superyacht captains list

• Charter & Brokerage
• Yacht Design & New Builds
• Tenders & Toys
• Superyacht Events Calendar
• Career & Training
• Departments
• Superyacht Crew Finances
• Sustainability
• Shipyards and Marinas
• Health & Wellbeing
• Polar Region
• Our Services
• Meet the Team

Superyacht Crew Hierarchy: Understanding Roles and Responsibilities

Behind the scenes – or ‘below deck’ – on a Superyacht is a meticulously organised and skilled crew that ensures a seamless voyage for their guests. There is a distinct hierarchy onboard, where each crew member plays a crucial role in creating an unparalleled experience for the onboard guests. In this article, we delve into the Superyacht crew hierarchy, explaining everyone’s diverse roles and responsibilities – from top to bottom.

At the top of the Superyacht crew hierarchy, the Captain of a Superyacht works under the vessel’s owner or their representatives.

Ultimately, the Captain is responsible for the safe and smooth running of the ship – they are who each crew member answers to.

Their duties include (but aren’t restricted to):

• Managing admin
• Health and safety
• Compliance with maritime regulations
• Financial reporting

To reach this role, you will have to work your way up from most of the other onboard roles. Additionally, you must undertake a number of other qualifications and demonstrate a variety of knowledge and skills, including seafaring, admin, IT, health and safety, and even accounting.

Officer of the Watch (OOW)

Second in command to the Captain, the OOW is responsible for:

• Day-to-day running of the deck
• Navigation and running watches – when on passage
• Helping with the maintenance of the Superyacht
• Deck equipment inventory

Even though their duties usually go to the Captain on smaller vessels, the Purser’s role is still important.

Working under the Captain, the Purser:

• Takes care of financial matters (including accounting, purchasing food and drink, and cleaning supplies)
• Recruitment

In becoming a Purser, you need solid experience and knowledge of the Superyacht industry – as well as a STCW certificate and ENG1 Medical certificate. It’s crucial you also have numerous skills and qualifications (financial and IT related).

Chief Engineer

The Chief Engineer (as well as the 2nd Engineer working underneath) manages the Superyacht’s mechanical functioning.

Essentially, the Chief Engineer’s main responsibility is:

• Making sure the vessel’s mechanics run

For this role, sometimes starting off with Deckhand training is a good idea -it can provide a good introduction to Diesel Engine Maintenance as well as general maintenance and repairs.

Every Superyacht has a Head Chef to make sure guests relish their mealtimes throughout the course of the day! Sometimes, a Crew Chef is there to help too.

For this role, you need to complete the necessary culinary qualifications to become a chef. Experience of working as a Head or Sous Chef in a hotel or restaurant is also important, as well as the STCW Basic Safety Training certification!

The “Senior Deckhand”.

Their job is to:

• Take charge of daily cleaning and maintenance
• Drive the tenders
• Look after the Deckhands working under them

Chief Stewardess

The Chief Stewardess is in charge of:

• The Superyacht’s interior
• Service (guests must have a 5-star experience!)
• Looking after a team of Stewardesses

The Deckhand’s role is to help with deck operations.

These include:

• Maintaining and cleaning the yacht’s exterior
• Occasional security

Mostly, you answer to the Bosun.

It’s best to complete a Superyacht Deckhand course to pursue this role. Applying for a Bosun role could be your next step after a few seasons of experience with this job.

The Stewardess’ role is to:

• Help ensure guests have the best experience
• Working on the yacht’s interior
• Cabin preparation

Mostly, you answer to the Chief Stewardess.

Applying for the Chief Stewardess role could be your next step after a few seasons of experience with this job.

To keep up to date with the latest Superyacht Content News, click here .

Sign up to our Newsletter below:

Newsletter Signup

• Your Name First Last
• Your Email *

Maisie Granger

Related articles, top tips & tricks for yacht stews & stewardesses, 5 crew-specific courses you can take anytime, anywhere with maritime training academy, life after yachting: carmen preda. crew life & capseayachting, how a superyacht career prepared myrotat founder for entrepreneurship.

Popular Posts

• Tender Of The Week: Ring 1080 Trophy
• How to avoid cat-astrophe with a superyacht vet
• Top 5 Tips For Crew To Exchange Currency
• It’s not all tartan, tweed, and whisky: highlights from the Hebrides
• Watch Our Coverage Of The Superyacht Charities Ball 2023

Superyacht Content

Social media influencer and digital brand expert.

Superyacht Content brings you the latest in social news for the superyacht industry.

Keep up to date with us across our social channels, and don’t forget to hit that share button!

• Superyacht News
• Superyacht Jobs
• Superyacht Marketing

Join our Newsletter

Copyright © 2023 Superyacht Content | Website Design by Zonkey

Privacy | Credits | Get in Touch

By SuperyachtNews 08 Jul 2021

The Superyacht Captains Report

Out now, the superyacht captains report tackles the most pertinent issues for superyacht crew today….

In the context of the past 15 months, crew have been more significantly affected than most in the superyacht industry. For many, their raison d’etre all but ceased to exist, with cruising itineraries either reduced or entirely halted at the height of the traditional summer season. For those required to work, the transient nature of their job was in direct conflict with the stringent restrictions on movement imposed across the world, making many of the daily tasks exponentially more difficult.

With it undoubtedly being the most challenging period in living memory for those in the business of superyacht operation, this year’s The Superyacht Captains Report  took on the responsibility of covering the seismic shifts that have rippled through this sector, and their impact on superyacht crew, both systemic and human. 

Following an unprecedented year, this issue analyses data provided by Faststream Recruitment to better understand how the pandemic impacted superyacht captains’ perception of their roles. The data reveals that nearly half of superyacht captains (45 per cent) have had concerns about their job security over the past 12 months.

With the movement of superyachts and their crew an ongoing challenge throughout the pandemic, the issue also features an assessment of the real cost and impact of the added travel restrictions and requirements. As one captain describes; “For a dual-season yacht, the crew COVID-19 testing and agent fees when moving the boat, which before could have been avoided, has added up to two per cent to our annual running costs.”

As the pandemic brought the world’s cruise industry to a standstill, leaving many of its crew without work for more than a year, there has been an uptick in job applications from these crew for superyacht roles. In light of these reports, this issue considers their suitability for yachting and how the industry should respond to this moment in time.

However, not all the content in The Superyacht Captains Report is focused on the effects of the pandemic. Following a survey of a wide demographic of superyacht crew, this issue also reveals insights regarding the design and build trends being purported by the industry, and how they are reflected in the realities of a yacht’s usage.

Additionally, we look at the expanding role of the superyacht engineer in light of their ever-growing list of responsibilities. Training providers and recruitment specialists discuss the new challenges engineers face on increasingly high-tech vessels, and what should be done to ease the transition.

Furthermore, our annual curation of the best new tender models, and technologically advanced ‘toys’, returns in the form of The Tenders and Toys Directory. Once again, we have collaborated with the most respected tender builders, as well as the manufacturers of some of the most exciting technological leisure innovations being brought to market, to present owners and operators with a wish list of exciting innovations to choose from.

Following the recent announcement of The Superyacht Group Community , The Superyacht Captains Report will only be available to read to those with an Essential or Executive Membership . For just £10 per month, Essential Membership grants members access to the full suite of business-critical content available across SuperyachtNews.com and The Superyacht Report , including access to our complete library of back issues, and unlimited access to SuperyachtIntel .

To access The Superyacht Captains Report and be part of The Superyacht Group Community, please click here . 

Join the discussion

What are your thoughts on the topics that this issue raises?.

To post comments please Sign in or Register

When commenting please follow our house rules

Click here to become part of The Superyacht Group community, and join us in our mission to make this industry accessible to all, and prosperous for the long-term. We are offering access to the superyacht industry’s most comprehensive and longstanding archive of business-critical information, as well as a comprehensive, real-time superyacht fleet database, for just £10 per month, because we are One Industry with One Mission. Sign up here .

Related news

The endless summer

What is the cost of all this time in the sun?

The Superyacht Group Community

Through our content and memberships we have created a powerful, connected, collaborative and inclusive community. Welcome to the next stage of our evolution

COVID-19 vaccinations for superyacht crew

Some owners are requesting crew are vaccinated and making their continued employment contingent on it

In the engine room: from ferries to superyachts

Engineer Josh Chapman discusses his transition from P&O Ferries to yachting in light of the pandemic

Risks surrounding lithium-ion batteries on board

A look back at the conclusions drawn from the fire on board M/Y Kanga in 2018

Increasing number of crew looking to unlimited certification

One such crewmember discusses the condensed experienced-seafarer route to an OOW Unlimited ticket

3 years ago

Belgium leads the way in prioritising vaccines for seafarers

Sign up to the superyachtnews bulletin.

Receive unrivalled market intelligence, weekly headlines and the most relevant and insightful journalism directly to your inbox.

Sign up to the SuperyachtNews Bulletin

The superyachtnews app.

Follow us on

Media Pack Request

Please select exactly what you would like to receive from us by ticking the boxes below:

SuperyachtNews.com

Register to comment

Superyacht captain investigated on suspicion of manslaughter after deadly sinking

ROME — A multiple manslaughter investigation has been launched into the captain of a superyacht that sank in a violent storm off Sicily , killing British tech magnate Mike Lynch and five other people, his lawyer has told NBC News.

James Cutfield is also being investigated on suspicion of causing a shipwreck, the lawyer, Giovanni Rizzuti, said in a telephone conversation on Monday. He added that Sicilian prosecutors will question Cutfield, 51, again Tuesday.

In a separate interview Tuesday, Rizzuti said that Cutfield was expected to be questioned by prosecutors at around 3 p.m. local time (9 a.m. ET) at the hotel where the captain, crew and survivors have been staying following the shipwreck.

Being placed under investigation in Italy does not imply guilt and does not mean formal charges will necessarily follow. Notices to people under investigation need to be sent out before authorities can carry out the autopsies on the bodies of the dead.

It is unclear whether other members of the crew of the $40 million Bayesian or any other people will also be put under investigation along with Cutfield, a New Zealand national. 

After the luxury 180-foot vessel went down early last Monday, 15 of the 22 people onboard survived and were rescued from the waters off Porticello, a small fishing port off northern Sicily.

The body of Recaldo Thomas, a Canadian Antiguan national who was the ship’s cook, was recovered shortly after the ship went down. 

A massive search effort was then launched for Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, as well as Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of Morgan Stanley International and the British insurance firm Hiscox, and his wife, Judy; and a well-known New York City defense attorney, Christopher Morvillo, and his wife, Neda.

All of their bodies were eventually pulled from the wreck.

The Bayesian was owned by a firm linked to Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, who was one of the 15 people rescued after it capsized in what Italian officials called a “violent storm.” 

Built by Italian shipbuilder Perini Navi in 2008, the U.K.-registered Bayesian could carry 12 guests and a crew of up to 10, according to online specialist yacht sites. Its nearly 250-foot mast was the tallest aluminum sailing mast in the world, according to CharterWorld Luxury Yacht Charters.  

Lynch, who was regularly described in U.K. media as “Britain’s Bill Gates,” was acquitted by a San Francisco jury of fraud charges stemming from the 2011 sale of his software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion.

The Mediterranean sailing vacation was designed to be a celebration for Lynch, who took along those who appeared in his defense in U.S. court.

Announcing the opening of a manslaughter investigation at a news conference Saturday, prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio said the sinking could have been caused by “behaviors that were not in order.”

Claudio Lavanga reported from Rome and Henry Austin from London.

Claudio Lavanga is Rome-based foreign correspondent for NBC News.

Henry Austin is a senior editor for NBC News Digital based in London.

A day in the life of a superyacht captain

It’s easy to think that a captain’s job is to drive a superyacht to glamorous locations and drop the anchor in idyllic anchorages, but as Kelly Gordon and other captains will tell you, that’s only a tiny part of the role. 

For Kelly Gordon, captaining a superyacht was something she never imagined until she had already started a career as a chemistry professor when a chance encounter at a party on a large motor yacht changed everything. Now, having uncovered her passion for the sea and having achieved the ultimate position as a superyacht captain, Gordon is not only a role model for female crew who want to pursue a career on the deck and engineering side of superyachts, but is also an active advocate of crew mental health. But what exactly does a superyacht captain do, and is it just about driving the yacht from A to B and making sure the crew keep it in top condition?

The simple answer, says Gordon, is no – and in fact the role of a modern yacht captain is highly complex and multifaceted. Take Gordon’s current command, for example – a 33-metre private yacht that cruises extensively with the owning family on board. “My responsibilities of course encompass safely operating and navigating the boat – that’s the technical side of it,” Gordon begins. “But actually the smallest element is navigation and operation, and the far bigger side is crew management. I spend a tremendous amount of time with the crew, making sure everyone’s got what they need.

“Along with that too,” she continues, “is making sure that the owners and their family have what they need, and understanding what their plans are. Where do they want to go? What are they wanting to do? It’s about making sure they are always well cared for.”

Changing landscapes

The early days of yachting were, in some ways, a much simpler time. Yachts on average were smaller, and captains and crews often came from a sailing or boating background. There were elements that a captain had to understand and undertake, such as holding a recognised commercial skipper’s ticket, keeping logs, managing the yacht’s accounts and so on. But as the fleet has grown and as yachts have grown, so too have the duties expected of captains.

“As a captain, especially the larger and larger you go in terms of yacht, you become the CEO of a company in a way,” Gordon offers. “But you’re doing what you’re trained to do. To operate and navigate the yacht actually ends up being the smaller percentage of what you do, and the day-to-day is emails, paperwork, schedules, plans, maintenance if you’re in the shipyard, and whether you charter or are private you still need to know where the boss or potential guest wants to go, and show them a good time.”

Paper tigers

One thing that has definitely changed over time is the increasing burden of paperwork related to regulatory elements such as the International Safety Management code (ISM) and in some cases the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS). “The biggest change I’ve seen since I started is a regulatory change,” offers Captain Steve Osborne . “I find myself spending more and more time on more and more paperwork. There’s a lot of delegation you can do, but you have to really start to understand a lot of the legal frameworks of where you’re going [with the yacht] and be a bit more cautious and pay a bit more attention, because rules have changed over time and are a bit more stringent now.”

Gordon agrees that the burdens have increased, but also argues that there are benefits. “The paperwork has grown, but I think it’s a good thing,” she asserts. “I actually think there probably can stand to be a little more regulation in the industry. When I talk to my buddies who are working on commercial vessels and I see how things are done – granted, they have their own sets of issues as well – I think it’s good that we take a page or two out of their book.”

Mind over matter

One of the biggest elements of being a superyacht captain is being able to look after a superyacht crew, and that means not only nurturing and mentoring crew members but also, increasingly, being aware of other issues that can arise – particularly when crews are living in close quarters and working long hours.

“The driving-the-boat bit is easy, that’s our bread and butter,” says Captain Matthew Pownell-Jones. “It’s the other stuff that no one actually teaches you – how to care about the crew, how to listen to someone who has maybe just joined the crew and has a problem that no one knows about. The crew is a floating family, and if that’s the way you think of it then that’s how I feel a team works well.”

It’s something that Gordon has put front and centre not only of how she runs her own yacht and crew, but also of raising awareness in the industry of the importance of mental health considerations. “I’m pretty hard-charging in the mental health space for crew and the yachting industry,” she says. “I’m determined that we will see change, and will see a better and safer workplace for crew, both in terms of general safety on board and also in terms of mental safety.

“I’m not that old – I am only 42 – and just over the course of my life and in my 15 years in this industry I’ve seen it change in terms of being able to talk about it, and it being accepted as a conversation and as part of our overall health. It’s so important because on board we don’t work a nine-to-five then clock out and get to go home to our safe space.”

Guest appearance

For all the paperwork, planning and crew management, there is of course the part that makes superyachting what it is – yacht owners and yacht charterers enjoying what a superyacht offers and the places it can take them. It’s perhaps the final piece of the puzzle for an experienced superyacht captain.

“For private cruising or for yacht charter alike, first of all, you want to make sure the yacht is clean and ready to present to the boss or the guests and that each crew member knows who’s doing what,” Gordon enthuses. “If it’s a little booze cruise, the stews need make sure all the drinks are on board and that the yacht interior looks pretty nice and warm and fuzzy. My engineer has to make sure everything’s operating and working, and then the guys on deck make sure that everything’s taken care of on the exterior.

“Then with me, it’s communicating back and forth with the family or the charter guests as to where they want to go or what they want to do, and then communicating that to my crew. And when it gets busy and the days get long, with the crew potentially on call, I try to balance everything by making sure everyone is getting breaks, and offsetting the crews’ functions so that there’s always someone up with the guests and always someone getting some rest to be able to relieve whoever’s on duty.

“People ask me that the best part of my job as captain is outside being able to utilise my skill of navigation and operation of the yacht,” she concludes, “and my favourite part of the job is also the most difficult part – and that’s the crew. I love them to death. My current boat is a happy, fun, loving, playful, hard-working professional boat, but it’s taken a long time to put that together. If you work at it as a captain and you put the time in and invest in finding and mentoring, you can create that.”

Do you work in the superyacht industry? Yes No I would like to receive updates from Superyacht Life

Don’t miss out

Sign up to our newsletter and get our latest stories delivered monthly to your inbox.

A Quick and Easy Guide to Superyacht Deck Careers

For those looking to enter the superyacht industry from the outside, a career on deck represents the ultimate escape from the drudgeries of a 9-to-5 office job, thanks to its winning combination of sunlight, fresh air, physical activity and travel.

From deckhand, to bosun, to chief officer, all the way up to superyacht captain, there are ample opportunities for progression within a fulfilling and unique career which can be lifelong if you play your cards right. But you might be wondering, how do you navigate the career ladder from scrubbing teak to steering a multi-million dollar vessel? Here, we present a quick and easy guide to deck careers, with some help from the recently-launched careers guidance platform, Academy by Ephemeris , whose comprehensive deck pathway clearly lays out the steps you need to climb in order to reach your goals. Indeed, as Alex Freeman, a former yacht chief officer with 16 years of ocean experience says: “If I was currently looking for my first deck position without any qualifications, Academy by Ephemeris would be the perfect platform to help me figure out exactly what I needed to do in order to get there.”

Deckhand: The day to day

As the entry point for a deck career, the deckhand’s primary responsibility is cleaning and maintaining the exterior of a yacht as a member of the deck team. Headed up by the bosun, the deck team assists in docking operations, drives the tenders, launches and stows toys, supervises guests’ watersports activities and supports the interior crew when needed. 

Working as the most junior member of the deck team, there will inevitably be a lot of dirty work. In other words, be ready for a lot of cleaning and polishing when the owner and guests are not on board. Whether that is scrubbing teak, polishing stainless steel, or cleaning cushion covers, you will be tasked with keeping the boat looking its most beautiful at all times.

How do I become a deckhand? Qualifications and training

As outlined on the Academy by Ephemeris deck pathway, before you become a deckhand, or take on any crew position, you are required to have STCW Basic Safety Training and be able to produce a ENG1 medical certificate to ensure that you can evidence being both safe and medically fit enough to perform your role. Alongside these bare minimum requirements, there are also numerous additional qualifications you can consider working towards in order to help you scale the deck career ladder.

These include a National Powerboat Certificate, a VHF Radio Operator Course and a MCA Yacht Rating Certificate, with some larger motor yachts also requiring a certificate in Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD) for those who have security duties on ISPS-compliant yachts above 500GT (gross tonnage). For more information, visit the Academy by Ephemeris website.

Bosun: The day to day

If you’ve banked at least two years as a deckhand/lead deckhand and have natural leadership qualities, the next logical step is to apply for a bosun position. As the most senior member of the deck department, you will oversee and manage all on-deck operations, including docking and anchoring procedures, the maintenance of tenders, toys and other onboard equipment, and delegate tasks on a daily basis to more junior crew members. Reporting directly to either the first officer or the captain, the bosun serves as a vital link between the deck department and the bridge, helping to ensure that the day-to-day operations of the vessel run as safely and smoothly as possible. 

The bosun is also in charge of safety on deck, meaning that it is vitally important that you are well versed in the yacht’s safety procedures and have all of the relevant qualifications in this area.

How do I become a bosun? Qualifications and training

Although there is no single prescriptive list of qualifications for a bosun position, alongside the STCW certificate, ENG1 Medical Certificate and PB2 or IYT Tender Driver License, generally you will also be required to hold an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore or IYT Master of Yachts <200GT as a bare minimum.

First/Chief Officer: The day to day

As the captain’s second in command, the first/chief officer has wide ranging responsibilities which will keep you constantly on your toes - in a good way! This includes overseeing all deck operations and maintenance, managing deck crew, watchkeeping, as well as performing various administrative duties. The first officer is also required to have up-to-date knowledge of all onboard safety procedures in case of an emergency, and must be able to step up to manage the bridge and navigation systems in the captain’s absence.

How do I become a First/Chief Officer? Qualifications and training

By the time you reach this level on the deck careers pathway, it is all about securing the relevant ‘Certificate of Competency.’ To qualify for a ‘Chief Mate Certificate of Competency’, you must either hold an OOW (Officer of the Watch) Yacht <3000 GT, II/1 Certificate of Competency or have completed all of the requirements for this qualification. In addition, you also need to be in possession of either an IYT Master of Yachts Unlimited or an RYA Yachtmaster Ocean, as well as fulfilling numerous other requirements, such as holding a valid Seafarers Medical Fitness Certificate. Since this role comes with a high level of people management, prospective chief officers should also ensure that they work on their interpersonal skills through courses such as the MCA approved ‘Human Element Leadership and Management Course’, so that they can evidence the ability to both effectively manage and lead crew.

Captain: The day to day

Finally, after successfully scaling the deck careers pathway, we have reached the much revered role of superyacht captain. Alongside actually driving the boat, captains are often described as the ‘CEOs’ of a boat, as they are responsible for running every aspect of a vessel. Their broad-ranging list of daily tasks includes hiring and managing crew, controlling onboard costs, planning and executing voyages to suit the requirements of owners and charter guests, organising repairs and maintenance, ensuring that the boat adheres to all international, flag and port state regulations, maintaining the highest levels of safety and security on board - and the list goes on! Another way of looking at this position is that the captain is ‘chief problem solver’, on a yacht, tasked with ensuring that all onboard issues (whether crew-based, practical or logistical) are resolved as efficiently and smoothly as possible, so that the owner and their guests can enjoy the highest possible levels of service during their time at sea.

How do I become a Captain? Qualifications and training

As with the Chief Mate position, in order to secure a position as a superyacht captain you will need to have the relevant Certificate of Competency: in this case, the Master Yachts <500GT/<3000GT Certificate of Competency. Unsurprisingly, this has a highly thorough process to back it up, including a plethora of licenses which must be secured and a rigorous oral examination to truly put you through your paces. Furthermore, as you would expect from a position with so many facets to it, it takes far more than just having the relevant qualifications to secure your first appointment as a superyacht captain. Other important factors which are considered for a captain’s position include the amount of time spent on board yachts, geographical and yacht handling experience, people management skills, the degree of financial common sense and many more. Since you will be reporting either to the owner’s representative, or the owner themselves, each owner will require a captain to precisely fit their vessel size and itinerary, as well as their own personality, meaning that it is a myth that there is a certain ‘type’ of person suited to becoming a captain. Nevertheless, although qualifications alone won’t necessarily get you all the way to locking in your first captain’s role, being able to show evidence of additional or specialist courses such as ‘Advanced Training for Ships Operating in Polar Waters’ and ‘Helicopter Landing Officer Training’ can also help you make an impression on an owner and stand out from the crowd in what can be extremely tough and competitive interviews. To explore Academy by Ephemeris’ deck pathway for yourself, visit the company’s website here.

Post your comment

You cannot post comments until you have logged in.

No one has commented on this page yet.

RSS feed for comments on this page | RSS feed for all comments

Search articles with keywords

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Conservation and Philanthropy
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• BOATPro Home
• Superyacht Insight
• Global Order Book
• Premium Content
• Product Features
• Testimonials
• Pricing Plan
• Tenders & Equipment

Captains' views on ideal superyacht design

A superyacht’s ideal design, layout and feature list will vary depend on who you ask, whether they’re a family member, the yard’s engineers, her prospective crew, or her one-day master.

Out of that group, it’s often the captains who can advise on what are the must-have features in a yacht, and how it can be organised to be as efficient as possible.

So questioned six experience captains on their views on the space planning and features that add up to a well-functioning yacht.

Our Experts

Captain Greg Butler-Davis: 56m Perini Navi S/Y Panthalassa

Captain Kaj Christensen: formerly of 42m Cantieri Navali Nicolini M/Y CD TWO

Captain Robert Bleecke: 36.6m Benetti M/Y _Sea Blue’Z

Captain Anders Lauridsen: 41.8m W.A. Souther & Son M/Y _D’Angleterre II_

Captain Mark Coxon: 50m Benetti M/Y QM of London

Captain Eddy West: 82m Devonport M/Y Sarafsa

To these captains, the perfect yacht would range between 130 feet and 215 feet, allowing for berthing in the popular ports clients like to visit. ‘We are 49.9m,’ says Captain Coxon, ‘which is pretty perfect because regulation-wise we can squeeze into ports such as St. Tropez.’

Captains Bleecke and Christensen both agree they would choose semi-explorers – with a large, seaworthy bow for Christensen (but not too commercial looking) and a helideck and hangar for Bleecke, plus enough fuel, refrigeration, freezers and safety features to make it self-sustainable for up to three months

Guest areas

When it comes to the interior, the captains have very definite and differing opinions: Captain Christensen would opt to have the owner’s level below the bridge deck – it’s more important that the captain can see where he’s going rather than the owner, he maintains.

But Captain Coxon would always place the master suite on the top deck where it’s quiet, private and has the best views. Captain West agrees; the owner’s cabin aft on the upper decks is away from anchor noise and daily morning crew set up.

West’s guest cabins would be on the main deck to allow for large windows and plenty of light.

Captain Lauridsen points out the value of having two VIP cabins so that if two couples charter the yacht they feel equally accommodated. In the case of D’Angleterre II , a sliding dividing wall turns two cabins into a large double VIP with en suite for this purpose.

QM of London has an additional guest cabin instead of a second salon, something that Captain Coxon says works really well.

The jury is out on the temptation to do away with a large salon and/or dining room and move more living space outdoors. Coxon favors the idea; he’s worked on yachts with enormous salons that were never used. But Lauridsen is not so keen; the dining room is used by his guests, especially those with children, and as D’Angleterre II is a Mediterranean yacht, you get days when the weather turns bad.

They both insist that the galley needs to be on the same deck and as close to the key dining area as possible – but for charter yachts, it’s difficult to judge where that area is going to be.

A common enough feature, but a useful one, suggests Captain Lauridsen, is a bar area in between the main aft deck and the salon. The stewardess can be constantly on hand to serve guests without being or feeling like she is actually in the way.

In Lauridsen’s 15 years of experience, some yacht features are considered desirable but then hardly ever used – ‘like barbecues,’ he says, ‘or Jacuzzis or gyms’. After several requests for a gym facility, D’Angleterre II acquired an exercise bike last year, which now sits gathering dust.

‘People like the idea of being energetic and working out, but it doesn’t last,’ he says. He reasons that the important thing is that guests know they have a wide and varied choice – and fair enough, he concedes.

Rather than a sweaty room, Captain Coxon suggests exercise facilities should be outside in the fresh air.

‘Don’t forget the crew gym,’ jokes Captain West, not entirely tongue-in-cheek.

In terms of the crew area, space looms large on a captain’s dreamboat – albeit a dream they don’t expect to come true. But Captain Lauridsen highly recommends single cabins for chief engineers (and first officers, if possible, adds Coxon).

Good, qualified engineers are hard to find, maintains Lauridsen, which is why he’d do his utmost to give them what they want; he believes chief engineers will opt for less pay if the job came with private space. ‘From the owners point of view, captains are a necessary evil who spend money.’ he jokes, ‘But worse, chief engineers also are always spending money on the yacht but seem to sit around looking dirty all day!’

Everyone needs a bed, and not the trivial additions that Captain Coxon has experienced, such as Pullman berths in the crew area. He’d like to see audio-visual facilities in each crew cabin so crew can switch off and be alone.

While there’s a trend for shared crew cabins to be en suite, Captain Lauridsen isn’t convinced. D’Angleterre II has a “boys” and a “girls” bathroom, which are both accessed from the corridor. It means crew can come and go without disturbing their resting or sleeping cabin mates.

A small but not irrelevant point lies in the laundry room, a space often overlooked on the drawing board; to iron 8 to 10 feet of table linen, you do need a bit of space, point out our captains.

Captain West would like the bridge to be located just aft of the foredeck, which would be dedicated as an area for crew to relax during breaks – a point confirmed by Captain Lauridsen, who says, ‘Ideally, there would be direct outdoor access to the foredeck where crew know they can go to get a bit of fresh air.

‘It’s easier to have a better crew if you have these things. A little bit of extra thought earns you longevity with your crew. And crew longevity saves a lot of money.’

They all agree there is only one place for the captain’s cabin – behind the bridge.

‘You need to be able to hear what’s going on and sleep with the door open if necessary,’ says Coxon.

And in Lauridsen’s opinion, if you put a captain’s cabin downstairs the calibre of the captain you recruit may suffer as top captains will want to be near the bridge.

Captain Christensen would keep modern technology to a necessary minimum on the bridge, and Captain Bleecke likes the idea of an ergonomic bridge. Although Bleecke favors conventional propulsion systems, he’d opt for diesel/electric propulsion if it could be fitted on a 50m boat.

He’d also incorporate a dynamic positioning system to allow him to stop anywhere without having to drop anchor, giving him the pleasure of ‘flicking the Vs’ at maritime officials looking to charge him extortionate mooring fees or fines for anchoring throughout the Mediterranean.

Although now a common feature on many yachts, Captain Lauridsen really would like some zero-speed stabilizers.

Captain West’s wish list goes on to include bow and stern thrusters powerful enough for 30-knot wind on the beam, a huge swim platform (‘They’re never big enough once you’ve got the tables and sun beds set up’) and a high-pressure jet wash for hull windows and topsides.

He also recommends a crew interior corridor from foredeck to swim platform to ensure guest privacy.

Captain Christensen would consider anything that helps with recycling, and he’d like to see a Jacuzzi holding tank that’s able to pump the water back into the pool on arrival in port rather than having to dump and re-fill.

‘You want very big tenders,’ says Captain Lauridsen. ‘That’s important for all our clients. Take St. Tropez, for example, you can have 100 yachts anchoring off the village in the summer with lots of traffic in the water. You want a big tender to make sure guests are comfortable and don’t get sprayed.’

‘Exactly right,’ agrees Captain Coxon. And to avoid the problem of storing a large tender, Coxon does, and always would, opt to tow it.

‘It means you’re not limited by size; it’s always instantly available and it must be able to fit in all the guests at once,’ Coxon insists. If he didn’t tow, he’d store a tender on the aft deck with a beam crane.

Captain West is keen on fold-down flush crew tender/rescue boat chocks on the foredeck and guest tenders to be stowed in interior tender bays through shell doors.

Is Perfection Attainable?

For Captain Butler-Davis, the perfect yacht is a difficult concept to quantify. A perfectly good yacht needs to perform well with reliable and functional systems, excellent naval architecture and quality materials. The available space needs to be used in a logical manner with the right proportion allocated to engineering, owner/guest and crew areas.

Design-wise, the yacht should withstand the test of time and not simply seek to challenge new boundaries. Other considerations are build cost, operational cost, charter-ability, resale value and environmental impact.

‘As most yacht designers will acknowledge, the vast majority of yachts represent a compromise between one or more of the contrasting requirements,’ Butler-Davis explains. Add all these elements together and perfection seems implausible.

‘There are always legitimate reasons why you have different kinds of “stuff” on board,’ says Captain Coxon, ‘stuff the owners might want, stuff charter guests might want and stuff that makes the captain’s life easier. But yachts are rarely ideal for everyone.’

One thing he believes a perfect yacht does need is a perfect management company and a perfect crew.

‘Ideally, the whole management structure of the yacht means everyone is working in the same direction – which is not something that just happens, you have to work at it.’

Sign up to BOAT Briefing email

Latest news, brokerage headlines and yacht exclusives, every weekday

By signing up for BOAT newsletters, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy .

More stories

Most popular, from our partners, sponsored listings.

Back to Blog

Captains Clients Superyacht Industry Insights

Superyacht Captain salary survey 2023 18 December 2023

captain salary survey crew salary survey superyacht captain superyacht salaries yacht captain

In our biggest salary survey yet, we have uncovered detailed insights into Superyacht Captain salary and leave packages.

Almost 300 Captains responded across a range of yacht sizes from sub-30m to 100m+. In addition to average pay and leave, pay rise and bonus activity, the 20+ page report also compares Captain and Chief Officer experience, ticket level, longevity onboard and comparisons to our 2020 and 2022 survey findings.

Some top-level statistics are:

• Every yacht bracket has seen a salary rise since 2020 and 2022.
• Full rotation is also increasing and becoming more prevalent on sub-50m yachts, with an 11% decline overall in Captains with less than 59 days leave.
• Two-fifths of Captains receive an annual pay rise, although this is not part of their contract.
• 38% receive a 13th-month bonus, but random and unpredictable bonuses are more commonplace.
• 70% of Captains have Master 3000.
• Exactly half of the Captains who responded have more than 10 years’ experience in the role and 32% were Chief Officers for 3 to 5 years prior.
• A third have been Captains on their current yacht for more than 3 years.
• Flight allowance improves with yacht size, with 49% of Captains receiving Business Class flights as part of their package.
• The average age at which respondents first became Captain is 32.5 years old.

The full report contains a comprehensive analysis of salaries and leave in each yacht size bracket and also compares full time with rotational roles, as well as explores any correlation between experience and type of ticket.

Simon Ladbrooke, Captain Consultant at Quay Crew, commented:

“In our most detailed salary report to date, we have gained an insight into the real-time compensation Captains receive, broken down by yacht size and with several other comparables too.

“A key takeaway this year is that, despite a slight decline in salaries between 2020 and 2022, the average monthly pay is now higher across all size brackets, representing a median 6.75% increase.

“Time for time rotation has also grown in popularity on all sized yachts, with the exception of <39m yachts which are all full-time at the moment.

“By gathering Chief Officer experience as well as longevity on their current yacht, we can surmise that onboard promotion is on the rise. The average age that someone becomes Captain is now older and the number of years of experience as Chief Officer is higher, suggesting the transition is also taking longer.

“This is undoubtedly down to there being more competition amongst candidates and it being more difficult to make that initial step up.

“Yet, almost three-quarters say it took them less than 6 months to get their first Captain role. This could be, along with the extensive CO experience demonstrated in this survey, largely down to onboard promotion.

Having said that, we were very surprised at this statistic as it doesn’t match at all with our experience. Often, Chief Officers are looking for several years before they finally get their opportunity. It’s something we definitely want to explore further in another survey.”

All HOD salary surveys are available on our client portal, which you can request access to here.

About the author

Simon Ladbrooke

Compassion at christmas: the yachting edition, interview questions to ask as a captain candidate.

• Superyacht Recruitment Services
• Superyacht Captain Recruitment
• Partnerships
• Meet the Team
• Work for Us
• Current Vacancies
• Crew Resources
• Candidate Login
• Candidate Registration
• Client Login / Register
• Candidate Login / Register

The Full List of Yacht Crew & Staff

Published on November 22, 2016

Working on board a super yacht is a fascinating career.  Life at sea, whilst demanding can be an extremely lucrative and exciting career path. But do you know the full list of yacht crew and staff? And what it takes to work on a yacht?

Whilst it is more suited to the younger generations, the process and types of crew involved with running these magnificent vessels is impressive.

Of course, the types of staff required for each vessel vary depending on the size of yacht and the type of yacht.  In the super yacht world, it is likely that a large number of the below crew will be involved for each yacht. Wow, the staff required to operate a yacht... Share on X

Here is an overview of the crew involved in building, maintaining, and running these floating mansions: 

As captain it is you are responsible for the crew, guests and vessel. Every crew member and even visiting guests fall under your command and you have the final say on all yacht decisions.  Alongside your qualifications , expect to be paid a high salary in return for your professional service.

Captain/Engineer – A multi-faceted role, this combines the skills of captain with Engineer.  A highly sought-after type of crew, they will straddle the skills for both captaining the boat and ensuring engineering issues are dealt with whilst at sea.

1st Officer – Sometimes known as Chief Officer or Chief Mate is second in command to the Captain and manages all the deck crew including the Bosun, Deckhand and any second or third officers.  You would be required to undertake bridge duty and thus have a good range of qualifications and skills.

2nd Officer – Is the second-ranking position to the 1st Officer.  You would require a good level of qualifications   and skills to achieve this position.  A 2nd Officer may also be designated in additional areas such as security, medical, or safety, depending on background and specific skills.

3rd Officer – Is the third-ranking position to the 2nd Officer.  Qualifications and skills as per the other officer roles are required.

Chase Boat Captain – A chase boat  is a vessel which does not live on the main yacht and often has their own crew. These can be towed, driven separately, or berthed in a convenient location.

Chase boats are becoming very popular due to restrictions in tender garage space.  As the name would suggest this role refers to the captain who is in charge of the chase boat and subsequent crew.

O.O.W (Officer On Watch) – This is a deck officer in charge of keeping watch on the ships bridge and overseeing navigation whilst on duty.  The OOW ensures the ship complies with all COLREGS and safety protocols.  This position requires additional qualifications in order to help perform the said duties.

Bosun  – Sometimes referred to as the Leading Hand or Senior Deckhand, the Bosun is an experienced deckhand most likely able to take on additional and extra responsibilities.  They tend to be the main tender driver and take additional responsibilities in security.  Like a deckhand, less qualifications are required, but flexibility and the ability to take direction and blend into the team environment is very important.

Lead Deckhand – As the name suggests, the Lead Deckhand will be in charge of the other deckhands.  Generally, only found onboard yachts where more than one deckhand is required, this is a position of responsibility. Ultimately the buck stops with the lead deckhand, so it takes a strong personality and adaptive approach to get the job done regardless of the day or hour!

Security Officer – Super yachts are valuable and expensive items, so a dedicated security officer is commonplace.  Spending 60 million on a superyacht is considered to be a mid-level purchase in the superyacht world!

Security officers are often employed to take control of all aspects of security, from when the yacht is moored in the bay (and the crew depart for downtime) through to being moored on land.  This position is suited to close protection and military background candidates with specific qualifications in security.

Commercial  Shipping Master – This is a phrase referring to a Captain of a commercial shipping vessel.  They are in essence the captain of the boat (see captain) but will typically be in charge of commercial operations rather than private or chartered yachts and super yachts.

Professional Race Crew – These are unique and exceptional individuals, with a strong background in shipping.  Race crew members require a high level of qualification and ability to focus whilst leading the crew and vessel to compete in international competitions.

Purser – Is in charge of the interior and financial matters in accordance to the ship.  Normally found on large yachts and superyachts, the Chief Steward will report to the purser.  Due to the amount of admin required a strong background of accounts and bookkeeping is required.

Chief Steward/ess – Will be the most experienced member of the Steward team.  They will often be in charge of recruiting and training less senior members of the team.  The chief steward should have the ability to think ahead, plan for every possibility and focus on the finishing touches and detail required for the very highest standard of service. Yachting qualifications and a proven history of working onboard large yachts are required for this position.

2nd Steward/ess – Second in command to the Chief Steward, the 2nd steward is in charge of all duties as requested by their superior.  The 2nd steward ensures interiors, housekeeping, laundry and the presentation of the vessel is spotless.  Their duties may include anything from childcare (if required) to pet care.  They work closely with the crew to ensure that the guest and clients experience onboard is perfect.

Steward/ess – A role found onboard every yacht or superyacht, the steward is in charge of client experience.  From housekeeping through to food and drink service, the steward helps with all aspects of running the yacht.  Stewardesses are expected to work long hours and have a good, positive and flexible attitude.

Stew/Deck – This is a combined role between a Steward and Deck crew member.  This role straddles both the interior and exterior of the yacht and is a popular choice when needing additional staff on board.

Solo Steward/ess – Typically found on much smaller vessels, the solo steward will be the only steward on board.

Head Chef – Is perhaps one of the most important roles on board. The right chef is the key to a successful crew and perfect guest experience.

A head chef must have a wide range of culinary experiences, and be able to take part in the service for the guests if required, including Silver Service , Buffet Service and Fish filleting at the table.

Sous Chef   /2nd Chef – The assistant to the head chef, the sous chef will help the Head Chef with all cooking duties and also cook for the crew of the yacht.  Often this role is combined with a steward position, but on the larger vessels this may be a self-contained role (see Cook/Stew).

Cook/Stew – This role combines cooking with steward duties.  Assisting the head chef, and then performing standard Steward duties (see Steward).

Cook – This position is suited to an individual who is less experienced as a chef but enjoys cooking.  This would be a candidate who is happy to cook for the crew and guests (if required),and will be often used during off duty hours (for example if the chef is sleeping).  Generally, not an individual role (unless the yacht is very big), this is a good skill for any of the main crew to have on their CV.

Head of Housekeeping – Often this role is found in the larger vessels or commercial cruises, this person would be in charge of housekeeping and be a specialist in this subject.  They would oversee the duties and work closely with the Chief Stew.

Laundry Personnel – This may be a crew member with additional skills in laundry, or on the bigger vessels this may be a dedicated role.  This role is typically found more in commercial shipping where the cruise ships require a huge amount of laundry each day at sea.

Beauty/Spa therapist – This is a role-specific with skills in line with beauty and holistic treatments.  Superyachts will generally have an area for pampering and your role on the vessel is to satisfy the client’s needs.  You would need to have traditional therapist qualifications , along with your yachting qualifications.  It is often common to combine the role of 1st Officer/2nd Officer with a combination role.

Masseuse – Involved in the beauty/spa area onboard, the masseuse role is to relax and treat the guests at their leisure.  From sports massage through to Swedish and reflexology, a range of massage techniques is preferred.  Again, this role can be combined with the Beauty/Spa therapist (depending on the size of the yacht) and can also be combined with main crew duties.

Fitness Trainer – Roles specific for personal trainers or fitness coaches, these team members would work with the guests in the dedicated gym areas helping with fitness goals whilst at sea.  These might be specific training programmes or general conditions.  Again, this role might be a combined role with other crew duties.

Nurse – An important role, particularly if the yacht doesn’t have facilities for helicopter landing.  Qualifications must be in line with medical guidelines, and the nurse or Doctor should have ability to cope with a wide range of illness and ailments.  Up to date First Aid and yachting qualifications will also be expected.  Again, this role can be combined with the main crew duties.

Engineering

Chief Engineer – This member of the team is required to oversee and ensure that the electrical and engineering of the yacht is operating without issues.  They should be flexible and willing to help fix not only important problems, but even be willing to help fix a broken toilet!

At sea the right part might not be immediately accessible, so an engineer should be able to troubleshoot and think outside the box.

2nd Engineer – Second in command to the Engineer, the 2nd engineer assists and helps with all duties around the maintenance of the vessel.

3rd Engineer – Third in command to the Engineer.

ETO (Electrician Technical Officer) – Normally employed on larger vessels where the support is required.  They report to the Chief Engineer.

Electrical Engineer – Again this role is similar to the ETO.  Reporting to the Chief Engineer and holding qualifications in Electrical maintenance.

Pilot – For the larger vessels, commercial and cruise yachts, access to the vessel is often by air (helicopter or seaplane).  The larger vessels may well have their own aviation permanently stationed on the yacht, and in turn a pilot is required to fly the appropriate aircrafts.

Shore Based

Admin – As the title suggests this team will manage the administration, HR and paperwork of the yacht.  Working closely with the purser onboard and with the owner of the vessel, ensuring that the specific operation of the yacht is always managed correctly.

Admin will be closely linked to the Captain, Purser and Chief Steward on the yacht and will involve a whole host of specialised skills from graphic designers through the tech, online support teams.

PA – This role is suited to a highly organised and efficient team member.  Working closely with the admin team and the crew onboard the yacht.

Villa Staff – As the name would suggest, this would encompass a wide range of shore-based staff to work within the villa’s typically frequented by the yacht.  This could range from a Butler through to Nanny, Housekeeper, Chauffeurs etc.

Contract Workers

Alongside the main crew of the yacht, there are contract workers who are brought in for yacht maintenance. As and when this might be required.  These roles are self-explanatory. And they all work to ensure that the yacht is maintained. Any repairs are done efficiently when the yacht is in port or moored for the day.

Roles include: Day Worker, Varnisher, Painter, Spray Painter, Carpenter. Shipwright, Metal Fabricator, Welder, Rigger, Laminator, Electrician. Electrician Expert, Sail Maker, Project Manager. Customer Service Staff and Catering Staff.

How Polo & Tweed Can Help

Did you find this full list of yacht crew & staff helpful? And would you like to work on a yacht? Get in touch with us! Polo & Tweed regularly source and place the finest yacht crew around the world.  If you are interested in registering with us or are looking to recruit your new crew members, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

• Accessibility [a]
• To the top of this page [t]
• To the main content of this page [c]
• To the bottom of this page [b]

An Essential Yachting Directory  The Ultimate Superyacht Services Guide 

Get the latest updates from the superyacht services guide, clearvac engineering asia appoints new general manager.

Clearvac Engineering Asia is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Scott Duncanson as their new General Manager.

Aug 7th 2024

New consultants Strengthen GMBA's Marina & Marine tourism expertise

Global Marine Business Advisors (GMBA) today announced the appointments of Melanie Symes and Falk Morgenstern to represent GMBA in Spain and Germany,…

Aug 9th 2024

Orams Marine Services: For refit planning, the personal touch matters

Refitting superyachts in Auckland since 1987, the team at Orams Marine has plenty of experience when it comes to scheduling a refit work list, and knows…

Aug 12th 2024

Captain's Recommended Service

Recommend a service.

Where your reputation matters....

Can you RECOMMEND someone, a place or a service that others should know about?

Buy the guide

Get your latest superyacht services guide.

ORDER your Guide ONLINE NOW & get it posted wherever you are in the world!

Latest Captain's Quotes

Copper bay networks.

“Extremely knowledgeable and incredibly efficient”

Catamaran Marina

““Coming back to the Catamaran Marina is like being home"”

Caraibes Diesel Services

““Erwan and his team provided a really good service when carrying out a complete rebuild on a Caterpillar engine – and delivered on time!””

Palma Superyacht Village

“The Palma Superyacht Show is in a class of its own - friendly, manageable and in a beautiful city.”

BWA Yachting - New England and New York

““Kristi is willing to go the extra mile, handles all requests given to her with a smile.””

Get the latest weather and marine traffic updates...

Weather forecast, marine traffic.

Ever since the first Superyacht Services Guide covering the Caribbean launched, it has been an invaluable tool for all onboard whether in new locations or well known ones. With the ever growing global coverage of the guides and online version it is a go to for finding trustworthy services all over the world. Capt Graham Newton - SY Hetairos

Be a superyacht Captain

So you want to become a superyacht captain.

The Captain of any yacht has one primary duty; the safe manning and operation of the yacht. This includes taking full responsibility for the crew, tenders, toy and all the guests onboard.

Job Role of a Superyacht Captain

As a rule, the smaller the yacht, the more hands-on the Captain must be. The larger the yacht, the more administrative duties the Captain will hold. A superyacht Captain specialises in commanding and managing luxury yachts over 24 metres in length.

Every crew member falls under the ultimate command of the Captain and will answer to him/her.

What does a Superyacht Captain do?

As a superyacht Captain, you’ll be at the top of your game, responsible not only for the yacht itself, but also for its crew, itinerary and navigating safe passages across the oceans. You’ll be in control of budgeting, administration, refit projects, yard visits, personnel, health and safety, to name but a few.

Personality traits

What personal traits are beneficial for this role.

You will need great communication skills to deal with owners, contractors, crew and guests alike. You will be dedicated to a career at sea and will already have established yourself in the industry having worked your way up the deck officer ladder building a reputation as a first-class professional along the way.

As a Captain, you must be highly skilled at dealing with people, both crew and the owner/guests. Personnel management skills are critical within this role.

Skills required to be a Superyacht Captain

What skills or experience are required.

Captains must have considerable maritime experience and training.  A Captain of a superyacht has to have excellent seafaring knowledge, a good grasp of accounting, IT and administration and also deal with authorities on matters such as paperwork and health and safety.

Previous experience of yacht handling is essential and handling a yacht of the same or similar sizes a distinct advantage.

Benefits of being a Superyacht Captain

Your role really will be all-encompassing and you’ll answer to the yacht’s owner about all the decisions you make. A career as a superyacht Captain is demanding but rewarding. You’ll enjoy worldwide travel and earn a fantastic salary of anything from €4,000 per month with no cap on salary!

How to start your pathway to become captain?

More than just a love of the sea and a captain’s hat are needed to start a career as a superyacht captain. This is a career path that requires commitment, training, and practical experience. Enrolling in classes that offer the required maritime qualifications is the initial step. Take the  Superyacht Cadetship Course as your first step into this fascinating industry. This extensive programme gets you ready for the rigours of the open sea by fusing classroom instruction with real-world sea experience. It is essential to network within the industry, and UKSA offers a helpful community that helps you take advantage of opportunities and pick the brains of industry experts. And never forget that your love of the sea serves as your compass; follow it to become a captain.

Career prospects

Be inspired  graduates return to uksa to hire crew and further their training.

“We trust in UKSA because we did our training there and can vouch for its quality. Because the courses are all-inclusive they run back-to-back which really helps with fitting around our schedules. It is the best place from which to hire successful crew because the career courses are similar to a university degree. UKSA students devote time to their training and so are looking to stay with a boat for at least two seasons. This is valuable to us as we take time to invest in our crew and training – with UKSA we also know what to expect.” Officer Daniel Lambert 

• MY Icon – 6 generations of UKSA trained crew now all working together
• Dan Snook  – Planning to come back to UKSA for his Master 3000gt modules

Register your interest

• First name *
• Last name *
• How did you hear about UKSA? * –None– Campaign Dinghy Show Educational Visits UK Event GroupAccommodation.com Guardian Media IOW College IOW County Press London Boat Show Online PlanMySchoolTrip.co.uk Press Radio Referral School Travel Organiser Social Media Southampton Boat Show Top School Trips UKSchoolTrips.co.uk Visit IOW Yachts & Yachting
• General notes
• Opt-in to receive course information and relevant offers
• Accept Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .
• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

If you have any questions or need to get in touch:

Speak to UKSA on +44 (0)1983 294941 or email us

• Career Advice
• Salary Guide
• Dockwalk Presents
• Digital Dockwalk

2023/2024 Superyacht Crew Salary Guide

Whether you’re continuing a long-standing career, climbing the career ladder, or getting your feet wet for the first time, Dockwalk ’s Salary Guide provides the full picture when it comes to crew compensation. 

Salary is generally one of the top motivators for those looking for jobs in yachting, but it remains a closely guarded secret. Each year, the Dockwalk Salary Survey goes out to thousands of crewmembers and crew agencies across the world, gathering real-time salary feedback with the aim of creating greater transparency and understanding across the industry.

The 2024 Salary Survey is now closed. Check out the results in the September 2024 issue.

The Results of the 2023 Salary Survey

Our annual salary survey provided some unprecedented insights to what captains and crew earned in 2023.

The yachting industry is slowly returning to normal in the wake of the pandemic. Yachts are back to work around the world and many new ones are in the pipeline thanks to the surge in popularity the "social distant" yachting lifestyle has enjoyed. But, while this return to normalcy has opened up new crew jobs this year, crew themselves have been returning to the workplace in large numbers and competition has been fierce.

Many of the crew agents reported that crew wages largely are flat this year compared to last. Salaries went up in 2021 and 2022 when crew were in short supply, but now more crew are available than previously. While crew are demanding higher pay this year, they’re not necessarily receiving it, but some agents have seen salaries continue to rise since Covid. There are many factors that can affect the salary crew can expect, including where a yacht is based and the season.

The tables below show the “agency range,” which gives the average lows and highs of all ranges provided by the agencies, the “poll range,” where results from individual working captains and crew are tallied to show the lowest and highest of all the responses, and the “poll average” calculated from all the responses. Note that our figures do not account for longevity and experience, crew benefit packages, tips, or similar extra remuneration.

Not all positions with corresponding boat sizes had enough poll responses to be considered significant; those categories are marked with an asterisk to indicate if fewer than five crew responded in that size range for that position. Several categories had no or only one response, which is also noted.

To view the full table:

Dockwalk Salary Survey 2023 in USD and Euros

Inside the shocking Sicily yacht tragedy that left 7 people dead

There was a violent storm, but even then, luxury yachts are built to weather such events. so why did this boat sink off the coast of sicily, leaving seven people dead, by natalie finn | e news • published august 24, 2024 • updated on august 24, 2024 at 10:34 am.

Originally appeared on E! Online

Nobody was trying to reach the lowest depths of the ocean or otherwise test the boundaries of human endurance .

But what was supposed to be a routine pleasure cruise aboard a superyacht turned deadly all the same on the morning of Aug. 19 when the 184-foot Bayesian got caught in a storm and sank off the coast of Sicily .

24/7 New York news stream: Watch NBC 4 free wherever you are

"I can't remember the last time I read about a vessel going down quickly like that," Stephen Richter of SAR Marine Consulting told NBC News . "You know, completely capsizing and going down that quickly, a vessel of that nature, a yacht of that size."

Of the 22 people onboard, including crew, seven people died. The last of the bodies was recovered Aug. 23, an expectedly sad coda to what had already been a tragic week as the search for answers as to how this happened got underway.

And to be sure, every minute of the Bayesian's ill-fated outing is being fiercely scrutinized, starting with the general seaworthiness of the vessel itself.

Get Tri-state area news delivered to your inbox. Sign up for NBC New York's News Headlines newsletter.

Because, frankly, this was a freak occurrence.

U.S. & World

Young girls are using anti-aging products they see on social media. The harm is more than skin deep

WHO plans to give polio vaccine to 640,000 children in Gaza amid outbreak fears

"Boats of this size, they’re taking passengers on an excursion or a holiday," Richter explained. "They are not going to put them in situations where it may be dangerous or it may be uncomfortable, so this storm that popped up was obviously an anomaly. These vessels that carry passengers, they’re typically very well-maintained, very well-appointed."

But in this case, a $40 million yacht sank, seven people are dead—including a billionaire tech mogul and his 18-year-old daughter—and morbid fascination doesn't need a second wind.

Here is how the story of the Sicily yacht tragedy has unfolded so far:

What happened to the yacht that sank off the coast of Sicily?

The Bayesian had set off from the Sicilian port of Milazzo on Aug. 14 at capacity with 12 guests and 10 crewmembers aboard.

The aluminum-hulled vessel was built in 2008 by Italian shipbuilder Perini Navi and registered in the U.K. Cruise sites listed it as available for charter at $215,000 per week, per the Associated Press.

On the morning of Aug. 19, the superyacht was anchored off the coast of Porticello, a small fishing village in the Sicilian province of Palermo (also the name of Sicily's capital city), when a violent storm hit.

The vessel "suddenly sank" at around 5 a.m. local time, seemingly due to "the terrible weather conditions," the City Council of Bagheria announced shortly afterward, per NBC News .

At the time, only one person was confirmed dead—the ship's chef—but six others were said to be missing. The 15 survivors—who managed to make it onto an inflatable life boat, according to emergency officials—were rescued that morning by the crew of another yacht that had been nearby when the storm hit.

"Fifteen people inside," Karsten Borner, the Dutch captain of the ship that was able to help (the Sir Robert Baden Powell), told reporters afterward, per Reuters. "Four people were injured, three heavily injured, and we brought them to our ship. Then we communicated with the coast guard, and after some time, the coast guard came and later picked up injured people."

When the storm hit, his boat ran into "a strong hurricane gust," Borner said, "and we had to start the engine to keep the ship in an angled position."

They "managed to keep the ship in position," he continued, but once the storm died down, they realized the other boat that had been behind them—the Bayesian—was gone.

The wreck ended up settling 165 feet below the surface, according to Italy's national fire department.

Fire officials said that divers, a motorboat and a helicopter were deployed to search for the missing.

Meanwhile, footage was captured of the ship capsizing on closed-circuit TV about a half-mile away from where it was anchored.

In the video obtained by NBC News, the illuminated 250-foot aluminum mast of the ship appears to list severely to one side before disappearing completely. Survivors recalled having just a few minutes to literally abandon ship.

Who were the seven people who died when the yacht Bayesian sank?

The tragedy initially became headline news because billionaire tech mogul Mike Lynch—"Britain's Bill Gates," some U.K. media called him—was among the missing. His body was ultimately recovered Aug. 22 .

"They told me that suddenly they found themselves catapulted into the water without even understanding how they had got there," Dr. Fabio Genco, head of the Palermo Emergency Medical Services, told NBC News Aug. 22. "And that the whole thing seems to have lasted from 3 to 5 minutes."

Genco said he got to Porticello about an hour after the Bayesian capsized.

Survivors "told me that it was all dark, that the yacht hoisted itself up and then went down," he said. "All the objects were falling on them. That’s why I immediately made sure, by asking them questions, if they had any internal injuries."

Why did the yacht sink?

Italian prosecutors are investigating to determine what transpired before the boat went down, according to NBC News.

Meanwhile, the CEO of shipbuilder Perini's parent company The Italian Sea Group defended the vessel itself as "unsinkable."

Perini boats "are the safest in the most absolute sense," Giovanni Costantino told Sky News Aug. 22 . What happened to the Bayesian "put me in a state of sadness on one side and of disbelief on the other," he continued. "This incident sounds like an unbelievable story, both technically and as a fact."

Costantino said it had to have been human error that led to the boat sinking, declaring, "Mistakes were made."

"Everything that was done reveals a very long summation of errors," he told newspaper Corriere della Sera Aug. 21, in an interview translated from Italian. "The people should not have been in the cabins, the boat should not have been at anchor."

The weather was "all predictable," he continued, adding that the storm "was fully legible in all the weather charts. It couldn't have been ignored."

The yacht's captain, identified as James Cutfield of New Zealand, was taken to Termini Imerese hospital for treatment. From there, he told La Repubblica, per Sky News , that he didn't see the storm coming.

Borner, the captain of the ship that rescued the 15 Bayesian survivors, told NBC News that he noticed the storm come in at 4 a.m. local time, and saw what looked to him like a waterspout, a type of tornado that forms above water.

The International Centre for Waterspout Research posted on X Aug. 19 that it had "confirmed 18 waterspouts today off the coasts of Italy. Some were powerful waterspouts, one of which may have been responsible for the sinking of a large yacht off of Sicily."

Borner said he didn't know why the Bayesian sank so quickly, guessing "it may have something to do with the mast, which was incredibly long." (A tall mast, even with its sails down, means there's more surface area exposed to wind, which can result in tipping.)

Confirming that one person was dead and six unaccounted for immediately following the wreck on Aug. 19, Salvo Cocina of Sicily's civil protection agency told reporters that a waterspout had struck the area overnight.

"They were in the wrong place at the wrong time," he said.

The 59-year-old founder of software firm Autonomy had been on the trip with his wife Angela Bacares and their 18-year-old, Oxford-bound daughter Hannah to celebrate his recent acquittal in the U.S. on fraud and conspiracy charges stemming from the $11.7 billion purchase of his company by Hewlett-Packard in 2011.

In a bizarre turn of events, Lynch's co-defendant at trial, Stephen Chamberlain, the former vice president of finance at Autonomy, died after being taken off life support following a road accident on Aug. 17. Chamberlain's attorney told Reuters Aug. 20 that his friend and client had been out for a run when he was "fatally struck" by a car.

Meanwhile, multiple people who contributed to Lynch's defense were on the cruise with him and his family.

The bodies of Morgan Stanley International Chairman Jonathan Bloomer—who testified on Lynch's behalf—and his wife Judy Bloomer, as well as lawyer Chris Morvillo, a partner at the U.S. firm Clifford Chance, and his wife Neda Morvillo, a jewelry designer, were recovered on Aug. 21 .

In a LinkedIn post thanking the team that successfully defended Lynch, Morvillo wrote, per Sky News , "And, finally, a huge thank you to my patient and incredible wife, Neda Morvillo, and my two strong, brilliant, and beautiful daughters, Sabrina Morvillo and Sophia Morvillo. None of this would have been possible without your love and support. I am so glad to be home. And they all lived happily ever after…"

The first casualty confirmed Aug. 19 was the ship's Canadian-Antiguan chef, later identified as Recaldo Thomas.

"He was a one-of-a-kind special human being," a friend of Thomas told The Independent . "Incredibly talented, contagious smile and laugh, an incredible voice with a deep love of the ocean and the moon. I spoke to him nearly every day. He loved his life his friends and his job."

Hannah's body was the last of the missing six to be found , with divers bringing her remains ashore on Aug. 23.

Lynch and Bacares, who was rescued, also shared a 21-year-old daughter, according to The Times.

While awaiting trial, Lynch—who maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings—had spent 13 months under house arrest in San Francisco. Back home in London afterward, he admitted to The Times in July that he'd been afraid of dying in prison if he'd been found guilty. (He faced a possible 25-year sentence.)

"It's bizarre, but now you have a second life," he reflected. "The question is, what do you want to do with it?"

(E!, NBC News and Sky News are all members of the Comcast family.)

USA YACHT CHARTERS

57 boats available for bareboat or crewed charter

Yachts from professional fleet operators in USA / United States of America

Free cancellation of reservation without obligations within 4 days

Most popular boats For rent in USA / UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Bali Catspace (2022)

Fountaine Pajot Isla 40 - 3 cab. (2022)

Lagoon 50 - 6 + 1 cab. (2022)

Dufour 460 GL - 3 cab. (2017)

Dufour 430 - 3 cab. (2021)

Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 - 4 cab. (2024)

Leopard 40 (2019)

Lagoon 42 (2024)

Jeanneau NC 33 (2018)

Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42 - 4 + 2 cab. (2020)

Top destinations in usa / united states of america for boat rental.

ANNAPOLIS. MD

18 boats for charter

from $3,977 per week

ST. PETERSBURG

13 boats for charter

from $4,559 per week

RHODE ISLAND

11 boats for charter

from $2,832 per week

KEY WEST. FL

5 boats for charter

from $6,305 per week

FORT LAUDERDAL, FL

4 boats for charter

from $7,712 per week

2 boats for charter

from $8,310 per week

• Los Angeles 2 boats in Los Angeles 2
• Gloucester 1 boats in Gloucester 1
• Lake Champlain 1 boats in Lake Champlain 1

Types of boats available for rent in USA / United States of America

Catamaran charter

32 catamarans available for rent in USA / United States of America, form $3,723 for 1 week charter. Ideal option for group of friends or family vacation.

Sailboat charter

There are 19 sailboats available for charter in USA / United States of America, prices start from $2,556 per week. Most budget friendly option for a vacation.

Power boat charter

6 powerboats available in USA / United States of America for rent, starting from $4,947 per week. Bareboat or crewed options available for sailing vacations.

Trimaran charter

Currently not available for charter in this country. Check other boat types.

Gulets charter

Houseboat charter

Yacht charter types available in USA / United States of America

Bareboat charter, crewed yachts, skippered boats, cost of boat rental in usa / united states of america.

Average yacht charter cost in USA / United States of America starts from $5,081 per week. Graphic below represents fluctuation of charter prices in USA / United States of America during the year, based on a sample of 50 boats ranging from 40 to 50-foot. This graphic shows months with lowest prices during the year as well high season when prices are above average. Before booking the boat at lowest rate, please check sailing conditions as usually best prices are during off season.

Sailing conditions in USA / United States of America

Air temperature, precipitation and wind force may vary significantly during the year. Below you may find graphics with min and max temperature and average precipitation days in USA / United States of America during the year. Book your charter vacation in USA / United States of America wisely! Considering sailing conditions along with the best price offers

Temperature by month

Average air High and Low temperature during the year

Rainy days by month

Average number of days with precipitation during the year.

Visitors also search for:

• charter boat in caribbean
• bahamas yacht charters
• sailboat charters in croatia
• sailing yachts charter croatia
• yacht charter virgin island
• charter sailboat italy
• renting a yacht in caribbean
• thailand boat charter
• renting a sailboat in bvi
• charter yachts st martin
• antigua yacht charter
• rent a boat in italy
• rent a yacht santorini
• dubrovnik yacht charter
• yacht charter martinique

U.S. Coast Guard Approved

Maritime training school, "we hold your hand till' it holds a license", in-person classroom.

Come to one of our many locations to get certified

Online Courses

Get certified at your own pace with our online system

Distance Learning

Want to be at home but still have instructor help? Try a distance learning course

Latest news

Set Sail for Adventure: Earn Your OUPV Captain’s License in the Keys

We are thrilled to announce a unique opportunity to earn your OUPV ‘6-pack’ Captain’s License in one of the most beautiful and historic locations in the Florida Keys. From October 5th through October 10th, Sea School is partnering with the Boy Scouts of America’s Florida National High Adventure Sea Base in Islamorada to offer an […]

STCW is coming to Panama City!

Sea School to Offer Maritime Institute of Technology’s STCW Basic Training in Panama City Panama City, [7/10/24] — Sea School is excited to announce that Maritime Institute of Technology’s STCW Basic Training courses will now be offered under the Sea School name in Panama City. Starting in late August, mariners can enroll in the STCW Basic […]

Simplify Your USCG License Application Submission with Sea School’s New Online Portal

Navigating the complexities of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) licensing process just got a whole lot easier! At Sea School, we are excited to announce the launch of our new online submission portal, designed to streamline the collection, review, and submission of your documents for a USCG license. No more back and forth – our […]

We have been in business for over 47 years with convenient locations along the Eastern Seaboard, Gulf Coast and the Caribbean.

Merchant mariner applications.

Are you looking to start your Merchant Mariner Application process? Sea School can help you through the process.

get in touch

Write to us, our courses.

Able Seaman

Active Shooter Response Training

Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

Apprentice Mate Steersman

Apprentice Mate Steersman – 2 Day Upgrade

Assist Towing

Assist Towing – Distance Learning

Auxiliary Sail

Auxiliary Sail – Distance Learning

Auxiliary Sail – Online

Basic & Advanced Firefighting Combination

Basic Firefighting

Bridge Resource Management

Flash Light Tutoring

Inland to Western River Routes for Towing Vessels

Launch Tender – Distance Learning

Launch Tender – Limited Master

Leadership and Managerial Skills

License Renewal (No More Than 200 GRT)

License Renewal (No More Than 200 GRT) – Online

OUPV – Captain’s License – Distance Learning

PSC – Proficiency In Survival Craft

PSC – Proficiency In Survival Craft – Refresher

QMED – Oiler

Radar Inland

Radar Observer Endorsement

Radar Observer Recertification

Ratings Forming Part of a Navigation Watch (RFPNW)

Rules of the Road

Tankerman Barge – PIC

Maritime Security Awareness

Maritime Security Awareness With Security Duties

Master / Mate 25-100 GRT

Master / Mate 25-100 GRT – Distance Learning

Master / Mate Upgrade 200 GRT / 500 GT

Visual Communication Flashing Light

Western to Inland Rivers Routes for Towing Vessels

STCW Basic Training

STCW Basic Training – Renewal

STCW Basic Training – Revalidation

Son of a Seacook – Cooking School

CPR and First Aid

Captain’s License – OUPV

Captain’s License – Online (OUPV)

Crisis Management and Human Behavior

Crowd Management

• Become an Anchor Captain
• List Your Boat

Basic Information

St Pete Yacht Rental

Yacht rentals st. pete | best yacht charters in st. petersburg, florida, thank you for making anchor the #1 yacht rental company in st. pete, st. pete yacht rentals .

Welcome to St. Petersburg, FL, one of the fastest-growing cities in Florida! Anchor has a beautiful fleet of yachts available for rent or charter in the greater St. Pete area. St. Pete is the perfect yacht charter destination, with intracoastal waterways to view mansions, sandbars for swimming and water activities, and a large selection of yacht charters to choose from. Whether you're celebrating a bachelor or bachelorette party, birthday, or just hangin' with your crew, Anchor is the top-rated yacht rental company in St. Pete!

Day Charters

St. Pete has plenty to offer for a perfect yacht charter. We offer 4 hour rentals, 6 hour rentals, and full-day rentals. We also offer multi-day trips if you want to visit destinations like Fort Myers , Cape Coral , South Seas, Marco Island, and Florida Keys. Day charters are an affordable way for you and your crew to rent a private yacht with Captain and Crew included. Also included in the price of your charter is local cruising fuel, cleaning fees, service fees & taxes, and even some gratuity on most charter listings. Most of our yachts have a 13 guest max, not including the Captain and Crew. So grab 12 of your best friends and head out for a St. Petersburg yacht charter with Anchor!

Find the perfect yacht rental in St. Pete

Anchor has hundreds of yachts available for rent with a Captain. You can shop and browse yachts and filter by date, location (using the map), size, budget, and much more. Book a yacht with confidence with our transparent and all-inclusive pricing. Never worry about hidden fees or additional costs, unless you want to add provisions to your charter. Finding the perfect yacht charter in St. Pete is super easy with Anchor. If you're interested in a St. Pete Boat Rental instead check out this page to view our available inventory!

Yacht rentals and yacht charters to Egmont Key

Egmont Key is a popular yachting destination with beautifully clear / turquoise water. Egmont Key is located just North of St. Petersburg and just north of Anna Maria Island , so if your yacht is departing from downtown St. Pete, you'll want to book a minimum of a 6 hour charter, or save money with the discounted full-day (8 hour) yacht charter options. 

Yacht rentals and yacht charters to Johns Pass Sandbar

Johns Pass is located a bit further south and is a great local meet up location for yachters. If you've chartered a yacht from downtown St. Pete, you\'ll want to be sure to book a 6 hour rental or 8 hour rental to ensure you have enough time to get there. Johns Pass is a really fun local sandbar where yachters party 7 days a week. Mostly on Saturdays and Sundays.

Looking For Something Smaller?

View our st pete boat rental selection here. We offer amazing charters in great areas around St Pete. Book very quickly and easily to enjoy a great day on the water!

Looking For a Pontoon?

View our tampa pontoon rental selection here. We offer amazing charters in great areas all over Tampa. Book very quick and easy and enjoy a great day on the water!

Weather in St. Pete

Always keep in mind the weather when planning your yacht rental experience. St. Petersburg is an ideal location for a yacht charter, either while on vacation or “staycation” because of the wonderful weather patterns. Located just above the tropical divide, the winters range in the 70°s and summers in the 90°s, so there's no wrong time to visit. While it may rain frequently in St. Pete, the storms are almost always scattered and very short in duration, oftentimes only lasting a few minutes and then the sun is shining again. If you're traveling to St. Pete in the cooler months of the year, be sure to pack some layers to wear while on your yachting trip, especially if you plan to go yachting in the evening. If you're traveling during the summer months, remember to stay hydrated and take some extra precautions when it comes to sun care.

When planning to rent a yacht in St. Pete, your Captain will keep an eye on the weather patterns. The Captain will warn you of any weather that could cause your yacht charter to be canceled, rescheduled, or departure time pushed back. Safety is always our top priority.

Other popular yacht charter destinations near St. Petersburg

St. Pete is located on the west coast of Florida and is nestled near several other wonderful yachting destinations, so if you can't find the yacht charter you're looking for in St. Pete, check out these other amazing locations. Anna Maria Island and Sarasota, Fl are the nearest yachting destinations. Tampa Bay has yachts available just 30 minutes from St. Pete.   Ft. Myers and Cape Coral are about an 2 hour drive south and located below the tropical divide for warmer weather in the winter months.

How much does it cost to rent a yacht in St Pete?

The average cost to rent a yacht in st. pete is $2200.00 (usd).

Average cost of a 4 hour yacht rental = $2200.00*

Average cost of a 6 hour yacht rental = $2900.00*

Average cost of a 8 yacht rental = $3300.00*

*The average cost of a yacht charter or yacht rental can differ based on the size of the yacht and the year the yacht was manufactured. Newer yachts are more expensive, but they are cleaner and offer nicer amenities. And bigger yachts are typically more expensive, but they offer often more space, amenities, crew, and overall experience. 

Anchor Yacht Rentals - St. Petersburg, FL

260 1st Ave S Suite 200-183 St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Link to our Google My Business Profile

• Find Us On Facebook
• Find Us On Instagram

Captained and Bareboat Yacht Charter St Petersburg FL

The wildlife and nightlife of florida’s gulf coast.

Waypoints Florida offers elevated charter experiences in St. Petersburg, FL aboard new model yachts outfitted for comfort and performance. From our charter specialists to our captains, we know the best marinas, local hotspots, and more to help you maximize your cruise on the Tampa Bay.

During your charter vacation, you will enjoy beautiful seaside towns, secluded anchorages and fine marinas, white sandy beaches, sparkling blue waters, gentle winds, dolphins, and an array of wildlife. Bring your camera to capture the unforgettable Skyway Bridge and the multitude of seabirds, including ospreys, herons, egrets, and pelicans.

This Waypoints base also offers sunset cruises and corporate team building events.

Charter St. Petersburg with Waypoints ® to Experience:

• Daily, Weekend, and Week-Long Charters 
• Skippered, Bareboat, and ASA Certification Charters
• New Luxuriously Appointed Sailing and Motor Catamarans and Monohulls
• Yachts Equipped with Air-Conditioning and Ice Makers* 
• Provisioning and Personal Concierge Services

An Insider’s Viewpoint

“This is our second charter with Waypoints and we could not be more satisfied. Availability and pricing were clear, communication was prompt, and the staff was knowledgeable and nice. The Vinoy Marina is very convenient to a couple of airports so the crew had no problem coming in from all over the country. We think Waypoints is the best charter company available and already have another trip booked for January in St. Thomas!” Jim K.

“The entire team from the Waypoint dock manager, office staff, and dock hands as well as mechanics went above and beyond to make us have a great experience. Sailing Sereia changed me… it was such an incredible trip . With tears in my eyes, I left the boat and I have been counting the days until I can go back and sail her again. We loved all the crew we came in contact with – thank you again!” Constance M.

“We had a great experience with Waypoints Florida Yacht Charters! We spent four days in Florida on Leap of Faith and had a great time. It was our first sailing adventure. We explored Tampa Bay, Anna Maria, Egmont, Bradenton and Palma Sola. It was a great escape! “ Mark L.

Contact a Florida Charter Specialist Today

" * " indicates required fields

Notice of Use of Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies to recognize your repeat visits and preferences, as well as to measure the effectiveness of campaigns and analyze traffic. To learn more about cookies view our Privacy Policy . By continuing to use our site, you consent to the use of cookies.

1 Beach Drive Se #811,  Saint Petersburg, FL 33701

Kimberly Bowden

Century 21 List With Beggins

Last updated:

August 29, 2024, 12:32 PM

About This Home

Experience unparalleled luxury and convenience in the heart of downtown St. Pete!- this condo building is located directly across the street from serene and historical Pioneer Park , Demens Landing Waterfront Park and St Pete Yacht Club. This unit has floor to ceiling windows and an open spacious floor plan. ALL FLOOR TO CEILING DOORS AND WINDOWS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND ARE HURRICANE RATED. There are two Primary bedrooms with ensuite baths, walk-in closets and balconies with downtown views. The third bedroom is currently used as a den and can easily be converted to a third bedroom with the addition of a door. All bedrooms have handsome engineered hardwood flooring. All bathrooms have been recently remodeled. For those who wish to cycle around town - A STORAGE ROOM AND BICYCLE ROOM ARE CONVENIENTLY LOCATED ON YOUR FLOOR. City and sunset views can be seen from your private balconies. The building has recently had $12 million in upgrades to the common elements, and upcoming structural work will keep it sound for the future. Walk down to the Rowdies stadium or the Albert Whitted Airport. All the amenities on the 28th and 29th floor 360-degree wrap-around pedestrian walkways /exercise track with breathtaking water and city views. Amenities include a heated pool on the rooftop, barbecue grills, fitness center, massage room, bar, library, yoga room, game room with pool and ping pong tables, meeting rooms. *Complimentary 24/7 valet parking truly gives you a luxury city lifestyle.*

Built in 1975

Price Summary

$321 per Sq. Ft.

Last Updated:

3 day(s) ago

Rooms & Interior

Total Bedrooms:

Total Bathrooms:

Full Bathrooms:

Living Area:

1,945 Sq. Ft.

Building Area:

Year Built:

Finances & Disclosures

Price per Sq. Ft:

Contact an Agent

Yes, I would like more information from Coldwell Banker. Please use and/or share my information with a Coldwell Banker agent to contact me about my real estate needs.

By clicking Contact I agree a Coldwell Banker Agent may contact me by phone or text message including by automated means and prerecorded messages about real estate services, and that I can access real estate services without providing my phone number. I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.