Sailing The High Seas – What You Need To Know About Crewing A Yacht

Crewing a yacht truly is a one-of-a-kind adventure. Few other experiences offer such a unique opportunity to see the world while developing seamanship, teamwork, physical strength and stamina, boat care and a huge variety of other skills. The possibilities truly are very diverse, and all depend on your personal skill-set and the type of crewing position you are looking for.
Before you decide to set sail, however, there are a few factors that you need to consider:

What does crewing involve?
The nature of being a crew member of a yacht depends on a number of things. Some boats only need one or 2 people to sail them, while others have a very large team working in a number of different positions. While the stereotype of being a crew member involves sailing off into the proverbial sunset, the kinds of job opportunities available really are very diverse. These include:

-Working in kitchens
-Food and beverage service
-Working as an instructor of diving, windsurfing and other water activities
-Working as a deckhand
-Skippering the vessel
-Coordinating tour groups (including airport transfers and excursions)
-Boat maintenance (including mechanical repairs)
-Entertaining guests

Do I need any special skills?
Firstly, you really need to have skills and experience related to your desired position. Outside of that, qualities such as resilience, initiative, teamwork skills and an excellent work ethic will go a long way toward making your experience a valuable and enjoyable one.
 
How do I become a crew member?
Once upon a time, word of mouth and networking were the best ways to become involved in crewing. The internet, however, has changed all that. There are a number of websites and message boards on the internet where people can post advertisements looking for crew members, with new positions becoming frequently. Alternatively, getting in touch with placement agencies or even direct hirers may provide a doorway into the industry.
Prior to searching for a position, it’s wise to use the internet to get in touch with people who are familiar with the lifestyle – it is likely to be very different from anything you’ve ever experienced before, so it pays to learn as much as possible.

If you have the right skills, a positive attitude and an excellent work ethic, working as a member of a yacht crew can be a very rewarding experience. It’s just a case of doing research before you start, knowing what you’re in for and being open to the many new experiences this adventure will throw at you.