Day work and dock walking: getting your first days on board

Most first jobs on yachts start with a day's work. A boat needs extra hands for a wash-down, a yard period or a guest turnaround, someone turns up on time and works well, and a few weeks later they are offered a place. Day work is how you get known and how you get your first reference.

Where the work is

Go where yachts gather for the season and where they refit between seasons. Ask crew already there which marinas and yards are busy this month: it changes with the calendar.

Check you are allowed to work there

Day work is work. Whether you may do it depends on your nationality, the country and the yacht's flag. Ask before you start, and do not put a captain in a difficult position.

Dock walking

• Go early, when crew are on deck and before the heat.
• Look the part: clean, plain clothes you can work in, and shoes you can take off at the passerelle.
• Do not step on board uninvited. Speak to whoever is on deck, ask if they need day workers this week and who to leave your details with.
• Keep it to a minute. Say your name, what you can do and when you are free.
• Hand over something they can look at later. A Crew HQ Me card with your QR code works well: they scan it and see your profile, references and CV. Print the cards from Crew HQ Me.

Use the notice board

The Crew HQ notice board is free for every member. Post that you are available, where and from when. Captains post day work there too.

On the day

• Be ten minutes early and ask what the standard is before you start.
• Work carefully. Speed comes later; a scratched rail is remembered.
• Stay off your phone.
• At the end, ask whether there is more this week and whether they would be a referee for you.

Turn it into a reference

Add the reference to your profile with the captain's or mate's email address the same day. Crew HQ writes to them and they confirm it in one click. Three confirmed day-work references say more than a long cover letter.