There are more deckhand positions on superyachts than most people starting out realise. The industry is big, crew turnover is high, and yachts are constantly looking for good deck crew — especially at the junior and mid-level. The challenge is not that the jobs do not exist. It is knowing what types of positions are out there, what each one actually involves, where to find them, and what makes one candidate stand out over another. That is what this guide covers.
Types of Deckhand Jobs on Superyachts
Deckhand is not a single job — it is a career track with distinct levels, each with different responsibilities and pay. Understanding the structure helps you know where you fit when you are starting out and where you are heading as you build experience.
Junior Deckhand
The entry-level position. Your job is to support the deck team, keep the exterior of the yacht clean and maintained, help with lines when docking, and learn how everything works. On charter yachts you will also assist with water toy setup and tender operations once you have your RYA Powerboat Level 2. This is where everyone starts, and a good junior deckhand who learns fast and stays switched on moves up quickly.
Deckhand
After one or two seasons, you become a competent deckhand — trusted to operate the tender independently, handle more complex docking situations, take on responsibility for specific areas of the boat, and start mentoring the junior crew. This is where the majority of deckhand jobs sit in terms of volume, and salaries move meaningfully upward at this level.
Senior Deckhand / Lead Deckhand
On larger yachts the deck team has a lead deckhand below the Bosun who manages day-to-day deck work and supervises the junior crew. This position does not always exist on smaller boats, but on 50m and above it is common. Strong seamanship skills and the ability to lead a small team are what define this level.
Bosun
The Bosun runs the deck department — responsible for the entire exterior of the yacht, all deck crew, tender operations, and water toy inventory. On large yachts this is a senior management role with serious responsibility. Bosuns on 40–50m yachts earn $4,500–$6,500 per month. On 60m and above it is higher.
Where Are the Deckhand Jobs?
Deckhand jobs are concentrated in the Mediterranean from April to October and in the Caribbean from November to April. The fleet moves between these two regions every year, and so does the work.
The main Mediterranean hiring hubs are Palma de Mallorca, Antibes, Barcelona, and the Croatian coast. These are the places where Captains put together their crew, where crew agencies are based, and where dockwalking actually works. Being physically present in one of these locations during the hiring window — March through May for the Med season — is one of the most important things a new deckhand can do.
In the Caribbean, St Maarten, the Bahamas, Antigua, and Fort Lauderdale are where the fleet concentrates. The transition period in August and September — when the Med season is winding down and yachts are preparing to cross the Atlantic — is also a strong hiring window. Many boats need crew for the crossing and the Caribbean season, and candidates who are already on the docks and available get picked up first.
Read our guide to the best places to find a yacht job in the Mediterranean for a full breakdown of each location.
What Yacht Sizes Hire Deckhands
Most deckhand positions are on yachts from 24 metres upward. The smallest commercial yachts with paid deck crew tend to be in the 24–30m range, where one or two deckhands cover the whole exterior. As yacht size increases, so does the size of the deck team:
- 24–35m: typically 1–2 deckhands
- 35–50m: 2–3 deckhands plus a Bosun
- 50–70m: 3–5 deckhands, senior deckhand, and Bosun
- 70m+: full deck department of 5–8 crew with structured hierarchy
Larger yachts pay better and offer more structured career development, but they are also more competitive. Most new deckhands start on yachts in the 30–50m range and move to larger boats as their experience and certifications build.
What Captains Are Actually Looking For
When a Captain is reviewing deckhand applications, the first filter is certificates — STCW, medical, PDSD. If those are not there, the application does not go further. But among candidates who are all properly certified, what separates the ones who get the call from the ones who do not?
- A professional CV — formatted correctly for the industry, with certifications clearly listed and a proper crew photo
- RYA Powerboat Level 2 — for deck crew this is a significant advantage, especially on charter yachts where tender operations are a daily part of the job
- Sea miles — any logged time at sea, even from recreational sailing or a crossing, shows you understand the environment
- Attitude and presentation — every Captain will tell you they hire attitude first. Someone who is switched on, professional, and genuinely wants to be there will get the job over someone with a slightly better CV who seems casual about it
- References — even one solid reference from an instructor or a previous Captain changes how your application reads
What Deckhands Earn
- Junior deckhand: $2,500–$3,500/month — all accommodation, food, and travel covered
- Deckhand (1–2 years experience): $3,000–$4,500/month
- Senior deckhand: $4,000–$5,500/month
- Bosun (40–50m): $4,500–$6,500/month
- Bosun (60m+): $6,000–$8,500/month
- Charter tips: $500–$2,000 per crew member per week on busy charter yachts
Read our full yacht crew salary guide for a complete breakdown.
Getting Your First Deckhand Position
For a step-by-step guide to getting hired — from certificates to dockwalking to agencies — read our complete guide to getting a deckhand job on yachts. For training packages that get you certified and job-ready in one week, view our deckhand training packages or book a free call with our team to talk through your situation. You can also read what our students say on our reviews page.
