How to Become Yacht Crew
Every week we speak to people who want to become a yachtie but have no idea where to begin — what they need, how long it takes, how much it costs, whether it is realistic. We have been through every step of this ourselves, as working crew. Drazen Jagunic worked as Chief Officer on 100m superyachts for 10 years. Antonija and Ivana are Chief Stewardesses. Suda is a stewardess. Josh is a bosun. Together we have trained 600+ students, written their CVs, guided them through the job search, and been there when they signed their first contract. This page answers every question we get asked about how to get into yachting and how to become yacht crew. If something is not covered here, book a free call — no obligation, just a straight conversation about how to start. Read what our students say on our reviews page.
How to Get Into Yachting — Where to Start
Getting into yachting is more achievable than most people think. You do not need sailing experience, a maritime background, or connections in the industry. What you need is the right certification, the right CV, and to be in the right place at the right time of year. The superyacht industry is actively hiring — there are more yachts and more crew positions than ever, and captains are looking for motivated people who are properly trained and ready to work.
There are two ways people get into yachting. The first is to spend months trying to figure it out alone — piecing together which certificates you need, where to do them, how to write a yacht CV, which crew agencies to register with, and where to show up to find work. The second is to do it in one intensive week with people who have done it themselves and have placed 600+ students into their first contracts. We built Yachtiecareers to be the second option. For the full step-by-step guide to getting hired, read our how to get a yacht crew job guide.
Stewardess or Deckhand — Choosing Your Path as a Yachtie
Every yachtie starts as either interior crew (stewardess) or exterior crew (deckhand). You do not need experience in either — you train from scratch. The choice comes down to what kind of work suits you and what background you are coming from.
Yacht Stewardess — interior crew. You look after the guest cabins, serve at table, manage the laundry, run the bar, and maintain the interior of the yacht to a five-star hospitality standard. If you have a background in hotels, restaurants, hospitality, or any customer-facing service role you will adapt to this quickly. Read our complete stewardess job guide for the full role breakdown, what captains look for, and how to get hired.
Yacht Deckhand — exterior crew. You maintain the deck, handle mooring lines, operate the tenders and watersports equipment, wash down the hull, and support the captain. If you are physically active and prefer working outdoors, the deckhand path suits you. Read our complete deckhand job guide for the full breakdown of the role and how to get your first contract.
Both roles start at the same salary — $2,500 to $3,500 per month with all accommodation and food covered on board. Both require the same base qualifications. You can also train for both in a single week with our dual access package. View our stewardess training packages or deckhand training packages.
Do You Need Experience to Work on Yachts?
No. Every single person on every superyacht in the world started as a yachtie with zero sea experience. Captains do not expect prior yachting experience from entry-level crew. What they need to see is the correct paperwork, the right attitude, and evidence that you have done the training. Sea experience is what you build during your first contract — not before it.
We train people from hospitality, retail, construction, sport, nursing, the military, and every other background imaginable. If you are fit, presentable, motivated, and prepared to work hard in a demanding environment, you can do this. The fastest way to start is to get your STCW, get your CV professionally written, and get to the right location at the right time of year. We handle all of that in a single week in Split, Croatia. Work on yachts with no experience is entirely possible — 600 of our students prove it.
What Qualifications Do You Need to Become Yacht Crew?
Here is the complete list of qualifications every yachtie needs. No captain on any commercial yacht anywhere in the world can legally hire you without the mandatory three. For the full detailed guide to each qualification, read our complete STCW guide for yacht crew.
Mandatory — Non-Negotiable
- Valid Passport — at least 12 months validity remaining. Your primary identity document on a commercial vessel.
- STCW Basic Safety Training — required by international maritime law for every paid crew member on every commercial vessel worldwide. Covers firefighting, sea survival, first aid, and personal safety. Six days practical training with an IMO and MCA-accepted provider. Without it a captain cannot legally put you on the crew list.
- Medical Certificate (ENG1 or equivalent) — confirms you are physically fit for sea service. The UK version is the ENG1 but every country has an equivalent accepted on all yachts worldwide. 30 to 40 minutes with a maritime-approved doctor, valid for two years. Included in all Yachtiecareers packages. Read our ENG1 medical certificate guide.
Additional — Strongly Recommended
- STCW PDSD (Personal Designated Security Duties) — required for all deck crew carrying out gangway watch and exterior security rounds. Every captain expects deck crew to hold it. Read our PDSD guide.
- Food Hygiene Level 2 — required for anyone handling food on board. Essential for stewardesses. Read our food hygiene guide for yacht crew.
- STCW Crowd and Crisis Management — required on yachts carrying more than 12 passengers. Needed for the charter market where the highest salaries and tips are paid.
- RYA Powerboat Level 2 — qualifies you to legally operate tenders and RIBs. Required in the Mediterranean for tender operations. Read our RYA Powerboat Level 2 guide.
- Seamans Discharge Book — official document recording your sea service. Strongly recommended for joining and leaving yachts internationally. Read our Seamans Discharge Book guide.
What Do You Need to Become a Yacht Stewardess?
Here is exactly what every stewardess needs — and what is included in our Yacht Stewardess Full training package:
- STCW Basic Safety Training — six days practical in Split with an IMO and MCA-accepted provider. See our STCW guide.
- Medical Certificate (ENG1 or equivalent) — arranged through an approved maritime doctor during your training week. See our ENG1 guide.
- STCW Security Awareness and PDSD — MCA-accepted, required for all commercial crew.
- STCW Crowd and Crisis Management — required for charter yachts over 12 passengers. Included in our package.
- Food Hygiene Level 2 — CPD accredited, required for all interior crew. See our food hygiene guide.
- YCA Stewardess Online Modules — 18 step online stewardess courses: housekeeping, silver service, laundry, mixology, caviar service, flower arrangements, cigar service, guest safety. 6 months access in Full, lifetime access in Premium.
- Practical on-board training day — a full day on board a real training yacht with a Chief Stewardess going through actual stewardess duties. Not classroom theory.
- Online platform with personal training plan — 24/7 access from the day you book, with WhatsApp support from the instructor team throughout.
All STCW certificates, medical certificate, practical on-board training day, and online modules — one 10-day week in Split, Croatia. IMO and MCA-accepted provider.
What Do You Need to Find Your First Stewardess Job?
Getting certified is step one. Getting hired is step two — and it takes more than a certificate. Here is everything in our Yacht Stewardess Premium package that takes you from trained to employed:
- Professionally written yacht stewardess CV — the superyacht CV format is specific: every certificate listed with its number and expiry date, professional photo, sea service correctly formatted. We write it from scratch. Not a template you fill in yourself.
- CV photo session in Split — professional crew photo taken during your training week. Included in Premium.
- Written instructor reference letter — signed by your Yachtiecareers instructor for every job application. Captains trust references from people they know in the industry.
- Dock walking and dayworking seminars — Antonija, Drazen, or Josh take you through exactly how to approach yachts, what to say, how to get invited back, and how to turn a daywork trial into a permanent contract. See our dockwalking guide.
- Job search and interview preparation — which crew agencies to register with, how to present to a captain, what questions to expect.
- 1-year unlimited job and career support with 1-1 consultations — direct access to the team until you have your first contract and beyond. Not a ticket system. Not a chatbot. Premium only.
- Crew accommodation in Split for 7 nights — on-site, included in Premium. You wake up in a Mediterranean yachting hub with the other crew. The job search starts from day one of training week.
- Seamans Discharge Book Cayman Islands application support — see our Discharge Book guide.
- B1/B2 Visa support letter — for crew targeting yachts in US waters and Florida. See our visa guide.
- Yacht job kit — Premium Polo, daywork T-shirt, crew business cards.
- Dual access — Stewardess and Deckhand modules — certified for both roles. Smaller yachts expect crew to cover both interior and exterior duties.
was €3,900
Everything in Full — plus professionally written CV, photo session, written reference letter, 1-year unlimited job support with 1-1 consultations, 7 nights crew accommodation in Split, B1/B2 visa letter, and dual deckhand access. Full access with 740€ deposit only and free flexible date changes.
What Do You Need to Become a Yacht Deckhand?
Here is exactly what every deckhand needs — and what is included in our Yacht Deckhand Full training package:
- STCW Basic Safety Training — six days practical, IMO and MCA-accepted provider. See our STCW guide.
- Medical Certificate (ENG1 or equivalent) — included and arranged during your training week. See our ENG1 guide.
- STCW PDSD — Personal Designated Security Duties. Drazen has never worked with a captain who did not expect this from deck crew. Included in every deckhand package. See our PDSD guide.
- STCW Security Awareness, Crowd and Crisis Management, Food Hygiene Level 2 — all included.
- YCA Deckhand Online Modules — 8 deckhand courses: anchoring, mooring and knots, navigation, teak maintenance, wash down products, detailing, jet ski, tenders and watersports, working aloft. 6 months access in Full, lifetime access in Premium.
- Practical on-board training days — real days on a training yacht with Drazen (Chief Officer) or Josh (Bosun). Real deck work: teak, polish, mooring, fenders, knots. Not classroom theory.
- Online platform with personal training plan and 24/7 WhatsApp support — from the day you book.
All STCW certificates, medical certificate, PDSD, practical on-board training days with Drazen or Josh, and deckhand online modules — one 10-day week in Split, Croatia.
What Do You Need to Find Your First Deckhand Job?
Everything in our Yacht Deckhand Premium package to take you from trained to employed:
- Professionally written yacht deckhand CV — correct superyacht format, all certificates listed with numbers and expiry dates, professional photo. We write it. Not a template.
- CV photo session in Split — included in Premium.
- Written instructor reference letter — signed by Drazen or Josh. Included in Premium.
- Dock walking and dayworking seminars — Drazen teaches you how to approach yachts, what captains and bosuns look for, and how to turn a trial day into a permanent contract. See our dockwalking guide.
- 1-year unlimited job and career support with 1-1 consultations — direct access to the team until you land your first contract. Premium only.
- Crew accommodation in Split for 7 nights — included in Premium. On-site. The job search starts from day one in the Mediterranean.
- RYA Powerboat Level 2 — discounted rate with our RYA partner, on request. Required to operate tenders in the Med. See our RYA Powerboat guide.
- Seamans Discharge Book Cayman Islands application support — see our Discharge Book guide.
- B1/B2 Visa support letter — for yachts in US waters. See our visa guide.
- Dual access — Deckhand and Stewardess modules — certified for both roles. More hireable on smaller yachts that expect crew to cover both.
was €3,900
Everything in Full — plus professionally written CV, photo session, written reference letter from Drazen or Josh, 1-year unlimited job support with 1-1 consultations, 7 nights crew accommodation in Split, RYA Powerboat Level 2 discount, and dual stewardess access. Full access with 740€ deposit only and free flexible date changes.
Yacht Crew Careers — Salary and Progression
A yacht crew career follows a clear progression — from junior crew to senior crew to department head. The salary increases are significant at every level, and the lifestyle improves with experience. All food and accommodation is covered on board throughout your career. Charter yachts pay tips on top of your base salary — on a busy charter boat that can add $500 to $2,000 per week to your take-home. For the complete salary breakdown by role and yacht size, read our yacht crew salary guide, our stewardess salary guide, and our deckhand salary guide.
Stewardess Career Progression
- Third stewardess / junior stewardess (year 1): $2,500–$3,500/month
- Second stewardess (year 1–2): $3,500–$4,500/month
- Chief stewardess on 40–50m (year 2–4): $5,000–$6,500/month
- Chief stewardess on 60m+ (year 4+): $7,000–$10,000+/month
Deckhand Career Progression
- Junior deckhand (year 1): $2,500–$3,200/month
- Deckhand (year 1–2): $3,000–$4,000/month
- Bosun (year 2–4): $4,500–$6,500+/month
- Chief Officer / Mate (year 5+): $7,000–$12,000+/month with additional certifications
Charter tips: $500–$2,000 per week on busy charter yachts, split equally among crew.
How Long Does It Take to Get Your First Yacht Job?
Realistically, six to twelve weeks from starting training to stepping on board your first yacht as paid crew. Here is the timeline:
- Training week in Split, Croatia: 10 days total — STCW, practical on-board days, medical certificate, CV, and job search preparation all completed in one block
- Travel to the Med and set up: one to two weeks
- Dockwalking, agency registration, applications: two to six weeks depending on time of year and location
The time of year matters as much as the qualifications. Yachties who arrive in Palma de Mallorca or Antibes in April or May consistently find their first contracts faster than those who start in summer when most boats are already crewed. Read our month-by-month Mediterranean timing guide to plan your start date around the peak hiring window.
Where Do Yachties Work — Locations and Seasons
The superyacht industry is not in one place — it moves with the seasons. Understanding where the fleet is and when is as important as having your certificates. For the full worldwide breakdown, read our worldwide yacht job locations guide.
- Mediterranean — April to October: The main season for yachties. Palma de Mallorca, Antibes, Barcelona, Split, Montenegro, Greece, Italy. The hiring window opens in March and runs through May. Read our Med season guide.
- Caribbean — November to April: St Maarten, Bahamas, Antigua, BVI. Many yachties catch the Atlantic crossing from the Med in October as crossing crew — arriving in the Caribbean already employed. Read our Caribbean guide.
- Florida / USA — year round: Fort Lauderdale is the US yacht crew hub. B1/B2 visa required for non-US nationals.
- Dubai and Middle East — October to May: Growing private yacht market. Often follows on from a Mediterranean season.
On visas: EU passport holders have no restrictions in the Mediterranean. UK, US, Australian, and most other passport holders get 90 days visa-free in the Schengen zone — and once you sign onto a yacht as paid crew, those tourist days stop counting. For the complete visa guide by nationality, read our yacht crew visa guide for Europe.
Booking, Payment and Logistics
What happens when I book?
The moment you book you get instant access to your online training platform and personal training plan — 24/7, from anywhere. We add you to the private WhatsApp crew group with your instructors and the other students for your training date. We start your online certifications, YCA modules, and CV preparation immediately. You attend the training week in Split, Croatia to complete the STCW practical, on-board training days, medical certificate, photo session, and job search seminars. Book a free call to ask any questions before booking.
Can I pay in installments?
Yes. Secure your training date and get instant full access with a €740 deposit only. Pay the remaining balance at the start of your training week. Your booking is fully flexible — change your training date free of charge to any future date with four weeks notice. View full payment options on our stewardess training page or deckhand training page.
Where is the training week?
Split, Croatia. Address: 114. Brigade 10, 21000, Split, Croatia. Split is a major Mediterranean yachting hub — there are Superyachts in the marina during your training week and you can begin the job search immediately. On-site crew accommodation is included in Premium packages for 7 nights. Read our Split crew accommodation pageif you want to see the setup.
Are the STCW certificates MCA accepted?
Yes. All STCW training through Yachtiecareers is completed with an IMO and MCA-accepted provider. The certificates are recognised on all commercial yachts worldwide regardless of flag state, where the yacht is registered, or which country you are from. All training is in English. Read our MCA accepted STCW guide and our full STCW guide.
Is accommodation included?
On-site crew accommodation for 7 nights is included in both stewardess and deckhand Premium packages. You share with the other crew training that week — same building as the training centre. Full packages do not include accommodation. You can book accommodation separately on our accommodation page.
Will Yachtiecareers help me find a job?
Yes — job search support is built into the training, not added on afterwards. We give you the CV, the reference letter, the dockwalking seminars, the interview preparation, and in the Premium package, 1-year unlimited job and career support with direct 1-1 consultations. We cannot guarantee a contract — the captain makes the final hiring decision. What we guarantee is that you leave with everything needed to get in front of captains and get called back. 600+ of our yachties are already on board. Read their stories on our reviews page.
Can I become yacht crew from the UK?
Yes. UK crew are among the most common nationality on superyachts. UK passport holders get 90 days visa-free in the Schengen zone — and once you join a yacht as paid crew, those days stop counting. The ENG1 is the UK name for the medical certificate and is accepted worldwide. Most UK yachties do their STCW training in Croatia rather than the UK — it costs less and you get the all-inclusive package. Read our UK STCW guide and our UK stewardess training guide.
Can I become yacht crew from the US?
Yes. US crew are often choosing the Croatia Yachtiecareers Training week. Most US yachties do their STCW training in Croatia rather than the UK — it costs less and you get the all-inclusive package especially when wanting to work in the Med.
Can I become yacht crew from Europe?
Yes, our crew is a mix of nationalities from all over the world including Spain, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Ireland and many other EU countries. With a EU passport you have an additional advantage and headstart for yacht jobs in Europe and the Med.
Can I become a yachtie from Australia?
Yes. Australian crew are highly sought after on superyachts. The AMSA Seafarer Medical Certificate is the Australian equivalent of the ENG1 — accepted on all yachts worldwide. Australian passport holders get 90 days visa-free in Schengen. Most Australian yachties do their STCW in Croatia — it is closer to where the jobs are and more cost-effective than training at home. Read our Australia STCW guide and our Australia stewardess guide or Australia deckhand guide.
Ready to Start
Full and Premium packages. All certificates, practical training, CV, and job search support.
Full and Premium packages. STCW, PDSD, practical deck training, CV, and job search support.
Book a free call with Drazen, Antonija, or Josh. No obligation.