Yachting Training Guide
How to get into the yachting industry: jobs on board and ashore, mandatory courses and licences with recognition in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, duration, costs and salaries.
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Last updated: 15/10/2026. No liability is accepted; the linked sources are authoritative.
On large yachts, certificates from the British Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) are the standard, wherever you come from. Ultimately, the yacht’s flag state decides which certificate is valid on board.
Ashore, in shipyards, marinas, charter companies and offices, training from Germany, Austria or Switzerland counts: an apprenticeship, a vocational school or a degree.
We only name types of providers, never individual schools, and we receive no commission. Costs are guide values excluding travel and accommodation; salaries are ranges from published salary guides and official statistics.
Basic kit for any job on board
Before you join your first yacht, the MCA requires STCW basic training, security training and a valid ENG1 or an equivalent medical certificate. Together this takes about one week and costs roughly €1,000 to €1,500.
STCW Basic Safety Training
Four modules under the international STCW Convention: Personal Survival Techniques (PST), Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF), Elementary First Aid (EFA) and Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR). According to the MCA, all crew need these courses before their first voyage. Minimum age 16; PST and FPFF are refreshed every 5 years with a short refresher course.
- Duration
- 5–6 days
- Cost
- €850 – €1,300
- Valid for
- 5 years
- Germany
- Germany is a party to the STCW Convention; courses are offered by approved training centres.
- Austria
- Take the course at a school recognised by the flag state, for example in the UK, the south of France or Spain. The MCA accepts certificates from IMO White List countries; check recognition before booking.
- Switzerland
- Take the course at a school recognised by the flag state, for example in the UK, the south of France or Spain. Check recognition before booking.
ENG1 seafarer medical
A medical certificate confirming you are fit for duty at sea. Only issued by MCA-approved doctors, including abroad, for example in France and Spain. According to the MCA, the fee is £115 (about €135). Valid for up to 2 years, or 1 year under the age of 18. On UK-flagged vessels the MCA also accepts certificates from the countries on its list, such as Germany, France or Croatia, but not from Austria or Switzerland.
- Duration
- 1 day
- Cost
- €100 – €150
- Valid for
- 2 years
- Germany
- The MCA accepts the German certificate of fitness for sea service, issued by doctors approved by BG Verkehr, as equivalent. According to BG Verkehr it costs about €100 to €150; under a foreign flag you pay for it yourself.
- Austria
- Austria is not on the MCA list. The usual choice is an ENG1 from an MCA-approved doctor, for example in the UK, the south of France or Mallorca. The German certificate of fitness for sea service is equivalent; crew from Austria can also get it from a doctor approved by BG Verkehr, for example in Munich or Palma de Mallorca.
- Switzerland
- Switzerland is not on the MCA list, so the Swiss STCW/MLC medical certificate (issued by azb in Pratteln) is not valid on UK-flagged yachts. The usual choice is an ENG1 from an MCA-approved doctor, for example in the UK, the south of France or Mallorca; the German certificate of fitness for sea service from a doctor approved by BG Verkehr is equivalent, available for example in southern Germany (Karlsruhe, Munich) or Palma de Mallorca.
Security Awareness and Designated Security Duties
Security training under the ISPS Code: Security Awareness (PSA) for all crew on ships covered by the ISPS Code, Designated Security Duties (PDSD) for anyone with security duties. Usually booked as a package with STCW basic training, with no refresher required.
- Duration
- 1–2 days
- Valid for
- unlimited
- Germany
- Courses at approved training centres, often as a package with STCW basic training.
- Austria
- Course as part of the STCW package at a school abroad recognised by the flag state.
- Switzerland
- Course as part of the STCW package at a school abroad recognised by the flag state.
Career fields
Nine ways into the industry, each with the entry route, time and cost to your first job, salary range and season.
Captain and skipper
From charter skipper in the Mediterranean to captain of an 80-metre yacht: anyone in command needs licences, proven sea service and experience with crew and guests.
- Entry route
- Yachtmaster after sea service on board
- Time to first job
- 1–3 years
- Cost to first job
- €2,500 – €5,000
- Salary per month
- €2,300 – €23,000
- Season
- Mediterranean May–Oct, Caribbean Nov–Apr
Deck and watersports
The most common way into yachting: deckhands keep the yacht in top condition, drive the tenders and look after guests during watersports.
- Entry route
- Deckhand with STCW and ENG1
- Time to first job
- 1–2 weeks
- Cost to first job
- €1,000 – €2,000
- Salary per month
- €2,800 – €7,500
- Season
- Mediterranean May–Oct, Caribbean Nov–Apr
Engineering
Engineers keep engines, generators, air conditioning, water and electrics running. A technical apprenticeship from Germany, Austria or Switzerland is a strong foundation.
- Entry route
- Technical apprenticeship and AEC
- Time to first job
- 2–4 weeks
- Cost to first job
- €2,500 – €5,000
- Salary per month
- €3,500 – €15,000
- Season
- Year-round, yard period in winter
Interior and service
The interior team takes care of service, housekeeping and the guests’ wellbeing. Experience in hotels or restaurants helps you get started.
- Entry route
- Junior stew with STCW and ENG1
- Time to first job
- 1–2 weeks
- Cost to first job
- €1,000 – €1,500
- Salary per month
- €3,000 – €10,000
- Season
- Mediterranean May–Oct, Caribbean Nov–Apr
Galley
Yacht chefs cook for guests and crew, often at fine-dining level and with ingredients from every port. A completed chef training is the usual way in.
- Entry route
- Chef training plus STCW and ENG1
- Time to first job
- 1–2 weeks
- Cost to first job
- €1,000 – €1,700
- Salary per month
- €4,000 – €10,000
- Season
- Mediterranean May–Oct, Caribbean Nov–Apr
Charter, sales and yacht management
Business is done ashore: charter brokers arrange yacht weeks, yacht brokers sell yachts, and charter bases and managers keep the fleet ready.
- Entry route
- Business apprenticeship, tourism or experience on board
- Time to first job
- 2–3 years
- Cost to first job
- Paid apprenticeship
- Salary per month
- €2,160 – €7,900
- Season
- Charter April–Oct, office year-round
Shipyard, refit and shore-based trades
Shipyards, refit companies and marinas need skilled tradespeople who build, maintain and renew yachts. An apprenticeship from Germany, Austria or Switzerland is also the key to technical jobs on board.
- Entry route
- Apprenticeship in boatbuilding or a technical trade
- Time to first job
- 3–4 years
- Cost to first job
- Paid apprenticeship
- Salary per month
- €2,110 – €4,520
- Season
- Year-round, refit mainly Oct–Apr
Marina, harbour and tourism
Marinas and harbours need harbour masters, staff for the docks, crane and travel lift, and people for guests, the office and watersports.
- Entry route
- Apprenticeship in boatbuilding, shipping or tourism
- Time to first job
- 3–4 years
- Cost to first job
- Paid apprenticeship
- Salary per month
- €1,950 – €3,370
- Season
- Season April–Oct, harbour year-round
Office, marketing and customer care
Charter companies, shipyards and yacht brokers need specialists for the office, accounting, marketing and customer care, often multilingual.
- Entry route
- Business apprenticeship or school
- Time to first job
- 3 years
- Cost to first job
- Paid apprenticeship
- Salary per month
- €1,990 – €5,289
- Season
- Year-round
Cost to first job: guide values from official fees and course providers’ price lists, excluding travel and accommodation. Salary on board: basic monthly salary plus food and accommodation. Salary ashore: gross per month in Germany or Austria. Details and sources are on each career field page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to start on a yacht?
No. To start as a deckhand or stew, STCW basic training, security training and an ENG1 are enough. A completed apprenticeship, for example in hospitality, catering or a technical trade, improves your chances considerably.
When are crew hired?
For the Mediterranean summer mainly from February to June, for the Caribbean winter from October to December. Many crew agencies are based in Antibes and Palma de Mallorca. Engineers are also sought for the winter yard period.
Are my boating licences from Germany, Austria or Switzerland valid?
For charter usually yes, together with an ICC and a radio certificate. According to its list of 21 May 2026, Croatia now accepts the German SBF See and SKS only for yachts up to 18 m. On superyachts of 24 m and over you need RYA and MCA certificates.
How much leave do I get on board?
The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) sets a minimum of 2.5 days per month. Depending on the yacht, 45 to 90 days a year or a rotation are common, for example three months on board and one month off. Rotational positions usually pay a little less.
What comes on top of the salary?
Food and accommodation on board, often flights home and health insurance. On charter yachts, guests usually tip 5 to 15% of the charter fee, shared among the crew. Tax and social security depend on where you live, so seek professional advice.
I am looking for crew or specialists. How do I reach applicants?
Post your job ad on MUTINYQUE Jobs. Applications go directly to you; we do not store any applicant data.
Your next step
Browse the open positions and apply directly to the employer.
Looking for crew or specialists? Post a job
Thinking of selling or chartering your yacht? Get discreet advice
Sources
Official bodies, certificate issuers, salary guides and statistics. The current version of each source always prevails.
- IMO – International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) (retrieved on 14/10/2026)
- Maritime and Coastguard Agency – MSN 1865 (M) Amendment 1: Emergency, Occupational Safety, Security, Medical Care and Survival Functions (retrieved on 14/10/2026)
- Maritime and Coastguard Agency – MSN 1858 (M+F) Amendment 2: Deck Officers on Large Yachts (24 m and over) (retrieved on 14/10/2026)
- Maritime and Coastguard Agency – Seafarers medical certification guidance (retrieved on 15/10/2026)
- Maritime and Coastguard Agency – MSN 1887 (M) Amendment 1: Maritime Labour Convention 2006, Medical Certification (retrieved on 15/10/2026)
- Maritime and Coastguard Agency – MCA approved doctors overseas (retrieved on 15/10/2026)
- BG Verkehr, Deutsche Flagge – Seediensttauglichkeit: Untersuchungsunterlagen, Ablauf, Kosten (retrieved on 15/10/2026)
- BG Verkehr, Deutsche Flagge – Fitness for sea service: procedure and costs (retrieved on 15/10/2026)
- BG Verkehr, Deutsche Flagge – Foreign fitness for sea service (retrieved on 15/10/2026)
- BG Verkehr, Deutsche Flagge – Authorized physicians (retrieved on 15/10/2026)
- Bundesamt für Justiz – Seearbeitsgesetz (SeeArbG), § 12 Seediensttauglichkeitszeugnis (retrieved on 15/10/2026)
- Schweizerisches Seeschifffahrtsamt – Medizinische Voraussetzungen (retrieved on 15/10/2026)
- YPI CREW – Yacht Crew Salary Guide 2026 (retrieved on 15/10/2026)
- YPI CREW – What Are The Two Main Yachting Seasons? (retrieved on 15/10/2026)
- Oyster Yachts – Oyster Crew Salary Survey 2026 (PDF) (retrieved on 15/10/2026)
- ILO – MLC 2006 FAQ: What is a seafarer’s minimum entitlement to paid leave? (retrieved on 15/10/2026)
- Professional Yachting Association – Sea Service Verification (retrieved on 14/10/2026)
- BOAT International – How much should you tip crew on a superyacht charter? (Richtwerte der MYBA) (retrieved on 15/10/2026)