Finding your first yacht job is a real challenge and there are many steps along the way to achieve it.
We asked over 30 current yacht stews who broke into the industry how they did it, and what advice they have for others.
Based on their experiences, this guide explains the best ways to approach it.
Do you need a background in hospitality?
Having a relevant background is helpful, but not essential.
According to our survey:
50% of stews have a hospitality background, with years of experience.
30% have zero or minimal relevant experience, with brief bar jobs or academic background.
20% have related experience such as housekeeping, child care and customer facing roles.
What courses did they do?
You must have a Basic STCW Certificate and a valid ENG 1 Medical to work on yachts.
Otherwise, there are a number of courses that can enhance your CV.
Here are some examples of what courses they did:
Stewardess Training
Powerboat Level 2
Tender Operator
Personal Watercraft (PWC)
Food Safety and Hygiene Level 2
PDSD (Proficiency in Designated Security Duties)
Advanced Silver Service
Barista and Bartending
Wine Knowledge (WSET)
Pilates and Yoga Instructor Certificates
Massage Therapy
VHF
Cigars
Flower Arrangement
Which courses should you do?
Many stews said that additional courses were not necessary for their first position and that the money would be better spent job hunting in a yachting hub.
Some crew members found it useful and managed to secure their first yacht job through their course instructor at SYSA.
Stews recommended focusing on these areas that are in demand:
Skincare
Nail Technician
Massage Therapy
Hairdressing/ Barber
Floristry
Mixology
Yoga and Pilates (Ideally with teaching experience)
Where to Find Work and What Time of Year
Being in a yachting hub at an optimal time of year is often the recommended way to find work.
However, the development of online networks and platforms that list yacht stewardess jobs in recent years has meant that some manage to find work without leaving their home.
You can be hired at any point in the year but springtime is when you are most likely to find a job in the Mediterranean.
Where crew found work:
South of France - 40% of crew found their first position in Antibes which makes it the most popular destination for aspiring yacht crew.
Palma de Mallorca - Another yachting hub where 20% found their first role.
Other Mediterranean hotspots: 20% found work in other areas such as Cannes, St Tropez, Genoa, Imperia, Malta, Croatia, Barcelona.
Fort Lauderdale - 5% found their first job in Fort Lauderdale, bear in mind it is risky to attempt to find work on a tourist visa.
At home: 15% found work while never stepping foot in a yachting hub before.
When crew found work:
Early Season (March - May): 65% of crew found work in Mediterranean springtime.
Mid Season (June - August): 20% of crew found work mid-season.
Late Season (September - November): 5% found work in the build up to the Caribbean season.
Off Season (December - February): 10% were able to find their first job in this period.
Should you go to a Yachting Hub?
It is not essential to go to a yachting hub, but it is advised so you can be available for in person interviews and daywork.
If you do go, it is important to get yourself out there and make real connections with lots of people.
However, there is a fine line between networking and partying which you should observe, and it is best to remain professional at all times. Not all of your peers are serious about finding a job on a yacht.
Effective Channels to Find Work
When finding your first yacht job, you need to look everywhere and apply everywhere.
You will likely find Facebook to be the most effective, followed by online job boards.
Introduce yourself to Crew Agents mainly for future reference, they may offer advice but they mainly place crew with yacht experience.
Try to get onto WhatsApp groups that post yacht jobs through your contacts or asking on social media.
Check Instagram for jobs, and connect with Captains and Chief Stews on LinkedIn.
Yacht Stews: Where to Find Your First Job
How crew found jobs:
Facebook Groups: 45%
Job Boards: 18%
Networking: 13%
Course Instructors: 3%
Dock Walking: 3%
WhatsApp Groups, Instagram, LinkedIn: 18%
Facebook groups mentioned were:
How to avoid scams
Scammers sometimes target green crew who are searching for their first role on a yacht.
You shouldn't have to pay a Recruiter or Yacht to join. You may be asked to transport yourself, or obtain a visa but always use official channels.
If you are suspicious:
Don't send your documents
Don't send photos of yourself (especially in minimal clothing)
Don't pay them for airfare costs or visa costs
Is Dockwalking still useful?
Walking the docks has long been a rite of passage for new crew.
It can be a daunting prospect and the current data suggests it is not an effective way to find work, due to competition and yachts being fully crewed.
Some got lucky, finding day work and permanent roles. Others felt that even though it didn't result in a job, it built confidence and appreciated the opportunity more when it came.
4 Nuggets of Advice for Green Stews
You need a great CV
Your CV could be the only touch point a Captain or Chief Stew has with you, and they may only have a few seconds to assess it.
Find a Yacht CV Template or use a Yacht CV Professional to help you.
Your CV must:
Be well formatted and easy to read
Be eye catching at a glance
Include all relevant Certificates and Experience
Being concise (1-2 pages max)
Ideally have Daywork experience
Ideally have Yacht References
Have a Professional Photo (Get help with this)
Include some hobbies/ interests
Network, Network, Network
Some new crew can lean on existing friends in the industry for help and support to gain their first role.
Others may not know anybody at all, so you will have to make new friends.
Try to strike up conversations naturally and don't ask directly if they have any work for you.
Crew houses such as Crew Grapevine in Antibes can be helpful with work opportunities, networking as well as honing your CV.
Networking opportunities include:
Local Yachtie Hangouts/ Bars
Crew Houses
Captains Q&A
Beach Yoga
DJ Events
Webinars
A good personality goes a long way
New crew can stand out by having a great personality and unique life experiences as well as relevant skills to yachting.
Half of working on a boat is about how you fit in with the rest of the crew.
Have energy, being happy, smiley and bubbly is infectious and can make up for your lack of experience.
They want people who are also ready to work hard, provide longevity where possible and be serious about yachting as a career.
Be a Sponge
Before you join a boat, brush up on your housekeeping knowledge and yachting lingo.
Showing an interest and capacity to learn will leave a good impression on your Chief Stew.
You may think you already know how to clean, but an eye for detail is key as the standards are very high.
You will need to learn about:
Cleaning tips
What to do and what not to do
What products to use and where
How to dust
Vacuum
How to iron sheets, clothes, different materials
Folding techniques
You can learn these cleaning tips using:
Social Media
Podcasts
Youtube Videos
Websites
Find out about the living conditions onboard a yacht, the crew, what life on board is really like.
The difference between private & charter boats, the hierarchy and different positions. The more you know already, the better.
If you get an interview, research the boat if possible, practise common interview questions in front of the mirror and with friends to hone your answers.
Published 1 March 2024