Finding superyacht roles in Seattle
Where yacht work is in Seattle: the marinas and yards on Elliott Bay, Lake Union and the ship canal, the rules for foreign crew and pay figures. Jobs in the area are listed above.
Picture made with AI. It shows the place but is not a photograph.
Helpful tips before walking the docks
Training in Seattle
Seattle Maritime Academy
Seattle Maritime Academy is part of Seattle Central College, at 4455 Shilshole Avenue NW. It offers one-year certificate programs in Marine Deck Technology and Marine Engineering Technology. The site says it is a US Coast Guard-approved training program and that new students may enroll only in the Fall Quarter. The site names ferries, fishing vessels, tugboats and tankers as the sectors its graduates work in. It does not mention yachts.
Where crew go
Places named on the businesses' own sites.
Downtown waterfront
Bell Harbor Marina, 2203 Alaskan Way, Seattle WA 98121.
Elliott Bay
Elliott Bay Marina, 2601 West Marina Place, Seattle WA 98199.
Lake Union
Nautical Landing, 2500 Westlake Avenue North, Seattle WA 98109. Lake Union Drydock Company, 1515 Fairview Avenue East, Seattle WA 98102.
Ballard and Salmon Bay
Pacific Fishermen Shipyard, 5351 24th Avenue NW, Seattle WA 98107. S3 Maritime, 2360 W. Commodore Way, Suite 200, Seattle WA 98199. Pacific Yacht Management is based at Salmon Bay Marine Center, east of the Ballard locks.
Visas and work rules
Crewman classification
22 CFR 41.41 says a person is classed as a nonimmigrant crewman when the consular officer is satisfied that the person qualifies under INA 101(a)(15)(D). The person must also have permission to enter some foreign country after a temporary landing in the United States. A person employed on board in a capacity not required for normal operation and service, or in excess of the number normally required, is not classed as a crewman. Check the rules for your passport.
Pay by role and yacht size
| Role | 45 to 50 m | 70 m and over |
|---|---|---|
| Captain | EUR 9,000 to 12,000 | EUR 15,000+ |
| First Officer | EUR 4,500 to 6,000 | EUR 7,000+ |
| 2nd Mate / Bosun | EUR 3,200 to 4,000 | EUR 5,000+ |
| Deckhand | EUR 2,800 to 3,500 | EUR 3,000+ |
| Chief Engineer | EUR 7,000 to 9,500 | EUR 8,500+ |
| Chef | EUR 5,500 to 6,500 | EUR 8,000+ |
| Chief Steward(ess) / Purser | EUR 2,800 to 4,000 | EUR 3,000+ |
| Steward(ess) | EUR 2,200 to 2,500 | EUR 2,200 to 2,500 |
UKSA salary guide 2025, in EUR. The guide does not state the pay period and is not specific to Seattle.
Sources. Checked 8 November 2026.
- Port of Seattle, Bell Harbor Marina moorage rates and info
- Port of Seattle, Bell Harbor Marina
- Elliott Bay Marina
- Elliott Bay Marina, about the marina
- Elliott Bay Marina, transient dockage
- Elliott Bay Marina, amenities
- Emerald Landing
- Nautical Landing
- Superyacht Northwest, members
- Pacific Yacht Management
- S3 Maritime
- Lake Union Drydock Company, facilities
- Lake Union Drydock Company, contact
- Pacific Fishermen Shipyard
- Pacific Fishermen Shipyard, facilities
- Pacific Fishermen Shipyard, services
- Pacific Fishermen Shipyard, contact
- Seattle Boat Show
- Seattle Maritime Academy
- US Customs and Border Protection, Puget Sound/Northeastern Washington
- NOAA Coast Pilot 10, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii and Pacific Islands, 2026 (7th) Edition
- 19 CFR 4.94, yacht privileges and obligations
- 22 CFR 41.41, crewmen
- UKSA annual superyacht salary guide 2025
- NOAA NCEI 1991 to 2020 monthly normals, Seattle Tacoma International Airport
Let the yachts come to you
Upload your CV and we build your crew profile from it. Captains and recruiters contact you. Free for crew.