FAQ

Aim to look as neat and tidy and well-presented as possible; fashion statements are not appropriate, nor is the beach/surf vibe! This is a highly professional industry so show you understand that in your appearance. Nails should be clean and trimmed (that goes for guys too), hair should be tidy and make up should be very subtle, as should perfume. Some yachts in particular will not consider sheer fabric or too much skin on display to be appropriate and please do not even think of going to an interview – even with a Crew Agent – straight from the beach!

Please don’t! Any information regarding your yacht, guests and owners should be considered as highly confidential and this rule must be respected. Confidentiality for guests is sacrosanct and even a conversation in a bar overheard by the wrong person (read journalist) can break that rule and can even have legal implications. To paraphrase an old saying, loose lips lose jobs – don’t let it be you.

More and more yachts will request a drugs test before employment and will carry out random testing throughout the year. These can run the full gamut of tests up to hair follicle testing. Just say no!

If you do have body art, it’s always best to be upfront and honest with your Recruitment Consultant and the vessel from the start. “Visible tattoos” are usually defined as a tattoo that is not covered by standard uniform.
You may be requested to remove visible piercings and jewelry during work hours. This is often health and safety reasons.
Some piercings, (i.e. facial piercings, flesh tunnels, etc.) and visible tattoos will not stop you from working in the industry but may restrict your opportunities to work on some vessels.

Bear in mind that crew cabins are relatively small and storage space is at a premium so it’s best to travel light – ideally with a squashy holdall rather than a rigid suitcase. You will be provided with crew uniform including shoes and all toiletries (apart from any personal preferences) so all you will need are a few outfits for your down time plus any sports/training gear. Its worth remembering storage space is limited and you should carefully consider what belongings you bring with you.

With a private yacht, the owners of the yacht will use it with their family and invited guests. This allows you to get to know your owners (always respecting the invisible wall between you and them of course!) and to be able to anticipate their requirements. A charter yacht is also privately owned and the owners may also use the yacht; however, it is also available for other groups of people to charter for any length of time at the owner’s discretion; this could be for a day or a month although it tends to be a couple of weeks. This means you have to adapt quickly to each new set of guests and their individual characters and requests. A charter yacht is more varied but can also be a lot busier.

This is impossible to answer definitively. Some crew manage to get jobs within a few weeks of looking for work and for others, it can take a lot longer. It is a mixture of luck, diligence, networking, and being pro-active that will help towards securing a job.

Languages can always come in useful when you are travelling around and sometimes yachts will ask for a particular language speaker. However, English is the main language required – it is the international maritime safety language – any others are a bonus.

Contracts can be seasonal or long term. The Mediterranean season tends to run from April – October (although it can be a bit fluid) and the Caribbean/winter season will be from November to March. Some contracts will be for shorter periods depending on the requirement of the yacht, but generally speaking you should try to make yourself available for the full season (or longer) if you can.

There are “couple friendly” yachts within the industry, however, opportunities for couples roles are far less common and generally lean towards more experienced and seasoned crew with proven longevity.