Bluewater crew agencies located in Antibes and Palma have put together some tips on how to get a job on a yacht. If you are brand new to the yachting industry, this article describes the basic first steps. The second step part is getting the correct yacht qualifications which can be obtained from our crew training centers.

If you have not worked on yachts before, you need to show potential employers that you have the necessary qualities to do so. The key to getting your first job is to network, network, and network. In addition to registering with the local crew agencies and checking-in regularly, it is important to walk the docks at the local ports and marinas asking for day work, talk to people at the local crew houses, yacht training schools and Internet Stations.

While writing your CV, there are many ways to aim your skills toward the yachting industry:

If you are applying for a steward or stewardess position, emphasize any hospitality experience or customer service you may have had, such as waitressing, hostessing, silver service, bartending, cooking, nanny/au pairing, babysitting, flower-arranging, cleaning, and/or laundry experience.

If you are applying for a deckhand position, include all woodwork/carpentry and mechanical experience in addition to painting, polishing, varnishing, diving, sailing, fishing (all water sports), and rope handling if applicable.

For a yacht engineering position include all mechanical experience and qualifications including all work done in refrigeration, air conditioning, engines, electrical work, electronics and computing.

Additional qualifications that are appealing to yacht captains and yacht owners are: languages, experience in hotels, resorts, cabin crew and cruise ship, CPR, First Aid certification or any emergency medical training, Nursing, and Masseuse/ Beauty Therapy licences.

Activities such as travelling, recreational sailing or diving can be helpful on your CV, so stress any sailing experience, even non-professional, and briefly list any recent travels.

At all times it is important to have a professional appearance whether interviewing or walking the docks. You should be clean shaven, well groomed, hair pulled back and presentably dressed. Tattoos need to be covered up and piercing removed. An overall clean and smart appearance says a lot about your attitude and work ethic. Always be on time for any interviews. An enthusiastic, polite and personable nature is obviously very important as well!