Lead Deckhand / Senior Deckhand
A lead deckhand sits between the deck crew and the bosun. You do the same physical work as everyone else, and you also organise it, check it and teach it. It is the first job on deck where people rely on your judgement. For most crew it is the last step before bosun.
The jobWhat fills the day
A lead deckhand is the most experienced deckhand on the team and the bosun's right hand. You still wash down, polish stainless and drive tenders. The difference is that you run jobs without anyone checking on you. The bosun hands you a list and expects it done properly: teak sanded and oiled, a tender serviced, the beach club set for twelve guests. You train new deckhands, check their work and act as bosun when the bosun is on leave or ashore.
With guests aboard, the guest programme sets your day. You lead tender runs, launch and recover the water toys, and handle lines when the yacht med moors stern-to in Portofino or St Tropez. Off charter the work turns to maintenance: varnish, caulking, paint touch-ups and hull washes. The title only exists on yachts with three or more deckhands, so roughly 50m upwards. On a 60m you might lead three deckhands under one bosun. On 90m and above there may be two leads, one for each watch or one forward and one aft.
Captains hire leads who have done at least two full seasons as deckhand on yachts of a similar size, with solid references and a clean record. Tender driving, PWC instructing and good seamanship count for more than a long list of certificates, though a commercially endorsed Yachtmaster Offshore and an EDH both help. Many leads get promoted from within after a season of proving reliable. Diving, carpentry or paint and fairing skills give you an edge on larger yachts.
Most leads move up to bosun within one to three years, either on the same yacht or by moving to a smaller one where the bosun job is open. If you are aiming for the bridge, start logging sea time and watchkeeping hours towards the OOW 3000gt CoC now. Keep your discharge book and testimonials up to date. A lead who already helps with the deck rota, stores orders and job planning is ready to step up to bosun.
Skills captains look for
- Tender driving and docking
- Teak and varnish care
- Training junior deckhands
- Water toy operations
- Mooring and line handling
- Paint and fairing repairs
- Bridge watchkeeping
A day aboardCharter day, 62m motor yacht, Costa Smeralda, Sardinia
Start the wash-down with two deckhands before guests wake. Give out the jobs for the morning and check the tenders are fuelled.
Launch the toys from the beach club: Seabobs, paddleboards and the inflatable slide. Do a safety check on every item before guests use them.
Drive the guest tender to Porto Cervo for a shopping trip. Brief the junior deckhand on fenders and the approach to the quay.
Crew lunch in the mess, eaten in shifts so someone always stays on deck.
Run jet ski sessions for the guests' teenagers, staying in sight of the yacht and inside the local speed limits.
Recover and rinse all the toys, then wipe down the stainless and dry the sun pads ready for sunset drinks on the foredeck.
Dinner and an hour off while the other deckhand team covers the deck.
Anchor watch on the bridge until midnight. Go through tomorrow's plan with the bosun and hand over to the night watch.
Pay by yacht sizeMonthly, before tips. Estimates. Bars share one scale.
Charter tips, typically 5-15% of the charter fee shared among the crew, can add several thousand dollars a month in a busy season. Permanent contracts usually include 30-45 days' paid leave a year. See the Bosun & Deckhand salary guide for figures from live adverts.
Tickets and visas
Must have
- STCW Basic Safety Training
- ENG1 medical certificate
- PDSD (Proficiency in Designated Security Duties)
- RYA Powerboat Level 2
Gets you hired
- Efficient Deck Hand (EDH)
- RYA Yachtmaster Offshore, commercially endorsed
- RYA PWC Instructor
- STCW Proficiency in Medical First Aid
- PADI Divemaster or Open Water Instructor
Visas
- B1/B2 US visa
- Schengen visa (if not EU/EEA)
Where it leadsA typical career path
Lead Deckhand / Senior Deckhand jobsOpen now on SuperyachtRoles.com
Questions crew ask
What is the difference between a lead deckhand and a bosun?
The bosun manages the whole deck department, including rotas, budgets for deck stores and the maintenance plan. The lead deckhand runs jobs within that plan and supervises the deckhands day to day. The lead covers as bosun when needed but does not carry the department.
How long does it take to become a lead deckhand?
Usually two to three seasons as a deckhand on yachts of 40m or more. Captains look for steady references, strong tender skills and evidence that you can train others. Staying more than one season on the same yacht helps a lot.
Do I need a Yachtmaster to get a lead deckhand job?
It is rarely required, but many adverts list it as preferred, especially a commercially endorsed Yachtmaster Offshore. It shows you are serious about progressing and lets you skipper tenders and chase boats legally in more places. Most leads have it or are working towards it.
Is the pay much higher than a deckhand's?
Expect around USD 500 to 1,000 a month more than a regular deckhand on the same yacht. The bigger gain comes later, because the role leads to bosun and officer jobs that pay considerably more.