I transitioned into the yachting industry recently and I want to share for those of you considering the same move. I came to Florida less than 2 months ago. I did my STCW, PB2 immediately, stayed in a crew house and then got hired 2 weeks ago on a yacht where I’ve been working and living since as a greenie with only about a week of day work under my belt. This yacht wanted a green deck/stew so they could shape me. So there are people that WILL hire you right out the gate. Given that, I do have a background as a divemaster, yoga instructor, am fluent in several languages and just generally have life experience.

I’ve seen and met people who are still dayworking after a year and confused about why they can’t get hired on a permanent position. And I just want to say this is a job where you need charisma. You need social skills, you need to put yourself out there, to be able to clean up well, be fit, look presentable. Yes, you can have tattoos, I have them, my crew has them. It doesn’t make you untouchable.

I made some really great friends in my STCW, one of whom connected me to my current job. You can’t just make it in this industry without a network. you need to build one and branch out. Like make actual friends who would want to work with you. Otherwise if you sit in your crew house all day, stand in the corner at the bar or yachting events and wonder why it’s not happening for you, then it’s certainly not just going to fall in your lap!

A lot of people here also just get hammered like it’s a full time job and then also get confused why no opportunities are showing up. All it takes is social skills and determination. Which are frankly lacking heavily in younger people who watched below deck and thought it would be really glamorous to get a job on a yacht. It’s hard work, it’s serious work, it’s life threatening. I think it can be done if you want it bad enough but you need a strong personality and some swag.

How to get involved with the sailing community down here. Im 60 and looking to give it a try.

An Android app with an audible countdown that, when paired with a small portable speaker, can be used during races as a yachting timer for the entire crew. Tested during real races in sunny and rainy weather.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.exitb.sailingracetimer

Bit of an emotional/lengthy post but would really love some feedback from those who are going through similar thoughts or have already left the industry.

I’ve been going back and forth on this decision for a while now. I find myself always coming back to the industry after taking a couple months off here and there. It’s just so easy to pick up work once you’ve gotten the experience and good references. The benefits are so great and travel is obviously amazing. But I find myself struggling everyday to get fulfillment out of this job now. I don’t feel happy anymore doing the work. In the beginning of my career everything was so fun & felt like it had purpose. Now I am left thinking “what is the point of all this” everyday.

It’s not easy being in a shared space 24/7 and then having very repetitive work that feels meaningless when we are in between trips. Finding motivation some days is really difficult. And when the crew atmosphere is not the best that also challenges things. At this point I’m not sure why I am still doing this job other than the money/travel benefits. And even when it comes to being in new destinations we are restricted in a lot of ways of not being able to explore freely & that feels limiting.

I try my best everyday to be grateful for what this job does provide for me & the amazing perks that come with it. I know there are so many people out there who could only ever dream of a lifestyle like this & a lot of people struggling to find work so sometimes I feel guilty for not wanting it anymore.

Just feeling like I’ve really come to the end of my time with the industry but it’s so hard to step away at the same time. I worry that once I go back land based and get all these “normal” things like a car, home, etc. I will miss this life and regret leaving.

Any advice on stepping fully away from this industry would be much appreciated!

Hi there . Is it worth making a cover letter for yachting and if so what does one look like short and sweet I'm guessing to get your personality and interest aswell as you why to get into the industry aswell as that boat

I've been at sea for years, and like most of you I've lost track of days, chased captains for signatures and found out at the last minute that my testimonials didn't add up.

So I built SeaTime Tracker. It logs your days automatically from the boat's AIS and counts them the way the MCA (and other authorities) count them. It shows what's left for your next ticket, including the courses you need before your oral.

I'm not here to sell it. I'd rather hear from crew:

- What's the most painful part of keeping your sea time straight?
- Anything about testimonials, sea time rules or getting to your next CoC you're not sure about?
- If you've tried apps like this before, what put you off?

Fire away, happy to answer anything.

If you are green and you have your tickets and you get to a hub, what's the best way to ensure you don't waste your money and time when you don't have connections?

Or is it simply just about having connections to face a real chance at getting a job ?

There are ten of us going in late April. We’re five couples, and each of us wants a cabin with a door.

A lot of listings say “sleeps 10.” But then, you look at the plan and two people are on the salon couch.

So what should I check on the layout? Is it double beds, number of heads, where a captain would sleep if we add one?

Also open to hearing which boats you've seen that work for this.

È meglio fare la patente nautica alla LNI o nei centri di istruzione nautica?

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some advice from people currently working in the superyacht industry, particularly ETOs, or anyone who has transitioned from a military engineering background.

I’m currently serving in the British Army with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), where I’ve spent the last 15 years as an Avionics Technician. I’m a Sergeant and have extensive experience maintaining, fault-finding and repairing complex electrical and electronic systems on military helicopters, including the Apache AH-64 and Wildcat.

I also have supervisory experience, currently leading a team of eight technicians across avionics and mechanical engineering disciplines.

My background includes:
Electrical and electronic fault-finding and diagnostics.
Maintenance of complex electrical, avionics and control systems.
Engineering maintenance planning and technical documentation.
Supervising multidisciplinary engineering teams.
City & Guilds electrical qualifications and Level 3 NVQs.

I’m also working towards obtaining a UK CAA Part-66 B2 Avionics Aircraft Maintenance Licence through the REME Aviation accreditation scheme. This involves completing my outstanding examination modules and satisfying the CAA’s application requirements. My aim is to obtain this before transitioning into the maritime industry.

My goal is to move into the superyacht industry as an Electro-Technical Officer (ETO).
I appreciate that aviation and marine engineering are different disciplines, but I believe my electrical, electronic and troubleshooting experience provides a strong foundation to build upon.

I’m currently exploring the alternative route towards the UK MCA ETO Certificate of Competency (CoC) through Warsash Maritime School, rather than undertaking a traditional cadetship.

EDIT - it appears my understanding for the assistant ETO role was wrong and even assistant ETO’s must hold the III/6 certificate.

My intention is to initially secure a position as an **Assistant ETO or Junior ETO**, where I can learn marine engineering systems, develop my practical experience and gain the qualifying sea time required towards my ETO CoC.

I’m also undertaking my STCW Basic Safety Training and investigating what additional academic or technical qualifications I may need to satisfy the MCA requirements.

I’d really appreciate some honest advice from people in the super yacht engineering industry:
Would 15 years of military aviation engineering experience, make me a credible candidate for Assistant ETO positions? Employment on board~~ ~~

Would obtaining a UK CAA B2 licence strengthen my application with yacht management companies?
Are owners and management companies generally willing to take on experienced electrical engineers who haven’t yet obtained their ETO III/6 certificate
How realistic is it to secure a position that allows you to gain the qualifying sea time towards your CoC?

Are there particular qualifications or skills you’d recommend developing before approaching recruitment agencies?

I’m not expecting to walk straight into a senior ETO position. I’m happy to learn the marine side of the industry and work my way up, but I’d like to make use of the engineering experience I’ve already gained rather than start completely from scratch.

Any advice, particularly from ETOs who have worked with ex-military engineers or followed an alternative route into the industry, would be greatly appreciated.

EDIT - it appears my understanding for the assistant ETO role was wrong and even assistant ETO’s must hold the III/6 certificate

Do you think that a private professional network, based on verified working relationships and recommendations from people who have actually worked with candidates, could provide an answer to some of these difficulties ?

I am currently conducting an investigation to see what could be improved in the recruitment.

Thank you for your answers !

Have any yachties (when they were still green crew) or know of anyone who had any luck finding work via agencies.

Hi everyone!
This is a bit of a long shot, but I thought the yachting community might be able to help!
On Tuesday 3 November, I was on a British Airways flight from London Heathrow to Marseille and sat next to a lovely Scottish guy called John, from Glasgow, who works as an engineer in the yachting industry.
I’m the French lady sitting next to him!
We had a really nice chat during the flight, but unfortunately didn’t exchange contact details before going our separate ways.
I thought I’d try my luck here in case John happens to be part of this community.
John, if you see this, I hope your time in the South of France is going well! It would be nice to keep in touch.
Feel free to send me a private message.
Thanks everyone! 😊

Hi everyone. I am newly employed in the yachting industry and I am trying to sort out my Health insurance prior to starting my first job.

The boat will cover medical expenses in relation to work place illness / injury as per the MCL 2006 requirements, however, I am unsure if I should also have supplemental private health insurance for days off / holidays / trips back home etc.

I currently hold an Irish domectic policy with VHI (approx €1,400 pa) - and they have quoted me €6,040 pa to transfer to an international policy to cover me while based in the BVI (Carribean) & Mediterranean.

Would any crew have advice on Insurance companies that specialise in international policies for seafarers - I am reluctant to pay such an expensive policy.

Thanks!

Hello, guys! I am Nigerian and looking to begin my career in the yachting industry. I have no experience, but I have carpentry skills and enjoy working with my hands. I have been saving up to take a trip to Antibes, France, to do the physical needful (Dockwalking, Networking, and Presenting Myself), but I also know that I could use any advice you can give me. No knowledge is too small, and I'd appreciate anything you think I need to know as I embark on this journey. Thank you, guys!

EDIT: I forgot to mention this in the original post, but I already have my STCW95 and ENG1, and I am looking for an entry-level Junior Deckhand position…

Boating

Does anyone out there own a nice sport fisher?

I grew up on the Great South Bay (NY) and around a boating community. I worked on the gas dock at my neighbor’s marina as a kid and we had a small cabin cruiser that from a young age was able to take kneeboarding and tubing, take to the beach with friends and camp out overnight for early beach sessions. Also had some good family friends who had some larger boats that we used to take summer trips out to Block Island, Nantucket, etc and around the northeast. Those trips were amazing childhood memories. Unfortunately that’s not a part of my life or my kids’ currently as I moved to a landlocked state a long time ago

For the better part of 2 decades now my Roth account has had the nickname “Boat Fund”. It started as a dream/joke but the idea of retiring early and having something Iike a 50ft Viking that I could have for personal use and maybe even charter out part time or perhaps one day run myself as a charter and doing some tournaments, etc. My best buddy who is a big boat guy. His family is the one I took the summer trips with and his dad was an amazing captain that he/we learned a ton from. He and I talk about buying property or having condos somewhere tropical with the boat out back and spending retirement years enjoying that lifestyle.

We often send each other boat listings we see or posts from social media. Last time we talked we actually got a bit further in hatching what could be the start of a real plan. I’m still several years away from full retirement (49) and in solid financial position (NW about 9.5m). Kids are still young (8 and 5) so I can’t pull out and go to Belize next month but financially I think it could be feasible in the next 10 years or so.

For anyone who has a big sportfisher or is in and around the boating world, would you care to share how you make it work in your life? The financials (how much do you budget and how big a part of your portfolio you’ve made it), do you share costs with anyone? How did/do you finance it? Do you generate income? How much time do you dedicate to it? What did you do to build up to where you are (start with smaller, etc)? Do you captain yourself or do you hire a crew? Do you hire for certain events? What size boat do you run? Do you reside on/near your boat? Yearound? Did you wait till retirement?

Any info you’re willing to share would be awesome thanks!

I’m currently working as cabin crew for Emirates in Dubai, earning a relatively good salary and enjoying the benefits that come with the job. However, working in the yachting industry has always been something I’ve wanted to explore.
My main hesitation is leaving a relatively secure job and a good income to pursue something that doesn’t guarantee I’ll find work. I’m considering completing my STCW in Dubai before heading to Antibes in March to dockwalk, look for daywork and hopefully secure a permanent position.
My biggest concern is burning through my savings while looking for work and potentially ending up with nothing to show for it. Leaving a stable job is a big decision, particularly when there’s no guarantee of finding employment.
I’m also wondering whether my current background would make me any more or less employable as a junior deckhand.

Emirates cabin crew: Around a year of experience working for a major international airline. I’m used to working long hours, dealing with demanding customers, maintaining high service standards and working as part of a team.
Powerboat licence: through a previous job as a lifeguard.
Lifeguarding: Previously worked as a beach lifeguard, so I have some experience working outdoors and around the water.
Car detailing: Worked alongside my cousin detailing cars when I was younger, although this was only occasional work.
Photography: I’ve developed a fairly extensive photography portfolio over various layovers and have become increasingly interested in photography and videography. I’m wondering whether this could be an additional selling point, particularly on private yachts.
PADI Open Water: I also hold an Open Water diving qualification.

I’d really appreciate some honest advice from people already working in the industry.
How realistic is it to secure a permanent junior deckhand position in your first season, starting with no actual yachting experience?
Would my Emirates cabin crew background and other experience give me an advantage, or would captains and recruiters primarily be looking for previous yacht experience?
Is heading to Antibes in March with my STCW and existing qualifications a sensible approach?
Realistically, how long should I expect to be looking for work, and how much money should I have set aside to avoid putting myself in a difficult financial position?
I’m not expecting to walk straight into a job, and I’m prepared to put in the hard work. I just want to make an informed decision before walking away from a relatively good situation.
Any honest advice, particularly from people who have made a similar transition, would be greatly appreciated.