Monthly Archives: October 2021

Are you looking into becoming a yacht crew member, but you don’t know what training you need? The Superyacht industry is an exciting choice of employment, so choosing quality training courses is important and often a necessity on board. Understanding how different yachting qualifications are required depending on your desired vessel position can become daunting. Well, CrewPass has put together a useful list of training courses that could help you get one step closer to your dream job.

Firstly, all crew who wants to work in yachting MUST have STCW Basic Safety Training. This training qualification is split into five modules: personal survival, firefighting, first aid and CPR, personal safety and social responsibility, and proficiency in security awareness which in total takes five days to complete. A seafarer medical certificate such as the ENG1 is also mandatory for anyone hoping to get a job on a yacht. The ENG1 certificate is granted by the British Maritime and Coastguard Agency, which proves that you have met their health and fitness requirement to work onboard. Not all doctors can be awarded the ENG1 certificate, but if you live in the UK, you can find your local one here: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mca-approved-doctors-uk-based

Specific yacht training courses can help your career, and this will vary depending on the vessel’s department. Different departments include working on the deck, within the yacht’s interior, or in the engineering team.

Deck crew:

Deck crew jobs are competitive, so many people within the role diversify by taking extra training courses to stand out from others. Skills like being able to drive a tender, operate a Jet Ski, fly a drone, underwater photography or being able to drive are just a few examples that can make you a more valuable candidate. Some additional yacht training courses to consider include:

(The following courses require no prior experience)

• The RYA Powerboat Level 2
• The RYA Competent Crew
• PWC Personal Watercraft Proficiency
• General GRP and Carpentry Repairs
• VHF Radio

(You will need some experience to complete the following courses)

• The RYA Tender Operator – You will need to complete The RYA Powerboat Level 2 prior to this course.
• The RYA Yachtmaster Certificate
• Scuba-diving certificates

Other skills such as flying a drone, photography or having a clean driving licence should be mentioned within your CV.

Engineers:

Engineers on yachts must complete the Approved Engine Course 1, or the AEC too. This five-day course teaches you theoretical knowledge and offers a hands-on approach to diesel engines. Once completed the course, engineers can then move on to the Approved Engine Course 2. This course builds on the previous course and offers a more practical experience. If you want a more advanced training course, you can do the MCA Engineering Officer of the Watch.

Stewards/Stewardesses:

Stewards/Stewardesses can undertake further yacht training suggested by their Head of Department or even their Captain. The GUEST program is a training course that teaches all-round hospitality training. The WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) course is globally recognised and can benefit superyachts. Some interior crews are trained beauty therapists, or hairdressers making them versatile candidates for luxury yachts. Some additional yacht training courses to consider include:

• Superyacht Interior Certificate
• CIEH Food Safety Level 2
• Online MCA Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD)
• RYA Powerboat Level 2
• RYA VHF Radio

Chefs:

Finally, crew chefs often have an array of culinary experience and qualifications before working on yachts. Many have worked their way up to crew chef! However, the MCA Ship’s Cook Certificate provides chefs with the basic skills and knowledge and offers key health and safety training.

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Being a yachtie is not all sunshine and roses; a lot of hard work takes place, and most yacht staff must work long, unsociable hours with little to no breaks. However, there are so many desirable elements that come with being a yachtie.

The salary:

The most obvious benefit of working on a yacht is the salary. Your boss and owner of the yacht are likely to be a multi-millionaire or a billionaire, meaning they have enough money to offer good wages in exchange for high-quality service. The typical pay scale alters depending on the size of the yacht or if it is a private yacht or a charter yacht. However, crew members will usually be paid a minimum of $2500 USD (£1829.40 GBP)/ month.

As a yacht crew member, you will have no commute to work, no rent/accommodation bills, no food costs, and even no basic toiletry costs! Tips and gratitude are also customary on yachts, and a crew member can get 2000 euros per charter. Crew can expect to earn roughly up to 10k per month if a yacht has weekly charters booked for a season. Plus, all tips are tax-free, making working on yachts a lucrative career choice. So lucrative that yacht crew members can leave with sufficient money for a deposit on a house or kick-start their own business in a few years.

The lifestyle:

A lot of yachties are drawn to the unique lifestyle that comes with working on luxury yachts. Crew members get to travel to the most exotic and luxurious location in the world. This includes the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Hot climates, golden beaches, inspiring mountains, local cuisine, variety of cultures are just a few things crew get to experience. Of course, most crew members’ time is onboard; however, when they do come to land, they get to go to incredible ports and explore the local areas.

One of the best parts of being a yacht crew member is that the seasonal jobs allow the crew to travel during their annual leave/holiday. If their captain is lenient, then the crew may be permitted to enjoy the best facilities and amenities the yacht has to offer (if guests are off-board, of course). This includes using the jet-skis, tenders, other water toys, the gym, home-cinema room, swimming pool, hot tubs and more.

Friendships:

However, for the people drawn to relationships over salary, you’ll be happy to know that working on superyachts allows you to make lifelong friends. The crew are more like families due to their constant interaction enabling relationships to form quicker. Typically, yachties share the same interests because the type of person travelling across the world to work on a yacht tends to be fun, outgoing, and adventurous. Making friends from all nationalities is a great opportunity, and yachting allows crew members to have a network of friends across the globe! Plus, it’s not uncommon for yachties to form such strong connections with others that some end up in marriage!

Transferable skills:

You do not need a degree to become a yacht crew member, which is desirable for many people. However, people can be concerned about the durability of a yachties lifestyle due to the job’s longevity. Nevertheless, crew members’ experience working on a yacht for months or even years can put an impressive mark on their resume. Working on a yacht proves to employers that you are hard-working and a real team player. In addition, yachting shapes crew members with military-style routines and teaches respect towards a hierarchy-like system. The transferable skills such as managerial and administration skills from roles like lead deckhand and chief stewardess are greatly transferable to on-land jobs too. Plus, there are opportunities to work your way up the hierarchy to positions with greater responsibilities and better salaries.

If you are looking to get into yachting, CrewPass is your first step. The yachting industry is highly competitive, which is why it is crucial to stand out! CrewPass provides your employer assurance that you have cleared a criminal background check, and you are safe to work onboard.

Do you think you have what it takes to be a yachtie? Let us know on our social media channels, and if you enjoyed this blog post, comment below!