Delivery Crew For Yachts and Superyachts

J. Eric Bergel, owner of Pacific Yacht Delivery, based in Northern California, has the following information and advice to give those hoping to work as delivery crew.

Working as delivery crew is a great way to get your feet wet in the yachting industry without making the six month or longer commitment that is often required by many crewing agencies. Most newcomers to the industry have some romantic delusions about professional yachting but a few rough nights offshore followed by a full day of oil changes and deck scrubbing will soon dispel these. For those who do enjoy this type of hard work the most important quality is to maintain a flexible schedule. It seems that most owners and agents need their vessels moved on a moment’s notice and the job often goes to crew who are available in the shortest space of time.

My company pays beginners $50 to $75 dollars a day. More experienced crew can expect $100 to $125. Airfare and provisions are always provided. There are instances where delivery crew have become permanent crew but this is very rare and certainly not a matter of course. The main advantage in yacht delivery for a newcomer is the exposure to the people in the industry.

If a person is sure they want a permanent position I would recommend a professional crewing agency.

I hope this information is useful to you and I would be pleased to answer any other questions you might have.

Captain Bergel’s Company was formed in 1993 and has logged more than 100,000 nautical miles delivering over two hundred vessels. He is a highly experienced skipper and is well known in the industry. For further information you can contact him at (707)845 0003 or by e-mail at info@pacificyachtdelivery.com  You can also visit his website at www.pacificyachtdelivery.com.

Delivery Skipper

Often long distances, some times short-handed and therefore a bit of a strain! You are your own boss (with no guests to worry about) but it is up to you to make sure that the boat gets there safely and on time. The hardest thing to deal with is the weather over which you have no control.
Travel expenses are usually paid along with food etc on board. Freelance Skippers negotiate their own pay and it varies dependant on the type and size of boat and the duration of the trip. Very rough estimate is £1/ $1.90 per mile. If working for a specialist delivery company, expect to do 2 or 3 trips as a volunteer crew member before being let loose as a paid skipper.

Information courtesy UKSA