How to become a Deckhand / Security
You can start as a Deckhand / Security 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.
Deckhand / Security
Year 0. Pay from about US$3,500 a month. A deckhand who also runs gangway control, access logging and discreet guest protection, usually backed by PDSD and close protection training.
Lead Deckhand / Senior Deckhand
Year 2-3. 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.
Bosun / Boatswain
Year 3-5. Pay from about US$4,000 a month. The bosun runs the deck crew day to day, leading deckhands on maintenance, tenders, watersports and mooring, and reports to the chief officer.
Third Officer
Year 5-6. Pay from about US$4,500 a month. Junior bridge watchkeeper on larger superyachts, holding an OOW ticket and running navigation watches, safety gear and deck crew tasks.
Before you applyWhat a Deckhand / Security needs, from the Deckhand / Security guide
Must have
- STCW Basic Safety Training
- ENG1 medical certificate
- PDSD (Proficiency in Designated Security Duties)
- RYA Powerboat Level 2
Gets you hired
- Ship Security Officer (SSO) certificate
- SIA Level 3 Close Protection or equivalent
- FREC 3 or trauma first aid course
- PWC Personal Watercraft licence
- RYA Yachtmaster Offshore
Visas
- US B1/B2
- Schengen right to work or visa
What counts instead of yacht experienceOur advice
Captains hire a Deckhand / Security for gangway and access control, discreet close protection and tender driving and launch. 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.
- Gangway and access control
- Discreet close protection
- Tender driving and launch
- ISPS security procedures
- Threat and risk assessment
- Exterior maintenance and detailing
- Trauma first aid
Your first stepsIn the order we suggest
Get the tickets a Deckhand / Security must hold
You need STCW Basic Safety Training, ENG1 medical certificate, PDSD (Proficiency in Designated Security Duties) and RYA Powerboat Level 2 before a yacht can put you to work as a Deckhand / Security.
STCW and ENG1: what they are and what they cost →Write a first Deckhand / Security 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 Deckhand / Security 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.
Deckhand / Security guide →Step up to Lead Deckhand / Senior Deckhand
The usual path puts Lead Deckhand / Senior Deckhand at year 2 to 3. Pay starts from about US$3,800 a month.
How to become a Lead Deckhand / Senior Deckhand →
QuestionsMore in the green crew guide
Can I become a Deckhand / Security with no experience?
Yes. Deckhand / Security is a first job on yachts. You need STCW Basic Safety Training, ENG1 medical certificate, PDSD (Proficiency in Designated Security Duties) and RYA Powerboat Level 2, 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 Deckhand / Security?
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 Lead Deckhand / Senior Deckhand at year 2 to 3.
What does a Deckhand / Security earn at the start?
From about US$3,500 a month, by our Deckhand / Security guide. Expect a premium of roughly 500-1,000 USD a month over a standard deckhand for recognised security qualifications. Charter tips can add a further month's salary or more each season, and private yachts with high-profile owners often offer rotation.
Other paths from Deckhand / SecurityAll roles
Let the yachts come to you
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