All roles/Dual roles/Mate / Deckhand
Dual roles
Mate / Deckhand
The Mate / Deckhand is second in command on a smaller yacht and also its main pair of hands on deck, standing watches, driving the tender and keeping the exterior in charter condition.
- Department
- Dual roles
- Reports to
- Yacht Captain
- Yacht size
- 24m to 45m
- Contract
- Seasonal or permanent
- Starting pay
- €3,500 per month
What the job is
On a yacht of 24m to 45m there is often no room for a separate first mate and deck team. The Mate / Deckhand fills both gaps. You are the captain's second in command, ready to take the helm, run a watch or handle a mooring, and you are also the person washing down, polishing stainless and launching the toys. On a crew of four or five, you may be the whole deck department.
The officer side means navigation, passage planning support, watchkeeping at anchor and underway, and leading safety drills. You keep the logbook up to date, check charts and weather, and know the boat well enough to take over if the captain is ashore or unwell. Many captains lean on the mate for crew paperwork, stores lists and contractor visits during yard periods. Owners and charter guests will treat you as the captain's deputy.
The deckhand side is physical. Tender driving, guest transfers, setting up the swim platform, cleaning teak, detailing the hull and fixing small problems with paint, varnish and sealant. You may help the engineer or captain with basic maintenance too. The role suits someone with a commercially endorsed Yachtmaster who wants real responsibility early and is happy doing the hands on work that a larger yacht would give to a junior.
What makes a good one
- Confident boat handling
- Watchkeeping and navigation
- Tender and toy operation
- Exterior detailing and varnish
- Calm leadership in a small crew
A day in the life
- 06:30Anchor watch handover from the night. Check the anchor position, wind forecast and swell for the bay.
- 07:00Wash down the exterior, chamois the windows and dry the sunpads before guests appear.
- 08:30Morning meeting with the captain and chief stewardess to agree the day's plan and the lunch anchorage.
- 09:30Launch the tender and water toys, rig the swim ladder and run a quick safety brief for the guests on the jet ski.
- 11:30Raise the anchor with the captain on the helm, then stand by on the foredeck and on the radar for the short passage.
- 13:00Drive a tender run to a beach club for lunch, wait nearby and bring the guests back on call.
- 16:00Recover the toys, flush the jet ski engines with fresh water and log fuel and hours.
- 18:30Enter the harbour and handle lines and fenders for a stern to berth, then rinse the boat down.
- 21:00Take the first evening watch, update the logbook and plan tomorrow's route with the captain.
Pay by country
Monthly salary for yachts of 24m to 45m, usually paid in EUR or USD. Charter tips on top, often 5 to 15% of the charter fee shared among crew. Higher end for commercially endorsed Yachtmaster Ocean or OOW holders.
- France and Monaco
- €3,500 – 4,500
- Spain
- €3,300 – 4,300
- Italy
- €3,300 – 4,300
- United Kingdom
- £3,000 – 3,900
- USA (Florida)
- US$4,000 – 5,200
- Caribbean
- US$4,000 – 5,200
- UAE
- AED 14,500 – 19,000
- Australia
- A$6,000 – 7,800
- New Zealand
- NZ$6,600 – 8,600
Required
- STCW Basic Safety Training
- ENG1 medical
- PDSD
- RYA Yachtmaster Offshore (commercially endorsed)
- RYA Powerboat Level 2
- GMDSS GOC or VHF SRC
Recommended
- RYA Yachtmaster Ocean
- Efficient Deck Hand (EDH)
- Proficiency in Survival Craft
- Advanced Fire Fighting
- Medical First Aid
- RYA PWC
Visas
- Schengen
- US B1/B2
- C1/D
- Australian MCV
Where it leads
Mate / Deckhand jobs open now
Questions crew ask
Do I need a Yachtmaster to get hired as a Mate / Deckhand?
Yes, almost always. Captains expect at least a commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster Offshore so you can legally take command if needed. Some smaller private yachts will consider a strong deckhand working towards it.
Is this a step up from a deckhand job on a big yacht?
In responsibility, yes. You get real watchkeeping and officer experience much sooner, which counts towards your OOW 3000gt sea time. The pay can be similar to a lead deckhand on a larger yacht, but the experience moves you towards first mate and captain faster.
Will I have to help inside the boat as well?
On very small crews, sometimes. You may help with guest service at busy moments or turn down cabins in a pinch. Most of your time is on deck and on watch.