Key takeaways
- ✓Deckhands handle lines and fenders, wash and detail the yacht, drive tenders and run water sports.
- ✓Captains look for reliability, a good attitude and practical skills: line handling, varnishing, tender driving.
- ✓You need STCW Basic Safety Training and a seafarer medical; Powerboat Level 2 and a VHF licence help a lot.
- ✓With sea time and further qualifications, deckhands progress to lead deckhand, bosun and officer.
Daily duties
- •Washdowns, polishing stainless steel and keeping the exterior spotless.
- •Line handling, fenders and mooring when arriving and leaving port.
- •Anchoring, watchkeeping and helping the officer of the watch on passage.
- •Driving the tender, running water sports and looking after guests on the water.
- •Maintenance: sanding, varnishing, painting, teak care and small repairs.
- •Helping with provisioning, bunkering and security on board.
Skills captains look for
| Skill | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Line handling and knots | Safe and fast mooring, especially in tight Mediterranean marinas |
| Tender driving | Guest transfers and water sports every day |
| Varnishing and detailing | The yacht’s appearance is part of the product |
| Watchkeeping and COLREGs | Safe navigation during passages and deliveries |
| Teamwork and attitude | Small crews living and working closely together |
Certificates
- •STCW Basic Safety Training (required for almost all professional crew).
- •Seafarer medical certificate, e.g. ENG1.
- •Powerboat Level 2 for tender driving and a VHF/SRC radio licence.
- •Later: Yachtmaster Offshore with commercial endorsement, or the officer route under your flag state.
Career path
A typical path is deckhand → lead deckhand → bosun → officer of the watch → chief officer → captain. Each step needs sea time, experience and higher certificates. Keep your sea time logged from day one — it is the proof you will need for every next step.
Maritime Delivery lets you log sea time, share a verified profile and get alerts for deckhand jobs that match your certificates.
Frequently asked questions
What does a yacht deckhand do?+
A deckhand keeps the exterior of the yacht clean and maintained, handles lines and fenders when mooring, drives tenders, runs water sports, and helps with watchkeeping and safety on passage.
What qualifications does a yacht deckhand need?+
STCW Basic Safety Training and a seafarer medical certificate are the basics. Powerboat Level 2 and a VHF radio licence make you much more employable.
How do deckhands get promoted?+
By building sea time and experience, keeping a good record with captains, and gaining higher certificates such as Yachtmaster Offshore or officer of the watch qualifications.
Sources
- IMO — STCW Convention
- UK MCA — Seafarer certification
- RYA — Commercial endorsements
- ILO — Maritime Labour Convention, 2006
- PYA — Professional Yachting Association
- Logging your sea time (Maritime Delivery guide)
- Which certificates do you need? (Maritime Delivery guide)
- How to get your first job on a yacht (Maritime Delivery guide)
Put it to work