How to Write a Yacht CV (That Actually Gets You Hired)
A captain or crew agent will glance at your CV for a few seconds before deciding whether you're worth a conversation. A yacht CV is its own format — get it right and you stand out; get it wrong and you're filtered out before anyone reads a word. Here's how to build one that works.
The golden rule: one page
Yacht CVs are one page. Always. Crew and officers are busy, and a tidy single page signals that you understand the industry. If it spills onto a second page, cut it down — every line has to earn its place.
What goes where
- Header — your name, the role you want, a professional headshot, plus your nationality, visa status, contact details, date of birth and current location. Recruiters scan this first.
- Profile — two or three lines on who you are and what you're after. Keep it specific and free of clichés.
- Certificates — STCW, ENG1, RYA Powerboat Level 2 and anything else relevant, near the top where they're easy to find.
- Experience — newest first, with dates. Include yachting roles and any useful land experience, with vessel size and type where it applies.
- References — a couple of people who'll vouch for your work, ideally from day work or previous jobs.
The photo matters more than you'd think
Your headshot is doing a lot of work. Make it a clean, friendly, professional shot — collared shirt, plain background, good light. No holiday selfies, no sunglasses, no group photos cropped down. It is often the first thing a recruiter looks at.
Show transferable experience
No yachting background? It matters less than you think. Hospitality, carpentry, landscaping, watersports instructing, diving, bar and customer service all translate, because they show you can work hard, handle people and stay calm under pressure. Frame your past jobs around the skills a yacht actually wants.
The mistakes that get green crew rejected
- Going over one page, or burying your certificates at the bottom.
- A casual or low-quality photo.
- Typos and inconsistent formatting — on a detail-obsessed boat, this reads as carelessness.
- Vague filler instead of specifics.
- Stretching the truth. It always unravels in a small industry.
Save it as a PDF so the formatting holds, and name the file with your name and role.
Now go and use it
A great CV only works if it's in front of the right people. Run every channel at once — dockwalking in person, crew agencies (free to you), and platforms like Yotspot. The full job-hunting playbook is in how to become a superyacht deckhand, and if you still need your tickets, start with STCW Basic Safety Training.
Land the job, then keep it
The Deckhand Fastlane is our no-fluff guide to getting hired as green crew and not getting fired in week one — straight from the deck.
Get The Deckhand FastlaneFrequently asked questions
How long should a yacht CV be?
One page. Crew and recruiters scan CVs quickly, and a concise single page signals that you understand the industry.
Do I need a photo on my yacht CV?
Yes. A clean, professional headshot is standard on yacht CVs and is usually the first thing a recruiter looks at. Avoid casual selfies, sunglasses and group photos.
What certificates should I list on a yacht CV?
List your STCW Basic Safety Training, ENG1 medical and RYA Powerboat Level 2 if you have it, near the top where they are easy to find, along with any other relevant qualifications.
Can I get a yacht job with no experience?
Yes. Many crew start with no yachting background. Transferable experience from hospitality, trades or watersports helps, and employers value work ethic and attitude above all.
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This article is general guidance for aspiring and serving yacht crew. Qualification rules change — always confirm current requirements with the MCA (MSN 1858) and an approved training provider before committing time or money.