Key takeaways
- ✓The bosun leads the deckhands day to day, plans exterior maintenance and runs deck, tender and water-sports operations under the first officer.
- ✓Captains look for strong tender driving, mooring and anchoring, paint and varnish skills, and the ability to lead 2–6 deckhands.
- ✓Certificates: STCW basics plus security, a tender/powerboat licence, often Yachtmaster Offshore or Master 200GT, and increasingly OOW (Yachts) <3000GT modules.
- ✓Pay depends on yacht size and programme: recent job listings range from about €5,000 to €8,000 a month on 60–150 m yachts; smaller yachts pay less.
- ✓Typical path: deckhand → lead deckhand → bosun → second or first officer.
What a bosun does
- •Plans and allocates the daily deck work and checks it is done to standard
- •Exterior maintenance: washdowns, polishing, paint and varnish touch-ups, teak care, caulking
- •Mooring, anchoring and line handling, often running the foredeck or aft deck team
- •Tender driving and guest launches; looking after tenders, toys and water-sports equipment
- •Keeping the deck stores, inventory and maintenance logs up to date
- •Training and mentoring new deckhands, and taking part in drills and bridge watches
- •Supporting the first officer with safety equipment checks and risk assessments
Skills captains look for
- •Confident boat handling: tenders, RIBs and limited-space manoeuvres with guests on board
- •Seamanship: knots, splicing, rigging and heavy-weather preparation
- •Paint, varnish and fairing — the yacht's exterior is your responsibility
- •Calm leadership: setting the standard, giving clear instructions and solving conflicts
- •Planning: knowing what has to be done before guests arrive, a passage or a yard period
Certificates
There is no single "bosun licence", but most captains expect:
- •STCW Basic Safety Training (with in-date refreshers) and Proficiency in Designated Security Duties
- •ENG1 medical certificate
- •RYA Powerboat Level 2 and/or an approved tender operator licence; PWC licence for jet skis
- •RYA Yachtmaster Offshore (commercially endorsed) — common on mid-size yachts
- •On larger yachts: Master (Code Vessels) <200GT or progress towards OOW (Yachts) <3000GT, plus Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats
Bosun salary by yacht size
| Yacht size | Typical monthly salary |
|---|---|
| 30–45 m | €3,500–4,500 |
| 45–60 m | €4,500–5,500 |
| 60–80 m | €5,500–7,000 |
| 80 m+ | €6,000–8,000+ |
From deckhand to bosun — and beyond
- •Ask for responsibility early: run a washdown team, lead a tender operation, plan a varnish job
- •Build sea service and keep testimonials — you will need them for officer CoCs
- •Take Yachtmaster Offshore and the OOW modules in your time off
- •Take deliveries between seasons for extra sea miles and watchkeeping experience
- •Keep strong references from captains and first officers
Many bosuns move to second officer within 1–3 years once they hold Yachtmaster Offshore and are working towards OOW (Yachts) <3000GT.
Frequently asked questions
What does a bosun do on a yacht?+
The bosun leads the deckhands day to day, plans exterior maintenance, runs mooring, tender and water-sports operations and trains new crew, reporting to the first officer.
How much does a yacht bosun earn?+
Roughly €3,500–4,500 a month on smaller yachts and about €5,000–8,000 on 60–150 m yachts, according to recent job listings. Rotation and tips add to the package.
Do you need a licence to be a bosun?+
There is no bosun licence, but captains expect STCW, ENG1, a tender/powerboat qualification and often Yachtmaster Offshore. Larger yachts like bosuns who are working towards OOW (Yachts) <3000GT.
How long does it take to become a bosun?+
Usually two to four seasons as a deckhand, depending on your skills, certificates and the size of the yacht.
Sources
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