Sailing CV vs Resume: Key Differences for Maritime Jobs

1. Professional Photo is Mandatory

Sailing CV: Professional headshot at top of CV (shoulders up, neutral background, smiling, smart-casual attire)

Resume: No photo (US standard), optional small photo (European corporate)

Why the difference: Maritime industry is appearance-conscious. Boat owners and charter companies assess cultural fit and guest-facing presentation. Photos are industry standard. Omitting one signals unfamiliarity with yachting.

2. Certifications Get Top Billing

Sailing CV: Certifications section appears immediately after personal details (before experience section). Includes:

• Certificate name (RYA Yachtmaster Offshore, STCW Basic Safety, ENG1)
• Certificate number
• Issue date and expiry date
• Issuing organisation

Resume: Licenses and certifications usually appear at bottom under "Additional Information" or omitted entirely if not directly relevant to job.

Why the difference: Maritime law requires specific certifications (STCW, ENG1, RYA qualifications). Insurance policies mandate valid certificates. Hiring managers scan for certifications first. If you're not qualified, they won't read further. Burying certifications at bottom wastes their time.

3. Yacht Details Are Essential in Experience Section

Sailing CV experience entry:

Deckhand | M/Y [Yacht Name] | 45m Motor Yacht | May 2023 - Present
- Maintain deck cleanliness and teak care
- Operate tenders and water sports equipment
- Crew of 8 (Captain, Chief Officer, 2 Deckhands, Chief Stew, 2 Stews, Chef)

Resume experience entry:

Team Member | [Company Name] | May 2023 - Present
- Maintained equipment and facilities
- Operated machinery and assisted customers
- Collaborated with team of 8

Why the difference: Yacht size, type (motor/sail), and crew structure tell hiring managers if your experience matches their vessel. A 25m sailing yacht operates differently from a 60m motor yacht. Crew structure reveals your role context: were you one of 12 crew or entire deck department? Maritime employers need these details.

4. Sea Miles and Logbook Evidence

Sailing CV: Separate section or prominently in summary showing:

• Total sea miles logged
• Miles as skipper
• Notable passages (offshore, ocean, specific routes)
• RYA qualifying criteria progress (if working toward Yachtmaster)

Resume: No equivalent concept

Why the difference: Sea miles demonstrate experience level more accurately than years employed. A sailor with 5,000 logged miles and 2 years experience is more qualified than someone with 5 years experience and 1,000 miles. Maritime industry values actual sailing time, not just calendar duration.

5. Date of Birth and Nationality

Sailing CV: Date of birth and nationality listed in personal details

Resume: Omitted (US), sometimes included (UK/Europe)

Why the difference: Maritime positions have age-related insurance restrictions (typically 25-70 years old). Nationality affects visa requirements and flag state regulations. Omitting these wastes time. Hiring managers will ask immediately. Better to include upfront.

6. Languages with Proficiency Levels

Sailing CV: Languages section with specific proficiency:

Languages:
- English: Native
- French: Fluent (CEFR C1)
- Spanish: Conversational (CEFR B1)
- Italian: Basic (CEFR A2)

Resume: Languages listed without proficiency or omitted if not required for job

Why the difference: Mediterranean and Caribbean charter positions value multilingual crew. French/Italian fluency can add £3,000-5,000 to annual salary. Specific proficiency levels (native, fluent, conversational, basic) help hiring managers assess value. "Languages: French, Spanish" is too vague: fluent French is valuable, basic French isn't.

7. Personal Interests Section

Sailing CV: Encouraged and valued. Includes:

• Sailing-related activities (racing, cruising, diving)
• Physical fitness (marathon running, yoga, gym)
• Cultural interests (art, photography, languages)
• Team sports (demonstrates collaborative nature)

Resume: Brief or omitted in corporate contexts

Why the difference: Yacht crew live and work in confined quarters. Cultural fit and personality matter as much as skills. Hiring managers assess interests to gauge crew compatibility. Diverse interests (fitness + culture + team activities) signal well-rounded crew member suitable for small-team environment.

Use sailing CV format for:

• Yacht crew positions (deckhand, steward/ess, bosun, mate)
• Charter skipper applications
• Sailing instructor roles
• Yacht delivery crew
• Marine industry positions (brokerages, marinas, chandleries)

Use traditional resume format for:

• Corporate shore-based maritime jobs (shipping companies, maritime law)
• Non-maritime career positions
• Academic applications

Mixed format for:

• Superyacht engineer positions (blend maritime CV + technical resume)
• Yacht captain roles (sailing CV format but more executive presentation)

Step 1: Read our Professional Sailing CV Guide for comprehensive format breakdown

Step 2: Gather maritime-specific details:

• Certificate numbers and expiry dates for all qualifications
• Yacht names, sizes, and crew structures from previous positions
• Total sea miles logged (calculate from logbook)
• Language proficiency levels (use CEFR framework: A1/A2 = basic, B1/B2 = conversational/fluent, C1/C2 = fluent/native)

Step 3: Restructure sections in priority order:

• Personal details (including photo, date of birth, nationality)
• Certifications (STCW, ENG1, RYA, additional maritime certs)
• Professional experience (reverse chronological with yacht details)
• Sea miles summary
• Skills (deck/interior skills, languages)
• Education (brief, less important than certifications)
• Personal interests

Step 4: Use maritime terminology:

• "Deckhand" not "general labourer"
• "Watch-keeping" not "shift work"
• "Passage" not "trip"
• "Mooring operations" not "docking procedures"

Step 5: Get it verified:

Create verified sailing CV through Crew the Boat where certifications display verification badges, proving credentials are genuine and current.