superyacht crew life

9 superyacht crew members share what it's really like working for a billionaire on board

• Superyachts are luxurious, but working on them isn't.
• Insider polled superyacht crew members to find out what it's really like working for a billionaire on board.
• They said their days are spent fulfilling requests and keeping the yacht in top shape — but it really all depends on the superyacht owner.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories .

While working on a superyacht sounds glamorous, in reality it can be anything but.

Insider polled superyacht crew members to get an inside look at life on board. When asked what working for a millionaire or billionaire is really like, they agreed on a few things, like long hours.

Many superyacht  crew members wake up before dawn to start their day, which typically involves a lot of cleaning and catering to the requests of owners and guests.

Read more: The super rich are hoarding cash — instead bartering yachts, $30 million mansions, and caviar to ride out the pandemic

But while some superyacht owners are demanding, others are less so — it really all depends on their personality. Some crew members said that owners and guests are more like regular people than you'd expect.

Here's what life on board looks like, according to nine superyacht crew members.

Note: Insider was able to verify each crew member's identity, but we refrained from publishing their full names to protect their privacy.

Working on a yacht can be lucrative.

Insider previously reported that deckhands earn an average of $3,083 to $3,574 a month, depending on the boat size. Captains reportedly get paid even more — they earn $7,750 to $19,961 a month on average.

Kate Lardy of the Sun Sentinel reported that a captain in Fort Lauderdale once spent a total of $14,255 on day workers, who are hired temporarily for onboard services, during a two-month period.

But it's also tiring and demanding.

One captain who works on a 120-foot boat alluded to tiring conditions. Working for a billionaire is "demanding," he said, with hours that begin very early — before 6 a.m. — and end very late.

Yacht crew members have to meet high expectations.

One electronic technical officer who works on a 223-foot yacht stressed the pressure of delivering top-notch service while remaining level-headed.

Working on a yacht involves "very, very long days with little rest and expectations to perform at the highest levels of service while not losing your cool under pressure," he said.

They have to work hard to keep yachts spotless.

Guests and owners can be messy and dirty — and it's up to the crew to make sure it doesn't look that way. A mate on a 92-foot yacht said he had to wake up before guests or other crew members to get the yacht's exterior ready for the day.

"They expect it to look like no one has touched it," he said. "So any rain or dew, water spots, bird crap, or salt spray has to be continuously cleaned, not to mention having to constantly wipe stainless [steel] and glass when guests move around the boat. They leave smudges and fingerprints everywhere.

"By the time I start at the top of the boat and move around drying the boat, washing windows, and prepping water toys, depending on where the guests are, it's time to clean behind them."

He said he then has to be available for whatever the day brings, whether guests want to take the tender out or play with water toys, the interior crew needs help with service, or any maintenance issues need to be addressed.

There's a lot of cleaning, smiling, and snacking.

Nic, a chief stewardess, shared her typical daily itinerary, which extends from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., with a one-hour break for a power nap.

There's constant snacking, as she doesn't always have time to sit and eat, she said. She's also "always thinking and planning ahead for the next meal or excursion," like what guests "need to take with them and what they need upon return," she said.

"Always thinking of ways to make the day special and 'perfect' (as much as possible)," she said.

She added: "Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning, and lots of smiling. Behind the scenes, a lot of running around and working at high speed, throwing stuff into drawers and sorting it out later when you have time, laughing, and keeping crew spirits high. Never-ending laundry."

Work is easier when the owners are away, which is often.

Billionaire owners actually don't spend a lot of time on their multimillion-dollar yachts. Neither do the guests who charter them.

"Owners or guests are typically not on the boat all that much, so most of the time the crew has the boat to themselves," said Michael, a former yacht captain who worked on yachts ranging from 130 to 170 feet.

"Work is pretty easy and consists of general maintenance and keeping the boat in perfect/ready state for when the owner does show up. If you have a good crew it can be very enjoyable. If you do not, it can be very stressful and miserable."

Everything depends on the owner's personality.

Some crew members get lucky working for generous yacht owners, while others get treated like the help.

"It's hard work and long days when they are on board," said Martin, the captain of a 155-foot yacht. "It really depends on the owner. Some have treated me like family, and some have treated me like a servant."

But sometimes it's not the owner who's difficult.

A chef on a 150-foot motor yacht also said that working for a billionaire could be unpredictable, as every boat and owner is different.

But it's not the owner of the yacht who's always difficult to work for.

"Bear in mind that the captain is every bit as much your boss as the owner is, and sometimes the captain is a bigger pain in the ass than the billionaire owner," she said.

Yacht owners are just your everyday people on vacation — with more money.

According to Mark, the captain of a 114-foot yacht, billionaire owners are just like normal vacationers. Kind of.

"They're just people holidaying, but with more money and toys to fill their days," he said.

They can be more down-to-earth than expected, but their spontaneity can be frustrating.

"It's really nice to find out that some of the wealthiest people you'll work for are actually more down-to-earth and normal like any person you'd meet on the street," a stewardess on a 112-foot sailing yacht said. "The saying is 'money screams, wealth whispers.'"

She added: "A typical day involves turning heads, beds, and laundry for guests and crew, which can be a lot if you're a department of one. Food and beverage service three times a day. A lot of plans and schedules change on the fly depending on the owners and their wants and whims, which can be a bit frustrating."

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Do you Want to Work on a Yacht? The truth about Yacht Crew Life

We know a thing or two after having spent over 10 years living the luxury yacht life . It sounds glamorous, epic and like so much fun and totally not like a “real” job at all. I mean you get to travel the world and rub shoulders with the rich and sometimes even the famous. But pretty postcards, endless parties and bikinis it is not. It’s hard work crewing a luxury yacht. And it’s not for everyone. 

Here’s the truth about yacht crew life.

It can be all the fun, sunshine, exploration and travel – but that is not the job. Yachting is an industry of extreme highs and extreme lows. Not all yachts are the same. You may strike it incredibly lucky and land yourself the utopian yacht, crew and billionaires who care. But in reality, you’re more likely to be living off Red Bull and doing 36 hour shifts, too tired to do anything but stare at the shore from your porthole window. No day aboard a yacht is the same. Workload and the type of work you’ll be doing changes depending on the season, whether you have guests on board, have any maintenance issues and also how new you are to the crew (rank & position too). A superyacht requires never ending upkeep. The yacht needs to be kept in immaculate condition, as do the crew, and the crew always need to be prepared for any situation.

Working on a superyacht is very hard work; you have to be at the beck and call of guests who have some quite particular requests that are almost impossible to fulfill. Whatever the guests require it is your job to make sure they get it. With a smile. The money is great though, but also varies based on position, qualifications, yacht size, where the yacht is located and if it’s private or charter. In general, a slightly higher salary is offered if the yacht is private with the hope that, if you work on a charter, you will make up your salary with tips. Once you have completed a particular charter you might just get a day or a night to explore the splendid ports of call with a nice big gratuity in your pocket. These kinds of opportunities are extraordinary and for that moment, any trials you may have encountered with the world’s wealthiest whilst facing unruly seas, unpredictable weather and even more unpredictable and unruly guests, diminishes.

All in all what happens to so many people in this industry may happen to you. Despite the challenges, you join for a season and fall in love with the lifestyle. Yacht life might not be for everyone, but if the bug bites you, it bites hard!  Yachtie for life ! If you are thinking about getting into the yachting industry, download our eBook and find out all the insider tips of surviving , and preparing for yacht crew life.

Needing more?

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1. what are the basic requirements you need to be eligible to work in the yachting industry, 2. what is the stcw and why do i need it, 3. what is the eng1 medical certificate, 4. what land based experience will help me find a super yacht job, 5. what are the different departments onboard, 6. what crew training is required for me to work as a junior deckhand.

• Yachtmaster/Coastal Skipper Theory
• Yachtmaster/Coastal Practical
• Specialist Super Yacht Training Course (Deck Hand Training Course)
• RYA Power Boat Level II
• RYA Personal Watercraft Course
• RYA Competent Crew Certificate
• RYA Day Skipper Theory and Practical Certificates
• VHF Radio Operator’s License

7. What crew training is required for me to work as a junior stewardess?

• Stewardess Course
• Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD)
• MCA Food Safety Level 2
• RYA Powerboat Level 2

8. How do I book my training courses?

9. how do i get my first job on a yacht, 10. are these courses worth it, or am i just wasting my money, 11. will i get hired for my first job from south africa, 12. what is daywork, 13. what are the best locations to get a yacht job, 14. how much can a motor yacht stewardess or deckhand earn, 15. what are the negatives of working on a yacht, 16. what are the positives of working on a yacht, 17. is working on a super yacht for everyone, 18. what is the minimum age to work on a yacht, 19. is accommodation provided when i am completing my yacht training in cape town.

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Yacht crew positions : Hierarchy, Missions & Salaries explained

Like any well-run hotel, restaurant, or other luxury service, a crewed yacht needs organized structure and good management. Whether you’re staffing your own luxury vessel or looking for an exciting career working and traveling the world, you need to know how this structure works, and what you can expect to pay or earn and do in the various roles on board.

Every yacht is a little different, and organization may reflect the style of the captain or the demands of the owner. But the same jobs need to be done on almost every boat. Organized with ranks, heads of each division report to the Captain. It’s not a military-style organization, but there are parallels with merchant marine grades and structures.

Smaller yachts need fewer crew, and staff may wear multiple hats that cross more traditional divisions and may combine some jobs with others. Large yachts have more distinct divisions or subdivisions, with more specialization to divide tasks and manage staffing. The core skills are the same, but finding staff with the right blends to do the jobs is key. Crew with broader skills are highly sought after.

As a yacht owner, you shouldn’t have to worry about day-to-day management decisions or organizing all this. That’s why you have a captain, and it’s better to leave staffing decisions entirely up to him or her. But it’s still important to know what it is people you’re hiring do, why they’re there, and how many you need. You don’t want too many crew, or to be short-handed. An understanding of what your yacht needs helps you talk to the captain to keep your yacht running how you want it.

For those looking to break into yacht crew work, consider your skills and strengths, and what jobs appeal to you. You’ll need training before you work, and you can direct your job path through the training you seek. Your goal is a suitable position on a well-run yacht, so make yourself the most attractive candidate possible.

Yacht Work Life

Working on a yacht is also living on the yacht. Crew must have a space to sleep, food, and all the basics that any employee needs. Large yachts have space reserved for crew, and owners looking for quality crew should provide good working and living conditions. Your crew takes care of you, and you should take care of them.

Depending on where a yacht operates or what flag she flies, a variety of labor laws or rules may be in effect. These requirements may be for work visas, contracts and written agreements, and compliance with merchant and ship crew treaties and laws. Be prepared to have work and non-disclosure agreements between yacht and crew, though a few yachts skip this.

Seasonal Jobs

Many yacht positions are seasonal. Year-round employment is more likely for senior crew like the captain and department heads, but not all yachts see year-round use. And some yachts may use different crew in different locales between seasonal moves.

Any job listing should give seasonal information, with geographic information, the length of the season, and the prospects for year-round positions and repeat employment.

Hours, Salaries, and Expectations

Yacht crew is a service job at its core, and every yacht owner is looking for service-oriented people who understand how to deliver a hotel-quality living and restaurant-quality fine dining. Work experience in luxury hotels and restaurants is a big plus for some jobs, and makes breaking into yacht work easier.

Yacht work can be very demanding, with periods of intense work when the owner and guests or a charter party is on board. Long days aren’t uncommon, but often balance with slack time when the boat is empty of passengers. There is always work to be done, but there’s usually a chance for time off.

Most salaries are monthly, since many positions are seasonal. Pay ranges are commensurate with experience, rank, and responsibility. Private vessels usually offer higher base pay, as charter crew can earn tips on top of their base salary. Because of the demands of the lifestyle, compensation is good and you have minimal living expenses on board.

Benefits and Time Off

Because so many jobs are seasonal and may occur in different countries and locations, benefits offered to yacht crew vary widely. But it is not uncommon for crew to be offered health and accident insurance and a flight to the vessel. Living on board, you’ll get food, rooming (usually shared), basic toiletries, uniforms, and laundry. Yachts with a longer view may offer additional training to long-term prospects.

Time off is usually linked to boat use, and may be sporadic in-season or when the boat has the owner and guests on board. There will always be some time off, but it may be between very intense work periods.

Most crew jobs have an employment contract that meets the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC). This should spell out the contract period and duration, as well as salary, leave and time off, probationary periods, repatriation policies, and any other crucial details to meet the minimum international standards of crew welfare.

This contract should also contain shipboard policies on confidentiality and non-disclosures, drug and alcohol use on board, personal hygiene expectations, interpersonal relationships, and dispute resolution. Job expectations and requirements can also be included, with specific language about roles, tasks, and cooperation between divisions.

Note that all crew agreements will explicitly prohibit drug use on board, most limit alcohol consumption and ban hard liquor on board, and many boats have policies prohibiting intimate personal crew relationships. Because the crew is living on board full time and in close quarters, rules to maintain decorum and crew harmony may be in writing.

Training & Certificates

Two key certifications are required for yacht crew. Employers look for the STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers) and the ENG1 (Seafarer Medical Certificate). Insurers generally require crew to have these two certifications or the equivalent.

The ENG1 isn’t a class. It’s a medical exam to ensure that the crew is physically fit to serve at sea and has no underlying conditions that may arise far from help. It’s best for prospective crew to secure the ENG1 before investing more time and money training.

STCW is a week-long class on the basics of onboard safety. This includes hands-on modules covering personal survival, fire safety, first aid and CPR, accident prevention, and security awareness. It needs to be refreshed every five years.

Shared, Hybrid, and Crossover Jobs

Larger vessels will have more defined duties and specific areas of responsibility. But smaller yachts may want the crew to have different roles in different situations. For example, a hybrid job description may read “3rd Engineer/Steward” and describe a role in engineering when the boat is empty but on inside crew when passengers are on board.

When hiring or seeking jobs be prepared to look for creative crossover skill sets to meet the needs of the vessel.

Extra Skills and Duties

Any extra skills outside the regular duties makes crew more attractive. From stewards who can teach yoga, give massages or play cocktail piano to deck crew who know how to water ski, SCUBA dive, or fish, anything that crew can bring to enhance the passenger experience adds value to the employee.

If you’re looking for a position, list the skills you’d be comfortable using. If a vessel owner is looking for something specific, spell it out and figure out how that special duty fits into the employee work day.

The Four Main Divisions

Most yacht crews break into four primary divisions which group related tasks and responsibilities together. While the grouping sounds like it’s by section of the boat, they’re really more functional. For example, stewards (Interior) will definitely serve meals, whether they’re in the main dining room or out on deck. Deckhands (deck) are going to be involved in painting, sanding, and varnish jobs anywhere on the boat.

The deck crew handles most of the exterior operations of the yacht, and runs it. Deck hands and crew keep the boat looking clean and shiny, and handling most vessel operations. This includes driving and operating the yacht, navigation, running all launches and ship’s craft, handling lines, and all maintenance and painting, washing, and shining.

2-Interior (or Inside)

Inside crew are primarily the stewards and housekeepers. Larger vessels will have a dedicated housekeeping staff separate from the stewards, but smaller vessels may not.

Stewards keep the interior clean, do all housekeeping, laundry, food and beverage service, cabin preparation, and anything else needed for the comfort of the passengers.

3-Engineering

Below decks, the engineering department ensures the safe and smooth running of all the ship’s machinery and electronics. Engineers are engine and systems specialists, and there will usually be a dedicated electronics expert. Most engineer jobs require professional training and certification.

Fine dining is a hallmark of the yachting experience, and a full-time galley crew prepares all meals for passengers and crew. The head chef plans the menus and provisions the boat, while junior chefs assist the head chef with meal preparation and keeping the galley spotless.

Yacht Job and Department Details

Departments are all organized in a hierarchy, with a department head reporting to the Captain. The clear chain of command makes for smooth operations, with all communications going up and down ranks. Junior staff will occasionally take instructions from other divisions as all crew is expected to help as needed. A captain or department head may organize staff differently, so reporting structures listed are guidelines only.

All salary ranges are monthly figures and are ranges based on yacht size and crew experience. Senior jobs on larger yachts have more responsibility than the same job title on yachts with smaller crews. Experienced crew are very desirable and can expect more pay for their positions.

Listed responsibilities are not exhaustive, and different yachts may allocate some jobs to different positions.

Read also: The yacht charter experience ladder

The Captain

The captain of the vessel is the overall decision maker for the yacht in all situations, including the safety of the vessel. The owner should leave the Captain responsible for operational decisions about hiring and staff and operating the ship. To become a captain requires years of experience and training, and a broad set of skills including yacht operations, personnel management, budgeting and finance. The captain works directly with the owner and owner’s representative, if the captain is not also acting as the representative.

On an organization chart, the Captain is usually placed in the deck division, but the Captain is always the senior-most crew on the yacht and all division heads report to the Captain.

Responsibilities include:

• Responsible for all navigation and running the yacht.
• Senior decision maker on all crew hiring.
• Manage repairs, refits, and yard work.
• Manage budgets and accounting. On larger yachts, this task ends more on the Purser, but the captain is always responsible.
• Ensure all paperwork, clearances, and legal requirements are completed.
• Primary contact with the owner or charter parties.

Reports to: The yacht owner

Salary Range: $6,000 to $22,000

The deckhands handle all the outside responsibilities of the ship, including cleaning and maintenance of the yacht and all the ship’s vessels and toys on board. Deck crew will have significant contact with passengers in this role, operating launches and delivering guests to and from shore and handling the toys.

All deck crew have watch responsibilities on passage, and daily responsibilities keeping the yacht pristine and clean. They will also do line handling and secure the yacht.

Deck department : Chief Mate/First Officer

The Chief Mate or First Officer is the second in command of the vessel, and left in charge when the Captain is not on board. The first mate has the requisite skills to stand in for the captain and run the yacht if needed and usually acts as the division head of the deck team.

The seamanship skills needed are similar to the Captain’s position.

• Primary safety officer for the yacht and all passengers and crew.
• Supervise and manage all operations on deck.
• Bridge watches on passage.
• Passage planning and navigation.

There may be additional mates on larger vessels, these 2nd, 3rd, etc. mates have similar responsibilities on rotation. But the first mate is senior and always second in command.

Reports to: Captain

Salary Range: $4,000 to $9,500 (First mate)

Second and more junior mates may earn $2,000 to $4,000

Deck department : Bosun

The Bosun is the senior deckhand and manages the junior hands on board. This will usually be the most experienced hand on board.

• Organizing all operations on deck.
• Coordinating the use, storing and launching of the ship’s boats, toys, and equipment.
• Managing the passerelle, watching passenger safety.
• Contact point for guest service on boats, toys, and trips to shore.

Reports to: First mate

Salary Range: $3,000 to $5,000

Deck department : Deckhands

Deckhands are constantly busy with maintenance, cleaning, polishing, and assisting guests as needed. They will assist other departments as needed or given special duties.

• Daily cleaning of the yacht’s exterior.
• Painting, varnishing, polishing.
• Line handling.
• Launching and operating dinghies and tenders.
• Repairs and carpentry.
• Helping guests as needed – everything from handling baggage and gear to embarking and disembarking.

Reports to: Bosun

Salary range: $1,300 to $3,000

Though every position on a yacht is service-oriented, the interior or inside crew provides the primary customer service. They will interact the most with the passengers daily, and they’re directly responsible for the quality of their experience on board.

Interior department : the Purser

The purser is the chief financial officer of the yacht and handles all the financial operations on board. Accounting, purchasing, payroll and hiring, and all money matters end up with the Purser. This is a senior staff position, and may be the interior department head. Smaller yachts may eliminate the purser’s job and add it to the captain’s and other senior staff duties.

Responsibilities Include:

• Accounting and bookkeeping for all financial transactions.
• Human resources and payroll.
• Handling logistics for all departments related to purchasing.
• Managing contracts.
• Event coordination, including off yacht bookings and payments.
• Primary administration of the boat’s business paperwork.
• Inventory and supply management.

Salary Range: $4,000 to $8,000

Interior department : The Chief Steward/ess

The chief steward or stewardess has primary responsibility for all service roles inside. Food and drink service, cabin preparation, and anything to do with helping the passengers be more comfortable and enjoy their stay. The chief steward will be inside crew with several years of experience.

The chief steward manages the interior staff, setting and enforcing vessel service standards. The chief steward ensures the crew delivers a five-star hospitality experience.

Chief Steward Responsibilities:

• Scheduling and training junior crew for meal and drink service and cabin preparation.
• Primary contact with guests for meals and drinks.
• Sommelier and wine service.
• Coordinate with the galley for meals and presentation.
• Decorate the interior, from flower arrangement to table settings.
• Arrange onshore activities and outings.

Reports to: Captain or Purser, depending on the yacht

Salary Range: $4,000 to $8,500

Stewards/Stewardesses

The stewards and stewardesses are the primary guest service staff. They will work closely with guests and passengers, and have daily contact with them as they meet most of their needs while on board.

Steward Responsibilities:

• Food and drink service.
• Room preparation and turndown service.
• Cleaning, polishing, housekeeping, and inside maintenance.
• Cabin detailing.
• Laundry, pressing, and folding.
• Help with outings, trips, debarkations.

Reports to: Chief Steward

Salary Range: $1,500 to $4,500

Housekeeping

Larger yachts may have a dedicated housekeeping and laundry staff. This will be part of the inside crew, under either the purser or the head steward. There may be a senior housekeeper, if there are more than one housekeeping crew on board.

Responsibilities are the cleaning and laundry portions of the steward’s job, and a laundry steward may spend most of her time inside the ship’s laundry.

An experienced Head of Housekeeping may earn from $4,500 to $7,000, while a Laundry Steward typically earns from $2,500 to $3,500.

Read also: CAN OWNING A YACHT TO CHARTER (REALLY) BE PROFITABLE?

Food service requirements on any yacht are high. Whether it’s a privately owned vessel or a charter, the expectations are always for top tier food service, with a variety of meals planned for the requirements of every passenger. Chefs and cooks prepare all meals on board for passengers and crew, but sometimes other interior crew may help with prep work or cleanup.

Smaller yachts have smaller galley crews, but the largest vessels may have an executive chef and several sous chefs. All chef positions require formal culinary training and experience, but cook positions are often entry level. Promotion from cook to chef is unusual without additional training.

Galley department : the Head / Executive Chef

On larger yachts, an Executive Chef will run the entire galley with the help of sous chefs and cooks. With an Executive Chef, there’s an expectation that the food and menus will be on a level with Michelin star-rated restaurants.

The executive chef brings a thorough understanding of food preparation and presentation, and moves food preparation past creative up to artistic. Job responsibilities are similar to a chef, but the job demands and the required experience and education are much higher.

Salary range: $7,000 to $11,000

The chef has overall responsibility for all meals on the yacht, from provisioning in remote places to hygiene and good safety. If there’s only one chef, she’s the head of the galley crew. Finding the best provisions in far away locations and making the best of local food availability is a major part of the job.

• Planning a delicious and varied menu for passengers.
• Sourcing all food and arranging transport to the yacht.
• Maintaining and operating within the galley budget.
• Preparing passenger meals with professional presentation and style.
• Cleaning and maintaining galley and galley equipment.
• Deliver menus and meals on time, while running an organized and spotless galley.

Galley department : Sous Chef

The sous chefs assist the chef in all aspects of running the galley, and may have independent assignments to plan and guest and crew meals. While not primarily responsible for provisioning, the sous chef will help with food selection, menu preparation, and planning. A sous chef must have formal culinary training.

Reports to: Head chef

Salary Range: $3,500 – $6,000.

Galley department : The Cook

Cooks may be entry-level positions or experienced, but do not require formal gastronomy education. They will assist the chef and sous chefs, cooking meals and dishes for guests and crew, helping with provisioning, and keeping the galley neat.

• Assist with provisioning and buying high-quality food from local sources.
• Follow all food handling and safety guidelines.
• Assist the head chef as needed, taking direction and guidance.
• Prepare guest and crew meals as required.
• Staying on top of galley inventories and supplies.

Salary Range: $2,500 to $3,500

Engineering

The engineering department keeps the yacht and all its systems working. Whether it’s the engines, electronics, air conditioning, or the plumbing – it’s up to engineering to keep it running.

There is considerable overlap with commercial shipping in the engineering field, as many of the same skills apply. And there is a broader range of qualifications and grades based on the size and power of the vessel. Job ratings may be set by required experience based on tonnage of ship or power of engines, with corresponding levels of pay and responsibility.

Unlike commercial shipping, engineers may get involved in other aspects of running the yacht, like helping with docking and water sports with mechanical toys.

Engineering certifications, training, ratings, experience and licensing are critical to hiring competent engineers, and for engineering crew it’s an important facet of career advancement. This is important for Chief and 2nd Engineers, which are often broken out by MCA (U.K. Maritime and Coastguard Agency) rating or other international equivalent.

MCA ratings for engineers Commercial and Private Yachts over 24m are:

Y4: Less than 200 Gross Tons and less than 1,500 kW engine power Y3: Less than 500 GT and 3,000 kW Y2: Less than 3,000 GT and 3,000 kW Y1: Less than 3,000 GT and 9,000 kW

There is also an unlimited rating for merchant vessels larger than the Y1 category. For discussing salary and responsibilities, we will include all ratings in one position description, but pay scales with the size of the yacht and any required higher ratings.

Chief Engineer

The chief engineer manages all aspects of keeping the yacht and its systems running. The chief engineer manages all the engineering staff, and directs all maintenance, repairs, troubleshooting and upgrades. This is a management position, but requires extensive hands-on technical experience and knowledge. Chief engineers on large yachts hold an MCA Y1 or Y2, smaller boats will have a lower rated chief and a smaller staff. Check  Jooble.org  to find abroad marine engineer vacancies.

• Provisioning, shopping, and stocking.
• Preparing passenger and crew meals.
• Following instructions and cooking under the direction of others.
• Galley cleaning.
• Follow food safety and storage procedures.
• Food pre-preparation.

Salary Range: $6,000 to $15,000

2nd Engineer

The second engineer is also a highly skilled position requiring a rating or license and several years of experience. This senior level engineer also needs knowledge of how to troubleshoot and maintain all yacht systems.

• Maintain and manage all engineering operations.
• Hire, train and supervise all engineers.
• Project manage all upgrades and retrofits, including managing budgets, contracts, and suppliers.
• Coordinate maintenance schedule for the entire yacht around the usage and seasonal schedules.
• Maintain costs and accounting for engineering operations.
• Design and handle all safety operations.
• Set and maintain standards for operations and cleanliness in the engine room.

Reports to: Chief engineer

Salary Range: $5,500 – $10,000

OOW (Officer of the Watch) Engineer

The OOW is a junior engineering position, but still licensed. There are two categories of OOW – MEOL (Marine Engine Operator License) and the more junior AEC (Assistant Engine Course). The overall responsibilities are similar, working to support the senior engineers and handle independent assignments. The AEC rating is entry level for licensed crew, but has training and certification.

• Support the chief in all projects.
• Maintain a clean, safe engine room.
• Perform all maintenance, troubleshooting and repair tasks as needed.
• Support motorized water sports.
• Occasionally assist with other vessel operations, like line handling.

Reports to: Chief Engineer

Salary Range, MEOL: $4,500 to $6,000 Salary Range, AEC: $2,500 to $3,500

Electronics/Technology Officer (ETO)

The ETO takes responsibility for all audio-visual and information technology on board. Ensuring passengers have access to the internet, movies, television, and music is a primary responsibility. This position carries a fair amount of passenger interaction, and an ETO needs good troubleshooting skills to go with customer service skills.

• Ensure all audio/visual and entertainment systems are always available for passengers.
• Assist passengers with personal technology and ship systems as needed.
• Conduct regular maintenance and upgrades of the network, information, and A/V systems around passenger schedules.
• Assist other engineers as needed, especially with electronic systems.
• Contribute as needed with other departments for boat and passenger operations.

Salary Range: $4,000 to $9,000

Junior Engineer

This is a lower or entry level position for someone with engineering skills but without formal licensing or certification. The junior engineer will help with safety and cleanliness, and assist in any engineering tasks as needed. The ability to solve problems and fix things opens this spot for anyone capable and willing to do the job.

• Help with cleaning, maintenance, and safety functions.
• Help anywhere needed on the yacht.
• Assist senior engineers as needed, taking direction and following instructions exactly.
• Constantly develop skills.

Read also: IS BUYING A BOAT A BAD IDEA?

Whether you are a yacht owner or considering entering this dynamic industry with an established and reliable crew, it is essential to have an understanding of the yacht’s hierarchical structure, mission priorities, and salary expectations. By doing your research on the complexity of yachting before hiring your team, you can confidently select the right group of experienced and qualified professionals for your needs. Staying up-to-date on top industry trends and knowing the capabilities of each type of yacht crew position will enable you to make sound decisions that support a safe and cost-effective journey. With quality personnel at your helm, you can cruise unhindered in luxury and explore new destinations with peace of mind.

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Life as a yacht crew member

What is like to live on a superyacht as a crew member? How is it to work traveling overseas on a floating house (and a pretty fancy one…) for a long period? The early mornings, the organizing and the cleaning are just a few skills of a superyacht crew member day in a life.

First of all, the crew of a superyacht is divided into five sections, each one with different tasks:

–    The captain, responsible for the yacht, guests, and crew.

–    The chef, responsible for the kitchen.

–    The interior staff, responsible for the interior look and maintaining.

–    The deck crew, responsible for operating and maintaining the vessel.

–    The engineers, responsible for ensuring the proper functioning of the main systems.

The average number of crew members on a superyacht is around 6 to 10 and their responsibilities are infinite and vitals: the safety of everyone on board, the luxury lifestyle you have to be capable to work with, the challenging tasks that you have to accomplish while navigating (sometimes the waves could be very tricky), the last minute demands that seem impossible to satisfy…

THE CREW ROUTINE

It’s hard to define a typical day onboard since the work schedule will change depending on the time of the year, if there are guests or not, etc. What is always a primary thing to do working on a superyacht is the maintenance to keep it in excellent conditions: a large part of the day in a life is cleaning, polishing and taking care of every little thing.

The working hours on a superyacht are long, and it’s the nature of the job that when the owner and guests are awake, you’re busy doing everything you can to make them comfortable, so 12/14 hour a day is not so unusual…

But not everything is so hard, there is also a good part. Navigating in a spectacular vessel owned by celebrities, royalty or brokers (between others) has its advantages like the unique travel destinations, the luxurious surroundings and the money a crew member can get. Sure, the service expectations are much higher on yachts than another type of vessels, but if you are dedicated and get the proper training, you can land a yacht-job and live an amazing experience.

Usually, crew members live on board with a monthly salary. Most of the living expenses are covered by the owner, as well as the maintaining and the necessary to live in the superyacht (bills, water, gas, electricity…). Every superyacht has crew areas below deck, with cabins and laundry, and the crew mess, where the crew can relax and if you want to stay fit, some of the larger superyachts have even crew gyms…how about that?

Now we are sure that while you are reading this article you are already thinking of finding a job as a superyacht crew member…are we right?

HOW DO I GET STARTED TO WORK ON A SUPERYACHT?

It’s important to know what sort of yacht jobs are out there and which positions would be a good match for your skills, abilities, and personality.

You need to know that working on a superyacht can be a unique, and long-term career, but it can also be a difficult field to break into. Here is when is fundamental to find the right superyacht agency with a professional team. Have you checked our vacancies? Upload your CV, we will help you find a job where you can perfectly fit.  

The three steps you need to take into account to get a crew member job are the following:

• Get yourself qualified. The minimum qualifications for entry-level positions on yachts are your STCW’s and ENG1 Medical Certificate.
• Timing and location. Timing is everything, there’s a good time to give yourself the best chance of finding a job as a yacht crew and knowing the best location and times to get a great head start.
• Choose the right yacht agency to support you in the process. The experience, the trust and the professionality are core important features.  Send us a message and we will help you by providing any information you need.

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Crew tender lines Photo: Charlotte Thomas

How to find the right superyacht crew

The advent of crew-based reality TV has opened up many people’s eyes to the superyachting good life, but it has also raised concerns among potential new owners. Fortunately, the reality is very different, and there are ways to guarantee your crew is as professional as possible.

We’ve all witnessed the rise of reality TV, and the often jarring and cringeworthy – and bingeworthy – antics of those being filmed. The superyacht industry has not escaped this trend, but while the fly-on-the-crew-mess-wall format has opened superyachting and crewing to a vast new audience, it has also helped place seeds of doubt in the minds of some potential new owners. After all, would you really want a crew who treated your yacht – and who acted – like they do on Below Deck ? Is that what really happens? And how do you navigate the minefield of crew selection, particularly if you are new to the superyachting game?

Fundamentally, it’s about realising that there are people who will take care of that for you, and it’s about having faith in the professionalism of everyone who is involved in selecting crew for your yacht. It’s not a decision that you have to make directly, although some owners like to meet potential new crew to get a gauge on them. There are tiers of professionals who are involved in the running of a superyacht who are also there to ensure it is manned properly, ranging from the yacht management company (who often will be a multi-service company or brokerage with a crew management division too), to crew placement specialists whose job it is to filter potential applicants and put forward those who they believe are the best fit. Within those confines, there is little room for potential crew who perhaps arrive with the wrong idea about what crewing a superyacht entails.

Ultimately, though, it comes down to the captain, who will most likely be the one who makes the final decision, who oversees the crew as a unit, and who sets the boundaries for crew behaviour and professionalism. Get the right superyacht captain, and the rest will take care of itself.

“ Below Deck is a TV show and so of course they may have a tendency to overdramatise situations and to put people on board who don’t really work well together in the same environment,” says Nigel Tang, a 31-year-old captain of a 54-metre yacht. “I think yachting is not really like that. When I hire crew I try to make sure I hire the correct person for the correct culture on board – so I might ask them how they spend their evenings, and if their response is that they like to go out drinking and partying with their friends then I know that person will not be a good fit for my boat.”

Building the onboard family

The truth is that a successful yacht – whether a charter superyacht or a private vessel – incorporates a team that not only works well together but also becomes like a family, and it is the captain’s job to build that family and to act as its head.

“I think one of the biggest ways to keep [good] crew would be how the captain treats the crew members,” Tang offers. “Yes, the management company offers the salary and the benefits, but it’s the captain who shapes the culture of the ship, so you need to create an inclusive culture where you listen to your crew and give them the space to express themselves. My crew are always welcome to talk to me at any time – my chief stewardess has even said to me that I’m not just the captain, I am the crew’s psychologist and therapist!”

On top of that, Tang says, the captain needs to create a space where crew can feel like they are at home. “Yachting isn’t a job,” he asserts, “it’s a lifestyle. Crew have to spend months at a time on board, and you have to create some sort of home for them. So on board my yacht, every Friday we have a barbecue, and we have game nights, and whenever we do drills I try to make it as realistic and as fun as possible.”

A good crew will also take it upon themselves to create that sense of family, and of socialising that doesn’t revolve around drinking. “I’d tell someone it would be the end of their yachting career if they went on Below Deck ,” says Captain Matthew Pownell-Jones. “There are other ways you can have fun rather than drinking, and that’s a massive thing. We’ve done go-karting one day, 10-pin bowling the next,” he continues. “We do gym on Mondays, yoga on Tuesday mornings, running on Wednesdays, watersports on Fridays when we’re at anchor. It’s about being proactive and guiding the team on what we’re going to do – and it’s not just me; the chief stew, the second officer have all initiated things, and the ETO will set up movies on a Thursday and it just brings everyone together. We are a family at the end of the day, and it’s so important we stay like that.”

Captain Nigel Tang

Building the superyacht work ethic

Crewing on board a superyacht is hard work, involving long hours, particularly when there are guests or charterers on board, and when crew have been working together and living together in the confines of the yacht and the crew areas for long periods, it’s easy to understand the need to blow off steam. But it’s also why crewing takes a particular type of person – and typically, not the type who might appeal to a reality TV audience.

“It seems the culture on shows like Below Deck is very heavy on work hard, play hard, but we don’t do that on my yacht – we work hard, relax hard!” offers Tang. “I feel people maybe have the wrong idea about yachting, and when it’s marketed like that you can attract a different kind of potential crew – but I believe in an ethos of hard work, self-discipline and proving yourself. And for new crew coming in, imagine how much you would stand out as a green crew member when you adopt a policy of do first, demand later!”

Adds Steve Osborne, captain of the yacht Slipstream : “There’s a risk of people coming into this industry with a perception that it’s all about money. It can be hard to find the right people who are willing to work hard for what they get, and the right people who can live in a sort of a melting pot and all get along as well. But it’s possible, and I think we’ve managed to do that pretty well on Slipstream – and we have managed to do that well over the years, which means longevity and that also means the owner and charter guests see the same faces each year.”

Port Montenegro Crew Winter Games

Crewed awakenings

There’s no question that crew are a central part of the yachting experience and, more important, central to the safeguarding and maintenance of perhaps anyone’s most valuable asset – their yacht. And while finding good crew who work well together and who balance their expectations in terms of salaries and shore leave with hard work and professionalism is always a challenge, the truth is that there are thousands of superyachts operating successfully with strong crews on board.

“My favourite part of the job is also the most difficult part of my job, and that’s crew,” says Captain Kelly Gordon . “Right now, my boat is a happy, fun-loving, playful, hard-working professional boat. But,” she continues, “it’s taken a long time to put together that programme. I’ve had to work really hard at the relationships with the crew.”

So, is finding good crew hard? “Hell yes it is,” Gordon continues, “but if you work at it, and you put the time in, and you as a captain invest into finding and working with and mentoring your crew, you can create the best-operating boat. I think,” she concludes, “it’s also important for the crew to know and to understand the reason someone buys a yacht. It’s because they have incredibly busy and stressful business lives. The boat is supposed to be their safe space, their stress-free zone, their place to come and play for the day or a week or a few weeks. There are always underlying issues with operations on a yacht, but as soon as our owner steps on board, it needs to appear that everything’s running smoothly. It’s our job to make that his fun zone, his no stress zone.” It’s the sort of attitude and approach to crew that should reassure any potential owner that with the right captain and shoreside team, their yacht will be in the best of hands.

You may also like...

Steve Osborne

A chance visit to a friend led landlubber Steve Osborne into a life in yachting – something that he is still passionate about some 20 years later as Captain of the 60 metre yacht Slipstream.

Joanna Dunckley

Sea tutor Joanna Dunckley has been teaching on board superyachts for 15 years and is convinced that the best way to learn is at sea.

Aaron Fidler

Tech entrepreneur and former chief engineer, Aaron Fidler, swapped crew life for superyacht ownership with his striking boat – AK Royalty.

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Did crew fail to alert passengers superyacht was sinking, prosecutors ask

Prosecutors are investigating whether the captain and crew of Mike Lynch ’s superyacht failed to alert passengers that the vessel was sinking when it was hit by a violent storm .

A manslaughter investigation was announced on Saturday amid questions about how six passengers – including the British tech tycoon and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah – died in the disaster off the coast of Sicily, while all but one of the crew survived.

Investigators in Italy will scrutinise whether the Bayesian crew did enough to alert passengers who were sleeping in cabins below deck when a storm hit the yacht in the early hours of Monday.

They said that five of the victims were found huddled together in a cabin on the port side of the ship, closest to the surface, suggesting that they may have been searching for the last pockets of air as the yacht started to submerge.

Raffaele Cammarano, one of two prosecutors leading the case, said that the passengers “were asleep below deck and the others weren’t”.

Asked if Mr Lynch and his guests were warned of the approaching storm, he said: “That’s precisely what we’re trying to ascertain from the statements made by the survivors.”

Data from the ship’s Automatic Identification System reportedly showed a 16-minute period between the storm hitting the 184ft-long Bayesian at 3.50am on Monday as it was anchored off Porticello, on Sicily’s north coast, and the vessel sinking at 4.06am.

Ambrogio Cartosio, the chief prosecutor in the case, announced at a press conference on Saturday that he had opened an investigation into multiple manslaughter and causing a shipwreck through negligence, although he stressed that no individual has yet been charged.

Calling the sinking a “very grave disaster”, the prosecutor said it would be even more serious if the investigation showed it was caused “by behaviours that were not aligned to the responsibilities that everyone needs to take in shipping”.

He added: “For me, it is probable that offences were committed, that it could be a case of manslaughter, but we can only establish that if you give us the time to investigate.”

James Cutfield, the yacht’s New Zealander skipper, and the other survivors have been questioned this week by authorities.

Mr Cutfield was described by his brother as “a very good sailor” who was “very well respected” throughout the Mediterranean.

Marine experts have been puzzled by the speed with which the superyacht, which was constructed in 2008 by Italian manufacturer Perini Navi, sank after being hit by the intense storm.

A large yacht that was anchored nearby escaped the storm unscathed and helped in rescuing the Bayesian’s survivors.

Prosecutors said that as part of their investigation, the yacht would be recovered from where it lies on the seabed at a depth of 165ft, about half a mile off the coast.

On Saturday, Sasha Murray, the chief stewardess on the Bayesian, paid tribute to Hannah , saying she had a “deep and loving” connection to her parents.

She said: “While swimming with them she often said, if anything ever happened she would save them.”

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The 5 tragic minutes that sank a superyacht

PORTICELLO, Italy — Survivors of a storm that sank a superyacht off Sicily recounted their ordeal to one of the doctors who rushed to their aid, with some saying it took mere minutes for the 180-foot ship to go down. 

Dr. Fabio Genco, head of the Palermo Emergency Medical Services, told NBC News on the phone Thursday that he arrived in the seaside village of Porticello before dawn Monday, about an hour after the $40 million Bayesian sank in the violent and sudden storm.   

Of the 22 people onboard, 15 survived despite storm conditions and darkness, climbing onto a lifeboat before being rescued by a nearby sailboat. The crew members have made no public statements so far, though some have been interviewed by investigators.

“They told me that it was all dark, that the yacht hoisted itself up and then went down,” Genco said, recounting what the survivors told him. “All the objects were falling on them. That’s why I immediately made sure, by asking them questions, if they had any internal injuries,” he said. 

It appears they had just minutes to abandon the sinking ship, Genco said. 

“They told me that suddenly they found themselves catapulted into the water without even understanding how they had got there,” he said, “And that the whole thing seems to have lasted from 3 to 5 minutes.”

Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The Italian Sea Group, which owns Perini Navi, the Bayesian's shipbuilder, told Sky News that there were no flaws with the design or construction of the yacht. He said their structure and keel made boats like that “unsinkable bodies.”

In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, he disavowed responsibility, blaming instead the actions of the crew. “Mistakes were made,” he said. 

Genco said one of his colleagues who arrived at the scene before him initially thought that only three people survived, but the coast guard reported there were other survivors and more emergency services were called in. 

When Genco arrived, he found scenes of panic and despair. 

“Unfortunately, we are used to such panic scenes because we are used to the shipwrecks that happen on Lampedusa ,” Genco said, referring to the island southwest of Sicily, where the wreckage of boats carrying migrants on the sea journey from North Africa to Italy are often found . 

Six of the passengers were declared missing Monday, and by Thursday, the bodies of five had been recovered from the wreck , some 160 feet underwater.

Among those who survived is Angela Bacares, wife of the British tech mogul Mike Lynch , whose body was recovered Thursday. 

Another survivor has been identified as Charlotte Emsley, 35. She told the Italian news agency ANSA that she had momentarily lost hold of her year-old daughter, Sofia, in the water but managed to retrieve her and hold her over the waves until a lifeboat inflated and they were pulled into safety.

Dr. Domenico Cipolla at the Di Cristina Children’s Hospital in Palermo is also part of a team of medical professionals treating the shipwreck survivors. He told the BBC on Wednesday that Emsley and her daughter, as well as the father of the child, who Cipolla said also survived, are continuing to receive psychological help. 

“Psychological support was constant and is constant even today, because basically it is the wounds of the soul that are the most in need of healing in these cases,” Cipolla said.

Genco also told NBC News that he was especially concerned about the child. “She did not understand anything. She was soaking wet and cold,” he said. 

Karsten Borner, the Dutch captain of the Sir Robert Baden Powell, a yacht that was anchored near the Bayesian, said by phone Wednesday that he saw a thunderstorm come in at around 4 a.m. local time (10 p.m. ET) Monday, followed by what looked like a waterspout, a type of tornado that forms over water. 

The International Centre for Waterspout Research noted on X that there was a “waterspout outbreak” off Italy on Monday, the day the Bayesian sank. 

“I turned on the engine and made maneuvers so that we wouldn’t collide with the Bayesian, which was anchored about 100 meters from us,” Borner said. “Then all of a sudden it disappeared. Then the wind calmed down, we looked around and saw a red flare.”

Borner said he got into his boat’s tender and saw a life raft with 15 people on it. Members of the crew were administering first aid. 

“I don’t know why it sank so quickly, but it may have something to do with the mast which was incredibly long,” he said. Questions have been raised about whether the mast was to blame for the accident as tall masts, even with the sails down, have more surface area exposed to the wind, which can contribute to tipping a vessel in a storm.

The CCTV footage that emerged Tuesday showed the yacht’s 250-foot mast, believed to be one of the tallest aluminum sailing masts in the world, lashed by the storm as it appears to tilt to one side before disappearing.

Claudia Rizzo is an Italy based journalist.

Claudio Lavanga is Rome-based foreign correspondent for NBC News.

Yuliya Talmazan is a reporter for NBC News Digital, based in London.

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The Yacht Stewardess Diary: On Charter

Working as a yacht stewardess can be both exhilarating and demanding, with long hours, demanding guests and the need for constant attention to detail, there’s never a dull moment on board a luxury yacht. Although many might think working onboard a yacht consists mostly of sunbathing on deck and joining in themed parties, the reality of a day in the life of a yacht stewardess can be quite different, to understand more, read The Yacht Stewardess Diary: On Charter.

Here is what a typical day might look like for the interior team on charter on a motor yacht around the 50-metre mark…

6:00 am – Rise and Shine

Many yacht stewardesses start their day before the sun comes up. They might begin with a quick coffee or breakfast before heading to their assigned tasks. In a team of three, typically one stewardess will be on the early shift (usually the third stewardess) where they will be up before the guests to ensure everything is up to superyacht standards. Tasks might include; dusting the main guest areas, polishing the windows, juicing oranges for breakfast and turning the laundry on.

7:00 am – Breakfast Prep

The breakfast table is then prepared ahead of time, regardless of when the guests rise the table should be set. The early shift stewardess will now begin pulling crockery and table settings to create an inviting breakfast table for guests. The stewardess will work with the chef to make sure all breakfast items are prepped, including but not limited to; pastries, fresh fruit, bacon, eggs, fresh bread, toast and cereals.

This can be an enjoyable time of day where you might be lucky enough to see an epic sunrise whilst you work and enjoy some quiet time before the buzz of the day begins.

8:00 am – Breakfast

Breakfast service begins. This service is usually more relaxed and is typically served ‘family style’ with all dishes on the table for the guests to serve themselves. The third stewardess will usually start by taking orders for coffee and any cooked breakfast dishes, relaying this to the chef accordingly.

9:00 am – Cabins

During breakfast time is an ideal time for the second stewardess to begin in the cabins. Everyday the cabins need to be ‘turned over’, replacing any stained linen with fresh linen, detailing the bathroom and collecting laundry. It’s important to be aware of time as the guests may be soon returning to their cabin after breakfast. The chief stewardess may now be checking in and discussing the day with the guests to see if their planned itinerary has changed or if they require any restaurant bookings, etc.

12:00 pm – Lunch Prep

Lunchtime usually requires two stewardesses to serve and set the table together whilst the other stewardess deals with laundry. Like Breakfast, on a boat of this size, Lunch is usually served family style and can be more casual depending on guest preference. Checking the weather is crucial as if you are out on anchor and are experiencing heavy swells or winds, it might not be suitable to seat guests outside. Discuss with the deck crew to see where is best to serve.

Crew will also take their turns to have their own lunch prior to guests eating which is prepared by the chef and placed in the crew mess for everyone to enjoy.

2:00 pm – Free Time

During the mid-afternoon, guests might take a nap, relax on the yacht’s sundeck, or partake in water activities, while the crew takes some time to catch up on their own tasks or take a break. Stewardesses will typically use this time to turnover the laundry, do some ironing or check any provisions that might be running low. If you’re lucky and happen to be in port, you might be able to take a stroll outside and explore your surroundings – likely to be beautiful!

5:00 pm – Late Afternoon Tea or Cocktails

Depending on guest preference, this might be a time for late afternoon tea or cocktails, usually one stewardess will be present to serve guests and will liaise with the chef to serve any cakes or snacks that they request.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Stew Table (@thestewtable)

7:00 pm – Table Setting

Possibly the most satisfying part of the day for a stewardess, coming up with a romantic and creative table setting for dinner. As dinner tends to be more of a lengthy and formal service on most boats, this is really a stewardess’s time to showcase creativity and service skills. Its fun to add decorations that reflect the location or the theme of the dinner, if tonight is Italian cuisine add fresh lemons, decorative branches and crisp white linen to the table, pick some ambient music and switch on the battery powered candles to match the setting sun. Stunning!

8:00 pm – Dinner Service

During dinner, which will typically be handled by the second stewardess who serves the food and the chief stewardess who serves the wine, all guests are absent from their cabins. This is the time for the third stewardess to turn down all five guest cabins, wiping down the bathrooms, collecting any laundry and refreshing towels and turning back the sheets for sleeping.

11:00 pm – Bedtime

The stewardess who woke early can now get some rest or enjoy some downtime whilst the later rising stewardesses wait for the guests to retire to their cabins, continuing to serve drinks and ensure that everything is running smoothly and that guests are fully satisfied by their experience onboard.

Read more Yacht Stewardess Diary articles here.

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Lucy Johnson

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Superyacht Captain Under Investigation Over Death of Billionaire Mike Lynch and Six Others

James Cutfield—captain of the Bayesian, which sank off the coast of Sicily last week—has already been interrogated twice over the disaster that left seven people dead.

Freelance Reporter

Jonathan Brady/PA Images/Getty

Italian prosecutors are investigating the captain of a luxury yacht that sank at almost lightning speed off the coast of Sicily “for manslaughter and shipwreck,” according to local reports confirmed by Reuters .

Autopsies are due to be soon carried out on the bodies of those who died in the disaster , including billionaire U.K. tech magnate Mike Lynch, who was only weeks earlier acquitted of fraud by a U.S. court over the $12 billion sale of his company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard in 2011. Among the other victims were his 18-year-old daughter Hannah , as well as Lynch’s lawyer and one of his team’s key witnesses during those proceedings.

A New Zealand national, 51-year-old James Cutfield had served as captain of the 184-foot superyacht Bayesian, which sank within just 60 seconds on Aug. 19 after being hit by a “tornadic waterspout” during a storm while moored about half a mile from the port of Palermo.

Under maritime law, Cutfield holds final responsibility for the well-being of all passengers and crew aboard the vessel. He has already been interrogated twice by police, and authorities have not yet indicated whether they plan to place any of the other eight surviving members of Cutfield’s crew under investigation.

Though it was ultimately a sudden turn in the weather that saw the Bayesian swallowed by the waves, Ambrogio Cartosio, head of the local public prosecutor’s office, recently said it was “plausible” human error had also played a role in the boat’s sinking.

Local press has further quoted nautical architect Franco Romani, a member of the team who designed the yacht, saying there was a possibility the vessel took on water at great speed due to a side hatch having been left open.

Fifteen of a total of 22 people aboard the boat survived its sinking, including Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, and another woman, named as Charlotte Golunski , who saved her 1-year-old daughter’s life by holding the baby over her head above the waves.

In a bizarre twist to already tragic events , Lynch’s co-defendant during his recent trial, Stephen Chamberlain, also died in a U.K. hospital within just hours of the boat’s sinking, succumbing to injuries sustained in a car collision two days earlier.

Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast  here .

READ THIS LIST

Superyacht sinks latest: Investigators reveal where bodies were found as probe looks at 'crew's responsibility'

Italian officials revealed at a news conference there could be "a question of manslaughter" as they opened a shipwreck investigation and said the probe is also looking at the "crew's responsibility".

Saturday 24 August 2024 18:33, UK

• Superyacht sinking

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• Prosecutor: There 'could be a question of manslaughter'
• Probe 'concentrating' on crew's responsibility
• Seven bodies recovered after five-day search of superyacht wreckage off Sicily
• Saturday's papers pay tribute to youngest victim Hannah Lynch
• Hannah's sister pays tribute to 'my little angel'
• Explained: Inside the superyacht | What challenges have faced divers?
• Eyewitness: Sombre scenes greet rescue teams as final body is brought ashore
• Live reporting by Niamh Lynch

We're ending our live coverage for this evening but here is a recap of what we know:

• Prosecutors have opened a manslaughter investigation into the Bayesian sinking;
• Officials have revealed more details on their investigation and the difficult five-day rescue mission;
• The six bodies found during the search in recent days were all in cabins on the left-hand - and highest - side of the ship. Five were found in the first cabin and the sixth was found in the third;
• Prosecutors said the six passengers were most likely asleep when the boat sank;
• The probe is now focusing on the crew and their responsibilities, with the captain set to undergo more questioning.

Monday 19 August

The Bayesian yacht, flying a British flag, sinks at around 5am local time when the area was hit by a tornado.

Fifteen people are rescued from the 56 metre vessel - including a mother and baby - but another seven remain missing.

One body, later confirmed to be the yacht's chef Recaldo Thomas, is found near the wreck.

It emerges that British technology tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah are among six people that remain missing.

Tuesday 20 August

The search continues for the six tourists missing.

It is reported that among those missing are Morgan Stanley International chairman Jonathan Bloomer; his wife, Judy Bloomer; Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo; and his wife, Neda Morvillo.

Police divers try to reach the hull of the ship, resting at a depth of 50 metres.

Italy's fire brigade Vigili del Fuoco say early inspections of the wreck were "unsuccessful" because of limited access to the bridge and furniture obstructing passages.

The operation is later described as "complex", with divers limited to 12-minute underwater shifts.

Tributes pour in for Mr Thomas, with his friend Gareth Williams saying: "I can talk for everyone that knew him when I say he was a well-loved, kind human being with a calm spirit."

Wednesday 21 August

The search for the six people unaccounted for enters a third day, with crews carrying out inspections of the yacht's internal hull.

A team of four British inspectors from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) arrive in Porticello to look at the site of the sinking.

A helicopter is drafted in to help with the search effort and remotely controlled underwater vehicles are being used, with naval units and cave divers also taking part in the search.

Five bodies are found inside the yacht on Wednesday afternoon. Only four of them are brought to shore.

Body bags are seen being taken to Porticello in the afternoon where dozens of emergency services staff wait.

Searches finish for the day just before 7.30pm.

Thursday 22 August

The search resumes for the remaining missing person.

The body of the fifth missing person, found but not recovered the previous day, is brought to shore.

A fire service boat with flashing blue lights returns with a blue body bag to the port of Porticello just after 8.45am local time on Thursday.

Tributes pour in for Mr Lynch and Mr and Mrs Bloomer after they are identified as having died.

The search is called off at around 8pm in Sicily, with divers expected to begin again at 6.30am on Friday.

Friday 23  August

The search continues for the final person missing from the wreck of the Bayesian, Hannah Lynch.

Vincenzo Zagarola, of the Italian Coastguard, says the search for Hannah has not been "easy or quick", comparing the sunken yacht to an "18-storey building full of water".

The coastguard confirms in the late morning that her body has been found.

A green body bag is brought to the port of Porticello from the site of the sinking.

A spokesperson announces on behalf of the Lynch family that they are "devastated" and "in shock" after the deaths of Mike and Hannah.

Hannah's sister Esme pays tribute to her "little angel".

Saturday 24 August

A press conference is held in the court of an Italian town, Termini Imerese.

Public prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio tells reporters that his office has opened an initial investigation against unknown persons into manslaughter and negligent shipwreck.

As the focus now turns to the manslaughter investigation, here's another reminder of the seven victims of the sinking and the 15 people who survived. 

A close friend of the Lynch family has added to the chorus of tributes for British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, who died in Monday's superyacht sinking.

Susannah Gurdun, who lives in Suffolk, recalled being "daunted" when she first met Mr Lynch at a dinner party, before discovering he was "so much more than the corporate cliche".

"He was riveting.  He was funny, and kind, and endlessly interesting; capable of talking about anything and everything," she said.

Ms Gardun said the businessman also had a "thrilling ability" to make complicated subjects "accessible to those of us less blessed with a science acumen".

"In particular, he was wonderful with children.  I will never forget hearing him explain to a group of them - including our ten year old son - the physics of why the sky went pink at sunset," she said.

She went on describe Mr Lynch as a "true genius" and "phenomenal creative".

Ms Gardun said his daughter Hannah was also showing "serious literary promise", and added that it was "beyond tragic that we will never know where her own particular brilliance might have led".

"I still feel blessed to have shared that time with them in Spain.  Not just because I witnessed Mike’s incredible storytelling; but because I was given a chance of understanding what that moment said about all four of them as a united vibrant loving family," she said.

"He was an extraordinary human being and it was - truly - a privilege to have known him."

A yacht crew member who survived the sinking has paid tribute to Hannah Lynch, calling her a "diamond in a sea of stars".

Sasha Murray, chief stewardess of the Bayesian, has released a statement after divers recovered the final missing body from the wreckage, which is believed to be 18-year-old Hannah.

"Those who knew her will know that Hannah was a diamond in a sea of stars," she said.

"Bright, beautiful and always shining. What most people may not have seen was the extraordinarily strong, deep and loving relationship she shared with her parents, whom she adored more than anything. 

"While swimming with them she often said, if anything ever happened she would save them. 

"I have no doubt that the Irish, Latina fire that burns in her soul kept that spirited determination alive."

Ms Murray's statement comes as a new image of Hannah Lynch and her father Mike Lynch is released:

Prosecutors announced in this morning's news conference that they have opened a manslaughter and negligent shipwreck investigation.

Officials were unable to answer several queries from the media, saying they needed time to establish the facts, but what are the key questions facing prosecutors? 

Why weren't passengers who remained on board the vessel warned about escaping from the yacht?

The prosecutor in charge of the case, Raffaele Cammarano, suggested that some passengers may have been asleep when others were awake.

Asked why they were not woken up or alerted, he said that is something investigators are trying to work out from the statements of the survivors.

He called it an "essential" part of the inquiry.

Why were several of the passengers in one cabin?

The press conference heard several bodies onboard the sunken yacht were found in a single cabin which was not theirs.

Mr Cammarano said investigators currently do not know the reason for them being discovered in the same cabin.

The chief of the Palermo fire service, Bentivoglio Fiandra, said the yacht pinned to the right and suggested people tried to go on the other side, taking refuge in cabins in the higher part of the wreck.

Why did the boat sink?

The vessel had been deemed "unsinkable" by its manufacturer - Italian shipyard Perini Navi.

The Bayesian was hit by a downburst, according to Mr Cammarano, which are powerful winds that descend from a thunderstorm and spread out quickly once they hit the ground.

Officials will look into the safety equipment on the sunken vessel.

Mr Cammarano was asked about whether there is a black box and if the hatches were left open.

He said investigators do not have exact information about the black box and that the first phase of the inquiry will look into it.

Why were nearby vessels not similarly affected?

Another yacht, the Sir Robert BP, was about 150 to 200 metres from the Bayesian when extreme weather hit.

Its crew helped to rescue 15 people from the stricken vessel.

Italian officials said they would be looking at how the downburst could affect one vehicle and not other nearby vessels.

What weather warnings was the Bayesian alerted to?

Maritime director of western Sicily, Rear Admiral Raffaele Macauda, said the weather at the time of the yacht's sinking was abnormal and there was nothing to suggest such an extreme situation would arise.

He said there were forecasts of winds and a storm alert, but there was no warning of a tornado.

"Given that the conditions were such, there wasn't anything to suggest there could be an extreme situation arising," he said.

"There are vessels that can monitor, after all, these events and one would have thought that the captain had taken precautions."

How long will it take to recover the sailing vessel?

Mr Macauda could not confirm how long it would take to retrieve the shipwreck of the sunken yacht.

"Everything depends on the availability of the owners and the timeframe of the retrieval of the wreck and of course all that has to be submitted to the port authorities and in parallel of course there will be the inquiry results and it's only really then that we will be able to authorise the operation," he said.

"I can't say, like some experts who have already spoken on the subject, [said] that it will be eight weeks."

He made clear that the owners will bear the full cost of retrieval, although he could not estimate the figure.

Italian authorities detailed the challenging and meticulous rescue operation to recover the six missing people from the Bayesian wreck (see 9.18am post).

But why was the five-day search so difficult? 

Read more below...

More on this morning's press conference. 

One of the main updates from prosecutors was that they have opened manslaughter and shipwreck investigations after the deaths of seven people in the Bayesian sinking. 

Watch the announcement below...

Prosecutors have given a lengthy news conference this morning on their investigation into the sinking of the Bayesian. 

Read the full report on the prosecutors' probe below...

Marine investigator James Wilkes has been speaking to Sky News after this morning's press conference.

"Naturally, there are more questions than there are substantive answers at the moment - that's the nature of investigative work.

"Something forced that yacht to roll beyond its nominal stability limits, such that it wasn't able to right itself with the ingress of a certain amount of seawater that was coming into the yacht. 

"So the investigators are going to ask themselves one initial question - what must the conditions have been for this to happen? 

"Then they are going to look at the contributing factors to the yacht, sinking, and, and the unfortunate loss of life." 

Prosecutors said this morning that the future of the investigation is reliant on recovering the wreck. 

Mr Wilkes said the yacht is a "major piece of physical evidence in and of itself." 

"It's lying at 50 metres, which is a recoverable depth. 

"If it was significantly deeper, then I'm not sure they'd be considering salvage at this stage or certainly, the salvage question would be a lot more complicated to answer. 

"But if there was the ability to raise that yacht in one piece safely, then it gives the investigators physically more to look at."

Mr Wilkes said he was unsure if the yacht would have a "black box" - called a voyage data recorder in shipping. 

"It would record things like GPS position, heading speed, engine telemetry, whether the radars were on, what they were recording, alarms, communications from the yacht itself, any audio on the bridge.

"But more often than not, these are on merchant ships. The yacht was a commercial yacht in the sense that it could be chartered out so it's quite possible it has a voyage data recorder on, but I'm not sure that it does. I don't know that as a matter of fact," he said.

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