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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

Yacht Crew Agency / Candidates / Yacht Salaries Guide

Yacht Salaries Guide

Many of our candidates are asking us for advice on what their salary should be on a yacht.

We have prepared a table of approximate wages in the yachting industry. Even though these salaries may give you a reference point, we would like to inform you that all yachts are different, equally as their owners.

These salary rates are based on the current state of the employment market in yachting in 2024. Real wages always vary depending on the candidate’s experience, training, certificates and additional skills.

Different Salaries of Yacht Crew Jobs

People working on a yacht can earn extras.

Tips are another big financial reward for the team of the superyacht to be rewarded. Specially operating on a charter yacht gives crew a great chance to earn extra money, but how much is expected? It is up to it. Common tips vary from 5% to 20% of the charter cost, sharing about 10% and split by all crewmembers.

Living on a private yacht cannot provide all such advice, but it has its own crew benefits, including greater rest, longer vacations, rewards and also the prospect of the owner’s unexpected donations. Such proprietors are often considered to tip.

Different Position in a Yacht Crew, Different Salary

Without a doubt, each position has a different monthly income. So the higher position you will get the higher salary you will get. Here are an overview about some positions on a yacht.

The Captain must be skilled and trained in maritime affairs, outstanding navigational knowledge, exceptional administration, coordination, strategy and diplomacy. A Superyacht Captain will have outstanding nautical expertise, repairs, electronics, professional procedures and accounting, Finance and administrative records knowledge. A captain must have a cool, charismatic demeanor and must be exceptionally competent to work with men, staff and visitors. Average monthly salary : 60ft (18m) à 2,200€ – 3,700€

During the captain’s absence, the Chief Officer / First Mate will have the captain’s good management and interpersonal abilities and outstanding experience and procedures in ISM and ISPS. The CEO will be someone with a solid history in deck work from prior practice with Deckhand or Boson. Average monthly salary : 60ft < 75ft (23m) à 2,200€ – 3,000€

Under the command and control of the commander, the chief steward must perform his or her duties. The head chef may therefore train and prescribe some lower level stews under his command, as the sole responsible for the interior of the vessel and for offering a satisfactory hospitality service to fulfill the holidaymakers ‘needs. Excellent support, networking and management are a must, as is an innovative environment. Average monthly salary : 100ft (33m) – 140ft (43m) à 2,200€ – 3,000€ +

Morgan & Mallet Yacht Crew Agency helps all yachting professionals find the best job and create a career in yachting

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Yacht Crew Salaries: Complete Guide to What Yacht Crew Earn

It’s no secret that the impressive yacht crew salaries attract most people into the exclusive yachting world.

Junior deckhands or stewardesses can earn starting salaries of $3000 per month. With a few years of experience and some courses to back you up, this amount moves up towards $4000-$4500 per month!

In order to compile this superyacht crew salary guideline, I have taken 10 of the top yachting platforms and used all of their data, combined with my personal experience, to reach an average salary expectation for each position.

Table of Contents

How Much do you Make Working on a Yacht?

Yacht Captain Salary

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

Requirements of a Yacht Captain

• Years of experience needed: 3-5 years of experience as Chief Officer/Mate and more than 5 years of experience as a Captain for larger yachts
• Minimum level of Qualification: 200ton licence which allows you to drive vessels below 200tons

The Captain has the highest level of responsibility onboard the yacht and hence they earn the most out of all the yacht crew salaries.

Captains are accountable for the overall safety of the yacht, crew members and guests.

They also handle daily operations of the yacht, guests, and owner liaison. They deal with management companies, port control, budgets, human resources, and many more tasks and logistics that make the job demanding and stressful.

On top of this, Captains are required to hold high levels of certifications depending on the size of the yacht they are driving.

Yacht Captain salaries can sky rocket with higher levels of qualifications.

If you are looking to become a Yacht Captain one day I recommend looking into the courses required so you can get started with licenses and sea time. It takes time to get there, but when you do it will be worth it.

Chief Officer Yacht Salary

• 30m-40m: $4000-$6000
• 40m-50m: $4500-$7500
• 50m-70m: $5500-$9000
• 70m+: $8000+

Requirements of a Chief Officer

• Years of experience needed: 3-5 Years
• Minimum level of qualification: Officer of the Watch

The Chief Officer is second in command to the Captain and is responsible for carrying out the Captain’s standing orders.

On smaller yachts, the Chief Officer is referred to as the Mate.

The Chief Officer is responsible for carrying out the safety duties onboard and assisting in the bridge with paperwork and navigational planning.

The Chief Officer is also responsible for leading and managing their deck team, ensuring crew are following their duties as well as managing the water sports and guest activities.

The salary of a Chief Officer depends heavily on the license held.

Bosun Yacht Salary

• Years of experience needed: 2-3 years
• Minimum level of qualification: Yacht Master Offshore
• A yacht Bosun salary can vary between $4000 and $6000.

Responsibilities of a Bosun

The Bosun is essentially the Lead Deckhand onboard. A lead deckhand salary on a larger vessel will be similar to that of a bosun salary on a smaller vessel.

This is an opportunity to step up from being a deckhand and gain some experience in a leadership role. This position is in place for larger yachts so that when the Officer is busy with bridge duties, someone is in charge on deck.

Yacht Deckhand Salary

Years of experience needed: 0

• Minimum level of qualification: None needed, however Power Boat Level 2 and Yacht Master offshore will put you at a great advantage
• Entry-level yacht crew salaries start at $3000 and can go as high as $4000/$4500.

Responsibilities of a Deckhand

A Deckhand is an entry-level role on a yacht.

You need to spend a few years (or less) as a Deckhand in order to learn and gain experience so that you can step up in the ranks and obtain your licenses.

This role will be very hands-on in maintaining the exterior of the yacht. Duties will include cleaning, polishing, varnishing, sanding, caulking, and any other maintenance work required.

Chief Steward / Chief Stewardess Salary

• 30m-40m :$4500-$5500
• 40m-50m :$5000-$7000
• 50m-70m- $5500-$8000
• 70m+: $7500+

Responsibilities of a Chief Stewardess/Steward

• Years of experience needed: 3-5 years
• Minimum level of qualification: Depending on the size of the vessel you may need courses such as Food Hygiene and Safety, Silver Service, WSET, or a Purser course

The Chief Stewardess or Steward is responsible for all the interior operations of the yacht .

They are responsible for managing the interior team, and ensuring the interior of the yacht is maintained to the highest standards. Besides cleaning and laundry schedules , this also includes provisioning for crew and guests, budgeting, accounting, and training of junior crew.

Steward or Stewardess Yacht Salary

• Minimum level of qualification: Depending on the size of the vessel you may need courses such as Food Hygiene and Safety and Silver Service
• Salaries start at $3000 and go up to $6000

Responsibilities of a Steward or Stewardess

A Stewardess/Steward is an entry-level position working within the interior of the yacht.

There are rankings within the interior (2nd, 3rd, 4th Steward/Stewardesses). As you spend more time in the industry, you will be promoted to higher ranks, and with that will come a better salary and more responsibility.

This role covers a range of tasks, including but not limited to housekeeping, laundry, bartending, table scaping, floral arrangements, serving, and hosting guests.

Engineer Yacht Salary

• 20m-30m: $4000-$5000
• 30m-40m: $4500-$6500
• 40m-50m: $6000-$8000
• 50m-70m: $7500-$11000
• 70m+: $9000+

Requirements of an Engineer

• Years of experience needed: 2-4 years in an engineering role onboard as Deck/Engineer or relevant land-based experience
• Minimum level of qualification: AEC

The Engineer onboard is responsible for all mechanical functioning and maintenance of the vessel. This is a very technical role that can pay well as you gain experience and obtain your licensing.

Yacht Chef Salary

• 20m-30m: $4000 – $5000
• 40m-50m: $5500 – $75000
• 50m-70m: $6500-$9500

Requirements of a Yacht Chef

• Years of experience needed: 3-5 years depending on previous experience
• Minimum level of qualification: Food Hygiene and Safety Level 2

The Chef is responsible for feeding the crew 2 to 3 healthy and sustainable meals a day. They are of course required to prepare meals for guests when onboard to the highest of standards.

In their day-to-day tasks, they will be responsible for their own provisioning of the galley, maintaining stocks, cleanliness, and hygiene of the galley.

The salary of the Yacht Chef varies depending on qualifications and experience.

Yacht Crew Salaries for Private vs Charter Yachts

There are two types of super yachts that require crew: Private and Charter yachts. The salaries for yacht crew differ slightly between the two.

Private Yacht

A private boat is owned by a single person or family who uses the yacht for their own purposes. They don’t charter it out and you can expect to have the same guests onboard for the duration of your contract.

The benefit of these programs is that you get to know your guests well so you may find it easier to manage their wants and needs.

You may also benefit from traveling to off-the-beaten-track locations as I have!

For yacht crew working on these private boats, you will usually not receive charter tips.

Charter Yacht

A charter boat is one that gets chartered out by guests. This operates as a business and also means you will have different guests for every trip. 

If you work on a charter boat you can expect to receive charter tips at the end of each charter. These are usually 10%-20% of the charter fee!

Considering these tips can be anywhere from $2000-$5000 per week depending on the size of the yacht, charter boats offer great earning potential and can skyrocket your salary as a yachtie.

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.

How to Write the Perfect Yacht CV [With Template]

A day in the life of a yacht stewardess.

Yacht Crew Salaries: The Current State

Posted October 12, 2023 by Ashleigh King

The topic of salaries in the yachting industry has gained attention this year, with a growing sense of awareness and discussion. Louisa had the opportunity to speak with several dedicated crew members who have shared their thoughts and concerns about this matter. With the ever-changing economic landscape, it’s crucial to assess whether salaries for yacht crew have adapted to these shifts in a positive direction.

A comprehensive analysis of Dockwalk’s salary surveys over the past several years reveals a rather consistent pattern spanning a 15-year period. Specifically, when comparing salaries in euros for a 50-meter yacht between 2008 and 2023, certain trends emerge. In the case of Captains, the industry average in 2008 ranged from 7,000 to 10,000 euros per month, while this year, it has extended from 7,000 to 15,000 euros per month. Similarly, Chief Engineers in 2008 were earning an average of 5,000 to 7,000 euros per month, whereas in 2023, their earnings range from 5,000 to 10,000 euros per month. It is noteworthy that while the lower-end salaries have remained relatively consistent, the upper-end figures have witnessed a significant increase, aligning more closely with industry expectations.

While the top-end salaries can be attributed to experience and longevity, it remains pertinent to question why the baseline salaries have remained at their current level. This inquiry may stem from the various factors related to job availability and individual crew preferences. It’s possible that, after a period of uncertainty, many crew members are now placing a higher value on the stability of full-time positions over seeking higher pay.

Engaging with numerous crew members who express diverse expectations and requirements underscores the challenge of establishing industry standards, especially considering the growing prevalence of rotational contracts. A notable example illustrates this complexity: I recently met a Captain who was perplexed by the stark disparity in his salary compared to that of a colleague. However, one crucial aspect he overlooked was that his counterpart had been with the same owner for four additional years, underscoring the significance of longevity in this profession.

Furthermore, entry-level crew members are facing their own set of challenges. Green crew are currently being offered a monthly compensation of 2,000 euros, which is nearly the same from 15 years ago when it ranged from 2,000 to 2,500 euros.

While the average monthly compensation for green crew hasn’t seen substantial growth over the past 15 years, it’s essential to acknowledge the rising costs associated with crew housing, food, and travel. In this light, exploring creative solutions to improve the financial well-being of entry-level crew members is a valuable consideration.

While the topic of salary stagnation in the yachting industry has raised concerns, there is also a silver lining. Salaries for experienced crew members have been on an upward trajectory, and the industry is evolving to accommodate different needs and preferences. By focusing on the positive aspects of these changes, we can look forward to a brighter future for all members of the yacht crew community.

Download our Crew Salary Guideline PDFs in Dollars and Euros for more helpful information.

With our presence established in the key yachting hubs worldwide, we stand ready to address all your crew-related requirements. Don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule a consultation with one of our dedicated N&J Crew team members today!

Proud to be part of the MarineMax family

© 2024 Northrop & Johnson

The Ultimate Guide to Yacht Crew Salaries

• by yachtman
• September 16, 2023 June 22, 2024

Yacht crew salaries – a topic of intrigue for many. If you’re asking yourself how much these professionals make, this guide is for you. Here, you’ll find all you need to know about yacht crew salaries.

Factors like the size and type of the yacht, its location and cruising itinerary, all influence pay rates. Moreover, experience and qualifications of the crew matter too when it comes to yacht crew taxation .

In addition to the usual suspects, there are other unique details to yacht crew salaries. For example, some yachts reward their crew for excellent service or guest feedback. So hard work can bring you more than just a base salary.

Let me share a true story. Sarah is a highly experienced chef aboard a luxury superyacht in the Mediterranean. With her culinary skills and extensive training, Sarah earns a salary that reflects her expertise and talent.

Yacht crew salaries are a complex mix of vessel type, location, qualifications, and performance-based rewards. By exploring this guide, you’ll gain valuable insights into this fascinating aspect of the yachting industry . Let’s get started!

Understanding the yacht crew salary structure

Salary structure for yacht crew is key to understand when wanting a career in the yachting industry. See the following breakdown of positions and their corresponding average monthly salaries:

Aside from these positions, experience, qualifications and yacht size can affect salaries. Gratuities can boost earnings too.

It’s important to be aware of trends when it comes to salary structure. Demand for experienced crew has been growing due to luxury yacht vacations. Salaries have also been rising.

It’s essential to know the yacht crew salary structure if you want to pursue a career in the yachting industry. Knowing average salaries and keeping up with trends will help you make smart career decisions.

Factors that influence yacht crew salaries

Various factors impact yacht crew salaries, like experience, job position, and yacht size/type . Experience enhances earning potential, while captains/engineers earn more than deckhands/stewards. Larger yachts often offer higher wages, and yacht type impacts specialized skills compensation. Certifications, language proficiency, and additional skills also factor in. According to SuperYachtTimes, certain destinations offer more competitive remuneration packages due to market demands and living costs variations. When considering a career in this field, take these factors into account to shape your earning potential.

How to negotiate yacht crew salaries

Here’s a guide to help you negotiate yacht crew salaries and get the best pay package:

• Do Research : Learn the industry standards for yacht crew salaries. Look into job roles, experience levels, and vessel types to set a benchmark.
• Assess Yourself: See how your skills, qualifications, and experience compare to other crew. Show any special strengths or certifications that could get you a higher salary.
• Get Ready to Negotiate: Prepare evidence for your desired salary range. Be ready to show your successes, awards, and extra value.
• Pick the Right Time: Time is key when negotiating salaries. Look for moments when your employer is okay with it, like during reviews or contract renewals.
• Show Your Case: During talks, explain why your salary should be higher, but stay professional and respectful. Highlight how you’ve helped the team or operations.
• Look at Non-Financial Benefits: If a raise isn’t possible now, try longer vacations, better housing, or professional development to boost your package.

Remember, negotiation is an art and needs both parties’ needs and expectations. By following these steps and customizing them to you, you’ll ace salary talks with confidence.

Pro Tip: Stay open to compromise, but aim higher than your target salary range to have some room to move without undervaluing yourself.

Expected salary ranges for different yacht crew positions

Salaries for yacht crew members vary greatly , depending on their position and experience. Here’s a look at the expected salary range for different roles in the yacht industry:

Note: These figures are estimates, and can change due to yacht size/type, location, and individual skills/certs.

In the yachting industry, it is essential to be aware of the ultimate guide to yacht crew recruitment agencies to navigate the industry effectively.

To increase earning potential, get specialized training/certs related to your role. Qualifications make you more appealing to employers. Network within the industry. Go to events and join pro orgs – meeting people who can give valuable connections. Building relationships with captains/brokers can get you better jobs with higher salaries.

Maintain professionalism and dedication at work. Yacht owners value crew members who show reliability and hard work. Going above and beyond can help you stand out when it’s time for promotions/salary negotiations.

By following these tips and investing in your skills/network, you can make the most of the yacht industry.

Tips for career advancement and higher salaries in the yacht industry

Seek out chances to advance your career, such as going to industry conferences or getting certifications. Make connections with important members of the yacht industry, both on and offline. Doing this can give you access to job openings and mentors. Show off your skills through a resume and cover letter when applying for jobs. Showcase experiences and accomplishments that will make you attractive to employers. Be open to taking on different jobs or tasks to get varied experience and make yourself more marketable.

In addition, stay informed about current industry trends. Find out about new tech, regulations, and best practices. This way, you’ll be seen as an invaluable asset to the yacht industry.

As an example, Sarah started as an entry-level stewardess but quickly rose through the ranks. She was recognized by her co-workers and bosses. In a few years, Sarah became chief stewardess on a top yacht. She was successful due to her excellent skills and adaptability. Now, Sarah earns higher salaries and has more opportunities for career advancement.

By following these tips, as well as being determined and hardworking, you can enhance your career prospects in the yacht industry and make more money.

Analysis of yacht crew salaries shows insights, both for inexperienced and experienced crew members. High demand for yachting professionals has created competitive compensation packages, plus yearly increments and benefits like accommodation, travel allowance, and food. Salary structures vary based on factors like experience level, yacht size/type, job role, and location.

It is vital to look at certifications and specialized skills for understanding crew members’ earning potential. Get additional qualifications like STCW certificates or culinary training to increase the chances of getting higher-paying jobs. Positions like diving instructors or onboard beauty therapists come with attractive remuneration packages.

To not miss out on great opportunities, stay up to date with industry trends. Network with fellow professionals through conferences or online platforms. By staying connected and informed, you can maximize your earning potential .

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ 1: What factors determine yacht crew salaries?

Answer: Yacht crew salaries are determined by various factors such as experience, position, size and type of yacht, level of qualification, location, and the owner’s budget.

FAQ 2: What are the typical positions and salary ranges in the yacht industry? Learn more in the essential guide to yacht crew placement .

Answer: Typical positions in the yacht industry include captain, first mate, chef, stewardess, and deckhand. Salaries can vary significantly, with captains earning $80,000 to over $200,000 per year, while deckhands may earn $30,000 to $50,000 per year, depending on experience and other factors.

FAQ 3: Are there any additional factors that can affect yacht crew salaries?

Answer: Yes, additional factors can include bonuses, tips, benefits, overtime pay, and the length of the working season. These factors can significantly impact the overall salary package for yacht crew members.

FAQ 4: Are there opportunities for career advancement and salary growth in the yacht industry?

Answer: Absolutely! Yacht crew members can advance their careers and increase their salaries by gaining additional qualifications and experience. Progressing to higher positions such as chief stewardess or captain can lead to higher income and better job prospects.

FAQ 5: Do yacht crew members receive any additional benefits besides their salaries?

Answer: Yes, besides their salaries, yacht crew members often receive additional benefits such as free accommodation and meals onboard, health insurance, retirement plans, transportation allowance, and the opportunity to travel to exotic locations.

FAQ 6: How can I find accurate and up-to-date information about yacht crew training programs ?

Answer: It is recommended to consult reliable sources such as industry publications, yacht crew agencies, and professional associations specializing in the yacht industry. They can provide accurate and up-to-date information on yacht crew accommodations .

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YPI Crew's 2022 salary report is out - See all the data about yacht crew earnings

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Essential Guides

Ocean Mapping

New to Yachting

• Mar 11, 2021

Salary is generally one of the top motivators when choosing a job onboard a yacht, yet it is usually one of the best-kept secrets within the industry.

When negotiating the final salary, it's important that both the employer and employee have an idea of what the standard is for that particular position. This will help keep the transparency and build trust.

To keep their finger on the pulse of the industry and understand the changes that are happening within, YPI CREW set off to launch the yachtingsalaries. com website in 2016. There, every crew member in the industry is welcome to enter their yacht crew salaries along with the position they serve on a yacht. The process is completely anonymous and serves as a way of monitoring the industry's yacht crew salary movements. Yacht crew can also visit the site to check the anonymous data their peers have entered for reference.

The Importance of Yacht Crew Salaries Reports

Informed employers recognise that in order to attract the top level of talent and experience for a particular role, one of the strongest influences they have is the salary they can offer. To stay competitive within the yachting industry you have to offer competitive yacht crew salaries that reflect the current marketplace. And in order to do this, you have to know what the current market rate is.

Equally, employees can use a yacht crew salary report such as this as a guide point to get an idea if a job offer is reflective of the industry and the role they serve.

The Crew Salaries Data and How We Collect It

In 2016, YPI CREW launched a peer-to-peer salary comparison website for the yachting industry. Here, anyone working in the industry is welcome to anonymously enter their yacht crew salary along with their rank.

has so far attracted over 5.655 entries since its launch in 2016, providing an informative yacht crew salary guide for employers and employees. Best of all, the salary data is free for anyone to access.

The figures shown here are median values of the real salaries entered by yacht crew. They can be used as orientational figures but the real salary offered during the recruitment process will vary depending on the candidate's experience, training, certificates, and additional skills. This is why, when looking for work, it's important to have someone guiding you and championing your skills and experience.

All yacht crew salaries are expressed in euros. Please note that the blanks in the graphs are due to either lack of entries for that particular category or the nonexistence of a role in a specific segment. For example, there are generally no third officers on yachts smaller than 50 meters.

To visit the site to contribute your salary or conduct a free search of the salary database, visit

Data presented here is collected from anonymous yacht crew members. It should not be seen as a definite portrayal of the current market but merely an informal indication.

As salary data is entered by members of the community the site works on an honesty system. There is really no incentive for contributors to mislead people about what they earn. Any inflated or inconsistent salary entries can be 'flagged' as suspicious by other members of the community or by YPI CREW and quickly removed from the system to ensure the accuracy of data is maintained.

Yacht Captain Salaries

347 captains have contributed their salaries. Of those, 287 (82%) are working on motor yachts and 60 (18%) on sailing yachts. This is coherent with the ratio of the global world yacht fleet. 83% of which are motor yachts and 17% are sailing yachts. Overall, only 33% of captains who contributed are on rotation. Rotation usually, if and when available, starts on yachts over 50m. When talking about sailing yachts, we didn't receive any entries for sailing yachts above the 51-65m segment. Also, salaries were on average slightly lower on sailing yachts compared to same-sized motor yachts.

Yacht Captains present the most senior management of a yacht, which is obviously reflected in the salary they command. Expectedly, with the size of the yacht increasing, so do salaries.

Experienced recruiters are invaluable at this level as they can definitely add value in the salary negotiation stage; it is their role to act as a middle person to ensure that, when a job offer is made, it is to all parties' satisfaction and is therefore accepted. They not only know how best to champion captains, their skills and experience at interview stage; they help craft and finesse a deal.

2020 Yacht Crew Salaries for Motor Yacht Captains

2020 Yacht Crew Salaries for Sailing Yacht Captains

Deck Crew Salaries

214 Deck Crew have contributed their salaries, broken down as 116 Chief Officers, 16 Second Officers, 12 Third Officers, and 64 Deckhands.

From the data, we see that fewer Chief Officers (43%) reported having a rotational position compared to Second Engineers (57%). However, they reportedly benefit more from rotation than Captains who are at 33%.

2020 Yacht Crew Salaries for First or Chief Officers

2020 Yacht Crew Salaries for Second Officers

2020 Yacht Crew Salaries for Third Officers or Bosuns

2020 Yacht Crew Salaries for Yacht Deckhands

Engineer Salaries

279 technical crew have contributed; 162 Chief Engineers, 60 Second Engineers, 16 Third Engineers, and 25 ETO/AVIT.

Overall, many more Engineers reported being on rotation than Captains. We see that 72% of Chief Engineers, 57% of Second Engineers and 56% of Third Engineers are rotational, along with 88% of ETO/AVIT Engineers.

For Chief Engineers we note that beyond the 66 – 80m segment, there is no data for permanent salaries. This reflects the engineering recruitment market where in fact, from +65m upwards, the market is rotation only, apart from a few exceptions. The same goes for Second Engineers and ETOs where permanent contracts on +65m yachts are for build contracts only. It is our experience that the market is rotation-only for Engineers on operational yachts over 65m.

2020 Yacht Crew Salaries for Chief Engineers

2020 Yacht Crew Salaries for Second Engineers

2020 Yacht Crew Salaries for Third Engineers

2020 Yacht Crew Salaries for ETO, AVI & Electrical Engineers

Chef Salaries

65 yacht Chefs contributed with their salaries, of which 50 were Head Chefs and 15 Sous Chefs.

It is our experience that at the point of recruitment on yachts +50m, most yacht Chef jobs offer some sort of rotation, so it surprising that only 26 % of Chefs who contributed are on rotation.

2020 Yacht Crew Salaries for Yacht Head Chefs

2020 Yacht Crew Salaries for Sous Chefs

Pursers & Stews

34 Pursers, 61 Chief Stews, and 22 Second Stews contributed their salaries.

Pursers, after Engineers, are the category who most have access to rotation. 59% of Pursers reported having rotation whilst only 18% of Chief Stews said they benefit from that perk.

Our experience is that in the past year, perhaps due to Covid-19, salaries offered to Stews were somewhat lower than the year before.

This underlines again the added value of registering and teaming up with recruiters who have their fingers on the pulse and are able to assist in negotiating the best conditions for job offers. Each situation is unique. Likewise, the same recruiters will advise Captains on the state of the crew market and how to position themselves in terms of conditions and salary to attract the best suitable, interested and available candidates

2020 Yacht Crew Salaries for Yacht Pursers

2020 Yacht Crew Salaries for Chief Stews and Stewardesses

2020 Yacht Crew Salaries for Second Stews and Stewardesses

2020 Yacht Crew Salaries for Yacht Stews and Stewardesses

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How Much Does Yacht Crew Make? (Salary Information Explained)

Do you dream of working on the open seas, sailing the world and getting paid to do it? Becoming a yacht crew member offers the potential to have a unique career and lifestyle that many people can only dream of.

But how much do yacht crew members make? In this article, we will cover the different types of yacht crew positions, the average salary of yacht crew members, benefits of being a yacht crew member, qualifications needed to become a yacht crew member, how to increase earnings as a yacht crew member, factors that affect yacht crew salary, and finally, how to find yacht crew jobs.

So, if you’re intrigued to learn more about this unique career opportunity, read on!.

Table of Contents

Short Answer

Yacht crew salaries vary depending on the size of the yacht, the type of crew position, and the length of the yacht’s voyage.

Generally speaking, permanent crew on a large yacht can expect to make between $2,500 and $7,500 per month, while temporary crew on a smaller yacht might make between $1,500 and $3,000 per month.

Some crew members may be offered additional bonuses, commissions, and tips depending on the role they fill and their experience.

Types of Yacht Crew Positions

Yacht crew members come in a variety of positions and have different duties and responsibilities.

Deckhands, for example, are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the vessel, including cleaning, painting, polishing, and repairs.

They may also help load and unload supplies, operate cranes and winches, and manage the mooring lines.

Stewards, meanwhile, are responsible for cleaning and servicing the cabins, cooking meals, and taking care of the passengers.

Captains and engineers, on the other hand, are responsible for navigating and operating the yacht, as well as managing the crew and maintaining the vessels mechanical systems.

In addition, some crew members are responsible for providing onboard entertainment, such as DJs, musicians, and photographers.

Depending on the size and type of vessel, there may also be a variety of other specialized positions, such as a tender driver, dive instructor, or water sports instructor.

Ultimately, the duties and responsibilities of each position will vary from vessel to vessel.

Average Salary for Yacht Crew Members

Yacht crew members can make a substantial income, depending on their position and experience.

Deckhands and stewards typically earn anywhere from $2,000 to $3,500 per month, while captains and engineers can make up to $10,000 per month.

Yacht crew members also receive additional benefits such as food, lodging, and health insurance, depending on the size and type of vessel they are working on.

Crew members who work on larger vessels may be entitled to additional benefits, such as vacation time and bonuses.

With the right qualifications and experience, yacht crew members can make a lucrative living.

The salary range for yacht crew members varies widely by position and experience.

The entry-level position, such as a deckhand, can earn between $2,000 to $3,500 per month, while a captain or engineer can earn between $5,000 to $10,000 per month.

Experienced crew members can earn even more, depending on the size and type of vessel they are working on.

In addition to a salary, yacht crew members often receive additional benefits, such as food, lodging, and health insurance.

Crew members who work on larger vessels may also be entitled to additional bonuses, such as vacation time.

Yacht crew members also have the opportunity to travel and explore the world while working on a yacht.

Working on a yacht can give crew members access to remote locations as well as the opportunity to experience different cultures.

In conclusion, yacht crew members can make a substantial income depending on their position and experience.

With the right qualifications and experience, yacht crew members can make a lucrative living and have the opportunity to explore the world.

Benefits of Being a Yacht Crew Member

For those looking to get into the yachting industry, the potential to make a lucrative living is just one of the many advantages of being a yacht crew member.

In addition to the salary potential, there are also a variety of other benefits that come with working on a yacht.

One of the primary benefits of being a yacht crew member is the free food, lodging, and health insurance many employers provide.

Yacht crew members are typically provided with meals while they are on board and many also receive a daily stipend to cover additional meals while ashore.

Accommodations are also provided, either through a cabin on the yacht or a hotel ashore.

Depending on the employer, health insurance may also be included, providing crew members with additional peace of mind.

Yacht crew members may also be entitled to additional bonuses, such as vacation time.

Those who work on larger vessels may be given the opportunity to take extended breaks, allowing them to explore the area and take some time to relax.

This can be an invaluable experience, especially for those who are new to the industry.

Finally, yacht crew members may be eligible for other types of bonuses, such as tips from passengers or referral bonuses for bringing in new crew members.

These incentives can be an excellent way to supplement income and are often given in addition to the base salary.

Ultimately, the benefits of being a yacht crew member go beyond the salary potential.

With free food, lodging, health insurance, and the chance to explore the world, the advantages of working on a yacht are vast.

With the right qualifications and experience, yacht crew members can make a lucrative and rewarding living.

Qualifications Needed to Become Yacht Crew

Yacht crew members are highly skilled professionals who must possess a variety of qualifications and certifications to become a member of the crew.

Generally, crew members must have experience in a related field, such as sailing, diving, or engineering, and must have completed a relevant certification program in order to work on a yacht.

For example, deckhands must have a valid STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping) certificate, which is a minimum requirement for any seafaring job.

In addition, any crew members who will be utilizing navigation systems and other electronic equipment must possess a valid GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) certificate.

In addition to possessing the necessary qualifications and certifications, yacht crew members must also have a good working knowledge of safety protocols, such as firefighting and first aid procedures.

It is also important for crew members to be physically fit and able to handle the demands of working in a physically demanding environment.

Finally, crew members must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work well with others in a team environment.

By working as a member of the yacht crew, individuals can gain valuable experience and skills that will serve them well in the future.

With the right qualifications and experience, yacht crew members can make a lucrative living and enjoy the benefits of working on the open seas.

How to Increase Earnings as a Yacht Crew Member

Working as a yacht crew member can be a lucrative career, depending on the position and experience level of the individual.

To increase earnings, yacht crew members should strive to gain experience, keep up to date with certifications and safety training, and build strong relationships with their employers.

Experience is a key factor in increasing income as a yacht crew member.

The more experience a person has in the marine industry, the more likely they are to land higher-paying jobs.

Crew members should also look for opportunities to gain additional skills, such as navigation or boat maintenance, which can boost their earning potential.

Yacht crew members should also make sure their certifications and safety training are up to date.

Most yachting companies require crew members to complete safety courses and other courses related to the job.

Taking courses to remain certified and knowledgeable about safety regulations can help crew members command higher salaries.

In addition to gaining experience and keeping certifications and safety training up to date, crew members should also strive to build strong relationships with their employers.

Employers are more likely to offer higher salaries and additional benefits to crew members they trust and respect.

Building relationships with employers may also lead to additional opportunities, such as serving as a captain or engineer on larger vessels.

By gaining experience, keeping certifications and safety training up to date, and building strong relationships with employers, yacht crew members can increase their earning potential and make a lucrative living.

Factors that Affect Yacht Crew Salary

One of the major factors that affects the salary of yacht crew members is the type of vessel they are working on.

For example, deckhands and stewards may make more money on larger yachts, while captains and engineers may make more money on smaller vessels.

Additionally, the size of the yacht can impact the amount of money that crew members make.

Crew members who work on larger yachts may be entitled to additional bonuses, such as vacation time, which can help to boost their income.

The amount of experience that yacht crew members have is also a major factor in determining their salary.

Generally, crew members who have more experience and specialized skills will be able to command higher salaries than those with less experience.

Additionally, crew members may be able to negotiate better wages if they have valuable skills or qualifications that are in demand.

The location of the yacht can also affect the salary of the crew.

Crew members who work in locations with higher costs of living may be able to command higher salaries, as their wages will need to be adjusted in order to cover the additional expenses.

Additionally, crew members who work in areas that are popular among wealthy yacht owners may be able to negotiate higher salaries, as they will be in more demand.

Finally, the type of contract that yacht crew members sign is also a major factor in determining their salary.

Generally, crew members who sign long-term contracts may be able to negotiate higher salaries, as they will be more valuable to the yacht owner.

On the other hand, crew members who sign short-term contracts may be able to negotiate lower salaries, as they will not be as valuable to the yacht owner.

Finding Yacht Crew Jobs

The first step in finding work as a yacht crew member is understanding the various positions available.

Deckhands are responsible for cleaning and maintaining the vessel and ensuring the safety of passengers and crew.

Stewards are responsible for managing the food and beverage services on board the yacht.

Captains and engineers have the highest level of responsibility, as they are in charge of navigating the yacht and ensuring that all of its systems are properly maintained.

Its important to have the right qualifications and experience when applying for a yacht crew position.

Most positions require a minimum of a high school diploma, but some may require additional certifications such as a boating license or CPR certification.

Additionally, many yacht crew members have additional skills such as bartending or culinary experience.

Having a strong work ethic, excellent customer service skills, and the ability to work well with others are also important qualities for yacht crew members.

When it comes to finding yacht crew jobs, networking is key.

Joining a professional association or attending industry events can be a great way to meet people in the industry and find out about job opportunities.

Additionally, many yacht owners and charter companies post job openings on their websites or on online job boards.

Its also a good idea to check in with yacht management companies, as they often have access to a wide range of job openings.

Finally, word of mouth is often the best way to find out about job openings, so it pays to let people know that you are looking for work.

Final Thoughts

Working as a yacht crew member can be a highly lucrative career for anyone with the right qualifications and experience.

Depending on the position, a yacht crew member can make anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 per month, plus additional benefits such as food, lodging, and health insurance.

With the right qualifications, experience, and knowledge of the industry, a yacht crew member can maximize their earnings and enjoy a lucrative lifestyle.

If you’re interested in becoming a yacht crew member, research the different positions available and their associated salary ranges, as well as the qualifications and experience needed to succeed in the industry.

James Frami

At the age of 15, he and four other friends from his neighborhood constructed their first boat. He has been sailing for almost 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge that he wants to share with others.

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Superyacht Crew Salaries: First Report Released 

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Written by Maria Korotaeva

Many life-long careers in the yachting industry have begun as a seasonal job or gap year with a desire to visit exotic destinations. The continual change and challenges that come with each new charter group make the positive feedback even more satisfying and those with lifelong wanderlust have a rare opportunity to see some of the world’s most incredible cities and scenery .  

Seahwak’s Crew

Working on a luxury yacht isn’t without its drawbacks, however: Weeks at a time spent away from home, long working hours in the peak seasons and ensuring that everything runs smoothly when you’re far from the port can all take their toll. When performing tasks that can be as equally trying as they are rewarding, crew members want to assure that their pay reflects the professionalism and high degree of detail that they put into each day.  

Following the launch of free salary-sharing platform www.yachtingsalaries.com in March 2016, YPI CREW has revealed its first report into the salaries paid to the crew on luxury yachts of various sizes.  

Covering the period between 2016/2017, the results not only provide transparency to crew members but help employers to attract and retain individuals with exceptional skills. The occupations covered range from captains to deckhands and compare pay for permanent, private, rotation and charter crew: Find out how the charter industry measures up to the other sectors.  

446 captains submitted information to www.yachtingsalaries.com, and the data revealed that 13% worked on sailing yachts and the other 83% on motor yachts. Captains on larger yachts earned more per month than captains of smaller vessels to create an upward trend, although M/Y captains of 35m-51m superyachts fared particularly well, with a jump in salary from €9,000 per month for 41m-50m yachts up to €13,000 p/m for larger luxury yachts. Private and permanent captains tended to earn the most for their size category, with permanent captains coming out slightly ahead.  

Sailing yacht captains tended to earn the same as on motor yachts for the 0-35m and 35-40m vessels, earned more than motor yacht captains in the 41-50m category by €2,000 per month, and earned less than motor yacht captains by €2,000 in the 51-65m category.  

Crew aboard Crose Del Sud

Technical Crew  

239 of the 434 technical crew surveyed were chief engineers, and on charter yachts, they earned an excellent salary compared to private, permanent and rotational counterparts on the same-sized yacht: In the 0-35m size category, they earned €6,000 per month compared to €5,500. Salary levelled off in the 80-100m category, with chief engineers on charters earning slightly less than others with a salary of €9,500.  

Second engineers were the most stable across the sectors and received a steady pay of between €48,000, rising to €70,000 on the largest yachts. Second engineers on charter yachts were paid considerably more per month than permanent and private second engineers within the 51-65m and 66-80m categories, earning between €5,000-€10,000 more in the former category and €2,000-€5,000 per month more in the latter.  

Third engineers earned between €2,500 and €5,000 per month, with the pay scale raising incrementally based on yacht size.  

Luxury superyacht crew

Deck officers

69% of the 224 deck officers who took part in the survey were permanent and 31% rotational. Second and third officers had a greater chance of occupying a rotational position (50% and 70%), making deck officers the most likely crew members to have rotational work. Deck officers on charter yachts tended to earn less than counterparts on similarly-sized vessels, and private and permanent positions provide the most stable throughout.   

Salaries for chief officers on charter yachts ranged from under €4,000 per month on 0-35m vessels to over €8,000 on 81-100m vessels and dropping slightly in the category of 101+m  

Data for 2nd and 3rd officers was more sporadic, and charter position salaries ranged from €3,800 for both positions on yachts 51-65m and upwards.  

Although 127 chefs participated in the survey, results were varied both for yacht sizes and sectors, producing the unusual graph where the head chefs on a 0-35m and 66-80m yacht were earning approximately the same (€4,000 per month) while on other sized charter yachts the head chefs were earning between €5,000 and €8,000. Of the head chefs who submitted data. 85% were permanent and 15% on rotation.  

Dining aboard superyacht SuRi

Vessel size seemed to play a part in the salary of sous chefs, with each type of employees earning more on larger yachts. 71% were permanent, and 29% were temporary.  

Pursers, Stewards and Stewardesses  

For the 2016/2017 report, only 27 pursers, 68 chief stewards/stewardesses and 27-second stewards/stewardesses provided information, and there are therefore too few results to make solid conclusions about industry salaries in this area. Of the pursers, salary varies from €5,000 per month to €7,000 and remuneration did not have any correlation with the size of the yacht and salary was stable regardless of the type of employment, although results were the most unstable in the 66-80m category.  

Excellent service onboard

Chief stewards and stewardesses received greater salaries for working on larger yachts, with rotation, permanent and private employment having the most stable salaries and charter crew the most variable: salary on a 51-65m superyacht was €6,500 per month, whereas under €6,000 was paid to stewards and stewardesses aboard 66-80m vessels and smaller yachts.  

The results of the second stewards and stewardesses had the most variability, with charter and rotation crew earning under €3,000 for 66-80m vessels while private and permanent crew earned €5,000.  

Deckhands  

Deckhand salaries tended not to vary depending on the size of the vessel, and 93% were permanent and 7% on rotation aboard motor yachts, while sailing yachts had 100%, permanent crew. From the 87 deckhands that contributed to the study, data revealed that salaries tended to range between €2,100 – €3,000 per month, regardless of whether the yacht was a charter, private or permanent. Deckhands on rotation earned €3,000-€9,000 less depending on the size of the yacht.  

The website  www.yachtingsalaries.com currently has 2,857 searchable salaries and includes other professions such as bosun and helicopter pilot, as well as the full comprehensive report. Results are searchable at any time, and the next report is due in November 2018.    

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "Superyacht Crew Salaries: First Report Released ".

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Yacht Crew Salaries

Average starting salary guidelines.

The crew salaries reflected below have been derived from placement records and job orders for both power and sail, reflected as an average, received by Crewfinders within the past year and may change without notice.

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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.

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Yacht Crew Positions and Salaries

The organisational structure onboard a superyacht follows a strong hierarchy based upon a military model. Exact job duties and lines of authority are set and strictly adhered to. This hierarchy is followed on the vast majority of yachts; however, responsibilities of the crew on smaller yachts are often merged.

There are four departments on yachts with clear organisational structure:

• Deck (including Bridge) – Safety, passage delivery, maintenance of the yacht's exterior, guest outdoor activities
• Engineering – Safety and smooth operational running of the yacht
• Interior – Housekeeping, guest wellbeing, activities, accounting
• Galley – Food preparation, stock control, hygiene, galley maintenance

The top of the hierarchy on each yacht is the Captain , who reports to the yacht owner either directly, or through a representative or a yacht management company.

Salaries vary and depend on the yacht size, use, type and location, as well as the experience and qualification of the crew member. We included typical salaries of crew based on the data available from reputable industry sources, as well as our research of over 60,000 crew registered with us.

Deck Positions

The primary duty of the Captain is the overall safe manning and operation of the yacht. Yacht Captain is responsible for the vessel, yacht crew, owner and guests, including personnel management, shipyard/project management, legal and regulatory compliance, accounting, achieving owners' objectives, and answers to the owner regarding all decisions.

First Mate / Chief Officer

The First Mate or Chief Officer is the right hand of the Captain. Takes command of the yacht from Captain when required. Shares Captain's responsibilities as required.

Bosun / Lead Deckhand

Bosuns are usually experienced Deckhands with additional responsibilities. They are in charge of Deckhands onboard the yacht and often spend a lot of time with guests during outdoor activities. The Bosun is normally the main tender driver.

Responsible for the maintenance of the exterior of the yacht and keeping it in pristine condition at all times. Deckhands also assist in maintaining, cleaning and operating yacht's tenders.

Engineering Positions

Chief engineer.

Responsible for the Engineering Department and for all technical aspects of the boat and its equipment. The Chief Engineer's duties include overseeing all mechanical and electrical operations, ensuring all planned maintenance takes place and liaising with subcontractors.

Second / Third Engineer

The Second and Third Engineers report directly to the Chief Engineer. They assist in maintaining all mechanical and electrical operations of the yacht.

ETO / AV/IT Officer

Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) and AV/IT Officer are in charge of daily maintenance of all electronic, computer, audio/visual and communications equipment and their efficient operation. This includes the radio, radar, telephones, satellite communications, navigation systems, computers, Internet connection, interior equipment (TVs, sound systems), etc.

Electrician

The Electrician is responsible for maintenance of all electrical circuits onboard the vessel, circuit breakers, switches, lighting, batteries, etc.

This is an administrative position on large yachts. The Purser is responsible for all operations in the interior department, including inventory, purchasing, provisioning, accounting, organising guest activities, and assisting the Captain with the yachts paperwork.

Chief Steward(ess)

Duties are similar to those of other Steward(ess)es onboard the boat, but on a more senior level, including managing the interior department and training. Small yachts with less crew do not have a Purser. The Chief Steward(ess) is in charge of all the responsibilities normally carried out by the Purser on large yachts.

Steward(ess)

Steward's or Stewardess's main responsibility is to maintain the interior of the yacht and provide the highest standard of care to the owner and guests. They serve food and drinks, prepare guest activities, pack and unpack luggage and are on call for anything that the guests want anytime day or night. On some yachts, they help the deck crew moor the yacht.

The Head/Executive Chef onboard a luxury superyacht is a culinary trained professional responsible for the overall management of the galley department on larger yachts, including guest and crew meals, provisioning, food safety, maintaining strict hygiene standards and financial/budgetary administration.

Assists the Head Chef in all aspects of galley duties. The Sous Chef may be required to independently provide crew meals or guest meals at the direction of the Head Chef.

Crew Chef / Cook

Large yachts employ a separate crew and guest chef. The Crew chef provides meals for the crew.

Other Positions

Many yachts, especially the large ones, have several additional positions. These are often combined with primary roles, e.g. Stewardess / Masseuse or Deckhand / Dive Instructor . The most common are:

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Yacht Crew Salaries

In any industry it is always important to know your worth. This is why we created the go-to platform for yacht salaries and conditions.

See median averages for your positions as well as the full range of salaries.

Find out what types of contract are being offered, as well as rotation lengths.

See which positions usually include business class flights, private cabins and more.

By SuperyachtNews 10 Jun 2022

Quay Crew publishes crew salary report

Rotation is on the rise, what impact could this have on an already candidate short crewing landscape.

The goal of attaining a rotational position is a driving force for many ambitious yacht crew. Rotation can be held up as the ideal endpoint for crew on their career pathway through yachting, with many captains working towards it for their entire careers. It’s seen as the moment when the hard work pays off and the elusive work-life balance is achieved. However, the complexities and costs associated with it are often a sticking point for yacht managers and owners.

Rotational structures range from five months on, one month off (5:1) up to the idealised time for time spilt, most commonly two months on, two months off (2:2). When a rotation is implemented effectively, it can give a level of balance and structure to the vessel’s operational profile, the guest experience and the life of the crew on board and ashore. It also elicits a strong reaction. As a friend once put it to me, "in the industry, rotation is an emotive word." 

As the comprehensive report from Quay Crew highlights, rotation is on the rise. As crew expectations for it evolve from privilege to what they feel they are entitled to, the need for quality crew may exceed the capacity of an already strained market.

One of the key findings of the report is that junior roles offering rotation are increasing. One in three deckhands and stews surveyed are now getting some form of rotation onboard 70m+ yachts. This, as termed in the report summary, comes as the industry scrambles to appeal to more crew in a competitive and candidate-short market.

The survey was from 170 captains, who provided a full breakdown of the salary, leave and benefits packages for over 1,500 crew across all onboard departments. For 11 of the 18 roles featured in the survey, time for time rotation was the most common form of leave, including all HOD’s with the exception of chief stews and bosuns. 

In a surprising finding, across all yacht sizes, 15 per cent of deckhands and 23 per cent of stews have some form of rotation. The former largely get 46-60 days leave while 28 per cent of chief stews get less than 45 days leave and the same amount get time for time rotation. 

As could be expected,  there is a mostly linear increase in salaries for the senior roles with the most training expectations, such as the chief officers on 100m+ yachts. The above graphic showing the best monthly salaries proves that bigger is not necessarily better for all roles, highlighting a few sweet spots for certain roles, such as 2nd engineers on 70-79m yachts. 

Although not published yet, Quay Crew will be releasing a separate report featuring the captain's salaries later in 2022.  Of note, according to Quay Crew, 58 per cent of captains surveyed said their yacht reviewed pay annually as standard, but two-fifths are still taking a sporadic or informal approach. 

Tim Clarke, one of the founding Directors of Quay Crew, comments: “We’ve seen many of our own clients improve salary and leave packages for some time now, particularly for junior crew, but wanted to get a more accurate picture of the whole market. What this survey tells us is that there is definitely an upwards trend in pay as well as leave, but personally, I think it’s disappointing to see how many yachts continue to only give 60 days or less leave.”

“Having said that, I believe 3:1 will increasingly be seen as the norm for junior roles onboard 50m+ yachts and those who do not review their leave packages will become far less appealing employers for the most talented crew.” Says Clarke.

Just under half of 90-99m yachts have some kind of mental health support, followed by 80-89m (40 per cent), but only 9 per cent of 100m+ yachts offer this and none of the 40-49m yachts surveyed provide it.  No 100m+ who responded to the survey allowed the use of yacht toys and only one-fifth give a 13-month bonus and/or life insurance.

“With the superyacht sector experiencing an extreme candidate shortage and increased competition to secure the best crew in the fastest possible timeframe, yachts need to evolve their offering," Clarke continues.  "COVID, especially, has made everyone reassess their career goals and work-life balance, seeking out more leave over higher salaries and some yachts are starting to take notice."

“However, even though anecdotal evidence from our own clients suggests packages are improving, the survey reveals that industry-wide, the uptake is still slow." Concludes Clarke "The fact remains - if yachts don't review the compensation for crew, they will have to be more flexible on candidate requirements and potentially look to recruit talent from other sectors.”

To request access to the full report, please contact  Quay Crew.

Image credit: Quay Crew 

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Superyacht Training

The Cost of Living | Yacht Crew Earnings and Expenses

A deck job is an incredible opportunity to meet interesting people and see places you may otherwise not have access to. Not only this, but most of your onboard expenses are typically covered, so you can save a good bit of money with some clever planning.

What costs does the vessel cover?

Depending on the type of boat, you can typically expect to be fully covered for your stay on board. It is crucial that you know what is being offered to you in advance, so that you can budget accordingly for your trip.

Typical yacht jobs cover the following:

• Basic Toiletries
• Liability Insurance (injuries)
• Some provide health (medical) and dental insurance.
• A very generous owner might agree to pay for your travel costs to and from the vessel

What costs will you have to cover?

• All items of a personal nature (make-up, shaving cream etc)
• Onshore costs including meals, transport, and activities 
• In between charter accommodation
• Entertainment
• Mobile data and SIM card

Payment structures 

Some luxury charters will offer structured pay with a base salary, and some tips.

Tips are not compulsory on charters, but should be customary as in any hospitality industry. If you do good work, it should be regarded as a gift for a job well done. Patrons tip based on the satisfaction level of the entire experience. Tips are generally divided equally amongst crew. The guest will typically pay the tip to the Captain who will split the amount amongst the crew. The better the whole team works together, the better your earning potential. This makes it imperative that the crew get along well and that everyone pulls their weight on board. Your united goal should be to offer the guests a wonderful time!

How much could you earn in tips?

Guests tend to tip the crew between 5 – 20% of the charter rate. Some guests are more generous than others, making this range so wide. It is important to be aware that not all of the ultra rich tip well. Enjoy the tip when it has been given, rather than calculating how much a potential guest might give. On average, depending on the charter cost, the country of origin of guests, crew size, and overall experience, crew members may expect to earn between $1,000 – $4,000 each per week in addition to their salary. Guests notice everything, even when you think they are not paying attention. If you as an individual go above and beyond for them, it is not uncommon to receive a direct tip. This would be all yours. 

You can save a good amount of money by working on a yacht. Try to plan a budget in advance that covers your expenses on land, so that you do not spend everything you earn so soon as you receive it. See our yacht crew salary guide to help you plan your budget. For any other advice and to help you get a great head start, grab our ultimate yacht crew handbook here .

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1. what are the basic requirements you need to be eligible to work in the yachting industry, 2. what is the stcw and why do i need it, 3. what is the eng1 medical certificate, 4. what land based experience will help me find a super yacht job, 5. what are the different departments onboard, 6. what crew training is required for me to work as a junior deckhand.

• Yachtmaster/Coastal Skipper Theory
• Yachtmaster/Coastal Practical
• Specialist Super Yacht Training Course (Deck Hand Training Course)
• RYA Power Boat Level II
• RYA Personal Watercraft Course
• RYA Competent Crew Certificate
• RYA Day Skipper Theory and Practical Certificates
• VHF Radio Operator’s License

7. What crew training is required for me to work as a junior stewardess?

• Stewardess Course
• Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD)
• MCA Food Safety Level 2
• RYA Powerboat Level 2

8. How do I book my training courses?

9. how do i get my first job on a yacht, 10. are these courses worth it, or am i just wasting my money, 11. will i get hired for my first job from south africa, 12. what is daywork, 13. what are the best locations to get a yacht job, 14. how much can a motor yacht stewardess or deckhand earn, 15. what are the negatives of working on a yacht, 16. what are the positives of working on a yacht, 17. is working on a super yacht for everyone, 18. what is the minimum age to work on a yacht, 19. is accommodation provided when i am completing my yacht training in cape town.

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Superyacht Crew Salary Guide – 2023

• Superyacht Crew Salary Guide – 202...

Working as a crew member on a Superyacht has some incredible perks…

… from being on the ocean and seeing new countries to brushing shoulders with the rich and famous and, of course, earning an amazing salary.

As we begin 2024, we thought it a good opportunity to look back at 2023 to see how the industry faired and whether there have been any changes to salary, tips, and working conditions.

The good news is that things have got better! Since the pandemic, the Superyacht industry has seen significant growth the industry has grown significantly over the last couple of years .

As the number of Superyachts being built increases, so does the demand for crew; there has never been a better time to enter the industry.

Typically, the entry-level salary for a Deckhand and Steward/ess ranges between €2,000 and €3,500, rising to €4,000+ for more senior roles. A Captain can make €10,000+ per month, depending on the size of the Superyacht!

Moreover, as you’ll be living onboard the yacht, there are no living expenses to worry about. Your meals are prepared by the Chef onboard, too, and you rarely need to buy groceries or toiletries.

We can’t talk about Superyacht Salary without mentioning tips. The majority of Superyacht owners charter their yachts as the ultimate holiday experience! A Superyacht does not come cheap, with some chartering for One Million per week! Guests normally leave a tip and around 10% of the charter fee, which is shared equally among the crew. It is not unheard of for a Deckhand or Steward/ess to receive a €5,000 tip after a week’s trip!

Another huge benefit contributing to the amazing Superyacht salary is the potential for tax-free earnings (typically paid in Euros)!

Read on for our complete guide to the Superyacht crew salary for 2023…

How much do you make working on a Superyacht?

In short, your salary will depend on the role you work in on the Superyacht, in conjunction with its size; however, the average salary is €2,500 per month (most boats pay in Euros rather than pounds).

Several other factors will determine Superyacht crew salary, too, including previous experience, qualifications, and extra skills (such as Dinghy Instructor, Carpenter, and Divemaster, to name a few).

Whether the yacht is chartered or privately owned will all contribute to your monthly pay packet; your basic salary will be the same whether you work on a charter yacht or a private boat, though on a charter, you will generally receive tips; this usually around 10% of your monthly salary, or it can range between €1,500 to €5,000+ .

We’ve shared current Superyacht salary approximations for 2023 in the table below:

How much do you make working on a yacht?

Here’s a breakdown of Superyacht crew salaries in more detail by role:

Superyacht captain salary – €4,000 to €16,000+.

A Superyacht Captain is responsible for all activity onboard, crew safety and well-being, and the experience offered to guests.

The Captain is the owner’s main point of contact on the yachts; whether things are going right or wrong, it can be a highly pressured and stressful job.

The salary reflects the responsibility in this high-pressure environment, and the range in salary normally depends on experience and the boat’s length.

Generally, larger boats will carry more guests and staff; therefore, the Captain will have higher responsibilities, a bigger budget, and more challenges to cope with.

First Officer salary – €3,200 to €8,000+

The First Officer, also known as Chief Officer or Chief Mate, is always second in command to the Captain.

They will assist the Captain in a wide range of duties and tends to be responsible for the safety of the Superyacht and everyone on board. Furthermore, the role of the First Officer also includes bridge watches and navigation.

Due to needing a firm understanding of working on deck, the First Officer normally starts their career as a Deckhand and progresses from there.

If you are an experienced First Officer and have moved onto larger yachts, then your next step will be to become a Captain.

Superyacht Bosun salary – €3,200 to €5,000+

Otherwise known as the Senior Deckhand, the Bosun is the ‘line manager’ of all Deckhands on the boat. The responsibilities of the Bosun are to manage and maintain the exterior of the yacht to the highest order.

This role also includes spending time with the guests, making sure they are having fun and are safe on all the toys the Superyacht has, such as jet skis and dinghy sailing boats.

Chief Stewardess salary – €2,800 to €7,000+

The Chief Stewardess is responsible for the interior of the Superyacht. Attention to detail, elegance, and cleanliness is paramount for this role.

Moreover, you will be required to perform duties discreetly and anticipate the requests and demands of guests, as well as manage your team of Stewardesses. A managerial background in hospitality will, therefore, help for this role.

Generally, the Chief Stewardess will have gained previous experience in an entry-level Stewardess role and fully understands the functions of a working Superyacht.

Superyacht Stewardess salary – €2,000 to €3,500+

This is an entry-level position working on board a Superyacht.

Open to Male and Female

Being a Superyacht Stewardess is a wide-reaching role covering three main areas: Service, Housekeeping, and laundry. Your actual day-to-day activities can vary depending on the type of yacht (private or charter), owner, and Itinerary. You will be the host, cleaner, florist, and housekeeper, and collectively responsible for looking after the guests 24/7.

If you are looking at not going to uni , and want a career with real progression and a very good salary, becoming a Superyacht Stewardess could be for you! If you would like to start a career as a Stewardess, then consider joining our Superyacht Steward/ess course.

Superyacht Deckhand salary – €2,000 to €3,500+

This is another entry-level role to work on a Superyacht.

Open to male and female

A very hands-on role, the Deckhand is responsible for the exterior of the yacht, and tasks will typically involve cleaning, painting, sanding, varnishing, and all general maintenance of the boat.

As with all Superyacht roles, working as a Deckhand requires some skills and qualifications before you start looking for work. The good news is that you don’t have to go to Uni to get whats required. You will be able to get qualified in a few weeks.

How to become a Superyacht Steward/ess or Deckhand.

If you want a career in the Superyacht Industry, we are here to help. Contact us by phone, email, or live chat. Alternatively, book a meeting with one of our career advisors.

Looking for more information on working in the Superyacht industry?

Download our free guide and learn all there is to know about working on a superyacht as a deckhand or steward/ess., related articles.

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Missing Tech Tycoon Mike Lynch's Business Partner Dies After Being Hit by a Car Days Before Yacht Sinking: Police

Lynch's former business partner and co-defendant Stephen Chamberlain was struck by a car on Aug. 17, and police announced that he'd died three days later

linkedin; Shutterstock

The co-defendant of British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch , who is still missing amid a superyacht sinking in Sicily , has died after being struck by a car, police have confirmed.

Stephen "Steve" Chamberlain, 52, died in the hospital after being hit by a car in Cambridgeshire, England, on Saturday, Aug. 17 authorities said in a statement on Tuesday, Aug. 20. Local police are now investigating his death as they are seeking witnesses to the incident.

Authorities previously reported that a pedestrian in his 50s had been “seriously injured” in the collision, which happened at around 10:10 a.m. on Saturday. The driver of the car was confirmed to be a 49-year-old woman who “remained at the scene.”

The Guardian reports that Chamberlain was out for a run at the time he was hit, citing his attorney Gary Lincenberg.

Cambridgeshire police shared a statement from Chamberlain’s family in tribute: “Steve was a much-loved husband, father, son, brother and friend. He was an amazing individual whose only goal in life was to help others in any way possible. ... He will be deeply missed but forever in the hearts of his loved ones.”

HANDOUT/Cambridgeshire Police/AFP via Getty

Chamberlain was the co-defendant of Lynch in a U.S. trial over his tech company Autonomy. He was accused of fraud and conspiracy over allegedly inflating the company's earnings with Lynch ahead of an $11 billion deal with Hewlett-Packard, per The Times ,  TechCrunch  and the  Associated Press .

The former business partners were both acquitted of all 15 charges in June by a San Francisco jury.

Following Chamberlain's death, his attorney Lincenberg described him as "a courageous man with unparalleled integrity."

"We deeply miss him," Lincenberg said, according to the BBC . "Steve fought successfully to clear his good name at trial earlier this year, and his good name now lives on through his wonderful family."

Lynch remains missing along with his daughter Hannah and four others after the yacht they were aboard sank off the coast of Sicily on Monday, Aug. 19, following a serious storm, PEOPLE previously reported.

Dominic Lipinski/PA Images via Getty

The Italian Coast Guard said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE that the Bayesian , a 183-ft. yacht flying the U.K. flag, sank near Porticello around 5 a.m., local time on Monday after a "violent storm."

Twenty-two people were on the vessel at the time, including 10 crew and 12 passengers, authorities said.

Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, was among the 15 people rescued, PEOPLE reported. Six additional people — including two Americans and four British citizens — remain missing, the coast guard and local sources said.

Never miss a story — sign up for  PEOPLE's free daily newsletter  to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

A spokesperson for Sicily's civil protection agency, Francesco Venuto, previously told the BBC that authorities believe the missing are trapped in the yacht.

"We've been searching all day with helicopters and boats. We've found nothing,” said Venuto. “That wouldn't make sense; in these conditions, we should have found something by now.”

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Billionaire Autonomy cofounder Mike Lynch’s and Stephen Chamberlain’s careers were intertwined for years in a fraud trial. Then they died on the same day miles apart

Last Saturday morning, Stephen Chamberlain left his home in an English village near Cambridge for a morning run, logging his route on the popular running app Strava . He didn’t return.

At about 10:10 a.m. , according to local police, the 52-year-old Chamberlain was struck by a blue Vauxhall Corsa. He was taken to a local hospital and put on life support. On Monday evening, his lawyer, Gary Lincenberg, a defense attorney at Bird Marella in Los Angeles, released a statement saying Chamberlain had died. ​​“He was a courageous man with unparalleled integrity. We deeply miss him,” his note said.

Since then, tributes for Chamberlain, a tech executive, father of two, and former volunteer finance director for his local soccer club, Cambridge United , have been shared across social media. “The last message I got from Steve whilst sunning myself on holiday last month was ‘Get out and run you lazy bastard,’ one person wrote on Strava. “Today I ran and will continue to run inspired by Steve.”

Police have said they saw no evidence of anything “untoward” about Chamberlain’s death. But the tragic incident has still become the focus of conspiracy theories and widespread attention well beyond Cambridgeshire.

Hours before Chamberlain’s death was announced, news emerged that his former boss, Mike Lynch, a.k.a. “the British Bill Gates,” was missing in a yacht accident off the coast of Sicily—an accident that has since captured the world’s attention and prompted Italian authorities to consider opening a manslaughter investigation . Lynch, too, has since been declared deceased .

Chamberlain had worked for Lynch as VP of finance for the now-defunct software firm Autonomy, and the pair had been acquitted in June in a major case in the U.S. where they faced charges of defrauding Hewlett-Packard when the Silicon Valley giant purchased Autonomy in 2011. In fact, Lynch’s yacht outing was meant to be a celebration of their recent acquittal in that Northern District of California trial and long legal battle.

In all, seven of the 22 people who had been on Lynch’s family yacht, the Bayesian, when it encountered a violent storm, have perished. Besides Lynch, the deceased are Chris Morvillo, a New York attorney with Clifford Chance who had defended Lynch in the U.S. case; his wife, Neda Morvillo, a jewelry designer; Jonathan Bloomer, chair of Morgan Stanley International and a former nonexecutive director of Autonomy; his wife, Judy Bloomer; Lynch’s daughter, Hannah Lynch; and crew member Recaldo Thomas , a chef.

Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, and Charlotte Golunski, a partner at Lynch’s venture capital firm, Invoke Capital, who had also worked at Autonomy, were among the survivors, along with Golunski’s husband and infant, and several crew members. 

Chamberlain was connected to his tycoon boss, and his lawyer, as well as Jonathan Bloomer, because of the U.S. lawsuit, where Bloomer had been a key witness . Chamberlain also worked at Autonomy at the same time as Golunski. What’s more, after leaving Autonomy, Chamberlain worked at Darktrace, a cybersecurity firm bankrolled by Invoke Capital. He started as CFO, in 2016, and then became COO before taking leave to deal with his legal battle.

Darktrace, which had ties to several intelligence agencies , thus further fueling conspiracy theories about the same-day deaths of Lynch and Chamberlain, was staffed by several executives linked to Autonomy, too. Its CEO, Poppy Gustafsson, previously worked at Autonomy , for example, and was deposed during the U.S. legal battle. “So many brilliant people have died, with so much left for them to do … at a time when both Mike and Steve were so recently acquitted, it feels too cruel,” Gustafsson wrote on LinkedIn on Aug. 23. “But also such a relief to know that they died with the world knowing their innocence.”

A former Darktrace employee who spoke to Fortune, and asked to remain anonymous because of the attention the case has attracted, said Chamberlain was “kindhearted” and a strong leader who inspired the staff. “Every email I saw from him addressing employees was straightforward, but got the message across [and] motivated employees,” this person said. “He always commended them for even the smallest things.” Chamberlain was unfailingly kind to everyone at the company, at every level, the person added.

“Even with all the controversy surrounding him,” the ex-employee said of Chamberlain, “he held his head high.” 

During his testimony in the U.S. criminal trial, Lynch similarly said Chamberlain “was very liked” and “reliable,” though was also not someone he saw or interacted with often.

“I don’t know how this translates, but he’s had the reputation of a good bloke, so the kind of guy that, you know, likes to watch the soccer on a Saturday afternoon and gets on well with everyone,” he continued. “I don’t think I ever heard anyone that doesn’t like him. Solid, straightforward, not particularly ambitious.”  

Who was Stephen Chamberlain?

Born in June 1972 , Chamberlain studied management and mechanical engineering at the University of Birmingham, graduating in 1994, the same year he began working at BDO Stoy Hayward as an auditor. He later spent six years as an auditor at Deloitte before he joined Autonomy in 2005, nine years after Lynch cofounded the company.

Chamberlain worked at Autonomy, a maker of software that promised to give businesses insights by analyzing raw data, for just under seven years. Those years arguably defined the rest of his life.

In 2011, Autonomy was a tech darling in the U.K. and an acquisition target for tech giant Hewlett-Packard. The latter closed a deal to purchase Lynch’s firm in the same year. HP , led by CEO Léo Apotheker at the time , paid $11 billion for Autonomy, but later claimed losses of $4 billion from the deal because of alleged fraudulent statements and financial shenanigans. Apotheker departed after the botched purchase.

HP “largely won” a lengthy civil trial in the U.K. against Autonomy that ended in 2022. In a separate case tried in the U.S., Autonomy’s former CFO, Sushovan Hussain, pleaded guilty to fraud and was sentenced to five years in prison, a sentence he finished in January of this year. But U.S. prosecutors failed to convince a federal jury in San Francisco that Lynch and Chamberlain were involved in any cooking of books.

Prosecutors in the case alleged that Chamberlain’s job was “to lie to the auditors and to manage the auditors, and to help Mr. Hussain manage earnings and meet particular goals and make particular adjustments when he knew they were not justified,” according to court documents.

Lincenberg, however, made the case that accounting requires judgment calls, its rules are arcane, and Chamberlain always acted in good faith. The defense also asked several witnesses who testified for the prosecution whether they could recall a time when Chamberlain knowingly misled anyone, Lincenberg told Fortune . Without exception, the answer was no, he said. Chamberlain ran his finance department “with a culture of openness and never once tried to deceive the auditors. That was the heart of our defense: good faith,” Lincenberg said. “The jurors got it.”

“The government’s witnesses basically all said that Steve Chamberlain was open and honest and acted in good faith,” Lincenberg also said during the trial. Those witnesses included an auditor from Deloitte whom Lincenberg characterized as the government’s star witness and others who, in Lincenberg’s telling, said of the defendant, “This guy never lied.”

“That’s part of the story behind the story,” the lawyer argued, the transcripts show.

Lincenberg and his team decided not to have Chamberlain testify.

A straightforward guy next to a rock star

Early in the trial, Reid Weingarten, one of Lynch’s high-profile defense attorneys , likened Mike Lynch to a “rock star” at the center of a media circus, when describing the U.K. trial to the California judge, court transcripts show. Lynch chose to fight extradition to the U.S.—though he was eventually forced to appear before the court and lived in San Francisco for months through the trial. 

Chamberlain, on the other hand, received relatively little press and voluntarily traveled to California because he was, as Lincenberg told Fortune , “a straightforward guy.” (The indictment stated that Lynch earned more than $800 million from Autonomy’s sale to HP, while Chamberlain made $4 million.) Seeing Chamberlain’s willingness to be in California gave the U.S. courts faith that Chamberlain wasn’t a flight risk, which in turn allowed him to travel between the U.S. and the U.K. as needed for the six years it took for the case to go to trial. “He just wanted to confront this accusation and defend and clear his name,” Lincenberg said.

Between leaving what became HP Autonomy and starting at Darktrace, Chamberlain spent four years in another CFO job that—predictably—ended when news of the lawsuit went public. Darktrace was one of the few places where the ongoing and public legal crisis was not a barrier to employment. But Federal prosecutors looked unfavorably upon Darktrace’s hiring of Chamberlain. In a superseding indictment, prosecutors alleged that hiring Chamberlain was a form of obstruction of justice because of Lynch’s connections to the cybersecurity company. (Lynch also paid Chamberlain’s legal fees in the U.S. case, public documents show, as Chamberlain didn’t have the means to cover the costs, as his lawyer explained.)

In their closing arguments, prosecutors attempted to debunk what they saw as a false narrative Chamberlain and his legal team had created. “Mr. Chamberlain wants to persuade you that he’s just a paper pusher, that he gets something from the sales team and passes it off to Deloitte and there’s no independent judgment going on, and it’s all Sushovan Hussain who makes the decision,” the prosecutor said. “Steve Chamberlain was the vice president of finance. He received substantial compensation for what he did, and he was a professional who knew right from wrong.

“Some witnesses have told you he’s a nice guy. I believe that. I accept that,” the lawyer continued. “That’s not the point.”

Nevertheless, Lincenberg won the case for his client. In a photo of Chamberlain and his wife from that day, the lawyer told Fortune, you can see the “glow and exuberance that we all felt.”

In his last LinkedIn post , two months ago, Chamberlain praised the lawyers who had cleared his name in the U.S. “I cannot thank this team enough for everything they did for me. I hope no one else is ever in the same position as me, but if you are: call Gary and team and then call me. We can help,” he wrote, adding a thumbs-up emoji. 

Police in Cambridgeshire say the 49-year-old woman who drove the car that struck Chamberlain was cooperating with their investigations. But they are asking for witnesses who may have seen the collision that killed Chamberlain to come forward. 

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• Venus, the yacht built for Steve Jobs , collided with another yacht off Italy's coast.
• It's unclear which yacht struck which or when exactly the crash occurred.
• With a minimalist design, Venus is one of the world's most iconic superyachts.

Venus, Steve Jobs' former superyacht — now owned by his wife, the philanthropist and investor Laurene Powell Jobs — has collided with another superyacht off of the Italian coast.

A spokesperson from Powell Jobs' Emerson Collective who spoke with a crewmember confirmed to Business Insider that Venus, the 78-meter yacht Steve Jobs commissioned, had collided with Lady Moura, a 105-meter yacht. The collision happened on July 22 off the coast of Naples, Italy.

The spokesperson said that only crew were onboard the yacht and that both boats were anchored when a sudden change of wind led to the collision.

Venus is cruising in the Ligurian Sea, while Lady Moura made its way to Mykonos on Wednesday, based on publicly available tracking data from Marine Traffic.

Videos posted on social media show the strikingly minimalist Venus and the Lady Moura coming into contact. It's not clear from the videos which superyacht struck which, though someone who said they were aboard the Lady Moura seemed to blame Venus' crew on social media, SuperYacht Times reported. The person said the damage was "only a scratch, albeit a significant one that will be costly to repair."

Others on social media said that the Venus appeared to be moored and that Lady Moura seemed to have swung into the boat. BI hasn't been able to independently verify either claim.

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The Italian Marina Militare didn't respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. The owner of the Lady Moura couldn't be reached.

No matter how little damage may have been done, insurance will probably cover it. Yacht insurance , which can cost six figures each month, is one of the largest costs incurred by yacht owners.

Venus, built by the top yacht-builder Feadship, was delivered after Jobs died in 2011 and was worth $130 million upon completion. The Apple cofounder was heavily involved in the design process alongside the French architect and decorator Philippe Starck.

"Venus comes from the philosophy of minimum," Starck said of her design. "The elegance of the minimum, approaching dematerialization."

Jobs and Starck spent four years working on her design, the designer told Vanity Fair , holding monthly meetings to discuss her specifications. She has six identical cabins, was built to maximize absolute silence, and, upon delivery, included the most up-to-date technology.

"There will never again be a boat of that quality again. Because never again will two madmen come together to accomplish such a task," Starck told the magazine. "It was not a yacht that Steve and I were constructing, we were embarked on a philosophical action, implemented according to a quasi-religious process. We formed a single brain with four lobes." August 7, 2024 — This story has been updated with a statement from a Laurene Powell Jobs spokesperson.

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