| Before you try to get a job working on a luxury | | | | After completing your STCW course, you will receive |
| yacht, you will need to complete a 5-day course | | | | a certificate that you will need to keep and present |
| called "Standards of Training, Certification and | | | | to your hiring captain. Your first paycheck or charter |
| Watchkeeping" (STCW 95). | | | | tip will certainly cover the course tuition. |
| The $800-$1200 USD price for this course may seem | | | | Remember STCW is just the bare bones in training. |
| like a hurdle to jump over before you can start your | | | | After you are certified, you are simply eligible to be |
| yachting career, but it is critical for 4 reasons: | | | | hired for your first job (assuming you are right for |
| 1) STCW certification is mandated for all positions on | | | | the job). Continue to learn on the job and soak up |
| board which have a safety role in the crew "muster | | | | the details surrounding you. |
| list" for emergencies (which is literally every crew | | | | If you plan to work your way up to captain, |
| member on board a luxury motor or sailing yacht). | | | | engineer, or chef, then obtaining further training, |
| 2) You will be more confident in your role and better | | | | licensing, or certification doesn't necessarily need to |
| able to perform in your job. | | | | be done right away. The experience you gain on the |
| 3) Captains simply will not hire you without it for | | | | job is 10X more useful, plus it will help you better |
| reason #1 above, or other job candidates will have it, | | | | identify the appropriate training and courses you may |
| which makes you a less attractive hiring option since | | | | wish to take at a later time. |
| you will have to fit in time for training instead of | | | | I am a firm believer in on-the-job training when you |
| working. Yachts used to cover the course cost if the | | | | can find a suitable position to grow in. Unfortunately, |
| situation warranted it, but this is quite rare now. | | | | STCW is not one of those. It is a "box" that you |
| 4) Taking your course at a reputable training school | | | | must check to enter the professional yachting |
| can be a good way to network with others and | | | | industry and it proves to others (and yourself) that |
| instructors. You may get job leads and/or build | | | | you are committed to becoming an excellent yacht |
| confidence by seeing others going for it! | | | | crew. |