Key takeaways
- ✓The biggest dayworking hubs are Antibes and the French Riviera, Palma de Mallorca and Fort Lauderdale.
- ✓Busiest times: spring before the Med season and the autumn refit/yard period.
- ✓Daywork is usually paid per day in cash or bank transfer; rates vary by port and job.
- ✓Have STCW Basic Safety, a seafarer medical (e.g. ENG1) and the right visa before you go.
- ✓Turn up early, work hard and ask for a short reference — daywork often leads to a full-time job.
What is yacht daywork?
Daywork is short-term, paid work on a yacht that is in port, in a shipyard or preparing for a season. Typical tasks are washing down, sanding and varnishing, polishing stainless steel, cleaning interiors, helping with provisioning and moving equipment. Most dayworkers are deckhands or stews looking for a first job, but engineers, carpenters and chefs also find short jobs during refits.
Where to find daywork
| Hub | Best time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Antibes & the French Riviera | March – May, Sept – Oct | Port Vauban and nearby marinas; many crew agents and training schools in the area |
| Palma de Mallorca | February – May, Oct – Nov | Large refit yards and marinas; strong market for sailing and motor yachts |
| Fort Lauderdale (USA) | October – April | Winter base for many yachts; check visa rules carefully |
| Monaco, Barcelona, Genoa | Spring and around boat shows | Fewer dayworking jobs, but large yachts and shipyards |
How to find day jobs
- •Dock walking: walk the marina early in the morning with printed CVs, and ask politely if they need daywork.
- •Crew houses and crew agents: register in person and keep your availability up to date.
- •Crew platforms and job boards: keep a complete, verified profile and mark the dates you are available.
- •Word of mouth: every captain, bosun and chief stew you meet is a possible next job — be someone they remember for the right reasons.
Pay, hours and rules
Daywork is normally paid per day, and rates differ by port, yacht and task. Agree the rate, the hours and how you will be paid before you start. A full day usually means an early start; bring your own lunch unless food is offered.
Working legally matters. In the EU, the Schengen rules limit visa-free stays for many nationalities; in the United States, the State Department explains which visa crew need — crew on private yachts cruising in US waters for longer periods are often directed to a B-1 visa rather than a crewmember (D) visa. Requirements depend on your nationality and situation — always check with the official authorities before you travel.
Never pay anyone to get daywork, and never hand over your passport.
What to bring
- •Printed CVs with a clear photo and your phone number.
- •Copies of STCW Basic Safety, your seafarer medical and any other certificates.
- •Plain white or navy T-shirts and shorts, non-marking deck shoes, a cap and sunscreen.
- •Your own water bottle, gloves and a positive attitude.
From daywork to a full-time job
- •Be early, be tidy and keep your phone away while you work.
- •Ask the bosun or chief stew for feedback — and for a short reference when you finish.
- •Keep in touch: yachts often hire dayworkers they already know when a crew position opens.
- •Log your days on board; they help show experience when you apply for the next job.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need STCW to do daywork on a yacht?+
Most yachts expect STCW Basic Safety Training and a seafarer medical certificate such as ENG1, even for daywork, because of insurance and safety rules.
How much does yacht daywork pay?+
It varies by port, yacht and job, and is usually agreed per day. Ask other crew in the area what is normal and agree the rate before you start.
When is the best time to look for daywork in the Mediterranean?+
Spring, before the summer season, and the autumn refit period are usually busiest.
Can daywork lead to a permanent job?+
Yes — it is one of the most common ways new crew get hired, because captains like to hire people they have already seen working.
Sources
- PYA — Professional Yachting Association
- European Commission — Schengen area and visas
- U.S. Department of State — Crewmember visa (and when B-1 applies)
- UK Ship Register — ENG1 seafarer medical certificate
- First yacht job with no experience (Maritime Delivery guide)
- STCW Basic Safety Training explained (Maritime Delivery guide)
- Yacht deckhand job description (Maritime Delivery guide)
Put it to work