Did you know one of our expert services at Viking Crew is maritime deployment? We have a team of skilled deployment specialists in-house who can help you plan and execute your travel to and from your vessel!
One of the main benefits of travelling when working at sea is the marine fares. Here’s why.
What are Marine Fares?
A marine fare is a special ticket for flights that are exclusively one-way, catering to the needs of maritime industry seafarers and professionals.
A marine fare is likely to give you access to increased flexibility, including cancellation for a minimum fee, rearrangements and changes as well as greater luggage capacity. Marine fares are ideal for seafarers who need to reach their designated destination to board a vessel.
Am I eligible for marine fares?
If you are a seafarer travelling to a vessel for work purposes, you are eligible to receive marine fares. Working for or being contracted by a maritime company or being a spouse or relative of a crew member, can also mean you are eligible for marine fares when travelling to and from the vessel.
How can I prove my eligibility for marine fares?
Make sure to check with the company you are travelling with, as eligibility can vary by company. Typically, you will be required to provide some documentation to prove your eligibility for Marine Fares, including:
A company letter proving your employment on board the vessel
An employment contract
Vantage card (Additional for offshore workers)
How can I get marine fares?
Obtaining and executing your travel with marine fares can only be achieved through specialist travel bookers and providers. Employing a deployment management agency to book these flights ensures your journey is as seamless and affordable as possible. Here’s how!
At Viking Crew, we have a dedicated team available 24/7 to help you reach your vessel with minimal stress and complications.
This article is for the benefit of entry-level crew looking to enter the industry and hopefully, it will be educational, save you money, and increase your chances of getting a good first experience on yachts.
As agencies, we have all seen an increase in CVs from entry-level crew who have little work or life experience. Unfortunately, given the level of service expected within the yachting industry, these are often not the candidates our clients (the yachts) are looking to hire. These crew members may therefore struggle to get a job or end up working on a yacht that is not suitable for them, which in turn then impacts the owner of the vessel.
What is essential?
Life experience: Ideally, this is someone who has lived away from home, may have been responsible for their bills, washing, ironing, cooking, etc., and has a level of independence. On a yacht, you will be away from home, away from your family and close friends. It can be isolating, and not everyone adapts to it. If you haven’t lived away from home previously, it can certainly be more challenging.
Work experience: This is preferably someone who has had a full-time job for at least six months, ideally doing something relevant to yachting. Some yachts will have you working 7 days a week during the season, sometimes at night, sleeping in a loud environment (engine/anchor drop), always in close proximity to your work colleagues, and with little downtime. It’s an incredibly challenging environment. The more exposure you have had to previous challenging working conditions, the more likely you will be to succeed.
Yachting can sound like an old fashion industry with a chain of command & hierarchy that you need to respect. You will take orders from people across different departments. Your colleagues may be from a different culture, nationality, and age.
What skills are desirable for securing a job in the yachting industry?
Secondary skills and/or relevant experience is very appealing. All of the below suggestions should have been undertaken in a professional, paid working environment.
High-end hospitality, e.g., Michelin-starred restaurants, 5-star hotels, luxury estates, members’ clubs (in service or housekeeping)
Pub or café work is a great start, but to really appeal to the level of clients within yachting, higher-end hospitality work is more relevant
Event management, again the more high-end, the better
Floristry, barista, mixologist, beautician, masseuse, yoga/pilates instructor, PT.
Boat building, carpentry, building work, good with hand & power tools
Water sports instructor, e.g., diving, wakeboarding, kite surfing
Boat maintenance, working in a marina, driving small boats
Paramedic/nurse, additional medical training skills, e.g. from the military.
This list isn’t exhaustive. There are other skill sets which are desirable, but these are the main ones. At the risk of repeating ourselves, you should have undertaken these roles for at least six months depending on the position. Short courses in areas such as cocktail making or floristry are fine as CV enhancers, but do not have the same appeal without the in-depth work experience as well.
What should I do next?
If you lack one or more of the above competencies think about changing your plan of action.
Instead of trying to get a yacht job, focus on getting a land-based job that builds skills in one of these relevant areas. Yachting will still exist in 12 months’ time.
Use those 12 months to make yourself a stronger candidate and increase the chances of finding a good role on a reputable yacht that you can commit to long term.
Q&As
Q: I’ve seen reality TV shows, will I get the chance to relax in the jacuzzi sipping rosé at the end of guest trips?
A: Unlikely. Apart from the fact that you will be busy cleaning after the trip and preparing for the next one, many owners do not permit crew to use any guest facilities.
Q: I want to see the world, will I be visiting some exotic places?
A: That all depends on the yacht and the itinerary. Although many yachts visit amazing places, you are working, and you may not get the chance to go ashore and visit. If you’re in the engine room or working as part of the interior team, you might not even see the sea. There may be times when the yacht is in the shipyard, but they might not be in such great locations.
Q: But it’s a glamorous job, right?
A: Make no mistake, yachting is a fantastic industry and yes, you’ll be working with celebs and wealthy clients, but the job is hard and in many cases, you are a glamorised cleaner or waiting staff.
Q:Ok, but I’ll get lots of tips?
A: There can be some great tips but again this varies and if you’re on a private yacht, they are not standard.
Q: I’ve not worked anywhere at all yet, but I’ve done a one-week deckhand/stewardess course, will that make it easy to find a job?
A: Not especially, it’s incredibly competitive and everyone wants crew with experience. Previous (even non yachting) experience will probably help more than many courses. A few months as a waiter/waitress may be more helpful so choose your course wisely and don’t hesitate to take the advice of your friendly crew recruitment contact before booking any non-obligatory courses
Q: It looks like one big happy family on board. Is on-board life as good as it looks?
A: Crew areas are small, and you will spend a lot of your time with fellow crew members. You should evaluate your capacity to comply with rules, regulations, and standard operating procedures. For example, you will be assigned hours of work and hours of rest you will need to adhere to. There are various reasons for these rules, most of them are do with safety. There is a hierarchy on yachts and the captain is the “Master”, so it is not for you to challenge them nor give your opinion unless you are invited to do so.
Q: Once I am in, how fast can I expect to progress within my chosen department?
A: Experience, experience, experience… You can probably tick off the exams, but you can’t fast track getting experience. Take time to build strong foundations and the world will be your oyster. Take a look at this link superyachtindustrycareers.com – Super Yacht Industry Careers, which has been put together by some of the most reputable and experienced individuals in yachting. It shows some realistic timings and training requirements to help you along the way.
Q: Could I do this as a gap year opportunity?
A: It’s not impossible, but again, unless you have a very strong background that is relevant to yachting, it may not be feasible, especially as many yachts want to bring on crew who see yachting as a long term career. It’s a big investment to start working within the industry, so probably only best to do once you are ready to commit fully.
Q: You’re not painting a great picture here…
A: We’re trying to be realistic. It’s a great career with fantastic rewards but it’s hard work and every season many new crew leave after realising it just isn’t for them. We don’t want that to be you. Be wary and don’t believe everything you read or see in the media. Sadly, there are scams, and you need to be suspicious of anyone asking you to pay anything before they find you a job.
I understand everything above and I am keen to join the yachting industry
In light of these insights, forging a career in the superyacht industry requires more than just a keen interest—it demands preparation, dedication and understanding of nature of the industry.
Make sure you do your research, craft a standout CV and ensure your professional documents and certifications are in order. Once you enter the industry, register with a few reputable yacht crew recruitment agencies that will guide you throughout your yachting career.
Working with a trusted recruitment agency means you will have a dedicated recruiter guiding you through the recruitment process. They provide expert guidance, match you with suitable positions on board, and help you understand the nuances of the industry.
Make sure you work in partnership with your recruiter as they will be your point of contact throughout your yachting career. Yachting industry is relatively small so always put your best foot forward and maintain a professional reputation.
Looking to start a career as part of a yacht crew but want to know what do yacht crew do off season?
It’s an exciting opportunity. Onboard ‘superyachts’ and other vessels, you’ll get to see the world, experience the thrills of the sea, and meet plenty of guests from all walks of life.
Except, there’s one question we always get asked: what do yacht crew do off-season? Read on to find out!
When is the Yachting ‘On Season’?
The ‘on season’ for yacht crew usually begins around the same time as the peak cruising and charter seasons. That varies from location to location.
In the Mediterranean, the high season covers the summer months, from May to September, when the weather is warm and tourists flock to the region.
In the Caribbean, meanwhile, the high season is the winter months, from November to April, when the weather is cooler. It also helps to avoid the hurricanes! You won’t find much activity from mid-April to July.
During the peak season, yachts find themselves booked up with charters – keeping the crew busy maintaining the vessel, assisting guests, and ensuring everything runs smoothly.
But what happens when this is over?
After the hullabaloo of the ‘on season,’ yacht crew suddenly have so much free time, right? The job is over, after all.
Well, not quite. For yachts based in the Caribbean, the months of May, June, and July are key times for repairs, refits, and rebuilds, keeping the yacht crew busy with plenty to do. Not everyone stays on board the vessel for yard periods or scheduled maintenance, but it’s common to help during this period, getting ready for the next season.
In the Med, the off-season is longer and more consistent than elsewhere. Some yachts head across the Atlantic for the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (around the end of October) and then cruise the Caribbean waters during the region’s ‘on season.’ Others, however, schedule yard periods, maintenance , and major projects.
Of course, it’s not all repairs and renovations. For many ‘yachties,’ the off-season is a time to look for other work – or to take a much-needed rest on land. Here are some common activities:
Take A Holiday
It’s not unusual for yacht crew to spend six months or more primarily at sea. After such a prolonged time on the water, many yearn to shed their ‘sea legs’ and go on land. That could be heading to a nearby town or out into the countryside for a dose of greenery.
Given that most yachts moor in some of the world’s most idyllic locations – think the French Riviera, the Bahamas, or the Greek Islands – there’s always something to see or do. Plus, because yacht seasons tend to coincide with regular holiday seasons, accommodation and other expenses are often cheaper. So, go book yourself an Airbnb!
Expand Your Skills
Yachting isn’t a hobby; it’s a career. The ‘off-season’ is the perfect time to expand your skill set and hit the books. Complete courses that will upskill you come the summer months – that could be about engine repair, hospitality, wing surfing, powerboat handling, navigation and seamanship, and much more.
Spending your rest time building your skills may seem like hard work after time at sea, but the long-term benefits are worth it!
Of course, you could simply pursue a hobby. Getting diving qualifications or other adventure-related skills can be both fun and career-expanding.
Get Another Job
Some yacht crew can be looking at a several-month-stretch without any work (or income). Unless you’re a master saver, you’ll need to find alternative employment. Popular options include:
Pursue freelance work, such as freelance photography, writing, or any other skills you possess. Dive instructors, for instance, may contract themselves out to dive schools.
Hospitality & tourism are common alternative jobs and easier to secure than other options. For example, working as wait staff or as part of a hotel.
If a crew member has culinary skills, working as a private chef or in catering services is not uncommon.
Teaching or coaching students in areas such as sailing, diving, or fitness.
Take a seasonal job in a ski resort or other tourist destinations.
Closing Thoughts
Both ‘on season’ and ‘off-season’; the life of yacht crew provides immense opportunities and flexibility. Viking Crew is an industry expert in supporting maritime careers with advice, training, and other opportunities.
