Among "very monied people" there is a strong demand for bigger yachts - superyachts ( large yachts ) and mega yachts ( very large yachts ) - which require professional crew. I have seen an estimate of 3.500 new personnel were needed just in 2007. 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.

On the contrary, among the crew, only the Captain and may be sometimes the Chief Engineer can expect their own 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.

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.

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.

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. Furthermore, commercially registered yachts of 500 grt and above come also under the ISPS-code.

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. Yacht personnel salary guidelines, pdf - USD per month [ US 01/2008 ].

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 below.

The Professional Yachtsmen's Association ( PYA ) issues for yachts people a "Service Record Book", which serves the same purpose as the "Seamen's Book" does for professional seamen.

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. 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.

• Yachting sea survival course ( UK ) approved by MCA and Royal Yachting Association ( UK ).
  
  
• Superyacht crew STCW training schools in different countries: Australia, Europe, France, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, UK, and USA.
  
  It's possible to get superyacht / mega yacht officer ( deck or engine ) competence through cadet training in UK ( 3 years ).
  
  
• Cooking and Stewarding as well as superyacht galley and dining room management ( "Interior " management ) training school for yacht personnel ( UK ).
  
  
• Checklist and suggestions before you join as a cruising crew member, with a forum for finding a boat or a crew.
  
  
• Get yacht crew salary guidelines ( 2008 ) for Australia ( Aust. $$ ) and "Overseas" ( i.e. International, US $$ ). At top of the page it says "2007", just scroll further down until you get to the salary table. The salary examples given are for 2008.
  
  
• Australian superyacht crew training academy based at Newport, North of Sydney. Courses approved by Coast Guard for STCW certification [ Captains, deck, engine, and interior ( catering ) crew ].
  
  
• Australian visa rules for foreign seafarers ( excluding New Zealanders ) joining a non-military vessel in Australia are more strict since January 01, 2008. This concerns also both commercial and non-commercial yacht crew members.
  
  
• Directory of ocean-yachting and sailing schools in Italy ( English, Deutsch, Italiano ), from beginners to advanced ( experienced ) sailors and blue water men and women.
  
  
• Training of Skippers and crew for ocean going superyachts ( UK ).
  
  
• Maritime school for superyacht crews in Netherlands Antilles ( Caribbean ). Basic STCW-95 course for yachts runs for 5 working days. Before you apply / register get free career guidance brochure. Follow instructions and don't send any documents straight away.

• British agency, at times also listing jobs on luxury superyachts ( especially catering ); go to end of "Jobs Available" List. You can use your own application form, but it's better if you ask for agents form.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• World-wide job listings of yacht crew vacancies (free Forum), see also list of yacht crew employment, with advice for beginners on what to do before joining a cruising yacht - either as crew, "paying guest", or in any other form.
  
  
• English and Spanish language employment with yachts ( Florida ) - onboard and ashore. The majority of vacancies require US "green card".
  
  
• South African yacht crew recruiting agency, no vacancy list available (Feb. 2008). Use contact page for enquiries.
  
  
• Yacht crew recruiting agent, including mega yachts.
  
  
• Jobs mainly on motor yachts for Masters, Officers, Engineers, and crew with cruise liner or motor superyacht experience. Use on-line application form, answer is promised within seven working days.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• British yacht crew agency. No fees but you must register first before applying for a job.
  
  
• UK based recruiting agent for luxury Super and Mega yachts. Must register with the agency first. Use on-line application.
  
  
• US superyacht recruiting agency for Captains, Engineers, Chefs, Stewards-Stewardesses, Mates, and Deck Crew. No registration or placement fee. Use on-line application.
  
  
• Italiano - English website with information on sailing Associations, Yacht Classification Societies, Employment Opportunities for experienced blue water sailors and yachts men ( and women ), etc much more.
  
  
• Top luxury superyacht jobs occasionally available.
  
  
• Job vacancies with Australian yacht crew recruiting agent, specializing in the South Pacific region for private and commercial yachts - including super and mega yachts up to 200 feet length.
  
  
• 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 ). Use on-line form.
  
  
• Crew vacancies on Mega Yachts. No charge for viewing or placing a C.V. on the site. You must, however, register first.
  
  
• Sailing crew for world cruising and international blue water sailing. Opportunities also for professional skippers.
  
  
• Employment for officers on fast craft, cruise liners, and motor yachts. Download on-line application form.
  
  
• Jobs for Marine Engineers working with yachts up to 45 meters of length (146 feet).
  
  
• World-wide Marine Boating directory with over 25.000 links, including employment.
  
  
• International crew recruiter based on Mallorca island in the Mediterranean sends crew to private and commercial charter yachts, including superyachts: Captains, Yacht Engineers, Mates, Bosuns, Deckhands, Chefs, Cooks, Stewards, Stewardesses, Pursers, Nurses, etc.
  
  Get instructions on how to apply. When downloading the application form, be aware it's a different one for Engineers.
  
  
• Recruitment agent for yacht crew and self employed marine contractors ( i.e. consultants ). The job seeker must register first before applying, while the employers pay the bill.
  
  
• British recruiting agent takes Mates and crew to motor and sailing yachts - both permanent employment and short time for deliveries (about 3 weeks to one month). To apply for delivery work you must register first. The agency can do interviews over "Skype".
  
  
• The Seamen's Church for New York and New Jersey maintains a list of sources for seamen's rights on ships under different flags.