The Bare Minimum - What are the basic training requirements for crew in the yachting industry?

So... You decided to join the yachting industry but now you need to make sure you have the training and qualifications to work onboard.

Nearly every day Crew HQ is asked great questions by new crew who want to land their first job on a Superyacht. This article hopes to answer the questions you have and point you in the right direction.

Some of the questions we get asked include:


What's the basic training needed?
What would make me stand out from other crew?
What do STCW, ENG1, ML5 ... stand for?

Please note.. these courses are the absolute bare legal minimum requirement to work onboard as a junior deckhand / stewardess. In recent years the Yachting Industry has become extremely competitive and the more courses and experience you have better your chance of landing a job.

STCW - Standards for Training, Certification and Watchkeeping - Basic Safety Training – Minimum requirement

The STCW was a convention that was originally created in 1978 to ensure that professionals working at sea were sufficiently trained and qualified to perform their role safely. In 1995 and again in 2010 in Manila, the convention was further revised to cover technological advancements in the shipping industry. The correct reference for the convention is STCW ’78 as amended, so double check that your new certification has it correct.

STCW basic safety training is made up from the following component modules:

Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting,
Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities,
Elementary First Aid,
Personal Survival Techniques

As of July 2013 the Proficiency in Security Awareness (PSA) or Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD) modules are also required for vessels greater than 500 gross tons.

Please see the following post for more details: http://crewhq.me/update/psa-vs-pdsd-whats-difference-who-needs-it

Is the STCW required for all yachts?

There is only a legal requirement for crew on commercially registered yachts. Regardless of any legal requirement however most Captains will require their crew to hold this certification in the interests of safety onboard.

How long does the STCW set of qualifications last?

Under the Manila Amendments Personal Survival Techniques and Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting also have to be renewed every five years. From January 1st 2017 the MCA will not renew a Certificate of Competency without documented evidence that all the STCW modules are up-to-date.

Where can i do my STCW training?
So glad you asked. Check out of list of awesome training centres here. http://crewhq.me/yachting_directory_schools

ENG1 / ML5 – Seafarer medical certificates.
In simple terms these are a note from a registered MCA doctor saying you are fit and healthy and able to work at sea. Under the MLC every seafarer must have a valid medical certificate that is recognised by the flag state that the yacht is registered with before they can work at sea. So.. if your boat has a British Flag then you need to have a doctors note that is recognised by the UK.

An ENG1 can only be issued by a doctor approved by the MCA (Maritime Coastguard Agency). The MCA have a list of the registered doctors on their website. Seafarer medical certificates from certain other countries are also accepted and these are also listed on the MCA website.

You’ll need to take the following to your examination:

  • Passport
  • Previous medical certificate (if you have one)
  • Local doctor’s name, address and contact details
  • Any medication you’re taking
  • Your glasses or contact lenses (if you wear them)

If you pass, your doctor will issue you with an ENG1 certificate.

ML5 Medicals – MCA approved, but restricted to 60 miles from safe haven
The ML5 report and certificate form can be obtained from any MCA Marine Office or downloaded from the MCA website.

With the Yachting industry getting more competitive every year the following qualifications should be considered as the bare minimum if you are looking for your first job.

RYA yachting/powerboat qualifications

The RYA has a range of qualifications from small powerboats through to a Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence, as well as PWC and sailing courses. You can find training centres near you via our Sailing School Directory.

As a minimum all crew should hold their Powerboat Level 2 qualification to be able to tenders. Ideally if you are looking for a job in the deck department you should now hold a qualification of day skipper or above to use the main boat tender with guests onboard.

The Personal Watercraft (PWC) Proficiency will enable you to play with the jetski's onboard.

A Commercially Endorsed Yachtmaster will enable you to act as Office Of the Watch (OOW) on boats up to 500gt. With the level of competition where it is a Yachtmaster qualification is often a standard requirement.

Powerboat, Dinghy or PWC Instructor – Will also set you apart as someone who can enhance the experience for guests onboard.

Diving Qualifications
PADI diving qualifications are useful and a dive instructor qualification will make you especially useful when guests are onboard.

Water Sports
Kite Boarding / Wakeboarding / Water skiing – If you have skills with the toys then make sure you communicate this in your CV. If you work on deck and have these skills you will be in high demand when the guests and their kids want to have fun on the water.

Multiple Languages
English is almost a standard requirement onboard but having other languages at your disposal is always helpful.

There is an increasing demand for Russian, French, Italian, Spanish and Arabic speakers onboard. Onboard the more languages you can speak the better as it helps with service, general operations and with safety.

Transferable Skills
The range of transferable skills onboard is extensive .. essentially a boat is a self contained floating city and it needs a great variety of skill sets to keep is running effectively. So.. if you have any of the following then make sure you make a fuss of it in your CV.

Carpentry / Ship Building / Varnishing / Painting / Electrical Engineering / Mechanical Engineering / AV / IT / Silver Service / Hospitality / Interior Design / Table Setting / Flower Arranging / Cooking / Hairdressing / Yoga / Fitness Training / Massage Therapy / Medical Training / Security

and many more.