Get a job as a yacht skipper or crew member and launch a new career. Worldwide job opportunities exist for yacht captains and crew, mates, yacht stewards/hostesses, sailing instructors and many back-up jobs on the admin and technical side.
RYA Yachtmaster training from Flying Fish is recognised as the most effective launchpad to this exciting career. Courses take place in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, so you can experience both gentle cruising and heavy weather sailing.
Where you can work
Where there’s a marina, there are yachts. A good starting place is the Mediterranean for a summer season from March to October. Many private yachts then head to the Caribbean and if you’re in the right place you can hope to get a delivery to take you there.
Gameplan for work as yacht skipper or crew
First choose your route into the industry: Mediterranean flotilla work, worldwide yacht deliveries, charter or corporate sailing work, jobs on private yachts. There is plenty of choice and a successful career is usually built on a mix.
The minimum qualifications needed to work commercially are the four STCW 95 Basic Safety certificates. With the confidence that comes from also holding a Competent Crew qualification you are eligible for interior crew positions as steward or hostess.
More about STCW95 Basic Safety Training >>
RYA Competent Crew courses in Cowes and Sydney >>
For a deck crew position on a superyacht, you need STCW 95 certificates and a Day Skipper certificate, or equivalent experience, gained from several weeks living and working on board. At Flying Fish we provide this on a six week vocational course: Yachtmaster/Master of Yachts Part 1 (Pro Crew Training) >>
If you want to take command quickly we recommend working as flotilla skipper in the Mediterranean. These jobs start in March or April and are ideal for a newly qualified Yachtmaster. The timing is perfect if you have trained in Sydney between September and February on one of our Yachtmaster/Master of Yachts Traineeships >>
Couples often work as charter skipper and mate in the Mesiterranean or Caribbean. The skipper takes command of the yacht and the mate acts as crew and looks after guests and onboard catering. You will be expected to work together as a team providing a high standard of service.
Yacht delivery crew
Delivery crew work is not well paid, but your onboard expenses and travel costs are usually covered. You will get valuable experience under your belt and those all important references.
Yacht delivery skippers are often responsible for finding and paying their own crew. The crew may be volunteers but the skipper earns good money! To act as a delivery skipper you need the qualifications gained on a Yachtmaster/Master of Yachts Ocean Traineeship >>
To make a serious career on superyachts you need a Yachtmaster certificate and experience. You should expect to start as a deckhand, but with a Yachtmaster qualification you are a realistic candidate for fast promotion to First Mate, where you are responsible for the management of a watch, supervision of crew and maintenance schedules. With a Yachtmaster/Master of Yachts certificate and some experience on board as Mate you can soon expect to be offered your first command as Captain.
More about our Yachtmaster/Master of Yachts Traineeships >>
For variety in your work consider qualifying with the RYA as a Cruising Instructor. This is a five day course with Flying Fish to be taken after a Yachtmaster exam, leading to work with RYA sailing schools and corporate clients.
RYA Cruising Instructor courses >>
Before you start training, prepare a CV/resume with the qualifications you expect to achieve. Apply for jobs advertised on this site and start networking as soon as you begin your course. There are usually more jobs than applicants so there is no excuse not to get hired!
CV/resume information from Flying Fish >>
How much will you earn?
Superyacht crew positions are well paid and you have virtually no living expenses to worry about. The bigger the boat the better the starting salary:
Deckhand: USD 30,000-45,000 a year
Chef/cook: USD 36,000-70,000 a year
First mate: USD 48,000-80,000 a year
Captain: USD 60,000-150,000 a year
Mediterranean flotilla work is less well paid but the lifestyle is worth thousands:
Flotilla skipper or yacht instructor: GBP 120-180 a week
A couple working together on a busy charter boat will have joint earnings are in the range USD 20-50,000 a year - and you can expect to add to this with tips, especially from American guests.
Delivery skippers earn USD 2,000-3,500 a month plus travel costs to and from the delivery.
In the UK, skippers can work for charter companies or RYA sailing schools:
Freelance skipper: GBP 85-140 a day
Full time RYA instructor: GBP 17,000-24,000 a year
Search today's job vacancies >>
Top tips
- Make a plan but be prepared to change it
- Many jobs are found on the yachting grapevine and don't get advertised formally
- In the world of private yachts appearance is important. To be smart, look smart
- Apply for a password to view full details of job vacancies on this site
Jobseeker password application >>
Useful links to crew agencies and employers
majoryachtservices.com.au >>
globalcrewnetwork.com >>
sunsail.co.uk >>
ypicrew.com >>
doehle-yachtcrew.co.uk >>
crewunlimited.com >>
yachtcrew-cv.com >>
For more jobs and careers advice use the dropdown box above.
|
