How to become a Daywork Deckhand
You can start as a Daywork Deckhand with no yacht experience. You need the right tickets, a CV that shows work that transfers, and to be where the yachts hire. This page sets out each step.
Where you startAnd where it leads. A typical path, not a rule.
Daywork Deckhand
Year 0. Pay from about US$2,200 a month. Short-term deck work paid by the day: washdowns, sanding and varnish prep.
Junior Deckhand
Year 0-1. Pay from about US$2,800 a month. Entry-level deck crew on a superyacht, doing washdowns, lines and fenders, tender support and guest watersports while learning seamanship from the bosun.
Deckhand
Year 1-2. Pay from about US$3,000 a month. Deckhands keep a superyacht's exterior spotless, handle lines and tenders, run water toys and stand watches.
Lead Deckhand / Senior Deckhand
Year 2-4. Pay from about US$3,800 a month. The senior deckhand who runs daily deck jobs, trains newer crew and covers for the bosun on superyachts of roughly 50m and above.
Before you applyWhat a Daywork Deckhand needs, from the Daywork Deckhand guide
Must have
- STCW Basic Safety Training
- ENG1 medical (or recognised equivalent)
Gets you hired
- STCW PDSD
- RYA Powerboat Level 2
- VHF SRC radio licence
- RYA Competent Crew
- Food Hygiene Level 2 (for galley or mess help)
Visas
- EU passport or valid right to work for Med daywork
- B1/B2 for joining yachts in the US
- C1/D for transiting to join a vessel
What counts instead of yacht experienceOur advice
Captains hire a Daywork Deckhand for washdowns and chamois work, sanding and varnish prep and stainless and brightwork polishing. With no yacht job behind you, show the same skills from work ashore. A background in watersports and boat handling is the closest match, for example work as a watersports instructor.
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.
- Washdowns and chamois work
- Sanding and varnish prep
- Stainless and brightwork polishing
- Teak cleaning and care
- Line handling and fendering
- Punctuality and work ethic
Your first stepsIn the order we suggest
Get the tickets a Daywork Deckhand must hold
You need STCW Basic Safety Training and ENG1 medical before a yacht can put you to work as a Daywork Deckhand.
STCW and ENG1: what they are and what they cost →Write a first Daywork Deckhand CV
Keep it to one page. Put your tickets and your start date at the top, then the work that transfers: watersports and boat handling.
See a Daywork Deckhand 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.
Daywork Deckhand guide →Step up to Junior Deckhand
The usual path puts Junior Deckhand at year 0 to 1. Pay starts from about US$2,800 a month.
How to become a Junior Deckhand →
QuestionsMore in the green crew guide
Can I become a Daywork Deckhand with no experience?
Yes. Daywork Deckhand is a first job on yachts. You need STCW Basic Safety Training and ENG1 medical, and work that transfers, such as watersports and boat handling, puts you ahead of other new crew.
How long does it take to become a Daywork Deckhand?
It is a starting role, so the time is what it takes to get the tickets and find the first job. From there, the usual path puts Junior Deckhand at year 0 to 1.
What does a Daywork Deckhand earn at the start?
From about US$2,200 a month, by our Daywork Deckhand guide. Daywork pays a day rate, usually around EUR 100-150 in the Med and USD 150-200 in Fort Lauderdale, paid in cash or by transfer, with lunch included. These figures assume about 20 working days a month. Full months are rare, and there is no leave, accommodation or flights.
Other paths from Daywork DeckhandAll roles
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