All roles/Deck and Bridge/Deckhand / Security
Deck and Bridge
Deckhand / Security
A deckhand who also runs the yacht's security: washing down, driving tenders and handling lines by day, while controlling access, keeping watch and protecting guests ashore and afloat.
- Department
- Deck and Bridge
- Reports to
- Bosun / Boatswain, and the Captain on security matters
- Yacht size
- 50m to 150m+
- Contract
- Seasonal, permanent or rotation
- Starting pay
- €3,500 per month
What the job is
You are a full member of the deck team. That means washdowns, polishing stainless, line handling when berthing, setting up water toys and driving the tender. The difference is that you also hold the security brief. When the owner is aboard, or the yacht is in a busy port, you are the person who knows who is on the passerelle, who is on the guest list and where the principal is at any moment.
On board, security work is quiet and procedural. You run the gangway log, check contractors and deliveries, monitor CCTV and radar for approaching craft, and keep the Ship Security Plan working in practice. You brief crew on drills and help the Ship Security Officer, usually the Captain or Chief Officer, with ISPS paperwork. At night you may take extended anchor watches, because a trained eye on deck is the best deterrent there is.
Ashore, you may escort guests to restaurants, beach clubs or the airport, sometimes alongside the owner's own close protection team. Most people in this role come from the military, police or private security, then add yacht tickets. Firearms are almost never carried. The value you bring is judgement, calm and planning: route checks, tender pick up points and knowing when to quietly move a guest away from trouble.
What makes a good one
- Calm judgement under pressure
- Access control and watchkeeping
- Confident tender handling
- Discretion around high profile guests
- Route and venue planning ashore
A day in the life
- 06:30Take over from the night watch, review the deck log, CCTV notes and any small craft that came close overnight. Check the gangway and swim platform are secured.
- 07:15Morning washdown with the deck team, chamois the windows and dry the aft deck before guests come up for breakfast.
- 09:00Short briefing with the Captain and Chief Officer on the day's plans. Agree tender timings for a lunch ashore and confirm the restaurant's entrance and parking.
- 10:30Launch the jet skis and seabobs, then sit in the chase tender watching the guests in the water and keeping other boats at a sensible distance.
- 13:00Drive the tender into Port Adriano with the owner's family, walk them to the restaurant and wait nearby, keeping the tender crew updated by radio.
- 16:00Back on board, sign in a provisioning delivery and a technician at the passerelle, checking names against the list the Purser sent.
- 18:30Recover and rinse the toys, help set up the aft deck for dinner and do a round of the deck doors and hatches.
- 21:00Stand by during dinner with a radio, watch for paparazzi boats and tenders approaching from neighbouring yachts.
- 23:00Hand over to the night watch with a written note on anything unusual, then turn in.
Pay by country
Monthly salary for crew on yachts of 50m to 100m, usually paid in EUR or USD whatever the flag. Expect a premium of a few hundred euros over a standard deckhand for recognised security experience. Charter tips are on top and can add 10 to 15% of the charter fee shared across the crew.
- France and Monaco
- €3,500 – 4,800
- Spain
- €3,500 – 4,800
- Italy
- €3,500 – 4,800
- United Kingdom
- £3,000 – 4,100
- USA (Florida)
- US$3,800 – 5,200
- Caribbean
- US$3,800 – 5,200
- UAE
- AED 14,000 – 19,000
- Australia
- A$5,800 – 8,000
- New Zealand
- NZ$6,300 – 8,700
Required
- STCW Basic Safety Training
- ENG1 medical
- PDSD (Proficiency in Designated Security Duties)
- RYA Powerboat Level 2
Recommended
- Ship Security Officer
- SIA Close Protection licence (UK) or equivalent
- Medical First Aid
- Efficient Deck Hand (EDH)
- RYA PWC
- RYA Yachtmaster Offshore
Visas
- Schengen visa
- US C1/D crew visa
- US B1/B2
- Australian MCV
Where it leads
Deckhand / Security jobs open now
Questions crew ask
Do I need a military or police background?
It is not a legal requirement, but most captains hiring for this role want it, or solid private security or close protection experience. Without it you will compete with candidates who have both.
Will I carry a weapon?
Almost never. Most flag states and ports make firearms on private yachts impractical, and the role relies on planning, observation and de-escalation instead.
Am I a deckhand first or a security officer first?
You are expected to pull your weight on deck every day. When the owner is aboard or the yacht is in a sensitive port, security takes priority and the Bosun plans your deck work around it.