How to become a Communications / Radio Officer
Nobody starts as a Communications / Radio Officer. The usual path starts as an IT Support Engineer, a job you can get with no yacht experience, and reaches Communications / Radio Officer at about year 1 to 3 of a yacht career.
The pathFrom no experience to Communications / Radio Officer. A typical path, not a rule.
IT Support Engineer
Year 0. Pay from about US$5,000 a month. Junior technical crew on large yachts who keep guest and crew networks, devices, Wi-Fi and satellite links running under the AV/IT officer.
Communications / Radio Officer
Year 1-3. Pay from about US$6,000 a month. Runs a superyacht's satellite links, GMDSS radio, phones and networks so guests, crew and the bridge stay connected and compliant at sea.
Before you applyWhat an IT Support Engineer needs, from the IT Support Engineer guide
Must have
- STCW Basic Safety Training
- ENG1 medical certificate
Gets you hired
- CompTIA A+ or Network+
- Cisco CCNA
- PDSD (Proficiency in Designated Security Duties)
- Food Hygiene Level 2
- Starlink or VSAT vendor training
Later, for Communications / Radio Officer
- STCW Basic Safety Training
- ENG1 medical
- GMDSS General Operator's Certificate (GOC)
- PDSD or Ship Security Awareness
Visas
- US B1/B2 visa
- Schengen visa if non-EU
What counts instead of yacht experienceOur advice
Captains hire an IT Support Engineer for windows, macOS and iOS support, network switching and VLANs and VSAT and Starlink management. With no yacht job behind you, show the same skills from work ashore. A background in marine engineering ashore is the closest match, for example work as a marine mechanic.
Write each job on your CV as what you did, with numbers: how many guests, how many boats, how many covers. Then list every skill below that you can prove.
- Windows, macOS and iOS support
- Network switching and VLANs
- VSAT and Starlink management
- Firewall and Wi-Fi configuration
- Cyber security basics
- Clear written documentation
- Discreet guest manner
Your first stepsIn the order we suggest
Get the tickets an IT Support Engineer must hold
You need STCW Basic Safety Training and ENG1 medical certificate before a yacht can put you to work as an IT Support Engineer.
STCW and ENG1: what they are and what they cost →Write a first IT Support Engineer CV
Keep it to one page. Put your tickets and your start date at the top, then the work that transfers: marine engineering ashore.
See a IT Support Engineer CV example →Create your crew profile
Upload that CV and we build your profile from it. Your name and contact details stay hidden. Captains and recruiters contact you. It is free.
Create your crew profile →Apply and look for daywork
Apply to open jobs and to crew agencies, and take daywork: a few paid days on a yacht is how most first-time crew get a reference.
IT Support Engineer guide →Step up to Communications / Radio Officer
The usual path puts Communications / Radio Officer at year 1 to 3. Pay starts from about US$6,000 a month.
How to become a Communications / Radio Officer →
QuestionsMore in the green crew guide
Can I become a Communications / Radio Officer with no experience?
Not directly. Communications / Radio Officer is mid level work. The usual path starts as an IT Support Engineer, which you can get with no yacht experience, and reaches Communications / Radio Officer at about year 1 to 3.
How long does it take to become a Communications / Radio Officer?
The usual path puts Communications / Radio Officer at about year 1 to 3 of a yacht career, after IT Support Engineer. It is a typical path, not a rule: time on busy yachts and the tickets you pass move it.
What does an IT Support Engineer earn at the start?
From about US$5,000 a month, by our IT Support Engineer guide. Salary is usually tax-free with food and accommodation covered. Charter yachts add tips, and rotation on larger yachts often means fewer working months at a similar monthly rate.
Other paths from IT Support EngineerAll roles
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