See full version: Yacht Crew Positions and Salaries
The organisational structure onboard a superyacht follows a strong hierarchy based upon a military model. Exact job duties and lines of authority are set and strictly adhered to. This hierarchy is followed on the vast majority of yachts; however, responsibilities of the crew on smaller yachts are often merged.
Duties are similar to those of other Steward(ess)es onboard the boat, but on a more senior level, including managing the interior department and training. Small yachts with less crew do not have a Purser. The Chief Steward(ess) is in charge of all the responsibilities normally carried out by the Purser on large yachts. [links]
Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) and AV/IT Officer are in charge of daily maintenance of all electronic, computer, audio/visual and communications equipment and their efficient operation. This includes the radio, radar, telephones, satellite communications, navigation systems, computers, Internet connection, interior equipment (TVs, sound systems), etc. here
If you are chartering a large superyacht you might need further staff to look after your guests and the day to day running of the yacht. These might include First Officer, stewards, engineers and deckhands for example. more
As a minimum, you will have a Skipper for your yacht charter. Meaning, a seasoned professional skipper, or captain, will sail and navigate the boat for the whole duration of your trip. A skipper is a source of beautiful knowledge – after all, he must have sailed or cruised the area numerous times, and he knows all the hidden stunning spots, best restaurants and beaches. more
Overall, as a general rule being on a boat is a lot about teamwork and sometimes offering a hand. Unless, of course, you are on a massive yacht with 20 strong crew – but then it’s a whole different ball game.
If you also have a hostess on board, his or her responsibility will include cooking simple light meals, serving your food and drinks and clearing up after the guests. A hostess will wash the dishes and keep the boat tidy. A hostess is also responsible for keeping stock of supplies on board, so if any of the supplies are running low it will be restocked accordingly at the next stop. [links]
If you are chartering a large superyacht you might need further staff to look after your guests and the day to day running of the yacht. These might include First Officer, stewards, engineers and deckhands for example. more
As a minimum, you will have a Skipper for your yacht charter. Meaning, a seasoned professional skipper, or captain, will sail and navigate the boat for the whole duration of your trip. A skipper is a source of beautiful knowledge – after all, he must have sailed or cruised the area numerous times, and he knows all the hidden stunning spots, best restaurants and beaches. more
Overall, as a general rule being on a boat is a lot about teamwork and sometimes offering a hand. Unless, of course, you are on a massive yacht with 20 strong crew – but then it’s a whole different ball game.
If you also have a hostess on board, his or her responsibility will include cooking simple light meals, serving your food and drinks and clearing up after the guests. A hostess will wash the dishes and keep the boat tidy. A hostess is also responsible for keeping stock of supplies on board, so if any of the supplies are running low it will be restocked accordingly at the next stop. [links]
Determining what another person wants is the most difficult part of crew placement. Anyone who has tried to set up friends on a blind date understands that people don’t always know what they want. And crew-management specialists need to do it three, ten, or 40 times per yacht depending on her size and whether she will be available for charter. (Charter yachts require more staff for guests and maintanence.)
When standing on shore or walking through a boat show, a 150- or 200-foot yacht can seem impossibly large. But once in the crew’s quarters on the lower levels of the yacht, where most crew sleep two to a cabin in glorified bunk beds, the yacht can seem much smaller.
Luxury Yacht Group publishes a handbook to distribute to its first-time owners. Titled “Yacht Ownership 101: The basics of yacht ownership,” the 20-page booklet outlines the expectations for both owners and crew in extreme detail.
There are many yachts out on the water, which is operated “short-handed.”
If you’re in the latter group, you may have pondered over one or more of these questions before:
Some families like to own their own yacht and don’t care about crews or getting help out on the water. [links]
Families of four or five could potentially crew the yacht themselves! [links]
An experienced crew can help ease your tensions and worries. A crew can help alleviate the chaos and energy that might come with frantically doing things on your own.
If you choose to set sail on your own, it is important to have the right disaster and spare equipment on board in case of emergency. [links]