Bosun & Deckhand Jobs

Deck crew keep a superyacht looking immaculate and running safely on deck. Day-to-day work covers washdowns, varnishing, paintwork, line handling, anchoring, tender and watersports operations, guest transfers and general exterior maintenance. On larger vessels the department is led by a bosun who coordinates the deck team and reports to the officers and captain.

Deckhand is the primary entry route into yachting, with no prior maritime experience strictly required beyond mandatory safety certification. Hiring is seasonal and concentrated around the main crew hubs — Antibes and the wider French Riviera, Palma de Mallorca, and Fort Lauderdale — with demand peaking ahead of the Mediterranean (roughly May–September) and Caribbean (roughly November–April) seasons.

Pay is typically quoted monthly in euros for Mediterranean-based yachts and in US dollars on many Caribbean and US-based programmes. Salary scales with vessel size, rotation versus permanent terms, and dual-skill endorsements such as carpentry, diving or watersports qualifications. Food and accommodation are provided on board, and tips can meaningfully supplement base pay on charter yachts.

Progression is relatively fast for motivated crew: a capable deckhand can move to lead deckhand and bosun within a few seasons, and those who invest in officer-of-the-watch certification can continue toward mate and captain roles.