Have you ever wondered how to start a career on the luxury pleasure vessels? Well, yes, everyone’s goal is to step on a 80-100m yacht one day and become a part of her crew.
There are over 10,000 yachts over 24 meters in the world and they are mostly moored in the Mediterranean and US coast. Yachting industry has approximately 150,000 to 170,000 crew members worldwide. What is it that makes you unique to stand out in yachting? Experience is the most important thing for boarding a yacht, but how to do it if you don’t have it yet? How to start building it? We are the answer to your problems!
Let’s start! For excellent profiling in the yachting industry your characteristics, communication skills, cheerful approach, organization and stress management are very important. But to apply for a job on a yacht the first things you need to have are STCW certificates, ENG 1 and Seaman’s book. The good thing is that you can do all those in AYA. Basic safety is a basic STCW certificate that every crew member must have. The course lasts 6 days and after passing the exam you get a certificate recognized from the EU, valid everywhere in the world. ENG 1 is a term for a medical certificate which proves that you are capable to work on a yacht as a crew member. Seaman’s book is a document issued by the Harbor Master’s Office in which your work on board is recorded.
Knowledge and experience are not the only essentials to enter this world easily! Certificates are the ones that catch the attention of the crew agent, the ship owner and the captain who hire you because the certificate is a confirmation that you are ready to work on your knowledge and progress day by day. Atlantis Yachting Academy created its courses according to the highest industry standards and adapted them to market requirements which is why we are recognized in the world of yachting.
Our courses will surely teach you and prepare you to enter this harsh industry that does not forgive mistakes, but will also position you very high on the evaluation list. Before each embarkation, you must understand the positions, requirements for those positions and what is expected of you as a crew member in that position, as well as report accordingly. It is not recommended to apply for all positions because you show an urgent need to board which is not a good sign.
Your training and qualifications are the most important elements to stand out, the more additional courses and the more knowledge and skills you have, the more attractive you are. Check AYA’s additional course list and find something that interests you and that will separate you from the rest. Your CV is your mirror, the first impression is decisive and the first thing a crew agent or captain gets is your CV. Fortunately, after completing one of AYA’s main courses you will be able to create a professional CV under guidance, so your CV can overshadow everyone else’s.
Create a list of crew agencies, captains and yacht owners. When you sign up for the first time, it’s better to do it in person instead of via e-mail because that way you create a better image of yourself and, psychologically speaking, it’s more difficult to turn you down. If you are unable to do so, send e-mails and make phone calls. Determine the daily and weekly list of visits and calls and decide which places you will call and which visit. Check in with them once a week and consider this to be part of your job. That way, boarding is guaranteed. A big advantage for AYA members are our contacts, our extensive network of crew agencies, yacht owners and captains will help you greatly with your employment. So far, AYA has managed to board all of its participants and everyone is extremely satisfied with their work.
