What Training and certifications do yacht Crew Need?
All yacht crew must meet minimum international safety, ISPS and medical standards before stepping onboard. While requirements vary by role and the size of the Yacht, every entry-level deckhand and stewardess follows the same Yacht certification route, starting with STCW and a valid medical certificate.
Let's explore what you need to become a Stewardess or Deckhand on Yachts and the certifications included.
Working on yachts, is more than travel and lifestyle. It also requires training before starting to work on board yachts such as: (STCW, MCA, ENG1, ISPS, RYA). Explore which yacht crew training is mandatory for you, depending on yacht size and your role on board.
STCW Basic Safety for Crew - The mandatory certificate to work on Yachts.
STCW Basic Safety is the key qualification for working on yachts. Without it, you cannot be legally employed as crew on large charter and private yachts.
What Is STCW Basic Safety?
What does STCW Basic Safety include?
- Personal Survival Techniques (A-VI/1-1)
- Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention (A-VI/1-2)
- Elementary First Aid (A-VI/1-3)
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (A-VI/1-4)
Who Needs STCW Basic Safety to Work on Yachts?
How Long Is STCW Valid For? (Refresher Rules)
STCW certificates don’t last forever. You’ll need a short refresher training every five years to stay compliant. Keeping this current is part of being a professional yacht crew member.
ENG1 Medical Certificate for Yacht Crew
What Is an ENG1 Medical Certificate?
ENG1 is the MCA version of a seafarers Medical Certificate for yacht crew. It is a standard medical exam carried out by an approved maritime doctor to see you are in good health to work on board a Yacht.
Who Needs an ENG1 to Work on Yachts?
Every working crew member on board charter and private yachts needs an ENG1 — both Deckhands, Stewardesses, and other departments. No Medical Certificate – No yacht job.
ENG1 vs Other Seafarer Medicals
RYA Courses for Yacht Crew (RYA Powerboat Level 2 & Deckhand courses)
RYA Yacht Crew courses focus on Powerboat Level 2 and Jet ski qualifications to use as a Deckhand on board Yachts. A very important part of the job— and a skill that Captains actually care about when looking for experienced yacht crew.
RYA Powerboat Level 2 (Most Common Yacht Requirement)
Do You Need RYA Courses as a Junior Crew Member?
You don’t always need RYA courses on day one. You can add them from your deckhand salary as you get more experience. But having them shows you’re serious about working on yachts, and helps finding a Yacht job.
ISPS Security & Safety Courses for Yacht Crew
PDSD – Proficiency in Designated Security Duties
STCW Security Awareness
Additional Yacht Crew Certifications (Interior & Hospitality)
Food Hygiene Level 2 for Yacht Crew
This is essential for interior crew involved in food service. It’s often required before joining charter yachts.Usually completed online and should be part of all Stewardess yacht Traning.
Crowd & Crisis Management (When It’s Required)
This STCW course becomes mandatory on larger yachts and prepares crew to manage guests during emergencies. A must on Yachts over 100m, and often on 70-90 m yachts as well if commercial or charter.
Which Yacht Certifications You Need by Role (Deckhand vs Stewardess)
Not all crew paths are the same. Your certificates should match the job you’re targeting.
Deckhand path:
STCW → ENG1 → RYA Powerboat Level 2 → PDSD / Personal Designated Security Duties → Huge Bonus would be to have Deckhand on board Yacht training for jobs.
Stewardess path:
STCW → ENG1 → Food Hygiene → Crowd & Crisis (on larger yachts) → Huge Bonus would be to have Stewardess on board Yacht training for jobs.
If you do Yacht on board training, it should cover basic deckhand and stewardess skills and and mostly get you familiarised with your duties on board. It is not about becoming a professional, it is about preparing you for the life on board, day work and making the transition to yachting smooth and easy, so that you can start with confidence.
When to Book Yacht Training (Best Timing Before Job Search)
Timing matters in yachting. Booking training too late can cost you a season. Most crew complete their certificates before arriving in major yachting hubs so they’re ready to work immediately.
Yacht Crew Visas (B1/B2)
To work in Europe as Yacht Crew, all you need is either a EU-passport or a valid Schengen Visa or exemption. It allows you to be in Europe 90 days. But as soon as you get a yacht job the Yacht will stamp you on board the Crew List. The most common visa requirement to give your Yacht CV a boost is the B1/B2 visa, which allows crew to work on yachts in US, Florida and Caribbean.
Seamans Discharge Book (Yacht Crew)
Works as a Yacht Crew “Passport”. It is usually issued by the Yacht. To apply for many yacht jobs it is listed as a requirement. If you have it on the CV before applying it is a huge bonus in the job search giving you an edge with the Seamans Discharge book already in hand. Especially applying for charter or large Yachts.
Yacht Training Packages & Guided Career Support
Choosing the right training setup can save you months of stress. Integrated yacht training packages combine STCW certifications, Yacht on board training and job search guidance — helping you move from training straight into work and a Yacht job.
Superyacht Crew CV
Having a professionally written Yacht CV, with a perfect layout for yachting and your skills and experience structured correctly is the key to a Yacht job. Without a great CV-photo and CV, your CV will not get noticed, despite having great experience and certification.
Start a career together with other yacht crew
ALL INCLUSIVE yacht training packages.
24/7 access online and training week in a Mediterranean Yachting hub.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yacht Training & Certification
Is STCW Basic Safety mandatory to work on yachts?
Yes all Yacht Crew must have STCW Basic Safety. If you don’t have it, you can’t legally work on a yacht — as a deckhand or stewardess. Captains won’t interview you without it, and agencies won’t shortlist you. This is always your first step.
What STCW certificates do I actually need to start working?
To start your yacht career, you need: STCW Basic Safety, ENG1 medical certificate and a Passport. That’s it for entry level. Extra courses like PDSD, Food Hygiene, or RYA help later — but STCW + ENG1 and PDSD get you in the door. This is just the legal minimum to actually be qualified to work on board legally.
Where can I complete STCW Basic Safety training?
STCW training must be completed in person at an IMO/MCA-accepted. The best place to compelte the STCW Training is in a Mediterranean Yacht hub, such as:
Mediterranean (e.g. Croatia, Italy, France, Spain)
UK or USA
Choose locations where crew actually get hired — not just the cheapest option. From there you can start applying for jobs, or move on to other yachting hubs such as Montenegro, Spain, Greece or Malta.
Do I need an ENG1 medical before booking STCW training?
You can book STCW without an ENG1, but you must have an ENG1 before you start working. Smart move: do your ENG1 during your STCW week so you’re job-ready the moment training finishes. Remember any approved Seafarers Medical certificate is accepted and it does not have to be ENG1, only ENG1 equivalent.
Do I need RYA courses as a junior deckhand?
Not always — but they help.
RYA Powerboat Level 2 is the most useful RYA course for junior deckhands jobs, and is often requested on motor yachts. It’s not mandatory, but it can give you an edge over other green crew.
What are PDSD and Security Awareness courses — do I need them?
These are security certificates required on certain yachts:
Security Awareness → common on commercial yachts
PDSD → required if you have security duties onboard. If you have PDSD you do not need Security Awareness.
Pretty much always needed for your first job, many crew complete them early to avoid delays later.
Is accommodation usually provided during STCW training?
No – Accommodation is not part of STCW Training. Yachtiecareers offer Crew Accommodation included in all Premium Deckhand and Stewardess STCW All Inclusive training packages.
Crew Accommodation: during the day work and job search is something you have to pay for (earning during day work and temp jobs help).
On board Yachts:
Always included for all crew and often in a shared cabin.Once you get more experience and a senior role you will have a single cabin on board. This is never paid – accommodation, food, flights are always included for yacht crew.
Does Yacht training include help with getting a yacht job?
Good training programmes do more than teach certificates. You can spot The best yacht training programmes that also include:
Job search guidance
CV Writing
Yacht on board training or familiarisation
Additional STCW and documents with personal support.
Training alone doesn’t get you hired — knowing how to enter the yacht industry with day work, dock walking and online applications does.
Ready to become yacht crew and start ?
Select your position to become a yacht stewardess and yacht deckhand today.
- All STCW Training as per internationally recognised IMO/MCA standards.
- Split, Croatia
- Fort Lauderdale, USA
- STCW/Accommodation: 14.Brigade 10, Split, Croatia
- Training Seminars office: Mandrach, Split
- Training Yacht: Uvala Baluni 8, Split | ACI Marina