Contractual Obligations

When the owner steps on board, he expects to find the boat as new and as pristine as the day it was built. He does not want to be hassled with the day-to-day running of the boat. He pays you to work and expects you to get on with it to the best of your ability. Your salary is good if not excellent and he, justifiably, expects a satisfactory return for his money. Whether you intend to make working on yachts a long-term career move or simply a summer experience it is very important to know what will be expected of you.

Length of Tenure and Notice
As with any job, whether it is by verbal agreement or by written contract, when you accept employment there are certain obligations that come with that acceptance. It is no different for crew on luxury yachts. You have an obligation, once your trial period is over, that should you want to resign, you give adequate warning of your intentions. This is usually a two-week notice period but, should be discussed at your interview or induction.
If you have reservations or problems with any issues concerning an aspect of your job or life onboard it is important that you discuss this with the captain /management company or owner.

Competence and Experience
Before you accept the job, it is necessary that you understand what will be asked of you. Do not give your superiors the understanding that you are qualified to do a job that you are not. Not only can this put the boat in danger but may also be a danger to the lives of all those on board.

Work Ethic
There is a common assumption that working as crew is an easy way of earning some money and getting from A to B via X, Y and Z. However this is not normally the case. The hours can be long, hard, boring and exhausting for all. It is important that you have a strong work ethic.
A positive attitude, careful attention to detail, ability to use your own initiative, flexibility, finishing jobs started, a strong sense of responsibility and honesty and an ability to effectively manage your time and work as part of a team, will all make you a very highly valued member of crew.
Adherence to Rules and Regulations

International rules and regulations
As always government legislation manages to inveigle its way into everything. There are an ever-growing range of regulations that govern pleasure craft and those who work on them. This is not necessarily a bad thing by any means. Many were brought into being to protect the rights, lives and safety of those on board – both crew and passengers; and, as important, to help protect the marine ecology from the pressures of commercialisation and pollution. It is important that you keep abreast of these rules and regulations.

Yacht rules and regulations
A yacht will also have her own set of rules and it is only fair to stick to them. Some will be designed with safety in mind; some with what works for the vessel and some will just completely baffle you. Nonetheless, it is much easier for all concerned if all crew follow these regs.

Confidentiality
Many of the people who own and/or visit these yachts are very famous people, ranging from royalty to pop stars. Privacy and confidentiality are highly valued commodities and it is important that you respect this. For many of these people the yacht is where they can let down their hair, relax and unwind. The fact that they brush their teeth with Perrier water, wipe their bottoms on pure cotton flannels and wear latex gloves to eat their meals is information that should remain on the yacht. Some yachts may expect you to sign a confidentiality agreement.