‘Am I too old to work on a superyacht?’ is one of the most common questions prospective superyacht course students have. The belief that starting a career in super yachting is mainly for 18 to 22-year-olds is widely held by many but is also a misconception. Many enquiries received by super yachting companies and training facilities are from people in their late twenties who have reservations due to believing that they are too late. But how accurate is this?
You can be in your twenties, thirties, or forties, seeking a new or different job, and you’ve come across the concept of working aboard a superyacht. It is undoubtedly one of the best professional possibilities to have the possibility to travel the world, earn good pay, establish lifelong relationships, and meet high-profile personalities! But what is the average age of a yacht crew?
Students who train with SYSA with the intention of starting a career aboard superyachts are typically between the ages of 18 and 30, with an increasing number in their late 20s and 30s.
When it comes to the age of crew, the typical age restriction is frequently set by the function itself. Working aboard a superyacht requires a lot of effort because you will be working long hours and sharing a stateroom with other crew members. This is one of the major reasons why older crew prefer to quickly upskill themselves with advanced super yachting courses and move away from deckhand only positions.
A lot of it boils down to your personality; if you are hardworking, well-presented, and can get along with others, you will be able to obtain work. It may take a little longer to obtain work if you are a little older, but it is certainly not impossible. Being older can mean you can bring more maturity and experience to the role, which could help you advance faster to management or a more senior position. It can actually work to your advantage as maturity instils a sense of security, professionalism and dedication.
If you are in your 30s and 40s, it may be slightly more difficult to find entry-level work after completing only a deckhand course. If you start as a deckhand or stewardess, there is a possibility of having a manager who is 15 or even 20 years your junior. Dealing with a manager who is younger than you should not deter you, and whether you are 20 or 30 years old, beginning a career in the superyacht business is a fantastic concept that you should really explore.
The truth of the matter is, because of the nature of the sector, you may experience some age discrimination; however, this does not mean you will not be able to find a career that meets your needs. Yes, yacht crews are typically younger since they have a desire to travel, make money, have no obligations at home, and are eager to learn the ropes. They are usually enthusiastic and can be taught the way boats prefer to run things, which varies depending on the systems in place, right from the start of their yachting experience.
Here are some tips if you’re planning to start a career onboard superyachts and are worried about being too old:
- Demonstrate that you have the maturity and commitment to dedicate yourself to a career on the yachts on a long-term basis.
- Employees will want to see that you are committed to making this a professional choice rather than a “life crisis,” so try yachting for a season.
- Make it apparent that you have the life and work experience, as well as the work ethic, that the yachting business seeks—use your CV to convey this information.
- Your excellent personality and maturity, together with your skills, will get you hired, so keep this in mind when writing your CV and attending any interviews or networking events.
- Target smaller vessels with long-term crews, as young aspiring yachties are less likely to want to work on these vessels, resulting in less competition and an overall better working environment for you.
If you’re questioning whether you’re too old to start yachting, here are some things to think about:
- Will it be difficult for you to report to younger officers and chief stews?
- Are you physically strong enough to handle the demands of the job, like long hours and moving heavy objects, plus a lot of stair climbing if you’re a stew?
- Are you willing to start at the very beginning? Unless you have appropriate land-based experience or skills, every new crew member will have to start in a junior job.
- Are you brave enough to take the risk? Trying to obtain a job onboard is never a simple task. Remember that you don’t have to match the mould of a younger crew; there are plenty of boats out there with crews aged 30 and up.
Once you decide that it’s the right decision for you, prepare for a career in super yachting by completing an industry-relevant qualification at Super Yachting South Africa (SYSA). Let’s say you’re interested in taking the first steps toward a career on a superyacht. In such a situation, specialized training, such as our Standard Courses, is critical to properly prepare you for life and a career at sea. Apart from superyacht and offshore courses and training, you’ll need basic STCW training, which is the legal minimum for working on any commercial vessel at sea. STCW establishes minimum qualifications for masters, officers, and crew members of seagoing merchant ships, as well as anyone operating offshore or onboard any boat in the maritime business.
SYSA is a RYA (Royal Yachting Association) Training Center with full accreditation. The RYA’s training courses and credentials are well-known and respected around the world. Get more information about our courses, including extra training and professional advancement opportunities, right now.