How to work on a yacht: complete beginner guide
What nobody tells you before stepping on board
I've been working on yachts for 8 years. My first job was as a deckhand on an 18-meter sailboat in Ibiza, with absolutely no clue what I was doing. Today I skipper luxury charters in the Balearics. And I'll tell you something: if I could do it, so can you.
But before you get carried away by Instagram photos, let me be honest. This isn't a cruise. It's hard work, with long hours, small spaces and zero room for error when you have guests on board. That said, it's the best job I've ever had.
What positions are there on a yacht?
A yacht works like a floating hotel with its own team. The main departments are:
- Skipper / Captain: the boss. Navigation, safety, maneuvers. You need at least the PPER to start professionally.
- Deckhand: my first role. Lines, mooring, deck cleaning, navigation support. It's the gateway into the sector.
- Stewardess: interior service, guest attention, cocktails. No nautical title needed, but STCW Basic and medical certificate are a must.
- Onboard Chef: cooking for crew and VIP guests. Good chefs are pure gold in this sector.
- Engineer: engines, generators, hydraulic systems. The hardest position to fill and the best paid.
The paperwork you absolutely need
Without these documents, no yacht owner will hire you. Period.
- ISM Medical Certificate: get it at the Instituto Social de la Marina. It's free and takes one morning.
- STCW Basic: one week of maritime safety training. You jump in a pool with a life jacket, put out fires and learn first aid. It costs €400-700 but it's your ticket in.
- Initial Health Training (FSI): mandatory for almost every position.
- Professional certification: if you want to be a skipper, you need the PPER. If you're going for deckhand or stewardess, STCW and medical are enough to start.
How I started (and how you can too)
- Get the ISM medical: it's the first thing. Without it, you can't do anything.
- Do STCW Basic: one week and you've got the foundation. I did mine in Ibiza, but there are centers all over Spain.
- Choose your department: are you more of a deck person or interior? I was drawn to the sea, so I went straight for deckhand.
- Make a one-page CV: professional photo, certifications, languages. Captains get dozens of CVs — yours needs to stand out at first glance.
- Create your Yemplea profile: upload your certs, turn on alerts and apply to everything that fits. I would have killed for something like this when I started.
How much will you earn?
Based on the offers I see published on Yemplea, current ranges are:
- Deckhand: €1,800 – €2,500/month
- Stewardess: €2,000 – €3,000/month
- Chef: €3,000 – €5,000/month
- Skipper: €3,000 – €6,000/month (depends on vessel size and your certification)
And that's not counting charter tips, which on a good week can add €300-600 extra. Oh, and accommodation and meals are included. Your salary is practically pure savings.
Where to look?
Ibiza, Palma, Barcelona, Málaga, Canaries. The main season runs May to October, but in Palma and the Canaries there's work year-round.
My advice: don't wait until June. Start looking in March. On Yemplea you can filter by area, position and certification. Set up your profile, upload your papers and get out to the ports. The combination of online presence + physically showing up is unbeatable.
Carlos Vega
Former charter skipper in Ibiza with 8 years of experience. Now helps new professionals enter the nautical sector.