adminThe yacht stew is responsible of everything, from resetting the WiFi router to organizing daily activities for guests. They also order supplies, handle vendors and other administrative tasks.
Many people who are interested in super yacht jobs begin as Deckhands and Stewardesses. It’s a great entry point for those who want to gain experience at sea.
Deckhand
Most people entering the Superyacht industry for the first time start as Deckhands. This is a great way to start, as it allows you to gain experience and learn about the day-to-day life of yachting. A Superyacht can be a complex and large vehicle. It’s important to have a variety of skills on board, from mechanics to chefs.
Deckhand duties include cleaning the exterior of a vessel. They also operate the toys and tenders of yachts and are in constant contact with guests. They are responsible to prepare the boat for departure and docking or undocking, handle lines and fenders, and manage passenger safety on trips to shore or boats.
As you gain more experience, you can progress to a Lead Deckhand or Bosun role. This position is often found on larger yachts where they supervise a team Deckhands. The Bosun may also manage other more junior deck crew as well.
A good Deckhand is hard-working, motivated and organised. The Captain and Owner will be looking for someone they can work well together with. Someone who has similar interest, a friendly and outgoing personality and can think outside the box.
First Officer
A First Officer is the second in command of a yacht and manages directly the deck team, including the Second Officer and Bosuns. Their role includes ensuring the safety of everyone aboard and performing a variety of administrative and management duties, especially during navigational passes. They also work closely with the Captain on all aspects of yacht operations.
During watch periods the First Officer is responsible for navigation, stability and weather monitoring, mooring arrangements, tendering and watersports, technical and safety system operation, passenger disembarkations and docking procedures. They also ensure that the yacht is in compliance with environmental, health, public and security regulations.
The First Officer must be familiar with all bridge and navigation systems and have excellent leadership skills to manage the Deck Crew and stand in for the Captain if needed. Salary varies according to the size of the boat, but usually starts at EUR4,500.
On larger yachts, the First Officer will usually be an OOW (Ocean Watch Officer) and therefore have a full range of marine navigation and safety training. In an emergency, they can take over the Captain’s duties and are fully qualified to handle any situation until the official captain arrives. This is a highly valued and important skill set. A First Officer will earn more than an average Deckhand, Stewardess or Steward. This is the best way to become a Captain one day. They are the most senior members of the Deck Department.
Second Officer
Yachts are staffed with a variety of crew members, depending on the size of the yacht and the specific needs of the owner. Some positions are found in the maritime industry but others are exclusive to yachting. Due to the limited number of crew members, smaller boats tend to use hybrid roles where staff share multiple responsibilities. Larger yachts are divided into more traditional divisions that may require specialized skill sets.
The deck department maintains the exterior and interior of the yacht. The first officer or “officer on the watch” is in charge. This position is responsible for a wide range of duties, including navigation, stability monitoring, weather monitoring, tendering and water sports, technical systems and safety operations, and ship-to-shore transfers. A second officer is also designated as the designated safety, security or medical officer.
All aboard are expected provide the highest level of service to guests. In order to do this, the yacht’s interior or “inside” crew is required to work hard. This is a demanding task, especially for larger yachts.
The chef’s culinary skills are essential to a yacht’s luxury cruise. This position, together with the head stewardess and the chef, is responsible to provide meals for guests and crew members throughout the day. The chefs should keep track of the galley supplies and inventory.
The engineering department ensures that the yacht runs smoothly. The role is very similar to commercial shipping and has a range of qualifications and ratings based on the size and power of a ship or engine.
Chief Engineer
A Chief Engineer is the head of the engineering department on larger yachts and a role that requires extensive experience. He or she should be familiar with the mechanical systems aboard, including engines, generators, drive system, water-makers, and electrical systems. The ability to troubleshoot and supervise repairs in ports around the world is also required. The Chief Engineer is also responsible for arranging shore-side support engineers.
This is a highly respected position that requires an excellent technical background and management skills. It’s not uncommon for Chief Engineers on charter yachts and rotation yachts earn $8,000 or even more per month.
To reach this position, the engineer can start out as a third or fourth Engineer and work up through the ranks taking on additional duties or responsibilities. On smaller yachts the Captain or First Mate can double as an engineer to reduce workload and assist with crewing on deck.
The Chief Engineer is in charge of training the engineers and engineering department aboard. This includes overseeing the 2nd and 3rd Engineers and any apprentices onboard. This is a position of leadership and you must be able to handle pressure from running a busy department aboard a vessel that is constantly moving.
The Chief Engine is also responsible for any planned inspections or maintenance and must have an in-depth understanding of the systems onboard. Many yachts have software programs that help with planned maintenance and preventative measures, record failures and repairs, and keep track on the stock of spares.
Junior Engineer
To operate smoothly, yachts of all sizes require multiple crew members. Positions on a boat vary, but the four main departments are interior, interior, and engine. Each department has a distinct job, but smaller yachts may employ hybrid roles that combine multiple duties. All crew members, regardless of their size, must be personable and have a good work ethic to ensure the satisfaction of guests.
Deckhands are men who clean the exterior of a yacht. Women are stewardesses who provide the majority of guest service onboard. They are responsible for the comfort and safety of passengers and interact with them daily. Stewardesses are also responsible for meal preparation, housekeeping and interior decoration.
The captain is a leader of a boat and must be able to sail a large vessel. He or she must also be able manage the crew and sail if the captain is unavailable. The first mate is second in charge and helps the captain with management and navigation. The engineer is responsible for the mechanical and electrical systems on a yacht. A junior engineer, often called a green stew, is an entry-level position for someone with no engineering credentials or little prior technical experience.
Additional certificates such as food handling and barista certification can help you standout. For most positions, the ENG1 certificate of medical fitness and STCW safety training is required. Your chances will be improved if you have any previous experience in a hotel, resort, or restaurant. A good yacht crew agency will be able to recommend other training courses to further your career in yachting.
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