Expert help, you provide the enthusiasm and determination, and together we prepare you for an exciting career in your dream job.
Your journey starts here…
Essential guide to getting your first job on a yacht with no experience:
1. What is the difference between a Yacht over a Superyacht?
A superyacht compare a Yacht is a large luxury yacht of over 24 metres in length that can be powered by motor or sail. They are generally privately owned and professionally crewed, with some maintained exclusively for the owner’s use and others available for crewed charter. In recent years, superyachts have super-sized and those measuring over 70 metres in length might also be termed a megayacht and over 100 metres a gigayacht.
Superyacht ownership is the preserve of the super wealthy. Yachts cost hundreds of millions of dollars to build and it’s estimated that maintenance and running costs average around 10 percent of the purchase cost every single year, but owning a superyacht is the pinnacle of luxury living. The owners are ultra-high-net-worth individuals and their superyachts are high profile status symbols, with many upgrading frequently to stay ahead of the latest technological trends.
The world’s fascination with the lives of the rich and famous has led to several documentaries being made about superyachts, everything from how they’re built to what’s inside them and where they go, and of course, who owns them. But, there’s also interest in how they’re run, and an entire TV series on Bravo was dedicated to a behind the scenes look at the life of superyacht crew. For every celebrity sun-tanning on board in St Tropez or relaxing at anchor in Monaco, there’s at least one dedicated and fully qualified member of a professional crew taking care of their every need.
There are now over 10 000 superyachts in existence and according to sales data, this number is set to continue rising. Over 370 superyachts were sold in 2017, totalling an amazing €3285 million (around $4400 million or £2900 million) with the most expensive yacht of the year costing €162 million (that’s just over $190 million or £140 million) and the largest measuring 107 metres in length. More superyachts will mean more job opportunities for crew at every level, so whether you’re just starting out or you already have some experience under your belt, the demand for skilled yacht crew is set to rise in direct correlation with yacht sales.
Some superyachts are commissioned and built to the owner’s unique specifications, others are refits or upgrades of existing yachts, but the Boat International Media Showboats Design Awards presented each year give owners the opportunity to showcase their vessels and gain a little extra kudos. Categories include Best Exterior Design and Styling, with Joy, the 70-metre winner in 2017 having a lengthened bow to allow space for basketball games, and Plvs Vltra winning the Best Recreational Design Feature award with its onboard wellness centre featuring a hair studio and hammam.
2018 will see a brand new superyacht is due to be completed and it will become the largest and most expensive superyacht in the world. The owner remains anonymous but it’s reported that Triple Deuce will cost $1 billion (around £788 million) to build and measure an incredible 220 metres in length. Until its launch, Azzam, owned by the President of the United Arab Emirates, remains the longest superyacht at 182 metres long, followed by Eclipse, owned by Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich, measuring 163 metres. It’s enormous, but Triple Deuce will cater for no more than 36 guests and will need a full-time yacht crew of between 50 and 70 to run and maintain it.
If you’re fascinated by the latest superyacht design innovations, or just want to find out who owns such things you can feast your eyes on the world’s most beautiful builds at SuperYachtFan.
Superyacht owners and operators are bound by the requirements and legislation set out by regulating bodies including the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). These standards help to ensure the safety of everyone at sea, whether a passenger or a crew member. The number of crew required to safely man a superyacht, and the professional qualifications needed, will vary depending on the size of the yacht and the number of passengers on board, but most superyachts of between 30 to 60 metres will cater for a maximum of 12 guests with a crew of six to 18. Over the 60m mark and we see a sharp increase in the number of crew.
2. Yacht Crew Positions – Contract Lengths, Requirements, Qualifications, Duties, Salaries
The superyacht industry is booming, so let’s take a look at the career opportunities within it. Yacht crew contracts can be seasonal, temporary, or permanent, with seasonal typically spanning a three to six-month period, temporary covering changeable periods of anything up to a year, and permanent offering employment for one year or longer. A growing number of captains and engineers choose to work on rotational schedule contracts, and crew rotation at every level is slowly becoming more commonplace across the industry. There are also openings for day work, not only offering a daily wage but also providing excellent opportunities to gain valuable onboard experience.
Below is a list of yacht crew positions, and then read on to learn more about what each job entails.
Crew positions on board a superyacht:
- Captain
- First Officer
- Second Officer
- Bosun
- Deckhand
- Chief Engineer
- Second Engineer
- Third Engineer
- ETO (Electrical Technical Officer)
- Purser
- Chief Stewardess
- Second Stewardess
- Head of Interior
- Head of Housekeeping
- Stewardess
- Laundry
- Head Chef
- Chef
- Sous Chef
Not all superyachts will fill every position, much depends on the size of the vessel and its safe manning requirements, and in some cases, yacht crew will perform dual roles. For example, a second engineer could also be a deckhand or a stewardess could also be a crew cook. Salary expectations are listed in US dollars, but payment could be made in other currencies (Euros or Pounds) depending on the Superyacht.
Captain
The captain’s primary role is the safe navigation, operation and manning of the vessel, so the holder of this position is responsible for the superyacht and the yacht crew, as well as the guests on board. The captain is at the top of any superyacht crew hierarchy and answers only to the owner, with duties including legal and regulatory compliance and accounting, shipyard and project management, and the recruitment and management of all onboard personnel.
Skills required: A captain must have extensive knowledge of yacht operations in all departments on top of the necessary nautical knowledge to manage the yacht. Skills extend to maintenance, engineering, IT, and administrative tasks including accounting and complying with all required paperwork. To succeed in this role, superior leadership and communication skills are a must, and the ability to make quick and effective decisions.
Salary expectations: This will vary depending on the size of the superyacht and the level of professional experience, but the average range is currently between $5000 and $30 000 per month.
First Officer / Second Officer
The first officer, also known as the chief officer, is the second-in-command on board a superyacht and effectively the captain’s right-hand man (or woman). The holder of this position must be able to stand in for the captain, meaning an extensive knowledge of all superyacht operations is required, and day-to-day duties revolve around supervising all deck and safety procedures. Responsibilities include navigation and passage planning, bridge watch, maintenance, management of crew operations, and ensuring the safe use of all water toys such as jet skis.
Most superyachts have a first officer, but larger vessels may also employ a second officer and Third officer who assists the first officer in an understudy role. The second officer may also assist with bridge watches and the monitoring of radio equipment, and could be the designated onboard medical officer. Experience as a second officer can provide a stepping-stone into employment as a chief officer.
Skills required: The role of captain and chief officer require similar levels of knowledge, expertise, and organisational ability. The only difference between the roles, including the second officer, is the level of overall responsibility.
Salary expectations: The average salary for a first officer is currently between $3000 and $11 000 per month and a second officer between $3000 and $5500 per month.
Bosun
The bosun may also be known as the senior or lead deckhand and as such is responsible for supervising all other deckhands. The main duties revolve around general maintenance of the yacht’s exterior, extending to the tender and any other mechanised equipment including water toys. The bosun is generally the main tender driver and the person in this role needs to have a thorough knowledge and understanding of how each item of motorised equipment operates. They may also undertake a security and safety role on the passarelle, and other responsibilities include varnishing, painting, maintaining deck supplies and ensuring safe storage, as well as bridge watch duties and basic engineering.
Skills required: The bosun is a highly experienced deckhand and experience will have been gained through working up the career ladder from an entry level deckhand position. The role involves daily interaction with onboard guests, so an upbeat can-do attitude is essential along with excellent communication skills. Strong organisational skills are also needed, along with an eye for detail and a willingness to maintain exceptionally high standards at all times.
Salary expectations: Depending on experience, the average salary of a bosun currently ranges between $3500 and $6000 per month.
Deckhand
Deckhands are responsible for a wide range of exterior duties, including cleanliness and maintenance of the vessel. Responsibilities mirror those of the bosun, and every task must be completed to the highest of standards. Daily jobs might include wash downs, polishing, varnishing, fibreglass restoration, sanding, painting, small carpentry projects, and on some superyachts the deckhands also assist crew in the interior and galley departments when required.
Skills required: Success as a deckhand comes down to being prepared to work hard and keep a smile on your face. This is an entry-level position, and while previous experience can boost your potential to secure a job, the most important quality to possess is a positive attitude and a willingness to give it your all as you learn.
Salary expectations: The current salary range for a deckhand position is between $2400 and $4000 per month.
Chief Engineer
The Chief Engineer is responsible for the management of the vessel’s engineering department, including engineers, assistant engineers, electricians and ETOs. The main duties in this role are to ensure the smooth running of all technical equipment, carry out servicing and repairs as required, and source and order parts when needed. Day-to-day work revolves around scheduled maintenance, but the person in this role must be able to troubleshoot and multitask to keep all onboard gadgetry performing as expected by the owner and guests. Further duties include docking, undocking, and anchoring the yacht.
Skills required: A chief engineer must have expert technical knowledge of all superyacht equipment and the practical skills to fix malfunctions as and when they occur. They must also be able to organise and supervise other members of the department and liaise with on-shore subcontractors and engineers when necessary. This, along with being able to talk directly to guests, requires excellent communication skills.
The second and third engineers answer to the chief engineer and share the same onboard responsibilities. The essential skill all engineers in the department must possess is the ability to fix everything – anything from a TV to the main engines.
Salary expectations: Licensed engineers are in high demand and a chief engineer can earn between $7000 and $15 000 per month depending on the size of the vessel. A licensed second engineer can earn between $6000 and $10 000, and a second or third engineer with minimum AEC (Architecture, Electrical, and Construction) industry qualifications can expect to earn between $4000 and $6500.
ETO
The main responsibility of the ETO is to maintain the onboard electrical equipment, including computers, audio-visual equipment and communications systems. On larger yachts, a separate audio-visual engineer or IT engineer might be employed to take responsibility for each specific system, and some yacht crews include an electrician who takes responsibility for all electrical circuits, circuit breakers, lighting and switches.
Skills required: An ETO needs knowledge and experience of all electrical yacht equipment such as radar, radio, telephone, satellite, and navigation systems, as well as AV and IT skills to maintain and repair interior equipment.
Salary expectations: The current average salary range for an experienced ETO is between $4000 to $9000 per month, depending on the size of the vessel. If you are unsure of the potential for AV or IT engineer positions on a superyacht, check with a superyacht crew agency to find the right job for you.
Purser
Larger superyachts with greater numbers of yacht crew will often employ a purser to manage recruitment and financial matters. On smaller yachts, the chief stewardess fulfils this role. Duties include bookkeeping and accounting, payroll, ensuring crew certifications are up to date, managing the yacht’s inventory and organising supplies of everything from food and drink to cleaning supplies and crew uniforms. The purser is also in charge of coordinating delivery contracts and managing guest transport to the yacht and to and from planned events and venues.
Skills required: A purser will have gained experience as a chief stewardess on smaller yachts. The person in this role needs to be highly organised with strong admin skills, and able to manage the paperwork for every department. Excellent communication skills are also required as the purser will work closely with guests to organise trips and events, and may take responsibility for hiring new crew members when needed.
Salary expectations: There is considerable crossover between the duties of a purser and a chief stewardess, but on larger yachts where both roles are filled, a purser can expect to earn between $6000 to $10 000 per month.
Chief Stewardess
The term stewardess is being used here as statistically there are more females than males in interior department roles, but it could also be a chief steward position. The primary aim of the yacht’s interior department is to ensure the comfort of the owner and all onboard guests by providing exceptional service. Duties extend to food and drink service, cleaning, polishing, flower arranging, and cabin preparation, with the chief stewardess taking responsibility for overseeing the tasks completed by the entire department and reporting directly to the captain. Extra responsibilities include arranging guest trips and transport and obtaining the appropriate currency for each location.
Skills required: The chief stewardess needs to have exceptionally high standards and an eye for detail. Skills will generally have been developed through experience in a stewardess role, and success in this role requires an ability to provide services above and beyond 5-star expectations. Discretion is also extremely important, and an experienced chief stewardess can anticipate the wants and needs of every guest.
Salary expectations: Depending on experience and the size of the vessel, the current salary range for a chief stewardess is between $4500 and $9000 per month.
Stewardess
A superyacht stewardess (or steward) is responsible for maintaining the interior of the yacht and providing the highest standards of onboard hospitality. This is an entry-level position and a stewardess will work under the supervision of the chief stewardess. Duties include food and drink service, bartending, table setting, cabin preparation, and general housekeeping and laundry for both guests and yacht crew. On larger yachts, housekeeping duties may be overseen by a separate head of housekeeping, and laundry becoming a designated job role.
Skills required: As with an entry level deckhand position, success in this role comes down to being prepared to work hard and keep a smile on your face. Previous experience of providing silver service or having skills as a barista or cocktail maker can boost your potential to secure a job, but the most important quality to possess remains a positive attitude and a sense of pride in achieving the highest standards in your work.
Salary expectations: An entry-level stewardess can expect to earn between $2700 and $3200 per month. On larger yachts, the stepping-stone position of the second stewardess can provide greater responsibility by sharing some of the chief stewardess’ duties and earnings increase to an average of between $3300 and $5500 per month.
Head Chef
The yacht chef is responsible for the galley and the preparation of meals for everyone on board. On larger yachts, both a head chef and a sous chef will be employed, and in some instances, a separate cook for the crew. Duties extend beyond food preparation, with the chef responsible for devising menus, sourcing, buying and arranging transportation of ingredients in different locations, and catering for individual dietary requirements and the potentially diverse tastes of the owner and guests.
Skills required: A head chef will have professional qualifications and previous experience of preparing food to extremely high standards, often in a hotel or on a luxury cruise liner, along with stringent hygiene standards. Organisational skills are essential, along with the necessary creative flair required to devise exciting menus and create delicious and beautifully presented meals – at times with limited produce. The food served on board is often the most memorable aspect of a superyacht holiday, and a successful yacht chef knows how to create the best memories.
Salary expectations: A culinary trained chef currently earns between $6000 and $12 000 per month depending on experience and the size of the vessel. A sous chef can expect a salary range of $4000 to $6500, and a crew cook will earn on average between $3500 and $6000. Experience as a crew cook and/or sous chef can be a useful step on the career ladder towards becoming a head chef.
