Job Descriptions of a Yacht Crew

Sailing crews must be able to handle multiple tasks.

The call of the ocean is often answered by those who appreciate its beauty as well as exploration. There are many who hope to see the world by working aboard a sailing or power vessel. Others spend their lives at sea on fishing, commercial or recreational boats. A certain contingent of people just want to get oboard and go, and will sign on in a voluntary capacity.



Not all yachting crew are always paid, as this depends on the position, the boat's size and purpose, ownership, schedules and budgets. It is, however, possible to earn a livelihood from yachting as there are opportunities and many positions worldwide. The first thing to decide is whether to work on sailboats or power boats. Each has different requirements, and they are vastly different worlds.

Vessels in General

Large yachts require well-trained crew for maneuvers at sea, docking and anchoring.

Yachts may be privately owned, corporate or commercial vessels. Sizes vary considerably, which of course determines how many crew are needed. A 70-foot boat might need six crew; a 200-footer maybe 20. Racing yachts may employ professional sailors, and each crew member will have a specific job (such as grinder, pit or foredeck). The "super yachts" can employ sizable rotating crews and have teams in multiple places such as Europe and South America, between which they will cruise with a core group, then call upon the services of additional crew in various ports. Land support can engage many people from secretaries to travel coordinators, riggers, sail makers and provisions. Every boat will need a professional captain and people who are trained to help safely maneuver the boat from Point A to Point B, as well as frequently having to entertain or interact with owners and guests.

Captain

Power yachts often have a captain, chef, steward and several deckhands.

Captains of commercial vessels must have a United States Coast Guard Master Mariner license for the tonnage vessel they operate. Yacht captains often have 100-ton or higher near-coastal licenses, or "tickets." A key requirement of their training is thorough knowledge of the Navigation Rules of the Road (inland and international).

In many other countries, the equivalent must be secured before the skipper can take out any paying guests. The captain of a sail or power vessel is in charge of everything and is ultimately responsible for the safety of all passengers, crew and the boat itself in all weather conditions. Captains aboard sailing vessels must in addition be expert with the multiple details necessary to maneuver under sail. On either type of vessel, salaries generally range between $30,000 and $150,000 per year.

Mates, Navigator, Engineers

Handling lines when underway, docking and mooring are necessary skills for sailors.

Sometimes the captain doubles as navigator, but on larger vessels that job goes to a different person. The navigator works closely with the captain to plan the details of travel by water, with weather expertise a top qualifying factor. Navigators select and study navigation charts; choose and plot courses; intake data from weather faxes and navigation instruments; keep a sharp eye on the barometer; and alert the captain to any concerns. Their job can include radio communications, keeping logs and radar plotting. They are responsible for always knowing the precise location of the vessel.

A first or second mate is like the nearest support to the captain, and she disseminates captain's orders to the crew and supervise activities on board, assuring all is followed through appropriately. The first or second mate may take on multiple tasks and oversee the boat when the captain is ashore or indisposed. Engineers maintain the engine(s) and deck machinery, plus all the electrical, sanitary and refrigeration equipment aboard ship. Salaries in this group range from $30,000 to $109,000 annually.

Helm and Deckhands

Captains and crews aboard sailing yachts must be able to trim the sails for all wind conditions.

Captains don't always steer their ships, so a helmsperson is hired. Otherwise, various crew members will rotate turns at the wheel (or tiller). "Helm" will drive the boat--not as easy a task as most make it look--and typically have other duties, including assisting with docking or helping secure the ship and adjusting sails.

Deckhands are the vital worker bees of any boat. They keep everything smoothly operating by doing the hands-on work. Many tasks engage them no matter what hour of the watch they are on--such as handling sail or dock lines, keeping decks clean, following orders, lifting and dropping anchor, setting and reducing sail, climbing masts, polishing teak and chrome, and interacting with guests. Some crew will also be expected to lower and operate dinghies and take guests to shore for fishing trips or other excursions. Good, loyal hands are hard to come by. The pay for deckhands and helmsmen can run between $20,000 and $55,000 annually.

Chef, Purser, Steward, Land Support

Crewing aboard any type vessel is a way to explore the world.

Large corporate and private yachts may have a personal chef and sometimes a chef's assistant. The chef plans and prepares all meals for all onboard. Pursers purchase items, supply and stock the boat. Stewards take care of the personal needs of guests, sometimes serving meals and other times assisting with mundane tasks. Land support can be any number of people who maintain operations from shore. Duties might include bookkeeping, weather alerts, document preparation and mailing, coordinating arriving and departing passenger details, communicating by satellite, fielding emails and all other business. Income levels in this group vary tremendously by duty, skill level and experience.

All

Every crew member is there to work in unison toward keeping the boat and passengers safe, especially staying off the rocks and having an enjoyable experience. Anyone seeking work on the world's oceans will garner an endless stream of memories and reward for hard but satisfying work.

References

• O-Net Summary Report: Transportation Attendants, Except Flight Attendants and Baggage Porters
• Luxury Yachts: Crew Job Descriptions

Resources

• Ship's Captain and Crew: Yacht Crew Jobs and Yachting Industry Information
• Starpath School of Navigation
• Crewseekers: Yacht Crew Agency
• Master Mariners Association
• United States Sailing Association