Become a deckhand

Do you want to become a deckhand, stewardess, engineer or chef on a superyacht? Here’s how.

First and foremost, the most important starting point is the STCW10.

STCW stands for Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping. The STCW’2010, previously referred to as STCW’95, forms part of the safety training and is a compulsory requirement for any seafarer in order to be eligible for employment at sea. The STCW 2010 has replaced STCW 95 and is the new code that all seafarers working on board commercial vessels must adhere to should they are want to work at sea.

If you are planning on joining the super yacht industry to look for a yacht job as a stewardess, deckhand, engineer or chef, you will need to complete this STCW course. Read more about this here. The two additional courses that will need to be completed are the proficiency in designated security and the ENG1 medical certificate.

Proficiency in Designated Security Duties

This PDSD certification is required by crew who have been designated a security duty onboard their vessel. This applies to all Superyacht Crew and should be completed in place of Proficiency in Security Awareness (PSA).

On completion of the course, students will be able to understand the Principals and Responsibilities of National and International Requirements of a Ship Security Officer. They would have acquired the skills to Maintain ship security plans, Appreciate security levels, Develop and maintain measures for the control of access to the vessel, Conduct ship security and risk assessments and Implement effective search mechanisms and security control.

The course outline includes:

Module One: Maintain conditions set out in a Ship Security Plan
Module Two: Recognition of Security Risk and Threats
Module Three: Undertake Regular Security Inspections of the ship
Module Four: Proper usage of Security equipment and Systems.

ENG1 Medical Certificate

The ENG1 Medical is a basic medical certificate and is as essential as your STCW’10. It is a mandatory requirement to prove you are fit to work as a yacht crew member at sea. Only MCA-approved doctors can perform an ENG 1 medical exam

A standard ENG1 examination will include:

  • Measuring your height and weight
  • A standard eye test
  • A colour blindness test
  • A hearing test
  • Ear and throat evaluations
  • Teeth/gums inspection
  • Questions on your medical history, drinking habits, etc.
  • A urine sample (to test kidney functionality and blood sugar)
  • Reflex testing
  • Listening to your heart and lungs, testing blood pressure and heart rate
  • Hernia testing (asking you to cough while gently pressing your abdomen)

The exam takes around 1 hour to complete, and should you pass you will leave with your certificate immediately. Our facilities enable you to complete your ENG1 medical at the same premises as your STCW’10 for your ultimate convenience. Now, let’s get started.

Stewardess Courses

The primary task of a Steward or Stewardess onboard is to maintain the interior or the luxury yacht to the highest standard. You will also be required to cater to the needs of yacht owners or charter guests. Service, housekeeping and laundry form the three main departments of the stewardess responsibilities. Food hygiene and safe food preparation are also a major component of working as a stewardess on a super yacht.

Our stewardess training certification is run in Cape Town, South Africa. This is an entry level training course, designed for any crew member that is looking to pursue a career as as stewardess. Combining both practical and theoretical course modules, you will spend time working with actual products used onboard as well as familiarise yourself with processes for when guests are onboard.This week long yacht course includes the most relevant and up-to-date knowledge of how to succeed as a stewardess. The course focuses all the skills required to be a super yacht stewardess and help you understand the high levels of service, professionalism and dedicated duty required for interior yacht crew.  

Be sure to impress your Chief Stew on your first yacht charter when you are competent in the relevant skill sets. We offer real-life Superyacht scenarios and detailed yacht processes in order to fully prepare you for life onboard as a super yacht stewardess.

The following topics are covered extensively in the course:

  • Table setting and Presentation – Layouts, order of service centre piece and flower arranging. Practical skills application on-board a super yacht
  • Superyacht Laundry Course– Caring for expensive & rare fabrics, removing industry-specific stains, understanding Superyacht laundry equipment & procedures, professional drying & ironing techniques etc.
  • Food service – spend time on a Superyacht in the V and A Waterfront, working alongside a yacht chef serving real guests.
  • Wine & Cocktail – Intro to world of wine, tastings, pairings, cocktail blending and service etc.
  • Beverage Service – Tea, Coffee, Cocktails, Wine, Water
  • Stewardess CV – Completed CV with professional photo
  • Interior introduction – Job role, interview process, yachting do’s and don’ts, crew contracts, yachting etiquette, checklists, safety etc.The course fee includes all course materials. Tea, coffee, snacks provided throughout the course
  • The course is 5 days and runs between Hout Bay and V and A Waterfront

MCA Food Safety Level 2

This course is currently available as an online course

MLC FOOD HYGIENE REQUIREMENTS:
Under the MLC minimum requirements regulations, all Yacht Chefs and anyone handling food in the galley, Steward/esses and any crew handling or serving food are to be suitably qualified in Food Hygiene. Level II Food Safety is the minimum acceptable level for any crew processing or handling food on board.

The objective of this qualification is to prepare interior crew for employment on yachts, or to support a role in the food handling and catering. The objective of this qualification is to ensure that persons who are or will be employed in a food business, are provided with the knowledge and skills necessary to produce safe food. The Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering (QCF) is a qualification required by all interior staff working on leisure yachts and those who are preparing to work in the leisure yachting industry.

Course duration: 1 day

Deckhand Courses

RYA Powerboat Level 2

The Powerboat Level 2 or RIB Master is it is known by the IYT, forms part of the career package we would recommend to anyone wishing to pursue a career as a deckhand in the yachting industry.

This three day course covers two days of theory and one day of practical boat handling including:

  • Safety at sea
  • VHF Radio operations
  • Small powerboats and rigid inflatable boats
  • Launching and recovery
  • Anchors and anchoring
  • Nautical terminology
  • Boat handling under power
  • Man overboard procedures
  • Ropes and rope-work
  • Basic rules of the road (collision regulations)
  • Glossary of terms

The primary duties of a deckhand are shared between the maintenance of the yacht exterior and looking after the guests. Maintenance tasks include painting, filling and fairing as well as 1- and 2-part varnishing jobs, plus all other cleaning, polishing and scrubbing duties. Guest related tasks vary from tender driving, beach set ups, water sports, jet skis, anchoring or manoeuvring of the yacht.

RYA Personal Watercraft Course PWC (Jet Ski)

RYA Powerboat and PWC (Jet Ski) Instructors are in demand within the Superyacht industry and back home in Cape Town. The Super Yachts have a range of watersports toys for the guests. The PWCs (Jet Skis) drivers need a license in many parts of the world.The RYA PWC (Jet Ski) Course is for those wanting to add an extra qualification to their CV or for those wanting to learn how to operate these powerful crafts and legally ride in international waters.

This is a 1 day course

What does the course cover?

  • Launching & Recovery
  • Safety on the water
  • Navigation
  • High speed Jet Ski handling
  • Taking care of your Personal Watercraft

MCA Yacht Rating Certificate

The Yacht Rating Certificate is required by Superyacht crew members to be part of the safe manning requirements of the vessel.  This course is well suited to beginners as it requires no qualifying experience.A Course Completion Certificate is issued to successful candidates and, on application to the MCA, this leads to the issue of the MCA Yacht Rating Certificate after two months of sea service.

This 5-day Training Course Covers the Following Topics

  • Navigational Watch Duties
  • Life-Saving and Fire Fighting Equipment
  • Seamanship
  • Code of Safe Working Practices
  • Engine Watch Keeping Duties
  • Pollution Prevention
  • Knots, Bends, and Hitches
  • Whipping and splicing
  • International Safe Management Code
  • Chartwork
  • Rules of the Road
  • Day shapes

Advantages of gaining your MCA Yacht Rating Certificate are:

  • The certificate informs Captains that you have advanced deck skills
  • You can now be included in the yachts safe manning requirement
  • It shows that you are more responsible and can lead to higher salaries and also faster promotions
  • It is a good introduction for students that want to do the EDH (Efficient Deckhand)

Yacht Deckhand Course

A Deckhand is the entry-level position for crew who want to work on the exterior of Superyachts. A Deckhand’s role will be varied, however, the first responsibility for a Deckhand is the meticulous cleaning and maintenance of the exterior of the yacht, which must be kept in pristine condition at all times. You may pitch in and help the Interior crew during busy turn arounds.

The primary duties of a deckhand are shared between the maintenance of the yacht exterior and looking after the guests. Maintenance tasks include painting, filling and fairing as well as 1- and 2-part varnishing jobs, plus all other cleaning, polishing and scrubbing duties. Guest related tasks vary from tender driving, beach set ups, water sports, jet skis, anchoring or manoeuvring of the yacht.

Our 4 day intensive entry level deckhand training course covers the following topics:

  • general yacht maintenance,
  • product knowledge and application,
  • how to perform a wash-down,
  • teak maintenance 
  • daily deckhand duties including navigational watch
  • daily duties when guests on board
  • line handling
  • anchoring duties

To be successful in the super yacht industry it is essential you receive the correct training specific to the job your wish to apply for.

VHF Radio Course

The VHF Radio Course is for anybody who owns or would like to operate a VHF/DSC radio onboard a yacht, motorboat or RIB. You will learn how to use the VHF radio and understand the language, etiquette and how to follow emergency procedures.

This course is a highly recommended for anybody going to sea or would like to work in the super yacht industry. The course will give you the practical experience of how to use a VHF radio all in the comfort of a warm classroom. We use latest VHF training radios providing a realistic experience of what it would be like to send an emergency message. If you are working towards your RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Power or Sail qualification then you are required to hold the VHF radio certificate before you sit the Yachtmaster exam.

This 1-day Training Course Covers the Following Topics

  • The basics of VHF radio
  • Different types of radio
  • Licensing
  • Practical use of the sets
  • Routine calls to other VHF radios
  • VHF Channels used
  • Phonetic alphabet
  • GMDSS
  • Digital selective calling (DSC)
  • Mayday, urgency and security messagesAt the end of the course, there is a written and practical exam.

IYT Master of Yachts

“The IYT Master of Yachts Limited 200 Tons course has become the most globally accepted course for the operation of commercial yachts up to 200 tons. Recognition by 25 governments has placed IYT MOY 200 Ton accreditation at the top as the global standard of certification”

Get Onboard Superyacht Academy facilitates professional IYT Master Of Yachts Limited Training as well as IYT Master Of Yachts Unlimited Training. The purpose of a Yachtmaster course is to give you experience, knowledge and logged sea miles to complete your Master of Yachts exam. Completing the exam will give you a Certificate of Competence, which means you are able to skipper a vessel up to 24m in length. 

Ship Security Officer (SSO)

International regulations require that you must do Ship Security Officer Training (SSO) if you are a seafarer who has been, or has the prospect of being, appointed as the Ship Security Officer on a vessel trading internationally. Some private maritime security companies providing security for ships transiting high risk areas, also require their team leaders to successfully complete the Ship Security Officer (SSO) course.

The Ship Security Officer would have acquired the skills to:

  • Maintain ship security plans;
  • Appreciate security levels;
  • Develop and maintain measures for the control of access to the ship;
  • Conduct ship security and risk assessments; and
  • Implement effective search and security mechanism

This is a 3 day course designed to meet the requirements of the STCW section VI/5, requirements of the ISPS Code sections A/2.1.6, A/12.1 and A/12.2 and is based on the guidelines of IMO Model Course 3.19.

Course Objectives Include:

  • To Understand the Importance of Maritime Security Policies
  • To Understand the Roles and Responsibilities of a Ship Security Officer (SSO)
  • To Undertake a Ship Security Assessment and On Scene Security Survey
  • To Understand the Importance of Security Equipment and Limitations
  • To Identify, Recognise and Respond to Threats
  • To Understand the Importance of Security Planning
  • To Prepare for Emergency Drills and Exercises
  • To understand the importance of Security Administration
  • To understand the importance of Security Training
  • To Understand the Dynamic and Continuous Risk Assessment Process
  • To understand Best Management Practices (BMP) for transiting High Risk Areas (HRA)

Officer of the Watch (OOW)

A deck officer assigned with the duties of watch keeping and navigation on a ship’s bridge is known as the officer on watch (OOW). While keeping a watch on the bridge he is the representative of the ship’s master and has the total responsibility of safe and smooth navigation of the ship.

The OOW modules provide an introduction into the world of radar, ship construction and stability, all types of radio, leadership and advanced sea survival.

The required course training for OOW (Yachts) less than 3000gt include:

  • General Ship Knowledge (GSK)
  • Navigation and Radar including ARPA (N&R)
  • Advanced Sea Survival
  • Human Elements of Leadership and Management at Operational level (HELM)

Before taking your oral exam, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:

  • Be at least 19 years of age
  • Hold either, an RYA Yachtmaster certificate and a certificate of successful completion of a Shorebased Yachtmaster course or IYT Master of Yachts Limited
  • Hold a STCW Basic Safety Training certificate
  • Hold a valid ENG1 or accepted equivalent
  • Since the age of 16 have obtained a minimum of 36 months’ onboard yacht service. This must include 365 days of seagoing service on vessels of 15 metres or over in load line length, made up of:
  • A minimum of 250 days’ ACTUAL sea going service and 115 days of any combination of the following:
    • Actual sea service
    • Stand-by service – A maximum of 14 consecutive days may be counted at one time, but on no occasion may a period of standby service exceed that of the previous voyage;
    • Yard service – up to a maximum of 90 days continuously or in separate periods;
  • Have completed a Yacht Training Record Book (Note: Not required if the candidate can provide evidence of 36 months actual sea service in vessels of at least 24 metres in load line length)

MCA Efficient Deckhand (EDH)

The Efficient Deckhand (EDH) course covers basic seamanship, rope work and wire work, rigging of stages and bosun chairs, maintenance routines, steering and duties of the lookout and the responsibilities of crew members under the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen. The Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) must now be completed as part of the OOW certification.  On Day 5  or Night 6 – Consists of a practical and oral examination.

This is a 5 day course

What does the course cover?

  • Basic seamanship
  • Knots
  • Bends
  • Hitches
  • Splicing of rope and wire
  • Whippings
  • Deck safety
  • Hatch covers
  • Rigging of stages and bosun chairs
  • Cranes and derricks
  • Lookout/watch keeping duties
  • Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen

Please note an MCA Approved Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) certificate must have been issued at least 18 months prior to the issue of your Officer of the Watch (Yachts less than 3000gt) Certificate of Competency.

MCA Chief Mate

The Chief Mate (Yachts less than 3000gt) Certificate of Competency is an endorsement of the Officer of the Watch (Yachts less then 3000gt) Certificate of Competency.

Once you hold the Officer of the Watch ( Yachts less than 3000gt ), you can then apply to the MCA for the endorsement for the Chief Mate (Yachts less than 3000gt) Certificate of Competency. The certificate can be applied for at the same time as the Officer of the Watch (Yachts less than 3000gt).

Qualifying Requirements For Chief Mate (Yachts less than 3000gt)

  • IYT Master of Yachts Limited/ RYA Yachtmaster with commercial endorsement
  • IYT Master of Yachts Unlimited/RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased
  • Officer of the Watch (Yachts less than 3000gt) Certificate of Competency

MCA Chief Mate ( Yachts less than 3000gt ) modules are:

  • Advanced Fire Fighting (STCW A-Vl/3)
  • Proficiency in Medical First Aid (STCW A-Vl/4-1)
  • Human Elements of Leadership and Management (HELM) Management Level

There is no further sea time required, no oral examination; simply attend the courses and forward the certificates together with the correct fee to the MCA and your OOW Certificate of Competence for the endorsement to be generated.

MCA Proficiency In Medical First Aid

The proficiency of medical first aid course aims to improve the officer’s knowledge in order to take charge of medical care on board ship. Candidates who have not had recent first aid training should undertake additional personal study and review before commencing the course. It should be noted that the master, or the person in charge of medical care, on board an EU member state flagged vessel are required to undertake refresher training in medical care at least every five years. To be successful in the super yacht industry it is essential you receive the correct training specific to the job your wish to apply for. Head over to our Super Yacht Deckhand page to view other recommended training courses

MCA Celestial Navigation Refresher And Exam

All Master (Yacht) candidates are now required to pass a Celestial Navigation Exam as part of the Master (Yacht) Certificate of Competency (CoC)

Course Description:

  • This is a 5 day refresher course to help students to pass the MCA Master Celestial exam.
  • Students are not required to do the course and can elect to write just the exam on the last day of the course.
  • Please note that the Master oral examination needs to be taken within 12 months of completing the Celestial navigation exam as the certificate has a 1 year expiry.
  • Although not an official MCA course, this training is intended to prepare candidates for the MCA’s 2 1/2 hour written exam requiring a 65% pass mark.

Unlike the other Master (Yacht) modules, course attendance is not a pre-requisite for this exam because it is intended to re-assess the competencies required for the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean/IYT Master of Yachts <200t Unlimited CoC’s and a formal course is not deemed necessary.

Yacht Chef

Superyacht Culinary Intro Course

The primary responsibility of a Chef onboard a super yacht is the overall management of the galley department, including guest and crew meals, provisioning, food safety, maintaining strict hygiene standards and financial/budgetary administration.. Food hygiene and safe food preparation are also a major component of working as a chef on a super yacht.

Our Superyacht Culinary Courses are practical hands-on skills development programmes recommended for anyone seeking work as a yacht chef. Successful completion of this course will set you up to work as a chef on Superyachts anywhere in the world.

Course Overview

The Superyacht Introductory Training Course is a 2-day preliminary training course that prepares students with no prior culinary experience an opportunity to prepare themselves to a level required to enter the 8-Superyacht Culinary course. This short course is an intense induction programme that teaches students everything they need to know about preparing themselves to work in a cooking environment.  We focus on training students to manage themselves in the kitchen including knife skills, classic recipes, and cooking techniques. 

The course is highly practical and students are put through an intense and rigorous programme to prepare them for the Superyacht Culinary Course. Each student is assessed to their skill level during the first few hours of the course, after which the tutor assists them in preparing for the practical days ahead.

The course starts with basic preparation skills concluding with a 2-course prepared dinner on the second day, leading up to the start of the Superyacht Culinary course.

Duration:
2 days 

Includes:

  • Lunches, tea, coffee
  • All course training materials

Super Yacht Culinary Course

Course Overview

The Superyacht Culinary Course is an 8-day course that focusses on preparing students to increase their culinary repertoire in the galley and trains them to look at food and food preparation from a completely different perspective.   This intense course covers everything you need to know about yachting, operating in the galley, food management and culinary skills and covers virtually all the practical applications for cooking in a galley, with emphasis on the modern Superyacht Industry and its typical demands in the varying roles. The course includes menu planning, budgeting, provisioning, charter planning, stock taking, recipe costing and recipe planning. 85% of the course is practical and prepares students for a career at sea, including CV and culinary portfolio planning, interview processes and general preparation for a yachting lifestyle. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves to meet the standards of trained chefs in preparing and planning food for guests. The course is a highly practical course and students are required to have a reasonable level of culinary experience, although need not be formally trained.

The course is structured into specific modules to provide yacht chefs with practical knowledge and experience, ranging from basic preparation skills to how to prepare and present a 3-course meal for guests on sailing vessels. The course includes the following

  • Provisioning, passage and port stop planning
  • Foreign ingredients
  • Menu and recipe planning
  • Budgeting
  • CV and portfolio planning
  • Interview practical
  • Dietary requirements, cultural and allergies
  • 5 days of practical training in a professional kitchen
  • 1 day of theory and practical evaluation
  • 1 day of on-board practical service
  • 1 day service stress test – operating in high-pressure environments

The first three days focus on practical training and demonstrations by a professional lecturer, as well as the practical application of recipes and menus to prepare you for working on superyachts.  Our industry-experienced chef instructor works with students at their skill level, ensuring that they are fully prepared to embark upon a career onboard as a chef, crew cook or small yacht cook.

The second week focusses on advancing you to a level where you plan and develop your own fine dining recipes and menus that you can apply to a real galley environment.  Our process allows you to build complete confidence in yourself so that you can master the management of any galley. The course also covers the requirements for land-based chefs transitioning to yacht chefs.

MCA Food Safety Level 2

This course is currently available as an online course

MLC FOOD HYGIENE REQUIREMENTS:
Under the MLC minimum requirements regulations, all Yacht Chefs and anyone handling food in the galley, Steward/esses and any crew handling or serving food are to be suitably qualified in Food Hygiene. Level II Food Safety is the minimum acceptable level for any crew processing or handling food on board.

The objective of this qualification is to prepare interior crew for employment on yachts, or to support a role in the food handling and catering. The objective of this qualification is to ensure that persons who are or will be employed in a food business, are provided with the knowledge and skills necessary to produce safe food. The Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering (QCF) is a qualification required by all interior staff working on leisure yachts and those who are preparing to work in the leisure yachting industry.

Course duration: 1 day

Yacht Engineer

MCA Approved Engine Course (AEC)

The Approved Engine Course is an entry-level qualification for the MCA engineering training schedule and is regarded as the first step on the ladder, and is highly recommended for those interested in marine engineering. It is a 5-day or 30-hour course that aims to provide candidates with practical basic hands-on training and theoretical knowledge of diesel engines.

The course is theoretical but includes partial demonstrations and focuses on the cycle of operation regarding 2 stroke and 4 stroke diesel and petrol engines, their fuel, electrical, lubrication and cooling systems, the combustion process, power transmission and hull fittings.

Holding an AEC certificate will allow you to be a chief engineer on a yacht over 24m and less than 200 Gross Tons or act as an assistant engineer on vessels over 200 GT up to 60NM from a safe haven.The MCA Approved Engine course (AEC) objective is to provide students with the basic theoretical knowledge and practical hands on experience of diesel engines and systems to enable them to meet the requirements of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Codes of Practice for The Safety of Large Commercial Sailing and Motor Vessels, the Safety of Small Commercial Motor Vessels and the Safety of Small Workboats and Pilot Boats.

This yacht course does not attempt to make diesel engineers out of you. It is designed in such a way that you will be able to carry out regular maintenance and safety checks as part of your security awareness and as well as troubleshoot should there be a problem.

Please contact us today for all of your yachting needs

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FAQ

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There are two basic yacht training requirements that you need to complete in order the legally be eligible to work at sea. This includes the STCW’10 basic training course the ENG 1 medical the Proficiency in Designated Security Duties. These are compulsory courses and must be completed no matter which job or position you are applying for.
STCW stands for Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping. The STCW’2010, previously referred to as STCW’95, is a compulsory requirement for any seafarer in order to be eligible for employment at sea. The STCW 2010 has replaced STCW 95 and is the new code that all seafarers working on board commercial vessels must adhere to. If you are planning on joining the superyacht industry to look for a yacht job as a stewardess, deckhand, engineer or chef, you will need to complete this STCW course. The course runs every week from our academy in Cape Town and takes 11 days to complete.
The ENG1 Medical is a basic medical certificate and is as essential as your STCW’10. It is a mandatory requirement to prove you are fit to work as a yacht crew member at sea. Only MCA-approved doctors can perform an ENG 1 medical exam. The exam takes around 1 hour to complete, and should you pass you will leave with your certificate immediately. Our facilities enable you to complete your ENG1 medical at the same premises as your STCW’10 for your ultimate convenience.
The yachting industry is predominantly a career focused on hospitality. While various skill sets may assist you in finding a job, they are not enough to fully prepare you for a job on board. You will still need to complete the correct Maritime Training to be fully equipped for a job as a Super Yacht Crew member. The following skills/ experience are beneficial: – Hospitality training, including waiters, bar tenders, event staff, hotel training, cruise liners – Au pair, nanny and child care, tutoring, child entertainment – Beauty therapists: nail technicians, hairstylists, beauty therapists – Trade skills including: carpentry, varnishing, building, plumbing, tiling, engineering – Watersports: scuba diving, wakeboarding, sailboarding, waterskiing – For Chefs: A natural ability and training/experience as a Restaurant, Estate, Hotel Chef – Personality traits: Social skills, cultured, good work ethic, good manners, well presented, self— confident, a positive attitude.
There are usually four departments onboard a super yacht including the deck department, engineering, interior and galley.
Completing your deckhand courses prior to looking for your first job, demonstrates to your employers that you are dedicated crew member that understands what is required in order to be successful as an entry level crew member in the super yacht industry. Our industry leading standard of training ensures all our candidates enter the super yacht industry. The primary duties of a deckhand are shared between the maintenance of the yacht exterior and looking after the guests. Maintenance tasks include painting, filling and fairing as well as 1- and 2-part varnishing jobs, plus all other cleaning, polishing and scrubbing duties. Guest related tasks vary from tender driving, beach set ups, water sports, jet skis, anchoring or manoeuvring of the yacht. In addition the STCW training course, any of the following courses would be considered advantageous:
  • Yachtmaster/Coastal Skipper Theory
  • Yachtmaster/Coastal Practical
  • Specialist Super Yacht Training Course (Deck Hand Training Course)
  • RYA Power Boat Level II
  • RYA Personal Watercraft Course
  • RYA Competent Crew Certificate
  • RYA Day Skipper Theory and Practical Certificates
  • RYA Radar
  • VHF Radio Operator’s License
The primary task of a Steward or Stewardess onboard is to maintain the interior or the luxury yacht to the highest standard. You will also be required to cater to the needs of yacht owners or charter guests. Service, housekeeping and laundry form the three main departments of the stewardess responsibilities. Food hygiene and safe food preparation are also a major component of working as a stewardess on a super yacht. Our stewardess training certification is run in Cape Town, South Africa. This is an entry level training course, designed for any crew member that is looking to pursue a career as as stewardess. Combining both practical and theoretical course modules, you will spend time working with actual products used onboard as well as familiarise yourself with processes for when guests are onboard. In addition the STCW training course, any of the following courses would be considered advantageous:
  • Stewardess Course
  • ENG1
  • Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD)
  • MCA Food Safety Level 2
  • RYA Powerboat Level 2
Simple. Just email info@get-onboard.com explaining which course you are interested in. We will provide you with a list of available dates and our booking form. Simply return to us with your proof of payment and you place of the course is reserved.
Once you are qualified, what are the next steps to finding your first job onboard? Yacht CV’s are very different to landbased CV’s and are essential when looking for a job on a yacht.
Our courses have been created in order to best prepare our students with the correct qualification, and industry specific knowledge that would be expected of junior crew in the yachting industry. The founders of Get Onboard superyacht Academy spent over 12 years as a senior ranked crew members and so offer our candidates with the most up to date information to best prepare you for the industry. Without your STCW and ENG1 you are not legally able to work at sea, so until you have completed those requirements, finding employment will be impossible. While the other courses are not compulsory, as industry experts we feel it is in our students best interest to educate themselves as much as possible before entering the super yacht industry. We do our best to offer our students the best possible advice on courses that would be most beneficial to their career goals as well as their pockets.
Here at Get Onboard Superyacht Academy, we pride ourselves on offering our students practical and honest advice. That’s why you will never find us trying to sell your courses that won’t be specifically relevant to your department. Landing your first job while you are still in South Africa is almost impossible. The reason for this is because just like you would interview for a land based position face to face.
Day work is a great way of networking, building contacts in the industry, and most importantly finding you first super yacht job. Day work refers to when you do not have a formal contract in place with a yacht, but you help out onboard for anything from a day to several weeks. Day working is a great way for you to get a sense of different roles onboard and whether the industry is right for you. Often the Captain or senior crew member will use day work as a trial or “audition” to see who is the best fit for the crew and is the most efficient worker so it is an excellent tool to use when searching for your first job.
There are two main yachting hubs, the Mediterranean, particularly Antibes in France or Palma de Mallorca in Spain, and Fort Lauderdale or Miami in Florida. We explain the different seasons and best time of year to visit each areas in our article Best Locations To Get a Yacht Job for Time of Year.
The standard entry level salary for a junior stewardess or deckhand ranges between €2000-€2500 or $2300-$2800 per month. This amount is generally tax free, although the onus is on each crew member to check with their home county about tax obligations. Certain countries are tax exempt provided you spend more than 6 months out of the county. Check out our dedicated article on this here. We have covered all of this and much much more in our easily downloadable yachting industry guide eBook. We go into detail of where you should start your career and at which time of year. We offer yachting CV templates, a packing list, course list, accommodation and visa information. We break down the various yacht crew departments so that you can see where might be the best fit for you. We explain what dock walking is, how to get day work, salary expectations and most importantly how to secure that first job.
Working on a yacht is not all fun and games; it means spending great lengths of time away from friends and family, putting in extra-long hours as needed and living in a shared, confined space.
For many, the benefits of a yacht job outweigh the negatives. These include travelling the world, the opportunity to make and save a lot of money, making new friends for life and gaining important skills that will transfer over to many other industries.
Yachting is for anyone who loves to go out of their way to please. However, it is open to all sorts of personalities – every boat is different. Take a look at our page on what makes a great superyacht crew for more information.
The minimum age to work on a yacht is 18 years old. While there is a chance of finding work straight after school, we suggest getting some work experience before departing South Africa.
Get Onboard has partnered with some centrally located accommodation providers as well as premium backpackers. If you require accommodation for the duration of your training, just be sure to mention it in an email and we will forward the options.
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