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What skills are required for a yacht job? |
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A yacht job is not something that every individual can do. There are certain skills and qualifications that make one fit for a yacht job.
More than the glamour associated with yachting, a yacht job is a tough challenge. Whether you are a captain, a chef, or a deckhand, there are basic skills that you must develop to be a qualified worker on board.
The most basic skill perhaps is your ability to work well while the vessel is in motion. No matter how excellent a worker you are, you are no good as a yacht crew if you keep getting seasick and throwing up all the time. It takes time to get used to the sea but you need focus and determination to overcome motion sickness.
Ironically, previous experience in sailing is not always a prerequisite to landing a yacht job. There are certain positions that will be open to you even if you have not been in a boat before. However, for your own good, it is still necessary to acquaint yourself with the basics of boating, including nautical terms and safety procedures.
Those who have been extensive experience in crewing a yacht that even the very basic skills come handy in yachting. Skills that add value to a worker’s usefulness in a yacht include cooking and provisioning, heavy-duty sewing, knowledge in computers and VHF/HF radio, plumbing, diesel mechanics, among others. Those who know a foreign language or two have a definite advantage as well as those who are street wise.
Yacht crews are expected to be resourceful, flexible, dependable, and conscientious.
Most crew are also expected to have STCW qualification. STCW stands for Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping, which include qualifications for basic safety training basic firefighting, elementary first aid, personal survival, and personal safety and social responsibility.
If you are serious in getting a yacht job, it doesn’t hurt to arm yourself with the proper training. The American Yacht Institute (http://www.americanyachtinstitute.com/), for instance, is setting a professional standard for yacht crew. Their training course include the following:
· Professional Etiquette and Social Skills
· French, Russian and Buffet Table Service
· Interior and Exterior Detailing
· Butler Services
· Valet Services
· Bartending
· Provisioning and Inventory
· Basic First Aid
· Safety Equipment
· Emergency Procedures
· International Customs and Protocol
Yacht jobs
If you already have a specific yacht job in mind, then you should all the more equip yourself with skills that will make you fit for your desired position.
Usually, the following crew jobs are found on board yachts.
- Captain
- First Officer
- Engineer
- Chef
- Chief Steward/ess
- Deckhand
Captain
The captain is in charge of the yacht and everybody answers to him. A captain is required to have considerable maritime experience and training and has had to pass some gruelling exams to reach his position of responsibility. Aside from his maritime skills, a captain should also be adept in accounting to be able to manage significant sums of money. He is also expected to be good in dealing with people, particularly his crew and the yacht guests.
First Officer/Mate
Second in command to the captain, a first officer or mate also has to be qualified in order to legally do his/her job. The first officer/mate responsible for the second and third officers and deckhands.
Engineer
A yacht engineer must have the skills, license and the experience to qualify for the position.
Chef
Aside from culinary skills, a chef onboard should be able to work under pressure without need of supervision.
Chief Steward/ess
Similar to a housekeeper, a steward or stewardess takes care of the maintenance of the interior of the yacht. Although there are no strict qualifications, a prospective steward/ess should have the skills to maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the yacht.
Deckhand
A deckhand is the entry level for almost all professional crew jobs on yachts. Male or female, deckhands are expected to do a variety of jobs inside the yacht.
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