenses of ‘normal’ life such as rent, food, fuel, and even toiletries and alcohol, a crew member’s already substantial salary quickly becomes abundant.
The Experiences
Celebrity guests and gala parties; lavish dinners at exclusive restaurants: wakeboarding, diving, fishing and jetskiing; cultural tours and offbeat adventures; morning runs in Portifino and afternoon sundowners in Kokomo: whatever rocks your boat (excuse the cliché) a luxury yacht can provide it. And it these once-in-a-lifetime experiences that are priceless.
The Comradeship
Working on superyachts is not like other jobs. There is no going home at the end of the day. The crew that surround you twenty-four hours a day are your work colleagues, your confidantes, your family and your friends, and this certainly makes for strong, interesting, dynamic and sometimes even intimate relationships. What’s more, in an environment that reveals people’s true identities, free from the affectation and pretence people so often adopt in so-called ‘real’ life, exceptionally strong bonds are formed and enduring friendships are made.
Entry level crew courses for males
You will need a minimum of an STCW and Powerboat level 2 license. We also highly recommend the Competent Crew, Day Skippers & Superyacht Deckhand courses in order to give yourself a competitive edge and put yourself in the best position possible to gain employment within this competitive industry:
1) Competent Crew License (Required in order to advance to Day Skipper Level. You will gain another certification, competence in boat handling, mooring, knots & ropework, basic navigation, points of sailing, + – 100nm for your log book and will assist you in becoming a professional crew member)
2) Day Skipper (theory & Practical) (Once you have your 100nm you can then proceed to doing your Day Skippers. This will ensure that you have the highest qualifications an entry level crew member can have, and will put you in the best position possible to get a job)
3) Superyacht Deckhand Course (This course forms the basis of the Deckhand job and teaches you: How to operate onboard systems & machinery, anchoring procedures, handling water toys, line handling, how to sand, varnish & paint, which cleaning products to use & how to use them etc, and is extremely beneficial for the entry level deckhand, as you are expected to know most of the above prior to employment.)
Entry level crew courses for females
You will need a minimum of an STCW and Stewardess Course (if no previous Stewardess/Yachting experience) with a recommended Competent Crew license.
1) Competent Crew license (this will give you an certification, competence in boat handling, mooring, knots & ropework, basic navigation, points of sailing, yachting procedures, + – 100nm for your log book, and assist you in becoming a professional crew member)
Due to the nature of the work, entry level crew with higher ranking qualifications are generally given preference over others. In order to meet Captains/Owners standards of employment and give yourself a better chance of being employed, the following needs to be considered:
Crew earning guide
Average Annual Starting Salary (US dollars)
POSITION
Captain
Up to 25m – $35,000- $85,000
25-30 m – $45,000- $100,000
30-45m – $60,000- $140,000
45-54m – $90,000- $175,000
54m+ – $135,000+
First Officer / First Mate
Up to 25m – $25,000- $55,000
25-30 m – $40,000- $60,000
30-45m – $45,000- $75,000
45-54m – $50,000- $80,000
54m+ – $75,000+
Bosun/ 2nd Mate
Up to 25m – $25,000- $35,000
25-30 m – $30,000- $45,000
30-45m – $35,000- $50,000
45-54m – $35,000- $60,000
54m+ – $40,000+
Deckhand
Up to 25m – $22,000- $30,000
25-30 m – $24,000- $40,000
30-45m – $24,000- $36,000
45-54m – $25,000- $40,000
54m+ – $25,000+
Chief Engineer
Up to 25m – $30,000- $40,000
25-30 m – $35,000- $45,000
30-45m – $45,000- $70,000
45-54m – $55,000- $90,000
54m+ – $100,000+
2nd Engineer
N/A
N/A
N/A
45-54m – $50,000- $80,000
54m+ – $80,000+
Engineer
(Unlicensed)
N/A
N/A
N/A
45-54m – $36,000- $50,000
54m+ – $36,000- $50,000
Chef
Up to 25m – $45,000- $60,000
25-30 m – $45,000- $70,000
30-45m – $50,000- $95,000
45-54m – $50,000- $100,000
54m+ – $70,000+
Crew / Sous Chef
Up to 25m – $30,000- $50,000
25-30 m – $35,000- $70,000
30-45m – $40,000- $65,000
45-54m – $45,000- $90,000
54m+ – $55,000+
Chief Stew
Up to 25m – $25,000- $40,000
25-30 m – $30,000- $45,000
30-45m – $30,000- $50,000
45-54m – $40,000- $65,000
54m+ – $60,000+
Senior/ 2nd Stew
Up to 25m – $30,000- $35,000
25-30 m – $30,000- $35,000
30-45m – $33,000- $40,000
45-54m – $33,000- $45,000
54m+ – $40,000+
Junior Stew
Up to 25m – $22,000- $30,000
25-30 m – $24,000- $40,000
30-45m – $24,000- $36,000
45-54m – $25,000- $40,000
54m+ – $25,000+
Freelance Positions (US Dollars)
POSITION
Captain
Up to 25m – $150 – $250
25-30 m – $175 – $275
30-45m – $200 – $300
45-54m – $250 – $350
54m+ – $400+
Engineer
Up to 25m – $125 – $200
25-30 m – $125 – $200
30-45m – $175 – $200
45-54m – $175 – $300
54m+ – $175+
Chef
Up to 25m – $100 – $200
25-30 m – $150 – $225
30-45m – $150 – $250
45-54m – $150 – $300
54m+ – $250+
Deck / Stew
Up to 25m – $100 – $125
25-30 m – $100 – $125
30-45m – $100 – $150
45-54m – $100 – $150
54m+ – $125+
Various positions on the yachts:
Captain
First Mate
Mate
Engineer
Chef
Steward/ess
Bo’sun
Deckhand
Captain
Responsibilities of this position
With ultimate responsibility for the yacht and all aboard it, this is the most senior position on board. The Captain oversees all the crew through the other senior crew. Many business and management roles need to be fulfilled, including budgeting, accounting/bookkeeping, purchasing, scheduling, human resources/crew management, business relations (with management, accounting, owners office, etc.)
This role can easily and often escalate into refit/build management, with many more specialists skills required, including project management/Owners Representative.
Experience needed
It can expected for it to take approximately 10 years from first deck position to Captain.
Qualifications and courses needed
STCW 95 qualifications: Yacht Master Offshore and/or Ocean for vessels under 200gt and over 24m. Where non-STCW qualifications are required (in some waters) MCA Master Yacht <200gt. Where STCW 95 Coc is required Master Yacht 500gt / 3000gt. Captains will also need to keep their qualifications valid.
Other courses to think about
Refresher courses are advisable for continuous onboard safety training of Captains and all their crew.
Hierarchy
Top of the hierarchy!
Chief/ First Mate, First Officer
Responsibilities of this position
Nearly at the top! This position requires lots of administration and management of the crew, you are the Captain’s number two and will be required to do a lot of paperwork.
You will work with the Engineer but you are not in charge of him/her. This position is often in charge of security and liaison with crew for personnel management issues in place of the Captain. Radio operation may also be required.
Experience needed
You are required by the MCA to have a minimum of 12 months of Yacht Service between passing your OOW and taking your Master 500gt, (24 months for the Master 3000gt).
Qualifications and courses needed
The Master 500gt / 3000gt modules are arduous, but required, including Medical First Aid, Seamanship & Meteorology, ARPA Navigation & Radar, Business & Law and Stability. On completion of the required sea time and these modules, you would be ready to apply for an MCA Oral exam.
Other courses to think about
Take this time to learn a bit extra. Things like people management and admin skills, expertise for being a competent and respected captain are not “required” but are essential to the role you will play in the future.
Hierarchy
Second in command, administering the deck department and the lower Mates. Reports to the Captain.
Mate, Officer Of The Watch
Responsibilities of this position
Just a few steps away from Captain. In charge of exterior crew this position reports to the Mate above them, or Captain if there is none.
Duties include:
• Overseeing of the work of the exterior crew and ability to perform their duties .
• Carry out safe fueling procedures.
• Implementation of security/port-of-entry paperwork procedures.
• Maintain guest relations
Experience needed
This is generally thought of as the next step after Lead Deckhand, to get to this position you will likely have 4 – 5 years’ experience.
Qualifications and courses needed
A good time to get your Chief Mate endorsement, which requires a few more courses but no MCA oral exam: Yachtmaster Ocean Theory, Yachtmaster Ocean COC, Advanced Fire Fighting and Medical First Aid. (NB if you have all these modules at the time of your OOW Oral exam, your OOW COC automatically will have the Chief Mate endorsement added).
Other courses to think about
With the higher level of security these days, it might be prudent to complete the ISPS Security Officer and ISM Safety Officer courses. It would certainly be a requirement for an officer to hold these qualifications on larger vessels, and this looks good on a CV too.
Hierarchy
Reporting to the superior Mate or Captain if there is none, responsible for the Deck crew.
Engineer
Responsibilities of this position
Depending on the vessel and whether you are a Junior or Chief Engineer, responsibilities can include:
• Maintaining the smooth running of mechanical and electrical systems from AV to sewage systems and everything in between!
• Ensuring that the vessel is in good mechanical order and is safe to take guests and crew out to sea.
• Polishing/cleaning, correct maintenance of engine room & all technical equipment, computer/electronics/network administration skills. Safe fueling/fuel handling. Air conditioning. Electrical.
• General maintenance of interior technical equipment such lights, vacuums, galley & laundry equipment, etc.
• In more senior positions this can include budgeting, accounting/bookkeeping, purchasing, scheduling, human resources/crew management (if applicable), business relations (with management, accounting, owners office, etc.)
There are increasing numbers of dedicated computer system and networking engineers as super yachts get bigger and more complex.
On some smaller yachts a single person may be both Engineer and Mate. In more senior positions, Engineer responsibilities can easily and often escalate into refit/build management, with many more specialists skills required, such as planning for tankage, engine rooms, electronics/computer, security requirements, etc. as well as Project management/Owners Representative.
Experience needed
You will need to be highly practical and have a good understanding of how the systems on the yacht work – most of all be ready to get your hands dirty and work in noisy, sometimes confined spaces.
Skills are built up over time and may mean you start off as a Junior Engineer – for more specific experience required for certain positions refer to qualifications and courses needed. Practical experience with repairs of mechanics, such as with watersports equipment, air conditioning, refrigerators, electrical wiring, diesel engines, generators, and plumbing is useful. Almost all vessels will require the Engineer to have some formal training, certification and licensure – particularly the larger super yachts. Engineers sometimes come from the merchant or military navy. It takes approximately 6 years minimum to attain licenses, which is often easier from commercial background.
Qualifications and courses needed
All Engineers going to sea will need the STCW 95 Basic Crew Training (Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping) this course is split into four modules, including Fire, Sea Survival, First Aid and Personal Safety.
The MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Association) have an established Engineer Path from the basic Approved Engine Course (AEC) up to Chief Engineer Certificate of Competency Y1 Large Yacht Endorsement.
Courses to be taken for different levels of qualification:*
Approved Engine Course (AEC)
• Advanced Sea Survival for Yachtsmen
• Advanced Fire Fighting
• Medical First Aid
Marine Engineer Operator License
• ENG1 medical
• STCW 95 Basic and Advanced Course
• 36 months as dual deck/engineer holding the AEC
YACHT 4 (Y4) Chief Engineer Certificate of Competency
• Skills Test
• Marine Diesel Engineering module
• Aux Equipment and Basic Ship Construction Module
• Operational Procedures & Basic Hotel Services Module
• Oral Examination
AND
• Whilst holding MEOL, 12 Months as Engineer including 6 months actual sea service.
OR
• 42 months as engineer including 6 months actual sea service.
YACHT 3 (Y3) Chief Engineer Certificate of Competency
• 9 months as Engineer including 3 months actual sea service holding Y4
• Chief Engineers Statutory and Operational Requirements.
• Oral examination
YACHT 2 (Y2) Chief Engineer Certificate of Competency
• Whilst holding Y4, 24 months as Engineer including 12 Months actual sea service.
OR
• Whilst holding Y3, 15 Months as Engineer including 9 months actual sea service.
AND
• General Engineering Science 1
• General Engineering Science 2
• Applied Marine Engineering
• Advanced Hotel Services
• Oral Examination
YACHT 1 (Y1) Chief Engineer Certificate of Competency (Large Yacht Endorsement)
• Whilst holding Y2, 12 months service as Engineer on a motor yacht between 500 and 3000gt and not less than 3000KW
OR
• Whilst holding Y2, 12 months service as engineer on a sailing yacht between 1000 and 3000gt and not less than 1500KW
AND
• Oral Examination
*There are variations for the eligibility of required sea time for entry to the MCA engineering scheme, including considerations made based on previous training such as NVQ’s, apprenticeships and engineering-based qualifications (Refer to MGN 156).
Hierarchy
The most senior Engineer is subordinate only to the master of the yacht, and is in charge of the assistant engineers if there are any.
Chef, Head Chef, Prep cook, 2nd Chef, Stew, Crew Chef, Pastry Chef
Responsibilities of this position
Depending on the size of the galley team, you will typically be required to do the following:
• Provisioning (Ordering, purchasing and storage of food items)
• Liaising with the guests to plan the menu for the trip
• Preparing all the food for the guests as well as the rest of the yacht crew.
Sometimes the yacht schedule can change at the last minute and a great deal of initiative and flexibility is required. You may be called on to prepare food for the guests at any time, day or night! The food is a vital part of any stay on a yacht, so standards must always be high.
Experience needed
How much experience you need depends on the vessel. The smaller vessels may require the chef to perform other duties as well, but on the gigayachts (really really big yachts over 100m!) only professionally trained chefs with lots of experience – on land or yachts – will be hired. This position tends to stand apart from the other career routes on the yachts but the same ‘service’ as other positions is imperative.
Qualifications and courses needed
Professional cookery qualifications of varying degrees depending on specification of yacht, and can require STCW 95 Basic Safety Training (Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping), a personal safety course for people going to sea which includes four modules: personal survival techniques, personal safety and social responsibility, first aid and fire fighting.
Hierarchy
In charge of any assistant chefs, answers to the Captain on smaller vessels or the Purser on larger ones.
Steward/ess, Laundry Stew, Housekeeper, Service Steward/ess, Butler/Sommelier, Stew/masseuse, Stew/beautician
Responsibilities of this position
Your job is to ensure the guests have the best possible experience on board and that the yacht is kept immaculate. Your duties can include:
• Polishing/cleaning
• Correct maintenance of vessel interior, fine finishes & equipment
• Housekeeping (bed-making and cleaning)
• Table-setting
• Party theme planning
• Flower arranging
• Wine selection & services
• Russian, French or Silver Service
• Generally assisting the guests and making sure they have a good stay on the yacht.
Your day-to-day duties will be different on a sailing yacht to a motor yacht – you might be required to help on deck when under way on a sailing yacht – so bear this in mind.
Experience needed
Any hospitality experience is useful, some positions require you to have silver service. You need to have a positive, ‘service with a smile’ attitude and a willingness to provide top quality service 24 hours a day. Sometimes requires other skills such as beautician or masseuse, and only a valid masseuse diploma will apply here.
Qualifications and courses needed
The most basic qualifications you will need are the STCW 95 Basic Safety Training (Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping), a personal safety course for people going to sea which includes four modules: personal survival techniques, personal safety and social responsibility, first aid and fire fighting. Adding a Powerboating level 2 and Stewardess course will also be very beneficial to push your CV to the top of the pile.
Other courses to think about
Silver service qualifications can be required depending on the yacht and is becoming more essential, this can be very useful so if you get the chance try and take it! If you have a background in service/ housekeeping this can still be useful as it is designed specifically for the yachting industry. Wine and flower arranging courses are always useful too. There is also Introduction to Steward/ess training available, covering the role of interior crew, personal grooming, and etiquette. This comprehensive Stewardess Course covers ALL the skills mentioned above – flower arranging, wine knowledge, cleaning, housekeeping, how, where and when to join yachts, yacht terminology, silver service. Most professional super yachts these days don’t take stews who have not at least done the STCW 95, Stew Course and Powerboat Level 2, especially if they do not have lots and lots of prior hospitality experience.
Lead Deckhand, Bo’sun
Responsibilities of this position
As well as overseeing the work of the lower Deckhands and giving them instruction or help, you will need to perform Deckhand duties as well as Radio/communications equipment.
Experience needed
You will need to have a firm grasp of what the lower Deckhands do and a good season under your belt is a must! For more detail see Deckhand profile. Also computer skills are useful.
Qualifications and courses needed
Once you are ready for the responsibility of this role you should hold or be about to take your Yachtmaster Theory and Offshore qualifications. (Master 200gt limited to 150miles from shore).
Other courses to think about
At this stage in your career, it would be obvious to start your OOW course modules while also improving your safety knowledge and skills with the OOW Advanced Sea Survival for Yachtsmen, GMDSS GOC, General Ship Knowledge and Navigation & Radar. These are the training modules required to apply for your OOW MCA Oral exam. (Please refer to MGN 1802). The Officer Of the Watch Training Record Book is also an OOW requirement, subject to sea time – so start this as soon as possible in your career.
Hierarchy
Report to the Officers and oversee the Deckhands
Deckhand
Responsibilities of this position
Varied roles, often depending on the yacht, but these usually include a combination of:
• Cleaning and polishing the exterior of the yacht
• Assisting the guests with their baggage
• Transporting guests in the tender
• Assisting in the navigation when under way
• Correct maintenance of vessel & deck equipment
• Watch-standing
• Operation of water sports
• Generally assisting the guests and making sure they have a good stay on the yacht.
These will vary greatly depending on the size of the yacht – if there are fewer crew members and it is a smaller yacht then you will have more responsibilities but other factors may encourage you to work on a larger vessel, such as space in the crew area or pay which is often higher on larger yachts. Your day-to-day duties will be different on a sailing yacht to a motor yacht so bear this in mind.
Experience needed
Requires varying levels of boating experience. The ability to swim/scuba dive, repair small engines, paint or varnish and a willingness to maintain the exterior of the yacht in immaculate condition may be needed. The degree of experience and expertise you will need depends on the yacht: larger vessels are likely to require less experience for the junior deckhand roles.
Qualifications and courses needed
The most basic qualifications you will need are the STCW 95 Basic Safety Training (Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping), a personal safety course for people going to sea which includes four modules: personal survival techniques, personal safety and social responsibility, first aid and fire fighting. Some training companies also recommend Powerboat level 2 certificate for tender driving and the Personal Watercraft (jet ski) certificate to make you stand out from the crowd and help with future career prospects. VHF Radio licenses can be helpful too.
Other courses to think about
The Day Skipper Theory Course gives you a good base knowledge of collision regulations, navigation, chart work and meteorology. If you complete the Day Skipper Practical course as well, you can apply for a Yacht Ratings Certificate. This is a good time to start your (OOW) Officer Of the Watch Training Record Book (if you are planning a career in yachting), this book could take up to 3 years to complete.
