Key takeaways
- ✓Relief work covers leave, sickness, refit periods and one-off trips such as deliveries.
- ✓Engineers, captains, mates, chefs and experienced deckhands are the most requested relief roles.
- ✓Most relief jobs are paid per day, often at a higher rate than the same role on a permanent contract.
- ✓Speed wins: a ready-to-send profile, valid certificates and up-to-date availability get you booked.
- ✓Every relief job well done is a reference — and the start of being booked again.
What counts as relief or short-term work?
- •Leave cover on rotation — covering a crew member during their time off.
- •Emergency cover — sickness, family emergencies or a sudden resignation.
- •Refit and yard periods — extra engineers or deck crew for a few weeks.
- •Deliveries — moving a yacht from A to B, from a day to a few weeks.
- •Day work — paid day jobs in port, often a door into longer roles.
- •Seasonal peaks — extra crew for a busy charter period.
Roles in demand
| Role | Typical relief situation | What employers check first |
|---|---|---|
| Chief / 2nd engineer | Leave cover, breakdowns, yard periods | Engineering licence for the vessel size, recent experience on similar machinery |
| Captain / skipper | Leave cover, deliveries, owner trips | Master/Yachtmaster level, references, area experience |
| Mate / OOW | Rotation gaps, deliveries | OOW or equivalent, watchkeeping experience |
| Chef | Charter peaks, leave cover | Food hygiene certificate, sample menus, references |
| Deckhand | Day work, refit, seasonal peaks | STCW Basic Safety, medical, practical skills |
How relief work is paid
Relief and delivery jobs are usually paid per day. Because the employer needs someone quickly and for a short period, day rates are often higher than the monthly salary divided by 30. Agree in writing: the day rate, paid travel days, flights, food and accommodation, and what happens if the job is extended or cut short.
On Maritime Delivery the Client pays the agreed pay plus an 8% platform fee, and crew receive 100% of the agreed pay. Terms are accepted by both sides before the job starts, and payment runs through Stripe.
How to get booked — fast
- •Keep your profile complete and verified, so you can say yes within the hour.
- •Keep certificates valid, with expiry dates visible — an expired medical rules you out.
- •Mark your free dates in your availability calendar; employers search by date.
- •Switch on job notifications for the roles and regions you want.
- •Answer quickly and clearly: availability, location, rate and certificates in one message.
- •After each job, ask for a review — it is what the next employer reads first.
Making relief work part of your career
Many experienced crew combine a rotational contract with relief or delivery work in their time off. It keeps skills fresh, adds sea time for the next certificate and builds a network of captains and managers who know your work. Keep track of hours of rest and leave rules, though — rest periods exist for safety, and burning out between rotations helps no one.
Frequently asked questions
What is a relief crew job?+
A temporary role covering a crew member who is on leave, sick or has left, or extra crew for a refit, a busy period or a delivery. It can last from a few days to a few months.
Do relief jobs pay more?+
Often the day rate is higher than the same role on a permanent contract, because the work is short and needed quickly. There is no leave pay or job security, so compare the full package.
How do I find relief work quickly?+
Have a complete, verified profile, valid certificates and an up-to-date availability calendar, and switch on job notifications. Employers book the people who can confirm fast.
Can relief work count as sea time?+
Time on board can count towards sea service for certificates if it meets your flag state’s rules and is properly documented and signed off. Log it as you go.
Sources
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