It’s not always easy to find work on a yacht with all the variables that captains, heads of departments and agencies look for — personality and experience being at the top. Besides those traits, there are training and medical certifications required before you even step aboard. Beyond a passport, countries from the United Kingdom (U.K.), the European Union (EU), the United States (U.S.), and down to Australia have varying requirements, two of which are mandatory across the globe: the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) and the ENG1 Medical Certificate. The key word is mandatory, so make sure to get those two going before you start looking for that “dream” job. “STCW basic training is mandatory for all yachts with commercial operations,” said Karine Pouwels, deputy crew manager at Fraser Yachts Management Services in Monaco. “If the vessel operates privately, the training is not mandatory, although highly recommended. It is an international requirement under STCW, SOLAS, and MLC regulations and applicable worldwide. A valid medical fitness certificate is required by the insurance company for all crewmembers no matter the type of operations.” The ENG1 Medical Certificate is the U.K. Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) certificate to prove crew are medically fit. It is mandatory for all crew working on a yacht confirmed by the International Maritime Organization that is properly implementing the STCWs, irrespective of the crew’s nationality or the vessel’s registration flag. For U.S. crew working on a U.S.-flagged vessel, the U.S. Coast Guard has their own medical certification requirements; however, they are not officially recognized as an ENG1 equivalent. Nor is the ENG1 valid for employment on U.S.-flagged vessels. In the U.S., the only approved location to obtain an ENG1 certificate is in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but if you are looking for work in yachting hubs outside the U.S., you’ll have little problem finding one. Visa Volley Then there are visa requirements to visit and work in the country of employment. In Australia, a Superyacht Crew Visa is required, and you must show a letter confirming you have a work contract. Non-U.S. citizens from designated countries under the Visa Waiver Program, such as France, Italy, the U.K., and Australia, among others, are eligible to travel in the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa. However, to work on yachts in U.S. waters, crew must have a B1/B2 visa. The visa — B1 for business, B2 for tourism — is valid up to 10 years and allows stays up to six months at a time. If you become employed during your stay as a tourist (B2), then you’ll need to exit the U.S. and re-enter under the B1 portion of the visa along with documentation confirming your employment on board. Be aware that you are not legally allowed to look for work with a B1/B2 visa. U.S., Australian, and U.K. citizens (among others) can travel and work on yachts in the EU within a 90-day rule without a visa, but if staying longer or working from an EU port, a visa is necessary. Generally, once signed-in on board, the yacht will get you “stamped out” onto the yacht prior to your 90-day exemption, which allows you to work on the yacht without the visa and leaves the remaining time of the 90-day exemption to travel as a tourist. The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will soon be required for entry. At this point, ETIAS is expected to become operational in 2026. To enter the U.K., besides a passport, an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is required prior to your travel. The ETA is a pre-clearance digital authorization for citizens of visa-exempt countries for short visits to the British Isles. To work on a yacht, a visa such as a Skilled Worker visa, is required. Department Certifications Beyond the mandatory training, medical certifications, and visas, working your way onto a yacht and moving up the ladder will necessitate certifications or licenses for the different onboard positions. A deckhand will find it useful to have the U.K.’s Royal Yachting Association Powerboat Level 2 license, which allows for the operation of the yacht’s tenders and smaller boats. A USCG Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels license is similar. The yacht will also be interested in those with diving and watersport certifications. “PowerBoat will be mandatory for a deckhand to drive the tender,” Pouwels said. “And it will be helpful if a stewardess, for example, holds it as well so they can help the team if needed.” In the galley, most yachts require food safety and hygiene certifications while the interior department may want a professional yacht hospitality certificate or yacht mixology training. Although not required, having these skilled certifications are a valuable asset to the yacht and a safety assurance for guests. If you’re just starting out, working with a crew agency is advised to ensure you have everything in order. They know the requirements and yachts that are hiring. It’ll be an easier transition than walking the docks, but before accepting any position on board, take it upon yourself to carefully review the visa requirements, your documentation, and, just as important, the yacht’s expectations. It took time and effort to reach this point, and it’ll be hard work, but there’s nothing like it.