My Job as a Deckhand

What made you decide to embark on a career on super yachts?I have always had a fascination with the ocean, watersports and generally adventure. I have travelled all around the world since I was a child so it is very natural for me to want to keep exploring! There is no better way to explore the world than by a Superyacht.

What were you doing before?

I worked in hospitality, a restaurant manager in the French Alps and then for a series of gastropubs in the UK.

How easy/hard was it to get a job after the course?

It is hard to find work especially on deck, there are lots of people looking with lots of experience with a lot more tickets than I had - but a lot of the battle is being in the right place at the right time. Extending tickets by being able to wakeboard or previous tender experience, some owners are even looking Personal Trainers and DJ'S in their crew. In the last year I have seen a lot more deck jobs with dual purposes, deck/divemaster or instructor, deck/carpenter/, deck/personal trainer etc - a lot of people like fishing too

Tell us about the boat you're on

I have been on two boats now not including day work, a 47m Sail Yacht in the Med and now a 64m sail yacht in the US which charters in the Caribbean and Med. For my day work I worked on large motoryachts and sail yachts.

How many crew on the boat?

11

What's the captain like?

I have worked with the Captain before on my last boat, very knowledgeable and always willing to pass on what he knows regarding weather, sailing techniques maintenance work anything really but we all enjoy a good beer together too.

What does a typical day involve?

Early starts and currently we are prepping for the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show so late finishes as well. We have had a long yard period so we are doing lots of things associated with putting the boat back together then hopefully we will be busy with guests when the season kicks off.

What is the best thing about working on a superyacht?

Being proud of your boat when you arrive in port, everyone's face is a picture.......and of course seeing amazing places.

And any bad aspects of your job?

None so far..... I would have said that you meet people, get on well and then you leave or they leave, but its a surprisingly small industry and I have met people again all over Europe and the States. Even people I met at Flying Fish..... a lot of us got jobs at the same time and I just met Rob my room mate from Cowes in a bar in West Palm Beach after a year of not seeing each other. We all had some great stories to tell from our seasons!!

What's your fave place that you've been to this year?

Port Grimaud by St Tropez was beautiful followed closely by Elba in Italy

Do you need/want to take any more qualifications?

I need lots more qualifications to progress, a lot of people suggest that three tickets a year is a good aim to have. Do I want them? Of course we all want to better ourselves.

Any any advice for people thinking about coming into the industry?

If you have any doubts, research the industry more, there are lots of people to talk, join agencies before you arrive in France, work hard to get work, treat your job hunt like a job, network network network!! Your first job will more than likely not come through an agency!! Most of all enjoy yourself, be professional but play hard too!