Yacht Crew Jobs

In general, to crew on a superyacht, whether as a deckhand or as a steward or stewardess, you have to have something called STCW'95 BST certification. It is not hard to obtain this certification, but be prepared to put some time and effort into it. Once you have it, it is your key to yacht crew jobs around the world. (See The Dynamic Deckhand for more information.)

You must also obtain a medical certificate attesting to your good health before you can work on most boast, including the superyachts.

You will want to get yourself to the ports of calls where the superyachts congregate. Depending on where you currently reside, this could be the biggest hurdle to overcome - particularly if one of the reasons you want a yacht crew job is because you don't have the money to travel!

If you have your certification and a good resume showing some experience as a boat deckhand or other crew, you might be able to secure a job from your home, even if you're in the middle of Nebraska. But usually, you do need to figure out a way to get to the megayacht ports.

Superyachts can be found all over the world. They tend to be concrated in a few specific areas, though. Your best chance at finding an abundance of yacht crew jobs is in the Caribbean or the Mediterranean. There are a growing number of opportunities along the coasts of North America, Asia and the South Pacific, as well.

Believe it or not, owners and operators of superyachts face a current shortage of good crew members. If you're an engineer or a chef, you can be assured of a job afloat; in fact, you'll practically be able to name your price! But even if your skills aren't so specialized, you can still land a job as a boat deckhand, steward or stewardess.

There's a yacht crew job out there for you, if you have proper training and a good attitude. Training is easy to come by. Attitude is up to you!

Women are in high demand aboard superyachts, and not only as stewardesses. Many women work on yacht crews as deckhands, assistant engineers, chef's assistants and chefs. Don't underestimate your strengths or sell yourself short when applying for a job on a luxury boat. Women are well represented, at all levels, in today's superyacht industry.

(Ladies: Don't tell the guys this, but many yacht captains these days actually prefer female crew members. They view them as being more reliable overall. Whether that's true or not, that's the perception. Might as well take advantage of it!)

Attitude has already been mentioned, but it's worth repeating. You should have (or be able to summon up) a confident, cheerful air. In many yacht crew jobs you will be interacting with VIP guests and dignitaries, as well as the captain, other crew, and perhaps the yacht's owner as well. And although a superyacht can be huge, it's still a boat - you'll need to get along (preferably happily) with a group of people you're rubbing shoulders with night and day.

And then there's work ethic. Too many people sign on for yacht crew jobs thinking they're getting a paid vacation. While working aboard a superyacht has many aspects of a vacation, keep in mind that you're there to work. You'll be expected to commit yourself to the same kind of effort you would exert in any other job.

Yacht crew jobs are not all fun and games. Do your work well, strive to be a "dynamic deckhand" or "super steward," and you'll have plenty of opportunities to relax and let loose!