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Whether you are new to the yachting industry or an experienced professional, we’ve all asked ourselves the same question at least once in our career, “what do those stripes mean?” This article breaks down the meanings behind these cryptic stripes.
What do Yacht Stripes Mean on Epaulettes?
The epaulettes worn on the shoulders of superyacht crew are a legacy of 17th-century military dress in France —when they were used both as a decorative sign of status and a handy way of stopping your sword belt from slipping off your shoulder.
Epaulettes (also epaulets) were adopted by most world navies by the 18th century as a formal insignia of rank and then made their way into the merchant and leisure cruising industries.
The word ‘epaulettes’ comes from the French ‘épaule’, meaning shoulder, and are black with stripes in either gold or silver braid, with a symbol to designate department.
Why and When do Yacht Crew Wear Them?
Yacht crew wear epaulettes in their formal dress as a way of signifying their rank and department, as well as adding a certain status to an occasion.
Epaulettes are usually worn while welcoming guests onto the yacht at arrival and on evening service and passerelle watch, but rarely during daytime activities. These small bits of material add formality and are used as a sign of respect to the guests. You will also often wear epaulettes during boat shows or, less commonly, when welcoming officials or marine pilots on board.
Guests can use the epaulettes to know the rank and department of the crew member they are talking to (even if few guests probably know what they all mean!) Knowing the epaulette system is also helpful for crew to identify another’s rank and department at a glance. In contrast, the epaulettes act as a valuable code for the wider industry — for instance, for port officials to recognise a captain upon arrival.
Not all superyachts use epaulettes in their uniform, as they are in no way a legal requirement (as they are in the Navy). But most do — even if just for that first welcome of the boss from the airport.
The Epaulette ‘Ranking’ System
The stripes run from 4 to 1 in descending order of rank. Unlike in the cruise ship industry, there are no half-stripes.
| Job Title | No. of Stripes | Symbol | Colour of Stripe |
| Captain | 4 | Anchor | Gold |
| Chief Engineer | 4 | Propellor | Gold |
| First Officer/First Mate | 3 | Anchor | Gold |
| Chef | 3 | Knife & Fork | Silver |
| Purser | 3 | Quills | Silver |
| Chief Stewardess | 3 | Crescent Moon | Silver |
| First Engineer/ETO | 3 | Propellor | Gold |
| Bosun | 2 | Anchor | Gold |
| Second Stewardess | 2 | Crescent Moon | Silver |
| Second Engineer | 2 | Propellor | Gold |
| Second Chef | 2 | Knife & Fork | Silver |
| Deckhand | 1 | Anchor | Gold |
| Third Engineer | 1 | Propellor | Gold |
| Third Chef | 1 | Knife & Fork | Silver |
| Stewardess, 4th, etc | 1 | Crescent Moon | Silver |
Colours
You might have noticed that the different colours of the stripes are significant: The gold braid is reserved for deck and engineering roles, while the silver is for interior roles.
Symbols
How to Wear Epaulettes Like You Know What You’re Doing
Now that you know what an epaulette is and what each variation means, it’s your job to a) not lose them and b) wear them the right way up. You might wonder how you could lose an epaulette in a closed environment like a yacht, but trust us, those tiny bits of material sprout legs when you’re not looking.
We strongly suggest that you make a first-day-and-forever habit of always taking your epaulettes off and putting them on the same shelf in the bathroom. And once you’ve found them, always take a quick look to see that you haven’t put them on upside down.
Slipping on your epaulettes for the first time is a rite of passage for any new crew member. Relish the moment. Take a look in the mirror. Look sharp, don’t you?
