Key takeaways
- ✓Most interviews test fit as much as skill: attitude, teamwork and how you handle living in close quarters.
- ✓Expect practical questions for your department — mooring and teak care for deck, service and housekeeping for interior.
- ✓Prepare short, concrete examples (what you did, how, and the result) instead of general claims.
- ✓Always ask a few questions back about the crew, the programme and your duties.
- ✓Save salary and leave questions for a follow-up or your agent, unless the captain brings them up.
Common questions for all crew
- •Tell me about yourself and why you want to work on yachts.
- •What experience do you have, and what did you learn on your last boat?
- •How do you handle conflict with a crew mate when you share a cabin?
- •Describe a time you worked long hours under pressure. What did you do?
- •What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- •How long are you looking to stay, and what are your career goals?
- •Do you smoke, and do you have visible tattoos? (Asked because of yacht policies — answer honestly.)
Deckhand and deck crew questions
- •How do you clean and maintain teak decks?
- •Explain how you would prepare lines and fenders for coming alongside.
- •What tender or powerboat experience do you have?
- •How would you prepare the deck for a passage in heavy weather?
- •What do you do in a man-overboard situation?
Stewardess and interior questions
- •Walk me through how you turn down a guest cabin.
- •What service styles are you comfortable with (silver service, plated, family style)?
- •How do you care for delicate fabrics and luxury finishes?
- •Tell me about a difficult guest request and how you handled it.
- •How do you keep inventory and laundry organised on a busy charter?
Delivery and passage crew questions
- •What offshore miles and night watches have you done?
- •Which certificates do you hold (Yachtmaster, STCW, VHF/SRC, first aid)?
- •How do you handle seasickness and fatigue on long watches?
- •Have you helped with passage planning, weather routing or provisioning?
- •Are you comfortable with a short-handed crew of two or three?
How to answer well
- •Use real examples: the situation, what you did and the result — in one or two minutes
- •Be honest about what you have not done yet and show you are keen to learn
- •Keep it positive: never criticise a previous captain, owner or crew
- •For video interviews: quiet room, good light, stable connection, neat polo shirt
- •Have your CV, certificates and references ready to share straight after the call
Questions to ask the captain
| Good to ask | Better saved for later |
|---|---|
| How big is the crew and how long have they been on board? | Exact salary and bonuses (unless they raise it) |
| What is the programme for the next season? | Leave and days off in detail |
| What would a normal day look like in this role? | Tips and charter gratuities |
| Is there training or support for certificates? | How soon you can take a holiday |
Frequently asked questions
What questions do yacht captains ask in interviews?+
Usually about your experience, why you want to work on yachts, how you handle conflict and long hours, your strengths and weaknesses, plus practical questions for your department such as teak care for deckhands or cabin turndowns for stewardesses.
How should I prepare for a yacht crew video interview?+
Choose a quiet, well-lit room, test your connection, dress neatly, prepare short examples from previous jobs and have your CV, certificates and references ready to send.
Should I ask about salary in a yacht interview?+
Recruiters advise not to lead with salary or time off in a first interview. Ask your agent, or raise it in a follow-up once the captain is interested.
What questions should I ask the captain?+
Ask about the crew, the yacht's programme, what a normal day in the role looks like and whether there is support for training and certificates.
Sources
- Quay Crew — Crew interview tips (PDF)
- Quay Crew — What not to ask at interview
- YPI Crew — Yacht interview tips from recruiters
- Superyacht Content — 7 questions to ask in your yacht job interview
- Lighthouse Careers — Deckhand interview questions
- Yacht crew CV guide (Maritime Delivery guide)
- Yacht crew references and recommendations (Maritime Delivery guide)
Put it to work