Deckhands remain the industry’s backbone within the superyacht sector. They are responsible for maintaining the world’s most privileged yachts. Here are 9 steps to get into this:
9 Steps to Start Your Yacht Career As A Deckhand In Australia
When applying for a deckhand job, don’t make the same errors other deckhands do. Here is how to become a yacht deckhand in Australia in just a matter of weeks.
1. Knowledge of Exterior Maintenance
The job of the deckhand involves many duties. But first of all, he/she will be in charge of ensuring that the exterior of the yacht is spotless and looks great at all times.
2. Get To Know the Responsibilities of a Yacht Deckhand
From the windows to sports equipment, from the covers of changing sun loungers to the varnishing of the rails of the dock. A deckhand will also require different responsibilities at different times. Some of the primary roles include:
- Painting
- Cleaning
- Sanding
- Varnishing
- Polishing
- Carpentry
- Finishing
- Fiberglass restoration
- Line handling
- Time management and project management
In addition to these, a deckhand shall also be involved in driving tenders and harbor handling.
3. Develop Your Yacht Deckhand CV
Having a structured and clear CV is important to start searching for Yacht Deckhand jobs. With Yahctiecareers, create your Yacht Deckhand CV from scratch. Senior Captains and crew members will take care of your Crew CV and business cards, which will get you much ahead of all the competition.
4. Get Certified
The foundation of your training may be a series of certificates like STCW, ENG1 medical certificate, and STCW PDSD (MCA approved).
- STCW certifications: The Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) include the most basic internationally accepted standards for the professional training of ship personnel. These are courses where basic skills are included, and other essential competencies such as first aid and firefighting.
- Technical certifications: You have the choice of acquiring specialized training on the certain technical part of the maritime organisations like tug and barge training.
- Marine certifications: Taking advanced managerial courses can lead you to work as a Deckhand, as a Mate and, finally, as a Captain.
These certifications are of utmost importance when it comes to working on international waters and that you’re complying with the minimum safety standards for every country.
5. Valuable Additional Skills That Set You Apart As a Deckhand
Deckhands are not compelled to have boating qualifications, but having one is an advantage. The crew is expected to have general seafaring skills. Ideally, deckhands must be well knowledgeable about navigation, boat handling, engines and radio administration.
6. Gain Experience
Having a strong background in hospitality, customer service, or the yachting sector leads to a more fruitful job. In case you are inexperienced in yachting (it does not actually mean that you are not fit for an appointment!). Crew members from different sectors, like tour leaders, graduates, engineers, mechanics and any other person who can demonstrate a good work ethic, are hired by captains.
7. Be Prepared For the ‘Not So Clean’ Job
It is important to do the ‘nitty gritty’ work on board the ship by yourself. With the advancement of your rank, you will be doing less and less hands-on work and more supervisory and crew management duties. You will also work outside, involved in the weather, and in some cases, in extreme conditions.
8. Stay Flexible and Dedicated
To begin with, long hours on board and the need to stay mentally focused are a big challenge you’ll face.
You have to have a personal interest in delivering the good quality of each required job. Plan on working during the day, nights, weekends, and holidays, and be ready to visit different destinations within the country and possibly beyond. Generally, your working hours will be long, starting early and ending late, hence, you are expected to be very energetic and physically fit.
9. Yacht Deckhand Online Training
To be successful as a superyacht deckhand, it is necessary for the candidate to go through a wide-ranging training program that covers the entire job role.
Got an eye on a deckhand license? Maybe our superyacht deckhand course can help you. With our all-inclusive, comprehensive training package, you will be able to secure your career in the superyacht industry in a few weeks, not months.
How Yachtiecareers Can Help With Your Yacht Career
At Yachtiecareers, complete all the mandatory STCW Deckhand certificates to work on yachts. You will agree with our yachting career students that we are the best in terms of course content, training, and facilities.
You will get:
- STCW Basic Safety 2010
- MCA Approved Security Awareness
- ENG1 Medical Certificate
- STCW Crowd & Crisis (Large Yacht Crew)
- STCW PDSD (MCA approved)
- Food Hygiene Level 2
Get access online to the 8 mandatory YCA (Yacht Crew Academy) Yacht Deckhand training certifications. They have everything you need to be a competent working yacht deckhand.
- YCA Yacht Anchoring
- YCA Mooring, Knots, Navigation
- YCA Teak Maintenance
- YCA Guest Safety Training
- YCA Wash down Training
- YCA Detailing & Products
- YCA On board Jet Ski Procedures
- YCA Tenders & Water toys
- YCA Superyacht Working Aloft
Having any of these listed skills and experience would be of great help.
Pros and Cons of Working as a Deckhand
A deckhand is the basic level from which almost all professional crew members on superyachts begin their careers. Who knows, maybe you will grasp the sea time experience at the initial stage and will scale the officer rank in the engine room with training and hard work.
Besides the positives, as in any job, there are also downsides that go along with working on the sea.
Being away from home: Whether you like it or not, sometimes altering your schedule could also mean you will go home late. Moreover, not everyone can tolerate being on sizeous vessels for long times, being away from the family.
When everything else fails and you feel like you are up to the challenge, then maritime career might be for you.
Tip for Beginners in Australia
STCW or Security Training Certificates of Watchkeeping are required for most Deckhands. But in addition to that gaining some practical experience at sea is quite advising. At Yachtiecareers, you can develop your deck crew expertise, which is a great step towards advancement and formal training.
To start, you can simply join Yachtiecareers Yacht crew training to start working on yachts.
To become a Yacht Stewardess and get all STCW Basic Safety Training, Visas, Yacht CV and Seaman’s Discharge book you can book your training here and start working with a Yacht Crew salary go here:
Yacht Stewardess Training
To become a Yacht Deckhand and get all STCW Basic Safety Training, Visas, Yacht CV and Seaman’s Discharge book you can book your training here to start earning a yacht crew salary:
