Deckhands: The Chamois Chaps (or Chapettes)
Ever wanted to develop an intimate relationship with a chamois? While getting paid? Welcome to the deck life, and the life of, the more pockets the better for the rest of your life.
What You'll Actually Do:
- Clean things that are already clean
- Clean them again when it rains
- Wipe down the rain and make everything dry
- Polish everything until you can see your future in it
- Repeat
- Master the art of saying "Yes, Chief" while covered in varnish
- Eventually drive tenders (once you prove you're not Dave, who thought port and starboard were pasta types)
Career Path:
- Salary Expectations: €2,000-€30,000/month
- Progress to: Bosun → Officer → Captain
- Required Tickets: More acronyms than a government agency (OOW, CoC, GMDSS, HELM, etc.)
Pro Tip: Unlike Dave, who tried to convince his captain that "YouTube University" counted as qualification, you'll need actual certificates.
Engineers: The Secret Society
Contrary to popular belief, being Scottish isn't mandatory – but it helps if you can make a good cup of tea or crack a few wee jokes.
Here’s some hot talking points for those engos before we get into it:
Iron Bru being the best soft drink in the world
Tea (Yorkshire Gold preferred)
Everyone else onboard being pretty rubbish at their jobs
Lack of variety in snacks onboard
Two Routes to Glory:
1. Commercial Shipping Route:
Three years of study
Perfect for those who like structure and hate free time
Ideal for introverts
Results in fancy titles like "EOOW" (which Dave thinks stands for "Extra Ordinary Washing Officer")
2. Yacht Certification Route:
Six key certificates
Progression from AEC to Y1 Engineer
Each level lets you handle bigger engines and more responsibility
Not recommended for those who think WD-40 is a Star Wars character
Career Ladder:
- Chief Engineer (The Big Cheese)
- 1st Engineer (The One in charge of Watches)
- 2nd Engineer (The Actual Worker)
- 3rd Engineer (The Interior's Best Friend)
- 4th Engineer (The New Kid)
- Motorman (The one who knows where everything is)
- Salary Expectations: €4,000-€25,500/month
Interior
This is where perfection and those little compulsions that stay with you forever start to form.
It’s not just about fluffing pillows.
Key Skills:
Service (From cornflakes to caviar)
Housekeeping (Maid in Manhattan anyone?)
Laundry (Making white things whiter than those turkey teeth)
Career Progress:
€2,000-€15,000/month
Junior Stewardess → Senior Stewardess → Head of Service/Housekeeping → Chief Stew/Interior Manager
Bonus Points For:
- High-end hotel experience
- Fine dining background
- First class aviation experience
- Ability to fold toilet paper into origami
- GUEST Accredited courses
Chefs: The Galley Gods
Chefs are ones that make you think twice when you get back home and your jeans don’t fit anymore. Where culinary dreams meet tight spaces and even tighter deadlines.
Must-Haves:
Formal training (No, watching MasterChef doesn't count)
High-end restaurant experience
Ability to cook in rough seas without creating abstract art
Food Hygiene Level II (because nobody likes food poisoning at sea)
Career Path:
Salary Expectations: €3,000-€20,000/month
Crew Chef → Sous Chef → Head Chef → Executive Head Chef
Niche Roles
For when being regular crew isn't unique enough:
Spa Therapist (Masseuse, Make Up, Nails, Hair, Ect.)
Videographer (Instagram but fancier)
Dive Master (Professional fish whisperer)
Carpenter (Saves money on the yard period doesn't it?)
Submarine Captain (Yes, really)
Personal Trainer (Because gyms are better with ocean views)
Paramedic (For when Dave inevitably hurts himself)
Security Guard (Incase your crew don’t have their CrewPass background check)
The Gender Reality Check
Yachting can be a traditional industry. Interior tends to be female-dominated, deck/engineering male-dominated. Generally, Mixed cabins are a no-no (unless you're a couple) And "Due to cabin arrangements" is code for "we can't mix the boys and girls" This is one of those 'it is what it is' things unfortunately.
Remember: Whatever role you choose, the key is to be professional, qualified, and most importantly, not Dave. He once tried to apply for all positions simultaneously, claiming he could "multitask." Luckily, CrewPass was there to prove Dave actually is a multi-tasker, just not in a good way.
Author: Amelia Hilton Pierce
Amelia Hilton Pierce is a coach and former yachtie with a BSc in Psychology (Counselling). After nearly a decade at sea, she transitioned ashore and now helps others navigate this shift, offering guidance on everything from career transitions to building connections on land. You can read more about her work at Shoresidecoaching.com.
