How many crew members are needed on a yacht? | YPI CREW (2024)

Yachting is a unique career that gives you the opportunity to travel the world whilst working as part of a close-knit, united crew on some of the most advanced luxury superyachts.

Discover the crew behind the ultimate yachting experience

Creating the ultimate guest experience on board a yacht takes a variety of dedicated people with different skills and backgrounds. Depending on its size and operational structure, each yacht requires a unique skill set and a different number of crew members on board.

Generally speaking, smaller superyachts between 24-30m (80-100ft) in size will require a crew of between 2 and 8 members, whereas mid-sized yachts between 30-60m (100-200ft) will require between 8 and 20 crew members. Larger superyachts that are over 60m (200ft) in size will usually have a much bigger crew of over 20 people, whereas yachts over 100m (328ft) in size will have anywhere between 30 to 50 or more members on board to operate and maintain the vessel.

Each crew needs a different range of skills and every crew member will have their own titles and responsibilities on board. The range of exciting roles available on board larger superyachts include opportunities in:

• The Deck Department: Includes Officers, Bosuns and Deckhands, the Deck Department is under the command of the Captain and is responsible for both the safe navigation and operation of the yacht.

• The Engineering Department: Built up of a Chief Engineer and, depending on the size of the yacht, other Engineers, ETOs and AV/IT Officers. The Engineering Department is responsible for all mechanical and electrical operations on the yacht. From maintaining the propulsion systems to plumbing and HVAC systems, they are responsible for the safety, performance and efficiency of all the mechanics and electrics on board as well as ensuring compliance with any applicable regulations.

• Interior Department: The interior department is focused on attention to detail and manages everything regarding the guest experience on board. This department includes Chefs, Stews, and Pursers, as well as specialist positions such as Spa Therapists, Nurses, Personal Trainers, etc.

Bespoke training is offered to the interior team, giving them the confidence to deliver world-class service on board. Crew members joining the deck and engineering departments will need to obtain certifications allowing them to safely man the vessel throughout the journey.

Whilst working on the yacht, crew members share their work and living spaces as well as create memories from once-in-a-lifetime experiences together. We know that it’s important that personalities and characters match and crew members can work and live together in harmony, so guests and crew can have the best time on board.

Here at YPI CREW, our solutions-driven recruitment team pride themselves on their extensive knowledge of the yachting industry and are experts in superyacht recruitment. We are committed to handpicking the best-suited candidates for every yacht, building a high-performing, friendly crew able to deliver the ultimate guest experience on board.

By working with us, we can make the job search for your ideal yacht job easier by offering you direct access to exclusive job offers, personalised job search support, and professional assistance to help you create a tailored CV. Create a YPI CREW profile today and our recruiters will be able to contact you directly when a suitable position becomes available.