Start here, in order
There is a simple order to getting into yachting. Follow these five steps and you will go from never having set foot on a yacht to landing your first job. Each one links straight to the resource that does the heavy lifting.
Get your STCW Basic Safety Training and an ENG1 medical
These two are non-negotiable. STCW Basic Safety Training is the safety course every professional crew member must hold, and the ENG1 is a seafarer medical from an MCA-approved doctor. Nothing else moves until you have both.
Compare STCW Basic Safety Training courses and read how much it costs to become yacht crew.
Track your certificates free with the app
From the moment you have your first certificate, keep it safe and keep it organised. The YachtSync app stores your STCW, ENG1 and everything that follows, scans documents with AI, and reminds you before anything expires. Free for crew, always.
Find a course and compare real dates and prices
Instead of guessing where to train, use the directory. It links straight to the schools, with the courses, dates and prices laid out so you can pick what fits your timing and budget.
Pick your department and see the path up
Deck, engineering, ETO, interior or galley. Each one has a different ladder of certificates and a different kind of work. Choose the one that fits you and follow it all the way to senior officer.
Land your first job
With your certificates in hand, this is the part that takes legwork: being in a hub, walking the docks, registering with agencies and making a strong first impression. It is exactly how I got started.
Everything you need to start
Once you know the order, these are the resources to lean on. Every one of them is free, and together they cover the whole journey from green crew to your first season.
Why I built this
I spent eight years at sea. I arrived in Antibes in 2018 with my STCW and no contacts, walked the docks, and worked my way up to officer by 2023. Nobody handed me a map. I had to piece together the certificates, the costs and the hubs from scattered forums and word of mouth.
YachtSync is the thing I wish had existed on my first day. The app is free for crew, always. The training directory links you straight to the schools so you can compare real dates and prices, not marketing fluff. And every guide here is written by someone who started exactly where you are now. No invented numbers, no fake promises, just the honest path in.
Frequently asked questions
How do I become yacht crew with no experience?
You start with two things: STCW Basic Safety Training and an ENG1 seafarer medical. With those in hand you look for an entry-level role, such as deckhand, junior stewardess or junior galley crew. No prior experience and no Certificate of Competency are needed to begin. Most green crew land that first job by being in a yachting hub such as Antibes or Palma during the season, walking the docks and registering with crew agencies. I started exactly this way: I dock walked in Antibes in 2018.
What certificates do I need to start working on yachts?
Two are essential before anything else: STCW Basic Safety Training, the internationally recognised safety course required for all professional yacht crew, and an ENG1 seafarer medical issued by an MCA-approved doctor confirming you are fit for sea service. You do not need a Certificate of Competency to start. Compare real course dates and prices in the YachtSync training directory.
How much does it cost to start a yachting career?
The two essentials are your STCW Basic Safety Training course and your ENG1 medical, plus travel and living costs while you look for that first job in a hub like Antibes or Palma. Course and medical prices vary by provider and location, so compare them in the directory rather than guessing. There is a full breakdown in the cost guide.
Where do I find work as new yacht crew?
Most green crew find their first job by being physically present in a yachting hub during the season, primarily Antibes on the French Riviera and Palma in Mallorca. From there you register with crew agencies, walk the docks introducing yourself to yachts, and build a network. A well-written yacht CV and a professional first impression matter more than experience at this stage.
Is YachtSync free?
Yes. YachtSync is free for crew, always. The free plan gives you 50 MB of storage, 3 AI document scans, 20 certificates and instant sharing, with no card required. The training directory and every career guide on the site are free to use as well.
Start your yachting career free with YachtSync.
Track your STCW, ENG1 and every certificate that follows in one place. Scan documents with AI, get reminded before anything expires, and share your full portfolio with any captain or agency instantly.
Free for crew, 50 MB storage, 3 AI scans, 20 certs, instant sharing. No card required.
Keep exploring: all crew guides · career pathway · training directory · getting your first job