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A deckhand’s role requires quite a lot of versatility on charter, as your routine will depend greatly on the movement of the guests and the cruising itinerary.
Your day will be dictated by whether guests want to do water sports, go ashore, have a beach picnic, or swim off the back of the yacht — or all of the above! Some days, you won’t have a lot of guest contact, and you’ll spend time doing maintenance tasks or standing on anchor/passerelle watch; others, you’ll be with guests pretty much all day.
You’ll also be included in watch schedules if the boat is underway, particularly for overnight passages, and you will be required to help with berthing and tying up when coming into port.
Every day is different. The one thing that never changes? Washdowns and pack up! Here’s an example day of what you might encounter with guests on, remaining at anchor, on a yacht with multiple deckhands.
These times are just an example: any daily schedule will be fluid, and each yacht will have its own schedule and way of doing things.
4:30 am
Get up before dawn. Eat breakfast. Ensure your radio is on, at the right volume, and fully charged. This is imperative. Stop by the bridge to say hi to the person on anchor watch, check out the weather forecast and get any pertinent information. (Bring coffee.)
5 am - 9:30 am
Wash down the boat. Start at the top, hosing, scrubbing, washing all surfaces and using a squeegee and chamois to dry them. Pay particular attention to streaks on windows and overhead drips, and always check the area before you leave it for any stray cleaning equipment.
Uncover and set up deck furniture, and make sure doormats are clean and dry. Prioritise setting up the area around the breakfast table, as the stews will need to set breakfast when you’re done. Roll towels neatly and put them out on deckchairs, sun pads, etc.
If you are not moving the yacht that morning, prepare water toys for guests, clean the tenders, and check the fuel (religiously!). Stock the tender and swim platform with sunscreens, water bottles, and towels, and ensure snorkels are clean and ready to go.
Set up the waterslide if remaining at anchor. Check the jacuzzi temperature and the sea temperature.
Rubbish runs ashore in the tender. If the chief stew requires, you may be asked to pick up other items, like guest newspapers and croissants.
Keep an eye out for early-rising guests. If you see a guest and the stew is not on deck to say hello, greet them and then quietly let the crew know on the radio that guests are up. Always know the weather forecast in case guests ask. If the guests ask about itinerary, etc., call the captain/first officer to come talk to them.
If a guest often starts their day with a morning swim, have the swim platform ready early- and keep a watch out for them, as you must have eyes on them in the water at all times. If they are swimming a distance, accompany them with the tender. If a guest is in the water, it is imperative to communicate this with crew over the radio, and do not leave your watch.
9:30 am
Another deckhand will relieve you for a break.
10 am
Water sports/tender trips/ set up beach picnic/record drone footage.
If the guests are relaxing on the sundeck and do not need you, you will be directed to do maintenance tasks out of sight, or you will stand at the swim platform if guests want to swim.
You will continue to keep the yacht’s exterior tidy and gleaming, topping up fresh towels and polishing fingerprints off stainless.
1 pm - 3 pm
Over guest lunchtime, break for 2 hours.
3 pm - 6:30 pm
The yacht may cruise to its next anchorage at this time. Prepare the boat for departure and cover or secure any furniture that will likely get wet or move underway.
Raise the anchor and assist the captain and first officer as needed.
Work on general maintenance tasks while underway or take some downtime in the crew mess.
Assist with anchoring or berthing in the new location.
Set up deck areas, tenders, etc, again as needed.
6:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Eat dinner
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Anchor watch or passerelle watch.
Another deckhand will relieve you, who will stay up on anchor watch and pack up the remaining furniture and cushions when the guests go to bed.
You will have at least 8 hours of rest before your next shift, which will normally rotate.
There’s no such thing as a ‘typical day’ as a deckhand, particularly if you’re working on a charter yacht. While you often fall into a more set routine with your yacht owner as you get to know them, ever-changing charter clients will keep you on your toes! It’s all part of the fun.
