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The role of crew positions and duties on a sailboat

Discover the key crew positions and their duties on a sailboat to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey exploring the open sea with your family.

The Role of Crew Positions and Duties on a Sailboat

Sailing is an exciting and fulfilling way to explore the world with your family, but it’s also a complex endeavor that requires a solid understanding of various crew positions and duties. In this article, we’ll delve into the different roles on a sailboat, their responsibilities, and how they contribute to a successful sailing adventure.

Table of Contents

Introduction, watch leader, galley crew, communications officer.

Before we dive into the specific crew positions, it’s important to note that the size and complexity of your sailboat will determine the number of crew members needed. On a smaller boat, one person may take on multiple roles, while larger boats may require a full crew to operate efficiently. Regardless of your boat’s size, understanding the various roles and their duties will help ensure a safe and enjoyable sailing experience.

The skipper, also known as the captain, is the person in charge of the sailboat. They are responsible for the overall safety and well-being of the crew and the vessel. The skipper’s duties include:

• Planning and executing the sailing itinerary
• Ensuring the boat is properly maintained and equipped
• Making decisions regarding navigation, weather, and safety
• Managing the crew and assigning tasks
• Ensuring all crew members are trained and competent in their roles
• Handling emergencies and making critical decisions under pressure

The skipper should have extensive sailing experience, strong leadership skills, and a thorough understanding of the boat’s systems and capabilities.

The first mate, or mate, is the skipper’s right-hand person and is responsible for assisting with the management of the boat and crew. The first mate’s duties include:

• Assisting the skipper with navigation, weather, and safety decisions
• Supervising and directing the crew in their tasks
• Stepping in as skipper if the skipper is incapacitated or unavailable

The first mate should have strong sailing skills, good communication and leadership abilities, and a solid understanding of the boat’s systems and capabilities.

The navigator is responsible for planning and executing the boat’s course, taking into account factors such as weather, currents, and hazards. The navigator’s duties include:

• Creating and updating the boat’s passage plan
• Monitoring the boat’s position and progress using charts, GPS, and other navigational tools
• Identifying and avoiding potential hazards, such as reefs, shoals, and shipping traffic
• Communicating with the skipper and crew regarding the boat’s course and any necessary adjustments

The navigator should have strong navigational skills, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to think critically and make decisions under pressure.

On longer passages, the crew will typically be divided into watches, with each watch responsible for sailing the boat for a set period of time. The watch leader is responsible for overseeing their watch and ensuring the boat is sailed safely and efficiently. The watch leader’s duties include:

• Ensuring the crew on watch is performing their tasks correctly and efficiently
• Monitoring the boat’s course, speed, and sail trim
• Communicating with the skipper and other watch leaders regarding the boat’s progress and any issues that arise
• Ensuring the crew on watch is well-rested and alert

The watch leader should have strong sailing skills, good communication and leadership abilities, and the ability to make decisions under pressure.

The helm, or helmsperson, is responsible for steering the boat and maintaining its course. The helm’s duties include:

• Steering the boat according to the navigator’s instructions
• Monitoring the boat’s speed and adjusting the sails as needed to maintain optimal performance
• Communicating with the crew regarding sail trim and other adjustments
• Keeping a lookout for potential hazards and other vessels

The helm should have strong sailing skills, good communication abilities, and a keen sense of awareness.

Deckhands are responsible for handling the sails, lines, and other equipment on the boat. Deckhand duties include:

• Hoisting, lowering, and trimming sails
• Tying and adjusting lines, such as halyards, sheets, and dock lines
• Assisting with anchoring and mooring the boat
• Performing routine maintenance tasks, such as cleaning and inspecting the rigging

Deckhands should have a basic understanding of sailing and be able to follow instructions and work well as part of a team.

The galley crew is responsible for preparing meals and maintaining the cleanliness and organization of the boat’s galley (kitchen). Galley crew duties include:

• Planning and preparing meals for the crew
• Ensuring the galley is clean and well-stocked
• Managing food storage and waste disposal
• Assisting with other tasks as needed, such as cleaning and maintenance

Galley crew members should have good cooking skills, be well-organized, and able to work efficiently in a small space.

The engineer is responsible for maintaining and repairing the boat’s mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Engineer duties include:

• Performing routine maintenance on the engine, generator, and other systems
• Diagnosing and repairing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing issues
• Ensuring the boat’s systems are operating efficiently and safely
• Assisting with other tasks as needed, such as sail handling and deck work

The engineer should have a strong technical background, good problem-solving skills, and a thorough understanding of the boat’s systems.

The communications officer is responsible for managing the boat’s communication systems, including radios, satellite phones, and internet access. Communications officer duties include:

• Monitoring and operating the boat’s communication systems
• Ensuring the crew is aware of and follows proper communication protocols
• Communicating with other vessels, marinas, and authorities as needed
• Assisting with navigation and weather information

The communications officer should have a strong understanding of communication systems and protocols, good communication skills, and the ability to think critically and make decisions under pressure.

Understanding the various crew positions and their duties is essential for a successful sailing adventure. Whether you’re sailing with a full crew or taking on multiple roles yourself, being well-versed in these responsibilities will help ensure a safe and enjoyable journey for you and your family. As you gain experience and confidence in your sailing abilities, you’ll be better equipped to handle the challenges and rewards that come with living the sailing lifestyle.

how it works

How does Crewseekers work?

It's free for yacht owners to post their sailing opportunities, and potential crew members can view all of these published sailing opportunities for free – but to make contact with the yacht owner and to register your details with us you need to join Crewseekers.

Looking for a Sailing Opportunity?

Whether you are looking to:

• Build your experience and sailing miles
• Join local sailing trips with like-minded sailors
• Crew on offshore and ocean sailing passages
• Join racing yacht crews
• Share sailing holidays
• Find professional sailing work 
• Crew on yacht deliveries

We have yacht crewing opportunities available for you.  Simply search through our sailing opportunities to find what you're looking for. 

It’s free to view all of our sailing opportunities.   To make contact with the yacht owner and join their crew, you must register as a member of Crewseekers.  Membership costs from £75 for 6 months and gives you unlimited access to all of our sailing opportunities. Once you have registered you can create your own personal sailing profile and share this with yacht owners when you are applying to join them as crew.

Sailing opportunities are listed with a variety of crew contributions – some are looking for a shared contribution of daily onboard expenses, some are looking for no contribution, some may pay your travel expenses, and then there are professional listings where a fee is paid to the crew – see our feature on Crew Contributions for more information.

Listed on our separate Crewseekers Directory are commercial sailing opportunities – charters, training, holidays, etc. – and you can access all of these without becoming a member.

Find the sailing opportunity you are interested in, contact the yacht owner and express your interest in that sailing opportunity and go sailing!

BROWSE SAILING OPPORTUNITIES   join as crew member

Looking for Crew?

It's free for yacht owners to register and post their sailing opportunities.  

You can use Crewseekers to find amateur and professional crew for all of your short or long term sailing voyages; whether it’s more hands for local sailing, watchkeepers for an offshore voyage, long-term crew for an extended trip, or a professional sailing vacancy we can help.

To post a sailing opportunity, simply upload a boat picture and your text. Your sailing opportunity is checked by us then appears on the website, as well as on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Crewseekers’ members will contact you directly to express interest in your sailing opportunity and to invite you to view their sailing profile. You can post both amateur and professional sailing opportunities, and if you wish you can boost the prominence of your post for a small charge.

Amateur sailing opportunities are accepted on the basis that crew contributions (if any) are for a reasonable share of daily expenses only. For further information on contributions see our article Crew Contributions .

Commercial sailing opportunities, i.e. those that charge a commercial rate for other people to join you aboard, can only be posted on our separate Crewseekers Directory section. 

POST SAILING OPPORTUNITY

Crewseekers acts as an introducer only and does not warrant the skills of skippers or crews, or the suitability of vessels or equipment for any proposed voyages – further information is available in our FAQs and Advice sections.

We are not an employment or crew matching service and we do not operate a database that you can add your CV to for yacht owners to search through. It’s up to the crew to find the sailing opportunity that they are interested in and to reply to the yacht owner to express their interest.

we love sailing as much as you do

Crewseekers is run by experienced, professional sailors offering a friendly and helpful service to yacht crew and owners. We are the original yacht crew introduction agency – established for over 25 years, offering amateur and professional sailing opportunities throughout the world.

Please don’t go

Join today and get 10% OFF Crew Membership

USE THIS VOUCHER CODE CREW10 Type this code into the payment page to obtain your discount

Username or Email

Find a sailing crew or find a sailing boat  at Ocean Crew Link. We connect boat owners looking for sailing crew, and crew looking for boats.

Search our   sailing crew opportunities   to connect with hundreds boat owners who want a sailing crew for all types of ocean sailing.

Search our   sailing crew list   to connect with thousands of potential crew – all interested in ocean sailing.

Just Ocean Crew and Ocean Voyages

Unlike other sites, Ocean Crew Link specializes in opportunities for ocean sailing crew, so if you are planning to cross the Atlantic or island-hop in the Pacific and need a sailing crew,   register   now and connect with sailors from around the world.

Ocean Crew Link   is World Cruising Club’s preferred sailing crew match service and has a special focus on voyaging rallies like the   ARC   and   World ARC . Boat owners and charter companies use Ocean Crew Link to find crew for rallies and independent cruising. Each month there are around 150 opportunities to sail as crew available on the site.

Our weekly email will update you on sailing crew opportunities added in the last 7 days.

There is a subscription fee of $5 per month recurring. The subscription may be cancelled at any point.

Register now – you must be aged 18 years or more, and will need to include information about sailing skills to make matching easier. Ocean sailing is about people and personalities, so start a conversation and see where it takes you!   Happy Sailing!

Meet crew...

Catherine dawe.

• Gender: female
• Ocean/Coastal Miles: 1200/1620
• Years Sailing: 4 to 9
• Nationality: Canada
• Gender: male
• Ocean/Coastal Miles: 3000/3000
• Years Sailing: 10+
• Nationality: United States

Jonathan Barkway

• Ocean/Coastal Miles: 9500/8000
• Nationality: United Kingdom

Find boats...

• When: May 01, 2025 - May 28, 2025
• Where: France to New York of United States
• With: CHALLENGE 67, 20m, Sail, Monohull
• Voyage Cost: voyage cost
• Posted by: Valdo DHOYER, February 08, 2024
• When: June 03, 2025 - June 30, 2025
• Where: United States to Lorient La Base of France
• When: October 07, 2024 - October 21, 2024
• Where: Croatia to Hammamet of Tunisia
• With: Beneteau 42 CC, 13m, sail, monohull
• Voyage Cost: daily contribution from crew
• Posted by: David Pearson, August 22, 2024

Register to view any of the above sailors and opportunities!

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© world cruising club ltd 2012. all rights reserved.

Offshore Passage Opportunities is the #1 Crew Networking Service in North America. OPO has helped thousands of sailors meet and make successful passages since 1993.

Our mission is to seek, gather and create quality offshore passage opportunities for our members..

Offshore Passage Opportunities offers three services all focused around matching experienced crew with qualified skippers -- and helping those who seek more sailing experience to safely acquire it.

Experienced Crew Seeking Quality Passage Opportunities

Your membership connects you with trusted owners and skippers looking for experienced crew. You sail for free since you're helping to move a boat. Some voyages require sea miles with solo, night watch capabilities while others simply need bodies to stand watch.

• To Panama Canal on a 40' Custom Steel Ketch
• To St Maarten on a Privilege 50' Cat
• To St. Marten on a Passport 40
• To Bermuda to St. Thomas on a Nautitech 40 Cat
• To Virgin Gorda BVI on a Outbound 46

If you're interested or qualified for some of the posted opportunities, then that is a good indication you should join now.

Sailors Seeking Additional Offshore Experience

Our Swan Program was designed to help knowledgeable sailors gain the blue water, offshore miles required to crew on any boat.

You pay to crew for a very experienced skipper on a proven boat who will push your comfort zone. You'll learn:

• Offshore Sailing Strategy
• Route Planning
• Important Safety Tips
• How to Stand Watch
• How Systems Work
• What it Takes to Crew

After one or two Swan voyages, you'll be ready to crew on virtually any offshore passage.

Skippers Seeking Experienced Offshore Crew

We help boat owners and delivery skippers find qualified, experienced crew. Some skippers look for crew in advance while others need crew on short notice. Once you " Request Crew " you'll know within 24 to 48 hours if we can help. Some skippers accept friendly, less experienced crew who are able and willing.

This service is free to boat owners and delivery skippers. All you need to do is:

• Complete our " Request Crew "
• Answer any OPO questions
• Thoughtfully vet crew inquiries
• Select your crew
• Have a great trip

We welcome inquiries from owners and skippers we know--and those we have yet to meet.

Delivery skippers and private boat owners quickly realize their friends and family have jobs and cannot always sail with them. So they call us looking for crew. We collect their information and pass it on to our members to help them get aboard. Since you are helping to deliver a boat, you get to go sailing for free. Many are repeat skippers or members so we pre-qualify a majority of the opportunities for you.

Swan Program: A First Experience with Offshore Sailing

If you've ever considering deepwater sailing but were not sure how to jump start your sailing career, our Swan Program is for you .

Our Swan Program was specifically designed to introduce people to the world of offshore sailing by providing hands-on crew experience under the watchful eye of an professional skipper on a proven boat . During your tenure onboard, you’ll learn to keep watch, make log entries, navigate, use the radio, steer the boat  and perform tasks that are essential to safe offshore sailing. The Swan Program offers a fixed price for everything you’ll need aboard—you just pay for your travel to and from the boat. The Swan Program sails south from New England to Bermuda and the Caribbean in the fall, and north from Bermuda and the Caribbean to New England in the spring. Summer trips are also available.

After your first Swan Program experience, you’ll have the skills to sail on other boats . Please view the video below to learn more.

2024 Swan Program

Dear Sailors,

We like to speak with potential Swan Crew before they sign up for any of the following passages. Please let me know if you have any questions before placing a deposit online or by mailing a check.

A deposit is required for any option.

I am in or near the office most of December and January at 631-423-4988 . E-mail works very well at [email protected]

Once we have agreed you are ready to join us, you can make a deposit online at www.sailopo.com/store or pay by check made out to Offshore Passage Opportunities and mailed to OPO, PO Box 2600, Halesite NY 11743.

Best Regards, Hank Schmitt OPO

2024 Swan Offshore Program Schedule

We are happy to share our fall schedule with the public. OPO members received this schedule on July 1. The ARC Passage on a Swan 68 from Las Palmas to St. Lucia booked and filled up right away! We have three berths left to sail with Tanai Aebi from Barcelona to Las Palmas to have the boat in Las Palmas a week before crew arrive for the ARC start. Tania Aebi sailed around the world by herself starting at age 18 on a 26-foot boat in 1986. She wrote “Maiden Voyage” about that epic adventure which has become a classic. This is a rare opportunity to sail with a celebrity skipper who is also a very nice person.

In years past, we had as many as 10 Swans departing from Newport in the fall and sailing to St. Maarten in the Caribbean. We are no longer organizing our annual NARC Rally after 24 years, but have two Swans still sailing south this fall. If you are interested in taking the next step to become a seasoned offshore sailor, the classic passage from Newport to the Caribbean in the fall will help you achieve your goal. We have a Swan 48 and a Swan 65 grandfathered into our Swan Program. If you would like to know if you qualify and want to sign aboard, please e-mail me at [email protected] or call us at 631-423-4988 .

Swan 48, Piper Lance October 24 to November 13 (21 days) Newport RI to Bermuda to St. Maarten Caribbean Crew arrives Thursday, October 24, for a planned departure on Saturday, October 26. Depending on weather, there will be a delayed departure from Bermuda for the second leg departing on Wednesday, November 6, to watch the U.S. election results. Crew flies home on November 13 after one or two days in SXM. Price: $5,500 Swan 65, Aurora October 24 to November 13 (21 days) Newport RI to Bermuda to St. Maarten Caribbean Sail with Captain Johnthan Ishmael and repeat First Mate Courney from St. Lucia. Crew arrives Thursday, October 24, for planned departure on Saturday, October 26. Depending on weather, there will be a delayed departure from Bermuda for the second leg departing on Wednesday, November 6, to watch the U.S. election results. Crew flies home on November 13 after one or two days in SXM. Price: $5,500 Swan 68, Aphrodite First Leg : October 21 to November 10 (21 days) Barcelona to Las Palmas Canary Islands Spain Sail with Captain Tania Aebi and First Mate Maurizio Crew arrives in Barcelona, Spain on Monday, October 21. The plan is to depart on October 23 and make possible stops in Gibraltar and Madeira, Portugal on the way to Las Palmas arriving about November 8 or 9, having several days in las Palmas before flying home on November 10. This is a 3-week adventure. The skipper is Tania Aebi and the mate is Maurizio from Southern Italy. They have an excellent cook who will make dinner each night. Price: $4,500 with 3 only berths left Second Leg : November 17 to December 15 (29 days) ARC Rally, Las Palmas to St. Lucia Price: $$6,500 (Currently full, but ask to join the Wait List)

Paid Passage Opportunities

OPO is all about going sailing for free . However some people prefer or need to plan well in advance to take three or four weeks off from work or commitments. They find it more affordable to sail offshore with a pro skipper on a strong offshore boat (Swans) compared to buying their own boat.

One phenomenon rocking the sailing world is the transition to catamarans. While catamarans in the US have not caught on, if you have sailed in the Caribbean or been to the Mediterranean, you'll see catamarans everywhere. If you are thinking of including a catamaran as part of your future, why not spend some money and make sure by signing up for an offshore passage and give it a go ? Then you can see how they perform offshore before making a huge investment.

This past May we had a trial run with three OPO members sailing aboard a Bali 5.4, 56-foot catamaran named Two Oceans from St. Maarten to Europe with our four Swans. Both the Swan 68 Aphrodite and Bali 5.4 catamaran Two Oceans will be in Barcelona for the Americas Cup this summer and fall. After they are over, Tania Aebi will skipper Aphrodite to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands. The same skipper and mate will be skippering Two Oceans to Lanzarote, Canary Islands and then on to St. Maarten. While Tania is making a three-week first leg cruise to Las Palmas, the catamaran will welcome crew on November 9 and make a more direct one-week passage to get to Lanzarote. During a four-day layover more crew will join the boat in Lanzarote for the Trans-Atlantic second Leg to St. Maarten. The sail from Mediterranean to the Canary Islands and then across to the Caribbean is a mostly a downwind passage - perfect for catamaran sailing. Almost half of the boats in the ARC Rally are catamarans now. If you want to test sail a catamaran in true ocean conditions before committing to buying a catamaran for long-term cruising, why not sail across (take your spouse) to see if it is a good plan before buying a catamaran ? This is also a very affordable opportunity to do a bucket list crossing without having to purchase and outfit a boat.

There will be six or seven crew plus a captain and mate, depending if one or two couples join. There will be only three or four crew for the first leg. Then other crew will join in Lanzarote for the second leg of the passage. The second, longer Trans-Atlantic leg will depart two or three days before the ARC. Crew can join for the entire one-month crossing starting in Barcelona or you can fly into Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain and join the boat there for the 16 to 18-day passage to St. Maarten. Enjoy a couple of days in St. Maarten after you arrive and fly home. The plan is to have half the crew join in Barcelona. Crew, with less time, will fly in for the shorter three-week commitment.

For more information, visit: https://twooceanscatamaran.com/

New Bali 5.4* Catamaran Program, Trans-Atlantic

• Shared Cabin: $6,000 (2 Twin bunks)
• Private Cabin: $7,000 (Queen bunk)
• Couple Shared Cabin: $9,000 ($4,500 per person)
• Master Owners Cabin: $10,000 ($5,000 per person)
• Shared Cabin: $5,000
• Private Cabin: $6,000
• Couple Shared Cabin: $7,500 ($3,750 per person)
• Master Owners Cabin: $8,500 ($4,250 per person)

* Two Oceans is only the first of four Bali 5.4 (56 feet) charter boats that will be making a regular run from Spain to the Caribbean and then back each season. Last year Two Oceans and MIM Ocean were the first two MedCat Charter boats offering fully crewed luxury charters to primarily European and South American charter guests.

We met the American owners of Two Oceans and the Catalonian skipper and 1st mate this past winter. Two very nice young sailors in their 30s. We had three paid crew join them for the sail from St. Maarten to Barcelona. The same skipper and first mate will be sailing back this November. If we fill the Two Oceans with six crew we will then offer to help fill from one to three other Bali 5.4 catamarans starting with MIM Ocean. We include a picture of MIM Ocean for you to try and guess the boat's owner.

In the Industry we see a lot of people who like to retire and invest money in their favorite hobby. The owners of Two Oceans, is one example. The other is a 37-year-old Argentinian (GOAT) futball player who is at the top of his game and near retirement. He just happens to be 37 year old. Please let us know if you are interested in sailing one of # 10s boats.

Tips from the Pros: Watch Hank in Action

Hank Schmitt is profiled in the several episodes of a new series entitled " Tips from the Pros ." Regardless how long you have been sailing, you will learn something new by watching Hank share some of his techniques based upon decades of sailing.

Please contact Hank with any comments and feedback!

Hank Schmitt provides an overview of Offshore Passage Opportunities to the Blue Water Sailing Club , complete with Q & A.

The discussion shares how you can learn to sail offshore, how OPO has helped countless sailors gain blue water experience, and the benefits of crewing on a boat delivery. Importantly, Hank also discusses the Swan Program, the annual NARC Rally (North American Rally to Caribbean) and other rallies. Enjoy!

Swan Program

More Testimonials

Sail with us.

Deep Water Happy

How to find positions as crew on boats.

• On September 2, 2019
• By Kimberly

During sailing schools, students ask me how they will get more sea time, how can they find boats on which to crew, how can they get experience on crossings, and now there are websites and apps to help with exactly that.

Recently, I wrote about the apps for finding a boat – with or without a captain – for rent. It was great fun looking at vessels for rent in exotic locations. But now, time to look at some websites that will help you find either crew or captain for your boat, or, positions for you as crew or captain on someone else’s boat.

This was my first experience looking at the crew-finding apps. Crewbay helps you “find professional crew” who wish to be paid to crew. The next choice is “find recreational crew” for people who just wish to get on a boat. After that, the next two choices are “find professional boats” which displays paying jobs and “find recreational boats” which shows crew opportunities.

Once you click a little deeper, for instance in the “recreational crew” area, you find position details of onboard expense expectations, vessel information, skipper information including photos, and contact method.

On “professional crew,” type of work, salary, expenses information, and even interview information appears. The site lists type of position, for example “cook” and type of work – temporary, seasonal, and so on, as well as availability – dates of potential employment.

Again, the site lists vessel, skipper, and photos, as well as how to apply. There are no fees.

Under “find boat,” “recreational” yields “view opportunity,” and “professional” offers “view job.” Once in the vessel section, viewers see from where the boat is coming and to where it is sailing next.

If you choose the professional section, you can find anything from internships with expenses paid, to jobs with salaries.

Participants must be older than 18 years, and every position on a vessel you have ever heard of is a selection. It’s worth signing up just to see the list! Bosun, Captain, Deckhand, Nanny, Hairdresser, Purser… the list is huge.

The search criteria that captains and crew us to find each other also offer similar opportunities, based on the search criteria, in which they might be interested. So, even if you overlooked something that might be of interest to you, it’s probable that you will have the opportunity to see it.

An upcoming update to the service in a month or two (as of December 2019) will allow captains and crew to filter results so they view exactly for what they are looking.

findacrew.net

“ findacrew.net ” – that’s pretty simple! It’s not an agent, but a network for members to find crew positions on boats, or for owner’s representatives and owners to find crew for their boat. Categories are recreational, professional, commercial, and shore-based. They are the worlds largest international online boat and crew network, with active members in over 200 countries.

Boat owners and representatives can communicate with crew anywhere in the world. There are no contracts; it’s free for crew and boat, with no commissions, registration fees, or fees to list, search, view or maintain a profile.

Both parties can exchange contact information and messages as long as one party has a Premium membership. Free members, can exchange contact details with any matching Premium members who have contacted them or replied to them during the last 45 days.

A paying Premium membership on findacrew.net includes Personal Identity Verifications. All members (Free & Premium) can send requests and view unlimited contacts per day with those who share it.

Find a Crew™ is owned by NAUTYCAL Pty Ltd on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia.

CrewSeekers

CrewSeekers seems pretty serious – crew looking for paying boats, and boats looking for paid crew.

Their into page says “Yacht Crew Wanted; Amateur and professional yacht crewing positions available worldwide, from daysailing to transocean for all experience levels.”

Indeed, viewers can find sailing opportunities as yacht delivery crew, by varied vessel types, at all experience levels, mile-building voyages, short-notice sailing, environmental and wildlife vessels, coastal yacht cruising, professional sailing jobs, ocean sailing voyages, and yacht delivery crew.

They have a fantastic article “How much should crew contribute ” that is very comprehensive on the topic. The post explains the UK distinction between commercial and pleasure vessels, and includes some US Code of Federal Regulations information.

Another great section is “ Making life aboard safe and enjoyable. ”

Yacht crew can look all they like, then in order to contact anyone, they must pay for the service. It’s free to look around and see if there’s anything in which you are interested. Yacht owners may register and post available crew positions for no charge.

Crewfinders

With over 30 years in the business of matching crew with yachts, Crewfinders is one of the most well-established crew finding agencies, with a physical location in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. This is the company to approach if you want the premium entre to the yachting world. Crewfinders has an actual office, with friendly pups, and meets you in person and connects you personally with yacht positions. This is personalized service; the ultimate in boat/crew matchmaking.

Before the Internet was even “a thing,” Crewfinders was working hard out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Their reputation for double-blind matching was matched by very few.

These ladies have all the information, and you can’t skim over “ Five Tips for Yacht Job Resumes ,” by Captain Linda Turner, owner and crew placement officer since 1982. Crewfinders was one of the very first agencies I contacted once I earned my license and was ready to get to work. My first two professional captain jobs were landed through Crewfinders.

Other very helpful information on their site is “ Average Starting Salary Guidelines ,” in case you’re considering working in the field. Even freelance daily salaries are listed.

There is no fee for crew to register, the owner, captain, or agent for the boat pays the fee. Reading through their Yacht Jobs & Employment FAQS will answer questions you didn’t know you had.

Other Methods

There are other ways to find positions as permanent, seasonal, or even daily crew. Scour your local yacht club’s website for crew positions. Check on local cruising and racing websites for links to crew placement.

Visit marinas and talk to boaters. Swing by boater lounges and spread the word that you are looking – offering a business card with your phone number is a good idea.

Volunteer for charity races in order to meet captains and crew and hopefully earn a spot on the boat in the next race. Always be that crew member who shows up early, offers to help, brings some food and/or beverage, and is willing to demonstrate a willingness to work.

What to Bring the Captain When You Score a Day Spot On Board!

Bring something for the host or hostess, just like on land.

You can’t go wrong with a bag of ice, or maybe some of the house beverage, whether alcoholic or non. Something consumable is good. How about reef-safe sunscreen from  Stream2Sea  to share! Even the bottles are environmentally friendly; totally biodegradable. Stream2Sea  has generously given me a discount code “KimW” for you to use at the checkout at checkout to save 10%.

Some other ideas are snacks in a plastic lidded container. Pick one that don’t need refrigeration or plates to share with everyone. Something that can be eaten with your fingers and does not make a mess or melt when left in the sun.

What to Read Next

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Updated December 14, 2019. Updated December 17, 2019.

About Kimberly

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Hey we’re Coboaters see our thoughts & ideas.

Blog.Coboaters is the news outlet for the largest online sailing club and crew finder in North America.

An online Sailing Network with hundreds of members.

Coboaters is a sailing community aiming to bring boaters together and offer new opportunities on the water – but there’s so much more to it! It was launched in Jan2021 with the unique goal of connecting boating enthusiasts together. Boat owners share their boats and crew share their time and talents. Together they sail more and better.

What is a Crew Finder? How Does It Work?

How does a crew finder network work.

One of the best way to answer these questions is to ask people, experienced sailors or beginners what they think about a crew finder? We put together here below some testimonials and interviews of Coboaters members. They explain how they found crew or boats within the sailing community.

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Team Coboaters

Best sailing and sailors quotes of all time.

Best Sailing quotes and mariners Quotes Discover the best sailors and sailing quotes and mariners sayings. We often hear mariners quotes, sailing words, and proverbs from famous and unknown sailors, navigators, explorers about the ocean, the sea, their vessels, their sailing journeys or their adventures. The best mariners and sailors or sailing quotes you will […]

August 27, 2024

Super Coboaters, the Super Heroes of Co-Boating

Super Coboaters, the Super Heroes of Co-Boating In 2024, Coboaters, created the status of Super Coboaters a new category of members . This category highlights boat owners and crew who have nothing but very positive Co-boating experiences and reviews. WHY WAS THE SUPER CO-BROWSER CATEGORY CREATED? While co-boating is an easy and inexpensive way to […]

July 23, 2024

Why visit Newport International Boat Show

Why visit 2024 Newport International Boat Show? This blog details why you should visit the 2024 Newport International Boat Show (NBIS) and you will find practical information to prepare and enjoy your visit. In 2024, the boat show will be held from September 12 to 15. We will be exhibiting at the show so please […]

July 12, 2024

EGYC Annual Regatta

EGYC Annual Regatta annual regatta: a fun family event The EGYC (East Greenwich Yacht Club) annual regatta is organized every year in early july. This Annual regatta is considered to be one of the most fun events of the sailing season in Narragansett bay and Rhode Island.  The date for 2024 is July 13. The […]

June 12, 2024

What is a good boating or sailing resume?

What is a good boating or sailing resume? A good boating or sailing resume can be mandatory when you want to rent or charter a boat (sailboat or powerboat) or when you want to join a boat as a crew. Crew finder websites like Coboaters offer ways to create sailing resumes or sailing profiles for […]

May 24, 2024

Why visit Annapolis Sailboat Show?

Why visit Annapolis Sailboat Show? The Annapolis Sailboat Boat Show is organized every year in October at the City Dock, Annapolis, MD. It is also called the United States Sailboat Show. Most large and small sailboats manufacturers choose this Annapolis boat show to premiere boats, boating and sailing gears. In 2024, the Annapolis sailboat show […]

May 23, 2024

Liveaboard Sailboats! 8 things YouTube did not tell you

Liveaboard Sailboats! 8 things YouTube do not tell you Considering a liveaboard sailboat? While YouTube paints a picturesque picture, there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye. Here are eight things you might not have considered, gleaned from the experiences of full time sailors Captain Mark and Sharon Noneman, who have lived aboard […]

May 14, 2024

Crew Finder Websites: Why Schedule Your Next Cruise?

Crew Finder Websites: Why Schedule Your Next Cruise? In a world where cruising is no longer just a vacation, but a shared adventure, crew finder platforms like Coboaters play a crucial role. By facilitating co-boating, they open the doors of the seas and oceans to those who dream of nautical adventures, whether novices or seasoned […]

May 13, 2024

Classic Gaff Schooner – The Great Comeback

Classic Gaff Schooner and Captain Bernard- The Great Comeback The Schooner past and future adventures Do you like great stories about classic boats, sailing vessels and schooners in particular? This article tells the amazing story of a Classic Gaff Schooner Calisto V and Captain Bernard. It is an incredible project that should bring the schooner […]

May 10, 2024

How To Find A Crew Or A Boat? How To Sail More?

The best solution to sail more and enhance your sailing experiences is to join a crew finder club like Coboaters. These clubs provide an ideal platform to connect with like-minded sailing enthusiasts and experienced crew members. By joining such a club, you can access a diverse range of sailing opportunities, from casual day trips to adventurous voyages. The networking opportunities and shared knowledge within the club will not only expand your sailing horizons but also foster lasting friendships with fellow sailors. Embrace the spirit of camaraderie and embark on unforgettable sailing journeys with Coboaters.

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Why join a crew seeker club, how does a sailing network work, become a coboaters club member., subscribe now.

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Crew 1 to 15 listed

Competent Crew looking for Atlantic crossing east-west

• Primary: Competent Crew
• Secondary: Mile building
• Nationality: Germany
• Location: Germany
• Checked in: 1 hour ago

Wiebke : Hi there fellow sailors! I’m Wiebke, from Berlin, Germany and I love sailing (and will buy my own boat some day :))! A little bit about my experience: March 2024 - Oct 24: only crew on a private Oyster 565, sailing ar...

Looking for a Novice Crew, Friendship, Mile building or Voluntary work position

• Primary: Novice Crew
• Secondary: Friendship
• Nationality: American
• Location: United States
• Checked in: 2 hours ago

George_dewey : Hi - I've just joined Crewbay. I'm interested in finding a position as a Novice Crew, Friendship, Mile buildin...

I wish to learn how to sail! Also keen on traveling

• Secondary: Voluntary work
• Nationality: Canadian
• Location: Dominica

Rouge : Hi - I've just joined Crewbay. I'm interested in finding a position as a Novice Crew, Voluntary work, Friendsh...

Looking for a Competent Crew position

• Position: Competent Crew
• Nationality: Australian
• Location: Australia

Joshyouare : Hi - I've just joined Crewbay. I'm interested in finding a position as a Competent Crew. I'm looking forward t...

Mr Reliable : Hi - I'm interested in finding a position as a Competent Crew. I'm looking forward to meeting some new people...

***CREW AVAILABLE*** in Western Pacific

• Secondary: Deckhand
• Nationality: french
• Location: Vanuatu

sailacross : [⚓️CREW⚓️] Dear captains, I am Emil, 38yo, underwater photographer, nomad and ocean/sailing lover l...

Looking for Delivery crew,, longterm sailing

• Primary: Delivery Crew
• Nationality: France
• Location: France
• Checked in: 3 hours ago

clari : Hi - I'm interested in finding a position as delivery crew or a longterm sailing cruise. I sailed once and ...

Female Yacht master

• Secondary: Delivery Crew
• Nationality: lebanese/italian
• Location: Greece

marilou : - IYT/MCA small power boat and Rib master - ICCI Power - IYT yachtmaster power 200gt - VHF marine co...

Looking for a Delivery Crew or Mile building position

• Nationality: British
• Location: United Kingdom

Richard I : Hi - I've just joined Crewbay. I'm interested in finding a position as a Delivery Crew or Mile building. I'm l...

Looking for a boat. I’m a Competent skipper, Crew, Lead Deckhand, Bosun or 1st Mate position

• Secondary: Lead Deckhand
• Nationality: Australian Canadian UK

Benné bowen : *) 2023 helped deliver two Trimarans ! . I'm interested in finding a boat as a Competent Crew, Lead Deckhand, Bosun or 1st Mate. Of course I can also Skipper I delight in initiative and participation. I am quick to be ho...

Looking for a Delivery Crew, 1st Mate, Friendship or Competent Crew position, Captain.

• Nationality: spaniard
• Location: Spain
• Checked in: 4 hours ago

Juanfran PV : Hi, my idea is to sail and what I would most like to do would be to cross the Pacific, Atlantic crossing West...

Novice crew available!!

• Nationality: Belgium

Inesdhv : Hi - I've just joined Crewbay. I'm interested in finding a position as a Novice Crew, to become a Deckhand. I'...

Hi ☀️ I have a mermaid soul, RYA skippers license, nurse, yoga & reiki certification

• Primary: Friendship
• Secondary: Steward(ess)
• Nationality: USA
• Location: General (Caribbean)

Mermaid Elle : I am currently in Spanish Waters, Curaçao. Sailing between the ABCs. I prefer crew positions in the Caribbean...

Looking for any position aboard, available from november at Antigua and will be in the Caribbean for the whole season.

• Primary: Housekeeping/Stew
• Secondary: Competent Crew
• Nationality: Chile
• Location: Chile

Maria Jesus : Hi, my name is Maria from Chile, Im a bodyboarder and have been traveling the world for lots of years always a...

Looking for a Competent Crew, Mile building or Novice Crew position

• Nationality: Irish
• Location: Ireland

Mike1971 : Hi - I've just joined Crewbay. I'm interested in finding a position as a Competent Crew, Mile building or Novi...

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Atlantic Ocean Sailing: 7 Sailing Crew Websites To Find A Boat

Christopher Columbus needed to convince the Queen of Spain to sail across the Atlantic. Nowadays, we have the internet: o ne of the three methods to find a boat. Here are 7 sailing crew websites that help you get started to find a boat for an Atlantic Sailing Adventure!

1. Ocean Nomads

Ocean Nomads started as a little Facebook group to get in touch with readers of Ocean Nomad , provide support, and to communicate sailing opportunities from the network. Spontaneous organized sailing adventures came next. And over the years a beautiful ocean-minded global family of nomads, vessels, and impact projects has turned into the Ocean Nomads community.

Impact-driven ocean adventurers are welcome to become members. While Ocean Nomads is not a sailing crew website, more and more epic ocean adventure opportunities are communicated within the membership portal. And more and more vessels are joining who join Ocean Nomads to connect with the likeminded eco adventure-minded crew member.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ocean Nomads | Eco Adventure Sailing Network 💙⛵️♻️ (@oceannomads.community)

Have a look at the latest upcoming events, including fleets from the mainland to Canaries, and an Atlantic Crossing. Investment: 5,50 euro/month. Join here.

Here you can see a snapshot of current crew opportunities (2024) with Ocean Nomads. Also we have teamed up again for more organized trips across the Atlantic.

Photo: Ocean Nomads gathering Galicia Summer 2021. Join the Tribe www.oceannomads.co .

2. OceanCrewLink

Ocean Crew Link works as an introduction service to potential crew and boats looking to do any offshore passage: a boat sailing between two places at a particular time. On average, 10 to 15 new ocean sailing opportunities are posted to the site each week. Around 100+ active sailing crew opportunities are up at one time, and almost 10,000 users receive the weekly mailing with new opportunities. Investment : The subscription fee is US$10 for three months access.

3. Findacrew.net

The platform offers a wide selection of sailing crew opportunities around the world. Right now (February 2018), you can find around 900 boats to jump on.

Creating an extensive crew profile will allow you to search opportunities, express interest “waves” to boat owners and to receive messages from premium users. Also , as a premium user you can of everything said above plus directly message crew candidates and boat owners.

Find a Crew has a full-time support team, providing service, and monitoring any dodgy activity. All profiles and profile updates are manually approved.

Investment: You can upgrade to premium membership at any time for a period of 30, 60, 90 or 365 days. 30-day premium membership costs €49 /month and 365 premium costs €277/year.

Crewbay is an online crewing platform designed to connect newbie, amateur, and professional sailing crew with captains and boat owners from all over the world, and vice versa. The platform has more than 150 boats registered every month. Crewbay just redesigned their website. You can still access for free, yet it provides extras for paid members.

Investment: Premium (£7/month) enables unlimited check-ins which put you top, allows unlimited messages, contact numbers, and URLs (FB page, website, etc.), a more prominent advert with more content, unlimited photos and more!

Sail OPO (Sail Offshore Passage Opportunities) is a sailing crew network that seeks, gathers, and creates quality offshore passage opportunities for its members. Details of passage opportunities will be e-mailed to potential crew candidates as they come up, and OPO staff approves them.

SailOPO is predominantly USA based, and also occasionally organizes rallies, for example from USA mainland to Bermuda. Investment: US$199 for an initial yearly membership while renewal comes at a discounted rate of US$135.

6. Crewseekers

Crewseekers is a global introductory service bringing sailboat captains and sailing crew together. Both amateur and professional sailing crew opportunities from all around the world are available on the platform. The website includes crew positions with private boats, delivery companies, sail training organizations, charter companies, sailing charities, and races. You must become a member to be able to contact captains. Investment: Become a member for six months (£75), 12 months (£99), or 18 months (£135).

Garmin Inreach Mini2

Yotspot is a large yachting hub that mostly focuses on paid sailing crew opportunities. Captains, as well as Crew agencies, are allowed to post to the website. With a database of over 6,000 courses, Yotspot also serves as an information portal on training and certifications in sailing. Investment: As sailing crew, you can create a free account and contact opportunities of interest. It is quite a time investment to build a completed profile.

What else to bear mind about Sailing Crew Websites?

I have squished the basic info of these seven sailing crew websites to get you started. There is no ‘best' sailing crew website. Each one has their unique edge and differs in other aspects. Choose your favourite(s) and sign up!

Find a complete list (including sailing crew websites in other languages and countries, facebook groups and other forums), the full sailing crew websites reviews, comparison, and explanation of the above websites, and more tips, tricks, words of caution, and places online and offline to find a boat to sail across the Atlantic in book Ocean Nomad : the Complete Atlantic Sailing Crew Guide, and in my brand new Ocean Explorer Crew Course .

Above all, be aware that finding a boat is one thing but finding the RIGHT boat requires careful research, investigation and preparation and is what makes all the difference for a happy, safe and meaningful sailboat ride across the Atlantic.

Super Important! ALWAYS do your research to assess if the boat, captain, and crew are safe, reliable and a happy match. I created a mega extensive Safety & Happiness checklist that can help you figure this out in Ocean Nomad . Don't let your eagerness to set sail overrule your investigative spirit, gut feeling and judgement.

Make it happen!

Ahoy salty sailors and adventure travellers! Helpful post? Pin it and save for later!

As always, opinions are my own. No Sailing crew websites sponsor me to write any of the above. This blog is based on my own findings and research.

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With Bluewater's expertise in crew training and yacht crew recruitment, finding your ideal yacht crew vacancy is simple. We offer yacht management services to a variety of exclusive superyachts. Our team excels in sourcing top-notch yacht crew positions, spanning from 25-meter private yachts in the Bahamas to 50-metre charter yachts in the Mediterranean to luxurious 100+ metre superyachts navigating the globe extensively.

53 yacht crew jobs available now.

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Alongside sourcing the latest yacht crew jobs worldwide, Bluewater offers a range of specialised yacht crew training courses. Whether you're new to the superyacht industry seeking entry-level qualifications, an experienced deckhand or engineer aiming to advance your career, or a dedicated crew member looking to enhance your resume with certifications like HELM (Human Element Leadership and Management), Yachtmaster, or OOW (Officer of the Watch), explore our comprehensive yacht crew training options.

Working on a Luxury Yacht

Working as a crew member on a superyacht is undeniably one of the most rewarding yet demanding professions, calling for hard work, dedication, and professional training. The opportunities within the yachting industry are vast, and at Bluewater, we are committed to helping every crew member discover their ideal yacht crew position. Our recruitment division focuses on finding the perfect yacht for crew members and provides unparalleled professional support. Our recruitment experts guide crew members through every step of their yachting career journey, ensuring they receive the best possible assistance.

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Sailing Yacht Jobs & available Sailing Yacht Crew listed on Find a Crew™

Tell me about find a crew™ and sailing yachts.

Whether it be on a luxury sailing yacht or weekend trailer sailer, a monohull or a multihull, the feeling of moving along the water using only the power of the wind is addictive. Working on a sailing yacht is an adventure in itself, providing you with a rewarding way to experience some of the most beautiful places in the world. Different skills are required for different yacht sizes and journey types, so you should do some research into what you are looking for and what you are able to offer if you are looking to work on a sailing yacht. Find a Crew™ is used by many professional and recreational sailing yachts around the world to look for a variety of crew positions. If you are only interested in working on a sailing yacht, you can fine tune your profile to indicate this so that you are only matched against sailing yachts.

Home  News  US Sailing Awards Medal to Sailors for Rescuing Crew of Sinking Boat During Offshore Race

US Sailing Awards Medal to Sailors for Rescuing Crew of Sinking Boat During Offshore Race

The Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal Goes to the Skippers and Crew of Two Sailing Vessels, Ceilidh and Banter

NEWPORT, RI (September 13, 2024) – The US Sailing Safety at Sea Committee has awarded the Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal to the skippers and crew of two sailing vessels, Ceilidh and Banter, who rescued competitors off a life raft from the sailboat Alliance that sank during an offshore race.

The medals were presented at a ceremony on Friday, September 13 th at the Newport Yacht Club in Newport, R.I., by Captains Jonathan Kabek and Sheila McCurdy, representing the US Sailing Safety at Sea Committee. Both are US Sailing certified Safety at Sea moderators, leading hands-on training that incorporates lessons learned from incidents such as these so that others may learn from them.

The incident happened in the early morning of Sunday, June 23, 2024, during the Newport to Bermuda Race, sponsored by the Cruising Club of America.  At 0248, the racing yacht S/V Alliance, a 40-foot J122, hit an unidentified submerged object causing flooding from the vicinity of the rudder and catastrophic steering system damage.

“There was fiberglass everywhere. There was no way to repair it,” says S/V Alliance co-skipper Mary Martin.

At approximately 2:50 a.m., two 40-foot racing yachts responded to a Mayday call from S/V Alliance. These were S/V Ceilidh, skippered by Jim Coggesshal of Dartmouth, MA, and S/V Banter, skippered by Matt Gimple of Pawcatuck, CT.

Both yachts were on scene about 3:30 a.m., about 40 minutes after S/V Alliance hit the submerged object. Despite having two electric dewatering pumps each capable of pumping over 4,000 gallons per hour, the water level on board S/V Alliance continued to rise. With S/V Ceilidh and S/V Banter in close proximity, S/V Alliance made the decision to abandon ship and conduct a life raft transfer.

While transfer to S/V Ceilidh was conducted first, the life raft’s upper ring punctured during the transfer, preventing additional crew transfer to S/V Banter. The transfer was completed at 4:06 a.m. The last tracker position report of Alliance was at 5:30 a.m. when she completed sinking.

With 16 aboard S/V Ceilidh, which carried only a 10-person life raft, S/V Banter acted as “buddy boat” for the remainder of the race. This was reassuring to both the crews of S/V Alliance and S/V Ceilidh, since the additional 2K pounds of weight aboard stressed Ceilidh. Both S/V Ceilidh and S/V Banter were well organized in their response, understood the situation, and responded without hesitation resulting in a successful life raft transfer in the middle of the Gulf Stream in challenging conditions and most importantly, no injury or loss of life.

The co-skippers of S/V Alliance, Eric Irwin of Mystic, CT, and Mary Martin of Newport, RI nominated their rescuers for these prestigious medals.

“For their situational awareness, watch keeping, superior seamanship and outstanding support of fellow racers in need resulted in the rescue of nine sailors on a sinking vessel. US Sailing is pleased to award the Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal to the skippers and crew of both S/V Ceiledh and S/V Banter,” said presenter Jonathan Kabek.

The Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal is awarded to any person who rescues or endeavors to rescue any other person from drowning, shipwreck, or other perils at sea within the territorial waters of the United States, or as part of a sailboat race or voyage that originated or stopped in the U.S. The medal was established in 1990 by friends of the late Mr. Hanson, an ocean-racing sailor from the Chesapeake Bay, with the purpose of recognizing significant accomplishments in seamanship and collecting case studies of rescues for analysis by the Safety at Sea Committee of US Sailing for use in educational and training programs. Any individual or organization may submit a nomination for a Hanson Rescue Medal.

Visit the  US Sailing Hanson Rescue Medal website  for more information about these awards, including nomination form instructions and guidelines.

About US Sailing 

The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), certified by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee as the National Governing Body for the sport of sailing in the United States, is dedicated to leading, advancing, supporting, and ensuring integrity in sailing at every level.  Founded in 1897, US Sailing, now serving over 40,000 members as well as over 1,500 yacht clubs and sailing centers, offers training and certifications for sailors, instructors, and race officials, oversees national championships, manages offshore ratings, conducts regional and national events, and spearheads initiatives to increase accessibility.  US Sailing also leads the training and development of the US Sailing Team for the Olympic Games and high-performance international competitions, providing comprehensive financial, logistical, coaching, technical, fitness, marketing, and communications support, as well as managing the Team USA athlete selection procedures for the Olympic Games.  More at  www.ussailing.org .

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