Superyachts — private and charter yachts of 24 metres and more — employ tens of thousands of crew worldwide, and the entry jobs, deckhand and stewardess/steward, do not need a maritime education. What they need is a few short courses, the right medical, a good CV and the persistence to look for work where the yachts are. This guide covers the jobs, the documents, the seasons, how crew actually get hired, and what life on a yacht is like.
The entry jobs
- Deckhand. Washing and polishing the yacht, maintenance of the exterior, tenders and water toys, mooring and anchoring, keeping watch, and helping guests with water sports.
- Stewardess / steward (interior). Service at the table and on deck, cabin and laundry work, flowers and table settings, looking after guests — the yacht's hotel side.
- Galley. A crew cook or chef needs culinary qualifications; it is not an entry job, but good cooks move into yachting from restaurants.
- Engineering. Junior engineer roles exist, but need engineering qualifications — for many, the way in is from a mechanic's job ashore.
Larger yachts have bigger teams — bosun, lead deckhand, chief stew, second and third stews — and a clear path upwards.
The documents
- STCW Basic Training (STCW VI/1) — fire-fighting, survival, first aid, personal safety. Required for every crew member.
- A seafarer medical. Many yachts — especially those under the Red Ensign flags — ask for the UK ENG1 or an equivalent medical recognised by the flag.
- Security: Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD) is often asked for.
- Deckhands: a powerboat / tender driving certificate is commonly expected — the RYA Powerboat Level 2 is the usual one.
- Interior: a food safety and hygiene certificate is useful, and hospitality courses help.
- Passport and visas: a Schengen visa (if you need one) for the Mediterranean; for the United States most yacht crew use a B1/B2 visa — check the rules for your nationality and the yacht's situation.
None of these needs a maritime education; most take a few days each.
The seasons and where to look
The superyacht year has two seasons:
- Mediterranean summer, roughly May to October — the busiest hiring is in spring.
- Caribbean winter, roughly December to April, with the Atlantic crossings in between.
Crew look for work in the yachting hubs: Antibes and the Côte d'Azur, Palma de Mallorca, Fort Lauderdale. Many start with daywork — paid short jobs on yachts preparing for the season — which often turns into a permanent position.
How crew actually get hired
- A yacht CV. One page, a professional photo (in yachting this is normal), your courses, languages, skills (hospitality, water sports, boating, cooking) and references.
- Yacht crew agencies. Register with several; they place crew on yachts that do not advertise.
- Being where the yachts are. "Dockwalking" — handing in CVs at marinas — and daywork remain a common first step in the hubs, where it is allowed.
- References. Yachting is a small world; a good word from a captain or chief stew matters a lot.
What life on a yacht is like
- Long days in season. When guests are on board, 12-hour days or more are common; off-charter, the schedule is calmer.
- Shared cabins, crew mess, and living with the same team for months.
- Presentation matters. Uniforms, grooming and discretion — guests often value privacy.
- Tips. On charter yachts, guests often leave a tip that is shared among the crew; it is common but never guaranteed.
- Contracts and rights. Commercially operated yachts fall under the Maritime Labour Convention through their flag's rules; private yachts may not, depending on the flag. Always get a written contract.
Interview questions
- "Why yachting?" Show that you understand the service side, not only the travel.
- "What water sports or boating experience do you have?" (deck)
- "How would you handle a difficult guest request?" (interior)
- "Are you available for the whole season?"
- "What would you do if you saw a fire in the laundry?" Basic Training in practice.
Common mistakes
- A CV without a photo or with an unprofessional one.
- Arriving after the season has started — most hiring happens before it.
- Paying someone for a "guaranteed yacht job". Recruitment must not be charged to crew under MLC 2006; reputable agencies are paid by the yachts.
- Only applying online in an industry that still hires through people.
FAQ
Can I work on a yacht without experience?
Yes — as a deckhand or stewardess, with STCW Basic Training, a seafarer medical and the right attitude.
Do I need English?
Yes — good spoken English is essential, especially for interior jobs. Other languages are a plus.
Is it seasonal work?
Some jobs are seasonal, others are permanent positions on yachts that work all year.
Is a maritime education useful?
Not required for entry jobs, but officer certificates are needed to move up to mate, captain or engineer.
Jobs
Look for yacht vacancies on our jobs board.
Your CV
The maritime CV builds a clean one-page CV from your profile, with your courses and languages where a crew agent looks first.
Requirements depend on the yacht's flag and the country where you join. Check them with the agency before you pay for courses.