Dockwalking and Day Work: How to Find Casual Yacht Jobs

Dockwalking is how most green crew get their foot in the door. Here is how to do it well in Antibes, Palma and Fort Lauderdale.

Dockwalking — physically visiting marinas to ask yachts for day work — remains one of the most effective ways to break into the industry. It is old-school, but it works. What day work is Day work is casual, paid work, usually 100 to 150 EUR a day, doing tasks like washing down decks, polishing stainless, deep cleaning interiors, or provisioning. It is a chance for a yacht to try you out and for you to gain experience and references. How to dockwalk effectively Start early, around 7 to 8 am, when crew are washing down. Dress neat and practical: polo shirt, shorts, deck shoes. Carry printed CVs. Be polite, brief and confident: introduce yourself, ask if they need any day work, and leave a CV even if the answer is no. Where to dockwalk In the Mediterranean, Port Vauban in Antibes and the marinas of Palma are the classic spots. In the US, Fort Lauderdale is the hub. Crew houses in these towns are full of people doing the same thing — share leads. Turn day work into a job Every day of work is an audition. Work hard, be enthusiastic, and ask to be called again. Many permanent positions start as day work that turned into a green light. Combine dockwalking with agency registration for the best odds.