life working on a super yacht

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Sun, sea and silver service: what’s it like crewing on a superyacht?

“A ccés Interdit,” says the sign on the Quai des Milliardaires in Antibes. Behind a barrier the superyachts rise like a skyline in white and royal blue. This is the smartest address in a smart town. Riff-raff are discouraged.

Still, nobody pays much attention as I wander up to the first of these beasts, the motor yacht Katara. Owned by the Emir of Qatar , it is thought to have cost around $300m. You don’t spend that much on a boat not to have anyone notice. Crew in white shirts and khaki shorts swarm over its decks, making final preparations to the scene. Everything is immaculate. Glasses and cutlery are laid on tables. Sun-loungers are set out on the teak transom, towels rolled in tight cylinders. On the top deck a helicopter waits. It all gleams in the sunshine.

At the end of the gangplank a steward stands with his hands behind his back. The boat is 124m long, he explains. He doesn’t own it himself. They are waiting for someone. He won’t tell me who. No, I can’t have a look around. That’s enough, thanks. His tone makes it clear that he does not want scruffy tourists loitering and that he has ways of enforcing this wish. As I leave I take a final wistful look up at the decking. It does look rather nice, I think, but then again that’s the whole point. More than any other status symbol, these boats are the ultimate projections of global hyper-wealth: floating embassies of a world that is highly visible but impossible to touch.

Unless you get a job on one, that is. The promise of a peek into this rarefied kingdom is the reason thousands of young British people head to the Mediterranean each spring. They are motivated by the same reasons people have always gone to sea: money, adventure and escape. Depending on where you draw the line (“super” is generally thought to start at around 30m long), there are more than 5,000 superyachts in the world. Most of them will pass through Antibes at some point. The biggest need up to 70 crew.

“After school I worked as an estate agent and then in recruitment,” says James, 21. “But I’d had enough of sitting behind a desk. Family members had boats and I’d always loved the sea. I wanted to follow my dream.” He has been in Antibes since May, living off a mixture of savings and day-work while he looks for a more solid position. He is staying at the Grapevine, a crew house which sleeps up to 36 potential “yachties”. As ever in this business, money flows like water. He pays €1,000 a month for his room, but can make that back easily if he finds the right work. “And if it doesn’t work out, there’s time enough to work in an office again down the line.”

“I’d had enough of cutting hair,” says Alex, 23. Growing up in Sandbanks, Dorset, she also found out about the yachting world through a family connection. “My step-brother came out here and paid off all his university debt,” she explains. “He practically begged me to come out.” She left her job in a salon and flew out in April, and has just finished her first proper job – a two-and-a-half month charter.

The work, for the vast majority of men and women, mostly consists of cleaning. Men are usually deckhands, or “deckies”. They clean the outside of the boat. Women are stewardesses, or “stews”. They clean the inside of the boat. “It’s basically a car wash on a massive scale and things have to be immaculate,” says James. A big yacht can easily take two days to clean, and in the season it needs cleaning constantly. The decks are made from untreated teak, a legacy from the days of sail and as labour-intensive as floors come. It would be easy to have a protective coating on the teak or simply to use a different material, but the global elite value its pinkish hue. Toilets are cleaned with toothbrushes and cotton buds.

Many yachts are chartered out to offset the outrageous cost of maintaining them, usually considered to be about 10% of the build price per year. The rule of thumb is that they cost $1m per metre to build or buy, and more at the top end: by this logic a 50m boat, far from unusual these days, will have cost $50m to build and $5m per year to run. At 180m, Azzam, launched last year and commissioned by Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan , the president of the UAE, is currently the largest privately owned vessel in the world. Built by the German yard Lürssen, it is estimated to have cost $605m.

The charter costs reflect these figures. Roman Abramovich’s boat, Eclipse, is thought to be the priciest available to rent, at $2m per week, or $11,900 per hour. That’s before fuel, water, food and tips for the crew, who will cater to the guests’ every whim as the yacht hops from Sardinia to Monaco to Greece or, during the winter, the Caribbean. They are the perfect tonic for the people prepared to blow millions on a holiday: think Jay-Z, Leonardo DiCaprio, Simon Cowell, and untold numbers of hedge-funders and investment bankers.

For yachties, these charters are the goal. They range from a couple of days to six weeks in length, and pay starts at €2,000 a month. British law has a loophole exempting maritime employees, but few of the people I talk to seem overly preoccupied by tax. Most are paid directly into offshore accounts. Crew live onboard and all food is provided. With no expenses, savings can quickly add up, especially when they are supplemented by tips. The rule of thumb is €1,000 per crew member per week, but these can go up to €5,000 or even higher.

“You earn every cent,” says Lizzie Irving. “I found it unbelievably tough. You work hard and play hard.” Originally from Scotland, Lizzie moved to France after leaving university to start a concierge service, but she was washed out by the recession. She worked on the boats for a year before moving on to land, where she is now sales manager for Bluewater, one of the biggest crew-services providers. They have more than 52,000 people on their books, including 11,000 Britons, for every position from captains to engineers and chefs.

“We do our best to help people get work, but ultimately it’s down to them,” she says. “And each boat is different. Some captains want career-minded grafters, others want a more relaxed vibe. It’s difficult to generalise.” She adds that although billionaires might seem recession-proof, the industry is not immune to the natural shocks of the world economy.

“In 2008, after the financial crisis, we had a huge number of people from the City coming down to be crew. Economics and maths graduates who had lost their jobs and wanted to try something new. But it was a tough market anyway, because those who had money couldn’t be seen to be using it, and those who had jobs didn’t want to leave them. Now the market is back to normal, and crew are more willing to move around.

“People get shiny-eyed about the boats. It’s a beautiful industry that’s seen to be prestigious. Outsiders don’t really appreciate the hard work that goes into it. If you are a steward you have to know how to serve every different nationality and religion. You could have Russian or Arab guests, Jewish or Muslim or Christian. I had to serve royalty. You might have three lactose-intolerant guests, two gluten-free and three children. They might want fillet steak when you are 300 miles from shore. You have to be ready for everything and it’s not acceptable not to know what to do.”

Culinary choices are only the start of the potential tensions on board. Compared with the five-star hotel standard of the guest state-rooms, the crew accommodation is usually cramped and shared. Crew will wake up to serve breakfast and then stay until the last guest has gone to bed, meaning days can be up to 20 hours. There are no weekends at sea. On superyachts the owner is God, followed quickly by the captain and the guests. A verbal tic of the industry is to refer to “my owner”. They range from the friendly to the downright tyrannical.

“On my first job the owner arrived in the night,” says Sarah, a woman in her 30s with more than a decade’s experience in the industry. “We were all lined up on the deck ready to greet him and his wife. The wife went down the line shaking everyone’s hands. When she got to me she said, ‘Oh, another new one.’ She lifted her shoes up to my face. ‘Clean my shoes,’ she said. I was ready to quit there and then.

“A few weeks into the trip I saw one of the Filipino personal servants running out of a cabin with blood coming from her nose. The wife had thrown a shoe at her head when she found a dress had fallen off its hanger in her closet. I asked the chief stewardess why the maid didn’t quit. ‘She can’t quit,’ she explained. ‘Madame went to the Philippines with a briefcase of cash and bought her. The owner’s wife threatened to throw her passport overboard so she’d never see her family again.’ The next morning I saw her with her hands around the same girl’s throat. I resigned in response, but on my last night I was carrying a tray of drinks and tripped on a Picasso that was lying in a corridor, fell down the stairs and broke my foot. It was quite an eye-opening first yacht job.”

And despite seeing this, Sarah says she still feels bound by a peculiar omerta which surrounds the industry. Nobody I spoke to would name owners or guests on the record. Many are bound by formal non-disclosure agreements, and few are keen to risk a lawsuit from some of the world’s most powerful men. “These guys make their own rules. They have private security all over the boat. You don’t fuck with them.”

Stories as extreme as this are unusual. “That’s the worst story I’ve heard,” says Jo Morgan, who used to work on boats. “It’s certainly not representative. Also, yachts are like a private house. Most crew don’t think it’s right to gossip about someone’s family life. And they’d never get hired again. Discretion is everything.”

Nevertheless, employment rights are nonexistent at many levels. In theory, many of the superyachts’ flag states are signatories to the Maritime Labour Convention , which guarantees certain rights to employees. But they were principally designed for container ships, so unsuited to the yachting world, and many yachts either ignore them or take liberties.

There is rarely maternity leave, and you can’t take a child onboard, so women’s careers in yachting end abruptly when they become mothers. You can be hired or fired on a whim. “I was told I was let go from my last job because I didn’t smile at the captain enough,” says one woman I speak to. “The real reason was that the captain was French and wanted a French crew. You can be fired for being too old or too young, or not having the “right look” (typical translation: not good-looking enough).” It is not uncommon for an owner to wake up one morning and fire the entire crew without notice.

“I struggle sometimes because I have tattoos,” says Alex. “Some people don’t want to be served by someone with a tat. If I had known I would be doing this work when I got them, I might have thought twice.” Alex is lucky that her old job, hairdressing, is coming in useful out here, too. “One of the crews needed haircuts so I went on to cut all their hair,” she says. “The captain invited me for dinner as a reward.” Food is one of the great perks onboard, with chefs catering for the crew almost to the same standard as for the guests and the owners – spreads for lunch and dinner.

Although abuse is unusual, the work can still be unpleasant, particularly for women. While there are female deckhands and male stewards, they are the exceptions. “My feeling is that it’s often a better job for men than for women,” says Jo Morgan. “Men get to drive the tenders and show the guests how to use the jet skis. Often these are skills the billionaires don’t have – most of them wouldn’t even know how to turn their yacht on – so there’s an element of respect there. But they’re used to being waited on, so they’re not impressed by having someone serve them a drink, or having their bed made with hospital corners. Which is a shame, because the level of service is high and requires real skill.”

Alex agrees that the job is not always how it appears to the outside. “My boat went to the Monaco Grand Prix, which sounds amazing,” she says. “But during the race I watched the cars going by on the boat’s CCTV while I was cleaning loos below deck.” Other tales are simply of excess. Everyone has at least one ridiculous story and it is impossible to tell which are true and which apocryphal. The pig flown in from Denmark because someone wanted a hog roast. The owner who hires dwarfs to waterski around the boat for his amusement. The dry cleaning sent to Paris by Learjet. The artificial beach assembled on the back of one boat each day. The deckhands sent into the ocean to manually clear the area of jellyfish before a guest went swimming. Anything and everything procured on demand.

Prostitutes are often brought onboard on some yachts. “You couldn’t work on a busy charter boat if you weren’t happy coming into contact with hookers,” says Sarah. “Sometimes they are underage. You do wonder what you’re doing with your life when you find yourself being bossed around by a prostitute, but then you think that her first day at work was probably worse. What I find harder is when you have an owner on board with his mistress and then a day turnaround before his wife arrives – particularly if you like the wife. If you are a student of politics, it can also be difficult to wait on someone you find morally abhorrent. Islam Gaddafi was on one of my boats just before I joined it, which I would have found difficult. But you have to learn not to take rudeness personally.”

“The other thing you see is the alienating effect of great wealth,” Sarah adds. “I’ve had owners who have just recently come into their money. They buy a yacht and at the start of the season they are very friendly. They let the crew address them by their first names and crack jokes. Then they look at all the other boats and realise how things are done. They close up and become much more formal. By the end of the season they are eating hamburgers alone from a white tablecloth with candelabra, while everyone calls them ‘sir’. They get delusions of grandeur and I think it can be very lonely. You’ll sometimes be cruising along and the guests will be drinking champagne awkwardly on deck. On the shore you’ll see a few people drinking tinnies and fishing with their mates, and you think ‘who’s happier here?’”

Perhaps because of this, relations between crew and guests are unusual, if not unheard of. “That’s what skorts are for,” laughs Alex, referring to the harassment preventative qualities of the short/skirt hybrid favoured by female crew. “I heard of one stewardess who married their owner, but those kinds of relationships are rare.”

Drugs are less ubiquitous than you might think. “If drugs are found on board a captain can lose his licence and they don’t want to risk their whole careers,” says Sarah. “I’ve heard of captains kicking guests off for drug use. But equally there are some who turn a blind eye. Each boat is a unique little society. You can’t generalise.” For the crew it is a high-risk game as well, with random drug tests increasingly common. There are plenty of “dry boats”, where the crew can’t have alcohol onboard. “Don’t screw the crew” is another common policy, but apparently often ignored..

There is plenty of mischief ashore between gigs, as you would expect from good-looking 18- to 30-year-olds who find themselves in a port town with thousands of euros and only a short time to spend them. “Boats are a nightmare for relationships,” says Jo. “There’s so much pressure, and you’re always working in close quarters with other attractive young people. And boats are often reluctant to take couples on board because if you split up it’s a political and emotional mess for the whole crew.”

Yet for all of these difficulties, the allure of the job persists. Good charters are a well-paid way to see some of the most beautiful places on earth, from the comfort of the most luxurious vessels ever made. “If you’re not sociable you don’t last long,” says Alex, “but if you can get along with people you make friends for life almost immediately, from all over the world.” She isn’t alone. Everywhere you go you hear the same story: of people who have tried to leave the industry, but keep finding themselves drawn inexorably back to the south of France.

“When it’s good, it’s amazing,” agrees Tom, 27, who worked in yachts for two years in the Mediterranean and Miami. “We had a charter with a British musician – a household name – and I realised that the key was to make sure his kids had a good time. I concentrated on that: playing games with them, taking them swimming, going on the jet skis. They had a great time, and at the end we got a tip of €6,000. You realised that for all of their wealth, these people struggle so hard to find peace. That’s what they pay for, and why privacy is so highly valued. You’re in the middle of the ocean. Nobody can bother you.”

For the crew, as well, life on board can be as enlightening as it is horrific at times. Somewhere between cutting cigars, pouring champagne and unblocking toilets, this is a job like few others.

“I am so pleased to have worked in yachting,” says Jo. “I have stories for the rest of my life. Every time you join a yacht and meet your new crew, or look out of the porthole when you arrive in the Maldives, or the Seychelles, you get a kick. It’s an adventure. It gave me an education, about myself and the people who rule the world. You cannot come out the same you went in.”

Some names have been changed. None of the events reported in this article took place on the yachts pictured

• Life and style
• Sailing holidays
• Boating holidays
• Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

More on this story

Sailing in Cornwall: learn the ropes – in a weekend

World's largest superyacht: a floating private members' club for billionaires

Sailing off Iceland … is no holiday

Superyachts and bragging rights: why the super-rich love their ‘floating homes’

Sail a Viking ship in Roskilde, Denmark

Sir Philip Green's yacht and other assets could be seized, says regulator

Boat trips and cruises worldwide: readers’ tips

Inside the billionaires' superyachts: helipads, tennis courts and a missile defence system

Who wants to serve a billionaire?

Battle of the superyachts: architects go overboard

Comments (…), most viewed.

Guide to Becoming a Yacht Stewardess Working on Superyachts

Pin this post for later!

This working on superyachts guide is a authored by Carryn.

Working on superyachts seems glamorous, right? Your office overlooks crystal clear waters and your job involves stepping into the life of the rich and famous.

Not to mention, you get paid a fortune whilst doing so! But, as with most things in life, there’s more to the yachting industry than what meets the eye.

This guide details all the steps to getting a job working on a super yacht and what life is really like as a yacht stewardess — the good, the bad and the ugly!

Table of Contents

Before I Became a Yacht Stewardess

After 6 months working on a superyacht, is it easy to get a job working on superyachts, connections within the yachting industry, other qualities needed to become a yacht stewardess, the salary for a yacht stewardness, 1. do you want to become a yacht stewardess or a deckhand, role of a yacht stewardess working on a super yacht, role of a deckhand, other positions available for working on superyachts, 2. requirements for working on superyachts, 3. where to get a job: the mediterranean or the caribbean, 4. visa requirements for working on superyachts, 5. working on a private yacht vs a chartered yacht, 6. how to land that job as a yacht stewardess, register with yacht crew agencies, networking with other crew and yacht stewardesses, how much does it cost to work on a super yacht, what is life really like working on superyachts, how i got my job working on a superyacht, 1. how much time do you have to get a job, 2. do you believe in yourself, 3. are you ready to work your ass off every single day, how to become a ski instructor almost anywhere in the world, how to be a travel nanny and work as you travel, how to be an au pair in spain + tips for getting a job, how to work abroad & travel the world, how you can work abroad without experience so you can travel longer.

After graduating from college in South Africa, I jumped straight into the working world and started “adulting”.

After 3 months of long, hard work, with very little pay, I decided that I was tired of being broke and living in debt.

In an attempt to see just how versatile my skills were, I quit my job in search of greener pastures on the other side of the world, France. Here, I began what I thought would be a lifelong career as a yacht stewardess. I was intrigued by the idea of working on superyachts, how glamorous it all was and of course the MONEY.

Working as a yacht stewardess changed my life for the better. When I left for France I was a young, naive college graduate who struggled to find a balance between traveling and being financially independent.

6 months later, which is a lot earlier than I’d expected, I decided to throw in the towel. The money I’d made was amazing yet never gave me the job satisfaction I was actually looking for. I returned home with a new-found love for my country, my family and the smaller things in life.

Working on superyachts put my life into perspective.

It was an extremely personal time filled with self-reflection and allowed me to appreciate and value my own personal skills and work ethic.

Working on Superyachts: The Basics

A superyacht is a large luxury boat that’s longer than 24 meters. These yachts are owned by the rich and famous and often make their way between the Caribbean and the Mediterranean waters.

These superyachts need crew to provide them with that 1st class service. And this is where the thousands of yachties come into play.

People often confuse working on superyachts with that of working on cruise ships. No, they are not the same! Working on a superyacht is a far more intimate job. There can be two to twelve guests on board and you’re at their beck and call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

It’s a grueling job that will have you working long hours in confined spaces, but the rewards are far greater than those of the cruise ships.

Yes and no.

The yachting industry is a difficult one to get into, but once you have your foot in the door, you’re guaranteed future work and better positions. However, getting that first job working on a superyacht is the hardest part.

You will struggle to secure a job in advance as most captains and crew agencies want to meet you in person before they hire you. As a result, you need to go to the yachting hubs where you will spend your time job hunting.

Securing a job takes time. For some, it’s a matter of days, but for most, it takes weeks or even months.

The saying “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know” never rang so true as it does in the yachting world. If you have connections in the industry, you shouldn’t have a problem getting a job as a yacht stewardess.

The yachting industry is a small one and referrals are the easiest way to land your first job.

Owners want young, good-looking crew running around after them. As a yacht stewardess, your uniform consists of short skirts and tight shirts and you need to look presentable and professional at all times. If you fit this profile of a yacht stewardess, finding a job working on a superyacht will be a lot easier for you.

Your personality and drive also play a huge factor. Captains and owners want outgoing, energetic and friendly crew who will get on well with the rest of the team.

You have very little personal space and whilst conflicts are bound to happen, you will have to master the art of the “smile and walk away” and avoid confrontations with other crew and guests.

So yes, getting a job working on superyachts isn’t easy, but if you have the above points covered, I bet you could get a job!

The starting salary for a yacht stewardess or deckhand is roughly 2,500€ per month. This is with no experience and excludes 10% tips  — which you receive on chartered trips. These tips could quite easily match your base salary. And it’s all tax-free!

You have no rent to pay as you live on board the boat. Your meals are prepared for you by the qualified chef, and you don’t need to purchase any groceries or toiletries.

EVERYTHING is covered. What I saved in 5 months whilst working on superyachts has taken me a full year to make as an English Teacher in Korea !

Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it?

How to Work on a Superyacht: 6 Steps

Each of these superyachts needs 6-10 crew who all work together to ensure the smooth running of the luxury vessel. There are many positions available ranging from engineers to chefs but most crew start off as either a yacht stewardess or a deckhand.

As a yacht stewardess or stew, as it’s more commonly referred to, your main tasks are housekeeping and ensuring that the interior of the yacht is properly maintained. You need to provide the highest standards of hospitality and ensure that the guests are taken care of. To put it bluntly, you’re a glorified maid wearing a cute outfit!

Daily Tasks of a Yacht Stewardess

As a yacht stewardess, your daily tasks whilst working on a private yacht include meticulous cleaning of the interior of the boat such as the cabins, toilets and living areas. You’re responsible for all the laundry, ironing as well as flower arranging, and table setting for all meals.

You need to provide a silver service dining experience and make world-class cocktails whenever the guests request. If there are children on board your yacht, you may also be asked to keep them entertained whilst ensuring all your other tasks are completed.

Working Hours

Your days start when the first guest awakes and end when the last guest goes to bed! If they’re out clubbing until 4 am, you’ll have to stay up to welcome them back on board and perhaps serve them drinks upon their return.

There are no free weekends if you’re on charter and you rotate shifts with the other crew, who also work just as hard. Because of this, the hours are long and tiring and if you have demanding guests, you could feel completely broken by the end of it.

The workload and the sort of work changes depending on the season, whether you have guests on board and any maintenance issues.

The deckhand’s position is more geared for men and includes maintaining the exterior of the yacht as well as all the deck equipment. You scrub the boat, top to bottom and it’s a physically demanding role. Tasks include cleaning the engine, painting, and varnishing the deck. You’re in charge of the fenders and ropes as well as the tenders and jet skis.

Perhaps you’re a qualified chef, engineer or beautician. These jobs are also available but with no prior yachting experience, you will struggle to find positions available.

You may want to apply as either a yacht stewardess or deckhand first, and highlight these additional skills in your CV. This is because there are more opportunities for stews and deckhands. Captains will also be reluctant to hire a chef or engineer who’s doesn’t have experience working on superyachts as the demands are different from those of the normal day job.

To find a job working on superyachts, there are a few basic requirements that you need to meet.

STCW stands for Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. There are 5 modules that need to be completed within this required course. These include:

• Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities (PSSR)
• Fire Fighting
• Personal Survival Techniques (PST)
• Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD)

Eng 1 (Seafarer Medical Certificate)

This is an exam to ensure you don’t suffer from any existing medical condition that may deter you from performing your job. You’ll be required to take a urine sample and a doctor will perform a physical exam to ensure you have no issues with your sight or hearing.

Additional Courses to Work on a Superyacht

Once you’ve secured your position, your chief stewardess or captain will conduct proper in-house training to ensure you know how to work on a yacht and complete the tasks to their standards.

The below courses will prepare you for your new job and will add value to your yachting CV, but they are costly and are not a requirement.

• Stewardess courses where they cover interior care skills, silver service, table setting, cocktail service as well as flower arranging.
• Food Safety Certificate Level 2 . This certification applies to crew working on MLC compliant yachts. Service personnel such as chefs and yacht stewardesses working out of the galley will need this food hygiene certification.
• Powerboat Level 2 allows you to ride the tender and is beneficial for deckhands.

There are 2 yachting seasons: The Mediterranean and the Caribbean Season.

Each of these areas has yachting hubs where crew base themselves when looking for work. These towns are filled with aspiring yachties all gunning for the same position. Once the season is complete, your yacht may move to warmer waters or dock in the harbor until the winter season has passed.

The Mediterranean Yachting Season

The yachting season in the Mediterranean starts as early as April where these superyachts start crewing up and the season continues until August. The main hubs to look for work in the Mediterranean include Antibes in France and Palma de Mallorca in Spain.

The Caribbean Yachting Season

The Caribbean season is active all year round with September to March being the busiest months. Ft. Lauderdale in Florida is the main hub which attracts hundreds of crew every year. From here the boats move toward Antigua and St. Maarten in the Caribbean and as well as the Bahamas where guests enjoy the crystal-clear waters and tropical islands.

• Caribbean: If you’re heading to the United States of America, you’ll need a B1/B2 Visa.
• Mediterranean: A Schengen visa is required if you are going to France or Spain.
• Seaman’s Book: Once you find a job working on a super yacht, you need to arrange a seaman’s book. This is recognized as proof that you are working on a yacht and is also a compulsory document when applying for a transit visa.

There are two kinds of superyachts: Private yachts and chartered yachts.

Private Yachts

Private yachts are used exclusively by the owner.

In some cases, the owner may use the yacht a few times a season and so the crew will have a more relaxed schedule. But don’t take this for granted. I spent 5 months working on a private yacht and had guests on board every day!

Chartered Yachts

Chartered yachts are hired by groups of people for a shorter duration.

You usually have a day or two to get the yacht ready for each charter. This means that the guests are always changing, and the routes are very busy. However, it’s standard for the crew to receive 10-20% tips from the guests. Not too bad if you ask me!

So you’ve completed your yachting courses and you’ve decided whether you’re going to the Mediterranean or the Caribbean. Flights are booked, and visas have been organized. Now, you need to get a job working on a superyacht.

Find a Crew House for the First Week After Your Arrival

These crew houses are like hostels catering for new yachties. They are slightly more expensive than other accommodation you can find. However, it’s worth staying in a crew house for the first week while you try to find your way around your new surroundings.

If you’re heading to the South of France, I highly recommend “The Crew Grapevine” which is where I started off.

The crew houses are generally a stone’s throw away from the harbor and the staff working there understand the yachting world and will help you find your feet.

The owners of these crew houses are also highly respected in the industry and if you make a good impression, they may put in a good word for you with a captain they know. The crew houses also include free printing which is great when you have to print out hundreds of CVs.

Reserving Your Spot at a Crew House

These crew houses are extremely popular and because of the uncertainty of the yachting industry, you cannot book your spot in advance. Some people land a job working on a private yacht after 2 days and so they leave the crew house immediately, others only leave after 2 months!

The best way to get into a crew house is to keep in contact with them when you start organizing your trip.

Introduce yourself and let them know your plans. Then, a week before your arrival, mail them each day to see if they have openings available. I received an email confirming my booking the day I landed in France. Talk about cutting it fine!

After your first week, you would know your way around and would have met other yachties. Together you can rent an apartment for the rest of your stay as this is a far more affordable option.

Finding Daywork on a Yacht

Daywork is temporary work on board a superyacht where you help the other crew complete their duties, but you don’t stay on board the boat.

Daywork on a yacht is a great way of earning money and building up your CV whilst looking for a permanent job as a yacht stewardess.

You get paid $100 – $150 for the days’ work and this should be enough to keep you going for a few extra days.

Dock Walking

As the name suggests, dock walking involves walking through the marinas in search of work on a yacht. With a big, friendly smile on your face, you approach the many superyachts and hand your CV over to the crew.

You’ll most likely face rejection as the boats will have crew but hold your head up high and keep going! For tips on how to create the perfect CV, check this post out.

Security at some of these docks has become extremely tight and dock walking is not allowed in some marinas. This is especially true in the US so perhaps you need to look at some of the below options when looking for work on a yacht.

Yachts are interesting locations to work; you’re often plunged into very formal environments, so professionalism is key.

Yacht crew agencies are often the first port of call for captains looking for a yacht stewardess or deckhand. Registering with these crew agencies can be done through an online application where you include your work experience, qualifications, current location and contact details. This is followed by an interview which needs to be done in person.

This is the easiest way to get a job working on superyachts but if you don’t make an impression, they won’t remember you.

Making connections within the industry is of utmost importance when looking for a job as a yacht stewardess. Put yourself out there and find a common interest with other crew you meet. If they like you, they’ll pass your details onto their captains.

But of course, be aware that every new yachtie is looking to make these connections. You need to stand out from the rest and avoid hanging out in spots that only attract new crew.

Getting a job as a yacht stewardess can take days, weeks and even months. However, I firmly believe that this is dependent on the individual. I’ve met people who’ve invested all the time and money into working on superyachts and after a few months, they’ve had to return home as they were unsuccessful in finding a job and so their funds ran dry.

The competition is strong and when you’re at these yachting hubs, you may feel overwhelmed by the number of newbies in the industry. But, your luck can change in an instant.

Getting into the yachting industry is not cheap as your initial expenses are NOT covered. You need to support yourself financially until you get a job working on a superyacht. It’s a big investment, but one that you can pay back within your first month of work.

Cost for these courses vary between countries and all amounts below are estimates.

These expenses include the following:

• STCW: $600-$1,200 for the 5 courses ($900 average)
• ENG1 Medical: $80
• Flights to the yachting hubs in the Mediterranean or Caribbean: $1,000
• Visa: $60-$120
• Accommodation for your first week: $275
• Meals for your first week: $200
• Additional expenses: $100
• Total expense = $2,645

Bearing in mind that it can take weeks, if not months to find a job, your cost for food and accommodation could be considerably higher.

Your first season working on a superyacht will always be tough. Because you have no experience, you’ll most likely take the first job you can find as beggars can’t be choosers. You won’t really know what you’ve signed up for until you start working.

You’re the junior stewardess and everyone else has put in the hours and earned their stripes, now it’s your turn!

You may work a bit longer than the rest, you’ll be put in the laundry room and spend the entire day ironing and you’ll be the one waking up early. You’ll travel to exotic locations with the most stunning scenery. But you’ll only enjoy these views from the portholes of the cabins as there’s cleaning to be done.

But after you have one season under your belt, you’ll have more connections and can pick and choose what sort of yacht you want to work on. You will be able to find out which boats have easier guests and schedules and you won’t need to jump at the first job offer you get.

RELATED: 10 Jobs Abroad With Accommodation (& Without Experience!)

I started my yachting career in Antibes, France. After 3 days of dock walking, I was feeling extremely unmotivated by the sheer amount of crew looking for work.

I had invested so much time and money into getting to France, and financially I only had 2 weeks to find work before I was broke!

It was a beautiful sunny day and a lot of people were going to the beach to relax after a busy week of dock walking. I was torn between taking the morning off or continuing my search for work as a yacht stewardess. Reluctantly, I decided to first go to a few crew agencies and see if I could chat with one of their staff.

I must have made a good impression because two hours later I received a phone call for an interview with a captain. After a successful chat, I accepted the position and a few hours later I was on a train to Italy to start my career as a yacht stewardess working on a private yacht.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Commit to Working on Superyachts

It’s important to put pressure on yourself and set deadlines. Financially I only had two weeks to support myself. This was cutting it fine, but I feel that this pressure is what lead to me finding a job after only 4 days.

You’ll face rejection but will need to keep pushing through in order to secure a job. You’ll also have to justify the initial investment and if you don’t believe that you can cut it in the yachting industry, then perhaps you need to look for something less risky

Some days I worked for up to 18 hours and had very little sleep. My nails and fingers were scarred with blisters and cuts from washing so many crystal glasses. My skin went bad from not seeing the sun, and my legs were developing varicose veins from standing up all day.

But my crew were amazing. We all worked equally hard and supported each other on the difficult days. You might be lucky and find a sweet job with an easy schedule, however, prepare for the worst but this will only make you stronger.

In the end, my experience and the money I made was totally worth it. Think long and hard if you think you’re up for this kind of lifestyle. There are some that stick around and end up with great jobs who get extra tips and even flights to whatever country they want. It’s a fabulous job if you think you’re game for the challenges that come with it.

More Jobs Abroad

Do you have what it takes to work on a superyacht? Do you want to become a yacht stewardess? Let us know in the comments!

>>> Bio

Hey, I’m Carryn! I’m a nature enthusiast and passionate explorer who loves hiking, diving, and adventuring through new countries. My travels have taken me from the peaks of Kilimanjaro to the underwater worlds of Indonesia and have lead me to Korea where I am teaching English. I share my travel stories on my blog, Torn Tackies , where I aim to inspire people to step out of their comfort zone and explore the world that surrounds them.

Don’t lose this post! Click the picture to pin it for later!

TAKE THE SHORTCUT

Want to know how to live abroad without being rich.

Get my shortcut! It's THE ONLY guide you'll need on how to sustain a life abroad—NO BS!

Nina Ragusa is an adventurer, messy bun master, breakfast fan, and full-time travel blogger. She's been abroad since 2011 and blogging on Where in the World is Nina? for nearly as long. Nina helps people like you move around the world while making money. She loves talking about how to work abroad and online to travel longer! Read more about Nina

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi Nina, thank you so much for the information. I’m looking at doing my course (again) in November. Unfortunately I didn’t pursue the yachting industry the first time I did my course as I started working on the ships. But your insight has really motivated me to try again, so thank you.

Thank you Nina for sharing your info and guiding us, i do have a question though, i am a type one diabetic, and really want to work on a yacht, i am already currently in the Hospitality industry. Do you know whether type one diabetics are allowed to work on yachts?

Great info ! Thank you so much for sharing your experience, I’m looking forward to become a stewardess, I have a question: for working in the Mediterranean Sea it doesn’t matter which Schengen visa? I might have the chance chance to do a German visa, would that work? Thank you again J+

Thank you, Nina! I am heading to Antibes on May 1st to find my first yacht job and I am super excited! I’m always reading online and checking out any information I can in order to prepare, so this blog was a prize to find as it is loaded with fantastic info!

Hope you’re having a fantastic day, wish me luck!

Yes! The best of luck 🙂

Hi nina i have already documents f Seaman book and passport Eng1, food safety and level hygiene level 2

Stcw Sdsd My probllem is only the visa i want to earn already

Can you tell me whats lacking ,

How is the procedure in landing yachts ?

I think sometimes that when i travel my own expense in goin ‘

Like france

I think its too expensive

Or i think in mind that when i applied in us embassy here in philjppines for b1b2 visa

W/out a company yet is hard for me

Coz.i didnt travel yet in any location overseas I have first in mind that i justonly denied for that

Pls can you help me my dear ffriend Can you pls.humbly assist me in my dream career I am a greenie and recently took my iyt yacht card here in manila philippines

Its been an honor to have an indtrument /way like you

On helping othera like me

I want t hear your quick Humbly help my friend

Thank you so much Nina for all of this information! You’ve made me more excited to start my yachting career. I am heading to Phuket next month to take my STCW + Stewardess course, then am hoping to head over to Antibes after to start looking for work by March 🙂

That sounds SO exciting! Have fun 🙂

• Charter & Brokerage
• Yacht Design & New Builds
• Tenders & Toys
• Superyacht Events Calendar
• Career & Training
• Departments
• Superyacht Crew Finances
• Sustainability
• Shipyards and Marinas
• Health & Wellbeing
• Polar Region
• Our Services
• Meet the Team

Working an a Yacht & the Things I Wish I’d Known as a Stew

How many times have you thought: If only I had known ?

Jamila Garcia, founder of Starfish Crew is here to tell us what she wishes she knew before working on a yacht, with a simple career tip-based guide. She reminds us that even those who are happy with the path they have followed and have no regrets can still reflect on the past. There are always things that we think we should have done differently if we could go back in time.

So, what did yacht stew Jamila wish she’d have known?

Career tip 1-training:.

“If I was 18 again, and had to decide what I was going to do with my life, I would still complete professional butler training. That is the one thing that I have always known I wanted to do. However, I wouldn’t spend 6 years at Uni for that. After completing my training, I would look for a job at a luxury hotel, or private residence. I would work for a year, to achieve the experience I consider basic to work on a superyacht, even as a Junior. Then I would look for my first yachting job, because by that point, (unlike it happened “in real life”) I would know that the yachting industry exists and you can earn a lot of money working on a superyacht! So… I totally knew what my passion was long before yachting: high-end service. But, if that’s not the case with you, I wouldn’t recommend you to go spend thousands of euros on service (let alone housekeeping) courses. I have had many Stewardesses over the years with 0 to very little service experience, and they turned out to be amazing Stewardesses (most of them Chief Stews nowadays)”.

Figure out what you enjoy and start from there

• Find a job first
• See what the reality is when working on a superyacht
• Decide what aspects of it you really like
• Focus on that route

Let’s say that, before working on a superyacht, you didn’t have a clue that you were going to be passionate about wine.

• You love inventorying all those fantastic bottles onboard
• Decanting it
• Advising your guests on the correct wine for each menu…

Invest your hard-earned money on wine courses. Even become a Sommelier! It would be a privilege to have a qualified Sommelier on board and it would certainly be appreciated in the industry.

Let’s say you find yourself loving flower arranging:

Invest in flower artistry courses!

Let’s say you dream of becoming a Purser:

Invest in a professional Purser course!

This career tip is especially important as it will allow you to learn more about yourself and unlock your skills!

CAREER TIP 2-SIZE OF THE VESSEL:

“However, I did get one thing right: the size of the vessels I wanted to work on. At the beginning of my career working on a yacht, I was lucky. My first yacht was a 56-meter motor yacht. Because it was an explorer yacht, the interior was quite large for a vessel that size. I instantly felt comfortable on board. So that’s the size I have continued working on. The largest yacht I have worked on is 62 meters, with 17 crew. That was more than enough for me. I have never wanted to work on a larger vessel, even when I have been offered amazing positions on large yachts. I just know that I feel much more comfortable with a certain amount of crew around me. Amongst other factors”.

This is to say that no one knows you better than yourself.

• If you don’t feel comfortable working on a 100-meter vessel, or a 30-meter vessel, remember that when you are looking for your next position.
• Don’t just accept another position on the same size vessel you have just resigned from if a big part of the reason for your resignation was the size.

CAREER TIP 3-LONGEVITY:

“I stayed on my first yacht for 18 months. 18 Outstanding months. I did more nautical miles during those 18 months than during the eight next years. However, this was a private yacht where I basically did the-same-exact-thing every-single-day. Guests on and guests off. Because the yacht’s route wasn’t your typical “yachtie spots” I did not have contact with any other yachties other than my co-workers. I literally did not have a clue about the existence of charter yachts. Had I known I would have probably left my first yacht sooner. Not much sooner though, I would have done one year. Longevity, and all that, right?”

So, it is helpful to think about how long you should stay on your yacht and when to move on to the next

• Stay on every boat you work on for at least a year.
• Then, do whatever you feel you need to do with your career after your year onboard. Especially when you are just starting.

CAREER TIP 4-WORKING ON A PRIVATE YACHT OR CHARTER:

‘I personally would much rather work on a charter yacht. Not only because of the money. I just get too bored on a private yacht. I like to be the one deciding what I do with the table settings, theme parties, where to serve what etc. Owners telling me to serve red wine in the water goblet, and stuff like that… I just can’t deal. However, this is just me. You might feel much more comfortable knowing your guests, doing the same thing etc… That’s perfectly fine. Also, let me tell you something. Starting your yachting career on a “heavy charter” yacht might blow your mind (in a bad way). I was working on a yacht with a  heavy charter where two of the junior stews were 100% green and that was their first, and last, season. Charter yachts are pretty hardcore. So remember this if you get offered your first position on a heavy charter yacht’. 

You need to be able to know if you have a preference as to which yachts you would like to work on

• Try both when first starting out
• Then, decide what fits YOU better

‘I did not know that the yachting industry existed. Therefore, I couldn’t have sought out any advice or guidance on how to get into it from anyone. However, if I had to start again, the first thing I would do is look for a place to get all of this advice’.

Invest in getting the RIGHT information from the RIGHT people

• Find out the right steps to take to land your first position EXACTLY
• Connect with yachting industry professionals that could help you find a position
• Invest in: Getting a professional CV done, finding out what you are going to be asked during interviews, and, what your role will entail.

Two places which offer this advice is firstly www.starfishcrew.com

Download the free basic guide to working on superyachts here .

And, Crew Library also has many free resources and services.

We hope this article provided you with an insight into the life of a stew working on a yacht.

For more of the latest industry content, click here .

If you looking for your first position working on a yacht or maybe you are a seasoned yachtie looking for your next adventure. Head over to our jobs board to see our available positions.

Jamila Garcia

Related articles, the crew network – top jobs this week, superyacht language: nautical terms every crew member should know, how to keep your 2024 new year’s resolution onboard, making your superyacht a winter wonderland on water this christmas.

Popular Posts

• Our Month in Review: Magnificent May
• Torqeedo Announces Development Of New ‘Smart Motor Technology’
• H2 Have A Sleek New Concept To Show Us
• 2022 Sustainability trends
• M/Y Seven Seas for Sale

Superyacht Content

Social media influencer and digital brand expert.

Superyacht Content brings you the latest in social news for the superyacht industry.

Keep up to date with us across our social channels, and don’t forget to hit that share button!

• Superyacht News
• Superyacht Jobs
• Superyacht Marketing

Join our Newsletter

• Your Name First Last
• Your Email *

Copyright © 2023 Superyacht Content | Website Design by Zonkey

Privacy | Credits | Get in Touch

• My services
• Awareness & Support
• Guesthouse Casa Moria
• Get in touch

How to achieve a Better Work-Life Balance in Superyachting

Working and living on a superyacht with the same group of people all the time can present unique challenges due to the close quarters and extended periods of time spent together. Here are just some of the potential challenges that you will encounter working on superyachts.

Living Quarters

Personal space is limited, this applies to both your cabin and your personal life. The size of the boat and number of crew are the main factors that account for your living and working environment. The boat crew will also be a massive part of your social life on and off the boat, as well as the people you have to work with. Whenever possible try to disconnect alone from work on your downtime and find a place to relax, exercise and recharge the mind and body. It can be a lot of fun having a ready made social life and family type relationship on the boat but this can wear thin if you can’t say no to anything and find your downtime spent in the company of others.

Work-Life Balance

The line between work and personal life can blur when living and working with the same group of people. It can be challenging to find a balance between work responsibilities and personal downtime. Switching between personal and professional roles can be complex and challenging. Luckily on superyachts everyone has clearly defined roles and chain of command and this clarity can help minimise confusion and conflicts when switching between friend and boss roles.

Going out drinking with your crew may be great fun but it’s very important to separate personal and professional relationships. Always maintain professionalism no matter how friendly or close you are personally. Make sure to check your own behaviour and attitudes to be mindful of the balance between friendship and work relationships. Respect, empathy, support and understanding in any role goes a long way. If your in a supervisory position, be fair, objective and sensitive to needs and emotions of others. Teamwork, collaboration, sense of humour, and acknowledgment of a job well done will always build a positive, motivating work atmosphere.

Conflicts and Personality Clashes

Differences in work styles, habits, or personal preferences can create tension and strain relationships among crew members. Spending a significant amount of time with the same group of people especially in a high-pressure environment like working on a superyacht, can indeed lead to conflicts, personality clashes, and tension. Developing conflict resolution skills is a sought after and highly regarded skill set in any area of work. Being able to resolve issues effectively so it feels like a win win for everyone can be learned and should be promoted not just for those in charge but for all crew to learn and develop for current and future roles. This is a subject that will be talked about in more articles to come because it is not only promotes a positive work environment, but also has a big impact on productivity, staff retention and work satisfaction.

Living Apart (Couples & Families)

Living and working on a superyacht often means being away from friends, family, and loved ones for extended periods. Maintaining personal connections outside the yacht can be challenging due to limited time and connectivity while at sea. Couple roles do exist on superyachts but these jobs are not easy to come by. There are many other reasons why you may be separated from your partner and have no choice but live apart. This situation is becoming more common and to survive being away from loved ones requires a specific mind set and commitment.

Communication is a vital aspect of this lifestyle, a degree of planning and organisation is needed to stay connected and updated to share each others experiences. Working on superyachts is not a predictable environment so it’s important that others be understanding when you don’t call when planned.

Maintaining personal relationships while working on a superyacht requires effort, understanding, and flexibility from both sides. Finding a balance between work commitments and personal connections is a continuous process, but with proactive communication and intentional efforts, you can nurture and sustain your relationships while enjoying your time on the superyacht.

Emotional Well-Being

Taking care of your emotional well-being is crucial while living and working on a superyacht. Engaging in activities that promote relaxation, self-reflection, and stress reduction can significantly contribute to your overall well-being. Find ways to incorporate exercise into your schedule, whether it’s through a workout session in the yacht’s gym, swimming, yoga, or taking a walk when in port. Engaging in physical activity releases endorphins, which can uplift your mood and help you unwind.

Writing in a journal can be a cathartic and reflective practice. Use it as a space to express your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Journaling can provide a sense of release, self-discovery, and clarity. It allows you to process your feelings and gain insights into your experiences.

Practicing meditation or mindfulness techniques can help you calm your mind, reduce stress, and increase self-awareness. Find a quiet space on the yacht, close your eyes, and focus on your breath or use guided meditation apps to facilitate relaxation and mental clarity. Take advantage of moments in port or during leisure time to explore the natural surroundings, go for walks on the beach, nature can provide a sense of tranquility and perspective.

There are many more things to talk about working and living on superyachts, follow this category for more on these subjects as well as professional development and personal growth.

Insights with Mel, Bosun & Blogger

How To Become More Resilient

Do you wish you were more resilient does conflict at work raise your anxiety levels does toxic managment make your life unbearable, more from: awareness & support -->.

Do Mental Health Issues Affect or Impact Your Ability & Attitude to Work on Superyachts?

Unlocking Success – Harness The Power of Microhabits

How to Manage Uncertainties & Stress in Superyachting

• Superyacht Life

Life of a Superyachtie

I will get back to you shortly.

What can I do for you? Please let me know and we will get in touch shortly.

Send me a Whatsapp

🟢 Online | Privacy policy

Send me a text

Start a Superyachting Career

Start working on a superyacht by completing the following steps:.

• Have realistic expectations
• Select a superyacht job department
• Complete superyacht training courses
• Obtain an ENG1 medical certificate
• Select a location to join the industry
• Obtain visas & documentation
• Create a superyacht CV
• Find superyacht job vacancies

1. Have Realistic Expectations

• The superyacht industry is highly competitive and in order to qualify for employment a financial investment is required (training & travel)
• For applicants without relevant experience, being physically present at or near Superyachting hubs when searching for employment is important
• Obtaining the correct qualifications does not guarantee employment and training is not refunded
• Your passport and ability to obtain Visas have an impact on your employability
• Having contacts, experience, and the correct attitude is an advantage
• Working in the industry comes with some amazing benefits but like any career path, there are also disadvantages
• Being an extremely "hard worker" is not an advantage, it is expected
• The quality of work and attention to detail needs to be of a very high standard
• You need to be well-mannered, professional, and well-suited to living in close proximity to other crew
• Presentation matters
• Getting advice from multiple sources including crew who work in the industry is advised
• Different yachts, owners, crew, and itineraries = different experiences

2. Choose the Yacht Crew Department you Wish to Work in

Before joining the yachting industry, it is essential to decide on your career path. The work environment and duties associated with each superyacht department vary greatly. It is therefore advised that you understand the training, duties and requirements associated with each role. The most common roles for crew entering the industry are:

Steward / Stewardess

A superyacht stewardess is responsible for the guest service, housekeeping and laundry. In some cases, the position is combined with an additional role for those who come from a beauty or healthcare background.

Superyacht Deckhand

A deckhand is responsible for the cleanliness and upkeep of the yacht's exterior. Wash downs, line handling, tender driving, watersports and bridge lookout duties are common tasks for deck crew.

Superyacht Chef

Working as a superyacht chef comes with some unique challenges. Although the skills are certainly transferable, there is specific training and certification required. It can be a tough but extremely rewarding job.

Superyacht Engineer

Working on a yacht or superyacht as an engineer can be a rewarding career path. Although a background in engineering or mechanics is an advantage, it is not a prerequisite. The duties associated with the role are diverse, exciting and require a great deal of hard work.

3. Complete All Mandatory Superyacht Training Courses

Having the correct training and certifications is essential to your employability in the superyacht industry. In order to become a crew member, you will need to have completed the following training:

• STCW 2010 Basic training
• Proficiency in Designated Security Awareness or Proficiency in Designated Security Duties
• Department-specific training for your desired role. (I.e. stewardess, deckhand, engineer, chef, and officer courses)

4. Obtain an ENG1 or ENG1 Equivalent Seafarer Medical Certificate

ENG1 Medical Certificate (or ENG1 Equivalent)

Superyacht work can be physically demanding. Ensuring that crew are physically well and able to work at sea is a crucial aspect of the crew and guest safety.

In order to work on a superyacht, you will have to hold an ENG1 Medical Certificate. Because the certification is set by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), the examination must be performed by an MCA-approved doctor. The examination is done in order to identify any medical conditions that may prevent you from safely performing your work duties at sea.

5. Choose a Location to Join a  Superyacht

When looking for your first job it is essential to be in the right place at the right time. There are a lot of factors to take into consideration when selecting your location, however the two most popular areas for working on a superyacht are:

6. Obtain the Correct Visas & Documentation for the Relevant Superyacht Hub

It is essential to obtain the correct visa for the country you plan to work in. It is important to understand the types of visas that exist as well as the local laws with regard to job seeking.

7. Create a Superyacht Crew CV

A professional and well-structured superyacht CV will help differentiate you from other job seekers looking to enter the industry.

Superyacht crew resumes have a different structure to normal CVs. If your CV is not laid out appropriately, your chances of being considered for a position are slim.

Examples and more information on how to create a great CV can be found on the links below.

8. Find Superyacht Job Vacancies

Finding the right job in the superyacht industry takes time and commitment. Using credible resources is key:

- The My Crew Kit Superyacht Job Board - Crew Agencies - Social Media Pages - Dockwalking - Networking

My Crew Kit Job Board:

My Crew Kit has the fastest-growing job board in the industry. Find the latest jobs posted by crew agents, captains and crew around the world!

View the latest vacancies

Crew Agencies

Crew Agencies play an intermediary role between yachts and crew. There are numerous agencies scattered around the main yachting hubs. Registering is a simple process and can be done online, many agencies will then request a short interview in person.

Find out more about Crew Agencies

Social Media Pages:

Online job boards and social media pages are extremely useful ways to apply for jobs as well as to find day work. It is important to only apply to jobs if you meet the criteria (have the correct experience and qualifications).

Be wary of which jobs you apply to. We recommend you only apply for jobs from closed social media groups with active moderators. Fake job posts do occur at times. Make sure you do not meet with or send personal information to suspicious accounts.

Find Appropriate Social Media Pages

Dockwalking:

Dockwalking is the process whereby you walk the docks with the aim of getting day work or even landing a permanent job. It is a gruelling task as there are often long distances between docks and it requires hours on foot. It also involves a lot of rejection as many boats are fully crewed and not looking for employees.

Find out more about dock walking.

Networking:

Your introduction to the world of yachting. The industry is growing exponentially; every year more boats are built, and more crew join the industry. It remains however, a close-knit community that feels a lot smaller than it is. ‘Everybody knows everybody’ and finding a job through a friend or a friend of a friend is often the best way to go. Crew like to work with people they get along with. They are therefore much more likely to hire someone from their extended network of friends than to look elsewhere (provided experience and qualification requirements are met).

A Few Suggestions:

• Network at every opportunity you get.
• Socialise with people you meet at training courses.
• Attend dock parties and BBQs.
• Socialise with the people in your crew house and visit other crew houses.
• Join yacht groups on social media.
• Hang out in the ‘yachty’ bars and restaurants.
• The more people you know in the industry the better off you will be.

Username or Email Address *

Remember me Lost your password?

Username or Email

Get New Password

Seeker is the social platform to find and share the places you love.

0 Places . 0 Trips and Guides.

Please enter your email

• Seeker for Brands
• Become a Brand Ambassador
• Let’s connect

New to Seeker? Join for free

Already have an account? Login

Working on Superyachts: Our Guide to Getting Paid and Traveling the World

Sustainable travel expert, adventure seeker

Jakobstad, Finland

Throughout m y  ten years as a superyacht stewardess, people have been intrigued by the job and what they imagine it entails. Admittedly, I  have  worked for celebrities  and  visited places I doubt I would’ve seen if it weren’t for the job. However, being repeatedly woken by the steward’s buzzer and requests to “make the engines less noisy” is infuriating, even when it’s at the behest of one of the world’s most famous drummers. And guess what? A visit to Mustique is a lot less paradisiacal when you have to spend your one hour ashore frantically trying to find a blind masseuse and a case of vintage rosé.

As a seasoned yachtie, I can tell you all about the pros and cons of this much-lusted over job. Read on and find out if a life below decks could be the life for you. 

You’ll earn the kind of cash that can buy you a house

Become a yachtie and you’ll see a fat paycheck and your bank balance balloon as you start to earn the big bucks. We’re talking average monthly salaries starting around 3,000 Euro. If that doesn’t sound like a lot, keep in mind that you’ll have all of your expenses (everything from toothpaste to health insurance) conveniently paid for by the yacht’s owner. Smart sailors know that savings can quickly add up, especially when they are supplemented by generous charter tips. Hello down payment on a little white house by the sea! 

Pro tip: Many yachties get a bit carried away with being able to drop 150€ on a rosé lunch without flinching. I did, and the fact that I now own a ridiculous amount of unwearable shoes doesn’t make up for it. While it’s ok to occasionally revel in having an abundance of cash to spend on whatever you like, you’ll regret it if you don’t see your salary as an opportunity to invest in your future. 

You’ll see some of the most stunning and remote corners of the world

While the well-trodden  Mediterranean-in-summer-and-Caribbean-in-winter  circuit is nothing to be sniffed at, you could also hit the jackpot with a more adventurous owner. Imagine setting sail for a round-the-world trip, experiencing the lagoon-like waters and balmy trade-winds of the Pacific and/or exploring the Antarctic’s remote, white wilderness? Become a yachtie and these dreamlands can become your next port of call.

Personal faves:  If you’re lucky like me, you’ll get to sail to the  awe-inspiring Galápagos islands where you’ll experience close encounters with sea turtles, sea lions, and rays. Or, you’ll visit the incredible Marlborough Sounds and soak up cinematic colours, not to mention the chance to taste green-lipped mussels, washed down with that celebrated Kiwi wine: the Sauvignon Blanc.

You’ll laugh your butt off with newfound friends

There’s usually a tremendous sense of camaraderie on board a superyacht. The shared ‘pains’ of living the yachtie life acts as a kind of social glue and will no doubt result in friendships that you’ll cherish forever, not to mention places to crash in all corners of the globe.

Personal faves: I’m still regularly in touch with many of the funny, interesting, and lovely people that I worked with eons ago. In fact, it’s a whopping twelve years since I crossed paths with the Italian deckhand with a mop of blonde curls and wicked sense of humour that I still hang with. We’ll be celebrating our 11th anniversary later this year.

You’ll entertain your mates back home with stories that will blow their minds

A season on the sea will give you enough stories to entertain your mates back home for the next two years. My first season’s stories range from the sensational (a famous rapper handing me 500 USD for packing his suitcase in under a minute) to the distressing (days of rough seas and being violently ill in the Bay of Biscay). And from the hilarious (getting my butt stuck in a porthole while sneaking back onboard after curfew) to the totally brag-worthy ones (chats with Jamiroquay on a private Jamaican beach).

You’ll soak up epic sunsets and spot amazing wildlife all the time

The most dramatic seascapes, the illustrious green flash, pods of dolphins, and seas alight with phosphorescence are just a few of the wondrous sights that’ll become part of your everyday life. When sailing conditions are sweet and you’re bantering away with fellow crew while helming one of the world’s most beautiful sailing boats, it’s easy to think that this is  the  best job in the world.

Pro tip:  While it’s tempting to drag your feet and whine as you get hauled out of bed in the dead of night, try your best to stay stay present. Looking back, it’s during those 4-8am watch shifts that I witnessed the most vivid sunrises, saw the most incredible marine life, and had the best conversations with fellow crew.

You’ll feel as though you’re stuck in a BBC drama

Those weeks (or months) when you have charter guests (or the boss) offer plenty of moments that are less than ideal. To be honest, waking up early to serve breakfast and working a 16-18 hour day is nothing out of the ordinary. While some guests show genuine appreciation, others might call you ‘the girl’ and talk to you like a duchess might to a servant in a BBC costume drama. And you? That’s right, you have your hands behind your back and you smile.

Pro tip: Whether you’re dealing with an owner with more money than manners, a toffee-nosed guest, or an inconsiderate lump whose offensiveness is unintentional, don’t take it personally— it’s their problem, not yours.

You’ll find ironing someone else’s undies to be positively unglamorous

The work mostly consists of detailing and, believe you me, there’s nothing glamorous about that. Mopping up blood juice from the broken meat freezer is something no one aspires doing. Nor is folding little fans from the ends of toilet paper, dusting behind never opened books, or ironing the captain’s Calvin Kleins. In fact, many tasks you’ll be asked to do will make no sense at all . Guess what? You’ll be doing them anyway.

Pro tip: Questioning whether certain tasks are necessary or suggesting a different way of doing things hardly ever goes down well. Almost comparable to being in the merchant navy, you’ll need to respect the chain of command. Simply keep your cool and do as you’re asked and you’ll have very little to worry about.

You won’t make it to your best friend’s wedding

A random rich person (the yacht’s owner, aka, your boss) is now in control of your time, how much you sleep, your general whereabouts, and pretty much everything else that’s going on in your life. Your best friend’s wedding? Christmas with your family? Chances are you won’t be able to make it to either one. Even if there’s nothing scheduled to happen at the time you want to be away, you can be guaranteed that a last minute charter or broker’s viewing will arise and ruin your plans spectacularly.

Say goodbye to privacy and alone time

You’ll be sharing everything and ‘alone’ time will be a thing of the past. What’s more, you’re stuck on a boat with the same people all the time. Most of them are probably people you wouldn’t choose to hang out with and some will have habits that are downright disturbing. When you’re tired, grumpy, and fed-up with having to step over your roomie’s dirty knickers, you’ll start to sweat the small stuff and, occasionally, will feel the urge to strangle somebody. However, you won’t be able to ‘walk it off’ or talk to your mates about it over a beer in the pub.

Pro tip: Although onboard politics are a fact of yachtie-life, don’t join the drama club. Listen and offer advice when appropriate, but avoid getting sucked into someone else’s saga and/or spreading gossip. Oh, and a note on the latter: wherever you are on a yacht, there will always be someone that can overhear your conversation, no matter how far away from the others you think you may be. 

There’s no escaping the industry’s ‘golden handcuffs’

Those fat stacks I mentioned as one of the pros? Well, the downside is that it’s easy to become dependent on the income the industry can offer. In fact, many yachties end up feeling trapped within a lifestyle that they themselves have subconsciously created. 

Pro tip: Think about the future before you make investments that could ‘imprison’ you. If you don’t, you may one day find that you can’t afford to leave a job that you stopped enjoying a while ago.

Still up for this? Here’s how to go about it:

Step 1: Complete an STCW Basic Training Course. This is required if you dream of being able to work on a commercially registered yacht. Aside from classroom days, this five-day course includes a lot of fun stuff, such as clambering into life rafts and putting out fires the size of a house.

Step 2: Get ready to yachtifie your CV (make sure to mention hospitality work or other relevant experience such as massage or beautician skills) and head to a super yacht hub such as Palma de Mallorca, Antibes, or Ft. Lauderdale.

Step 3: Finally, you’ll need to sign up with one of the yacht crew agencies and keep checking social media pages such as Palma Yacht Crew ; the latter posts jobs and day work positions regularly.

A last word of advice:

Before you start booking flights and selling your furniture, I have one more piece of advice to share. One of the reasons I kept returning to work on boats is that I couldn’t seem to adjust to a ‘normal’ life ashore. Whenever I’d leave a job, I’d get itchy feet and crave adventure and the only way I knew how to get that (with a good salary) was in yachting.

So, if you still find yourself down yachting’s rabbit hole five or ten years from now, don’t say I didn’t warn y’all! But hey, if that rabbit hole includes ticking off a huge chunk of your travel bucket list and making lifelong friends, you’ll have zero regrets.

You might like

Yacht destinations: the 5 best places in europe to sail away.

• Bucket List

27 Heart-Shaped Natural Wonders Around The World

• North America

Castles in America: Discover Your Own Fairytale

10 ways to travel the world for free in 2023.

What’s a Hodad? And Other 60s Slang We Should Bring Back

The Flipping Nomad Does It Again With a One of a Kind RV

Woman Slapped with Lifetime Ban From Carnival Cruises

RVer Finds Python in His Storage and Brings It In His RV

• You Me and the RV
• Technomadia
• RV Odd Couple
• Nomadic Fanatic
• Less Junk More Journey
• Keep Your Daydream
• I'm Not Lost I'm RVing
• Getaway Couple
• Flipping Nomad

• Sailing Lifestyle

How to Live on a Super Yacht

Living on a super yacht is a dream come true for many people. The luxurious lifestyle, breathtaking views, and the freedom to sail across oceans and explore exotic destinations are why owning or chartering a super yacht is often the ultimate symbol of wealth and success.

However, living on these massive boats is not just about indulging in luxury and relaxation. The lifestyle requires careful planning, organization, and adaptability.

If you want to test the waters and live at sea on a super yacht, let’s see what it takes.

Let’s dive in and get started!

What Is a Super Yacht?

A super yacht is a luxury vessel, typically over 80 feet long, for pleasure cruising. Wealthy individuals or corporations usually privately own these vessels. They come with all the amenities and features one would expect from a high-end luxury resort. 

Super yachts range from sleek and modern to classic and elegant. Construction of these units is to the highest standards of craftsmanship and engineering. They can accommodate various activities, including dining, entertainment, and water sports. 

Crews for these vessels are often a team of professionals who provide personalized services to ensure guests have the most enjoyable and comfortable experience. Overall, they’re the ultimate expression of luxury and freedom, offering unparalleled comfort and convenience to those fortunate enough to own or charter one.

Can You Legally Live on a Super Yacht?

Living on a super yacht or any other boat is generally legal. However, the rules will vary depending on where you’re attempting to live. You must follow the local regulations, whether in a country, state, city, or marina.

If you’re thinking about living in international waters, it’s not very easy. International waters typically are 24 nautical miles from a country’s coastline. It’s crucial to note that international waters are not the wild west. Most travelers in these waters must follow the laws according to the country they’re sailing under.

HOT TIP Get good internet no matter where your super yacht sails to. Learn more about using Starlink on boats .

What to Think About When Living on a Super Yacht

Living on a super yacht is an exciting and luxurious lifestyle offering the ultimate comfort, relaxation, and adventure. However, it also comes with unique challenges and considerations to make the experience enjoyable and stress-free. Let’s look at several things you must consider before living on a super yacht.

Good Boat Insurance

One of the most crucial considerations when living on a super yacht is having adequate boat insurance . Super yachts are precious assets requiring specialized insurance coverage beyond what standard marine insurance policies typically provide.

Since your super yacht will be your floating home, you must acquire adequate coverage for your vessel. Coverage and premiums will vary depending on the vessel’s value, onboard equipment, and personal belongings.

It would be best to work with an experienced insurance provider when acquiring your insurance policy. This can help ensure you don’t have any surprises should you need to file a claim. 

Living Expenses

Like living in a sticks-and-bricks home, you will have living expenses while on a super yacht. You must cover onboard amenities and supplies, docking and berthing fees, fuel, and crew salaries for those helping to manage and maintain it. 

Captains, engineers, deckhands, attendants, chefs, and other employees will have salaries and benefits packages. These will be ongoing expenses that you’ll need to consider. 

Yacht Maintenance

We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but even if you spend millions on your super yacht, things will break. You must do regular inspections, scheduled maintenance, and repairs promptly. 

Unfortunately, things don’t always break when it’s convenient. So you will need a healthy stack of cash to replace parts and components when they unexpectedly break. If not, you could be stuck at the marina.

Unseen Weather Conditions

The weather conditions can be incredibly unpredictable. However, weather conditions at sea are more than worrying about how much rain or lightning you’ll experience. Severe weather can significantly impact water conditions. The weather can change quickly at sea, and you must constantly stay aware of the weather forecasts.

You must have an emergency plan and a staff trained in responding. A super yacht offers the flexibility to move when weather conditions may not cooperate. You may have to adjust your itinerary or plans, so that flexibility will be crucial in this lifestyle.

Yacht Registration

Just like you must register your vehicle, a super yacht will also require registration. Where you register your vessel will determine the taxes and fees associated with registering a yacht. Additionally, where you register your craft will also determine the legal requirements your vessel must meet.

You need to understand the legal requirements, taxes and fees, and other factors associated with yacht registration. This allows you to make informed decisions that meet your needs, preferences, and those of your staff or anyone onboard the yacht.

Safety and Security

When living on a super yacht, safety and security are critical items you must take seriously. While yachts typically come with many safety features and security systems, there are still potential risks and threats that you must address.

It is vital to take proactive steps to mitigate potential risks and threats. The vessel will need the appropriate safety and security systems, and the crew will need training in basic procedures and protocols to keep everyone, including the vessel, safe and secure.

Living In International Waters

International waters are outside of the jurisdiction of any specific country, and they present opportunities and challenges for those living on a super yacht. Understanding the legal requirements and regulatory authorities is essential to ensure you comply with laws and regulations.

Living in international waters will require a tremendous amount of self-sufficiency. Accessing supplies, services, and emergency assistance can be challenging. You’ll also need the proper navigation and equipment to communicate with other vessels and the appropriate authorities.

While Jack Sparrow may not be on the open seas, pirates exist. You cannot take your safety and security too seriously when staying safe on international waters. You’ll likely want to consider hiring security personnel and avoid cruising into high-risk areas.

What Are the Pros of Living on a Super Yacht?

There is a long list of pros to living on a super yacht. It’s one of the most luxurious lifestyles imaginable. The level of service that individuals receive onboard these vessels is unlike anything most people will ever experience.

Life on a super yacht provides much freedom and flexibility. You can travel practically anywhere and make the world your playground. You can create your schedule and choose where to set the sails daily.

The lifestyle can be incredibly relaxing and rewarding. You’ll experience new cultures, taste exciting foods, and meet people with equally exciting adventures. Who wouldn’t love that?

HOT TIP Just because you live on a super yacht doesn’t mean you won’t get mail! Find out How to Get Mail Sailing Around the World .

The Cons of Living on a Super Yacht

While there is much to love about living on a super yacht, it’s not perfect. The lifestyle is costly, and you must deal with limited space. Additionally, you have to manage the crew’s dynamics, which can be challenging. Unfortunately, you can’t force anyone to walk the plank if they cause a fuss amongst the staff.

Don’t forget that you could experience days of rough seas. This could result in experiencing seasickness. The vessel will constantly be floating on the water and can be challenging for those prone to seasickness.

Does Living on a Super Yacht Cost Less Than in a House? 

Living on a super yacht is typically more expensive than living in a traditional house or apartment. Super yachts are costly to purchase or charter, and they also require ongoing maintenance, crew salaries, and other expenses that can add up quickly. 

While it is possible to save money on specific expenses, like property taxes and mortgage payments, the overall cost of living on a super yacht is typically higher than living in a traditional home or apartment. There are often additional costs associated with living on a super yacht that may not be present in a conventional home, like higher fuel prices and the fees for maintaining and repairing complex systems and equipment.

How luxurious you expect your lifestyle will significantly determine whether it’s more or less expensive than a house. However, it’s crucial to remember that yachts are typically depreciating assets and require substantial maintenance to retain their value.

Is Living on a Super Yacht Worth It?

Living on a super yacht can be a fun and exciting way to live. However, it will take a pile of cash. The lifestyle can be incredibly unpredictable, dangerous, and expensive. Severe weather conditions at sea can threaten you, your vessels, and any crew or passengers on board. Before you sell your home and move into a boat, make sure you fully consider the entire lifestyle.

Would you live on a super yacht full-time?

If You Love RVing, You Need to Stay Informed

Don’t rely on biased RV industry news sources to keep you informed with RVing news.

Stick with Nomadic News. We publish daily articles and breaking stories that matter to your RV lifestyle.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

5 Best Places to RV for Beginners

These are the 5 Best Road Trip Cars of 2023

Related posts.

70+ Year Old Man Says Seniors Can Still Sail! Here Are His Top Tips!

Popular YouTubers Try Trimaran Sailing for the First Time

Who Is SV Delos?

• Content Creators

5 Crazy Cool Families That Sail The World With Their Kids

What is it like working on a superyacht?

For my 35th birthday last week, I decided to set up an IAMA over at Reddit for the day about working on a superyacht. I thought maybe a couple of Instagram followers would post questions, and the whole AMA would die relatively quickly.

How wrong I was.

I didn’t even get a chance to promote the AMA to my followers while I was live because the questions were coming in thick and fast. For around 16 hours I was replying to your questions, mostly about being a chef on a superyacht, and it made me realise people wanted to know more about the industry and my job.

I assume my job is boring, but that’s because I do it every day. I’m sure you probably think your job is less interesting than it is too.

Oh yeah, and for those who don’t Reddit, an AMA is an “Ask me anything” question and answer session. IAMA is a subreddit that stands for “I am a..” The two go hand in hand. Mine was called ” IAMA Superyacht chef who has travelled to over 100 countries, and it’s my birthday AMA”

Daily life as a superyacht chef

It’s not as glamorous as you think. We tend to work long hours when guests are on board. It’s not uncommon to work from 6 am until 2 am, with a 2-3 hours break in the middle, 7 days a week, until the guests leave. Yes, I worked like that on one boat.

There are minimum hours of rest yachts need to comply with. But that doesn’t mean they do. Every yachtie will admit to working more hours than what is legal, just to get the job done.

When guests aren’t on board, things can be a lot more relaxed. Generally, the working hours will be 7 am until 5 pm, with a 1-hour lunch break. But this depends on the upcoming programme and how busy the other departments are. At the other end of the scale, I have also worked on yachts where we started at 8 am and finished at 4 pm, with half days on Fridays! Now that really IS living the dream, but it’s not normal.

Below deck: Is it really like that in the superyacht industry?

Everyone seemed fixated on whether the tv show on Bravo Below Deck was anything like the real yacht life. I have to be honest, yes, there are elements that are totally plausible. Some of the characters they have on the show are similar to people I have worked with before. Many are batshit crazy and they wouldn’t last long on a well-run yacht.

A lot of the antics that happen on Below Deck would not happen to one boat over 1 season. They have condensed all of the crazy bits and inflated them to cram them all into the 8 episodes per season or whatever it is.

The tips you see on Below Deck are also slightly different. What your seeing is a tip for a 3 days charter. In superyachting there is a minimum 7 day booking for charters. So the tips system is slightly different.

All in all, I have to say there are similarities to Below Deck. The show’s format uses real yacht crew with years of experience, so clearly, that is going to show too.

Charter yachts vs private yachts

Since we are talking about money, and that seemed to be where most people focussed their questions… Yes, Charter yachts tend to make more money because the crew also receive tips.

I’ve joined several charter boats with huge promises of these charter tips, only to be let down. One claimed to be the busiest charter boat under a particular management company with 16 charters the previous year. With the money split equally, those crew would have earned upwards of $50k on top of their monthly wage. When I joined, the tips stopped being split fairly (the lowest ranks got less of a percentage of the tip, while the heads of departments and captains received more. Totally unfair, don’t even get me started!!!!) and the boss decided to come on for about 16 weeks of the season. So…. not so many tips. Lol.

Another boat I joined, a well known one… also claimed to make great tips. Of course, while I was onboard I just had the boss on for almost a month as a liveaboard, so it was as busy as a charter, minus any tips. And the day I left? They had a three-week charter and the crew each made €33K in tips!!! That’s more than many people make in a YEAR as a salary! Insane!!

I have to be honest, I’ve not been so lucky…. I have worked mostly private yachts, which is a different vibe.

So, working on a superyacht, how much can I make?

Just because you land a charter boat gig, that doesn’t mean you will make the tips people claim. There are times that you will, but you could also be pulled onto a boat that is heavily used privately.

Private yachts tend to be more relaxed. You know the guests on a more personal level and they tend to treat their crew much nicer. The owners value their crew and will often do other things to entice a good crew to join, and even more to keep the ones they like.

It’s not unheard of for a good chef to be given expensive cooking courses around the world, or to be flown out to exotic locations for a few days to cook for the boss.

Many private yachts also pay a 13-month bonus. This is basically a tip of a month’s wage that is paid after you have been on board for a year, to say thank you. It helps weigh out the differences a little bit between the charter boats and private.

Exotic locations you can visit working on a superyacht

It’s not surprising that superyachts travel the world and pull into port at loads of amazing destinations. Much of my world travels were done long before I joined the industry, and a good chunk of my travels are actually done in the downtime.

Just because I work on a superyacht, that doesn’t mean I get a whole lot of downtime to see the gorgeous places we are anchored or in port at. I might get a chance to rush ashore to buy some fresh bread or pick up some fresh fish, but often that’s it.

Generally, yachts hit up two main areas.

The Med, where the season starts around April/May and finishes around September.

The Caribbean, where the season starts around November and finishes in February/ March.

There are a lot more yachts now that head down to do Asia for the Maldives, Singapore, Hong Kong etc. And fewer still make the voyage to Australia and New Zealand. Working on a superyacht requires a good passport and knowing you will be away from home for many months, or years at a time.

Africa and South America are not commonly travelled by Superyachts, but there are a few who make the long trip down the coast of Patagonia to reach Antarctica.

What did I leave out of the AMA?

If you want to read the AMA yourself head over to Reddit . Of course, there are a lot of questions that I had to reply to as gracious as I could without answering correctly. Working on a superyacht has its challenges though, and it has a lot of red tape. Some thing’s I just couldn’t mention or discuss.

I refused to answer honestly about guest drug use, orgies and prostitution. I left out personal details and names of yachts I’ve worked on. There were times I was very conscious of giving vague answers.

Of course, I could tell you all of the gory details, and believe me, after 5 years in the industry, I have seen a lot! I also wish to remain employed. So for the sake of honouring disclosure statements, I will remain quiet.

Feel free to use your imagination on what you think happens onboard yachts. You may be right, you may be wrong, either way, I’m pretending I saw nothing 😉

If you want to work on a yacht, read on!

I don’t work as a crew agent, and if I don’t know you personally, I can’t vouch for you to be a captain. I can’t just get you a job on a superyacht because you ask me nicely. That’s just not how the industry goes, at least, not when you’re starting out.

Your first yacht job will either fall into your lap, or you will work bloody hard for it. I’ve known people who get jobs before they even completed their basic training, and I know others who have dock walked and tried for months to get a job and failed. Not everyone makes it.

Some further reading if you are considering working on a superyacht

You may have noticed I don’t tend to talk much about my job on this blog. That’s because I think these people do a much better job at that than I do, and I prefer to help people travel here instead. But check out these accounts for more info and inspiration if you think a career in yachting might be for you.

If you want to start as a stewardess, your best bet is to have a read of The Yacht Stew’s blog she has loads of tips for that department. Another great resource is this how to be a stewardess post.

There is also a really awesome Spanish speaking stewardess Jamila who has a blog in English and who helps coach new crew.

For green yacht crew, there is plenty of resources and information about the industry over at The Superyacht Chef including a list of good agents to contact for work and I can create a professional yacht CV for you.

If you prefer not to be serious about working on a superyacht there are other ways to get sea time. hitchhike on yachts have an interesting take on it too.

Rachel Cunningham is a Superyacht Chef and World Adventurer. With over 110 countries visited in the past 15 years, Rachel wants to you to come along for the ride! Bring a bottle of rum, and a bikini, oh yeah, and your passport. You could end up losing all three items by the end of this journey! Round the world Rachel takes you off the beaten track to beaches, bars and restaurants of the unknown!

Find me on: Web | Instagram | Facebook

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

This website contains affiliate links. Where necessary, these links have been highlighted for you. If you click them and make a purchase, I will get a small commission. I only promote companies I use and think you will enjoy too.

It won’t cost anything extra if you book through my affiliate links, but it will go a long way to ensuring that I can keep bringing you epic travel content!

Thanks for your support 🙂

Impartial training and careers advice

Call us: +441983 280 641

+441983 280 641

How to get a job on a Superyacht

The best jobs are the ones that don’t feel like work….

When the Pandemic hit, the world changed. Millions were forced inside, and for many time, which used to be a luxury, was suddenly in abundance. We all had time to think about our lives and what was important; for many, it was time to make a change. At Flying Fish, we saw a lot of interest from customers who wanted to know how to get a job on a Superyacht.

The Pandemic supercharged the Superyacht industry, too, with many high-net-worth individuals deciding that life was too short and it was time to build a new yacht. Over 1,000 new boats were ordered or were in build in 2022, with a new yacht being launched every month.

In short, there has never been a better time to get a job on a Superyacht.

What are you looking for?

For the purpose of this article, we will assume that you are new to the Superyacht Industry and are wondering how you land your first job.

There are many roles onboard a Superyacht. Almost all people entering the yachting industry for the first time look at one of two roles; Deckhand or Steward/Stewardess. Which role you choose will depend on your interests, background, and skills.

Superyacht Deckhand

The primary role of a Deckhand is to clean and maintain the yacht’s exterior, tenders, and toys. In addition to your key duties, you may be given any number of other roles; for example, you will assist with the berthing and unberthing of the yacht. You may be asked to go into town to purchase some supplies or carry the owner’s or guest’s luggage from the private jet! It is fair to say that the role of a Deckhand is different from any normal job, and there is never a dull moment.

Superyacht Steward or Stewardesss

The role of a Steward/ Stewardess is similar to that of a Deckhand. Your primary role is the meticulous cleaning of the interior of the yacht. You may be changing bedding one day and then serving drinks on the beach the next. Similar to a Deckhand, no two days are the same.

The three main areas to consider are:

• Are you medically fit to go to sea
• You will need to get qualified.
• Work ethic.

Let’s dive into the detail

All Superyacht crew must hold an ENG1 medical certificate to go to sea. The ENG1 medical certificate is used to determine the overall fitness and health of individuals who work in the maritime industry. It is typically conducted by a qualified medical practitioner approved by the relevant maritime authority, not your GP.

Get Qualified

As well as the ENG1 medical, to work as Deckhand, Steward, or Stewardess, you must hold the relevant qualification. Mandatory qualifications include STCW Basic Safety Training; additionally, Powerboat Level Two , and Proficiency in Designated Security Duties would be expected on a CV.

The essential qualifications listed above are the minimum required. If you want to stand out above the rest, we recommend looking at additional training to improve your CV. Our Superyacht Deckhand Course and a Superyacht Stewardess Course, include these additional skills.

The qualifications are the easy bit, the biggest factor, by far, to be successful in the Superyacht industry is you!

In a normal job, you would finish your day’s work, then hop in the car or a bus and go home. If you had a tough day, you could relax at home and share your day with friends or family. On a Superyacht, at the end of a long day, you end up in the crew mess with your colleagues. You have dinner together, chat about your day, and share a cabin with another crew member.

Looking at it from the Captain’s perspective, when it comes to employing crew, he/she is looking for a crew who can do the role to a high standard and has a nice personality. Common interests, somebody the Captain and crew would want to spend time with, are also key factors.

If you were employing somebody to work in your house full-time, somebody you would have dinner with each night and be in your home 24/7, what qualities would you look for?

Getting a job on a Superyacht requires a friendly personality, someone who is easy to get along with, has a great work ethic, can think outside the box, is hard-working, and has additional skills they can offer the yacht.

Additional Skills

You don’t have to have been to sea to work on a Superyacht. However, any sailing experience or time with family or friends on the water will help. Deckhands with Watersports Instructor qualifications, PADI Dive Master or Instructor, Carpenter, and Engineering skills are handy skills for the CV. Don’t forget that all crew are required to hold the ENG1 Medical Certificate and STCW Basic Safety Training , as a minimum.

As a Steward or Stewardess, any hospitality, beauty, massage, or yoga experience will look great on the CV. Some yacht owners have young children, so if you have been a Nanny or looked after, children can also help.

Having a good yachting CV is a key factor in getting a job on a Superyacht. Such the importance Flying Fish has a dedicated Career support service as part of our Superyacht Deck or Steward/ess programmes. The career service also includes industry guidance, our industry event in Antibes, plus lots more.

When are the yachting seasons?

The Mediterranean season starts between March and May, and the winter season in the Caribbean/US is between October and May. Some yachts are on world cruises. We see a demand for training from December to March as people gear up for the Mediterranean season. Our next busy period is between August and September, ready for the winter.

How long does it take to find a job on a yacht?

From our experience, it takes, on average, about one to five weeks to land that dream job. However, this all depends on a couple of factors, how hungry and determined you are and the number of available jobs. We have had hundreds of customers train with Flying Fish, and it’s fair to say that most find a job on a Superyacht.

Take the time to browse for jobs online, including social media sites like Facebook and YotSpot. Sign up to dedicated yacht crew recruitment agencies , such as YPI Crew, Quay Crew. There are a few online job platforms, like Yacht Jobs and YotSpot .

If you have contacts in the yachting industry, they can help you find that dream job as they will have inside knowledge and can recommend you for a job on a Superyacht.

How do I get started?

If you want to start a new career on a Superyacht, then either contact us and talk to one of the team , or for more information about working on Superyachts, download our FREE guide.

Related articles

• Seafarers Tax

5 ways to ensure your SED claim is rock solid

The Seafarers’ Earnings Deduction, often referred to as the SED, is a tax legislation that enables seafarers to claim back their UK income tax. It a...

Do I need to pay off my Student loan if I work on a Superyacht?

Good question! First, let me say that the information below is aimed at people who have studied in the UK and took out a Student Loan to cover course ...

Have I got the right experience to work in yachting?

If you’re thinking about working on board a Superyacht, we share the skills and experience you need and how to get into the yachting industry in thi...

The Quick & Easy Guide to Superyacht Chef Careers

This article is the latest instalment in our series of guides on superyacht careers. We’ve already covered deck , interior and engineering careers, but today it’s time to get delicious and discuss the career pathways for chefs on board yachts. 

As always, the information in this guide is brought to you by the experts at the careers guidance platform, Academy by Ephemeris . Start or advance your yachting career with Academy by Ephemeris, the only online tool that connects superyacht crews and aspiring crew with yachting industry training providers worldwide. 

What does a superyacht chef do? 

A superyacht chef is in some ways, the central character in a guest or owner’s experience on board. They are the unsung heroes that use the culinary arts to turn yacht voyages into unforgettable memories, and it’s all done from the galley - the marine industry term for the onboard kitchen. 

The chef’s primary responsibility is planning, preparing and cooking food for the guests/owner, the captain and the crew. But there’s a lot more to the chef’s job, too. 

The chef’s daily responsibilities include regularly provisioning all required food items, which also entails frequent food inventory records to ensure that any food items required for a particular trip or charter booking, are ordered and delivered on time. They are also responsible for checking that all received food items meet the yacht’s standards, following which all items must be safely and correctly stored according to all required food safety and storage standards. 

Galley safety and sanitary standards are also the chef’s responsibility, and if other galley staff are on board - as they may be on larger yachts - the chef is responsible for managing those staff, too. 

How do I become a superyacht chef, what qualifications do I need?

Generally, you would begin by obtaining formal food preparation training, such as an NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) Diploma from the City & Guilds framework. 

Next, you will need a minimum of a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate. This internationally accredited certificate is a mandatory requirement for all food handlers and servers. It teaches the basic knowledge of how to safely store, handle, cook and serve food onboard a superyacht in a hygienic and safe manner. 

For chefs working on commercially registered yachts (charter yachts) and/or chefs cooking for 10 or more crew, a further requirement - the Ship's Cook Certificate – was introduced as part of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006) in 2014. 

Rather than being a course to teach superyacht standard food for guests, the Ship's Cook Certificate was created with the purpose of ensuring that cooks working on commercial vessels have the basic skills and knowledge to cook for the crew on board. 

“The Ship's Cook Assessment for the Certificate is designed to ensure a basic minimum standard – it is not designed to catch people out. If you know how to cook and you operate using best practice, there is no reason why you will not pass the assessment,” explained Chef Duncan Biggs, MD of OceanWave Monaco. 

In order to attain a Ship’s Cook Certificate, you will need the following: 

• Proof of at least one month’s sea time, at sea or alongside. 
• Proof of at least one year as a chef or as a cook in a professional working environment. 
• Certificate of successful completion of the Assessment in Marine Cookery. 
• Class-based Food Safety Level 2 (MCA - Maritime and Coastguard Agency) or Level 3 (Cayman Islands). 

A formal competency check via the Ship's Cook Certificate of Competency is mandatory, even if you hold an SVQ (Scottish Vocational Qualifications) or NVQ Level 4 to UK standards. 

All crew, including chefs, need an STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for seafarers) certificate in order to work on a yacht. This is a five day course that covers general safety at sea. You will also need to obtain an ENG1 medical certificate from a certified medical practitioner. 

Is it better to start off working onshore? 

The majority of yacht chefs train and develop their skills onshore first before pursuing a cheffing career at sea. Chefs who have had extensive training and career experience on shore, particularly if they have worked in fine dining or Michelin-starred restaurants, are highly sought-after on yachts. 

Is cheffing at sea any different to cheffing ashore? 

Yes, it’s very different! 

A head yacht chef is responsible for meal planning, menu development, food provisioning and preparation, cooking and galley cleanliness. On smaller yachts, chefs often work alone, further adding to their workload. 

Additionally, superyacht chefs - especially those on board charter vessels - need to have the ability to perfectly cook a wide range of cuisines and accommodate a wide range of dietary preferences, including gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan options, all prepared to a very high standard. Guests accustomed to dining in the world’s best restaurants expect a similar level of culinary perfection on board. 

There are logistical differences, too. 

If a chef onshore needs an ingredient at the last minute, it can often be sourced relatively quickly and easily - sometimes even from a nearby store. At sea, however, a chef must be prepared to be much more resourceful given that it’s more challenging to source provisions, particularly at short notice, so a missing or spoiled ingredient can otherwise quickly become a disaster. Though larger yachts typically have more galley staff, it is generally still not to the extent of kitchens ashore and even then, yacht chefs must simply be more resourceful while being prepared to be busy for longer hours every day. 

What are the different roles within the yacht chef pathway? 

Yachting’s culinary world offers several distinct roles. 

Junior Chef: This role offers newly trained chefs a chance to familiarise themselves with the nuances of yacht kitchen operations while learning vital occupational skills from more experienced professional chefs. By assisting seasoned chefs, junior chefs lay the groundwork for their journey ahead. 

Sous Chef: Positioned as the second-in-command to the head chef, the sous chef becomes the cornerstone of the galley, often stepping in to lead the culinary charge. 

Specialty Chefs: For those with a unique culinary passion, such as pastries or sushi, specialised roles - when available - provide a platform for niche creativity. 

Head Chef: At the apex of the galley staff hierarchy, the head chef orchestrates the galley's operations, ensuring every dietary requirement and preference is exquisitely catered to. 

Conclusion  

Climbing the ranks in the superyacht chef’s culinary world necessitates a commitment to continuous learning. Of course, exploration of diverse global cuisines and networking within the superyacht community can propel your career substantially, but getting started requires having the right training. That’s where Academy by Ephemeris comes in. 

Using the Academy by Ephemeris platform, you can access the training you need to begin, develop or advance your chef yachting career - or any career on yachts - wherever you are in the world. Academy by Ephemeris is designed to connect you with the right courses from carefully vetted training providers worldwide, whenever you need them. 

Finally, a big thank you to Chef Duncan Biggs at OceanWave Monaco for his assistance with this article.

Post your comment

You cannot post comments until you have logged in.

No one has commented on this page yet.

RSS feed for comments on this page | RSS feed for all comments

Search articles with keywords

Screen Rant

Below deck: 10 things you never knew about life on a superyacht.

Below Deck is full of drama and demanding charters, but is this really what life is like on a superyacht?

Recent episodes of Below Deck have shown that hard work is required to make each charter meet standards, and big tips are not always guaranteed. The reality show has shown everyday people how the rich and famous sail in style, but life on a super yacht isn't always parties and significant earnings.

While yacht life may seem like one big party, the crew on these boats work long shifts and have to meet the demands of their clients, no matter how ridiculous. While life on the superyacht may seem drama filled on Below Deck, some crews are much more subdued, especially when cameras aren't around.

Staff Earnings

Some things about Below Deck are fake , but the money the crew makes per charter is very real. Fans of the show have seen even the worst deck hands get tips upwards of $1,000 each. This type of tip is in line with the industry standard.

In 2018, Business Insider reported that a five-person crew could make more than $3,000 per month, per person. And this figure doesn't include the tips they receive from guests. However, tips can fluctuate based on how the guests feel their demands were met on their charter, which can lead to crews being under-tipped for the amount of work they put in.

Their Living Expenses

When it comes to the cost of living as a yachtie, there aren't many expenses the crew has to worry about. Bloomberg reports that while working on a ship, the crew lives rent-free on the boat and doesn't pay for their meals. This is what draws many young people to the industry in the first place.

The lack of expenses allows money to be saved up quickly, but it can also be spent just as fast when ashore in areas that have a booming nightlife and designer shopping, as seen on the show.

Crew Behavior

While the Below Deck crew appears to party hard when they don't have a charter, this isn't the industry norm. In an interview with The Guardian , a yacht captain expressed that most crews are calm and don't party when they aren't working but rather rest and prepare for the next sailing.

However, other outlets report that crews party hard with all the money they rack up during charters and live more like their guests when ashore.

Responsibilities

The easiest way to earn the dishonor of being one of the worst crew members on Below Deck is to ignore the list of things that need to be done daily, which is no different for any job like this not documented on TV. Blue Water Yachting reports that deck hands are in charge of general repairs and cleaning.

All of these things contribute to the ship's upkeep and guests' happiness and even the most minimal tasks are pivotal to keeping the boat up and running.

There Is Likely Illegal Activity

While it will never be shown on Bravo, there is a fair amount of illegal activity on yachts, but it is an unspoken rule that the crew turn the other way and leave the guests to their own devices. According to Bloomberg , drugs are a staple on most yachts and often have to be cleaned up by the crew when the guests disembark.

Of course, Below Deck can't show this on television, but a few charters have likely had some illegal activity happening when the cameras were off.

There's No Privacy For Crew

While viewers have seen the cast of Below Deck in their cramped quarters, with little to no privacy between crew members, those chartering the yacht don't get the luxury either. Bloomberg reports that superyachts are filled with cameras, so the crew can attend to the guests before they ask for something.

No detail goes unseen and can be said to whoever needs to know how to fix an issue. This tech may explain how some chief stews on Below Deck become the best in the business.

No Request Is Denied

The rich and famous flock to yachting because their wildest requests must be met by the staff, no matter what. CNN reports that private planes and ships are often used to get things from the mainland to the vessel if a guest wants something.

A crew has to be well-rounded in their skills, so there is always someone on board who can meet the guests' needs. However, as shown in the series, the crew is usually rewarded for their efforts.

Guests request a special menu before boarding their charter. As the chiefs of Below Deck know, there is no limit to what their guest can order, and it often leads to extravagant meals having to be made in small ship kitchens.

Bloomberg reported that most larger meals result in leftovers, and caviar is continuously flown in for the wealthiest guests. The menu is one of the most stressful parts of a charter for the chief and those who have to serve the meal.

It's A Competitive Job Market

Only the best can make it on a superyacht, but with high wages and the promise of traveling the world, the hiring pool to work on a ship is growing by the minute. Many positions need to be filled on each charter, but most crews work together for the duration of their time on the ship with minimal changes.

Those hired must keep up with standards, or they will be let go. Flying Fish reports that crews have to undergo training before and after getting a job on a ship and should always aim to expand their skills.

The Captain Is In Charge

Below Deck has made it clear that no matter how much money the guests are paying, the captain is the law of the ship. Guests can not trample over the rules of both the yacht and the ocean to have a good time.

The captain wants the guests to have a great time, but safety is the number one priority for the crew and guests alike. While some people get wild, most know their limits and respect the rules. However, a few push the boundaries.

NEXT: 10 Below Deck Med Crew Members That Only Lasted One Season

Get Onboard

Superyacht Training

Do you Want to Work on a Yacht? The truth about Yacht Crew Life

We know a thing or two after having spent over 10 years living the luxury yacht life . It sounds glamorous, epic and like so much fun and totally not like a “real” job at all. I mean you get to travel the world and rub shoulders with the rich and sometimes even the famous. But pretty postcards, endless parties and bikinis it is not. It’s hard work crewing a luxury yacht. And it’s not for everyone. 

Here’s the truth about yacht crew life.

It can be all the fun, sunshine, exploration and travel – but that is not the job. Yachting is an industry of extreme highs and extreme lows. Not all yachts are the same. You may strike it incredibly lucky and land yourself the utopian yacht, crew and billionaires who care. But in reality, you’re more likely to be living off Red Bull and doing 36 hour shifts, too tired to do anything but stare at the shore from your porthole window. No day aboard a yacht is the same. Workload and the type of work you’ll be doing changes depending on the season, whether you have guests on board, have any maintenance issues and also how new you are to the crew (rank & position too). A superyacht requires never ending upkeep. The yacht needs to be kept in immaculate condition, as do the crew, and the crew always need to be prepared for any situation.

Working on a superyacht is very hard work; you have to be at the beck and call of guests who have some quite particular requests that are almost impossible to fulfill. Whatever the guests require it is your job to make sure they get it. With a smile. The money is great though, but also varies based on position, qualifications, yacht size, where the yacht is located and if it’s private or charter. In general, a slightly higher salary is offered if the yacht is private with the hope that, if you work on a charter, you will make up your salary with tips. Once you have completed a particular charter you might just get a day or a night to explore the splendid ports of call with a nice big gratuity in your pocket. These kinds of opportunities are extraordinary and for that moment, any trials you may have encountered with the world’s wealthiest whilst facing unruly seas, unpredictable weather and even more unpredictable and unruly guests, diminishes.

All in all what happens to so many people in this industry may happen to you. Despite the challenges, you join for a season and fall in love with the lifestyle. Yacht life might not be for everyone, but if the bug bites you, it bites hard!  Yachtie for life ! If you are thinking about getting into the yachting industry, download our eBook and find out all the insider tips of surviving , and preparing for yacht crew life.

Needing more?

Error: Contact form not found.

RYA/MCA Online

1. what are the basic requirements you need to be eligible to work in the yachting industry, 2. what is the stcw and why do i need it, 3. what is the eng1 medical certificate, 4. what land based experience will help me find a super yacht job, 5. what are the different departments onboard, 6. what crew training is required for me to work as a junior deckhand.

• 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
• VHF Radio Operator’s License

7. What crew training is required for me to work as a junior stewardess?

• Stewardess Course
• Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD)
• MCA Food Safety Level 2
• RYA Powerboat Level 2

8. How do I book my training courses?

9. how do i get my first job on a yacht, 10. are these courses worth it, or am i just wasting my money, 11. will i get hired for my first job from south africa, 12. what is daywork, 13. what are the best locations to get a yacht job, 14. how much can a motor yacht stewardess or deckhand earn, 15. what are the negatives of working on a yacht, 16. what are the positives of working on a yacht, 17. is working on a super yacht for everyone, 18. what is the minimum age to work on a yacht, 19. is accommodation provided when i am completing my yacht training in cape town.

A Brief History of Superyachts

And how they explain the world..

Tim Murphy January+February 2024 Issue

James Clapham

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter

When the US targeted Russia’s oligarchs after the invasion of Ukraine, the trail of assets kept leading to our own backyard. Not only had our nation become a haven for shady foreign money, but we were also incubating a familiar class of yacht-owning, industry-dominating, resource-extracting billionaires. In the  January + February 2024  issue of our magazine, we investigate the rise of American Oligarchy—and what it means for the rest of us. You can read all the pieces  here .

The luxury yacht may be the world’s most exclusive form of transportation. But there are only a hundred-some that meet the definition of a gigayacht—a pleasure craft 295 feet or longer. Their opaque ownership records offer a glimpse of modern wealth and power: Over two dozen are linked to Gulf royals, businessmen, or states, and 20 to citizens (past or current) of the former Soviet Union. At least 23 have reportedly belonged to Americans, including founders of Microsoft, Netscape, Amazon, WhatsApp, and Snapchat. The widow of a German retailer who thrived under Hitler owned one; a UK tax exile and a Formula 1 dad still do. Yugoslav strongman Tito’s old yacht makes the list; Dominican dictator Trujillo’s does too. Take a cruise through the history of the vessels and their—somewhat—more modest sister ships.

1895: Nineteen years before World War I, the future King Edward VII of England punches his nephew, Kaiser Wilhelm II, in the face, after the German’s 121-foot yacht, Meteor II , defeats the royal Britannia in a race off the Isle of Wight.

1954: Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis ushers in an era of postwar one-upmanship with his 325-foot Christina O . It features a pool that converts into a dance floor, furniture made from whale foreskin, and pornographic carvings.

1963: During his final birthday party aboard the presidential yacht Sequoia , JFK chases future Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee’s wife, Antoinette, into the bathroom and gropes her. “I guess I was pretty surprised, but I was kind of flattered, and appalled, too,” she says later. The ship’s visitor logs are destroyed after Kennedy’s assassination.

1984: King Fahd of Saudi Arabia builds the record-breaking 482-foot Prince Abdulaziz .

1987: Sen. Gary Hart (D-Colo.) drops out of the presidential race just before photos emerge of him with model Donna Rice aboard the yacht Monkey Business .

1988: Donald Trump acquires Nabila , which previously belonged to the Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi and was featured in the James Bond film Never Say Never Again . He renames it Trump Princess , adds a disco, and changes the helipad’s “H” to a “T.”

1991: After one of Trump’s casinos files for bankruptcy, he sells Trump Princess to his bank—which flips it to a Saudi prince. A new yacht, the Trump Princess II , which he boasted would be “something in excess of 400 feet long, closer to 500 feet,” is never built.

British publisher Robert Maxwell’s body is found in the Atlantic Ocean, where he had been cruising on a 180-footer named for his daughter—the Lady Ghislaine . The vessel is eventually resold to Anna Murdoch, Rupert’s second wife.

1994: At a cocktail party on the oligarch Petr Aven’s yacht in the Caribbean, Boris Berezovsky meets Roman Abramovich, calling him a “nice boy who wanted to discuss commercial projects.” He and Abramovich begin working together to acquire Sibneft, a Russian state oil company.

1997: Construction ends on The Limited and Victoria’s Secret owner Les Wexner’s ­316-foot Limitless . The project was overseen by his good friend Jeffrey Epstein.

1999: Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison buys the 191-foot Izanami from a Japanese seller. He changes the name to Ronin , he said later , after “the local newspapers started pointing out that Izanami was ‘I’m a Nazi’ spelled backwards.”

2001: Months before Enron files for bankruptcy, former CEO Jeffrey Skilling asks a company executive for advice on finding a yacht broker. “This industry is known for crooks and thieves,” he warns Skilling.

2002: House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-Texas) promises to strip “corporate kingpins of their ill-gotten gains,” after scandals rock Enron and WorldCom. “We’re coming after the yacht.”

2003: DeLay charges donors $500,000 a pop for tickets to a yacht cruise.

2005: Ellison shoots down rumors he issued orders midconstruction to have his newest yacht, the 454-foot Rising Sun , extended to outdo Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s recently launched 414-foot Octopus .

Rep. Duke Cunningham (R-Calif.) pleads guilty to federal bribery charges after being caught living rent-free on a yacht, called the Duke-Stir , that was moored in Washington, DC, and owned by a defense contractor.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s 531-foot Dubai surpasses Prince Abdulaziz as the world’s longest yacht.

2006: Media mogul Barry Diller reveals the world’s longest sailing yacht, the 305-foot Eos , whose prow features a 9-foot-tall sculpture of his wife, Diane von Furstenberg.

2007: Diller opens a Manhattan corporate headquarters­­ at a Frank Gehry­–designed building that itself has been likened to a sailboat . It’s across the street from where Eos ties up.

2008: George Osborne, the No. 2 official in the UK’s Conservative Party, relaxes on Russian aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska’s yacht while vacationing with his family in Greece. He denies an accusation that he solicited funds, explaining in a statement that they discussed “Russian history” and drank tea.

2009: As his marriage falls apart, Tiger Woods retreats to a 155-foot yacht called Privacy .

2010: Abramovich’s new ship, Eclipse , surpasses Dubai as the world’s longest yacht. The 533-foot vessel features a submarine, anti-missile systems, and lasers to thwart paparazzi .

2011: During an unsuccessful suit seeking $5 billion he believed Abramovich owed him from the sale of Sibneft, an exiled Berezovsky claims that his former partner helped purchase the yacht Olympia for Vladimir Putin. When the BBC publishes a supporting account from another Russian businessman five years later, Abramovich’s lawyers dismiss the allegation as “a rehash of speculation and rumours.”

2012: As GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney faces criticism for holding investment funds in the Cayman Islands, his campaign invites donors to party on Cracker Bay . The ship, owned by the founder of The Villages retirement community, flies the Cayman Islands’ flag.

2013: UAE leader Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan launches the 593-foot Azzam , surpassing the Eclipse .

2014: The Wall Street Journal reports that Ellison has basketball hoops on “at least two of his yachts” and had someone follow in a smaller boat “to retrieve balls that go overboard.”

2016: Allen’s Tatoosh drags its anchor through a protected zone in the Cayman Islands, destroying 14,000 square feet of coral.

2017: After leaving office, Barack and Michelle Obama retreat to the South Pacific aboard David Geffen’s yacht, where they’re joined by Oprah, Tom Hanks, and Bruce Springsteen.

Abramovich’s business partner, Eugene Shvidler, blocks views of the Statue of Liberty while anchoring his 370-foot Le Grand Bleu in New York Harbor for a month.

Addressing the national Boy Scout Jamboree, Trump tells an anecdote widely assumed to allude to sex parties on a yacht belonging to the developer of the Levittown suburbs. “You’re Boy Scouts, so I’m not going to tell you what he did,” he said. “But you know life.”

Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) buys a yacht and on the same day votes to cut taxes on yachts.

2018: Rupert Murdoch is airlifted to UCLA after collapsing on a yacht trip with his fourth wife, Jerry Hall. “He kept almost dying,” a source tells Vanity Fair .

Republican Florida Gov. Rick Scott designates a billionaire donor’s marina as a special anti-­poverty opportunity zone.

Someone unties Seaquest , a superyacht belonging to Trump administration Secretary of Education (and billionaire) Betsy DeVos, causing it to crash into a dock on Lake Erie.

Businessman Jho Low, who financed The Wolf of Wall Street , is accused of taking part in a $4.5 billion scheme to siphon Malaysian state development funds and using some to purchase a $250 million yacht.

2019: Actress Lori Loughlin is arrested in a college admissions bribery scheme . Her daughter, USC student Olivia Jade, is vacationing in the Bahamas— on a yacht belonging to USC board of trustees chair Rick Caruso.

Following an investigation into corruption in the Nigerian oil industry, the US government auctions off businessman Kolawole Aluko’s Galactica Star , six years after Jay-Z rented out the vessel for Beyoncé’s 32nd birthday. A former Enron unit attempts to claim a portion of the proceeds.

Clarence Thomas visits an Indonesian preserve for Komodo dragons with billionaire Harlan Crow on the conservative megadonor’s Michaela Rose .

ArtNet reports that a $450 million (reputed) da Vinci that was supposed to be in an Abu Dhabi museum has been spotted hanging in Mohammed bin Salman’s personal yacht, Serene .

Kylie Jenner holds her 22nd birthday party on Low’s yacht, now under new ownership.

2020: “[I]solated in the Grenadines avoiding the virus,” Geffen writes on Instagram from Rising Sun , which he purchased in 2010. “I’m hoping everybody is staying safe.”

Steve Bannon is arrested off the coast of Connecticut by US Postal Police while aboard the fugitive Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui’s 150-foot Lady May .

Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. dresses up as a character from the TV show Trailer Park Boys for a costume party aboard a NASCAR mogul’s yacht. He later posts a photo of himself to Instagram with his fly unzipped and his arms around his wife’s assistant.

2021: NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre testifies that he took refuge on Illusions , a Hollywood producer’s yacht, after the Newtown and Parkland mass shootings. “I remember getting there going, ‘Thank God I’m safe, nobody can get me here.’”

During a bitter divorce, the Daily Mail reports that Tatiana Akhmedova, wife of the Russian Azerbaijani billionaire Farkhad Akhmedov, hired a team of British special forces veterans to seize his yacht, Luna , in an effort to enforce a Marshall Islands court ruling. They settle instead, and he keeps the boat.

Port Azure , dubbed the world’s first harbor designed exclusively for megayachts, opens in Gocek, Turkey. It bills itself as a place where “problems big and small go away.”

2022: Amid reports a historic bridge will be dismantled so Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ newly built Koru can leave Rotterdam’s shipyards, residents threaten to pelt the sailboat with eggs . The city changes plans.

A Ukrainian mechanic is arrested in Mallorca for attempting to sink a vessel owned by his boss, a Russian arms dealer.

Biden promises oligarchs he’s going to “take their ill-begotten gains” after the invasion of Ukraine. “We’re going to seize their yachts.”

Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder avoids a congressional subpoena on the team’s misogynistic culture while cruising the Mediterranean on his yacht, Lady S .

Missing Russian superyachts are spotted waiting out sanctions at Port Azure.

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) criticizes Joe Biden for vacationing in Delaware while vacationing on a luxury yacht in Italy.

After sailing through Fiji on his yacht Aquarius , briefly retired Disney CEO Bob Iger tells friends he misses his wife and is bored with life.

New York Republican congressional candidate George Santos brokers a $19 million deal to sell a superyacht called Namaste to a Long Island car dealer.

Bankrupt crypto exchange FTX reveals in court filings that founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s hedge fund once spent $2.5 million on a yacht, which a top executive named Soak My Deck .

2023: Bezos takes possession of Koru . The $500 million, 417-foot sailboat comes with a bust that resembles his fiancée Lauren Sánchez—and its own second, 246-foot “shadow” support yacht with crew quarters and a hangar for the helicopter she pilots.

After divorcing Jerry Hall, Rupert Murdoch vacations on the Christina O with Abramovich’s ex-mother-in-law.

As TV and movie writers and actors strike, the Wall Street Journal reports that Iger, now back at work, has been regaling visitors to his Burbank office about the new, longer yacht he’s building.

Measuring Contest

Iconic gigayachts through the years

1931: Sea Cloud , Marjorie Post: 359 ft.

1981: Atlantis II , Stavros Niarchos: 380 ft.

2003: Octopus , Paul Allen: 414 ft.

2005: Rising Sun , Larry Ellison: 454 ft.

2010: Eclipse , Roman Abramovich: 533 ft.

2013: Azzam , Sheikh Khalifa: 593 ft.

Illustrations by Anthony Calvert

The Few, The Loud

Some famous faces aboard gigayachts

Steven Spielberg reeled out his anchor off Cannes.

A part of Katy Perry got stuck exiting a dinghy on her way to Barry Diller’s yacht.

Mohammed bin Salman purchased his yacht, Serene , just hours after he saw it.

Jerry Jones made a draft pick aboard his Bravo Eugenia to deepen the Cowboys’ bench.

Mariah Carey was engaged to a gigayacht owner, before the fantasy ended.

Donald Trump Stoops to Lowest Low Yet With Violent Post of Biden

In “Quiet on Set,” Justice Isn’t So Simple

Sophie Hayssen

New Jersey’s County-Line Ballot Is Almost Dead

A GOP Official and Election Denier Voted Illegally Nine Times. That’s Not Even the Worst Part.

We recommend.

Easter Falls on Trans Day of Visibility This Year. The Right Blames Biden.

The Disturbing Link Between Foster Care and For-Profit Psychiatric Hospitals

Mother Jones

The Easter Bunny Can’t Be Happy About the Global “Chocolate Meltdown”

Patrick Greenfield

Does “And” Really Mean “And”? Not Always, the Supreme Court Rules.

Daniel King

Beyoncé Just Covered the Beatles In the Most Authentic Way: By Honoring Black History

Garrison Hayes

Texas Drops Plans to Execute Man With Intellectual Disability

Julia Métraux

Wall Street Journal Marks One Year Since Evan Gershkovich’s Arrest in Russia

Julianne McShane

Surge of US-Led Fossil Fuel Projects Could Blow Up Paris Climate Goals

Oliver Milman

Sign up for our free newsletter

Subscribe to the Mother Jones Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use , and to receive messages from Mother Jones and our partners.

Get our award-winning magazine

Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights.

Support our journalism

Help Mother Jones ' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation.

Independent. In print. In your mailbox.

Inexpensive, too! Subscribe today and get a full year of Mother Jones for just $14.95.

Bold. Brave. Beautiful.

Award-winning photojournalism. Stunning video. Fearless conversations.

Looking for news you can trust?

We noticed you have an ad blocker on..

Can you pitch in a few bucks to help fund Mother Jones' investigative journalism? We're a nonprofit (so it's tax-deductible), and reader support makes up about two-thirds of our budget.

We noticed you have an ad blocker on. Can you pitch in a few bucks to help fund Mother Jones' investigative journalism?

Don't let an algorithm decide what news you see.

Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily newsletter and follow the news that matters.

Billionaires are getting ready for summer with wildly spectacular superyachts

• Superyachts, the most expensive asset  a billionaire can own, are pushing the boundaries of luxury.
• The boats, which cost eight or nine figures, are getting larger and include more features than ever.
• From massage rooms to basketball courts, here's what the world's richest want on board.

For many wealthy boat owners, a private spa is a must-have on board. A sauna is a nice touch. A Jet Ski or two makes days at sea way more fun. And if you don't have someone on board who can whip up a Michelin-star-worthy meal , you might as well stay on land.

In the world of massive yachts , there's no such thing as too much. After all, if someone spends eight or nine figures to design the vessel of their dreams — or at least $500,000 a week to charter one — more is more.

"Yachting. It's not rational; it's emotional," Ralph Dazert, the head of intelligence at SuperYacht Times, told Business Insider at the Palm Beach International Boat Show, where dozens of superyachts — often defined as vessels over 30 meters in length — were on display.

And while there are certain classic features, such as jacuzzis and bars, what superyacht owners want is evolving, insiders at the show said. That might mean more crew members, more space for helicopters, or more water toys, but might also include manicure salons and putting greens.

"The bar of what is the baseline expectation has increased exponentially just over the last four or five years," Anders Kurtén, the CEO of brokerage Fraser Yachts, said. Clients are "spending more time on the boat and really wanting to extend the lifestyle they lead on the shore."

A lot of this can be chalked up to the pandemic. Superyacht purchases and charters spiked as life and luxury travel on land screeched to a halt. While the market has moderated slightly, the number of superyachts on order — 1,166 as of September, according to Boat International's Global Order Book — is still above pre-pandemic norms.

"What the pandemic really showed is that the appetite for being out there at sea, sort of living the marine lifestyle, is still as valid as ever," Kurtén said.

That means there's a lot of money on the water. The total value of the 203 superyachts over 30 meters delivered last year was $6.4 billion, according to data from SuperYacht Times. New custom builds from the world's most prestigious shipyards — Lurssen, Feadship, Oceanco , Benetti — can run into the hundreds of millions. Even used superyachts at the Palm Beach show cost as much as $75 million.

And it's not just traditional buyers like retired wealthy couples looking for a place to relax or celebrities looking for a place to party away from the paparazzi. New clients are often younger and have families, so want areas to work and watch movies . They also want pricey water toys, access to fitness equipment, or even pizza ovens for picky eaters.

"This would've never happened in the nineties," said Giovanna Vitelli, the vice president of the Azimut Benetti Group, the world's biggest producer of superyachts. "You would go with your beautiful woman, Champagne — the idea of yachting was much more showing off with your jacuzzi and things like that."

Pure opulence has made room for function.

When Benetti's Nabila set sail in 1980, its 50-person crew, gold-and-diamond-encrusted interiors, and lavish parties captured headlines and even inspired the Queen song "Kashoggi's Ship."(Seven years later, Donald Trump bought Nabila for $30 million , renaming her the Trump Princess.)

"Life on board was considered very formal — big formal dining rooms, boats were high on the water, you would be segregated from the rest of the world," Vitelli said, remembering another client who insisted on a replica of the Sistine Chapel above the dining table.

But the ostentatious, palatial-like interiors that used to be highlighted in yacht brochures have made way for lists of more functional features .

Related stories

Rather than esoteric novelties like an extra-large safe for rifles that one builder had to construct per a Russian yacht owner's request , the superyachts on display at the Palm Beach show featured basketball courts, saunas, and ice baths.

Owners want elevators and luxury gyms. Pampering options, be it a massage room, manicure station, or a professional-grade facial machine, are a dime a dozen. Some bathrooms have fancy Toto toilets, which can cost around $20,000.

Sterns (that's the back of the boat) used to be built high to guard guests' privacy. Now, they're built as "beach clubs" — an open swim platform.

And what good is a massage room if no one on board can give one? Many superyachts can hold twice as many crew members as guests, if not more. One broker, representing a boat that didn't have a masseuse, said it could be quite a "tricky" issue because if a charter wants one, they have to find someone who can massage guests and "pull their weight with the crew."

"It's not uncommon to look for a deckhand who can also mix a martini, play an instrument, maybe entertain the guests with singing, and ideally even give a massage," Kurtén said.

Of course, a crew comes at a cost . Most are considered full-time employees, requiring salaries and benefits like health insurance. Captains, first mates, and chief engineers often make six figures a year. That's without tips; a charter guest will typically spend six figures on gratuities for the crew who worked during a weeklong vacation.

For the superrich, there must be room for toys.

It's not just the onboard amenities that count. What's known as "toys" in the industry — water slides, eFoils, Jet Skis, and underwater scuba diving jets — are popular, and costs range from merely hundreds of dollars (banana boats) to millions ( submersibles , which are still popular despite the recent tragedy).

" Tenders and toys, the sky seems to be the limit," Kurtén said. "More is more."

Of course, if you can't fit all those toys in the yacht's storage space, you can just use another boat. Jeff Bezos' support yacht is a superyacht in itself, measuring 75 meters and costing tens of millions of dollars. (His main yacht, Koru , cost a reported $500 million.)

Support yachts are also faster, meaning the crew can get to a destination first and set up the Jet Skis, seapools, and the like, Dazert said. "By the time the owner arrives on the main yacht, everything's set up, and he can go and have fun."

Even tenders, the smaller vessel that brings guests from the ship to the shore, are getting glow-ups. The Nero, a 90-meter beauty available to charter for about $500,000 a week and modeled after J.P. Morgan's 1930s ship, has custom-built tenders to match the design. The most expensive ones often cost seven figures. Nero has three.

"It used to be a tender was a tender," Jeffrey Beneville, who handles yacht insurance at NFP, told BI. "Now they're called limousine tenders. Think of an incredibly luxurious gondola that's got a hard top so nobody's hair gets mussed when they're being dropped off at the Monaco Yacht Club ."

One thing that clearly hasn't changed in superyachting: showing off. If the boat next door at the marina has an indoor-outdoor cinema, it's natural to want one too. Ditto a wine cellar or helipad.

"It's a bit of a celebration of your success in life, of wealth," Vitelli, whose company is behind the Lana yacht Bill Gates chartered for a birthday party three years ago, said. "You push it a little more."

And that's a boon for yacht makers and brokers catering to the superrich.

"Our job is to make clients' dreams come true," Kurtén said.

Watch: Inside the world's biggest cruise ship that just set sail

• Main content

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Untangling Disinformation

The baltimore bridge collapse gave conspiracy theorists a chance to boost themselves.

Shannon Bond

Residents look on after a cargo ship ran into and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024 in Baltimore. Conspiracy theorists online quickly spread narratives to millions online that the accident was part of a nefarious scheme. Rob Carr/Getty Images hide caption

Residents look on after a cargo ship ran into and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024 in Baltimore. Conspiracy theorists online quickly spread narratives to millions online that the accident was part of a nefarious scheme.

A familiar pattern played out in the hours following Tuesday's bridge collapse in Baltimore : social media influencers and right-wing media figures began spreading conspiracy theories and baseless rumors about the disaster.

Baltimore bridge collapses after ship strikes support

Law enforcement officials said that while an investigation into the ship collision that caused the collapse is still underway, early indications show "absolutely no indication this was done on purpose."

But some large accounts on social media platforms including X, formerly known as Twitter, were quick to suggest otherwise . Andrew Tate , an online influencer with 9 million followers on X who has been indicted on human trafficking and rape charges in Romania, claimed without evidence that that the ship had been "cyber-attacked" in a post viewed 13.4 million times. (The post carries a "Community Note" — the platform's user-generated fact-checking feature — stating that the incident is still being investigated and that his assertion was "speculation.")

How Alex Jones helped mainstream conspiracy theories become part of American life

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones , who has been ordered to pay $1.5 billion to the families of victims of the Sandy Hook elementary school mass shooting , which Jones has falsely claimed was a "false flag," amplified Tate's baseless suggestion to his own 2.2 million X followers, saying "A cyber-attack is probable. WW3 has already started."

Researcher Mike Rothschild, who has written books about QAnon and other conspiracy theories, said it has become "standard" for any unexpected event "to be run through a filter of conspiracy theories based on the personal brand of the person spreading the theory."

Advertiser backlash may pose mortal threat to Elon Musk's X

Both Jones and Tate's X accounts carry subscription checks , meaning their posts are boosted by X's algorithm and they are eligible to share revenue from advertising on the platform. Critics say that system, introduced by Elon Musk after he bought the platform in 2022, incentivizes sharing inflammatory content , regardless of its accuracy, as a way of capturing attention and money.

Posts claiming, without evidence, that the collision was the result of an intentional attack also spread on Donald Trump's Truth Social, Rumble, and other right-wing online forums, according to data from Pyrra Technologies, which tracks smaller platforms.

Super Bowl 2024

Here's why conspiracy theories about taylor swift and the super bowl are spreading.

Other online accounts, many also carrying subscription checks on X, suggested the disaster was linked to their own pet hot-button issues, from the war in Gaza to a vaccine-related "medical emergency" to corporate diversity policies .

On conservative media, commentators used the disaster to push criticisms of the Biden administration. Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo suggested the collapse was somehow connected to problems at the border, while on Newsmax, American Conservative Union chair Matt Schlapp suggested the crash might have been caused by "drug-addled" employees in the wake of "all the lockdowns and COVID issues."

A similar pattern has played out around other recent news events, including Boeing 's door plug failure, the Super Bowl and the Gaza war . Rothschild says it's easy for conspiracy theorists to fit any calamity into their pre-existing world views.

More from WYPR in Baltimore:

• Construction worker says friends, colleagues missing in bridge collapse
• Federal government pledges full support to rebuild FSK bridge, reopen port

For the latest from member station WYPR in Baltimore head to wypr.org

"People who view terror attacks as staged think the accident is a staged terror attack, while people who see DEI as the biggest threat facing society think the accident must have happened because of diversity hiring. If you think open borders are the cause of all of life's problems, then it's an open borders issue. If you think the COVID-19 vaccination is a death shot, then the captain must have been vaccinated," Rothschild said.

"The most important aspect of the bridge accident for these people isn't how many lives were lost or the effect it will have on Baltimore or its economy, but who they can blame for it and how they can cash in off that blame."

• bridge collapse
• conspiracy theories
• social media

• SUGGESTED TOPICS
• The Magazine
• Newsletters
• Managing Yourself
• Managing Teams
• Work-life Balance
• The Big Idea
• Data & Visuals
• Reading Lists
• Case Selections
• HBR Learning
• Topic Feeds
• Account Settings
• Email Preferences

How People Are Really Using GenAI

• Marc Zao-Sanders

The top 100 use cases as reported by users on Reddit, Quora, and other forums.

There are many use cases for generative AI, spanning a vast number of areas of domestic and work life. Looking through thousands of comments on sites such as Reddit and Quora, the author’s team found that the use of this technology is as wide-ranging as the problems we encounter in our lives. The 100 categories they identified can be divided into six top-level themes, which give an immediate sense of what generative AI is being used for: Technical Assistance & Troubleshooting (23%), Content Creation & Editing (22%), Personal & Professional Support (17%), Learning & Education (15%), Creativity & Recreation (13%), Research, Analysis & Decision Making (10%).

It’s been a little over a year since ChatGPT brought generative AI into the mainstream. In that time, we’ve ridden a wave of excitement about the current utility and future impact of large language models (LLMs). These tools already have hundreds of millions of weekly users, analysts are projecting a multi-trillion dollar contribution to the economy, and there’s now a growing array of credible competitors to OpenAI.

• Marc Zao-Sanders is CEO and co-founder of filtered.com , which develops algorithmic technology to make sense of corporate skills and learning content. He’s the author of Timeboxing – The Power of Doing One Thing at a Time . Find Marc on LinkedIn or at www.marczaosanders.com .

Partner Center

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• Boat Pro Home
• Pricing Plan
• Superyacht Insight
• Product Features
• Premium Content
• Testimonials
• Global Order Book
• Tenders & Equipment

Last chance to secure tickets for the inaugural Superyacht Marketing Roadshow

A select number of tickets are still available for Breed Media's inaugural Superyacht Marketing Roadshow, taking place on 11 April at the historic cinema Everyman Borough Yards in London.

"Just as the industry has grown exponentially over the past 20 years, so has the number of marketing challenges, tasks and personnel," explained Robert Gleed and Jeff Brown, co-founders of Breed Media. "However, the superyacht marketing community is often forgotten when it comes to an event dedicated to them and their problems, and we plan to change that. We want to cut through the fluff, make their jobs easier and show how they can maximise the return on both spend and time."

Preliminary speakers include Tim Davis, partner and chief marketing office at Burgess ; Jamie Edmiston, CEO of Edmiston ; Camilla Calza, head of marketing at Azimut Benetti , among many others.

Full details on the event can be found below.

From our partners

Baltimore bridge collapse: What happened and what is the death toll?

What is the death toll so far, when did the baltimore bridge collapse, why did the bridge collapse, who will pay for the damage and how much will the bridge cost.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO REBUILD THE BRIDGE?

What ship hit the baltimore bridge, what do we know about the bridge that collapsed.

HOW WILL THE BRIDGE COLLAPSE IMPACT THE BALTIMORE PORT?

Get weekly news and analysis on the U.S. elections and how it matters to the world with the newsletter On the Campaign Trail. Sign up here.

Writing by Lisa Shumaker; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Bill Berkrot

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab

Thomson Reuters

Lisa's journalism career spans two decades, and she currently serves as the Americas Day Editor for the Global News Desk. She played a pivotal role in tracking the COVID pandemic and leading initiatives in speed, headline writing and multimedia. She has worked closely with the finance and company news teams on major stories, such as the departures of Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and significant developments at Apple, Alphabet, Facebook and Tesla. Her dedication and hard work have been recognized with the 2010 Desk Editor of the Year award and a Journalist of the Year nomination in 2020. Lisa is passionate about visual and long-form storytelling. She holds a degree in both psychology and journalism from Penn State University.

At least six people were killed and twenty injured on Saturday in a car blast in the rebel held Syrian town Azaz near Turkish border, residents told Reuters.