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10 Best Sailing Movies of All Time

• By Cruising World Staff
• March 19, 2024

Making a list of the 10 Best Sailing Movies of All Time is kind of like making a list of the 10 best ways to eat chocolate. Some people prefer the chomp of a candy bar. Other people love the miniature chips baked into cookies. Still other people go for temperature, reaching for ice cream or for a bomb to drop into a hot mug of milk.

For us, the 10 Best Sailing Movies of All Time are the ones we’re happy to go back and watch again and again. Each of them captures something special about being out on the water, and gives us a memorable insight into the human spirit that sailing brings alive.

Here’s a list of our favorites. We look forward to hearing from you in the comments about your favorites, too.

10. White Squall

Ridley Scott, more recently known for the hits Napoleon and The Martian , directed this 1996 movie about teenage boys who discover discipline and camaraderie after facing a severe storm while training aboard a brigantine. The story is based on real events aboard the Albatross , which sank in 1961. Jeff Bridges stars as “Skipper,” teaching the boys through tough love and discipline.

9. Morning Light

This 2008 documentary focuses on the sloop Morning Light and 15 rookie sailors who want to crew in the Transpac Yacht Race. All the crew members were between 18 and 23 years old. Filming took place during training and the actual sailing of the race aboard Morning Light in 2007. Roy E. Disney held a private screening for US Sailing prior to the film’s release.

8. Kon-Tiki

Thor Heyerdahl’s epic 4,300-mile crossing of the Pacific on a balsawood raft in 1947 is the subject of this 2012 film—which was 2012’s highest-grossing film in Norway. It was an Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, and for a Best Foreign Language Film Golden Globe, marking the first time a Norwegian film was nominated for both major Hollywood prizes.

Released in 2018, Adrift focuses on a couple facing a catastrophic hurricane. The story is based on the 2002 book Red Sky in Mourning by Tami Oldham Ashcraft, and is set in 1983, during Hurricane Raymond. The film stars Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin, who end up adrift in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, trying to get to Hawaii with a damaged boat and no radio.

6. True Spirit

This 2023 drama is about Australian teenager Jessica Watson, the youngest person ever to sail solo nonstop around the world. As the reviewer for the Sydney Morning Herald wrote: “This is a family-friendly picture, wholesome and tailored for the American market—although I suspect that director Sarah Spillane also shaped it to inspire teenage girls, in particular.”

This 2018 documentary tells the story of Tracy Edwards, a 24-year-old cook on charter boats who became the skipper of the first ever all-female crew to enter the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1989. They finished second in Maiden ’s class, winning two out of six individual legs of the race. In 1990, Edwards detailed her story in the book Maiden , co-written by Tim Madge.

4. Captain Ron

You know you love this 1992 comedy just as much as we do. Kurt Russell stars as a quirky sailor with a questionable past who takes Martin Short and his family through the Caribbean on an inherited sailboat. We know it’s fiction, but we see a lot of reality in this film. If you’ve spent even a little bit of time on boats in the islands, then we’re guessing you see it, too.

3. All Is Lost

Robert Redford stars in this 2013 film about a resourceful sailor who collides with a shipping container at sea, and ends up face-to-face with his own mortality. Redford is the only cast member in the entire film, which includes just fifty-one spoken words. The title of the film is a nod to E. W. Hornung’s observation that when courage is lost, all is lost.

2. The Mercy

The story of amateur sailor Donald Crowhurst and his solo attempt to circumnavigate the globe are at the heart of this 2018 film. The struggles he confronted on the journey while his family awaited his return are one of the most enduring mysteries of recent times. Colin Firth and Rachel Weisz star as Donald and Clare Crowhurst.

1. In the Heart of the Sea

This 2015 film recounts how a whale sank a New England whaling ship in 1820, later inspiring the novel Moby-Dick . It’s directed and produced by Ron Howard, based on the book In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex . The film’s stars include Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy and Tom Holland, a who’s who of today’s biggest Hollywood names.

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Guide to Becoming a Yacht Stewardess Working on Superyachts

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This working on superyachts guide is a authored by Carryn.

Working on superyachts seems glamorous, right? Your office overlooks crystal clear waters and your job involves stepping into the life of the rich and famous.

Not to mention, you get paid a fortune whilst doing so! But, as with most things in life, there’s more to the yachting industry than what meets the eye.

This guide details all the steps to getting a job working on a super yacht and what life is really like as a yacht stewardess — the good, the bad and the ugly!

Table of Contents

Before I Became a Yacht Stewardess

After 6 months working on a superyacht, is it easy to get a job working on superyachts, connections within the yachting industry, other qualities needed to become a yacht stewardess, the salary for a yacht stewardness, 1. do you want to become a yacht stewardess or a deckhand, role of a yacht stewardess working on a super yacht, role of a deckhand, other positions available for working on superyachts, 2. requirements for working on superyachts, 3. where to get a job: the mediterranean or the caribbean, 4. visa requirements for working on superyachts, 5. working on a private yacht vs a chartered yacht, 6. how to land that job as a yacht stewardess, register with yacht crew agencies, networking with other crew and yacht stewardesses, how much does it cost to work on a super yacht, what is life really like working on superyachts, how i got my job working on a superyacht, 1. how much time do you have to get a job, 2. do you believe in yourself, 3. are you ready to work your ass off every single day, how to become a ski instructor almost anywhere in the world, how to be a travel nanny and work as you travel, how to be an au pair in spain + tips for getting a job, how to work abroad & travel the world, how you can work abroad without experience so you can travel longer.

After graduating from college in South Africa, I jumped straight into the working world and started “adulting”.

After 3 months of long, hard work, with very little pay, I decided that I was tired of being broke and living in debt.

In an attempt to see just how versatile my skills were, I quit my job in search of greener pastures on the other side of the world, France. Here, I began what I thought would be a lifelong career as a yacht stewardess. I was intrigued by the idea of working on superyachts, how glamorous it all was and of course the MONEY.

Working as a yacht stewardess changed my life for the better. When I left for France I was a young, naive college graduate who struggled to find a balance between traveling and being financially independent.

6 months later, which is a lot earlier than I’d expected, I decided to throw in the towel. The money I’d made was amazing yet never gave me the job satisfaction I was actually looking for. I returned home with a new-found love for my country, my family and the smaller things in life.

Working on superyachts put my life into perspective.

It was an extremely personal time filled with self-reflection and allowed me to appreciate and value my own personal skills and work ethic.

Working on Superyachts: The Basics

A superyacht is a large luxury boat that’s longer than 24 meters. These yachts are owned by the rich and famous and often make their way between the Caribbean and the Mediterranean waters.

These superyachts need crew to provide them with that 1st class service. And this is where the thousands of yachties come into play.

People often confuse working on superyachts with that of working on cruise ships. No, they are not the same! Working on a superyacht is a far more intimate job. There can be two to twelve guests on board and you’re at their beck and call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

It’s a grueling job that will have you working long hours in confined spaces, but the rewards are far greater than those of the cruise ships.

Yes and no.

The yachting industry is a difficult one to get into, but once you have your foot in the door, you’re guaranteed future work and better positions. However, getting that first job working on a superyacht is the hardest part.

You will struggle to secure a job in advance as most captains and crew agencies want to meet you in person before they hire you. As a result, you need to go to the yachting hubs where you will spend your time job hunting.

Securing a job takes time. For some, it’s a matter of days, but for most, it takes weeks or even months.

The saying “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know” never rang so true as it does in the yachting world. If you have connections in the industry, you shouldn’t have a problem getting a job as a yacht stewardess.

The yachting industry is a small one and referrals are the easiest way to land your first job.

Owners want young, good-looking crew running around after them. As a yacht stewardess, your uniform consists of short skirts and tight shirts and you need to look presentable and professional at all times. If you fit this profile of a yacht stewardess, finding a job working on a superyacht will be a lot easier for you.

Your personality and drive also play a huge factor. Captains and owners want outgoing, energetic and friendly crew who will get on well with the rest of the team.

You have very little personal space and whilst conflicts are bound to happen, you will have to master the art of the “smile and walk away” and avoid confrontations with other crew and guests.

So yes, getting a job working on superyachts isn’t easy, but if you have the above points covered, I bet you could get a job!

The starting salary for a yacht stewardess or deckhand is roughly 2,500€ per month. This is with no experience and excludes 10% tips  — which you receive on chartered trips. These tips could quite easily match your base salary. And it’s all tax-free!

You have no rent to pay as you live on board the boat. Your meals are prepared for you by the qualified chef, and you don’t need to purchase any groceries or toiletries.

EVERYTHING is covered. What I saved in 5 months whilst working on superyachts has taken me a full year to make as an English Teacher in Korea !

Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it?

How to Work on a Superyacht: 6 Steps

Each of these superyachts needs 6-10 crew who all work together to ensure the smooth running of the luxury vessel. There are many positions available ranging from engineers to chefs but most crew start off as either a yacht stewardess or a deckhand.

As a yacht stewardess or stew, as it’s more commonly referred to, your main tasks are housekeeping and ensuring that the interior of the yacht is properly maintained. You need to provide the highest standards of hospitality and ensure that the guests are taken care of. To put it bluntly, you’re a glorified maid wearing a cute outfit!

Daily Tasks of a Yacht Stewardess

As a yacht stewardess, your daily tasks whilst working on a private yacht include meticulous cleaning of the interior of the boat such as the cabins, toilets and living areas. You’re responsible for all the laundry, ironing as well as flower arranging, and table setting for all meals.

You need to provide a silver service dining experience and make world-class cocktails whenever the guests request. If there are children on board your yacht, you may also be asked to keep them entertained whilst ensuring all your other tasks are completed.

Working Hours

Your days start when the first guest awakes and end when the last guest goes to bed! If they’re out clubbing until 4 am, you’ll have to stay up to welcome them back on board and perhaps serve them drinks upon their return.

There are no free weekends if you’re on charter and you rotate shifts with the other crew, who also work just as hard. Because of this, the hours are long and tiring and if you have demanding guests, you could feel completely broken by the end of it.

The workload and the sort of work changes depending on the season, whether you have guests on board and any maintenance issues.

The deckhand’s position is more geared for men and includes maintaining the exterior of the yacht as well as all the deck equipment. You scrub the boat, top to bottom and it’s a physically demanding role. Tasks include cleaning the engine, painting, and varnishing the deck. You’re in charge of the fenders and ropes as well as the tenders and jet skis.

Perhaps you’re a qualified chef, engineer or beautician. These jobs are also available but with no prior yachting experience, you will struggle to find positions available.

You may want to apply as either a yacht stewardess or deckhand first, and highlight these additional skills in your CV. This is because there are more opportunities for stews and deckhands. Captains will also be reluctant to hire a chef or engineer who’s doesn’t have experience working on superyachts as the demands are different from those of the normal day job.

To find a job working on superyachts, there are a few basic requirements that you need to meet.

STCW stands for Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. There are 5 modules that need to be completed within this required course. These include:

• Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities (PSSR)
• Fire Fighting
• Personal Survival Techniques (PST)
• Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD)

Eng 1 (Seafarer Medical Certificate)

This is an exam to ensure you don’t suffer from any existing medical condition that may deter you from performing your job. You’ll be required to take a urine sample and a doctor will perform a physical exam to ensure you have no issues with your sight or hearing.

Additional Courses to Work on a Superyacht

Once you’ve secured your position, your chief stewardess or captain will conduct proper in-house training to ensure you know how to work on a yacht and complete the tasks to their standards.

The below courses will prepare you for your new job and will add value to your yachting CV, but they are costly and are not a requirement.

• Stewardess courses where they cover interior care skills, silver service, table setting, cocktail service as well as flower arranging.
• Food Safety Certificate Level 2 . This certification applies to crew working on MLC compliant yachts. Service personnel such as chefs and yacht stewardesses working out of the galley will need this food hygiene certification.
• Powerboat Level 2 allows you to ride the tender and is beneficial for deckhands.

There are 2 yachting seasons: The Mediterranean and the Caribbean Season.

Each of these areas has yachting hubs where crew base themselves when looking for work. These towns are filled with aspiring yachties all gunning for the same position. Once the season is complete, your yacht may move to warmer waters or dock in the harbor until the winter season has passed.

The Mediterranean Yachting Season

The yachting season in the Mediterranean starts as early as April where these superyachts start crewing up and the season continues until August. The main hubs to look for work in the Mediterranean include Antibes in France and Palma de Mallorca in Spain.

The Caribbean Yachting Season

The Caribbean season is active all year round with September to March being the busiest months. Ft. Lauderdale in Florida is the main hub which attracts hundreds of crew every year. From here the boats move toward Antigua and St. Maarten in the Caribbean and as well as the Bahamas where guests enjoy the crystal-clear waters and tropical islands.

• Caribbean: If you’re heading to the United States of America, you’ll need a B1/B2 Visa.
• Mediterranean: A Schengen visa is required if you are going to France or Spain.
• Seaman’s Book: Once you find a job working on a super yacht, you need to arrange a seaman’s book. This is recognized as proof that you are working on a yacht and is also a compulsory document when applying for a transit visa.

There are two kinds of superyachts: Private yachts and chartered yachts.

Private Yachts

Private yachts are used exclusively by the owner.

In some cases, the owner may use the yacht a few times a season and so the crew will have a more relaxed schedule. But don’t take this for granted. I spent 5 months working on a private yacht and had guests on board every day!

Chartered Yachts

Chartered yachts are hired by groups of people for a shorter duration.

You usually have a day or two to get the yacht ready for each charter. This means that the guests are always changing, and the routes are very busy. However, it’s standard for the crew to receive 10-20% tips from the guests. Not too bad if you ask me!

So you’ve completed your yachting courses and you’ve decided whether you’re going to the Mediterranean or the Caribbean. Flights are booked, and visas have been organized. Now, you need to get a job working on a superyacht.

Find a Crew House for the First Week After Your Arrival

These crew houses are like hostels catering for new yachties. They are slightly more expensive than other accommodation you can find. However, it’s worth staying in a crew house for the first week while you try to find your way around your new surroundings.

If you’re heading to the South of France, I highly recommend “The Crew Grapevine” which is where I started off.

The crew houses are generally a stone’s throw away from the harbor and the staff working there understand the yachting world and will help you find your feet.

The owners of these crew houses are also highly respected in the industry and if you make a good impression, they may put in a good word for you with a captain they know. The crew houses also include free printing which is great when you have to print out hundreds of CVs.

Reserving Your Spot at a Crew House

These crew houses are extremely popular and because of the uncertainty of the yachting industry, you cannot book your spot in advance. Some people land a job working on a private yacht after 2 days and so they leave the crew house immediately, others only leave after 2 months!

The best way to get into a crew house is to keep in contact with them when you start organizing your trip.

Introduce yourself and let them know your plans. Then, a week before your arrival, mail them each day to see if they have openings available. I received an email confirming my booking the day I landed in France. Talk about cutting it fine!

After your first week, you would know your way around and would have met other yachties. Together you can rent an apartment for the rest of your stay as this is a far more affordable option.

Finding Daywork on a Yacht

Daywork is temporary work on board a superyacht where you help the other crew complete their duties, but you don’t stay on board the boat.

Daywork on a yacht is a great way of earning money and building up your CV whilst looking for a permanent job as a yacht stewardess.

You get paid $100 – $150 for the days’ work and this should be enough to keep you going for a few extra days.

Dock Walking

As the name suggests, dock walking involves walking through the marinas in search of work on a yacht. With a big, friendly smile on your face, you approach the many superyachts and hand your CV over to the crew.

You’ll most likely face rejection as the boats will have crew but hold your head up high and keep going! For tips on how to create the perfect CV, check this post out.

Security at some of these docks has become extremely tight and dock walking is not allowed in some marinas. This is especially true in the US so perhaps you need to look at some of the below options when looking for work on a yacht.

Yachts are interesting locations to work; you’re often plunged into very formal environments, so professionalism is key.

Yacht crew agencies are often the first port of call for captains looking for a yacht stewardess or deckhand. Registering with these crew agencies can be done through an online application where you include your work experience, qualifications, current location and contact details. This is followed by an interview which needs to be done in person.

This is the easiest way to get a job working on superyachts but if you don’t make an impression, they won’t remember you.

Making connections within the industry is of utmost importance when looking for a job as a yacht stewardess. Put yourself out there and find a common interest with other crew you meet. If they like you, they’ll pass your details onto their captains.

But of course, be aware that every new yachtie is looking to make these connections. You need to stand out from the rest and avoid hanging out in spots that only attract new crew.

Getting a job as a yacht stewardess can take days, weeks and even months. However, I firmly believe that this is dependent on the individual. I’ve met people who’ve invested all the time and money into working on superyachts and after a few months, they’ve had to return home as they were unsuccessful in finding a job and so their funds ran dry.

The competition is strong and when you’re at these yachting hubs, you may feel overwhelmed by the number of newbies in the industry. But, your luck can change in an instant.

Getting into the yachting industry is not cheap as your initial expenses are NOT covered. You need to support yourself financially until you get a job working on a superyacht. It’s a big investment, but one that you can pay back within your first month of work.

Cost for these courses vary between countries and all amounts below are estimates.

These expenses include the following:

• STCW: $600-$1,200 for the 5 courses ($900 average)
• ENG1 Medical: $80
• Flights to the yachting hubs in the Mediterranean or Caribbean: $1,000
• Visa: $60-$120
• Accommodation for your first week: $275
• Meals for your first week: $200
• Additional expenses: $100
• Total expense = $2,645

Bearing in mind that it can take weeks, if not months to find a job, your cost for food and accommodation could be considerably higher.

Your first season working on a superyacht will always be tough. Because you have no experience, you’ll most likely take the first job you can find as beggars can’t be choosers. You won’t really know what you’ve signed up for until you start working.

You’re the junior stewardess and everyone else has put in the hours and earned their stripes, now it’s your turn!

You may work a bit longer than the rest, you’ll be put in the laundry room and spend the entire day ironing and you’ll be the one waking up early. You’ll travel to exotic locations with the most stunning scenery. But you’ll only enjoy these views from the portholes of the cabins as there’s cleaning to be done.

But after you have one season under your belt, you’ll have more connections and can pick and choose what sort of yacht you want to work on. You will be able to find out which boats have easier guests and schedules and you won’t need to jump at the first job offer you get.

RELATED: 10 Jobs Abroad With Accommodation (& Without Experience!)

I started my yachting career in Antibes, France. After 3 days of dock walking, I was feeling extremely unmotivated by the sheer amount of crew looking for work.

I had invested so much time and money into getting to France, and financially I only had 2 weeks to find work before I was broke!

It was a beautiful sunny day and a lot of people were going to the beach to relax after a busy week of dock walking. I was torn between taking the morning off or continuing my search for work as a yacht stewardess. Reluctantly, I decided to first go to a few crew agencies and see if I could chat with one of their staff.

I must have made a good impression because two hours later I received a phone call for an interview with a captain. After a successful chat, I accepted the position and a few hours later I was on a train to Italy to start my career as a yacht stewardess working on a private yacht.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Commit to Working on Superyachts

It’s important to put pressure on yourself and set deadlines. Financially I only had two weeks to support myself. This was cutting it fine, but I feel that this pressure is what lead to me finding a job after only 4 days.

You’ll face rejection but will need to keep pushing through in order to secure a job. You’ll also have to justify the initial investment and if you don’t believe that you can cut it in the yachting industry, then perhaps you need to look for something less risky

Some days I worked for up to 18 hours and had very little sleep. My nails and fingers were scarred with blisters and cuts from washing so many crystal glasses. My skin went bad from not seeing the sun, and my legs were developing varicose veins from standing up all day.

But my crew were amazing. We all worked equally hard and supported each other on the difficult days. You might be lucky and find a sweet job with an easy schedule, however, prepare for the worst but this will only make you stronger.

In the end, my experience and the money I made was totally worth it. Think long and hard if you think you’re up for this kind of lifestyle. There are some that stick around and end up with great jobs who get extra tips and even flights to whatever country they want. It’s a fabulous job if you think you’re game for the challenges that come with it.

More Jobs Abroad

Do you have what it takes to work on a superyacht? Do you want to become a yacht stewardess? Let us know in the comments!

>>> Bio

Hey, I’m Carryn! I’m a nature enthusiast and passionate explorer who loves hiking, diving, and adventuring through new countries. My travels have taken me from the peaks of Kilimanjaro to the underwater worlds of Indonesia and have lead me to Korea where I am teaching English. I share my travel stories on my blog, Torn Tackies , where I aim to inspire people to step out of their comfort zone and explore the world that surrounds them.

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Nina Ragusa is an adventurer, messy bun master, breakfast fan, and full-time travel blogger. She's been abroad since 2011 and blogging on Where in the World is Nina? for nearly as long. Nina helps people like you move around the world while making money. She loves talking about how to work abroad and online to travel longer! Read more about Nina

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Hi Nina, thank you so much for the information. I’m looking at doing my course (again) in November. Unfortunately I didn’t pursue the yachting industry the first time I did my course as I started working on the ships. But your insight has really motivated me to try again, so thank you.

Thank you Nina for sharing your info and guiding us, i do have a question though, i am a type one diabetic, and really want to work on a yacht, i am already currently in the Hospitality industry. Do you know whether type one diabetics are allowed to work on yachts?

Great info ! Thank you so much for sharing your experience, I’m looking forward to become a stewardess, I have a question: for working in the Mediterranean Sea it doesn’t matter which Schengen visa? I might have the chance chance to do a German visa, would that work? Thank you again J+

Thank you, Nina! I am heading to Antibes on May 1st to find my first yacht job and I am super excited! I’m always reading online and checking out any information I can in order to prepare, so this blog was a prize to find as it is loaded with fantastic info!

Hope you’re having a fantastic day, wish me luck!

Yes! The best of luck 🙂

Hi nina i have already documents f Seaman book and passport Eng1, food safety and level hygiene level 2

Stcw Sdsd My probllem is only the visa i want to earn already

Can you tell me whats lacking ,

How is the procedure in landing yachts ?

I think sometimes that when i travel my own expense in goin ‘

Like france

I think its too expensive

Or i think in mind that when i applied in us embassy here in philjppines for b1b2 visa

W/out a company yet is hard for me

Coz.i didnt travel yet in any location overseas I have first in mind that i justonly denied for that

Pls can you help me my dear ffriend Can you pls.humbly assist me in my dream career I am a greenie and recently took my iyt yacht card here in manila philippines

Its been an honor to have an indtrument /way like you

On helping othera like me

I want t hear your quick Humbly help my friend

Thank you so much Nina for all of this information! You’ve made me more excited to start my yachting career. I am heading to Phuket next month to take my STCW + Stewardess course, then am hoping to head over to Antibes after to start looking for work by March 🙂

That sounds SO exciting! Have fun 🙂

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Yachting World seeks staff journalist

• Elaine Bunting
• April 28, 2014

Dream job? Yachting World is looking for a talented multimedia journalist

Are you an experienced journalist with a passion for boats and sailing? If so, this could be a dream job.

Yachting World is looking for a talented multimedia journalist to join the team of this prestigious international yachting brand and work in print and online.

Our ideal candidate will have:

• News writing and editing experience
• Feature writing experience to a high standard
• Be able to commission high quality features and liaise with contributors to produce great features
• Experience with, and understanding of, social media
• Some experience of website content management and analytics
• Sailing knowledge, especially an understanding of amateur participation sailing
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Experience with InDesign and PhotoShop would be helpful, as would familiarity with video editing programs such as iMovie or Final Cut Pro.

To apply for the job, please send your CV and a covering letter (stating your salary expectations) to the Editor: [email protected]. Applications close on Friday 23 May.

After sailing around the world, Cole Brauer says she's more grounded than ever

Cole Brauer's adventure put her in the history books and in the heart of the most isolated and dangerous places on Earth. Not to mention Instagram .

The southern oceans of the Atlantic and Pacific that Brauer endured alone in her 30,000-mile sailboat voyage brought her face-to-face with bigger waves and storms than most people will ever see."It's like going to Mars and hoping that you can breathe," says Brauer, who became the first American woman this month to sail solo nonstop around the globe . "It's not made for humans."

She's now a seafaring celebrity who has been deluged with more questions about aquatic travel and surviving the dangers of the deep than Jules Verne and Jacques Cousteau. That's because Brauer's social media followers now total half a million, and many are asking about her journey and how she did it.

"With this newfound fame, I want to keep my feet on the ground," says the 29-year-old from Long Island. She's looking to chart a new course in the sailing industry, which has historically been a bastion of elitism and exclusivity, she said.

Brauer used Starlink − the low-orbit satellite network owned by tech billionaire Elon Musk − to get an internet signal on her voyage so that she could talk to her team, FaceTime with her mother and post videos to Instagram from her 40-foot Class40 sailboat, First Light.

She departed from A Coruña, Spain, on Oct. 29 and was at sea for 130 days. She competed against 15 male sailors, eight of whom had to drop out. Sailors set off at staggered times, depending on the speed of their boat. Brauer finished second in the race, behind France's Phillipe Delamare.

"Cole put in a tremendous effort to achieve a tremendous result," said Marco Nannini, who organized the Global Solo Challenge race.

Treacherous conditions in the Southern Hemisphere

Because the race took Brauer around the world, she had to endure scorching temperatures near the equator and near-freezing cold in the globe's southern oceans − where waters are more choppy and dangerous to sail, she said.

"I always had respect for the ocean, but this was an absolute different level," Brauer said. "It's beautiful. It's uninhabited. It's just untouched by humans."

Stronger winds and underwater currents in the Indian, South Atlantic and Pacific oceans often react to form bigger waves and "crazy storms," Brauer said, making those areas "some of the most dangerous places to be on the planet."

Unlike the part of the Atlantic Ocean stretching between North America and Europe, the southern oceans have a lot less traffic, Brauer said. During the two months she sailed there, she said, she saw only one other boat. The weather was colder and grayer, and the nights were much shorter.

The scariest moment came about two weeks from the end of race, when over just a couple days a fellow competitor had to abandon his ship because it started to sink and another had to do the same after his boat lost its mast.

It caused Brauer to feel paranoid, she said, even imagining noises coming from her own boat, which was also going through normal wear and tear.

"I just felt like, 'Oh my gosh, what's going to break next?'" she said. "Is the boat going to break in half?"

Alone in the middle of the ocean, Brauer felt homesickness, then zen

Brauer made it all the way around the world the same way any sailor goes from one point to another: staying out of direct wind and tacking from one direction to the next until she finally got to the finish line.

"You want to go straight, but you can't," she said. "You can't sail directly into the breeze; you have to tack back and forth at a 45-degree angle. I went around the world tacking, and jibing, and eventually you make it there − but there's a lot of twists and turns."

Brauer also had to constantly check the weather and change sails while also maintaining the boat.

"Everything has the possibility of breaking," Brauer said.

Brauer slept on a pile of bedding on the boat's floor for two to four hours at a time. She boiled water and used a warm wash cloth to bathe, she said. She packed 160 days' worth of freeze-dried food, including a peaches and cream oats mix that became her favorite.

Despite the technical challenges of sailing around the world, homesickness was by far the biggest challenge, she said. In Spain, before she set off on the race, nightly family-style dinners with teammates and group outings in A Coruña created intense personal bonds that she longed for on the ocean.

"All of a sudden I had a family of like 12, and you get very used to being surrounded by all these boisterous and loud people," she said.

But then, something clicked one evening when Brauer was in the boat's bow watching the colors of the sunset bleed through a massive sail.

"My body and my mind finally got used to being out there and and knowing that this was like where I was supposed to be," she said.

Brauer said she saw dolphins, sea turtles, plenty of fish and even a whale as big as her boat.

"It's just so magical," she said.

Pitch-black night skies were another highlight, Brauer said, especially when she was sailing through hot areas and the darkness brought cooler temperatures.

Brauer documented every moment on Instagram

Brauer shared details of her journey with tens of thousands of followers on Instagram. At the start of the race, her Instagram account had 10,000 followers and now boasts nearly 500,000.

Creating and posting more than 150 original videos from the boat allowed Brauer to stay connected with other people even when she was in the middle of the ocean.

Many of Brauer's videos showed her raw emotions up close, like in one post from early in the race when she angrily vents about the moment she realized she'd have to fix several boat parts on her own.

"Right now I've been feeling just broken," she says in the video.

That vulnerability is what's allowing Brauer to chart a new course in the sailing industry, she said.

"I've shown a good piece of me. I've put my heart and soul out there and I think a lot of people are really afraid to do that," she told USA TODAY. "If you want to judge me for changing or molding myself a different way, you don't have to follow me."

Race win was a team effort

Brauer surrounded herself with a team of sailors and experts who helped guide her from ashore. There were medical staff, a weather router, an expert rigger, an electronic systems manager, a sailmaker and many other team members.

Next, Brauer and her behind-the-scenes team are preparing for the Vendée Globe in 2028, another around-the-world race with stricter rules and a bigger cash prize. She won 5,000 euros (about $5,430) for finishing second in the Global Solo Challenge.

That race will be far more difficult, Brauer said, because the sailors have to race on their own and cannot receive any verbal assistance from their teammates on land.

Almost two weeks since reaching dry land, Brauer said, she now craves being out on the ocean more than ever and even feels a sense of pain when she's not able to see the water or look up to see a sky covered in white, fluffy clouds.

"The fear used to be about the boat, when I was on the boat. Now the fear is not being out there," she said. "I'm not afraid of the ocean − I'm afraid of not being on the ocean."

As for her goal of sailing around the world?

"I did everything that it took to get here, and now I can bask in it. I made the biggest dream that I could possibly think of doing and then did it."

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

In Yachting World July 2023 we bring you the story of Kirsten Neuschäfer’s Golden Globe Race win, making her the first woman to win a solo round the world race and speak to the many ARC skippers for their take on how their various autopilot and self steering options fared in the real world on an Atlantic crossing .

Pip Hare shares the latest in her expert guide to short handed sailing, this month covering symmetric spinnakers and we look at what cruisers can learn from the double-handed Globe 40 crews who powered around the world in nine months.

Plus out usual boat tests, gear reviews, expert sailing advice and much more.

Kirsten Neuschäfer wins the Golden Globe Race

America’s Cup controversy over Saudi Arabia regatta

Elon Musk’s Starlink network clamps down on cruisers

Atlantic on auto

Over 230 ARC skippers report on how their autopilots and self-steering fared on the crossing

It takes two

What can cruisers learn from the double-handed Globe 40 crews who powered around the world in nine months?

Eve in eden

Tropical adventure: a 7,000-mile passage from Australia to the Seychelles via Bali aboard a classic Swan 65

As winner of the Golden Globe Race, Kirsten Neuschäfer is the first woman to win a solo around the world race

New gear and yachts

Boat test: Italia yachts 12.98 – Italia Yachts has succeeded with its smaller designs, but is there room for yet another premium brand 40-45 footer?

New yachts: Lightweight carbon flyers and fast cruising monohulls

Gear test: The best sailing kit for junior sailors put to the test

Gear: Latest gear from hydrogen power to telescopic fenders

Practical features

Special report

Changes in weather patterns and routing

Extraordinary boats

Sailing the sustainable Ecoracer 25

Second hand boats

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5 expert tips

Konrad Lipski on gybing in strong winds

Shorthanded sailing

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Superyacht Jobs

Search hundreds of superyacht jobs from around the world:.

Stay up to date with the latest deckhand , steward(ess) , engineer ,   officer, captain & chef yacht crew positions available.

Stay up to date with the latest deckhand , steward(ess) , engineer ,   officer, captain & chef superyacht and yacht jobs around the world.

Second Steward/ess

UGRENT TEMP SECOND STEWARDESS NEEDED IMMEDIATELY!

Seeking an experienced Second Stewardess - New Zealand

Busy 40m private Motor Yacht Seeking a highly motivated, fun and energetic Second Stewardess to join the vessel immediately.

This is a temporary position star...

Job Details:

Job ID: #7050 Job Type: Temporary Start Location: New Zealand Start Date: Immediate Start Qualifications (Essential): STCW Basic Safety Training 95 (2010) Min Yachting Experience: 1-2 Years Gender Required: Female Smokers: No

REPOST DUE TO ROTATION OF 3:1 BEING CONFIRMED

We are looking for an experienced crew/third chef for an awesome 90m motor yacht currently in the Caribbean for the season. There is a strong team in the galley with excellent head chefs and two strong second chefs that rotate.

Job ID: #7028 Job Type: Rotational Start Location: United States Start Date: 20 Apr 2024 Qualifications (Essential): STCW Basic Safety Training 95 (2010) Essential Visas: B1B2 Languages: English Min Yachting Experience: 1 Season Gender Required: Any Smokers: No

Chief / First Officer

We're looking for a Chief officer to join a busy 40 meter charter M/Y based in Australia.

This role is ideal for those who love to travel to different destinations in the Southern Hemisphere. It's also for those who love fishing and diving!

It will be a full time position. C...

Job ID: #7052 Job Type: Full Time Start Location: Australia Start Date: 07 Apr 2024 Qualifications (Essential): STCW Basic Safety Training 95 (2010), Yacht Master Offshore Qualifications (Preferred): ENG1 (or equivalent Seafarer's Medical Certificate) Min Yachting Experience: 3-4 Years Gender Required: Male Smokers: No

REPOST! We are stil searching for the right candidates! Couples are welcome but must have sailing experience.

We are after a captain for an adventurous program, this 78ft SY yacht is currently in the Caribbean, needing to be delivered to the USA for some maintenance work and summer cru...

Job ID: #7048 Job Type: Full Time Start Location: United States Start Date: 22 Apr 2024 Qualifications (Essential): Yacht Master Offshore Qualifications (Preferred): Yacht Master Ocean Essential Visas: B1B2 Languages: English Min Yachting Experience: 3-4 Years Gender Required: Male

We are looking for an experienced 2nd Stewardess for a 55m+ M/Y charter and private. Vessel will be doing the Med season with 7-10 weeks of charter and very light owner use.

The ideal candidate will have at least 2 seasons charter experience in the 2nd Stew role.

Must have s...

Job ID: #7051 Job Type: Seasonal Start Location: Saint Martin Start Date: 11 Apr 2024 Qualifications (Essential): ENG1 (or equivalent Seafarer's Medical Certificate), STCW Basic Safety Training 95 (2010) Min Yachting Experience: 1-2 Years Gender Required: Female Smokers: No

Steward(ess)/Deckhand

We're looking for a stew/deckhand to join a busy 40 meter charter M/Y based in Australia.

This role is ideal for those who love to travel to different destinations in the Southern Hemisphere.

It will be a full time position. Can also be coupled with a chief officer or chef....

Job ID: #7055 Job Type: Full Time Start Location: Australia Start Date: 07 Apr 2024 Qualifications (Essential): STCW Basic Safety Training 95 (2010) Qualifications (Preferred): ENG1 (or equivalent Seafarer's Medical Certificate) Min Yachting Experience: 1-2 Years Gender Required: Female Smokers: No

House Manager Shoreside

Wilsonhalligan have a House Manager position available based in the South West of England. My client is looking for a trust-worthy, hard working and dedicated ex-yachtie to look after and help maintain their vast and beautiful residence. This is a full-time position of 5 days a week over the weekend with some weekends off depending on the principal's schedule and travel plans. The ideal candidate will have the right to work and live in the UK, a clean driving license and someone who can provide longevity to the family. Location: United Kingdom Salary: DOE Please send CV to [email protected]

Chief Stewardess 50m+ Private Motor Yacht

WIlsonhalligan are looking for a Chief Stewardesson a 50m+ single season Private Motor Yacht. We are looking for someone with at least 1 year's experience in a Chief Stewardess role on a similar sized vessel. The vessel is only used during the summer months, but is always very busy during this time. Team of 3 within the interior, very much a hands on role with concierge duties. Requirements: STCW ENG 1 Level 2 food and hygiene Package: Salary: DOE Leave: 60 days within the winter months. Start date: ASAP

DPA / Vessel Manager Shoreside

Wilsonhalligan are looking for an experienced DPA/Vessel Manager to join an established and growing Maritime company in the UK. The ideal candidate will: - have an extensive experience as a Vessel Manager on land with years of senior experience in yachting. Personal characteristics include: - Dedication - Strong individual worker and a team player - First class relationship management skills - Positive attitude and realistic outlook - Strong work ethic, responsive and proactive Salary: DOE Start: April 2024 Location: North East, United Kingdom (Hybrid) Apply now or get in touch if you think this job is for you: [email protected]

Office Assistant Shoreside

Wilsonhalligan have an exciting opportunity for an Office Assistant, based in London, UK, to support one of our esteemed Maritime clients. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional organisational acumen, a proactive can-do attitude, and a strong dedication to collaborative teamwork. Location: London, UK Salary: DOE Days: Hybrid Responsibilities: - Assist in maintaining office operations by organising and coordinating administrative duties and procedures. - Provide support to our Maritime client, ensuring efficient communication and workflow. - Collaborate with team members to facilitate the smooth functioning of daily tasks and projects. Requirements: - Maritime background - Demonstrated proficiency in organisational skills, with a keen attention to detail. - Proactive approach to problem-solving and task management. - Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively within a team environment. - Right visa to work and live in the UK If you possess the requisite skills and are eager to contribute to a dynamic team in the maritime industry, please submit your CV to [email protected] .

House Guardian (Couple) Shoreside

Wilsonhalligan have a House Manager Couple's position available based in the South of France. My client is looking for a trust-worthy, hard working and dedicated ex-yachtie couple to look after their beautiful residence in Saint Tropez. Location: SOF Salary: DOE Start: 2024 Please send CV to [email protected]

2nd Engineer 80m+ motor yacht

We are working with a new build, 80m+ motor yacht in Northern Europe and looking for a Second Engineer to join them at the beginning of the year. The positions offers the opportunity to join a great team and Owners, travel extensively and assist in the final stages of the build period. It would suit a hands on Engineer with similar experience in a similar role who enjoys keeping active and social with like minded crew members. Requirements: SV 2nd Engineer <9000kw or equivalent ENG1 STCW Experience as a Second Engineer Package: Salary: 7500 Rotation: time for time Start: January 2024

Senior Charter Broker Shoreside

Wilsonhalligan have a Senior Charter Broker position available based in the UK or EU. My client is looking for a driven, hard working, dynamic and confident candidate with at least 2 years of experience as a Charter Broker. Location: United Kingdom or Europe Salary: DOE / Flexible Start: ASAP Please send CV to [email protected]

Yacht Manager Shoreside

Wilsonhalligan are looking for a Yacht Manager to join a growing and established company in the UK. The ideal candidate will: - have a yacht experience at a senior command level. - hold an in date CoC or has the ability to renew. - have excellent communication skills with individuals of all levels. - have an up-to-date understanding and knowledge of SOLAS, MLC and STCW, Maritime Labour and MARPOL conventions Desirable: - Qualified Internal Auditor (QMS) - Qualified CSO Personal characteristics include: - Dedicated, honest and compassionate characteristics - Strong individual worker and a team player - First class relationship management skills - Positive attitude and realistic outlook - Strong work ethic, responsive and proactive Salary: DOE Start: ASAP Location: United Kingdom Apply now or get in touch if you think this job is for you: [email protected]

Hairdresser / Housekeeper 120m+ Private Motor Yacht

Wilsonhalligan are looking for a Hairdresser / Housekeeping Stew to join a 120m+ Private Motor Yacht. The ideal candidate will be confident in cutting, colouring and styling male and female hair. Unfortunately due to cabin arrangements only female candidates can be considered. Requirements:

STCW ENG1 Food & Hygiene Level II Hairdressing Qualification

Salary: 3000 Euros Leave: 60 days / 5:1 Start: ASAP

AVIT Engineer 100m+ motor yacht

We are looking for an AVIT officer for a 100m+ private M/Y. You would be required to have motor yacht experience and have worked with systems like Crestron, Cisco and VMWare to name just a few. This is a rotational position 10 weeks on/off with an immediate start date. Salary: 6300 Shared cabin

Head Chef 60m+ Private Charter Motor Yacht

Wilsonhalligan are looking for a Seasonal Head Chef for a 60m+ Private/Charter Motor Yacht. The ideal candidate will have at least 2 years charter experience on similar sized vessels and strong land based experience within high end restaurants. The vessel has a busy summer itinerary planned and could be a great opportunity for an experienced Chef to show off their culinary skills. Please note, male applicants would be preferred due to cabin arrangements onboard. STCW ENG 1 Level 2 food & hygiene SCC Package- Salary: DOE Seasonal: April - October

Director of Yacht Management Shoreside

Wilsonhalligan are looking for a Director of Yacht Management to join a global leading and established Maritime Management Company. The ideal candidate will: - have relevant practical experience in Yacht Management, including Client Communication - have an extensive leadership experience - possess and entrepreneurial thinking and decision-making skills - have a precise and solution-oriented way of working - team player mentality Salary: Competitive (DOE) Start date: May 2024 reach out and send your CV to [email protected]

Watersports / Deckhand 130m+ motor yacht

We are looking for a Deckhand/Watersports instructor who has kite surfing and diving experience for a 100m+ Private M/Y. Kiting side would ideally be instructor level, however would consider a candidate who is confident handling a kite, who can jump, launch, land and role. The dive side would require a dive master, or I would consider someone who has enough dives completed to obtain this. Male candidates due to cabin arrangements. Working on a 2/1 rotation, with an immediate start.

Deckhand / Kite 110m+ Private Motor yacht

We are looking for a Deckhand/Watersports instructor who holds experience with kiting and is confident in teaching and maintaining the latest kite equipment. Additional watersports experience is preferred, ideally someone who can teach wakeboarding, e-foils, seabobs etc. Working on a 3/1 rotation with an April start date. Due to current location of the vessel a B1/B2 visa would be considered more beneficial and would make your profile stand out.

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How To Find Yacht Jobs: Get Paid To Sail The World

by Sharyn McCullum | Last updated Nov 14, 2022 | The Oceans , Work Abroad Backpacker Jobs

A great place to start your travel and work abroad adventures is to find a yacht job and get paid to sail the world.

For most of us, traveling around the world on a luxury yacht is a dream. This life is usually reserved for the rich and famous. But it doesn’t have to be. Did you know you could find yourself island hopping in the Caribbean, Mediterranean or Pacific by getting yourself a yacht job? Yes, you could be the one waking up to beautiful sunrises in far flung places on a daily basis while yacht crewing. And you don’t have to be knowledgeable about sailing or well-connected in the yachting community either to find a job. In this post I’ll break down the different types of yacht jobs, the pros and cons of them, how much they pay and how to find a position crewing aboard a yacht. Are you ready to get paid to sail the world?

Table of Contents

What is a Yacht?

First of all, what is a yacht? Good question, and when I tried to find a definition the words that continued to arise were ‘a yacht is a craft used for pleasure and sport’. The name comes from the Dutch word jaght which is a fast, light sailing vessel. It seems when the English King Charles II was carried by ‘jacht’ from The Netherlands back to England, the word came to mean a vessel in which important people were carried. And that impression of a yacht exists still today, that yachts are a luxury vessel designed for recreation, relaxation and comfort only for the rich and famous. But can I just point out, that I know many people who have worked hard, saved, and bought themselves a yacht to travel the world.

Types of Yachts

There are different types of yachts. You will here the names cruisers, superyachts and mega yachts throughout this post. These days you can classify a yacht as either a sailing yacht (wind powered) or a motor-powered yacht. To define the names even more:

• A yacht less than 12 metres long is usually referred to as a cabin cruiser.
• Superyachts are usually more than 24 metres (131 feet) long.
• A mega yacht tends to be anything longer than 50 metres (164 feet).

No matter the type of yacht, they don’t sail themselves.  

Types of Yacht Jobs

It takes a wide variety of people to keep a yacht running smoothly. Firstly, the vessel needs looking after. It will need cleaning, maintaining and crew and deck hands for sailing. Then the people onboard need looking after. This is where cooks, cleaners, massage therapists and nannies come into play. Superyachts are like mini hotels and there is room for many workers to look after their guests, including, but not limited to hair stylist, yoga guru and beauty therapist to name a few.  

See Also : How to Find Cruise Ship Jobs  

Types of jobs on yachts can range and are determined by the size of the vessel. Smaller cruisers maybe owned by one person, couple or family and they might want an all round crew member to help them sail. Then you have the superyachts and mega yachts which have room for many people and they require all sorts of staff. I have classified the jobs into three areas as follows:

Catching a Lift – Travel and Work Your Passage

Travel and Work Your Passage

Where ever there is open water you will find some kind of sea vessel. The best way to find a lift is to frequent yacht clubs where yachts are moored and speak to the captains and/or leave your details on the noticeboard. If successful in obtaining a lift you will probably have to share costs towards your passage unless you are part of the paid crew. Popular places to catch a lift from/to include:

• Sydney for the Whitsundays in Queensland, Australia or to New Zealand;
• Darwin, Australia for Asia;
• Auckland Harbour for the Pacific and the USA;
• Balboa (Pacific Ocean end) or Port of Cristobal (Atlantic Ocean end) of the Panama Canal;
• any of the Caribbean Islands, particularly Antigua (English Harbour), Jamaica (Montego Bay) and the Isle of Martinique;
• Gibraltar: at the mouth of the Mediterranean, this is often a stop-off point for yachts to pick up supplies after crossing the Atlantic;
• Nice and Monte Carlo in the South of France for the Mediterranean;
• Any of the Greek Islands

Many yachts spend the Northern Hemisphere Summer (June-August) sailing around the Mediterranean, then cross the Atlantic Ocean (which can take around six weeks) for the Caribbean where they island hop between September and April. Many also head to the Southern Hemisphere Summer (December-February) and enjoy summer and many yacht races there.

Deliver a Yacht

There can be long distances involved with sailing and some owners prefer not to do the hard yards of sailing between countries. They prefer to spend their time anchored up in the company of family and friends or day-hopping along different coastlines. For those gruelling trips between continents that make up a large part of the circumnavigation more help is required – and this is where you come in. You can sail the yacht to its destination.

On-board Positions on Superyachts and Mega Yachts

As I’ve said, yachts range in size and some of the larger yachts can take many people. These larger yachts require crew to help the yacht function and the number of crew required will depend on the size of the yacht. Positions can range from the Captain, deckhand, mates and engineers to crew looking after the guests, ie. chef, steward, bartender, etc. to crew providing activities such as a dive instructor, fitness instructor or masseuse. These yachts are often moored in spectacular harbours at glitzy marinas of St. Tropez, Monte Carlo, Miami or Nassau to name a few.  

How Much Do Yacht Jobs Pay?

Having a job on a super yacht or mega yacht can be lucrative. As well as being paid to work, you employer is providing meals and accommodation. And as you are at sea, you will be able to save a lot of your wage. There are many variants to work out your wage including your qualification and experience, where the yacht is based and whether it is private or charter. However, here is a rough guide of what you can expect to earn weekly in US dollars:

Deckhand Jobs: $2700 Steward: $3000 Chef: $4000 Engineer: $5000 1st Officer: $6000 Captain: $7000

On top of these salaries, you can add tips, of which can vary.

Having a job on a small yacht with one other person or a family your wage might be a lot less as the yacht is smaller and your duties will vary. You may be pitching in as an ‘all rounder’, meaning you will be doing some sailing and maybe some cooking. Some really small yacht owners may even ask for you to contribute for costs of the sail. For instance, the owner may want to move the yacht from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean. They might want you to help out with the food cost. But hey, this can be worth it particularly as you don’t have to ‘buy the boat’. Other times, you will be working for your passage.

Pros and Cons of Travelling and Working Abroad on a Yacht

Pros of yacht jobs.

• You get to travel around the world to exotic locations. Or be moored in a spectacular harbour.
• Get paid to live aboard the yacht. Though on the smaller yachts, you may be asked to contribute to costs.
• Accommodation and Food is included so you will save money not having to pay for these.
• Meet new people.
• Learn new skills which you can use elsewhere.
• Have wonderful experiences.
• It is a great travel and work abroad job.

Cons of Yacht Jobs

• You may encounter rough seas, get sea sick or need to dodge pirates.
• Need to be tolerant and patient with some incredibly rich and rude people.
• The working hours can be very long and sometimes erratic depending on the guests wishes.
• Work can be very hard and you may need to be ‘on hand’ at all times.
• Living quarters can vary and you may have to share.
• Once on the boat, you are on, you cannot get to dry land when you want. Ensure you are comfortable with being in close quarters with the same people, for days, even weeks on end. If you don’t get on with work mates, it will be a very long experience.
• Work can be seasonal.
• You will be away from family and friends.

What Qualifications and Skills are Required to Work on a Yacht?

The qualifications and skills required to work on a yacht will depend on the position you are applying for. A chef will need different qualifications and skills to a deck hand. As would the Captain to the housekeeping person. There are two basic certifications that everyone should have in order to work at sea.

STCW 2010 (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers)

If you are wanting to find yacht jobs on commercial or charters, then you will need a STCW certificate. This is the qualification required around the world if you want to work on a yacht than is longer than 79 feet (25 metres). This would be a super yacht or mega yacht size. Not all smaller private yacht owners require this qualification but it is preferred. During the STCW course, you will learn about personal safety and accident prevention as well as fire fighting, personal survival (using life jacket and inflatable rafts and some basic first aid. It is very important you know how to be safe aboard a yacht as your life and other people’s lives, may depend on it in an emergency. The course takes about a week and can cost around $1000. This may seem a lot, but with the certification, yacht jobs open up to you.

To do a course check out the following:

Flying Fish who are located in Cowes, UK and Sydney, Australia:  www.flyingfishonline.com American Yacht Institute www.americanyachtinstitute.com

ENG 1 Seafarer Medical Certificate

The next thing you will need after obtaining the STCW 2010 is an ENG 1 Seafarer Medical Certificate. This is a mandatory certificate stating that you are fit and healthy to work aboard a ship. You will need to find an MCA-approved doctor to carry out the examination to issue the certificate which should cost around $120.

Qualifications and Skills Required to get a Yacht Job

Guests on your number one priority when working on a yacht

All the following skills are very useful to aid you securing a yacht job. They aren’t mandatory but the more skills you have, the better the jobs available to you. Ensure to list them on your CV.

Some jobs on yachts require a qualification, they include:

• Diving Instructor
• Massage therapist
• Hairdresser / Beautician
• Sailing licences

Skills and Experience that are very helpful to get a job on a yacht include:

• Being able to speak other languages
• Have high-end establishment hospitality experience
• Good people skills and a high level of tolerance and patience
• Be hard working with great organisational skills
• Water sport experience

Never Sailed Before?

Don’t worry too much if you have never sailed before. Depending on the size of the yacht you may not need to have worked on a yacht previously. Plus it depends on the job you will be doing. On the bigger super and mega yachts if you are joining as a chef, you won’t need to worry about learning what a deck hand does, unless you are required to be a deck hand also!

For smaller yachts where you might be sailing with one person or a family who requires someone to help them sail their yacht you may need to have sailing experience. You can gain sailing experience through yacht clubs around the world as most of them offer introductory sailing classes. And these clubs are often thrilled to have new members join their weekend courses and races. Doing this will definitely give you some skills and the confidence to start your yacht crewing career. There is no quicker way to learn to sail than having a captain screaming at you while you slip about the bow! But after a couple of months you should be jibing the spinnaker pole like an old sat!

If you are unable to do a course at the very least learn the basics of boating. This should include how to tie real knots as your life will occasionally depend on the quality of your knots.

How to Find a Position on a Yacht

There are two main ways to secure a position on a yacht: Through an online yacht jobs staff agency and by connecting with the yachting community.

Online Yacht Jobs Staff Agencies

You will find many yacht job agencies based all around the world. Most agencies allow you to register your details into an online portal. This will entail uploading your CV into their system. Most will then contact you, or you them to be matched with the ‘Yacht’ looking for staff. Don’t just rely on using online agencies, many of them have a physical office and if you are in their part of the world, it is wise to contact them directly by phone to organise an in-person appointment for you to visit the office. The more agencies you register with, the better your chances of securing a position.

Agencies to contact include:

Crewfinders International Inc (based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA) Crewseekers International (based in Eastleigh, UK) Crew Pacific (based in Cairns, Queensland, Australia) Elite Crew International (based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA) YPI Crew , based in France

Most agencies will require you to add details into an online portal and upload your resume (CV). The quality of agencies varies, and it’s essential to do your due diligence before accepting a position.

Connect with the Yachting Community

If you have a marina nearby I highly suggest you connect with the yachting community there. You never know who you might meet at a yacht club that needs crew for their yacht. If you can’t wait around at the bar waiting to meet people, ask if you can leave an ad on the noticeboard. And tell the bar person you are looking for work because they are often a font of information and know who is doing what.

Yacht hot spots where you can start your search for a yacht position include:  

• Sydney, Australia – yep, great for those wanting to sail around the Pacific Islands (Fiji, Tahiti, etc)
• Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Palma de Mallorca, Spain
• Southampton, England
• Cowes on the Isle of Wight, England
• Antibes, France
• Cabo San Lucas , Mexico
• Puerto Vallarta , Mexico
• Phuket , Thailand
• Galle Harbor, Sri Lanka
• English Harbor, Antigua

TIP : When looking for a yacht job dress the part. Dress to impress. Ensure you are showered, your hair is neat and tidy and your clothes are ironed. Be neat and tidy and maybe cover tattoos and take out any piercings. You will need to comply with dress standards of the vessel so until you know what that is, dress to impress.

Is Working On a Yacht Right for You?

Yacht jobs are not as glamorous as they are made out to be, in fact, they are often hard work. However, they can also be an amazing experience. I think waking up in a sunny tropical exotic location is much better than waking up to a cold and wet day at home! So is working on a yacht right for you? Yacht jobs aren’t for everyone but the only true way you will find out if this travel and work abroad lifestyle is for you, is to try it. Bon Voyage. I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences on crewing aboard a yacht in the comments following.

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11 Comments

This sounds like an awesome job! I haven’t been on one yet, I’m not sure if I can handle it due to the motion sickness but I hear that they’re so big, you don’t notice!

Some are bigger than others. There are preparations out there to help with sea sickness.

Such an interesting job and perfect for a single 20 something year old! I could never do it because I would get seasick. But it sounds fun!

There are loads of sea sick preventatives nowadays. This is not just for single 20 something year olds. People of all ages are sailing.

I have friends who love to sail and have traveled the world on a sailboat. It’s not for me though; I prefer to travel across the ocean on a cruise ship.

Yeah, it’s not for everyone. But for those who it is for, they love it!

I wish this is something I pursued when I was younger before I started having responsibilities (LOL) – this seems like an incredible opportunity to see the world and travel! This is super helpful for anyone wondering where to start!

It sounds like a dream to sail around the Caribbean, Mediterranean or Pacific with a yacht job! I appreciate all the details you provide about the possibilities of a yacht career.

It is a dream for some. And can be a wonderful experience. I loved the Caribbean the best myself!

Wow, I never thought of working on a yacht, but what a great way to visit new places! Thanks for sharing about this lifestyle, my curiosity is definitely piqued.

What a unique job experience for those that love being active, being around water and want to see different parts of the world and meet new people.

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Yacht Crew Job Board

With Bluewater's expertise in crew training and yacht crew recruitment, finding your ideal yacht crew vacancy is simple. We offer yacht management services to a variety of exclusive superyachts. Our team excels in sourcing top-notch yacht crew positions, spanning from 25-meter private yachts in the Bahamas to 50-metre charter yachts in the Mediterranean to luxurious 100+ metre superyachts navigating the globe extensively.

128 yacht crew jobs available now.

Yacht Crew Training

Alongside sourcing the latest yacht crew jobs worldwide, Bluewater offers a range of specialised yacht crew training courses. Whether you're new to the superyacht industry seeking entry-level qualifications, an experienced deckhand or engineer aiming to advance your career, or a dedicated crew member looking to enhance your resume with certifications like HELM (Human Element Leadership and Management), Yachtmaster, or OOW (Officer of the Watch), explore our comprehensive yacht crew training options.

Working on a Luxury Yacht

Working as a crew member on a superyacht is undeniably one of the most rewarding yet demanding professions, calling for hard work, dedication, and professional training. The opportunities within the yachting industry are vast, and at Bluewater, we are committed to helping every crew member discover their ideal yacht crew position. Our recruitment division focuses on finding the perfect yacht for crew members and provides unparalleled professional support. Our recruitment experts guide crew members through every step of their yachting career journey, ensuring they receive the best possible assistance.

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128 JOBS FOUND

• Seasonal-could become permanent
• Qualifications: -
• Experience: Can be green if good cooking skills
• Salary: €2500-3000 DOE
• Experience: Similar
• Salary: €3000
• Qualifications: AEC minimum
• Salary: €3500-4000 DOE
• Qualifications: STCW, ENG1
• Experience: 1 year +
• Salary: tbd
• Temporary until end of May
• Qualifications: YachtMaster minimum
• Experience: Large sailing yachts and jet tenders
• Salary: DOE
• Seasonal until October
• Qualifications: YM offshore minimum

• Experience: 1-2 seasons
• Salary: €2700-3000 DOE
• Seasonal (possibly permanent)
• Qualifications: Master 200 / OOW 500
• Experience: as Mate/Chief Officer on larger boat
• Salary: 4500 euros
• Qualifications: Master Yachts 3000GT
• Experience: 3+ Years as Captain
• Salary: 10K+ Euro (DOE)
• Qualifications: STCW, ENG 1, ideally AEC1
• Experience: similar

Understanding the Yacht Crew Rankings

When it comes to the world of luxury yachts and superyachts , a well-organised and efficient crew is essential for the smooth operation and enjoyment of these magnificent vessels. Each crew member plays a vital role in ensuring that the yacht and its guests are well taken care of. To maintain order and clarify responsibilities, the yachting industry has established a hierarchical structure that outlines the ranks and positions within the crew.

Yachting Hierarchy

The yachting industry employs a range of professionals, each with their own set of skills and responsibilities. From the captain who commands the vessel to the deckhands who ensure its cleanliness, every crew member has a specific role to fulfil. Let’s take a closer look at the various ranks within the yachting hierarchy:

At the top of the hierarchy sits the captain, also known as the master. The captain is responsible for the overall operation of the yacht, including navigation, safety, and compliance with maritime regulations. Captains have extensive knowledge and experience in sailing, and their decisions hold the utmost authority on board. The captain oversees the entire crew, manages guest interactions, and ensures that the yacht operates smoothly.

First Officer

The first officer, also referred to as the chief officer, is second in command after the captain. They assist the captain in navigation, safety procedures, and crew management. The first officer is responsible for maintaining the yacht’s logbook, coordinating maintenance and repairs, and overseeing the deck crew. They often have excellent navigational skills and play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the vessel.

Second Officer

The second officer supports the first officer in various duties, such as navigation and safety. They are responsible for maintaining the yacht’s charts and nautical publications, as well as updating navigational equipment. The second officer also assists with the management of the deck crew and contributes to the overall smooth operation of the yacht.

Chief Engineer

The chief engineer holds a crucial role in maintaining and operating the yacht’s mechanical systems. They oversee the engineering department and ensure that the engines, generators, and other technical systems are functioning optimally. The chief engineer is responsible for maintenance, repairs, and the safety of the yacht’s machinery. Their expertise is essential for the smooth functioning of the vessel.

Deckhands are responsible for various tasks related to the maintenance and cleanliness of the yacht. They assist with docking, anchoring, and handling lines. Deckhands also maintain the yacht’s exterior, including washing, polishing, and painting surfaces. They play an important role in guest services, ensuring that the decks are tidy and providing assistance as needed.

Steward/Stewardess

Stewards and stewardesses, also known as interior crew or hospitality crew, focus on providing exceptional service to the guests inside the luxury yacht or superyacht. They are responsible for housekeeping duties, including cleaning cabins, making beds, and ensuring the yacht’s interior is pristine. Stewards and stewardesses also assist with table service, bartending, and event planning. Their attention to detail and excellent hospitality skills contribute to an unforgettable guest experience.

The chef onboard a yacht is responsible for creating exquisite meals and catering to guests’ dietary preferences. They design menus, source ingredients, and prepare delicious dishes that meet the highest culinary standards. The chef’s expertise is crucial in satisfying the gastronomic desires of the yacht’s guests and creating memorable dining experiences.

Chief Steward/Stewardess

The chief steward or stewardess oversees the interior department and coordinates the work of other interior crew members. They manage the service schedule, maintain inventories, and ensure that the guests’ needs are met. The chief steward or stewardess is responsible for maintaining high standards of cleanliness, organisation, and guest satisfaction within the interior department.

Last but certainly not least is the Cadet, often a junior member undergoing training to become a licensed officer. Imagine them as corporate interns, picking up skills under the tutelage of more seasoned team members. Cadets receive practical experience in a variety of capacities, gaining the know-how and abilities required to advance within the yachting industry. The Cadet, by assimilating knowledge from seasoned professionals and contributing to the operational performance of the yacht, essentially represents the future leaders of the yachting industry. A cadetship is a great method to obtain experience and knowledge if you’re thinking about a career in the yachting industry. Our cadetship course is developed to give aspirants the tools they need to succeed in this fast-paced setting.

What is an Epaulette?

In the yachting world, epaulettes play a significant role in identifying a crew member’s rank and authority. Epaulettes are decorative shoulder pieces worn on the uniform, displaying the individual’s rank through different stripes, badges, or other markings. These distinctive insignia serve as visual cues that allow both the crew and guests to quickly identify the roles and responsibilities of each crew member.

Crew & Captains Epaulettes Guide

The design of uniform epaulettes varies depending on the rank and position within the yacht’s crew.

Captain’s Epaulette

The captain’s epaulette typically features four gold stripes, symbolising their highest rank and authority on board. This distinguished marking indicates that the captain is responsible for the overall command and operation of the yacht.

Officer’s Epaulette

The epaulettes worn by officers often display three stripes, representing their position of authority and responsibility. The specific design and colour of the stripes may vary depending on the officer’s rank, such as the first officer or second officer.

Chief Engineer’s Epaulette

The chief engineer’s epaulette usually consists of two stripes, highlighting their expertise in the engineering department. These epaulettes indicate their responsibility for the proper functioning and maintenance of the yacht’s mechanical systems.

Deckhand’s Epaulette

Deckhands typically wear epaulettes without any stripes or with a single stripe, denoting their role as support staff within the deck department. Their primary responsibilities involve assisting with various tasks related to the maintenance and cleanliness of the yacht.

Steward/Stewardess’ Epaulette

The epaulettes worn by stewards and stewardesses can vary in design depending on the yacht’s specific uniform code. They often feature a single stripe or other distinctive markings that highlight their roles in providing exceptional service to guests.

Chef’s Epaulette

The chef’s epaulette usually showcases their culinary expertise through unique markings or badges. These epaulettes signify their responsibility for creating exquisite meals and ensuring a delightful dining experience for the yacht’s guests.

Chief Steward/Stewardess’ Epaulette

The chief steward or stewardess may wear epaulettes that highlight their leadership role within the interior department. These epaulettes often feature distinctive markings or additional stripes, distinguishing them from other stewards and stewardesses.

Understanding the yacht crew hierarchy and the significance of epaulettes is crucial for both crew members and those interested in the yachting industry. The clear structure and rank system contribute to the efficient operation of superyachts and luxury yachts, ensuring that each crew member knows their responsibilities and roles. Next time you step onboard a yacht, take a moment to appreciate the expertise and coordination among the crew members, making your experience memorable and enjoyable.

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The Full List of Yacht Crew & Staff

Published on November 22, 2016

Working on board a super yacht is a fascinating career.  Life at sea, whilst demanding can be an extremely lucrative and exciting career path. But do you know the full list of yacht crew and staff? And what it takes to work on a yacht?

Whilst it is more suited to the younger generations, the process and types of crew involved with running these magnificent vessels is impressive.

Of course, the types of staff required for each vessel vary depending on the size of yacht and the type of yacht.  In the super yacht world, it is likely that a large number of the below crew will be involved for each yacht. Wow, the staff required to operate a yacht... Click To Tweet

Here is an overview of the crew involved in building, maintaining, and running these floating mansions: 

As captain it is you are responsible for the crew, guests and vessel. Every crew member and even visiting guests fall under your command and you have the final say on all yacht decisions.  Alongside your qualifications , expect to be paid a high salary in return for your professional service.

Captain/Engineer – A multi-faceted role, this combines the skills of captain with Engineer.  A highly sought-after type of crew, they will straddle the skills for both captaining the boat and ensuring engineering issues are dealt with whilst at sea.

1st Officer – Sometimes known as Chief Officer or Chief Mate is second in command to the Captain and manages all the deck crew including the Bosun, Deckhand and any second or third officers.  You would be required to undertake bridge duty and thus have a good range of qualifications and skills.

2nd Officer – Is the second-ranking position to the 1st Officer.  You would require a good level of qualifications   and skills to achieve this position.  A 2nd Officer may also be designated in additional areas such as security, medical, or safety, depending on background and specific skills.

3rd Officer – Is the third-ranking position to the 2nd Officer.  Qualifications and skills as per the other officer roles are required.

Chase Boat Captain – A chase boat  is a vessel which does not live on the main yacht and often has their own crew. These can be towed, driven separately, or berthed in a convenient location.

Chase boats are becoming very popular due to restrictions in tender garage space.  As the name would suggest this role refers to the captain who is in charge of the chase boat and subsequent crew.

O.O.W (Officer On Watch) – This is a deck officer in charge of keeping watch on the ships bridge and overseeing navigation whilst on duty.  The OOW ensures the ship complies with all COLREGS and safety protocols.  This position requires additional qualifications in order to help perform the said duties.

Bosun  – Sometimes referred to as the Leading Hand or Senior Deckhand, the Bosun is an experienced deckhand most likely able to take on additional and extra responsibilities.  They tend to be the main tender driver and take additional responsibilities in security.  Like a deckhand, less qualifications are required, but flexibility and the ability to take direction and blend into the team environment is very important.

Lead Deckhand – As the name suggests, the Lead Deckhand will be in charge of the other deckhands.  Generally, only found onboard yachts where more than one deckhand is required, this is a position of responsibility. Ultimately the buck stops with the lead deckhand, so it takes a strong personality and adaptive approach to get the job done regardless of the day or hour!

Security Officer – Super yachts are valuable and expensive items, so a dedicated security officer is commonplace.  Spending 60 million on a superyacht is considered to be a mid-level purchase in the superyacht world!

Security officers are often employed to take control of all aspects of security, from when the yacht is moored in the bay (and the crew depart for downtime) through to being moored on land.  This position is suited to close protection and military background candidates with specific qualifications in security.

Commercial  Shipping Master – This is a phrase referring to a Captain of a commercial shipping vessel.  They are in essence the captain of the boat (see captain) but will typically be in charge of commercial operations rather than private or chartered yachts and super yachts.

Professional Race Crew – These are unique and exceptional individuals, with a strong background in shipping.  Race crew members require a high level of qualification and ability to focus whilst leading the crew and vessel to compete in international competitions.

Purser – Is in charge of the interior and financial matters in accordance to the ship.  Normally found on large yachts and superyachts, the Chief Steward will report to the purser.  Due to the amount of admin required a strong background of accounts and bookkeeping is required.

Chief Steward/ess – Will be the most experienced member of the Steward team.  They will often be in charge of recruiting and training less senior members of the team.  The chief steward should have the ability to think ahead, plan for every possibility and focus on the finishing touches and detail required for the very highest standard of service. Yachting qualifications and a proven history of working onboard large yachts are required for this position.

2nd Steward/ess – Second in command to the Chief Steward, the 2nd steward is in charge of all duties as requested by their superior.  The 2nd steward ensures interiors, housekeeping, laundry and the presentation of the vessel is spotless.  Their duties may include anything from childcare (if required) to pet care.  They work closely with the crew to ensure that the guest and clients experience onboard is perfect.

Steward/ess – A role found onboard every yacht or superyacht, the steward is in charge of client experience.  From housekeeping through to food and drink service, the steward helps with all aspects of running the yacht.  Stewardesses are expected to work long hours and have a good, positive and flexible attitude.

Stew/Deck – This is a combined role between a Steward and Deck crew member.  This role straddles both the interior and exterior of the yacht and is a popular choice when needing additional staff on board.

Solo Steward/ess – Typically found on much smaller vessels, the solo steward will be the only steward on board.

Head Chef – Is perhaps one of the most important roles on board. The right chef is the key to a successful crew and perfect guest experience.

A head chef must have a wide range of culinary experiences, and be able to take part in the service for the guests if required, including Silver Service , Buffet Service and Fish filleting at the table.

Sous Chef   /2nd Chef – The assistant to the head chef, the sous chef will help the Head Chef with all cooking duties and also cook for the crew of the yacht.  Often this role is combined with a steward position, but on the larger vessels this may be a self-contained role (see Cook/Stew).

Cook/Stew – This role combines cooking with steward duties.  Assisting the head chef, and then performing standard Steward duties (see Steward).

Cook – This position is suited to an individual who is less experienced as a chef but enjoys cooking.  This would be a candidate who is happy to cook for the crew and guests (if required),and will be often used during off duty hours (for example if the chef is sleeping).  Generally, not an individual role (unless the yacht is very big), this is a good skill for any of the main crew to have on their CV.

Head of Housekeeping – Often this role is found in the larger vessels or commercial cruises, this person would be in charge of housekeeping and be a specialist in this subject.  They would oversee the duties and work closely with the Chief Stew.

Laundry Personnel – This may be a crew member with additional skills in laundry, or on the bigger vessels this may be a dedicated role.  This role is typically found more in commercial shipping where the cruise ships require a huge amount of laundry each day at sea.

Beauty/Spa therapist – This is a role-specific with skills in line with beauty and holistic treatments.  Superyachts will generally have an area for pampering and your role on the vessel is to satisfy the client’s needs.  You would need to have traditional therapist qualifications , along with your yachting qualifications.  It is often common to combine the role of 1st Officer/2nd Officer with a combination role.

Masseuse – Involved in the beauty/spa area onboard, the masseuse role is to relax and treat the guests at their leisure.  From sports massage through to Swedish and reflexology, a range of massage techniques is preferred.  Again, this role can be combined with the Beauty/Spa therapist (depending on the size of the yacht) and can also be combined with main crew duties.

Fitness Trainer – Roles specific for personal trainers or fitness coaches, these team members would work with the guests in the dedicated gym areas helping with fitness goals whilst at sea.  These might be specific training programmes or general conditions.  Again, this role might be a combined role with other crew duties.

Nurse – An important role, particularly if the yacht doesn’t have facilities for helicopter landing.  Qualifications must be in line with medical guidelines, and the nurse or Doctor should have ability to cope with a wide range of illness and ailments.  Up to date First Aid and yachting qualifications will also be expected.  Again, this role can be combined with the main crew duties.

Engineering

Chief Engineer – This member of the team is required to oversee and ensure that the electrical and engineering of the yacht is operating without issues.  They should be flexible and willing to help fix not only important problems, but even be willing to help fix a broken toilet!

At sea the right part might not be immediately accessible, so an engineer should be able to troubleshoot and think outside the box.

2nd Engineer – Second in command to the Engineer, the 2nd engineer assists and helps with all duties around the maintenance of the vessel.

3rd Engineer – Third in command to the Engineer.

ETO (Electrician Technical Officer) – Normally employed on larger vessels where the support is required.  They report to the Chief Engineer.

Electrical Engineer – Again this role is similar to the ETO.  Reporting to the Chief Engineer and holding qualifications in Electrical maintenance.

Pilot – For the larger vessels, commercial and cruise yachts, access to the vessel is often by air (helicopter or seaplane).  The larger vessels may well have their own aviation permanently stationed on the yacht, and in turn a pilot is required to fly the appropriate aircrafts.

Shore Based

Admin – As the title suggests this team will manage the administration, HR and paperwork of the yacht.  Working closely with the purser onboard and with the owner of the vessel, ensuring that the specific operation of the yacht is always managed correctly.

Admin will be closely linked to the Captain, Purser and Chief Steward on the yacht and will involve a whole host of specialised skills from graphic designers through the tech, online support teams.

PA – This role is suited to a highly organised and efficient team member.  Working closely with the admin team and the crew onboard the yacht.

Villa Staff – As the name would suggest, this would encompass a wide range of shore-based staff to work within the villa’s typically frequented by the yacht.  This could range from a Butler through to Nanny, Housekeeper, Chauffeurs etc.

Contract Workers

Alongside the main crew of the yacht, there are contract workers who are brought in for yacht maintenance. As and when this might be required.  These roles are self-explanatory. And they all work to ensure that the yacht is maintained. Any repairs are done efficiently when the yacht is in port or moored for the day.

Roles include: Day Worker, Varnisher, Painter, Spray Painter, Carpenter. Shipwright, Metal Fabricator, Welder, Rigger, Laminator, Electrician. Electrician Expert, Sail Maker, Project Manager. Customer Service Staff and Catering Staff.

How Polo & Tweed Can Help

Did you find this full list of yacht crew & staff helpful? And would you like to work on a yacht? Get in touch with us! Polo & Tweed regularly source and place the finest yacht crew around the world.  If you are interested in registering with us or are looking to recruit your new crew members, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Kate cancer latest: Harry and Meghan release statement; King speaks of 'pride' in Kate

Kate, the Princess of Wales, has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. We've had statements from the King and Harry and Meghan. Read the latest, with analysis from royal correspondents Rhiannon Mills and Laura Bundock, below.

Friday 22 March 2024 21:19, UK

• Princess of Wales
• Royal Family

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

• Princess of Wales reveals she is having cancer treatment
• Watch Kate's video statement
• Kate statement in full : What she told children, William 'great source of comfort', focused on 'full recovery'
• King 'proud of Kate for her courage'
• Harry and Meghan wish 'health and healing for Kate'
• Rhiannon Mills analysis : This is not a knee-jerk reaction to the media coverage
• Thomas Moore medical analysis : Chemo can be brutal - but outlook is better than it's ever been
• Live reporting by Emily Mee , Bhvishya Patel and (earlier)  Jess Sharp

Members of the public have been sharing their thoughts and well wishes after the Princess of Wales's cancer diagnosis.

One person said it was "very hard to find out" about the diagnosis and "heartbreaking".

"We are all human beings and we have to be kinder to each other," she said.

Another person said it was "awful news" because Kate "was quite young".

Meanwhile, another person added: "It goes to show you shouldn't speculate things and should respect peoples privacy."

The Princess of Wales's cancer diagnosis is going to "take a while to sink in", a former Royal Family GP has said.

Speaking to Sky News, Dr Anna Hemming said "in these cases it can be quite fortunate that the cancer cells are found early".

"When things are found early, the recovery from the cancer is extremely successful," she said. 

"When somebody has such a surprise diagnosis like her royal highness has had, it takes quite a moment to sink in. She may not have any symptoms and having had surgery she is recovering from that at the same time."

She added: "It is obviously not so common when you are in your early 40s to have a cancer diagnosis.

"This is obviously a shock when people are in their early 40s but it can also be positive because it is found at that point.

"Luckily, for the Princess of Wales it has been found - it sounds like it is incredibly early in the stage of the cells and hopefully everything has gone."

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte have sent their well wishes to Kate this evening.

"Your strength and resilience inspire us all," he said.

Gary Goldsmith, Kate's uncle, has said his "thoughts and prayers are with Kate and the wider family at this difficult time".

He said many will have seen that he was featured in Saturday's Times Magazine, but added the interview was done "over a week ago" before he was aware of Kate's diagnosis.

He said the following...

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said his thoughts are with the Princess of Wales following the news of her cancer diagnosis which was "so courageously shared".

Mr Trudeau issued this statement  on X...

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have wished "health and healing" for the Princess of Wales.

They said they hoped Kate and her family were able to heal "privately".

"We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace," Harry and Meghan said in a statement.

Political commentator Owen Jones has said he is "ashamed" he speculated on the Princess of Wales without considering she could be suffering from a serious health condition.

He has posted the following message on X...

The England manager has given a brief statement on the Princess of Wales, giving his "best wishes to her and her family".

Gareth Southgate has a close bond with the family as Prince William is president of the Football Association.

The manager was speaking ahead of tomorrow's match against Brazil but took a moment to send his well wishes to Kate. 

"It was a remarkably dignified statement. We have a close relationship with the family so we're very upset to hear the news. Hopefully everything goes well," he said.

Stormont's leaders, Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly, both sent messages of support on social media shortly after Kate revealed her cancer diagnosis in an emotional video message.

In her message on X, Sinn Fein's Ms O'Neill said she was "very sorry" to hear the news and sent her best wishes.

The DUP's Ms Little-Pengelly said Kate will be "in the thoughts and prayers of so many across Northern Ireland".

"Sending heartfelt best wishes and love from so many in Northern Ireland to the Princess of Wales," she said. 

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said his thoughts and prayers were with the Princess of Wales and her family.

He added: "Wishing her a full and speedy recovery."

Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said Kate should now be left in peace to focus on her health.

In a social media post, she said: "Wishing the Princess of Wales speedy recovery to full health and hope that she can now be left in peace to focus on her health and her family."

Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie said cancer is an "invasive and insidious disease that many within our wider society face on a daily basis".

The former prime minister has wished the Princess of Wales "a full and rapid recovery".

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IMF Says It Reaches Staff Level Accord With Pakistan to Disburse $1.1 Billion

FILE PHOTO: A man walks past the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, U.S., May 10, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo

By Ariba Shahid and Asif Shahzad

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -The International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday it had reached a staff level agreement with Pakistan, which if approved by its board, will disburse $1.1 billion for the South Asian country's broken economy as it struggles with a balance of payment crisis.

The funds are the final tranche of a $3 billion last-gasp rescue package Pakistan secured last summer, which averted a sovereign debt default. Islamabad is also seeking another long-term bailout.

"The IMF team has reached a staff-level agreement with the Pakistani authorities on the second and final review of Pakistan's stabilization program," the IMF said in a statement.

"This agreement is subject to approval by the IMF's Executive Board," it added. The deal expires on April 11 and while Pakistan has yet to be added to the IMF's executive board's calendar, officials say board approval is expected sometime in April.

The deal comes after the IMF mission held five days of talks with Pakistani officials to review the fiscal benchmarks set for the loan.

"Pakistan's economic and financial position has improved in the months since the first review, with growth and confidence continuing to recover on the back of prudent policy management and the resumption of inflows from multilateral and bilateral partners," the IMF said.

However, growth is expected to be modest this year and inflation remains well above target, as Pakistan needs more policy reforms to address its "economic vulnerabilities", the lender added.

Pakistan's sovereign dollar bonds rallied, with several gaining more than 1%. All of its sovereign dollar bonds were trading above 75 cents on the dollar after a remarkable rally so far this year. The 2026 maturity was bid at 88.53 cents, 21 cents higher than in January and more than 50 cents above its level a year ago.

NEW AGREEMENT

The IMF said Pakistan had expressed interest in another bailout during the review talks, with discussions on a medium-term programme expected to start in the next few months.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told his cabinet on Wednesday that Pakistan needed a new IMF loan, adding that increasing the tax base was mandatory for securing this deal.

"The IMF agreement will improve the country's economy," Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said in the cabinet briefing, according to a statement from Sharif's office.

The government has not officially stated the size of the additional funding it is seeking. Bloomberg reported in February that Pakistan planned to ask for a loan of at least $6 billion.

Ahead of the stand-by arrangement, Pakistan had to meet IMF conditions including revising its budget, and raising interest rates as well as generating revenues through more taxes and hiking electricity and gas prices.

It had also recommended reforms in loss-making state-owned enterprises, including the national flag carrier, Pakistan International Airline (PIA), which Islamabad has already put up for sale.

The cabinet also approved setting up a holding company to park the airline's debt and liabilities, the statement said, terming it an important milestone toward its privatisation.

The IMF said the government was committed to these measures, and called for broadening the tax base as well as adjusting power and gas tariffs.

Economist Sakib Sheerani said the new long-term agreement would be focusing more on deeper structural conditionality such as the public sector wage and pension bill.

(Reporting by Asif Shahzad in Islamabad and Ariba Shahid in Karachi; editing by Miral Fahmy and Gareth Jones)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

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Tags: United Nations , Pakistan , loans

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Claims hospital staff at The London Clinic tried to access Kate Middleton's private health records referred to police

Britain's health minister says she's asked police to investigate claims that staff at the hospital where Kate, Princess of Wales, had surgery in January, attempted to access her private medical records.

The UK's data-protection agency — the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) — will also probe the allegations about The London Clinic, a private Marylebone facility with a long history of treating the royals.

Health Minister Maria Caulfield told Sky News that London's Metropolitan Police had been asked to look at the claims, which first appeared in British press late on Tuesday.

She told Sky News in the UK that it was "pretty severe and serious stuff to be accessing notes that you don't have permission to".

She said it would be "very disappointing" if the claims were true, and "there are very strict rules about which patient notes you can access".

Although, a police spokesperson said the organisation was unaware of the directive.

Kensington Palace said: "This is a matter for The London Clinic."

In a statement, the hospital said its staff were aware of their "individual, professional, ethical and legal duties" and that it had systems to "monitor management of patient information".

"There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues," it said.

On Wednesday, a spokesperson for the ICO confirmed the body had "received a breach report and are assessing the information provided".

Hospitals 'obliged to self-report' data breaches

The princess had abdominal surgery in January and spent about a fortnight in the hospital.

Few details have been released about her subsequent recovery, and she is expected to return to royal duties next month.

A photo, released by Kensington Palace to mark Mother's Day, fuelled conspiracy theories online when several major news agencies said they were not running it because it had been manipulated.

Earlier this week, pictures surfaced of the princess and her husband, William, who is heir to the British throne, shopping near their Windsor home . It was the first time she'd been filmed walking since the surgery.

The London Clinic also treated King Charles III for an enlarged prostate, and cancer, this year.

Other high-profile patients include the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, who was admitted for "abdominal investigations" in 2013. 

The late Queen Elizabeth's sister, Princess Margaret, had a benign skin lesion removed there in 1980.

US president John F Kennedy and Hollywood actress Liz Taylor are also among the A-listers to receive treatment at the London Clinic, while former British prime minister (and current Foreign Secretary) David Cameron was born there in 1966.

Hospitals 'obliged to self report' private data breaches

Iain Wilson, a London solicitor who specialises in medical privacy, told the ABC that organisations like hospitals are "obliged to self-report" if they believe private data has been breached.

"Most organisations that are handling sensitive data have systems on their databases where logins are recorded," he said.

"So if someone logs into a database based on access records, then there'll be a note, and a log somewhere to show which username accessed the records at any particular time."

Mr Wilson said people convicted of an offence under the UK's Computer Misuse Act could face two years behind bars.

He also said the ICO could also impose its own punishments, including fines of up to £17.5 million ($38 million), or 4 per cent of an organisation's global turnover.

The royals have previously had their health information breached.

In 2012, two Australian radio DJs from 2Day FM prank-called the King Edward VII's Hospital, which was treating the-then pregnant Catherine, pretending to be Queen Elizabeth and Charles.

A senior nurse who was on duty answered the phone before transferring the call to a colleague, who divulged details of the royal's bout of acute morning sickness to the radio hosts. 

The royal family did not make an official complaint over the privacy breach, but the hospital's chair Lord Simon Glenarthur condemned the prank.

The nurse who answered the call died by suicide a couple of days after the conversation went to air, and at the inquest into the nurse's death, Coroner Fiona Wilcox said the hoax was "clearly pressing on her mind" when she died .

The broadcaster said it accepted full responsibility for the making of the telephone call and its broadcast.

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Israeli diplomats pre-emptively attack findings of Unrwa inquiries

UN refugee agency criticised by Israel, which claims Unrwa staff were implicated in 7 October Hamas attacks

Israeli diplomats have pre-emptively attacked the findings of two inquires into the role of the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency, Unrwa, in Gaza, on the day that one of the inquiries submitted its interim finding to the United Nations secretary general, António Guterres .

Unrwa has come under heavy criticism since Israel accused 12 of its Gaza staff of 13,000 of being implicated in the 7 October Hamas attack on southern Israel. The agency denies the charge and says no solid evidence has been presented to support it.

The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) launched an investigation on 29 January after the Israeli allegations. Parallel to the OIOS inquiry, a broader review of Unrwa’s activities and neutrality is under way, led by a former French foreign minister, Catherine Colonna , and supported by three Nordic research organisations.

The Colonna review was commissioned by Guterres in January, before the Israeli allegations were made. The review group, which presented its interim findings on Tuesday, found that “Unrwa has in place a significant number of mechanisms and procedures to ensure compliance with the humanitarian principle of neutrality.”

But the UN spokesperson Florencia Soto Nino said investigators had “also identified critical areas that still need to be addressed”.

She did not specify which issues had been identified, but said: “The review group will now develop concrete and realistic recommendations on how to address these critical areas to strengthen and improve Unrwa.” The final report on Unrwa will be made public on 20 April.

Israeli diplomats in London hit out at both investigations on Wednesday, vowing that Israel would never let the agency back into Gaza regardless of the outcomes. One Israeli diplomatic source said: “A double game has been played by Hamas and Unrwa, so much so that Unrwa is a Hamas strategic asset.”

The diplomats said Unrwa could not be reformed and claimed that international donors that have suspended funding for the agency might be misled into restoring it by the inquiries. Both inquiries had been given overly narrow terms of reference and the OIOS inquiry is not taking fresh evidence that Israel was compiling in the field about the alleged depth of Hamas infiltration, the diplomats said.

Israel also released new figures claiming its intelligence showed that 2,135 Unrwa staff were members of Hamas, representing 17% of the total workforce in Gaza, of whom at least 400 were active fighters.

A senior Israeli diplomat said: “Unrwa is so penetrated in Gaza, it cannot be repaired. This is the policy of the state of Israel. We want to see an end to Unrwa activity in Gaza. This is not a case of a few bad apples. It is systemic, consistent and cannot be ignored. It is not possible that Unrwa did not know 17% of its staff were Hamas operatives.

“There are a number of alternative organisations that are already active on the ground that have played major roles in conflicts and know how to operate in Gaza.”

The claims of Hamas infiltration could not be independently verified, and Israel’s critics say insufficient evidence has been presented publicly.

The US has said the agency has an “absolutely indispensable role” to play in distributing aid in Gaza, where the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, has said the “entire population” is suffering “severe levels of acute food insecurity”.

On Wednesday, the World Bank warned that half the population of the Gaza Strip was at imminent risk of famine, one day after the UN said Israel’s severe restrictions on aid into Gaza coupled with its military offensive could amount to using starvation as a “weapon of war”, which would be a war crime.

The Israeli officials admitted that they faced a challenge in phasing out Unrwa’s food distribution role at a time when even its allies were demanding a big increase in aid flows into Gaza but made the point that alternative agencies could take up the task.

“We have to figure out how to increase a humanitarian effort inside Gaza without providing aid through an organisation that’s essentially very closely intertwined with the enemy that we’re trying to defeat,” the source said.

The initial Israeli allegations led 16 donors to suspend contributions to Unrwa, and though some countries have begun to restore funding, partly worried by reports of an imminent famine, the big donors – US, Germany and the UK – have yet to make a decision.

In the past, UK ministers have said they cannot foresee an organisation being able to replicate Unrwa’s work, but a decision to restore funding is made more complicated if Israel, the de facto post-war authority in Gaza, demands that its operations be wound up.

A total of 13,000 Unrwa staff work in Gaza and 30,000 in refugee camps in the region, including Jordan, Lebanon and the West Bank.

Unrwa was given a mandate in 1949 by the UN general assembly to carry out “direct relief and works programmes” for Palestine refugees.

On Tuesday the Guardian revealed that according to internal UN documents, Unrwa staff working with Palestinians in the occupied West Bank have been subjected to a systematic campaign of obstruction and harassment by the Israeli military and authorities since the beginning of the conflict in Gaza five months ago. A spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces said in response they had “no issues with Unrwa in the West Bank”, adding: “We are not trying to harass them.”

Israeli officials have long criticised Unrwa, but ramped up pressure after the allegations were made against Unrwa employees over the Hamas attacks. In recent weeks, a stream of anti-Unrwa rhetoric from senior officials has inflamed public sentiment.

On Tuesday, Israel’s main ally, the US, defended the need for the Unrwa commissioner Philippe Lazzarini and his staff to visit Gaza, a day after Lazzarini publicly complained that Israel had blocked him.

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Russia says 40 killed and more than 100 wounded in attack on Moscow concert hall

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MOSCOW (AP) — Several assailants burst into a large concert hall in Moscow on Friday and sprayed the crowd with gunfire, killing at least 40 people, injuring more than 100 others and setting fire to the venue in a brazen attack just days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on power in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide.

It wasn’t immediately clear what happened to the attackers, and there were no immediate claims of responsibility for the raid, which Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described as a “huge tragedy” and which state authorities were investigating as terrorism. The attack, which left the concert hall in flames with a collapsing roof, was the deadliest in Russia in years and came as the country’s war in Ukraine dragged into a third year.

Russia’s Federal Security Service, the main domestic security and counter-terrorism agency, said 40 people were killed and more than 100 were wounded in the attack at Crocus City Hall, a large music venue on Moscow’s western edge.

The assailants threw explosives, triggering the massive blaze at the hall, which can accommodate 6,000, according to Russian news outlets. Video from outside showed the building on fire, with a huge cloud of smoke rising through the night sky. The street was lit up by the blinking blue lights of dozens of firetrucks, ambulances and other emergency vehicles, as several fire helicopters buzzed overhead to dump water on the blaze.

The attack took place as crowds gathered for a performance by the famous Russian rock band Picnic. Russian news reports said concertgoers were being evacuated, but that an unknown number could have been trapped by the blaze.

The prosecutor’s office said several men in combat fatigues entered the concert hall and fired on concertgoers.

Repeated volleys of gunfire could be heard in videos posted by Russian media and on Telegram channels. One showed two men with rifles moving through the venue. Another showed a man inside the auditorium and saying the assailants had set it on fire, as gunshots rang out incessantly in the background.

Other videos showed up to four attackers, armed with assault rifles and wearing caps, who were shooting screaming people at point-blank range.

Guards at the concert hall didn’t have guns, and some could have been killed at the start of the attack, Russian media reported. It wasn’t immediately clear what happened to the assailants, but some Russian news outlets suggested that they fled before special forces and riot police arrived.

As the blaze continued to rage late into the night, statements of outrage, shock and support to those affected streamed in from around the world.

Russian authorities said security has been tightened at Moscow’s airports, railway stations and the capital’s sprawling subway system. Moscow’s mayor canceled all mass gatherings and theaters and museums shut for the weekend. Other Russian regions also tightened security.

The Kremlin didn’t immediately blame anyone for the attack, but some Russian lawmakers were quick to accuse Ukraine of being behind it. Hours before the attack, the Russian military l aunched a sweeping barrage on Ukraine’s power system, crippling the country’s biggest hydroelectric plant and other energy facilities and leaving more than a million people without electricity.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, denied Ukraine’s involvement in the concert hall attack.

“Ukraine has never resorted to the use of terrorist methods,” he posted on X. “Everything in this war will be decided only on the battlefield.”

John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said Friday that he couldn’t yet speak about all the details but that “the images are just horrible. And just hard to watch.”

“Our thoughts are going to be with the victims of this terrible, terrible shooting attack,” Kirby said. “There are some moms and dads and brothers and sisters and sons and daughters who haven’t gotten the news yet. This is going to be a tough day.”

The attack followed a statement issued earlier this month by the U.S. Embassy in Moscow that urged the Americans to avoid crowded places in the Russian capital in view of “imminent” plans by extremists to target large gatherings in Moscow, including concerts. The warning was repeated by several other Western embassies.

Asked about the embassy’s notice issued on March 7, Kirby referred the question to the State Department, adding: “I don’t think that was related to this specific attack.”

Responding to a question about whether Washington had any prior information about the assault, Kirby responded: “I’m not aware of any advance knowledge that we had of this terrible attack.”

Putin, who extended his grip on Russia for another six years in the March 15-17 presidential vote after a sweeping crackdown on dissent, earlier this week denounced the Western warnings as an attempt to intimidate Russians.

Russia was shaken by a series of deadly terror attacks in the early 2000s during the fighting with separatists in the Russian province of Chechnya.

In October 2002, Chechen militants took about 800 people hostage at a Moscow theater. Two days later, Russian special forces stormed the building and 129 hostages and 41 Chechen fighters died, most of them from effects of narcotic gas Russian forces use to subdue the attackers.

And in September 2004, about 30 Chechen militants seized a school in Beslan in southern Russia taking hundreds of hostages. The siege ended in a bloodbath two days later and more than 330 people, about half of them children, were killed.

This story was updated to correct that John Kirby is a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, not the White House national security adviser.

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