Junior Crew Training – What Do You Actually Need?
So, you’ve done your homework and decided yachting really is for you. Now comes the training.
This is where it can get confusing — and expensive.
Before you start booking every course with the word superyacht attached to it, decide which department you actually want to work in.
Deck, Interior, Galley or Engineering?
Each has a different route, and you don’t need every certificate someone is willing to sell you.
For most junior crew, STCW Basic Safety Training and an appropriate seafarer medical such as an ENG1 are the starting point. From there, the additional training you need depends on the role you’re aiming for.
More certificates don’t automatically make you more employable.
Do the training you need, choose additional courses because they’re genuinely relevant, and remember — you can’t buy experience.
⚓ DECK
If you’re looking for your first deckhand position, start with the essentials: STCW Basic Safety Training and a valid seafarer medical such as an ENG1.
An RYA Powerboat Level 2 is a useful addition, and any genuine boating, sailing, watersports or practical maintenance experience is worth highlighting.
Don’t worry about arriving with a CV covered in certificates. You’re applying as junior crew — nobody expects you to know everything yet.
Good practical skills, a strong work ethic and being willing to get stuck in count for a lot.
🛎️ INTERIOR
Coming from hospitality? Don’t underestimate how useful that experience can be.
Restaurants, hotels, bars, housekeeping, events and customer service can all give you transferable skills for your first interior role.
Alongside your STCW and medical, introductory training in food hygiene, service, housekeeping, laundry or wine can be useful, particularly if you don’t already have hospitality experience.
You don’t need to know everything on day one. Be organised, professional, discreet and ready to learn.
👩🍳 GALLEY
If you’re coming into yachting as a chef, your professional culinary background and experience are important.
Alongside the relevant safety, medical and food-hygiene requirements, it’s worth understanding that cooking onboard can be very different from working ashore.
Provisioning in unfamiliar locations, dietary requirements, guest preferences, crew food and working from a relatively small galley can all be part of the job.
Great food matters — but organisation, flexibility and being able to adapt matter too.
⚙️ ENGINEERING
Engineering has a more defined qualification and certification pathway, so this is one area where we’d strongly recommend speaking to a recognised maritime training provider before booking courses.
Tell them what qualifications and practical experience you already have and where you eventually want your career to go.
They can advise you on the appropriate entry route and which courses you genuinely need.
Don’t spend thousands guessing your way through an engineering career path. Get proper advice first.
Before You Book a Course…
Ask questions.
Is the qualification recognised?
Do I actually need it for an entry-level position?
What exactly is included in the course?
Is there practical training?
What career support do you provide afterwards?
And importantly — what is this all going to cost me?
Shop around and speak to more than one training centre before handing over your money.
Training is important, but more certificates don’t automatically make you more employable. Choose courses because they’re relevant to the role you want, not simply because someone is willing to sell them to you.
Training should prepare you for the industry — not empty your bank account before you’ve even joined it. 😂
And then I’d finish with:
NEXT UP WHERE TO TRAIN :
1. BLUEWATER
📍 Antibes, French Riviera +33 49 334 47 73
An established superyacht training provider offering courses for new entrants and experienced crew.
Training includes: STCW Basic Safety, Powerboat, deck and engineering qualifications.
Useful links:
2. SEASCOPE
📍 Antibes / Golfe-Juan +33 42 243 20 84
Offers professional yacht crew training, including safety certification and practical courses for aspiring deckhands and stewardesses.
Training includes: STCW, RYA Powerboat, interior training, Yachtmaster and introductory engineering.
Useful links:
3. ZEPHYR YACHTING
📍 Antibes, French Riviera +33 49 33 33 34 04
Offers practical maritime training for those entering the industry, particularly aspiring deck crew.
Training includes: STCW, RYA Powerboat, tender operations, personal watercraft and Yachtmaster.
Useful links:
4. UKSA – United Kingdom Sailing Academy
📍 Cowes, Isle of Wight +44 (0)1983 294941
UKSA offers structured training programmes for newcomers to the superyacht industry.
Courses combine maritime qualifications with practical skills and career guidance.
Training includes: STCW, deckhand training, interior training, Powerboat and engineering pathways.
Direct course links:
UKSA’s longer entry-level programmes also include accommodation and meals, which is worth considering when comparing total training costs.
5. FLYING FISH
📍 Cowes, Isle of Wight
Flying Fish offers hands-on training designed to prepare newcomers for their first yacht position.
Training includes: STCW, deckhand, stewardess, Powerboat and combined deck/interior programmes.
Direct course links:
- ⚓ Superyacht Deckhand Course
- 🛎️ Superyacht Stewardess Course
- ⚓🛎️ Combined Deckhand & Stewardess Course
The combined programme could be particularly useful for newcomers interested in working on smaller yachts where dual-role positions are more common.
🇿🇦 SOUTH AFRICA
6. PYT – Professional Yacht Training Durban
📍 241 Florida Road, Morningside, Durban, South Africa – +27 31 307 4992
PYT Durban has been providing professional maritime training since 2000.
It offers internationally recognised qualifications, including MCA-approved courses, with pathways from junior crew through to officer-level training.
Training includes: STCW, deckhand, interior, engineering and advanced deck qualifications.
Direct course links:
- 🌊 Starting Out – Junior Crew Courses
- 🛟 STCW Basic Safety Training
- ⚓ 4-Week Superyacht Deckhand Course
- 📅 Course Dates and Availability
Their four-week deckhand programme includes STCW, elementary seamanship, MCA Yacht Rating and IYT Small Powerboat & RIB Master training.
A LITTLE ADVICE FROM MAKING WAVESS
Before booking any course, contact the training centre directly.
Explain that you’re new to yachting, tell them which department interests you and ask which qualifications are genuinely necessary.
Compare course content, certification, prices and accommodation costs.
And remember — completing a course doesn’t guarantee employment.
Training provides the foundation. Your attitude, work ethic and willingness to learn will help you build your career.
Making Wavess – Built by Crew, 4 Crew. 🌊
