photo contest - Yacht Essentials

this approach is that without your STCW you likely won’t
get a job. The yacht won’t wait for you to complete the
course — they’re often only run once a month — so the
eager beaver next in line who already has this certification
will get your job.
Step two: Think about what it is you want to do. If you’re
going for stewardess positions, do you have a strong hospitality
background? If not, look at a quick stew course to
give you an introduction to the overall aspects of working
the interior. Even if you have great housekeeping
and fine dining experience, the reality of working on a
yacht is rather different.
If you’re looking at deck work, consider taking the Powerboat
Level 2 course. This will allow you to drive tenders, which is
fun as well as handy! If you’re considering engineering, do
the MCA Approved Engine Course — your first stepping
stone into the yacht engineer world. There are also lots of
general deckhand courses to give you a taste of “life before
the mast,” from varnishing and sanding to showing you how
to tie various knots and when to fend on/off.
Once the courses are done and the tickets are booked, you
need to look at your CV. I won’t harp on too much about
this topic because I’ve done it before and also because everyone
you meet in the industry will have their own views
on how to create that perfect resume. But please, indulge
me for a second as I give you a few pointers…
It’s important to have a good photo. The number of CVs that
cross my desk with bad photos still surprises me. This goes
for senior crew, too. If you were a captain, would you pick
up the CV with the professional-looking photo, or the one
with the snapshot of the mojito-swilling guy at the bar? Get
someone to take a photo of you in a clean shirt, ideally outside
and even better in a marina. And don’t forget to smile.
As for the rest of the CV, keep it short and punchy. Use
bold to draw the eye to the essential stuff (e.g. your work
experience): Jun-Jul 09, M/Y Bigboat, 54M, Deckhand,
Job Description.
Try to avoid using too many buzz words. We assume
you’re a dynamic team player — nobody writes “working
with other people makes me grumpy” — so you don’t
need to state the obvious. Think carefully about your
wording; instead of long sentences like “I was responsible
for managing a team of three people and leading
them to focus on goals in order to meet expectations”
use “Managed a team of three successfully to achieve
sales targets for 2010.” Less fluff, more punch.
If your previous experience is non-maritime, think about
transferrable skills. A yacht captain probably isn’t too concerned
about your telephone manner but will be interested
to hear your proven track record in dealing with difficult
situations, working under pressure and the like. Sometimes
it’s good to get a friend to read your CV and cut out the unnecessary
bits. It can be hard to summarize your own life.
Have different CVs for different positions and focus on
your strengths for each. If you’re going for a stew job,
but your CV harps on about your deck skills, the captain
might think you wouldn’t be committed to an interior
role. Finally, include contact details for a few references
and, very importantly, keep it to two pages.
Before you leave on your trip, get yourself a seaman’s
book. Register with agencies and keep them informed
of your movements. Touch base when you arrive. If you
have interviews, turn up on time and looking smart (a few
white polo shirts never hurt anyone). Agents will be your
representatives — if not now, then in the future — so first
impressions are important.
The hard fact of finding your first yacht job is that most of
them will go via dockwalking. Hundreds of new crew arrive
each season to walk the docks, and time-permitting, yachts
will interview and trial people rather than pay agency fees.
So, your best bet is to trawl the marinas, cap in hand. Ask
for day work or longer-term work, and be happy to do
anything they give you. This includes being squeezed into
the bilges, cleaning things with cotton buds, and making
the engineer cups of tea and handing him spanners. It’s
all good experience, and it’s all good to put on your CV.
Remember, at the start, everything counts!
I hope this advice is helpful. Start now and you should have
time to book your courses and write your CV before the next
season starts. And you can always contact me for more advice,
if you want it. Good luck, and happy dockwalking!
Erica Lay is general manager of YCO Spain. Three years
ago, she successfully set up YCO’s crew agency in Palma
de Mallorca, where it is now firmly established, and she is
currently opening YCO’s new headquarters there. Contact
her at erica.l@ycocrew.com.
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