So You Want a Job in Yachting
#26/0134. With Courtesy of Erica Lay. Erica Lay is owner of EL CREW International Yacht Crew Agency http://www.elcrewco.com/ erica@elcrewco.com
So You Want a Job in Yachting? Here’s Where to Start
By Erica Lay, Superyacht Crew Agent and Author of Superyacht Life: How to Start, Succeed, & Stay Sane. Out now on Amazon.
Every year, especially as spring hits us in Mallorca, I start getting the same message: “I want to work on yachts. Where do I begin?”
The short answer? With a bit of realism.
The longer answer? Getting into yachting isn’t complicated, but it does require preparation, patience and a willingness to start at the bottom. Behind every glamorous photo you see online is a crew member who turned up early, learned quickly and proved they were reliable long before the fun parts kicked in.
If you’re thinking about joining the industry, here’s a brief intro – if you want to do a deep dive, well, buy my book.
Step One: Get the Basics Right
Before you do anything else, make sure you’re medically fit to work at sea by completing an ENG1 medical with an approved doctor. It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people book courses before confirming they’re eligible.
Next comes STCW Basic Safety Training. It’s the foundation for almost every role onboard, covering firefighting, sea survival, first aid and personal safety. It might not be glamorous, but it’s essential and shows captains you’re serious about the job.
After that, keep your training relevant to the role you want. Deck crew often start with Powerboat Level 2, engineers with an Approved Engine Course, and interior crew with Food Hygiene Level 2. You don’t need a long list of certificates before your first job. Start with the essentials and build from there once you know the industry suits you.
Step Two: Understand Your Transferable Skills
One of the biggest misconceptions is that you need previous yacht experience to get hired. You don’t. What you do need is experience that translates well onboard.
Hospitality, customer service, childcare, trades, fitness, watersports, engineering, events, all of it counts. Yachts are essentially floating businesses, and captains are looking for people who can adapt quickly and work well within a team.
The key is presenting those skills clearly on your CV. Focus on reliability, professionalism and real-world experience rather than trying to sound impressive.
Step Three: Be Where the Jobs Are
Location still matters. In the Mediterranean, spring and early summer remain prime time for green crew to arrive in hubs like Palma. Autumn can also be busy as crews reshuffle after the season.
While online applications are part of the process, showing up professionally and networking in person often makes a bigger impact. Introduce yourself to crew agents, attend industry events, and yes, dockwalking is still a thing.
It can feel old-school, but a polite introduction and a good first impression can open doors faster than sending dozens of emails from home.
Step Four: Adjust Your Expectations
This is where the reality check comes in. Your first role is unlikely to be on a brand-new superyacht cruising the Caribbean with unlimited downtime. More often, it’s early mornings, long hours and learning the basics alongside a busy team.
That’s not a downside, it’s how you build credibility.
Captains are increasingly selective with green crew, looking for attitude and work ethic over social media presence. Showing initiative, staying positive and being willing to learn goes a long way.
Step Five: Play the Long Game
Yachting isn’t just a job, it’s a career path with room to grow if you stick with it. Many of the senior crew I work with started exactly the same way, knocking on docks, taking daywork, and learning from every opportunity that came their way.
The first job is often the hardest to secure, but once you’re in, momentum builds quickly. Treat every daywork role like a long-term audition. Be early, be prepared, and remember that this industry runs heavily on reputation.
If you’re ready to work hard, stay professional and keep a sense of humour when things don’t go exactly to plan, yachting can take you further than you might expect.
Just don’t forget, the real magic doesn’t start with a sunset photo, it starts with showing up and doing the basics well.
SIDE PANEL
5 Mistakes Green Crew Still Make in 2026
1. Overloading the CV with courses
More certificates don’t automatically equal more job offers. Captains would rather see a solid attitude and relevant experience than a five-page course list.
2. Turning up without doing basic research
Know the marinas, understand the season, and learn the difference between private and charter yachts before you start knocking on passerelles.
3. Treating social media like a job application
Yes, the lifestyle looks amazing online. No, captains aren’t hiring based on sunset selfies. Professionalism still wins every time.
4. Expecting instant results
Some crew land work quickly, others take weeks. Consistency matters more than luck. Keep showing up, stay visible, and don’t disappear after a few quiet days.
5. Forgetting it’s still a professional industry
Dockwalking in beachwear, turning up late, or oversharing personal drama won’t help your chances. First impressions in yachting stick longer than you think.
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