All roles/Specialist crew/Security Officer / Close Protection Officer
Specialist crew
Security Officer / Close Protection Officer
You protect the owner, their family and guests on board and ashore, plan safe movements, control access to the yacht and lead the crew's security response so the principal can live normally.
- Department
- Specialist crew
- Reports to
- Yacht Captain (and the principal's head of security)
- Yacht size
- 60m to 150m+
- Contract
- Rotation or permanent
- Starting pay
- €5,500 per month
What the job is
You are responsible for the physical safety of the principal and their guests, both on board and every time they step ashore. That means planning movements, checking venues and routes in advance, travelling with the family in the tender and cars, and staying close without getting in the way. On larger yachts you may be one of a team of three to six, working alongside the principal's own land based protection detail.
On board, you run access control. You manage the gangway and swim platform watch with the deck crew, check contractors and deliveries, brief new crew on security procedures and keep the ship security plan practical. You monitor CCTV, intruder alarms and radar for approaching craft at anchor. You also lead drills for piracy, unauthorised boarding and medical emergencies, and you are often the strongest first responder on the yacht.
Most people come from military, police or commercial close protection backgrounds. The yacht part takes adjusting to. You live in a shared cabin, you pitch in on deck when the owner is away, and discretion counts as much as vigilance. Owners keep security officers who are calm, well presented and almost invisible. A guest who never notices you working is usually a sign you are doing it well.
What makes a good one
- Route and venue planning
- Calm, discreet presence
- Trauma first aid
- Threat assessment at anchor
- Clear radio communication
A day in the life
- 06:30Take handover from the night watch, review the CCTV log and radar track history, and check nothing approached the yacht overnight.
- 07:30Brief the captain and chief officer on the day's movements. Confirm tender drivers, timings and the shore car with the local driver.
- 09:00Run a quick recce ashore by tender. Walk the route from the marina to the lunch restaurant, check exits and parking, and speak to the restaurant manager about the table.
- 11:00Back on board, cover the swim platform while the family use the water toys. Keep a radio link with the tender and watch for jet skis and paparazzi boats.
- 13:00Escort the principal and guests ashore for lunch. Ride in the tender, lead the walk to the car and position yourself with a clear view of the room and door.
- 16:00Return the party to the yacht. Debrief the tender crew and log any photographers or unknown vessels seen during the day.
- 18:00Check the gangway, guest list and supplier deliveries for the evening dinner. Brief the deck crew on who is allowed on board.
- 21:00Stay on call during dinner on the aft deck, monitor the anchorage and confirm the night watch routine with the bridge.
- 23:30Final walk round, lock down external doors as agreed with the captain and hand over to the night security watch.
Pay by country
Monthly salary for crew on yachts of 60m to 150m+. Rotational and team leader roles sit at the top of the range. Some operators pay day rates for short trips. Charter tips apply on charter yachts.
- France and Monaco
- €5,500 – 8,500
- Spain
- €5,500 – 8,500
- Italy
- €5,500 – 8,500
- United Kingdom
- £4,700 – 7,300
- USA (Florida)
- US$6,000 – 9,200
- Caribbean
- US$6,000 – 9,200
- UAE
- AED 22,000 – 34,000
- Australia
- A$9,000 – 14,000
- New Zealand
- NZ$10,000 – 15,500
Required
- STCW Basic Safety Training
- ENG1 medical
- PDSD
- SIA Close Protection licence or equivalent
- FREC Level 3 or equivalent trauma care
Recommended
- Ship Security Officer
- RYA Powerboat Level 2
- Medical First Aid
- Advanced Fire Fighting
- RYA PWC
- Second language
Visas
- Schengen
- US B1/B2 or C1/D
- Australian MCV
Where it leads
- Deckhand
- Deckhand / Security
- Security Officer / Close Protection Officer
- Yacht Safety Manager
- Yacht Compliance Manager
Security Officer / Close Protection Officer jobs open now
Questions crew ask
Will I carry a firearm on board?
Almost never. Most flag states and port authorities make carrying weapons very difficult, so yacht security relies on planning, access control and physical presence. Armed guards for high risk passages are normally provided by specialist maritime security companies.
Do I need yacht experience to get hired?
Not always, but it helps a great deal. Captains favour close protection officers with STCW, PDSD and some time on deck or tenders, and a powerboat ticket makes you far more useful.
What do I do when the owner is not on board?
You usually work with the deck crew, help with maintenance, run security drills and update the ship security plan. Some rotational officers travel with the principal ashore instead and join the yacht only for trips.