Maritime Crew Roles & Career Pathways

Entry-level position for beginners with little to no sailing experience. You assist with sail handling, line work, steering practice, and general duties under supervision. Over time, you become actively involved in all aspects of living and working on a yacht, learning basic seamanship, helming techniques, and the importance of teamwork onboard. Perfect for learning the fundamentals.

Lead a watch team on passage, typically for 4-6 hour shifts. Responsible for navigation decisions, helm supervision, sail trim, and watchkeeping duties during your shift. You maintain the yacht's course, monitor weather conditions, keep lookout, and make tactical decisions while the skipper rests. Requires proven competence in coastal navigation and boat handling.

Overall command of the vessel with ultimate authority and responsibility for all onboard. You plan passages, make navigation decisions, manage crew watches, ensure safety compliance, handle weather routing, coordinate port entries, and maintain the yacht. The RYA Yachtmaster certificate is internationally respected, proving your experience and competence to skipper yachts on coastal passages (Coastal), passages up to 150 miles offshore (Offshore), or passages of any length worldwide (Ocean).

Entry-level professional position on superyachts and commercial vessels. Maintain and clean the yacht's exterior to pristine condition, perform daily washdowns and polishing, assist with mooring and anchoring operations, handle lines, drive tenders, support water sports activities, and carry out general deck maintenance. At the foundation of the professional crew hierarchy, deckhands gain hands-on experience in all aspects of exterior operations.

Experienced former deckhand who leads the exterior crew team. Supervise and train deckhands, coordinate all deck maintenance projects, lead mooring and anchoring operations during close quarters manoeuvring, manage deck equipment inventories, perform repairs (painting, caulking, fiberglass work), organize tender and water sports activities for guests, and ensure the yacht's exterior remains in pristine condition. Reports to the First Officer.

Navigation officer responsible for standing bridge watches (typically 4-hour shifts), maintaining charts and electronic navigation systems (ECDIS), updating nautical publications, monitoring radar and AIS, managing radio communications (GMDSS), assisting the Chief Mate with passage planning, and acting as understudy to the First Officer. On larger yachts, may manage junior officers. Requires thorough understanding of bridge and navigation systems.

Second-in-command and right hand to the Captain. Oversee all deck operations and maintenance schedules, supervise the entire deck crew (officers, bosun, deckhands), plan and coordinate mooring and docking procedures, manage passage planning and weather routing, stand command watches, handle cargo and tender operations, ensure safety equipment compliance, and step in during the Captain's absence. Acts as head of department for all exterior crew.

Master of the vessel with ultimate authority and responsibility for every soul onboard. Holds command over all vessel operations from bridge to engine room to interior, makes final navigation and operational decisions, ensures regulatory compliance and safety standards, manages the entire crew across all departments, coordinates with port authorities and maritime officials, handles emergency situations, maintains vessel certification and documentation, and bears legal responsibility for the vessel. Like a sea-based CEO, the Captain oversees everything from day-to-day operations to strategic planning.

Provide exceptional service to guests inside the yacht, maintaining five-star hotel standards at sea. Responsibilities include housekeeping duties (cleaning cabins, making beds, laundry service), interior detailing and presentation, table service and bartending, cabin preparation and turndown service, event planning and coordination, and anticipating guest needs. Must maintain immaculate presentation standards, work discreetly, and deliver personalized service. Often the first point of contact for guests.

Plan menus, provision the yacht, and prepare all meals for crew and guests in the galley. On superyachts, deliver restaurant-quality fine dining experiences with multiple courses, accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences, and create impressive culinary presentations. Manage all galley operations, maintain food safety standards, order and store provisions efficiently, work within tight galley spaces, and adapt to sea conditions. Head Chefs lead galley teams, while junior chefs and cooks assist with meal preparation. All positions require formal culinary training and experience.

Manage all vessel stores, inventory systems, and provisioning logistics. Track and order supplies for extended passages, maintain inventory databases, coordinate deliveries and transfers in different ports, manage storage spaces efficiently, handle customs documentation for provisions, and ensure adequate stock levels for crew and guest needs. Plan ahead for remote cruising areas where resupply is difficult. Often combined with other interior roles on smaller vessels, but a dedicated position on larger yachts with complex logistics.

Deck Roles

Core sailing and navigation competencies needed for Crew, Watch Leader, Skipper, and deck officer positions.

Technical Roles

Engineering and systems expertise for maintaining vessel machinery and equipment.

Interior Roles

Hospitality and service skills for superyacht stewards, chefs, and guest-facing positions.

Safety & Emergency

Critical safety competencies required across all roles, especially for offshore and commercial work.