How would you like to travel the world with no expenses while getting paid to do so?
Sounds too good to be true, but it’s not!
Working on superyachts, that is exactly what happens. You get paid a great wage all while traveling the world with no expenses.
Most readers have already heard about working for a cruise line, however, not many people know they can skip the crowded cruise ships and work on a Superyacht for the rich and famous.
If you have seen or heard of “Below Deck” then you already know all about the yachting industry.
With the popularity of this TV drama series, more and more people are trying to get into the industry.
But with more people applying for jobs each year, it is getting harder and harder to break into the industry. This is why I decided to write this, to help people like you on how to become a yachtie.
How To Get Into Yachting
Before you start your career in yachting, you’ll need to get your STCW 95 and your ENG 1. YOU CANNOT WORK ON A YACHT WITHOUT THESE.
The STCW 95 is a one-week basic training course that costs around $1000-$1500 depending on where you take it. To find a location near you go to the STCW 95 course.
This course covers basic firefighting training, first aid, and sea survival. You will be in charge of a multi-million dollar, even billion-dollar yacht.
They want to make sure you are wise and capable of taking care of it.
You will also need to get your ENG 1 before you can begin working on a yacht. It is a simple health exam to ensure you are physically fit and is entirely for safety reasons.
You can’t be out at sea and have health issues that might require emergency evacuation.
It is normally a good idea to get your ENG 1 while you are taking your STCW 95 course. There are only a handful of doctors that are permitted to assign you an exam.
They all tend to work from where the yachts are based and the exam will be in high demand.
The ENG 1 is usually around $100 – $150, and it only takes about 15 minutes, but it is REQUIRED.
For anyone interested in working for the deck department, it is a disadvantage if you are color blind.
If you are only wanting to go yachting for a year or two, this won’t be a problem. But, if you want to make this a career and work your way up to captain then you will not be able to do so.
You will be in the wheelhouse at night and doing watches so you’ll need to know the difference between red and green lights.
Not sure what you want to do on a yacht? Click here for the best entry-level jobs.
Also, be aware that yachting is a very old-school industry, and having visible tattoos might hurt your chances of getting a job. Although this is becoming less and less of an issue.
11 Tips On How To Become A Yachtie
1. Make a Kick-Ass CV
With more and more people joining the yachting industry, you have to make yourself stand out for an entry-level position.
A standard CV in the yachting industry includes a professional photo of yourself (Be sure to wear a white polo shirt), nationality, date of birth, smoker/nonsmoker, tattoos, and previous work experience.
Also include hobbies, places you’ve lived, accomplishments, and what you do for fun.
You never know what will get you hired, it could be that time you climbed Kilimanjaro! If the first mate that is hiring has also done this, he will most likely put you in front of the line and call you first.
If you pass the phone interview and get along well with the crew, you will most likely get the job.
Canva is also a great place to go to get a great CV template to make yourself stand out
2. Dockwalk
Dock walking is like cold calling but in person. You have to get used to rejection in yachting, you might not be the right fit for one yacht but you will be the perfect fit for another.
DON’T take rejection personally and DON’T give up.
One of the best ways to get a job in yachting is by dock walking, talking to the crew, and asking if they have any day work.
After your day work, you never know what might turn into a full-time job. Yachting is all about networking.
For a full guide on dockwalking
3. Yachting Facebook Groups
Facebook is great these days for their group forums. Jobs are constantly being posted in Facebook groups so join as many as possible.
They are also great for keeping up-to-date with topics that are going on in the industry.
Joining one of these groups is a great way to find out information on How to become a yachtie or how to land your dream job.
Be sure to focus on groups for the area you are based in. If you are in Fort Lauderdale, it doesn’t make sense to join a crew Facebook group based in Antibes, boats want local crew.
If you are new to the industry, no one is going to fly you out to the boat.
Be aware of what you post in these groups, greenies are constantly ridiculed for foolish posts and stupid questions.
But if you are clever enough to post a creative or funny posting looking for work, it might even land you a job : )
Here are some great Facebook groups to get you started
4. Daywork123
This is a great website for crew seeking work in South Florida, they are constantly posting jobs and day work. You can upload your CV and apply for jobs that are posted here.
If you post your CV on this website be awake and ready to work by 8am. You can get a phone call at any time and they likely want you to start work right away.
They say the early bird catches the worm, in yachting, it’s all about who can show up ready to work first.
However, I only recommend this website if you are legal to work in the US.
Immigration has been known to look for illegal workers here, and sometimes even set up traps. The last thing you want to happen is to get caught looking for work before your career even starts.
5. Drop Off Your CV At Local Yachting Spots
If you want to get a job on a Superyacht, it is best to go where the superyachts are based: South Florida, Antibes or even Palma.
Like I said before if you don’t have the experience, no one is going to fly you to the boat.
Wherever yachts are based, there are local yachting bars or uniform shops that are great for green crew to leave their CV’s behind.
Boat crews go there often when they are looking to hire.
If you are in Fort Lauderdale you can drop your CV off at Smallwoods, a crew uniform shop. If you are in Antibes then you can post them in the Blue Lady, a local yachting bar.
Put a copy of your CV or business card in these types of places.
Be sure to keep an eye on it, go in and move it to the front of the line if you are still looking for work.
It’s all about being at the front of the line if you want to get a job.
6. NETWORK with Superyacht Crew
I can’t tell you how important this one is, network, network, network…. You need to be social and likable to make it in yachting.
Not only are you going to be working with the same people every day, but you also live with them. They become your family away from family and you have to see them and get along 24/7.
If you are a person who likes your personal space, yachting is most likely not for you.
You might be traveling the world with the same 7 people for the next 2 years, you need to get along.
So network, and talk to everyone you meet or pass by because you never know where your first job will come from.
It could be as simple as talking to someone in line at the grocery store.
Or letting someone cut in front of you at a crowded bar that helps land you your first job.
7. APPLY, APPLY, APPLY
You are not going to get a job on a Superyacht unless you keep applying and sending out your CV. On average you should be sending your CV out at least 20 times a day.
Most likely you might only hear back from one or two of the boats, sometimes none.
But you can’t give up. You might not be the right fit for 100 yachts, but you will be the perfect match for one.
You just have to keep on applying until you land your first job.
Because you are technically not a yachtie until you get your first job.
8. Triton/ Social Superyacht Events
This comes back to networking. You have to get involved in the yachting community and go to local events in your area if you ever want to get a job.
Triton holds some great events frequently, so it’s a good idea to check them out and see what’s going on in your area.
Networking is key if you ever want to get a job. Talk to captains, add people on Facebook and most importantly be friendly and social. No one wants to hire an unfriendly crew member that isn’t social.
9. Airdrop Your CV or Business Cards
Ok, I had never made business cards, but they are truly effective. Nothing is worse than being caught without your CV when someone is looking to hire and you are the perfect fit.
Always have business cards in your pocket, they are much easier to hand out than your CV.
Another tip is to have your CV on your phone ready to Airdrop or email. Yachting is a fast industry.
When a boat needs a crew member to start, it was most likely yesterday. The person who can start the fastest is usually the one they will hire.
There are hundreds if not thousands of crew members looking to join the industry and everyone is replaceable.
10. Yachting Crew Houses
Stay in a crew house when looking for work, this will give you a great opportunity to network.
Think of a hostel except everyone staying there is in the industry, in-between jobs and usually looking for work. I was able to score my first job from a crew house.
A girl in my crew house was fired from a boat because she was unable to cook.
Since I was cooking she recommended me and voila! That is how I got my first permanent job.
Check out Facebook to find a crew house in your area. If you are in Fort Lauderdale I highly recommend Ancorhed Crew House.
11. Repeat
If you keep doing all of the above until you land your first permanent job, I promise you will get a job on a superyacht.
Keep trying and don’t give up. I promise you will get a job if you follow these steps.
It is a dream job for some. A job that lets you travel the world making money while having no expenses.
All of your expenses on the yacht are paid for! Including your shampoo and deodorant.
You will also have all of your meals cooked for you by an amazing chef, and your laundry washed, ironed and folded.
It is the perfect job for anyone looking for an alternative lifestyle, to save a ton of money, and travel.
Downsides Of Working On Yachts
Once you are a yachtie, you will realize that is does have its downsides.
You have no personal space or private life, you are at the beck and call of the owner 24/7 year-round.
So you can throw out planning for anything or going home for family events.
It is unstable. Depending on the yacht, you can be let go from a position for any reason.
You will also have to be off the boat within hours ( luckily they do have to pay for your ticket home).
Also, it is a very sexist industry.
If you can’t handle that, don’t join the industry.
Besides modeling, it is the only industry that not only allows but requires you to put a picture on your CV.
There are stories of girls getting fired because of their hair color, they were too short, or the owner’s wife thought they were too pretty.
You have very different working rights than you are used to. Forget about overtime. You will be working long hours, holidays and weekends.
If you don’t like it they will simply find someone who does. At times you will work 18 hours or more a day, sleep very little, and you won’t step foot on land for weeks.
However, without expenses, you should be able to save a lot of money. When you are working all the long hours you can’t spend your paychecks.
But when you do have to time off you are able to do some awesome things.
You will meet some amazing people. Collect stories that your friends back home will never believe.
It’s not for everyone, but if you can deal with the downsides of it, it is completely worth it.
Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed this article on “How to become a yachtie”
So are you ready to get a job on a Superyacht or are you looking for other cool jobs to do aboard?
What Qualifications Do I Need To Work On A Superyacht?
You only need two qualifications to work on a Superyacht. The first is your STCW 95 a one-week training course and the other is your ENG 1 a psychical medical exam. These are the basic qualifications for entry, but there are more courses you can do to better your odds of getting a job.
Is It Easy To Get A Job On a Superyacht?
Yes! It is easy to get a job on a superyacht, it just takes a little determination. Females tend to have better luck starting out than males, but as long as you don’t give up you will land yourself a job on a superyacht.
How Much Do You Make Working On A Superyacht?
You normally make around $3,000 – $3,500 as an entry-level yacht employee. This does not include your free room and board, as well as all your toiletries and uniforms that are paid for. Salaries will go up every year that you continue to work in the industry.
Thank you for posting
I would like to know more about the course prices and if you may have accommodation for learners
It all depends on where you take the course, as it is offered all around the world. However, it is normally around $1000. You can also normally find a room to rent near where the course is being held for around $200 a week.
Very good blog
I would love to work in a superyacht
What do you do if 1. you are not a US citizen (for jobs in Fort Lauderdale). 2. if you don’t live in Fort Lauderdale or near a dock?
You don’t have to be US citizens, if you are able to work in Europe you can also try Antibes.
Hie Peter is there any age limit
Nope, no age limit although the average age is 20’s-30’s.
Can older people work. There age 61
Generally, it is a pretty young industry. Especially when you are starting out and have no experience. I think they would really struggle to find work, especially if they are just getting started.
Please I would love a job please
Do the steps I write about in this post and you will get one : )
good day, can I apply as a crew?
good day, can I apply as a crew?
First, you need to get your STCW, and after that you can apply.
Hi my name is sasha from south africa 19years old of age looking for job with no experience
You should totally get your STCW 95 and apply to work on the yachts.