Living on a luxury yacht and following the sun to exotic ports sounds like something you can do only in your dreams. Fulfilling this fantasy is actually not as difficult as it sounds. Working as crew on a yacht is an excellent way of getting paid to travel in luxury to interesting places. The work it entails, however, can be grueling depending on the boat you work on, your fellow crew, and most importantly, the owner of the boat.
The two categories of yachts are sailboats and motor yachts. Both types of boats have their advantages and disadvantages. Crew on sailboats enjoy the adventure of moving the vessel from one port to another without the use of a motor, while crew on motor boats enjoy the speed and dependability of working on a motor vessel. If you are looking for a job on a sailboat it may be required that you have sailing experience. This is not always the case, however. Learning how to sail and doing it daily is considered a perk to those crew-members aboard sailing yachts.
Whatever your boat preference, you will find that generally you can get on a boat as deckhand or stewardess with no experience. If you want to be a chef or an engineer it may require background experience in those areas of expertise. While some positions require no experience the job does demands an attention to detail, flexibility to work long hours and to change plans quickly, a personality that meshes well with others in close quarters, and finally the ability to clean, clean, clean.
While the Captain and Engineer do less cleaning, they must chip in and make the boat shine when the owner is onboard. The deckhand’s job is strictly to keep the outside of the boat clean, while the stewardess must keep the inside tidy. On some boats the deckhands and stewardesses clean the entire day, while on others the duties are more relaxed. The type of owner and captain you have will determine the amount and length of work you must accomplish.
While you clean you will be traveling to whatever port the owner wishes to visit and for however long he or she wants to stay. Often the crew will be left on the boat for a large portion of the year without the owner. Again, this depends on the owner and his schedule. Some popular destinations for yachts are the east coast of the United States, the Caribbean Islands, the Mediterranean Sea, and South America. Different boats have different ranges and capabilities in terms of travel distance, so be sure to factor this in when you choose a boat. Remember also that plans change quickly on yachts and you will not be guaranteed to go anywhere unless the owner decides it.
Salaries on boats are generally high. They range from $25,000 to over $100,000 depending on job type, experience, and performance. In addition, you pay no rent and in most cases all your meals are paid—even those taken off the boat. It is no wonder why people are drawn to the yachting industry.
So, now that you know what the job entails, here is how to land it. There are a few ways of getting a crew job. First, you can go through a crew agency. A crew agency is much like a headhunter who matches your resume to a boat. This type of hunt typically results in a job, however, the agency’s motivation is often less to find a good match for you and more to get money from the owner who is paying the agency a finder’s fee. Be wary of agents who tell you the boat is a “perfect match”—it might be, but do your homework on the crew, the owner, and the boat.
To avoid getting stuck with an unpleasant match you can be your own headhunter. The best way to get a job on a boat is to make a business card and to take a trip down to the waterfront marinas. Introduce yourself to the Dockmaster and/or Marina Manager and explain what you are looking for. Be friendly and assertive, and request that he or she give any captains requesting assistance your card. In some marinas you will be allowed to walk the docks asking boats if they need help.
Once you find a boat that needs help do not jump on immediately—there might be a reason why there is an opening. Meeting the crew and interviewing ex-crew are excellent ideas if you have the time and want to make your first experience pleasant. Meeting the crew in a social setting, perhaps a bar, will give you a picture of what they are really like. This is important because you will share close quarters with these people for months at a time. Asking specific details about the job and the owner is important. You do not want to join the crew with no clue as to what your responsibilities are and whom you are working for. It is unlikely that you will meet the owner, however, if you have the opportunity, do so. Usually this will let you know right away if you want to get on the boat.
After you consider all the factors-the salary, the other crew members, the owner, and where the boat travels to, you are ready to make a decision. If you have a good feeling about the type of operation the boat runs, by all means, try it out. Just remember to pack lights since there will be limited space in your cabin, to wear sunscreen, and to keep a journal of all the interesting places you are getting paid to visit.
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