Are you thinking of becoming a yachtie? The career path is one that has become very popular amongst young professionals in recent years, thanks in part to the freedom it gives people to travel, as well as reality TV shows like Below Deck. If it’s something you’re interested in exploring, take a look at our quick guide below. Trying to kickstart the process of becoming a yachtie can be intimidating at first, but with a proper understand of the requirements, certifications, and a good grasp of what will be expected of you, finding a yachting job might not be that daunting after all.
Let’s take a closer look at what you can do to help increase your chances of being hired to work onboard a yacht next season.
Get Basic Safety Training
Whether you’re working at sea or on land, one thing always rings true: safety first. One of the most important requirements for beginning your yachting journey is to make sure that you’ve completed a STCW Basic Safety Training certificate. In the same vein of the ENG1, without the STCW Basic Safety Training certificate, you will not be able to get a job.
This certification is in place to make sure that all seafarers have a good understanding of what they need to do in the event of an emergency. The course itself is filled with action and is quite a bit of fun to complete.
Take A Positive Approach
Having the right attitude is key. Along with the correct qualifications, to become a yachtie, you need to have a positive attitude to thrive within the industry. As a yachtie, you will need to be able to articulate yourself, be well presented, and know how to take orders and work hard, all while maintaining a sense of professionalism. While working on a yacht may seem like a glamorous idea, it can also be extremely stressful as your duties may require you to do anything from mixing drinks to cleaning toilets.
Take A Medical Exam
One of the first actionable steps you can take towards becoming a yachtie is to pass a ENG1 medical exam. Every single person who works at sea needs to have passed this exam. Without it, you’re deemed unfit to work on yachts. It just takes about 45 minutes, and during that time, your doctor will go through a checklist to make sure you don’t have any underlying health conditions that could impact your personal safety, or that of anyone else onboard. The most common reason for people failing this exam is colorblindness, something which can be detrimental for life at sea.
Get Experience
The world of yachting can be quite competitive and exciting. Setting yourself up to stand out from other yachties is key to securing jobs. To give yourself an edge, gain additional experience through courses that give you hands-on experience in being a steward or deckhand. Not only will this make you more employable, but it will also give you the opportunity to understand more about what will be expected of you onboard the yachts.
