Information on Superyacht and Mega Yacht training has been moved to Superyacht Training and Certification.

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Among "very monied people" there is a strong demand for bigger yachts - superyachts ( large yachts ) and mega yachts ( very large yachts ) ( Jumbo ? yachts ) - which require professional crew. The future career opportunities on super- and mega yachts are therefore bright. Especially superyachts are experiencing a dire shortage of professional crew ( deck, engine, catering - "interior" crew ).

Crew accommodation on most superyachts is normally very cramped. Even on mega yachts the owner's and guests' accommodation is the important part and can be expected to be very luxurious.

For instance Mega Yacht "Lauren" (picture to the right), 88.5 M in the waterline, accommodates up to 48 guests with one crew member per guest. When chartered for entertainment or conference purposes the Mega Yacht can host some 150 people, with helicopter transport provided - for the guests.

Among the crew, however, only the Captain and may be sometimes the Chief Engineer can expect their own small cabins. It's therefore difficult to find space onboard for any "extra" crew members like nurse or security officer. I would expect a steward / stewardess to double as nurse and one of the Mates or possibly the Bosun to double as Security Officer.

On cruise liners it's different because some ( especially American ) passengers are very prone to sue the cruise line operators even for some imagined slights. Therefore on those ships it's necessary to reduce insurance premiums by hiring extra personnel. Mega yacht guests are on the contrary not likely to sue the yacht owners.

The new ballast water management rules from EPA ( US Environmental Protection Agency ) is said to concern all vessels, both commercial and recreational greater than 79 feet ( 24 metres ) of length at the waterline. In other words Superyachts or bigger. For more information go to Ballast Water Convention Summary.

To stay up-to-date with the changing and confusing EPA rules go to EPA's website, hopefully it will stay current. End of December 2008 EPA opened one of the first US Governmental websites especially for mobile users - http://m.epa.gov/. The new website will cover "Find environmental information by ZIP code" and "EPA news releases" and other information, like the new ballast rules.

Please note 1: To work on commercial yachts you need full STCW-95 documentation ( it's an insurance requirement ). On private yachts the required documentation depends on what kind of insurance the yacht owner has. STCW-95 requirements and training courses for yachts in Australia.

The minimum certification requirement rules depends on country where the yacht is registered ("Flag State"), insurance companies can then impose more strict requirements. STCW doesn't apply as such on pleasure yachts less than 24 metres length at the waterline and not engaged in commercial trade.

At the IMO conference at Manila in Philippines in June 2010 the STCW convention was amended as regards crews' weekly minimum rest hours and many certification requirements. These will be applicable also on those yachts that come under STCW and will be checked by Port State Control Surveyors. The new amended version is called STCW 2010. The new STCW requirements ( amendments ) will begin to apply from January 01, 2012, when they enter into force.

Seafarers holding STCW-95 certificates - issued before January 01, 2012 - will have to meet the new requirements for their certificates to be revalidated / renewed past year 2017. By January 01, 2012 all seafarers must have STCW 2010 certificates. You can download for free Manila Amendment to STCW - A Guide for Seafarers, STCW 2010 guide for Seafarers     (508 KB).

From July 01, 2013 all new entrants / newcomers will have to be trained according to new standards ( STCW 2010 ). Up to January 01, 2017, seafarers that commenced training before 1st July 2013 may be issued with certificates in accordance with STCW-95   .

Superyachts are those from 24 metres to about 50 metres long at the waterline (about 80 to 165 feet). Longer than that, they are usually called Mega Yachts.

In US it seems there's slightly different terminology in use. As the US Coast Guard doesn't follow same rules as MCA, in US the lower limit is 30 metres ( 100 feet ) and Superyachts are bigger than mega yachts. Opposite to the European / Australian usage. Further those very big ones - up to and over 400 feet - are sometimes called Giga Yachts.

A comparison between USCG and MCA certificates and requirements ( deck and engine ).

A thorough overview of RYA/YA Yachtmaster ( Australia ) certificates, including requirements and validity outside Australia.

When passenger accommodation exceeds 12 or where the tonnage is over 3.000 grt [ or engine power over 3.000 KW ] the International manning requirements ( STCW-95 ) come into force and only certified personnel are allowed to work onboard. Most Mega Yachts are in this class. See for more information: Shiptalk Newsletter: Luxury Yacht Industry, July 2007.

Maritime Labour Convention of Feb. 23, 2006, a new seafarers' convention by ILO - replaces all older conventions as flag states ratify the new convention. One of the more important new issues is in particular the structural requirements for seafarer accommodation, especially in specific sectors of the maritime industry such as large commercial yachts or smaller ships. The Convention is expected to come into force in 2011 or early 2012.

To get the necessary STCW certification you can, for instance, enrol at a seamen's vocational school for their 6-9 months "Seafarer's Basic Course". Alternately you can choose some much shorter courses especially modified for super- and mega yachts, some of which are listed together with training schools and centres on Superyacht Training and certification.

Since February 01, 2010, British Virgin Island authorities have been checking certification on small - less than 24 metres in length and carrying 12 passengers or less - commercial vessels. The control includes - among other matters - Skipper's Qualification and Certificate ( with STCW & Commercial Endorsement ) and Crew Certification. Non-compliant vessels can encounter detention of the vessel and legal action against the owner and master.

With the continued expansion in Europe of port state control inspections to yachts during 2011, a number of "lessons learned" have been discovered and collected. See overview with comments on these Port State Control.detentions of yachts ( superyachts ) in EU.

On Superyachts and Mega Yachts the rules about colour blindness for deck crew come into force with the application of STCW-95.

Furthermore, commercially registered yachts of 500 grt and above come also under the ISPS-code. Yachts over 300 GRT in commercial use must comply with the Long-Range Identification and Tracking of Ships ( LRIT ), which started July 01, 2009. The European Port State Control system ( Paris MOU ) will be the one to check on compliance.

With the ISPS code comes also the ISM code - Marshall Islands and Cayman Islands have implemented a "Mini-ISM" code for vessels less than 500GT [ GT not same as GRT ] and US Coast Guard is implementing their MTSA ( Maritime Transport Security Act ) at least partially for non-tank vessels over 400 GT travelling in US waters - both US and foreign flagged. This concerns the vessel response plan stating how the crew will respond to marine casualties or accidents, including who has been contracted for emergency salvage. Additionally the Plan should include, but is not restricted to: grounding, sinking, stranding, explosion, fire, oil spill, equipment failure, collision, and flooding. A non-tank vessel is a vessel which carries fuel for the propulsion only while navigating is US waters. Reported in the Triton.

At least two vessels had in January already been denied access to St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands and another was delayed access to New York for not having the "response plan" in place.

With increased professional certification requirements one result has been somewhat higher salaries. With higher salaries the owners' demands on the crew is increasing, which especially on mega yachts has led to tighter schedules and less shore leave. The work on some mega yachts is said to be like running a small luxury 5 star hotel / restaurant.

The Yacht Crew Training Guide - Release 2011 ( July 30, 2011 }. If you have not worked on yachts before, you need to show potential employers that you have the necessary qualities to do so. The guide gives tips and lists of courses available or necessary for certain positions onboard superyachts ( deck, engine and interior ). The hardest job to get in yachting is your first one.

Get yacht crew salary guidelines for Australia ( Australian $$ ),   US ( US $$ ), and European Union ( € ). The salary examples given are for 2011.

Current crew salary data for any crew position ( USD, $ / € ) depending on yacht sizes, different types of yachts, chartered or private, yachts cruising area and/or necessary STCW certification.

Please note 2: Jobs Available are changing all the time. I recommend you come back every one to two weeks and check what is available. Go to the job listings on each individual website below and check for new opportunities. Positions listed here indicate the kind of jobs one usually finds on each website. It's very easy if you add this page to your "Favourites" (IE) or "Bookmarks" (Firefox).

Please note 3: To apply on smaller private pleasure yachts ( less than 24 M ), any kind of mechanical, electrical, carpentry, painting or, professional ( hotel ) cooking, and even cleaning work experience is relevant. Willingness to tackle anything of which you are capable is much more important on smaller yachts than on bigger commercial vessels.

Please note 4: None of the listed recruiting agents on this page asks for any placement fee - neither in advance nor later.

Please note 5: When the crewing agent have an on-line application form, you must use it - if you don't, your application goes straight into the waste basket.

Please note 6: Every link on this page opens in a new window / new Tab. If your "Pop-up killer" is too efficient it can also stop new windows. When this happens, please press "Ctrl" and click on the link you want.

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Salary examples ( 2011 )

On private and commercial / charter yachts and superyachts the salaries are generally graded according to the length of the yacht. These examples below have been collected from real job offers / vacant positions in the Mediterranean advertised during September 2011:

Captain - 30 m - € 5.500 / month
Chief Officer - 50m - € 8.500 / month, min. 2 years experience
Mate - 45m - € 5.000 / month
Chief Engineer - 50m - € 8.000 / month
Chief Engineer - 90m - USD 14.000 / month
Second Engineer - 45m - € 3.500 / month
Third Engineer - 90m - € 4.000 / month
Chef - 45m - € 4.000 / month
Chief Steward (ess) - 40m - € 4.500 / month
Deckhand - 50m - € 3.000 / month, min. 2 years experience

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Superyacht Overview

Among yachts under construction at beginning of 2010 the biggest group was yachts over 200 ft ( over 60 metres ). With the yacht sizes getting bigger the rules and regulations imposed on owners by different authorities are increasing. Therefore we are seeing a slowly increasing number of yacht management companies. These follow the rules and relieve the owners of extra problems as well as keeping the yachts properly manned. In this connection I have heard about superyacht "part ownership" being planned - something like part ownership of condominiums at certain popular tourist spots.

Vessel part ownership has a long tradition in Scandinavia - it started in the Mediterranean already almost 2.000 years ago. If a superyacht is shared by, say 10 owners, then each family could have access for one month per year, which would leave two months per year for crew vacations and general yacht maintenance. In such a situation a yacht management company would be a necessity. A yacht / crew management company also makes applying for a job easier and gives better guarantee for continued employment for the employees.

When you apply for a job on a Superyacht or a Mega Yacht always be honest and don't overstate your abilities. The International Superyacht sector is very small. Very many Captains and Managers know each other personally so a bad word travels fast and very wide.

The Mediterranean season for yachts ( superyachts ) runs from March to September. The best time to find a job is therefore between February and April. The Caribbean season is then from September / October to January / February - same as in Australian and South Pacific waters.

Every season the great tidal wave of superyacht jobseekers flushes over the Mediterranean superyacht marinas / ports at the end of March. There's always a high level of green, inexperienced people among these. The first ones to land a job are every year "the ones with good level of qualifications and several seasons of experience". And even then you should go around the marinas / docks and ask for possibilities, i.e. do the dock-walk.

I quote an e-mail received: "every piece of paper helps. there are so many people out there looking for jobs. even the experienced guys will not get a look in if they are requiring a specific ticket and don't have ticket. the ticket will get you on the job... it's all an insurance thing."
See also Superyacht job FAQs.

• Checklist and suggestions before you join as a cruising crew member, with a forum for finding a boat or a crew.
  
  
• Get list with comments of What To Pack Before Your Start Your Superyacht Career.
  
  
• Many yacht owners do not provide any insurance for the crew. Read Un-insured Superyacht Engineer Fights against Cancer ( US ).
  
  
• There is a new Australian superyacht work visa. This allows foreign crew members temporary work status in Australia on board vessels over 24 metres in length at the waterline, a crew member is allowed to remain in Australia for up to 12 months - it's valid for one specific vessel at a time only. You can apply online at www.immi.gov.au.
  
  
• Get rules and application forms for UK work permit, look especially at: "For highly skilled workers, ..." and "For skilled workers". This is the only official UK work permit website.
  
  
• When / if a non-US citizen joins a US flagged yacht in the US must be very careful about getting the correct US visa. If you intend to take some maritime courses ( i.e. study ) in the US, you must go on a tourist visa and cross your fingers hoping you are not caught.
  
  
• In April 2009 US Coast Guard issued a final rule on accepted ID for crewmembers on foreign ( non-US ) flagged vessels calling on a US port. A Seaman's Book is not accepted as an ID     , only passport or a SID ( Seamen's ID ) issued in accordance with ILO Convention no. 185. The new ID is a biometric card with the person's fingerprints in a chip. The ruling came into force on May 28,2009. It's conceivable this could be later applied also to big superyachts.
  
  Contrarily to USA in European Union ports a Seaman's book ( CDC ) proves you are a professional seaman and helps if you are non-EU citizen when your Schengen visa suddenly expires just before arrival to an EU port.
  
  
• A forum post about the availability of marine / maritime security officer employment worldwide onboard ships ( including superyachts and mega yachts ) and ashore. There are sometimes some maritime security officer positions available on Maritime Job Links.
  

  Yacht Employment Opportunities

• Yacht crews needed worldwide. This site provides listings for yacht crew members and companions wanted.
  
  
• US based International data base of work on private ( amateur, as companion ) and professional / commercial ( paid positions } yachts, including superyachts. Ocean-going and or Professional ( usually paid positions ). Professional means persons with required qualifications ( certificates ). Positions for Skippers, Engineers, Chefs, Stewards / Stewardesses, and Deckhands.
  
  
• German owned yacht crew recruiting agent / Yacht Management Company based in Switzerland, branch offices or at least representatives in: Germany, Spain, Italy, Ukraine, Turkey, Montenegro and even Dubai. Only candidates with STCW-95 certification: Deckhand ( F / M ), Second Engineers, Bosun / Stewardess (couple), Chief Stewardess, etc. superyacht crew positions.

• Jobs on private yachts ( sail and motor ) in South Africa, either as non-paid "companions" or semi-amateur deckhands ( male / female ).
  
  
• Worldwide lists of sailing-cruising boat crews. Choose world region from map and look for crew wanted or post your own requirements.
  
  
• Superyacht jobs, mostly European vessels with employment for Hostesses / Stewards, Cooks, and Mates. Prior experience from superyachts is generally required.
  
  
• UK recruiting agent with occasional jobs for Engineer / Electrician on Superyachts. In May 2008 salary offered was USD 4.500 per month. Must be minimum OOW certificate holder. Electronic and Hydraulic experience is preferred. Register your interest, by contacting the recruiter, or downloading the application form as a PDF and mail / fax your details, along with copies of certificates, to the agency. Please quote Vacancy Number when applying.
  
  
• Turkish Superyacht Crew placement agency taking also crew of different nationalities. Turkish crew should go to the Turkish language website: Türkçe.
  
  
• International placement agency specialized in handling ETO for Superyachts ( including AV / IT ). Headoffice is in Cyprus. Apply by e-mail to address on agent's webpage.
  
  
• US job listings for superyachts and private luxury yachts: Male / Female Chefs, Skippers, Engineers, Deckhands, and Stewardesses. For more info and how to apply click on "...more". Deadline is given for each listing, newest job postings are at the bottom of the long list.
  
  
• List of jobs for yacht crews ( including skippers and engineers ). The smaller yachts mostly looking for unpaid companions (= free travel ) for longer trips, like Florida - Australia. Bigger yachts, from about 60' up, mostly normal salary. Both mono-hull and catamaran experienced seafarers.
  
  
• Online job agency with vacancies on yachts in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean for stewards, stewardesses, deckhands and combinations of these, Chefs, Mates and Captains on yachts up to 50 M in length.
  
  
• English and Spanish language employment with yachts: in Florida, the Caribbean, and overseas - onboard and ashore in connection with marinas and boatyards. The majority of vacancies require US "green card". Jobs for Boat / Yacht Captains, Mates, Yacht Riggers, Marine Supervisors, Marine Mechanics, etc.
  
  
• Yacht crew recruiting agent, including mega yachts. Have a "job board" with paid and non-paid jobs. Scroll down the page until you get to the job list.
  
  
• Blue water yachting crewing agent, yacht owners pay a yearly fee to access CV data bank - applicants do not pay anything. Jobs for yacht Officers, Engineers, Interior Staff ( catering: chefs, stewards / stewardesses, etc. ). Offices both at Antibes and Palma de Mallorca. Yacht crew training centres in Antibes, Palma de Mallorca, and Fort Lauderdale ( US ). You must register first before can apply.
  
  
• Yacht crew placement agency in Fort Lauderdale ( FL ) with superyachts for family use only, family and charter use, or charter use only. Employment for Captains, Chefs, Mates, Engineers, Stewards / Stewardesses, and Deckhands world wide. Some vacancies in the vacancy list include salaries paid in USD per month.
  
  At the end of the vacancy list there are some numbers (1 2 3 4 ..), these indicate further job listings, click on page number. To apply click on "Please sign in to show interest" for the job you are interested in - you can show interest in several jobs at the same time.. When finished click on "SUBMIT" and fill in the application form. And send the form.
  
  
• French yacht crew recruiting agent ( English language Web Site ), based in Antibes on Cote d'Azur, the French Riviera. Recruiting for yachts mainly in the Mediterranean.
  
  
• German owned superyacht recruiting agency based on Isle of Man ( British Channel Islands ) recruits for commercial vessels, superyachts and for the marine leisure craft industry ashore. No vacancy list available. Use contact form for enquiries.
  
  
• UK based recruiting agent for luxury Super and Mega yachts. Must register with the agency first. Use on-line application.
  
  
• Recruiter with employment for deck and engine officers and crew: Captains, Chief Officers, 1^st to 3^rd Officers, Chief Engineers, Refrigerating Engineers, 2^nd and 3^rd Engineers, Bosun, Stewardesses, Nurses, and Deckhands. Preferably crew with cruise liner or motor superyacht experience. Use on-line application form at bottom of vacancy list.
  
  
• Superyacht crewing at Palma de Mallorca - both motor and sailing yachts: First Mates ( sailing yachts ) and OOW [Officer of the Watch certificate ], EOOW [ Engineer Officer of The Watch ] ( motor yachts ), stewardesses, and interior crew. Click on job title for more information and to apply.
  
  The agency has in 2010 opened a training centre for interior personnel: stewards - stewardesses in the basics and touch down on detailing the whole interior, ironing and the daily running of a laundry on board a Superyacht or a Mega Yacht.

• Superyacht crew management company hires captains and crew worldwide. No vacancy list available. To apply send your CV [ maximum two pages in MS Word ] including picture, Covering Letter [ what position applied for, private or charter yacht, your location and availability for interview ], copies of certificates, and references.
  
  Captains must have minimum Yacht Master license and all crew must have STCW Basic Safety course ( yachts ) and ENG1 medical certificate. Send by e-mail to address given on employer's registration page. Office is in Port Camille Rayon, Golfe Juan in the South of France.
  
  
• Job vacancies with Australian yacht crew recruiting agent, specializing in the South Pacific region for private and commercial / charter sailing or motor yachts - including super and mega yachts up to 200 feet length. Positions for Captains, Engineer / Mate, Engineers, Chefs, Cook / Chef / Steward(ess), Steward(ess) / Deckhands. STCW certification required, Internationally flagged vessels. Many listed vacancies include salaries offered.
  
  
• Recruiter / CV forwarding agency specialized on Chefs for yachts, but accepting also experienced stewardesses. Chef candidates need a minimum of 2 years previous work experience from superyachts or a good hotel / restaurant. Follow webpage instructions on how to register and apply.
  
  
• Superyacht crew recruiting agency based at Phuket ( Thailand ) accepts professional yacht crew: Captains, Mates, Chefs, Service Staff ( catering ), and deckhands of all nationalities. Currently many candidates already employed are Asians, the majority of these have South East Asian or Pacific regional experience ( including some local languages ). Have offices in: Borneo, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and HQ at Phuket, Thailand.
  
  The agency runs a training course covering the four mandatory modules of STCW-95 requirements in Phuket - course language English. All four basic courses are based on IMO Model courses and approved by Thai Marine Department and MOE.
  
  
• UK yacht crew management company hires officers and crew. The same management company handles also some cruise ships so you can switch between yachts and cruise ships if you so desire. No vacancy list available. For enquiries go to Contact Page.
  
  
• Sailing crew for world cruising and international blue water sailing. Opportunities also for professional skippers.
  
  
• Superyacht crew placement agency at Fort Lauderdale with employment opportunities mostly in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. In the vacancy list you find open positions for Captain ( 100-1.600 ton license ), Chefs, Stewards / Stewardesses, Cook, Housekeeper, etc. Even Stewardess / Dog Attendant or Stewardess / Nanny. Captains should have Yacht Master or Commercial endorsed Ocean license, USCG or STCW documentation. The agency gives a list of average salaries for different positions on superyachts of different lengths in USD per year, probably for last year. Follow application instructions on "Placement Process" page.
  
  
• Australian superyacht employment agency, had in April 2010 vacancies for both Deck and Interior departments. You must register first before can apply. Follow application instructions on vacancy page.
  
  
• International yacht crew management company hires crews for their customers' yachts / superyachts. New applicants must register first and upload their CV into the data base.
  
  
• UK based recruiting agent for large motor yachts ( Superyachts ) lists vacancies like: Deck Officer ( with Chief Off.'s COC ) to a 100 m+ M/Y, First Mate / Engineer for 40 m M/Y, Ch. Engineer for 40 m+ M/Y, Second Engineer for 65 m+ M/Y, Deckhand (s) for 120 m M/Y, Steward (ess) for 90 m and 70 m M/Y 's, Chef for 30 m charter sail yacht, etc. Contact e-mail addresses are on agent's job page.
  
  
• US based vacancy listings for professional paid crew on private and charter yachts with jobs like: Masseuse / Beautician, Chief Stewardesses, Second Stewardess, Third Stewardess, Male Stewards, Mate / Engineer, Cook / Steward, etc. Listings are kept active only 14 days, which means must check this list at least every other week. This is not a recruiting agent. Click on job title for more information and to apply.
  
  
• European on-line recruitment of crew for Superyachts and Mega Yachts. Both deck crew - including Masters / Skippers - and Interior crew of all grades. Click on position name for more details and to apply.
  
  
• UK based superyacht interior crew recruitment agency enrols Junior and Senior Stewardesses, Crew mess Stewardesses ( entry job ), Housekeeping Stewardesses and Stewardess/Hairdresser. Itineraries in the Mediterranean and/or Caribbean.
  
  
• Canadian recruiting agency with positions onboard superyachts in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and North America. Employment for Captains, Engineers, OOW ( Deck ), Chefs, Stewards / Stewardesses, and Deckhands. Salaries offered are indicated in the vacancy lists.