Working on Yachts and Superyachts

“Find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life.” Confucius.

Opportunities

There are worldwide job opportunities on yachts and superyachts for armed forces leavers: captains, deck crew, stewards, hostesses and engineers, as well as a range of support jobs in management, sales, administration and the technical side.

Superyacht crew training courses for Deckhands and Stewardess’

Work on a superyacht

Working on a superyacht is a dream job for many. You travel to some of the world’s most beautiful locations and rub shoulders with the rich and famous. On top of this, you can expect an excellent salary.

With the right Superyacht crew training and career planning, it is possible to become Captain of a superyacht earning more than €10,000 a month in just five years.

Yachtmaster/Master of Yachts 200gt

RYA Yachtmaster is the essential first professional qualification for yacht captains.

Newly qualified Yachtmasters can find work as yacht instructors, charter skippers or Mediterranean flotilla skippers.

Many superyacht captains have cut their teeth this way before going on to larger vessels and undertaking Deck Officer training for Officer of the Watch, Master 500gt and eventually Master 3000gt. Once you have achieved Master 3000gt you can apply for the best command jobs in the industry.

Jobs for couples

Charter skipper and mate/hostess are perfect for couples. You will be expected to work together as a team, providing a high standard of service.

There are plenty of jobs at the right time of the year in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.

Yacht delivery jobs

Yacht delivery skippers and crew may be hired to return a racing yacht to its home port or to move a private yacht to the Caribbean from Europe for the winter.

The skipper earns good money! The crew can expect onboard expenses and travel costs to be covered.

Work as a yachting instructor

Yacht instructors are in demand at RYA sailing schools around the world.

If you enjoy teaching, working as an RYA Cruising Instructor is a great way of improving your own skills and confidence.

How much will you earn?

Superyacht crew positions are well paid with virtually no living expenses to worry about. And the bigger the boat the better the starting superyacht salary.

Salaries are usually tax-free. If your boat is doing charter work the crew can make large tips on top.

• The Captain takes responsibility for navigation and passage-planning, leads the crew, manages the boat’s finances and looks after the owner’s family and guests. Salary: €60,000 to 150,000.
• First Mate assists the Captain as second-in-command. Salary: €48,000 to 80,000.
• The Chief Engineer ensures that every piece of equipment on board is maintained in an operational state. Salary: €40,000 to 70,000.
• The Security Officer designs the yacht’s safety and security plan, defends against threats to life and property. Salary: €40,000 to 60,000.
• The Chef manages and runs the galley, prepares meals for guests and crew. Salary: €36,000 to €70,000.
• The Chief Stew takes responsibility for housekeeping and guest entertainment and manages the steward/ess team. Salary: €40,000 to 60,000.
• The Interior Crew ensure that guests have an enjoyable time on board, serve meals, look after guest accommodation and keep the interior spotlessly clean. Salary: €30,000 to €45,000.
• Deck Crew assist with all tasks on deck, maintain the gym and swimming pool, and drive the yacht’s tenders. Salary: €30,000 to €45,000.

Mediterranean flotilla work is less well paid but the lifestyle is great. A flotilla skipper earns €180 to €300 a week.

A couple working together on a busy charter boat in the Caribbean will have joint earnings in the range $50,000 to $90,000 a year. You can expect to add to this with tips, especially from American guests.

Delivery skippers earn €3,000 to €5,000 a month plus travel costs to and from the delivery.

Qualified skipper/instructors can work for charter companies or RYA sailing schools, earning £90 to £160 a day in the UK or $200 to $350 in Australia.

A full-time RYA yachting instructor can expect £17,000 to 24,000 a year in the UK or $40,000 to 60,000 in Australia.