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ANDERSON REGGIO, Professional sailor/navigator

I would never have felt appropriately prepared to take my yacht master practical examination if not for Kent and his team. Peter’s tutelage opened my eyes to areas that I hadn’t previously considered nor explored. I would not have been nearly as successful without his guidance and Kent’s encouragement to pursue this through Confident Captain.

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It was a once in a lifetime experience that you hope you never have to experience at sea. The instructors were amazing and made sure you knew the content before you left the classroom each day.

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Sara Hastreiter , Volvo Ocean Race sailor

The legendary Kent of Confident Captain/Ocean Pros helped me every step of the way with helping me obtain my Yachtmaster ticket. With nothing to gain as I was doing the courses in England, he helped me as I blindly navigated ticketing off one requirement at a time, what and how to study based on my experience, and cheering me on along the way. Thank you for guiding me through!

Confident Captain Blog

Dresser Marine LLC Welcomes a new Marketing Associate – and the First Dresser to Join its Team

Dresser Marine, the parent company of Confident Captain and the Professional Captain’s Association, is excited to introduce its first Dresser family member, Demetria, who is joining our team as a Marketing Associate.

Confident Captain Announces Collaboration with Proctor360 to Offer Automated Proctoring for Online Captain’s License Exam

Newport, RI – June 10, 2024 – Confident Captain, a leading provider of USCG-approved online captain's license courses, is excited to announce a new collaboration with Proctor360 to offer fully automated proctoring for online Captain’s exams.

Do I Need A Captain’s License For My Personal Boat?

Understanding the regulations surrounding boating can be as challenging as navigating the waterways themselves. One area of confusion for many recreational boaters is the difference between state boating licenses and the USCG Merchant Mariner Credential, commonly known as a Captain's license. Let's clarify these requirements and their implications.

Renewing Your Captain’s License: A Quick Overview

As a professional captain, whether you command small passenger vessels or manage private charters, your USCG license is essential. Here’s a concise guide on how to renew your license to ensure continuous operation.

What is a TWIC Card & Why Do I Need One?

I want to address a critical aspect of maritime licensing – the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card, particularly its significance for those pursuing the Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) and Master 25/50/100 GT licenses.

Captain’s License Requirements: Clearing the Fog

Embarking on the journey to get your captain's license can feel like navigating through a sea of misinformation. From well-meaning advice from 'licensed friends' to ‘dockside expertise’, it's easy to get lost and to get bad information.

Can I Get A Captain’s License Online?

Are you embarking on a maritime career or just looking to upgrade your nautical skills? Our US Coast Guard-approved online Captain's courses for both the OUPV license and the Master license stand out in this digital era.

How to Navigate the Captain’s License Medical Maze

The National Maritime Center (NMC) tells us that a total of 7,882 MMC applications in 2021 were delayed due to deficiencies in the medical certificate. We share here the top medical reasons that MMC certificates are delayed. 

Top Five Reasons for Delays in Receiving Mariner Credentials

About half of the roughly 50,000 annual requests from mariners for Captains credentials are delayed at the National Maritime Center due to incomplete applications. How can you avoid the five most common reasons for delays?

What is “STCW” and What Does it Have to Do with My Captain’s License?

Newly credentialed Captains and seafarers may wonder what STCW training is all about and if it is necessary for their career, or their next job.

Free Live Seminar: How to Get your Captain’s License during COVID

Every day we get questions about the USCG Licensing process and how online learning works. So we are taking some time to listen and answer your questions face-to-face virtual in a live seminar.

Confident Captain Embarks into New Waters With Physical and Virtual Expansion

A new Professional Captains Association and Virtual Captain’s Courses give Captain’s the hand they need

Five Reasons Why ALL Sailing Coaches and Professional Sailors Should get a Captain’s License

By Capt. Peter Alarie - Pro Sailor and Senior Instructor at Confident Captain As a professional sailor, coach and instructor of captain’s courses, I work with sailors of all levels of experience. I have come to notice that many of them have no professional certifications from recognized organizations like the US Coast Guard or Royal […]

New Data from USCG on Boating Accidents

A new study by the US Coast Gaurd states that an injury due a boating accident occurs every 2.5 hours. So many of these accidents can be prevented if a high regard for boating safety and awareness is adhered to while onboard. Experience does not always equate to safety. Education is a key factor in helping […]

3 Reasons Why You Should Take Your Captain’s Course Online

Our Proven Method. Created by Top Captains. Delivered to You.Confident Captain CoursesAnytime 25/50/100 Ton Online Masters Captain’s LicenseLearn MoreAnytime Online 6-Pack OUPV License CourseLearn MoreAnytime USCG OUPV to Master Online CourseLearn MoreMORE COURSE DATESUSCG ExamsIndividually Scheduled Online Captain’s ExamLearn MoreMORE COURSE DATESCreating a Nation of Confident CaptainsWe founded Confident Captain to support and build our […]

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How to become a yacht captain - certifications & experience.

Just like any other highly paid and highly specialized position, becoming a yacht captain is a long grind. Nothing is given to you. You have to start from the bottom and work your way up. It is a process that takes many years of sea time, education, and experience.

Assuming that you are relatively new to the industry, it’s best to start from the very beginning. In the following chapters we will go through a detailed breakdown of the certifications and qualifications you need, and show you how to become a yacht captain.

Table of contents

How to become a yacht captain - Basic education

Rya certification, creating your resume, get to a yachting capital.

• "Earning" your first job
• Get experience & continue your education

Climbing the ranks

Becoming a yacht captain, responsibilities of a yacht captain, yacht captain salary, final notes on how to become a yacht captain.

Before you get your first job onboard of any yacht, there are a few courses you need to take. These are mandatory for everyone who wishes to work onboard, and are commonly known as basic training for seaman:

• STCW 2010 Basic Safety Training (BST) - This training consists of first-aid practices, response to emergencies, personal safety, social responsibility, and best practices for sea survival. The duration of this course is 5 days and pricing starts at $1012.
• Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) course) - This course teaches basic seamanship, rope and wirework, painting and maintenance routines, as well as other safe working practices aboard. Much like the BST, this course is 5 days long and pricing starts at $964).

At this point, what you want to do is get your Royal Yachting Association (RYA) certificate. The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is a recognized organization that issues your Powerboat Handling Level 2 (basic course),  Yachtmaster™ Offshore , and Yachtmaster™ Ocean .

Note that the costs associated with the RYA certificate can vary, as you need to find an associated training center, purchase all the necessary materials, and abide by all the entry requirements. So you might need to do some research at this point.

Once you successfully complete the courses mentioned above, you will need to put your CV together. There are many templates you can use for this purpose. You can start by using this one .

Once your CV is created, you will need to seek out the best yacht crew agencies and start applying to all of them. This page gives a good overview of the most popular options. 

Keep in mind that there are many options when it comes to resume templates and yacht crew agencies. It might be a good idea to use Google to find more options.

To increase your odds of getting a job onboard, you will now need to get to one of the yachting capitals. This is, by far, one of the best tips for ambitious young sailors that want to know how to become a yacht captain.

Don’t get fooled by those who tell you of their single best yachting capital of the world. Depending on your current location and budget, you will have several options. Check this article to start your research. 

“Earning” your first job

As soon as you arrive at your yachting capital of preference, you will need to get a job. Similar to any other industry, this usually happens by actively seeking out open positions. For yachting work, this is done through “dock walking”, a term that refers to the process of going from boat to boat, searching for opportunities.

What you want to do here is be pleasant, hand out your CV, grow your network, and offering any kind of service. There might be owners that need help with buffing, sanding, polishing, scrubbing decks… you name it! Take any job that you can because each hour you spend onboard improves your resume.

After a while, you will hopefully manage to get a job aboard a (super)yacht. This is where you want to be. It is important to manage your expectations and prepare to work very hard. Your first job will not be glamorous and it will certainly not be a “working holiday”. You will be living in a cramped scape, away from home, doing chores most hours of the day.

Don’t let the day-to-day tasks discourage you. Everything you do at this point helps you build character and shows that your position is “earned”. You will have many opportunities to gain experience, overdeliver, and start climbing the ladder.

Gain experience & continue your education

As you become more experienced and collect enough hours onboard, you will qualify for a few more courses, which are issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

• Officer Of the Watch (OOW) - This course allows you to become an officer on board a vessel up to 3000gt. In order to apply for this course, you will need to meet several requirements, including >250 days onboard, holding an RYA certificate for at least 36 months, and having completed an MCA training record book . The latest is a list of tasks that you need to complete while serving onboard a vessel that exceeds 15 meters in length. Anything smaller is not qualified as valid experience according to the MCA. The modules of OOW include:
• General Ship Knowledge (GSK) - Price between $1000 - $1100
• Navigation & Radar (ARPA operation) - Price upon request
• Global communications training (GMDSS GOC) - Price starting at $1625
• HELM Training Operational Level - Price upon request
• Proficiency in survival cross & rescue boats - Price between $860 - $900
• Electronic Chart Display Information System (ECDIS) Training - Price between $1300 - $1800

Each of the modules, once completed, requires a written exam. This means that you need to find a partner organization where you can go and write the exam. If you pass, the certificate will be sent to your location (including a digital copy that you can add to your resume).

You need to pass all of the modules in order for the MCA to issue your certificate of competence (COC). And as soon as all that is done, you are officially qualified to perform your oral exam for the OOW. Here is a video that shows you the steps you need to follow:

The exam itself consists of a discussion with a qualified instructor, where you go through all the modules through a series of questions. Upon passing the exam, and given that you hold all the aforementioned certificates, you will receive the MCA Yachts OOW certificate and are officially qualified to be a deck officer.

Keep in mind that the certificate itself doesn’t automatically guarantee you a promotion. You might move slightly up the ranks (lead deckhand) but you will still need to gain more experience in the form of additional sea time.

More specifically, you can continue with higher-level education once you gain even more experience on board.

The course you want to do is known as MCA Master 500 yachts . You can do this once your certificate of competence has been issued for OOW and 12 months have passed. You will also need to have an additional 120 days of verified sea service.

The course consists of several master modules, which include:

• Ship Stability - Price: $1500
• Business and Law - Price: $1500
• Navigation, ARPA, and radar simulator - Price: $3350
• Seamanship & Meteorology - Price: $1500

The course also includes some ancillary course modules, as well as the requirements you need to abide by in further detail. Similar to the OOW, you will need to pass a written certificate for each of the modules, in order to proceed to an oral exam to receive your Master 500 certificate of competence (COC).

You now have all the necessary qualifications - there are no more modules. However, you still need to perform an additional 12 months of sea time, and 120 days of sea service.

The final step is getting your MCA Master 3000 certification, a process that consists of an oral exam only. You can find more information about the requirements and components here . The oral prep course for this exam is highly recommended, takes 5 days, and costs between $890 and $1160, depending on the number of students that choose to participate.

Those who have little to no experience tend to think that a captain’s only responsibility is to command the ship. The truth is much “broader”. A yacht captain’s responsibilities are divided into three areas:

• To ensure the safety of life of everyone onboard
• To ensure the safety of the vessel (paperwork, unforeseen circumstances, etc.)
• To ensure the safety of the marine environment

This may sound rather simple, but remember that there are many subcategories that fall under these responsibilities:

• Ensuring the crew is well-trained, rested, and qualified to do their job, all while remaining safe. This requires strong (cross-cultural) people skills and is probably the hardest part of the job.
• Make sure that all your personal certificates, as well as the vessel documentation, is in order.
• Staying up to date with yacht inspection, maintenance, and logging all the necessary information. You can completely automate this responsibility by using our software, PlanM8 .
• Make sure that the vessel is compliant with the International Safety Management code
• Navigation of the vessel
• Make sure the yacht owner (or guests) are satisfied.

The salary of a yacht captain depends on several factors, including the years of experience, the size of the vessel, and the duration of the contract. Generally speaking, the low end of the salary is approximately $5000 per month and the high end exceeds $18.000 per month. For more information, check this resource .

After reading all of the above you should have a better idea of how to become a yacht captain. There are many courses you need to complete and lots of personal sacrifice in the form of sea time. This is why only the most passionate ones - those willing to go the extra mile - will manage to get a hold of the helm.

Remember that in between each of your certifications it is important to get as much sea time as possible, doing everything in your power to learn from the master on board. Much like any traineeship, your primary concern should involve gaining lots of experience. 

The discipline and character you build along your former years will help you understand the importance of continuous education. You will naturally want to familiarize yourself with the latest industry practices and improving your abilities.

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 

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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 […]

OUPV Coming to Space Coast!

Sea School is excited to announce our upcoming OUPV (6-pack) satellite class in Melbourne, Florida. This course is perfect for those looking to embark on a career in maritime services, such as fishing trips, scenic tours, diving adventures, or transport. Our first session runs from July 12 to July 14, followed by a second session […]

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Coast Guard has approved this newly designed course for women. If you would like to know more details, please get in contact with your nearest SeaSchool location.

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RYA Learn to Wingsurf  

Get started in winging! In as little as four hours you'll learn how to fly the wing ashore and afloat, building your confidence on the water.

RYA Day Skipper  

Make the transition from crew to skipper, developing the practical skills and confidence to take command of a small yacht.

RYA Level 2 Powerboat Handling

Get to grips with the basics and learn how to master the waves with this two-day entry level course.

RYA Marine Radio (SRC)   

If you have a VHF radio onboard your boat, or carry a handheld VHF whilst out on the water, you need to hold an operator's licence. Get qualified with our one-day course and exam.

RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship

Learn the basics of navigation, tides, charts and safety awareness in just two days in the classroom or eight hours online.  

RYA First Aid   

Our one-day first aid course has been specifically developed for water users and covers everything from CPR and head injuries to cold water shock.

With more than 100 courses to choose from, there's something for every age, ability and interest.

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Love an outdoor office? The chance to shape and inspire future boaters? Then join our talented crew and become an RYA Instructor.

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View your RYA certificates online by registering for a free MyRYA account.

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How to Get a Job as a Yacht Captain

Kate got her start in the yachting industry working as crew. She spent five years cruising the Bahamas, Caribbean, New England, and Central America, then segued that experience into a career in marine journalism, including stints as editor of  Dockwalk  and  ShowBoats International .

The role of a captain is cut out for those with a deep love of the sea and who don't shy away from responsibility. If you’re an experienced first mate or a bosun itching to take the helm, here’s everything you will need to become a yacht captain...

The most common path to a yacht’s wheelhouse is by rising through the ranks in the yachting industry, starting on deck and building sea time, gaining boat handling and geographical experience, and accruing licenses. But even after the golden ticket is earned — that 500GT or 3,000GT Master license — you’ll find there is more to getting the job than the piece of paper. Most rising crew will get the ticket before they are ready to assume the responsibility. Here is what crew agents and yacht owners have to say about what it takes to be a superyacht captain...

What is a Yacht Captain?

Simply put, a captain runs the vessel, in some ways like a CEO runs a business. He or she shoulders all the responsibility on board and reports directly to the owner or their representative. “The successful captains are all excellent leaders, able to set a common goal for their crew, and ensure motivation despite arduous seasons and long hours,” says Deborah Blazy, who, as general manager of Lighthouse Careers in Valbonne, France (near Antibes), specializes in placing captains. “Important character traits are to remain calm at all times but also to have the right sprinkle of charisma to keep crew morale and standards high.”

What Does a Yacht Captain do?

Driving the boat is just a small part of a captain’s job — many say the easiest part. Captains also hire and manage all other crew on board, plan and execute voyages around the owner’s and charter guests’ expectations, organize repairs and maintenance, control costs, and adhere to all international, flag, and port state regulations — all while providing personable, first-class service, and maintaining the highest levels of safety.

So the role requires a captain to be much more than a navigator; he or she is also part project manager, accountant, mechanic, human resources manager, concierge, and, most of all, chief problem solver. As Blazy puts it, they should have knowledge of the perfect anchorage, but also “have a direct dial to the most prestigious restaurants and be able to book the prime tables last minute.”

On smaller vessels, the captain will pitch in to assist in all roles on board, from changing the oil to washing the dishes. On larger yachts it is much more of an administrative position.

• M/Y Artefact: On Board with Capt. Aaron Clark

What Qualifications Do I Need to Become a Yacht Captain?

The captain must hold a license that is commensurate with the gross tonnage of the vessel and approved by the flag state. In addition, the yacht’s insurance company needs to be comfortable with the candidate’s experience and license and approve the hire. This is understandable when you consider that the underwriter is the biggest financial stakeholder in the vessel — on the hook for the cost of repairs or settlement if the captain makes a mistake.

Here are the licenses you will need to hold to become a yacht captain:

Vessels < 200GT

• RYA Yachtmaster Offshore (with Commercial Endorsement)
• or RYA Ocean Certificate of Competence (with Commercial Endorsement)
• or IYT Master of Yachts < 200T
• or MCA STCW Master (Yachts) < 200GT
• or USCG Operator Uninspected Passenger Vessel License (OUPV/Six-Pack) < 100GT (U.S. Green Card holders can apply)
• or USCG Master Inland/Near Coastal < 100GT (U.S. citizens only)
• or USCG Master 200 Ton Oceans (U.S. citizens only)

Vessels < 500GT

• MCA STCW Master (Yachts) < 500GT Certificate of Competence
• or USCG Master 500 Oceans or Near Coastal (U.S. citizens only)

Vessels < 3000GT

• MCA STCW Master (Yachts) < 3000GT Certificate of Competence
• or MCA Merchant Navy STCW Master < 3000GT
• or USCG Master 1600GT (U.S. citizens only)
• or USCG Master 3000GT (U.S. citizens only)

Vessels > 3000GT

• MCA STCW Master (Unlimited)
• or USCG Master Unlimited Oceans or Near Coastal (U.S. citizens only)
• or Marshall Islands Master of Yachts Unlimited

When it comes to the USCG licensing, Capt. Ted Morley, chief operations officer of Maritime Professional Training (MPT) , notes that it’s “important to make the distinction regarding charter vessels, ocean routes versus coastal, and the number of passengers on board. The waters get murky when you talk about some of the other requirements — such as PSCRB for yachts with lifeboats, DP for vessels that are equipped, ECDIS, ARPA, and a host of other specialty requirements that many Flag and Port states will require of masters on vessels in particular service, areas, or equipment.”  

What Experience Do I Need?

“I think a lot of mates with about five years of demanding sea experience and good work habits have the ability to be great captains,” says one owner, who has three large yachts.

The most important experience is time on yachts, as opposed to other types of vessels. “We have very little luck with a captain looking to join a yacht with zero yachting experience,” says Ian Pelham, director of Preferred Crew, a crew agency in Fort Lauderdale.

The yachting industry is quirky and far removed from the predictability of the commercial world. Pelham gives the example of a cruise ship, as he once ran a fleet personnel department for a cruise line: “A captain on a cruise ship has a number of perks, including a cabin steward who cleans the personal space of the captain, there will be mess stewards who will serve and clean up the crew areas for the officers. Generally there is solid rotation — you know exactly when you are to join and when you heading on vacation. When on vacation you do not get calls from the owner asking where you put the ‘good’ whisky when the cousins were aboard. On a yacht, even the big ones, the captain has to be ready to step in at any level, including cleaning up, to make sure the owner has a great time. Most commercial captains just have not had that kind of experience.”

Blazy adds, “[A commercial captain’s] experience is often best suited to the Passenger Code vessels over 3,000GT, where the duties and working conditions in terms of rotation are often similar. There is, however, a huge learning curve in terms of standards and customer expectations.” She recommends these captains gain experience on yachts before assuming the top role. “For the more junior candidates who are happy to start again from the lower ranks on board the yachts there is a big advantage; often they are bringing great transferable skills and relatively high tickets for the deck teams, and so are able to climb the ranks rapidly. Those with the ability to be flexible in terms of outlook and approach will always do well,” she says.

• The Best Superyacht Wheelhouses in the Business

What Do Owners Want?

“Owners are generally looking for someone who will give them the ultimate holiday experience while making them feel safe on board,” Blazy says.

When it comes to specifics though, each owner will want a captain that precisely fits with their vessel size and itinerary. “Different programs call for different personalities,” Pelham says. “I have seen captains who are extroverts, introverts, confrontational, compromising, joyful, serious, etc., who have each been very successful in their individual programs. I also believe that this is part of what makes a captain a fantastic fit for one program and a complete miss on another.”

Despite being some of the wealthiest people on the planet, most yacht owners care deeply about the costs, so financial accountability is a big part of being a successful captain.

“It’s a big responsibility for the captain to take care of the owner’s large asset. Good common sense is required,” says one large-yacht owner. “Fuel costs and dockage fees need constant awareness. Transiting the yacht at 12 knots instead of 22 knots from Nassau to Lauderdale protects the owner’s assets. Of course there are some owners who just don’t care about costs, but a majority do!”

This owner also expects his captain to spend time in the yard with the yacht, not consider it vacation time, in order to keep track of the yard’s billable hours, and to have some good mechanical knowledge so they can “withstand the salesmen/ consultants suggestions about replacing everything on your yacht.”

• M/Y Florentia: On Board with Capt. Andrea Franci

How Much Does a Captain Earn?

With the stress of responsibility comes monetary reward. A captain can earn an excellent salary, with longevity and vessel size generally having the biggest influence on just how excellent that salary is. But just as the yachting industry is unique, so is each boat and what it pays.

“(There is) no such thing as average, or industry standard,” maintains Pelham. “My team has placed a captain on a 35-meter paying more than $20,000 per month, day one, and on a 100-meter paying about $8,000 per month, day one. I know of captains earning around $4,000 per month and I know of at least one couple earning $30,000. The pay of the captain is completely dependent on what the owner and the captain both believe it is worth.”

Dockwalk’s Salary Survey does give some good guidelines though. In its most recent 2021 survey, crew agencies provided a range of salaries, from the low end on vessels below 80 feet: $5,000 to $10,000 per month; to the largest vessels over 280 feet: $23,000 to $28,000 per month. Numerous captains working on yachts from 60 to 179 feet also shared their salaries and the average from their responses in each vessel size category fell right in the middle of the range given by the agencies.

What is the Best Way to Land that First Position?

“Finding your first captain role is no easy task. There is always the stigma attached that you have not done it before and so are you capable?” Blazy says.

Pelham seconds this: “Our clients love to see that the captain has already done what they want them to do next. If the yacht is 50 meters, they want to see 50 meters on the CV. If they are planning a circumnavigation, they want to see a circumnavigation in their history,” he says.

• Where Next? Career Advancement for Yacht Captains

Of course, that isn’t good news for anyone looking for his or her first captain role. Pelham recommends emphasizing the experience on your resume that matches where you want to be. “Think about what you did as a mate on your previous yachts. Then pick those things that you will be doing as a captain on your next yacht, and highlight those aspects,” he says.

Blazy says the most common path on the bigger yachts is when the chief officer grows into the junior captain role, “moving forward steadily in terms of drive time and responsibility, covering for the senior captain while he is away. There is a mix of confidence and humility that is at play, and the timing will depend on the individual person and the owner’s expectations.”

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How to Become a Yacht Captain- An Expert’s Handbook

Do you want to become a yacht captain? Having watched my husband climb the ranks over the past 12 years, I have first-hand experience of seeing what it takes to become a yacht captain.

We started working on a small catamaran in the Seychelles, and today, he is the successful Captain of a world-traveling 50m super yacht.

Becoming a yacht Captain requires a significant investment of time and money, but the reward of commanding your own vessel and crew is immeasurable.

Let’s explore what it takes, including the salaries, necessary skills, and certifications.

Table of Contents

Job Description of a Yacht Captain

The Captain of a superyacht is responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel, the safety of the crew onboard, as well as protecting the environment.

They are the primary source of communication with the yacht owner, guests, and management company.

They also handle all the daily operations of the yacht, including crew management and safety training. The Captain deals directly with management companies, port control, maritime legislation, budgets, accounting, and human resources.

Yacht Captain Salary

The below super yacht Captain salary guideline is based on my personal research using an average of over 10 major yachting platforms:

• 20m-30m: $4000-$7500 p/m
• 30m-40m: $5500-$9500 p/m
• 40m-50m: $8000-$15000 p/m
• 50m-70m: $13000-$19000 p/m
• 70m+: $16500+ p/m

Additionally, with longevity a yacht Captain can also expect to see discretionary annual raises and bonuses.

If they work on a Charter Yacht there will also be charter tips received averaging $2500-$5000 per week of chartering.

Roles and Responsibilities of a Yacht Captain

The job of a Yacht Captain can be compared to that of a CEO, CFO, and COO of a large corporation. The responsibilities are huge.

On a smaller vessel of 35m or less, the captain will need to be more hands-on, and they will likely also be the engineer of the vessel.

However, as the vessel size increases, you will have larger teams and heads of departments to assist in delegating tasks.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Crew Management and training
• Hiring and dismissals of crew
• Human resources
• Accounting and budgeting
• Safe navigation of the vessel
• Safe navigational planning
• Marine and environmental protection
• Vessel maintenance – planning yard work and refits
• Owner and guest liaison
• Planning of guest trips and itineraries
• Ensuring the yacht is compliant with maritime law
• Ensuring the yacht is compliant with all flag state safety regulations

Soft and Hard Skills

When it comes to the question of how to become a yacht captain, besides the required licenses, it is essential to hold certain soft and hard skills:

• Strong leadership skills
• Team management
• A quick thinker and problem solver
• Calm under pressure
• Exceptional communication skills
• Diplomatic in decision-making
• Excellent boat handling skills
• Navigational skills
• Administrative skills
• Organizational skills
• Computer literate
• Strong understanding of maritime legislation

Mandatory Certifications for How to Become Yacht Captain

The license required when identifying how to become a Yacht Captain is dependent on the size/tonnage of the vessel they wish to drive.

Your entry-level Captain license is the Yacht-Master 200 ton. This allows you to drive a vessel of under 200 tons, which is approximately 35m/100ft.

From there, with enough sea time and experience, you can move up towards the Master 500 and then Master 3000 tickets.

If you were to start from scratch, you would first want to look at how to become a deckhand . This will give you all the information and guidance you require before you get to the point when you are ready to start your master’s licenses.

Here is the order in which you would complete your courses:

• ENG1 Medical
• Efficient Deckhand (EDH)
• Yacht-Master Offshore (200ton)
• Yacht-Master Ocean (200 ton)
• OOW (Officer of the Watch)
• Chief Mate 3000
• Master 500 ton
• Master 3000 ton

Yacht Master Offshore 200 ton Limited

Holders of this certificate can Captain a yacht up to 200 gross tons and must be within 150 nm from a safe haven whilst doing so. This course is also required to legally stand watch on a vessel of up to 500gt.

The course consists of theory and practical work and takes 13 days to complete.

Pre-requisites for Yacht Master 200t Limited:

• 3,000 nautical miles while cruising at sea
• 50 days at sea as an active crew member
• 5 days as skipper on vessels less than 24m LOA
• 48 hours on watch at night underway as an active member of a yacht’s crew. During at least six hours of this nighttime experience, the candidate must have acted as the vessel’s captain or watch leader.
• A GMDSS-compliant Marine Radio Operator’s Certificate such as the RYA Short Range Certificate or higher
• All qualifying sea time must be within 10 years prior to the exam

Master of Yachts 200 ton Ocean Unlimited

This certificate allows the holder to be in charge of a commercial yacht of up to 200 gross tons on unlimited voyages.

This comprehensive six-day course on celestial navigation is designed to equip future yacht Captains with the knowledge necessary to navigate the globe using a sextant and air navigation tables.

Additionally, it will enable them to plan, undertake, and manage an ocean passage with confidence.

Pre-requisites for the Master 200 ton Unlimited:

• Before enrolling in the course, candidates must have completed two voyages of 250 miles each or one voyage of 500 miles. The majority of the journey must take place out of sight of land, which means being at least 20 miles away from the shoreline.
• For the qualifying voyage, it is expected to create a passage plan that can be reviewed during the course.

Officer of the Watch (OOW)

In order to obtain the MCA Officer of the Watch (Yachts Less Than 3000 GT) Certificate of Competency, candidates must complete seven distinct modules. These modules are designed to prepare candidates for the MCA oral exam.

Pre-requisites for the OOW:

• IYT Master of Yachts Limited certificate
• A minimum of 250 days of actual sea service
• 115 days can be either sea service, stand-by-service or yard service
• A Completed MCA approved training record book

The 7 modules include:

• Navigation and Radar (15 days)
• General Ships Knowledge GSK (5 days)
• Proficiency in Survival Crafts and Rescue Boats/Advanced Sea Survival (3 days)
• Human Elements and Leadership Management HELM (3 days)
• Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (GMDSS)
• Efficient Deckhand EDH (5 days)
• Electronic Chart Display and Information ECDIS (5 days)
• MCA OOW Deck Oral Prep Work (12 days)

Chief Mate 3000GT

After obtaining the Officer of the Watch certification for yachts less than 3000gt, you can apply to the MCA for the endorsement of the Chief Mate (Yachts less than 3000gt) Certificate of Competency. It is possible to apply for both certifications at the same time.

Course Modules include:

• STCW Advanced Fire Fighting (4 days)
• Proficiency in Medical First Aid (4 days)
• Human Elements of Leadership Management – Management level (4 days)

Master of Yachts (500GT)

This certificate is required in order to Captain a yacht of up to 500 gross tons.

Requirements for the course:

• 12 months as a watch-keeping officer with an OOW Certificate
• A valid ENG1

Modules include:

• Stability (5 days)
• Business and Law (5 days)
• Navigation and Radar with ARPA Simulator (10 days)
• Seamanship and Meteorology (5 days)
• Celestial Navigation Refresher and Exam (5 days)
• Proficiency for persons in charge of medical care onboard a ship (4 days)

Master of Yachts (3000GT)

This certificate is required in order to Captain a yacht of up to 3000 gross tons.

The modules for the Master 3000GT are the same as that of the Master 500.  If you pass all the modules and have met the requirements for the Master 3000GT, you can skip the Master 500gt Course and do the exam and oral for the Master 3000GT.

Requirements include:

• including not less than 240 days watch-keeping service whilst holding an accepted OOW Certificate of Competency (CoC).
• All of this service must be completed in vessels of 15m or over in load line length and include 12 months in vessels of 24 m or over in load line length, or 6 months in vessels of 500gt or more.
• A valid ENG1 Certificate

Final thoughts

Most crew don’t anticipate the significant amount of time and money it takes when wondering how to become a yacht Captain.

My advice to you is to start logging your sea time from the very beginning and plan ahead. You don’t want to miss out on opportunities due to not having the required license.

If you are still looking for more detailed information or if you are looking to book a course, head over to the PYT website. They are an MCA compliant training facility with schools in Fort Lauderdale and South Africa.

Good luck on your journey. I hope to see you out in the big blue ocean commanding your own vessel one day.

Hi, my name is Lisa, a Chief Stewardess in the yachting industry with 10 years of experience, as well as 8 years of hospitality experience prior to that. Being in the yachting industry has been a whirlwind of adventure, growth, challenges and some of the best experiences of my life, and I am excited to share my knowledge and experiences with all of you.

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What are the Requirements for Earning a Captain’s License ?

U.s. coast guard requirements for national oupv or master up to 100 tons.

A Captain’s License is required to operate a commercial vessel or to take paying passengers out on your vessel. Understanding the Captain’s License Requirements is important prior to taking a captain’s license course . The prerequisites should be reviewed before applying for any U.S. Coast Guard credential. This is advised so you don’t spend your time and money pursuing a license that you don’t qualify for. For helpful credential information and application packets, and official forms click here . For Maritime Institute’s fee-based credential services, click here  to get more info.

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The National OUPV license is limited to uninspected vessels, of less than 100 gross tons, operating on U.S. domestic waters ONLY. Also limited to carrying six or less paying passengers. You must meet all of the requirements established by the USCG National Maritime Center in order to apply for this license. The USCG checklist of requirements is located here on the National Maritime Center website: https://www.dco.uscg.mil/nmc/checklist/ . Under National Officer Endorsements for Deck, click on National OUPV Less Than 100 GRT.

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• If you are not a U.S. Citizen, you can apply for this license but it will be limited tonnage and restricted to undocumented vessels.

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If you plan on operating an inspected sailing vessel, you must have a sailing endorsement along with the Master Inland/GL license. The required amount of sea service for a sailing endorsement on a Master Inland/GL license is: 180 days on sail or auxiliary sail vessels.

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With a Master license you may operate inspected/commercial vessels and also take more than six paying passengers. You must meet all of the requirements established by the USCG National Maritime Center in order to apply for this license. The USCG checklist of requirements is located here on the National Maritime Center website: https://www.dco.uscg.mil/nmc/checklist/ . Under National Officer Endorsements for Deck, click on  National Master 100NC .

• Must be able to document 720 days of experience on a vessel, of which at least 360 days must be on Near Coastal/Ocean waters. ( See: What Counts as Sea Service )

If you plan on operating an inspected sailing vessel, you must have a sailing endorsement along with the Master Near Coastal license. The required amount of sea service for a sailing endorsement on a Master NC license is: 360 days on sail or auxiliary sail vessels.

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In addition to the expert instruction provided, all of our license classes include no charge application assistance, and extra help during classes. Here at Boatwise we pride ourselves on providing the best education for our boating community, and our test scores speak for themselves. We train, We test, You Captain.

Looking to advance your Career?

 Looking to advance in an industry you’re passionate about? One of our licensing classes may be perfect for you. From launch operators, to on water taxi drivers, the Boating industry is always looking for more “Boatwise” captains. Whether your looking to start your own business with a charter fishing boat, or work your way up to driving the BIG RIGS, the boating industry can be a very lucrative way to achieve your goals while spending time on the water working in a career you‘re passionate about.

PO Box 135. Kingston, NH 03848

603-394-0412

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