Career Guidance Brochure

The last two decades have seen a revolution in Professional Yachting.
The industry has matured from a rather obscure niche market to a vibrant, expanding and regulated entity offering exceptional career opportunities for motivated individuals.
In 2005 there were over 10,000 vessels over 24 meters in length with a further 733 new builds underway and they are getting bigger!
This year (2006) there are approximately 4200 new crew required to safely man these vessels and be in compliance with international regulations.

In addition to being larger, yachts are constantly getting more luxurious and infinitely more complex. The accommodation onboard rivals the best the world has to offer and the expected standard of service will be of the very highest order.
Some yachts will even operate with “shadow” boats that will act as support vessels and carry all the toys ...helicopters, submarines, speed/sail boats, motorcycles and even automobiles.
These magnificent yachts have created a demand for qualified crewmembers.
As they operate further from home, often in remote locations they must become more self sufficient and self-reliant.

The Captains and Deck Officers are skilled in all aspects of operating and managing these multi-million dollar floating enterprises. The safety and security of everybody onboard, the owners, guests, crew as well as the vessel and her ‘accessories’ are all part of the Captain’s responsibility. The crew must be well trained, drilled regularly and properly equipped to handle any on board emergencies.

Our STCW 95 course prepares crew to be able to take an active role in drills and emergency situations.
STCW 95 certification is required by all yachts, both commercial and private.

With increasing size and added complexity, the variety of skills and depth of knowledge required for Professional Crew is also increasing and it is not uncommon for roles such as Security Officer, Resident Dive Instructor, Masseuse, Nanny or even Helicopter Pilot to be part of the crew list.

The majority of crew positions however still fall into the traditional roles; Skilled Engineers to maintain the complex and intricate systems are an essential part of any vessel, with larger yachts having a Chief Engineer with 2nd Engineer and perhaps even a 3rd Engineer assisting.
Professional Deckhands, Bosuns and Mates who are responsible for all aspects of maintenance and assisting the Captain in safely managing the vessel through its travels.

Professional Stewards and Stewardesses take care of interiors often crafted from rare stones, exotic woods and fine fabrics as well as providing a high standard of service for the owner’s family and guests.

Highly qualified and experienced Chefs provide the culinary touch to complete the picture as well as often cooking for the crew.
The industry needs many suitably qualified and trained individuals with the appropriate skills and attitude for this exciting and rewarding career.

Potential Earnings

Taken from a Sept 2005 article, all

salaries quoted in US dollars.

Other considerations may include health insurance benefits, annual

leave, itinerary, annual bonus, distribution of tips and air travel

expenses for annual leave.

Attire: Navy or Khaki shorts or slacks, Polo or Button down shirts, deck or running shoes.
All clean and well pressed!

Females:
Clean cut and conservative!
Hair should be neatly styled if short or tied back.
Any piercings (except for ears) or tattoos should not be visible in crew uniform.

Attire: Dress conservatively, slacks or crew shorts are fine with a plain shirt.
Sundresses or skirts are OK as long as they are not too revealing.
Deck shoes or shoes with a low heel are advised. Minimal jewellery.
Smoking is generally frowned upon.
If you are a smoker – Quit!

Your main responsibility as a crewmember:
The Crewmembers main job is to support the Captain in his efforts to maintain and operate the vessel in accordance with regulations and the owner’s expectations.
The Captains job is enormous, he is operating a multi-million dollar floating enterprise and is responsible for the safety and well being of the owner’s family and/ or guests, crew, vessel and the environment.
Super-Yachts are maintained to an exceptionally high standard and provide the highest level of service to their owners, guests and charter clientele. As a crewmember your primary responsibility is to the Captain and following the chain of command in ensuring these standards are met.

Work Hours:
As a crewmember, you are on duty 24/7!
When engaged in preparations for the upcoming season and when the yacht is in service, time off will be minimal. Be prepared to work more than 8 hrs a day, and up to 16 hrs can be the norm whilst on charter. Gratuities from charter guests may be substantial and are usually shared equally amongst the crew.

Weekends off may not be possible, so don’t expect them.
The work can be hard, but the rewards are there for those willing and able.

Teamwork:
Being able to work as part of a team is vital – be willing to work outside of your job description to get the task done. Use your initiative to ask for extra assignments if you have finished yours.

Personality:
Captains have stated over and over “a good personality is as important as good skills.”
When you are working, living and socialising with your crew it’s easy to see that getting along
with the other crew members is essential and that co-operation and the consideration of others is paramount in maintaining a positive atmosphere onboard.

Attitude:
Expect to work hard, help out wherever needed and maintain a positive attitude and you will be seen as an asset to the Yachts crew and reap the rewards.

International Yacht Training is available at MSWI for most positions.

Training is an absolute must for future professional crewmembers.

Go to the next crew page HERE

Go to the registration page HERE