How to Write a Yacht Crew CV That Captains Actually Read

Captains, chief stews, crew agents and management companies often look at dozens of CVs for a single position, sometimes on a phone between other tasks. A yacht crew CV has to show, in a few seconds, that you hold the right certificates, have relevant experience and would be a good person to live with on board.

This guide covers the structure, the details employers look for and the most common mistakes.

How a yacht CV differs from a normal CV

In most industries a CV is about qualifications and work history. In yachting it is also about personality, presentation and practical details, because crew share cabins, work long days together and represent the owner in front of guests.

That is why yacht CVs normally include things you would leave out elsewhere, such as a photo, nationality and a short personal profile. It is also why honesty matters so much. Yachting is a small industry, and references are checked.

The ideal length and layout

• One page for new crew, up to two pages for experienced crew. Nobody needs your school grades on a yacht CV.
• A clean, simple layout. One or two columns, a clear font, and enough white space to scan quickly.
• PDF format, with a sensible file name such as "Firstname-Lastname-Deckhand-CV.pdf".
• The most important information at the top: name, position, availability and certificates.

What to include, section by section

1. Header and photo

Put your name and the position you are applying for at the top, for example "Deckhand" or "Chef". Add a phone number with country code and an email address that looks professional.

Use a recent, good-quality photo with a friendly, natural smile, well-groomed, in a plain polo shirt or crew-style clothing. Avoid sunglasses, group photos, selfies and party pictures. The photo should look like the person who will turn up for the interview.

2. Personal details

Yacht CVs commonly list:

• Nationality and any second passport
• Visas held, such as a US B1/B2 or Schengen residency, with expiry dates
• Current location and availability date
• Languages and level
• Driving licence, if useful for the role

Only share what you are comfortable sharing. Some details that yacht CVs traditionally include, such as date of birth or marital status, are personal, and you can leave them out. Focus on what is relevant to the job.

3. A short profile

Two or three sentences about who you are and what you bring. Be specific and avoid clichés like "hard-working team player" with nothing behind them.

Weaker: "I am a hard-working, motivated person looking for an exciting opportunity in yachting."

Stronger: "Former hotel housekeeper with three years in a five-star property, used to detailing suites to a very high standard and looking after VIP guests. STCW and ENG1 certified, food hygiene level 2, available from April."

4. Certificates

List each certificate with its expiry date where relevant. Captains often scan this section first.

• STCW Basic Safety Training, with the date of the PST and FPFF modules
• Proficiency in Security Awareness
• ENG1 medical, with expiry date
• Department courses: powerboat, food safety, silver service, approved engine course and so on

If you are not sure what applies to you, read STCW and ENG1 explained.

5. Yacht experience

For each yacht, include the yacht's length, whether it is private or charter (or both), your position, the dates, and a few bullet points about what you did. If the yacht's name is confidential, you can write "M/Y 50m, private" instead.

Use real, concrete tasks: "Drove the tender for guest runs and water sports", "Managed inventory for the interior", "Prepared crew meals for 14 crew daily".

6. Relevant experience from other industries

This is where new crew can make a big difference. Translate your previous work into what a yacht needs:

• Hospitality and fine dining: guest service, wine, table setting, discretion with VIPs
• Housekeeping: detailing, turnaround speed, care of luxury fabrics and finishes
• Construction and trades: maintenance, painting, varnishing, carpentry, tool use, working safely at height
• Sport and outdoors: water sports, diving, lifeguarding, fitness, teaching
• Childcare: nannying, first aid, patience and reliability
• Kitchens: menus, provisioning, allergies and dietary requirements, hygiene

7. Skills and interests

Include practical skills that might help on board: languages, sailing, diving, mechanics, IT, flower arranging, photography, barista, massage. Interests can show personality, but keep them short and real.

8. References

References are taken seriously in yachting. Give at least two, with name, position, the yacht or company, and current contact details. Ask permission first, and tell your references you are looking for work. "References available on request" is weaker, because employers want to call quickly.

Common mistakes that get CVs ignored

1. Missing certificates or expiry dates. If a captain cannot see that you hold STCW and ENG1, they will often move on.
2. No availability date. Yachts usually need people at a specific time.
3. A poor or unsuitable photo.
4. Spelling mistakes. Interior roles in particular need attention to detail.
5. Exaggeration. Claiming skills you do not have will come out quickly on board, and the industry is small.
6. Gaps without explanation. A brief note such as "travelling" or "studying" is better than an empty space.
7. One CV for every role. Adjust your title and highlights for deck, interior or galley jobs.
8. Unreachable references. Check numbers and emails before you send your CV.

Tailoring your CV for each department

• Deck: put tender driving, water sports, maintenance and practical trades near the top.
• Interior: emphasise service, housekeeping, laundry, wine and guest care, plus any languages.
• Galley: show where you have cooked, the style of cuisine, the number of covers and dietary experience. Some chefs add a sample menu or a link to photos of their food.
• Engineering: list your engineering certificates, the engines and systems you know, and practical maintenance experience.

Your online profile matters too

Many yachts and management companies now search for crew online rather than waiting for CVs by email. An online profile works like a CV that is always up to date and always discoverable.

On HullpinCrew you can build your CV once, keep your certificates in one place, choose whether your profile is public or private, and apply to jobs in one click. Create your free crew profile and use the same tips from this guide: a clear position, accurate certificates and a friendly, professional photo.

Checklist before you send it

• Name, position and contact details at the top
• Professional photo
• Nationality, visas, location and availability
• STCW and ENG1 with dates
• Yacht experience, or relevant experience translated into yacht skills
• Two reachable references
• Saved as a PDF with a clear file name
• Read through once more for spelling

A good yacht CV does not need to be fancy. It needs to be clear, honest and complete. Get those three things right and you will already be ahead of many of the CVs a captain sees each day. If you are just starting out, read how to get a job on a superyacht with no experience next.