FAQ
The Answers You Need
WHICH COURSES DO I NEED TO DO?
Mandatory requirements for everyone are:
STCW10 and a seafarer medical
Deckhands are best served with RYA PB2, RYA PWC, VHF and a Deckhand course.
Stewardesses will are best served with the FHS level 2 and a Stewardess course.
The more qualified you are, the better, however we advise students to research the job requirements posted on crew agency websites like YOA or YOTSPOT before booking courses to see which qualifications are requested for junior crew.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO SPEND VAST SUMS OF MONEY ON COURSES IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO WORK ON BOARD.
WHICH SEAFARER MEDICAL DO I NEED?
You will need a seafarer medical in order to be eligible to work on board yachts overseas. You can hold EITHER a SAMSA Seafarer medical OR an ENG-1, both are accepted as valid seafarer medicals. Please find more information on this here
CAN I FIND A JOB FROM SOUTH AFRICA?
Yes, we have helped many of our students secure jobs before leaving South Africa but there aren't any guarantees unfortunately. Many employers still prefer to hire crew who are on the ground and we are constantly receiving requests for crew in Europe and other locations. That said, we know that how to help our students promote themselves which enhances their chances of being hired from SA greatly.
WHAT DO SUPERYACHT CREW EARN?
Junior crew - Deckhands and Stewardesses typically make around Euro 2000 - 3500 per month with no additional expenses.This excludes tips which can be a substantial addition with some crew earning Euro 10.000 - 30.000 in tips during a busy season on reputable charter yachts.
WHAT DO YACHT CREW EVEN DO?
In a nutshell, we are there to make sure the 'floating hotel' operates to the highest standards possible. We have different roles depending on the department ie. Deck, Interior or Engineering, which is why certain departments require different qualifications in order to perform their jobs safely. Deckhands keep the exterior of the yacht in top shape, drive tenders, assist with all water-sports, navigate and help out wherever needed. Steward/esses manage the interior of the yacht and are involved in housekeeping, service and guest related services. Chefs also form part of the interior department and are responsible for, you guessed it, feeding guests and crew. Engineers ensure all the mechanical and electrical systems are maintained and keep the lights on and engine running.
CAN GIRLS WORK AS DECKHANDS?
Absolutely! There are many female deck crew, captains and engineers in the business and we encourage you to follow your passion regardless of the position. Some of the best deck crew are female and having qualifications that allow you to work as a deckhand, stewardess or deck/stew (on smaller yachts ) increases your chances of finding a job greatly.
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If you enjoy being outdoors, driving jet skis and water sports, a deckhand position may be what you are after.
If customer service, hospitality, floristry, silver service and housekeeping is more for you, a stewardess position may suit you better.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A CREW MEMBER?
Above all, crew members need to be coachable, considerate, willing to learn and adaptable. Living in confined spaces, long hours of hard work and demanding clients make living on board challenging but if crew remember that this is a team sport, they tend to do very well.
WHAT OTHER SKILLS CAN HELP?
Almost all employers are looking for crew with 'additional' skills. These can range from yoga instructors, dive instructors, kite board instructors, lifeguards, beauticians, massage therapists, nurses, drone pilots and videographers to Michelin star chefs, nannies and teachers. Your hobby or special skill/experience may be exactly what they are looking for.
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
DO YOU PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION?
No, but we are within walking distance of many hostels and air BnB's and can make a booking for you. *covid restrictions apply
IS YACHTING LIKE BELOW DECK?
It can be sometimes, but like most things with 'reality' TV, everything is dramatised. ;) You will be expected to conduct yourself professionally at all times.
WHICH VISAS DO I NEED?
You will need a Schengen visa for Europe and a B1/B2 visa for the US. Please consult www.schengenvisainfo.com for more information on how to go about applying. We do work with visa consultants that can assist with the application process for both of these, please enquire about pricing.
DO I NEED TO BE VACCINATED?
Most, if not all yachts are requiring crew to be fully vaccinated including booster shots.
HOW DO I INCREASE MY CHANCES OF FINDING A JOB?
Networking is one of the most important tools you have, so reach out to anyone you know who works on yachts and can pass your CV to a decision maker on board.
Sign up with crew agencies like www.yoaagency.com and www.yotspot.com create a profile, upload your certificates and resume and apply for any jobs you can.
Dockwalking is one of the most sure-fire ways to secure a job as you can showcase yourself, your work ethic and competence and will also get paid for the day.
WILL I BE ABLE TO FIND A JOB?
Yes, we pride ourselves on giving our students all the tools they need to stand out from the crowd and promote themselves. We have placed countless students through YOA over the years and use the feedback we get from captains on a daily basis to make sure our students are receiving the most current and useful feedback about what employers are looking for. While we can't guarantee a job, we can guarantee that you will have a better chance than anyone else.
The road to OOW and Captain
Charting the correct course is important and this holds true for deciding which route to take when climbing the ranks. Below is some information to help you decide which route is right for you.
IYT / MCA Route (Including OOW 500GT)
This internationally recognised path is suitable for large yachts and superyachts. Certificates are STCW-compliant and issued by MCA-approved training providers.
Minimum entry requirements to complete the IYT Master of yachts Limited Course
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Candidates should be 18 years of age or older.
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One must hold or obtain a Marine Communications VHF-SRC Radio Operators certificate.
* Please note that IYT will not accept ISSA VHF qualifications.
(If you are unsure if your radio license will be accepted, please send a scanned copy of the front and back of your license to support@iytworld.com. IYT will verify that your license is sufficient to receive the IYT Master of Yachts license). -
One must hold or obtain all Basic STCW certificates.
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STCW certificates must be valid (not expired).
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STCW certificates must be issued by nations found on the IMO “White List”. Right click and open hyperlink.
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STCW EFA, PST, and BFF components cannot be taken online whereas STCW PSSR and PMSA components can be taken online.
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If STCW Safety Training is taken after January 1, 2014, Proficiency in Maritime Security Awareness (PMSA) is also required.
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Sea Time
a) 50 days logged on board a vessel >9m at sea as an active member of the crew. For the purpose of this requirement, a day is defined as a period of 24 consecutive hours. Parts of a day may not be included in this total, but a day is not invalidated by a candidate leaving the yacht for a few hours during a cruise. The term “at sea” is defined as being on a vessel outside of any harbour - natural or artificial - in which a cruising yacht could secure or anchor for a prolonged period of time.
b) 3 000 miles logged on a vessel at sea. This mileage must include overnight passages and not only short day trips. At least 2000 miles must have been completed on coastal voyages and not ocean crossings. The candidate MUST have spent considerable time in a position of responsibility, preferably engaged in actual vessel handling.
c) Five varied passages with rhumb lines of over 60 miles, during two of which the candidate must have been undertaking the duties of captain or watchkeeper.
d) 30 hours on watch at night underway as an active member of a yacht’s crew. For at least six hours of this night time experience, the candidate must have been acting as the vessel’s captain/watch leader. “Night,” in this context, is defined as the time between sunset and sunrise.
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iyt testimonial for sea service right click and open hyperlink
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iyt candidate sea time form right click and open hyperlink
(Must log more than 5 entries to make up the miles, days at sea and night watch keeping hours)
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Contact details of the person signing off on the sea time must be included and in cases where the candidate is the skipper of the vessel the document must be signed by the owner or agent.
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If you hold the Master of Yachts limited certificate you are qualified to work as:
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Master of 200 ton vessel up to 150 nautical miles offshore
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Chief Mate of 500 ton vessel up to 150 nautical mile offshore
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Chief Mate of 200 ton vessel all ocean
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OOW (Officer of the Watch) of 500 ton vessel all oceans.
MCA OOW <3000 GT
This internationally recognised path is suitable for large yachts and superyachts.
Requirements to obtain a Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OOW) Yachts, less than 3000 GT, Unlimited Area, Regulation II/1, Certificate of Competency To qualify for the issue of this Certificate of Competency you must meet the following requirements:
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(a) Be at least 19 years of age;
(b) Hold either:
• An RYA Yachtmaster certificate Offshore and a certificate of successful completion of a shore-based Yachtmaster Offshore course*; or
• An IYT Master of Yachts Limited certificate;
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(c) Since the age of 16, have obtained a minimum of 36 months’ onboard yacht service. This must include at least 365 days seagoing service on vessels of 15 metres or over in load line length, made up of:
• A minimum of 250 days’ seagoing service and
• 115 days of any combination of the following:
o Seagoing service;
o Stand-by service – A maximum of 14 consecutive days may be counted at one time, but on no occasion may a period of standby service exceed that of the previous voyage;
o Yard service – up to a maximum of 90 days continuously or in separate periods;
(d) Hold an Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) certificate given by an MCA approved training provider ;
(e) Hold the applicable ancillary course certificates listed in section 5;
(f) Successful completion of approved education and training, meeting the standards of competency identified by the MCA from section A-II/1 of the STCW Code as applicable to a yacht restricted Certificate of Competency, and covered by:
• Successful completion of the MCA approved ‘Navigation and Radar (OOW yachts)’ training module and pass the corresponding MCA professional examination;
• Successful completion of the MCA approved ‘General Ship Knowledge (OOW yachts)’ training module and passing the corresponding MCA professional examination;
• Completion of an MCA Yacht Training Record Book.
(g) Hold a valid ENG1 (medical fitness certificate) or accepted equivalent;
(h) Pass the OOW (yachts less than 3000 GT) oral examination. *Note: Not required if the candidate holds a Yachtmaster Offshore certificate issued before 31 July 2003 To obtain Master, II/2, code vessels less than 200 GT endorsement on your OOW yachts, less than 3000 GT, II/1 Certificate of Competency, you must apply to sit a separate oral examination. You may not be required to complete a Training Record Book for OOW yachts, less than 3000 GT, unlimited area, regulation II/1 if you can demonstrate 36 months’ actual seagoing service on vessels of at least 24 metres in load line length.