Working on a super yacht offers a unique career path blending high-end hospitality service with the demanding environment of life at sea. This industry provides an opportunity to travel the world while earning a substantial income, but it requires professionalism, dedication, and adaptability. Individuals must be prepared to accept a demanding lifestyle in exchange for working in luxurious and exclusive settings. Success begins with securing the correct foundational documentation and understanding the operational structure of a luxury vessel.
Essential Certifications and Documentation
A career on a super yacht requires securing several certificates before a job search can begin. The most important qualification is the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Basic Safety Training. This five-day course is the legal minimum requirement for all commercial seafarers working on vessels over 24 meters. It covers four core modules:
Personal Survival Techniques
Fire Prevention and Firefighting
Elementary First Aid
Personal Safety and Social Responsibility
The second mandatory document is the ENG1 Seafarer Medical Certificate, a health assessment conducted by a Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)-approved doctor. This exam confirms you are medically fit to perform duties at sea and is a prerequisite for the STCW course. The ENG1 is valid for two years, and the STCW certificate is valid for five years, both requiring periodic refresher training to remain current.
Proper travel documentation is necessary for a vessel that constantly crosses international borders. Non-U.S. citizens working on yachts entering American waters must apply for a B1/B2 visa, a combination visitor and business visa allowing temporary entry. For work in the Mediterranean, non-EU citizens must understand the Schengen Area rules, which allow a tourist to stay for 90 days out of every 180-day period. Once employed and stamped onto the vessel’s crew list, the crew member’s Schengen clock often pauses, allowing them to remain in European waters beyond the standard 90 days.
Exploring Job Roles Onboard
The crew structure on a super yacht is organized into distinct departments, each with specific entry-level roles for newcomers. These positions, often referred to as “green crew,” provide the foundation of knowledge and experience necessary for career progression within the yachting industry.
Interior Department
Entry-level roles in the interior department are typically Steward or Stewardess positions, focusing on providing five-star hospitality and maintaining the yacht’s living spaces. Duties involve detailed housekeeping, professional laundry and wardrobe management, and serving guests during meals. Stewardesses must possess exceptional attention to detail, a proactive service mindset, and strong organizational skills to manage guest cabins and communal areas.
Deck Department
New entrants to the deck department start as Deckhands, responsible for the exterior maintenance and operational readiness of the vessel. Daily tasks include washing, polishing, and varnishing the yacht’s superstructure, line handling during docking, and assisting with anchoring. Deckhands also manage and deploy water sports equipment and tenders, often requiring a Powerboat Level 2 certificate.
Engineering Department
The Engineering Department offers entry-level positions as a Junior Engineer or Engine Room Assistant, though these roles are less common for inexperienced candidates. This position supports the Chief Engineer in maintaining the yacht’s complex mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. A candidate with a technical background or strong mechanical aptitude is preferred, as the role involves troubleshooting and performing basic preventative maintenance under supervision.
Galley and Chef Roles
The Galley, led by a skilled chef, is responsible for preparing all meals for both guests and crew. While the Head Chef position demands extensive culinary expertise, an entry-level role like Chef’s Assistant or Galley Hand may be available, particularly on larger yachts. This role involves assisting with food preparation, maintaining galley cleanliness, and managing provisioning and inventory.
Crafting a Yachting CV and Profile
The yachting CV is a specialized document that serves as a professional advertisement, requiring a format distinct from traditional résumés. It should be concise, ideally no more than two pages, and must use a clean, professional font. The layout often features personal and physical attributes prominently, as these are important considerations for the close-quarters, physically demanding environment onboard.
A professional, recent photograph is mandatory and typically placed near the top of the document, showing the applicant from the mid-waist up, smiling, and wearing professional attire. Key personal details, including height, nationality, current location, and a clear statement on non-smoking and visible tattoos, are often listed upfront. The CV must detail all relevant certifications, such as the STCW and ENG1, including their issue and expiry dates. Verifiable professional references should be provided directly on the CV, rather than stating “References available upon request,” to streamline the hiring process.
Effective Strategies for Finding Your First Job
The job search for a first super yacht role requires a physical presence in a primary yachting hub. The two main operational areas are the Mediterranean in the summer and the Caribbean in the winter, and job seekers must align their location with the hiring season. The Mediterranean season runs from May to September, with peak hiring occurring in the main hubs of Antibes, France, and Palma de Mallorca, Spain, between March and May.
The winter season is centered in the Caribbean, with hiring activity moving to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from September to November. Being physically in one of these locations is essential because captains frequently hire crew on very short notice, often within a day of the interview.
Job seekers should utilize two primary methods simultaneously: registering with specialized yacht recruitment agencies and actively “dock walking.” Agencies provide access to vacancies and manage initial screenings. Dock walking involves physically visiting marinas, dressed professionally, and handing out a CV and business card directly to crew and captains. This proactive approach demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment, which is valued in the industry. Staying in crew houses in these hubs is also beneficial, as they offer opportunities to network and hear about day work or short-term positions that often lead to permanent contracts.
Understanding Life Onboard a Super Yacht
Life as a super yacht crew member is characterized by a high-intensity work environment and a unique financial structure. Entry-level salaries range from €2,000 to €3,500 per month, with the possibility of substantial tips, particularly on charter yachts, which can occasionally double the monthly income. Accommodation, food, and basic living expenses are covered, and the salary is often tax-free for those who meet specific residency requirements.
The work schedule is demanding and far removed from a conventional nine-to-five job, especially when guests are onboard. Crew members live where they work, and days can be long, sometimes extending to 14 to 18 hours, with limited time off. Privacy is minimal, as crew often share small cabins, necessitating tolerance and professional etiquette. A strict hierarchy and chain of command govern the vessel’s operations, and maintaining a positive attitude and strong work ethic is necessary for success and career longevity.