Certificates required for working on yachts

When you contemplate working on a yacht or in general get involved in shipping you will hear the word certificate being mentioned in every connection. It is today's money making racket and standardization of shipping that has brought it about. Also manufacturers wants to ensure that the product they are selling is certified to a certain standard. You can't even have a piece of uncertified steel onboard or plywood for that matter, same goes for the crew...

Sample of certficate

For starters you do not need any certificates to get employed on a yacht less than 300GT (or private), but many Owner's or Captain's insist on somekind of training. E.g. RYA Yachtmaster, STCW Basic safety etc. That is just to up the standard of crew and also for them to have an idea what the job is about. The other party that may require certification is the insurance - certified crew, lower premiums.

Below is what it takes to get on a commercial yacht that is >300GT and carries 12 guests.

Stewardess:

- STCW Basic safety training (all modules);

- Crowd management course (depends on size);

- ENG1 medical examination (or equivalent from your country);

- Yellow fever vaccination (if on worldwide itinerary);

- Valid passport;

- Seamans book (can be applied later).

Deckhand:

As stewardess and in addition:

- STCW Watchkeeping certificate for deck ratings (commercial yachts);

- Proficiency in handling lifeboats;

- Fast rescue boat course (if applicable);

Consider these courses as well:

- PADI open water diving course or Dive Master course;

- Jetski (PWC) course or better PWC instructor course;

- Water sports course + tender handling course.

Engine rating:

As stewardess and in addition:

- STCW watchkeeping course for engine ratings.

- Can also consider the additional courses as for deckhand.

The courses for stewardess takes a few weeks to get done but the watchkeeping course might take up to 1 yr depending on the country and school offering the course. It also takes a bit of commitment to spend the time and money.

E.g. Basic safety courses were cheaper in Sweden than on the Riviera, so it is worth shopping around.

The Seamanship Examiner: For STCW Certification Examinations

Update 2021:

- All ranks are required to have proficiency in designated security duties (don't be fooled by the security awareness course that is more suited for cruise ship staff that don't have a specific security duty);

- Stewardesses are these days required to have the health and hygiene course level 2;

- Ship cooks are required to have a cook certificate and/ or (depending on flag & class) health and hygiene level 3.