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.
Open positionsCertificates and recognition
- 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
Entry route: Deckhand with STCW and ENG1 · Last updated: 15/10/2026. No liability is accepted; the linked sources are authoritative.
Duties
- Mooring, anchoring, lines and fenders
- Caring for the hull, teak deck, stainless steel and paintwork
- Driving tenders and jet skis, taking guests ashore and supervising watersports
- Keeping watch, checking safety equipment and taking part in drills
Career path
- Junior deckhand with STCW, security training and ENG1
- Experienced deckhand with tender and jet ski licences and Yachtmaster Offshore
- Bosun, leading the deck team
- Officer of the Watch, later Chief Officer and captain
Certificates and recognition
The basic kit is mandatory; tender and jet ski licences make you useful from day one. To move up to officer, the Yachtmaster, a radio certificate and the Officer of the Watch licence count.
Powerboat Level 2 and Tender Operator (RYA)
RYA Level 2 Powerboat Handling: 2 days, from age 12, the standard for tender drivers and the basis for the ICC. The Tender Operator Course (2 days, from age 17) was developed with the PYA for driving guests by day and night.
- Duration
- 2 days
- Cost
- €250 – €500
- Valid for
- unlimited
- Germany
- On German maritime waterways you also need the SBF See for engines over 15 hp.
- Austria
- Croatia accepts Powerboat Level 2 for boats and yachts up to 18 m, together with a radio certificate.
- Switzerland
- Courses at RYA-recognised schools abroad, for example around the Mediterranean.
Jet ski (RYA Personal Watercraft)
RYA Personal Watercraft Proficiency: 1 day, from age 12. On superyachts there is also the RYA “Introduction to Personal Watercraft Safety” format, delivered on board. Abroad, an ICC is often required as well.
- Duration
- 1 day
- Cost
- €150 – €400
- Valid for
- unlimited
- Germany
- On German maritime waterways the SBF See applies for engines over 15 hp, jet skis included.
- Austria
- Courses at RYA-recognised schools; on the European mainland they cost about €400.
- Switzerland
- Courses at RYA-recognised schools; on the European mainland they cost about €400.
Sources:7
Dive and watersports instructor
Yachts offering watersports look for dive instructors from international diving organisations or national CMAS federations, RYA instructors for powerboats and jet skis, and kite, wing, surf and waterski instructors. Usually required: active instructor status with insurance, a diving medical, and first aid and oxygen administration. Dive instructor training takes several weeks and usually costs a mid four-figure sum (guide value).
- Germany
- Training with German CMAS federations or international diving organisations; on board, internationally recognised instructor ratings count.
- Austria
- Training with Austrian CMAS federations or international diving organisations; on board, internationally recognised instructor ratings count.
- Switzerland
- Training with Swiss CMAS federations or international diving organisations; on board, internationally recognised instructor ratings count.
Where to train
- MCA-approved schools for STCW and security training in the UK, the south of France and Spain
- RYA-recognised schools for powerboat, tender operator and jet ski courses
- International diving organisations and national CMAS federations, kite, wing, surf and waterski associations
We deliberately name no individual schools and receive no commission. Before booking, check that the provider is approved for the certificate you need and for the flag state.
Salary
| Position | Per month | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Junior deckhand | €2,800 – €3,200 | Basic salary on board plus food and accommodation (YPI CREW 2026) |
| Experienced deckhand | €3,200 – €4,000 | Basic salary on board plus food and accommodation (YPI CREW 2026) |
| Specialist deckhand (tender, diving, watersports) | €3,250 – €4,000 | Basic salary on board plus food and accommodation (YPI CREW 2026) |
| Bosun | €3,500 – €6,000 | Basic salary on board plus food and accommodation (YPI CREW 2026) |
| Second Officer (50 m+) | €5,000 – €7,500 | Basic salary on board plus food and accommodation (YPI CREW 2026) |
Basic monthly salary according to YPI CREW 2026, plus food and accommodation. Specialists such as tender drivers, divers or watersports instructors earn more; on charter yachts tips come on top.
Your next step
Browse the open positions and apply directly to the employer.
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More career fields
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Sources
Official bodies, certificate issuers, salary guides and statistics. The current version of each source always prevails.
- YPI CREW – Superyacht Deck & Bosun Salary Guide 2026 (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)
- Royal Yachting Association – Level 2 Powerboat Handling (retrieved on 15/10/2026)
- Royal Yachting Association – Tender Operator Course (retrieved on 15/10/2026)
- Ministarstvo mora, prometa i infrastrukture – Anerkannte ausländische Befähigungsnachweise für Boote und Yachten (Stand 21.05.2026) (retrieved on 14/10/2026)
- Royal Yachting Association – Personal Watercraft courses (retrieved on 15/10/2026)