Working on a Super Yacht
Community
May 7, 2025
Ever wondered what it’s like to work on a superyacht? Or how to get started?
Whether you dream of chasing sunsets in the Mediterranean or exploring remote islands in the South Pacific, life working aboard a yacht is unlike anything else.
The following content was submitted by SeaPeople user Tess Bray (@tess). Tess spends winters in Australia cruising around the Great Barrier Reef. When she's not on her boat, she's traveling and working as a teacher.
Tess is the admin of the Women Sailors group on SeaPeople, where she recently shared an inside look at working within the industry through the eyes of her sister, Emma (@emmabray). The Q&A shares the inside scoop about life at sea, tips to land a job, and what it really takes to thrive in this unique industry. Here's a recap:
Meet Emma
Emma grew up boating, spending summers on a houseboat south of the Great Barrier Reef. She has spent the past year working on two different superyachts as a medic and deckhand.
Let's hop right into some questions for Emma:
What do you recommend to those applying to yacht jobs wanting to get in the industry?
“Apply to everything.”
Don’t overthink it at the start — apply broadly, and use the interview process to learn about different roles, boat culture, and expectations. Ask lots of questions. Find out what daily life is like, what’s expected of you, and whether it aligns with what you want.
And here’s a tip: your hobbies matter. Skills like photography, scuba diving, cooking, or mixology can boost your chances, especially paired with the right licenses.
How do you find a good yacht to work on?
Finding the right boat is about more than just location or pay — it’s about the crew, culture, and leadership. A huge part of your experience will depend on how well you vibe with the team.
During interviews, don’t just talk about your skills — ask about:
Crew culture and dynamic
Leadership style of the heads of department (HODs)
Expectations for work-life balance
Make sure the boat feels like a fit for you, too. A great team and supportive leadership can make all the difference.
What Licenses Do You Need?
To legally work on any private or commercial yacht, you’ll need:
STCW Basic Training (or equivalent certification)
Depending on your role, there are a variety of desired skills:
Interior Crew: Skills like bartending, massage therapy, photography, and sommelier training can be a big plus.
Exterior/Deckhands: Licenses like Powerboat Level 2 or RIB Master are helpful, with Efficient Deckhand for more advanced roles.
Pro tip: Focus on getting hands-on experience first. Don’t jump into expensive, advanced courses just for the certificate — captains and officers can tell the difference between real experience and a paper resume.
Where to Find Yacht Jobs?
Yacht jobs are everywhere — you just have to know where to look:
Groups: such as SeaPeople's World Sailing Hitchhikers & Crew Connection
Dockwalking: Yes, it’s a thing — walk the docks with your CV in hand, ready to introduce yourself.
LinkedIn and Indeed can occasionally have listings too.
What are the Pros & Cons?
PROS
Travel the world
Meet people from all over
Create your own career path based on your passions
Earn great tips (especially on charter boats)
Adrenaline-filled adventures on and off the water
CONS
Long, demanding hours
Entry-level pay can be modest
Seasonal contracts and frequent turnover
Expensive licenses and limited financial support for training
Living and working in tight quarters
Would You Recommend It?
Absolutely — for the right person.
Yacht life is a work hard, play hard world. If you’re dependable, hardworking, social, and a little bit of an adrenaline junkie, it can be a great fit.
Just go into it with your eyes open — it’s not an easy job, but for many, it’s the adventure of a lifetime.
Thinking of giving it a shot?
Download SeaPeople to start logging your time on the water, connect with other boaters, and get inspired by real-life stories of people like Emma, who are living the yacht life.
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