The information below is not a definative guide. It's a rough guide to what skills and experience is needed. The salaries mentioned are not set in stone they are only approximations. The higher salaries relate to the more experienced and qualified crewmembers.

		Qualifications & Experience Needed

• STCW '95 required for commercial vessels/charter vessels (Passenger carrying) but may not be needed for privately owned vessels (See our FAQ pages for more info).
• Knowledge of yachts and general yacht operations. Experienced in food and drink service, hospitality or customer service industries.
• knowledge of silver service or quality restaurant service.
• Additional skills sought by yacht owner's or Captains:
  Bartending or drinks serving experience
  Knowledge of wines and wine service
  Flower Arranging and creative table settings and interior decorating Massage experience
  Beautician, Hair Care, Personal Grooming, Manicurist
  Cooking experience or able to assist the Chef/Cook in the galley Prior yacht or sailing courses (Practical and/or Shorebased). Medical care experience, Nurse, Carer
  Nanny/Child Minder
  Housekeeping experience
  Watersports instructor or experience with water toys i.e. Jet Ski's, Water Skiing, Kite Surfing, Surfing etc.
  Language skills Accounting or Bookkeeping skills.
  Tender driving experience
  Driving License
• An ability to interact with guests, owner and crew is a must. You will be required to look after guests needs including serving food and drinks, running errands ashore buying newspapers etc.
• Your duties would normally include: cleaning cabins, laundry, detailing the yachts interior, assisting on deck and occasionally assisting the Chef/Cook in the Galley.
• A new to industry steward/ess would assist the Chief Steward/ess whilst learning on the job and receiving training and gaining some experience.

		Summary

• Salaries vary greatly among stewards & stewardesses depening on the size of the vessel and how experienced you are.
• An experienced Steward/ess will ultimately advance to a Chief Steward/ess.
• The most important aspect of the Chief Steward/ess, Steward/ess or Purser position is an attention to detail.
• On large yachts the next level a Chief Steward/ess can attain is Purser, this role is administrative. You would need good crew management skills and a sound knowledge of IT, and accounting with very good organization skills. Previous office administration experience would be advantageous combined with some yacht crewing experience.
• It's important that you think ahead for what guests might need before they have to ask, anticipating guest needs whilst providing a 5 star service at all times.
• A busy charter season can wear you down but you must show patience with guests and manage a smile even when tired. You may have many back to back charters without any time off, but when you get time off the hard work is all worthwhile.
• Most charter guests pay a percentage of the charter as a tip for the crew. Tips can vary from 5% to 20% of the total charter fee.
• There are lots of crew who have saved a lot of money from their tips alone. Tips are normally shared equally amongst crew.
• All crewmembers contribute to the guest's time whilst aboard and should remember this at all times during a charter.

		Chief Steward/ess Salary Guidelines and Vessel Sizes

Purser - Chief Steward/ess
160 ft to 200 ft plus
$3,500 - $5,000+ (Approx. Per/Month)
2 year's experience

Chief Steward/ess
120 ft to 200 ft plus
100 ft to 160 ft
60 ft to 110 ft
$2,200 - $5,000+ (Approx. Per/Month)
1 years experience

Assistant Steward/ess
120 ft to 200 ft plus
100 ft to 160 ft
60 ft to 110 ft
$1,800 - $2,500 (Approx. Per/Month)