How to become a First Engineer
Nobody starts as a First Engineer. The usual path starts as an Engineering Cadet, a job you can get with no yacht experience, and reaches First Engineer at about year 6 to 9 of a yacht career.
The pathFrom no experience to First Engineer. A typical path, not a rule.
Engineering Cadet
Year 0. Pay from about US$2,000 a month. A trainee engineer on a superyacht who splits time between college and logged sea time, learning machinery, watchkeeping and maintenance.
Junior Engineer
Year 1-2. Pay from about US$3,500 a month. The first rung in a superyacht engine room: daily rounds, maintenance, bilges and tenders under a senior engineer while you build sea time for Y4.
Third Engineer
Year 2-4. Pay from about US$4,000 a month. Junior engineering officer on larger yachts, running daily rounds, planned maintenance and engine room watches under the second and chief engineer.
Second Engineer
Year 4-6. Pay from about US$6,000 a month. The engineer who runs the engine room day to day under the chief, keeping generators, machinery and hotel systems working on yachts from 45m upward.
First Engineer
Year 6-9. Pay from about US$8,000 a month. Second in command of the engine room on larger yachts, running daily maintenance, watchkeeping and the engineering team under the Chief Engineer.
Before you applyWhat an Engineering Cadet needs, from the Engineering Cadet guide
Must have
- STCW Basic Safety Training
- ENG1 medical certificate
- Place on an approved cadetship programme
Gets you hired
- Approved Engine Course (AEC 1 and 2)
- Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD)
- RYA Powerboat Level 2
- Mechanical or electrical trade qualification
Later, for First Engineer
- STCW Basic Safety Training
- ENG1 medical
- MCA Y2 or Y1, or Second Engineer Unlimited on 3000gt+
- STCW Advanced Fire Fighting
- Medical First Aid
Visas
- Schengen visa if non-EU
- C1/D or B1/B2 for US cruising
What counts instead of yacht experienceOur advice
Captains hire an Engineering Cadet for mechanical aptitude, engine room rounds and planned maintenance logging. 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.
- Mechanical aptitude
- Engine room rounds
- Planned maintenance logging
- Basic electrical fault finding
- Training record discipline
- Safe isolation procedures
- Hand and power tools
Your first stepsIn the order we suggest
Get the tickets an Engineering Cadet must hold
You need STCW Basic Safety Training and ENG1 medical certificate before a yacht can put you to work as an Engineering Cadet.
STCW and ENG1: what they are and what they cost →Write a first Engineering Cadet 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 Engineering Cadet 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.
Engineering Cadet guide →Step up to Junior Engineer
The usual path puts Junior Engineer at year 1 to 2. Pay starts from about US$3,500 a month.
How to become a Junior Engineer →
QuestionsMore in the green crew guide
Can I become a First Engineer with no experience?
Not directly. First Engineer is senior work. The usual path starts as an Engineering Cadet, which you can get with no yacht experience, and reaches First Engineer at about year 6 to 9.
How long does it take to become a First Engineer?
The usual path puts First Engineer at about year 6 to 9 of a yacht career, after Engineering Cadet, Junior Engineer, Third Engineer and Second Engineer. It is a typical path, not a rule: time on busy yachts and the tickets you pass move it.
What does an Engineering Cadet earn at the start?
From about US$2,000 a month, by our Engineering Cadet guide. College fees are usually covered by the sponsor, and food and accommodation aboard are free. Cadets normally receive a share of charter tips during sea phases, which can double take-home pay on a busy season.
Other paths from Engineering CadetAll roles
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