Yacht crew job descriptions
UHNW Superyacht management
Yacht staffing basics
If you're a Chief of Staff for a hedge fund manager or an ultra-high net worth individual in New York or South Florida, then chances are you may also have responsibilities with the management of a superyacht. If you have recently landed a new Estate Manager or Executive Personal Assistant job and your boss has a large yacht, then here are some of the staffing titles you should be familiar with:
Yacht Crew Member Positions & Titles
Yacht Captain: Takes the lead roll for the day-to-day operation of the yacht and all of its crew. The captain is the highest authority on the vessel and encompasses all things to do with the running of the yacht. The yacht captain, ultimately, is responsible for the safe manning and operation of the boat to keep in working in pristine condition.
Steward/ess: Attends to the yacht owner and the guests. These positions are also responsible for the upkeep of the interior of the yacht (interior department).
Chief steward/ess: Would be the head of the department and in charge of the subordinate steward/ess positions and deck operations, so this department ensures cabin preparation for the principal and guests.
Deckhand: Is responsible for the exterior of the yacht. The deckhand also operates the vessel's "toys" (jet ski, wave runner, submersibles, etc.) These positions are necessarily associated with all things mechanical and electrical, but there are my hybrid positions now as part of the deck crew.
Chef / Sous Chef: Is responsible for all things related to the kitchen and provisions. Larger mega-yachts may have a Head Chef and assistant chefs. This position is also entails the design of menus and is certainly responsible for food safety as well as purchasing and provisioning.
1st Mate / First Officer: Is like an "Assistant Captain" and shares responsibilities for running the yacht. The 1st Mate may take command of the vessel when required.
2nd Mate / Second Officer: This position has the same or similar duties as Deckhand, but also assists the First Mate. No two super-yachts are run identically, but it depends on the size of the ship and the management style of the Captain.
Chief Officer: On larger mega-yachts, a chief officer would be in charge of other officers.
Chief Engineer: Maintains and repairs all things mechanical and electrical while on-board. This position also overseas heating and plumbing systems, so anything related to the engineering department would be covered in this category.
Special Assistants: Other positions could include private yoga or fitness instructors, massage therapists, nannies, bodyguards, and even helicopter pilots. The special assistants are in charge of guest activities on a larger superyacht handling tenders and toys.
While these assistants are not in charge of anything related to maintenance, they work hand-in-hand with engineering, the purser, customer service, the stewardess, and an experienced deckhand. The larger yachts even have smaller yachts that follow behind (or even tow other yachts behind).
To work on the larger yachts, crew members need experience with entry level positions first.
Steward/ess: Attends to the yacht owner and the guests. These positions are also responsible for the upkeep of the interior of the yacht (interior department).
Chief steward/ess: Would be the head of the department and in charge of the subordinate steward/ess positions and deck operations, so this department ensures cabin preparation for the principal and guests.
Deckhand: Is responsible for the exterior of the yacht. The deckhand also operates the vessel's "toys" (jet ski, wave runner, submersibles, etc.) These positions are necessarily associated with all things mechanical and electrical, but there are my hybrid positions now as part of the deck crew.
Chef / Sous Chef: Is responsible for all things related to the kitchen and provisions. Larger mega-yachts may have a Head Chef and assistant chefs. This position is also entails the design of menus and is certainly responsible for food safety as well as purchasing and provisioning.
1st Mate / First Officer: Is like an "Assistant Captain" and shares responsibilities for running the yacht. The 1st Mate may take command of the vessel when required.
2nd Mate / Second Officer: This position has the same or similar duties as Deckhand, but also assists the First Mate. No two super-yachts are run identically, but it depends on the size of the ship and the management style of the Captain.
Chief Officer: On larger mega-yachts, a chief officer would be in charge of other officers.
Chief Engineer: Maintains and repairs all things mechanical and electrical while on-board. This position also overseas heating and plumbing systems, so anything related to the engineering department would be covered in this category.
Special Assistants: Other positions could include private yoga or fitness instructors, massage therapists, nannies, bodyguards, and even helicopter pilots. The special assistants are in charge of guest activities on a larger superyacht handling tenders and toys.
While these assistants are not in charge of anything related to maintenance, they work hand-in-hand with engineering, the purser, customer service, the stewardess, and an experienced deckhand. The larger yachts even have smaller yachts that follow behind (or even tow other yachts behind).
To work on the larger yachts, crew members need experience with entry level positions first.
How many crew members on a yacht
What are the positions on a boat and how many crew members are there? It's a great question. Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer. It largely depends on the following: The size of the superyacht, the season, how many guests are on board, and the level of service the Principal wants. Some celebrities, for example, are reclusive and want privacy; therefore, fewer deckhands will be onboard. On the other hand, some high-profile billionaires want to "show off" and have 5-star service for their guests, so they "stack deep" on service.
Superyacht staffing
To learn more about life on the high seas while on a superyacht, see our SPOTLIGHT interview from a 25-year veteran in the business working with UHNW families and celebrities. Knowledge of and operations for a superyacht is essential for personal assistants who work for billionaires and UHNW families and the PA often is the go-between for the owners and the yacht staff.
Salary for these positions varies greatly depending on the Principal, the size of the superyacht, how many years of experience of the crew, flexibility to be gone for extended periods of time onboard, experience working with engineers, bosun, purser, service training, and whether or not one will be on call 24/7.
Updated for 2022
Salary for these positions varies greatly depending on the Principal, the size of the superyacht, how many years of experience of the crew, flexibility to be gone for extended periods of time onboard, experience working with engineers, bosun, purser, service training, and whether or not one will be on call 24/7.
Updated for 2022