The Real Cost of Becoming Yacht Crew (No One Puts It All in One Place)
Courses are the smallest part of the bill. A line-by-line breakdown of what it actually costs to get your first yacht job — and where people lose money.
Most "how to become yacht crew" articles stop at the STCW course. That is the cheapest decision you will make. The real cost is the weeks you spend in a port town with no income, waiting for the right day-work to turn into a job.
This is the full budget, as honestly as we can put it. Figures are typical ranges at the time of writing; they move with season, city and exchange rates, so always check with the provider.
1. The non-negotiables
STCW Basic Safety Training. Five modules, usually five days. In Europe and the UK expect roughly €1,000–€1,500, depending on school and city. South Africa and some other countries are often cheaper. It must be from an approved provider — a cheap certificate from an unrecognised school is money burned.
ENG1 (or an accepted equivalent) seafarer medical. Done by an MCA-approved doctor. The fee is set centrally and is usually just over £100. Budget extra if the doctor needs a follow-up test.
Passport validity. Many captains and agencies want at least 12 months left. Renewing late, abroad, is expensive and slow.
2. The things people forget
- Visas. If you want Caribbean or US work, the B1/B2 visa application fee is currently US$185, plus travel to the embassy interview.
- Flights. One-way to Antibes or Palma, and a return fund. Never arrive with only a one-way budget.
- Crew house. Shared crew accommodation in the main hubs typically runs €25–€45 per night in season. Four weeks is €700–€1,300 before you eat.
- Food, phone, transport. Realistically €15–€25 a day if you are careful.
- Photos and CV. A clean, professional headshot and a properly formatted yacht CV. Poor CVs cost more in lost weeks than a good one costs to make.
- Uniform-ready clothes. Plain white polo shirts, navy shorts, non-marking deck shoes for day work.
3. The real variable: time
The biggest line on your budget is how long you stay unemployed. For a well-prepared newcomer in peak hiring months, that can be two to six weeks. Arrive at the wrong time of year and it can be far longer.
| Scenario | Typical total (excl. home-country flights) |
|---|---|
| Tight: 3 weeks, cheaper STCW, shared room | ~€2,500–€3,500 |
| Realistic: 5–6 weeks, EU course | ~€4,000–€5,500 |
| Unlucky timing: 8+ weeks | €6,000+ |
4. Where people waste money
- Bundled "yacht crew packages" that add courses no junior position requires. You rarely need Powerboat Level 2, food hygiene and a PDSD before your first job unless the role asks for it.
- Arriving out of season. The same four weeks cost the same money in November as in March; the hiring odds are very different.
- Crew agencies that charge candidates. Legitimate recruitment under MLC 2006 should not charge the seafarer placement fees.
- Not having a return fund. Desperation shows in interviews and leads to accepting bad boats.
5. How to cut the bill without cutting corners
- Book courses individually and compare approved schools.
- Do the ENG1 at home before you travel.
- Fix your CV before you fly, not in a crew house.
- Time your arrival for the main hiring windows (early spring for the Med, autumn for the Caribbean crossing).
- Treat day work as an interview — it is how most first jobs happen.
The honest bottom line
Becoming yacht crew is not a €1,200 course. It is a €3,000–€6,000 investment of money and nerve, and the difference between the low and high end is mostly preparation and timing.
If you want the numbers built around your country, passport and target season, our Career Roadmap does exactly that. Parents helping fund the move can start with our guide for parents.
Sources: MCA guidance on ENG1 medicals (gov.uk); US Department of State visa fees (travel.state.gov); ILO Maritime Labour Convention 2006, Regulation 1.4 on recruitment and placement.