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Specialist crew

Divemaster

The Divemaster runs the yacht's dive programme, planning and leading guided dives, keeping guests safe underwater and looking after compressors, tanks and dive kit so diving can happen whenever the owner wants.

A diver underwater
Department
Specialist crew
Reports to
Chief Officer / First Mate
Yacht size
50m+
Contract
Seasonal or permanent
Starting pay
€3,000 per month

What the job is

A yacht Divemaster plans and leads recreational dives for the owner, guests and sometimes crew. You choose sites, check conditions with the bridge, brief the group, guide them underwater and bring everyone back to the tender in the right order. On expedition and long range yachts diving can be the main reason the boat is in a place, so the programme sits close to the centre of the guest experience.

Much of the job happens out of sight. You run and log the dive compressor, fill and analyse tanks, blend Nitrox where the yacht has a membrane or booster, and service regulators, BCDs and computers. You keep the dive locker organised, track equipment hours and order spares before a remote trip. You also look after medical oxygen kits and make sure every guest has signed paperwork and shown their certification before entering the water.

On most yachts the Divemaster also works as part of the deck team between dives. That can mean driving tenders, launching water toys, washing down and helping with mooring. Larger boats with a dedicated dive centre may keep you purely on diving, often alongside a Diving Instructor who teaches courses while you guide. Good guest manner matters as much as buoyancy control, because nervous or rusty divers need calm, patient handling.

What makes a good one

  • Calm guest dive leadership
  • Compressor and Nitrox operation
  • Dive kit servicing
  • Site and current planning
  • Tender and deck work

A day in the life

A yacht tender crossing turquoise water
A charter day, 70m expedition yacht, Raja Ampat
  1. 06:30Check weather, tide and current tables with the officer of the watch. Confirm the morning site and a backup if the current is running hard.
  2. 07:00Start the compressor, fill and analyse the Nitrox tanks, and label each one with oxygen percentage and pressure.
  3. 08:00Load the tender with tanks, kit, oxygen, first aid bag and radios. Check every guest's gear fits and computers are set.
  4. 09:00Give the dive briefing on the aft deck, covering the site, max depth, turn pressure, hand signals and lost buddy procedure.
  5. 09:30Lead a 60 minute reef dive with four guests while the tender driver follows bubbles on the surface. Point out mantas and pygmy seahorses.
  6. 11:30Rinse all kit in fresh water, hang BCDs and wetsuits to dry and log the dive, gas use and any guest issues.
  7. 14:30Run a shallow refresher session off the swim platform for a guest who has not dived in three years.
  8. 16:00Help the deck team recover the slide and jet skis, then service a free flowing regulator in the dive locker.
  9. 18:30Refill tanks for the next day, update the compressor log and agree tomorrow's night dive plan with the Chief Officer.

Pay by country

Monthly salary for a dedicated Divemaster on a 50m+ yacht, usually quoted in EUR or USD. Charter yachts add tips, often 10 to 15% of the charter fee shared among crew.

France and Monaco
€3,000 – 4,000
Spain
€3,000 – 4,000
Italy
€3,000 – 4,000
United Kingdom
£2,600 – 3,500
USA (Florida)
US$3,300 – 4,400
Caribbean
US$3,300 – 4,400
UAE
AED 12,000 – 16,000
Australia
A$5,000 – 6,700
New Zealand
NZ$5,500 – 7,300

Required

  • STCW Basic Safety Training
  • ENG1 medical
  • PADI Divemaster or equivalent
  • PADI Enriched Air Diver
  • Emergency First Response or equivalent first aid

Recommended

  • PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
  • DAN Emergency Oxygen Provider
  • Gas Blender certification
  • RYA Powerboat Level 2
  • RYA PWC
  • PDSD

Visas

  • Schengen
  • US B1/B2 or C1/D
  • Australian MCV

Where it leads

  1. Deckhand
  2. Deckhand / Divemaster
  3. Divemaster
  4. Deckhand / Dive Instructor
  5. Diving Instructor

Divemaster jobs open now

No Divemaster positions listed right now.Register and we will call you when one fits

Questions crew ask

Do I need yacht experience to get hired as a Divemaster?

It helps a lot. Many people start as a Deckhand / Divemaster on a smaller yacht, then move to a dedicated dive role on a larger boat once they have a season of guest diving and tender work behind them.

Should I become an instructor first?

Not essential, but an instructor rating widens your options because the yacht can then run courses and try dives for guests. Divemasters with instructor tickets usually earn more and get shortlisted first.

How many dives will I do a week?

It depends on the itinerary. In the Mediterranean you might dive a few times a week, while on expedition trips to places like Indonesia or French Polynesia two or three guided dives a day is normal.

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