A Parent's Guide to Their Child Joining Yacht Crew

What the job is

Professional crew work on private and charter vessels, under maritime regulation, with certificates, contracts and safety training. It is a career, not a gap year.

What worries parents most

Safety, isolation, contracts and whether the money is real. All are reasonable, and all are answerable.

Safety

Crew complete STCW Basic Safety Training before joining any vessel, and must hold a valid ENG1 medical. Commercially registered yachts operate under the Maritime Labour Convention.

The financial picture

Entry-level salaries are modest, but accommodation and food are covered. The real risk is the start-up period: certificates, flights and several weeks of living costs before the first job.

Questions to ask before they go

• Which certificates do they hold, and are they in date?
• Do they have travel and medical insurance?
• What is the budget for six weeks with no income?
• Who is their contact ashore, and how often will they check in?

The honest summary

Well-prepared crew do well. Unprepared crew run out of money in a foreign port. Preparation is the whole difference.