ETO & AV/IT Jobs

The ETO and AV/IT field sits within the engineering department and has grown rapidly as superyachts have become more technically complex. Electro-Technical Officers and electricians are generally employed on larger vessels where the engineering team comprises several crew, taking responsibility for electrical and electronic systems across the yacht.

On larger yachts the scope extends well beyond traditional marine electrics to include full audio-visual systems, integrated control platforms such as Crestron, AMX and Lutron, satellite internet and VSAT, server and network infrastructure, CCTV, access control and cabin and deck automation. This breadth has led many yachts to split the role into a technical ETO/electrician focused on power and machinery and a dedicated AV/IT officer focused on networks, entertainment and connectivity.

Demand is strong and concentrated around the Mediterranean refit and charter season, with crew typically hired through the yachting hubs of the South of France, Italy, Spain and the Balearics, as well as the Caribbean and the USA. Pay is most commonly quoted in euros, reflecting the industry's European base, and rotational contracts (for example two months on/off or ten weeks on/off) are increasingly standard on larger yachts.

The formal qualification pathway is governed by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The benchmark is the STCW Regulation III/6 Electro-Technical Officer Certificate of Competency, supported by Approved Engine Course (AEC) entry qualifications, High Voltage training and manufacturer-specific certifications that materially improve employability.