Dockwalking For Superyacht Jobs In Monaco - A Complete Guide
Wondering how to go about getting that first job as a superyacht crew member, or maybe you've already walked a couple of docks? Whatever the case, this in-depth guide has got you covered with tips and tricks on how best to prepare, so as to maximise your chances of success when dockwalking.
Whether you're looking for a role as deckhand, stewardess, engineer, chef or anything in between, dock walking is a great way to get started, and you're sure to find something here to give you that edge over the competition.
Even better than that, I'm going to show you exactly how to dock walk against the backdrop of that most famous of marinas, Port Hercule in Monaco.
Got any other ideas that I might have missed? Please just drop them in the comments section below.
Thank you for watching!
This was a very good video for anyone who is looking to work on a yacht. Politeness goes a long way.
Very good, Keep going! ( love the details and your willingness )
The best video of dock walking on youtube. Thank you for the video man. Very helpful
The highest compliment! Thank you, Caio. Your regular views and comments are greatly appreciated.
Great video as always
This was a very enjoyable video. It’s nice to see a side that most others never get to see from the first-hand perspective. Looking forward to more videos!
Hello David, and thanks for your feedback. I look forward to bringing you more videos every Sunday!
Excellent work..
Brilliant video once again Matt! Thanks for the shoutout. You’re a wealth of knowledge for people looking to enter the industry.
Hi Elliot! You're welcome and thank you for the comment.
There are people looking to be servile toads?
I’m getting good old holiday vibes from this vid😍
Hello Dylan, and thank you for commenting. There's no place quite like Monaco!
Thanks for the help👍🏼
My pleasure! Thank you for commenting, Sebastiaan.
Great video! Thanks for the information.
Great to know that you liked it. Thank you for commenting!
Really good job you did , 👏
Hello Himanshu. Welcome to the channel, and thank you for commenting. I'm happy to hear that you liked this one.
Thank for advices! You Look well kept, looking 😉
Hello Daria and welcome to the channel. That's very kind of you to say so. Thank you!
An interesting video. Very practical.
Thank you Sean, and welcome to the channel.
well i really enjoyed this in-depth look at this industry it open,s your eye,s take care
Thank you Wayne!
Very helpful thank you.
Thanks Graham! Are you planning to go dock walking next year?
@@WorkonaSuperyacht definitely. Alot to do before i can go do it but going to work hard to be able to.
@Graham Paulsen That's a good attitude to have. Good luck with all your preparations; I hope to be able to offer you lots of value through these videos.
Im going to Antibes next month to try and find my first deckhand job. This video was so informative and has given me an idea on how my dock walking experience should look like! Thank you for this content!
How did it go??
@@heybaby419 I got a temporary contract as a solo deckhand on a 27m after 9 days. delivered the boat from France to Croatia over the course of 2 months.
@@ritzy4441 That is spectacular! Could you tell us what kind of skills and qualifications you have that helped you get your first deckhand job?
@@Iamnotyourmotherxx Well, you will need your STCW qualification (seafarer's basic safety) and your ENG1 (seafarer's medical exam) to get a job on any boat. I did a deckhand course on top of that so I have my Powerboat level 2 license, Personal watercraft license, Diesel engine maintenance, Proficiency in designated security duties, Proficiency in security awareness and VHF License. In terms of transferrable skills from shore to sea... I did a 2 year Creative Media Production course where I learned how to use all sorts of camera equipment, video editing etc. pretty much the whole media 'shebang'. These skills are very useful as most yachts are charter yachts when the owners aren't around and they all love the idea of having a deckhand who can fly a drone around and edit their advertising material. If you are interested in working in the industry. I would look for a deckhand course as there has been a 400% increase in green crew in the industry this year, and it will only keep growing. To get that advantage over the others, its best to have at least one transferrable skill and your Powerboat license and PWC License. The rest still help but aren't as impressive to future employers. I hope this helped and I answered your question! :)
Just one question…i dont have much money saved is it expensive to go dockwalking?
Hey, amazing job, I love the clarity and the content, I can notice that you're really working hard to make the best videos you can! I think you're gonna grow this channel and make good money if you stay constant, it's bound to happen! I guess that when you find the port in a situation like that and that you don't see many people close to the yacht, you're just gonna talk to a few of them, do you think is it a good idea to approach deckhands/crew? Also, Is volunteering a good idea to start and gain some experience/reference? Do you think is gonna give me an edge over other people or should I just propose myself directly as a potential employer? Because I did walk to the port of my city and I did exactly that (asking to become a volunteer) but for now nobody showed interest altought i spoke with just 3-4 yachts (the port is actually small in Imperia)
Hello Alex, and thank you for this great feedback. When dock walking it is likely that you'll often speak to deckhands, because they are most frequently out on deck. In my experience, they will happily pass your CV to the Chief Officer / Chief Stew, and if you make a good impression they might even say a few good words about you. Volunteering your time for no financial reward is unlikely to make much difference. If a yacht needs an extra pair of hands to help out, they will happily pay the going rate for day work.
Fantastic
Great video... like it a lot... :-)
Hi! What do you suggest to say to the deckhand, do you try to start a small conversation or just keep it formal? And should you ask if you may talk to the head of the department or captain regarding any job openings? Great videos!
Hello Pettar. Just introduce yourself, and with any luck you'll be able to strike up a bit of a conversation. There's no need to be too formal. They will have very likely been in your position before, and understand how it works. I wouldn't ask to speak with the chief officer or captain. Those out on deck are almost like gatekeepers, and they won't want to bother the c/o or captain. Just ask whoever you're speaking to if they'd kindly pass on your CV.
Thanks for the information! Excellent video. Just wondering if you could tell me what would be the best time of the year to go looking for jobs? And do you think I will be able to find something because I have no previous experience on yachts, only on cruise ships.
Hello MinaCookie and welcome to the channel! The best time of year to look for a yachting job when you don't have any experience is at the start of a season. There are some world cruising yachts for whom the seasons don't really apply, but the majority of yachts just do either the Mediterranean season or the Caribbean season, or both. The Mediterranean season starts for many yachts between May and July, and the months leading up to this are often very busy getting the yacht ready and hiring new crew. The Caribbean season typically starts in November/December, and again yachts will be busy getting ready in the months before this, with job opportunities coming up more frequently during this time. Having said all this, yachts do hire crew all year round and this year in particular could see the normal schedule changed massively due to the pandemic. Although you don't have any yacht specific experience, your cruise ship experience puts you ahead of many new crew looking to join the industry with no maritime experience at all. Depending on your job role(s) on the cruise ships and which department you would like to join in yachting, it could be a very smooth transition for you, particularly if you were to join a very large superyacht. The yachting industry has been getting progressively harder to get into with more competition every year, but the opportunities are out there. With persistence and patience that first job can be yours; and, after that it's so much easier to progress and build your experience.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Well written.
You mention that we're lucky that Hercule Marina is that open and accessible. I wonder if it's the case in other marinas, especially in covid or post-immigration movement times across Mediterranean area. As I see here, in UK, most of marinas are closed by gates (Liverpool or Southampton) - I can deliver a CV probably only by accurate paper-plane throw. So the question is: are those marinas more "open" for outsiders in southern Europe? Huge thanks you for sharing your knowledge and effort into those videos, cheers.
In France and Italy, marinas are typically open to the public. Tourists enjoy walking the docks to have a look at all of the yachts and there are often restaurants and shops within the marinas that enjoy their custom. There are of course some exceptions, such as the IYCA (where the largest yachts can be found) in Antibes that now has some restrictions. Regardless, there are more than enough marinas allowing access to make it worth your while. As for future restrictions due to COVID-19, only time will tell but I have yet to see anything more than the usual expectation of social distancing and no large groups. It is still unclear how a move out of the EU will affect UK nationals. All I can say is that it doesn't seem to pose too many problems for the multitude of Australian, New Zealand and South African (to name but a few) nationals from outside of the Schengen Area who come to Europe every year in search of a job. So long as your paperwork is in order and you are not outside of any visa restrictions then you should be good to go.
I'm dreaming to work at Yacht someday. I am currently working from Philippines as a Deck Boy on Cargo Vessel. Im one of you Fan Supporter. Hope to work with you soon 😇. Thank you
Very detailed & helpful video! By any chance do you have any experience dockwalking in the U.S? I tried dockwalking for the first time the other day in the West Palm Beach & Fort Lauderdale area but, unfortunately, they had so many restrictions that I wasn't able to step close to the yachts, let alone the docks. I even tried several different marinas but apparently it's a no-go here. Maybe it's only a things in other countries or these laws are new.... not really sure.
When I worked on royal Caribbean as security I actually had people try to apply on the dock. That wasn't allowed but I would direct them to the website to apply.
How would a green stew format their cv with no prior maritime experience? Id like to switch to this career after giving it two years of thought. I feel like ill never get a chance! Also, is it true stews may work 16 hour shifts? Just want to be prepared.
Hey i know I am really late but just curious to when you said ring the bell, is there like a doorbell on the dock you can ring? Very informative video by the way!
Hello M4. Yes, a lot of yachts have a small doorbell attached to the end of the passarelle. Some doorbells have a microphone and speaker that allow you to speak with a crew member through the yacht's telephone system. Other doorbells simply set off an alarm on the yacht's monitoring system to let the crew know that someone has pressed the doorbell. They will also see you through the camera. Just wait a few minutes to give one of the crew time to come out.
I know this was a while ago, but is this a common way people get jobs in Europe? I'm in Australia and work on commercial boats, but have a few friends and younger people who are looking to get into Yachting and over here, it's mainly crew agencies and brokers who do crewing for white boats from what I can tell.
Hello Luke. Yes, this is still one of the best ways for new crew to get their first job. Captains and heads of department spend a lot of time and money hiring crew through agents, and then flying those crew out to join the yacht. So if a suitable crew member happens to show up at the stern of a yacht that has a vacancy, it makes things a lot easier. There is also the added benefit of being able to meet the crew member in person and maybe even trial them for a few days. Even if a yacht doesn't have a permanent vacancy, they very often need some help for a few days or more, which allows new crew members to get a bit of experience (and money) to help with their job search. So long as there are no legal restrictions preventing you from walking the docks and asking about job opportunities (which there typically aren't in Europe), I still recommend dock walking as the number one way for new crew to get started. And even if it doesn't yield any results, it at least gets you talking to other yacht crew and learning more about the industry.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Appreciate this detail! Thank you!
This is so good thank you for your content - I’m looking for a nurse position. Do you get on the yacht to find A deck hand or just wait on the dock and hope someone is outside. How do you flag someone down when approaching, if no one is outside? Thanks
Hello Sharron. No, you must never board the yacht without first being invited. This will make a very bad first impression! If there is no one out on deck to wave down then you could ring the bell. If there is no bell, you could still wait for a few minutes to see if anyone notices you on CCTV.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht thank you so much fir your response, so happy I asked as I don’t know much etiquette about yachts. Thanks
Hi Matt, Loving the detail of your videos. extremely helpful. I just have a few questions I was hoping you could give me some insight on. I'm 23 years old and live in Western Australia! I have grown up by the water doing all your usual activities haha. I'm planning to soon go to Europe and find myself a job. My goal is to eventually become an engineering officer on yachts. A little about myself. I have completed a Mechanical Trade apprenticeship, I did my apprenticeship maintaining Australia's submarine fleet. I have a in depth knowledge on how various mechanical systems work (wether i'm diagnosing issues or doing planned maintenance) on marine vessels I have also completed Diploma in Engineering, I am about to sit my STCW's in April, I will have a coxswain ticket when i get around to it. up to date sea medicals, I think you call the the ENG1? However, I have had no experience working on yachts, From what I have mentioned above do you see any issues on why I shouldn't pack my bags and give it a shot. I would love to start as a deckhand and kick start this career change, Is there any specific courses/quals that I will need? or is the STCW's enough to get on a boat. Thanks for your time, I hope to hear from you. Kind Regards Fin
Hello Fin. Thanks for your comment, and for providing so much detail. It's helpful for anyone else who is looking to join the industry. From what you've written here there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn't go for it! Your experience puts you ahead of the vast majority of new crew members who are trying to get started. And even though your goal is to become an engineer, you're doing the right thing by starting out looking for work as a deckhand. This is the quickest way to get started, and your engineering background will then inevitably take you into the engineering department as you gain some yachting experience. I'm releasing a new video this evening at 5pm CET, which may be of interest to you. In any event, I wish you every success with getting started.
Thanks for the response. I will look out for the video!
Hey, Interesting AND lovely Monaco video 👍LIKE lucky#19
Glad you liked it, thank you!
How would i go about getting the attention of the crew onboard. If i can see someone on deck should i shout to them? Should i always press the bell? Also, I'm a chef, so should i wear the same shorts and polo?
Hello Big Daddy. I wouldn't recommend shouting to anyone, but if you can see someone on deck then it should be possible to catch their eye as they go about their business. If not, ringing the bell is preferable. As for dress code, you may want to distinguish yourself a little, but stick with smart casual. You want to make a good first impression, but at the same time be comfortable walking around all day in the sun.
I want to learning very well i am doing outboard machinc its marine field and i have nvq 4 could you help i love taht yatch
How would you get there attention then is there a bell next to the boat ?
Hey would a dive instructor have any more advantages over other candidates seeking first time rolls on a yacht? Also do skippers/boat operation tickets from other countries still apply there or do you need to do the tickets for the specific country you're seeking work? I am in new Zealand currently doing my (SRL) skippers restricted limits course. I would imagine that would be advantageous to have for driving the tenders etc.
Hello Rody. Yes, a dive instructor would have an advantage over someone with no watersports experience; however, there are very few positions for which a dive instructor qualification is a requirement. Outside of the USA, the yachting industry is most commonly aligned with MCA (UK) training and qualifications. Your New Zealand skippers course will certainly be of benefit when getting started because it demonstrates a certain level of competence, but you'll need to start over with the RYA or IYT courses if you wish to get MCA deck officer qualifications. For driving tenders, a powerboat licence from either the RYA or IYT is preferable. Please check out my video on how to become a superyacht captain for more detailed information about courses and qualifications: kzhead.info/sun/YK6IlqmRcGeaoIE/bejne.html
@@WorkonaSuperyacht thanks for thr reply will check out the other vids
Hi Matt, I'm going for my courses in March and hoping to start doc walking in Monaco by June this year. I am just a bit unsure as to where exactly to stay if I'm going to be doc walking in Monaco. . .and how long is the train drive from where you stayed to Monaco? Also, how much does accomodation cost? Is there any crew houses you can reccomend? I would really appreciate your help and advice! Have an amazing day!
Hello Calvin. If you're going to looking for work in the south of France then I recommend staying in Antibes. This is where most of the crew houses and crew agencies are based, and where you'll be able to network with the maximum number of yacht crew members. It also gives you access to the entire length of the Cote d'Azur. Monaco is about 1 hour by train, and the stations in both Antibes and Monaco are only a few minutes' walk from the marinas. I have never stayed there myself, but the CrewGrapevine is often recommended by those that I know: crewgrapevine.com/ Check their website for prices, which should give you a good idea of what to budget for accommodation. Good luck with the courses, and I wish you every success for the upcoming season!
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Thank you so much for your help, I really appreciate it!
@@calvinklonus5389 hi Calvin! How did it go brother?
Seriously the best video or content anywhere online dealing with Dock walking! Two questions: Was the train ticket €6 or €60? And you mentioned a bell, is there always one? How do you get the crew's attention?
Thank you Rushell! The train ticket was EUR 7.40 (£6.66 at the time). The bigger yachts will have a bell and so will most of the smaller ones. If not, you can wait at the passerelle for a few minutes. You may be seen on the CCTV camera and someone will come out to see you; or, there might be someone out on deck that you can wave too. As I said in the video, just be sure that there are no guests on board before trying.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Thanks à lot !
Why you stopped uploading content? Im dreaming about working on board of shores, do you have any video as an advice where to head depending of the month of the year? I'm heading to Miami to get my STCW and my ENG1(if it is a certification) but I have heard Miami is not a good destination to get a job in January. What do you think?
Nice
Thank you Danuri, and welcome to the channel!
Would it be an asset to speak a little bit of the language? For example, if you had to introduce yourself in French or Italian before moving to English for the business part of the conversation?
Hello Hannah and thank you for getting in touch. The overwhelming majority of yacht crew speak English only. Unless sure that you're approaching a yacht where this isn't the case, I would therefore always start in English. Having said that, your languages are a huge asset, and if you discover that the person you are speaking to is able to speak French and/or Italian too, you could naturally switch it up then. If you're speaking with someone who doesn't speak either of those languages, it would still be a great idea to let them know that you do.
If you can’t see anyone on deck how do you try speak to them?? You said a bell where? Such a good video👍
Thank you for commenting, Jasmine. There is usually a bell attached to the end of the passerelle. If not, you can wait until somebody notices you on the CCTV cameras or walks out on deck. If there is no activity for a few minutes, I’d recommend trying again later on.
The cracking sound of the ropes
Nice video, I just wonder what kind of shoes do you wear on a super yacht?
Thanks, Mathias. We normally wear deck shoes. I was given trainers on one yacht, but they didn't last as long.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Do you have a deck shoes or a brand which produces them that you would recommend?:))
Quick question i live in a country where yachting is not really a thing, so i am going to go international to dockwalk and day work, i assume i have to apply for a holiday visa right?
Hello, and thanks for commenting. It depends on what passport you hold. If you're planning to look for work in Europe then you may or may not need a Schengen visa.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht ok thank you very much just wanted to be sure
Hi, I'm currently an English teacher in my mid-thirties. I lived and worked in other countries. I'm seriously considering a career change to deckhand on yachts. In addition to things like the STCW, Eng 1, and powerboat level 2 certificates, what other certificates are required? I'm thinking in terms of criminal records checks. I'm British and I've been using a Basic Disclosure for my teaching positions in Spain. I just want to get everything in order before giving it a go. Also would my age (36) be an issue? I don't look it, keep in good shape and maintain a clean cut appearance.
Hello Sebb and welcome to the channel. As far as certificates go, it sounds like you have the basics covered. The RYA PWC Proficiency Course is also a great one to get if you can manage it; the course is just 1 day. I have not had any experience of yachts wanting to see documentation regarding any criminal records. Instead, if offered a job it is likely that you will be asked to sign some form of declaration to say that you do not have any unspent criminal convictions. Depending on the yacht, they may then do more in-depth checks on your background but it shouldn't be something that you need to provide upfront. Your choice of a career change to superyachting at a slightly later age is not uncommon. There are some yachts that prefer younger candidates for junior deckhand positions; equally, there are many yachts who value the life experience and maturity that an older candidate can bring. I certainly wouldn't let it deter you from trying; 36 is not that old! The main thing is to be very clear on why you wish to make this career change and to highlight your reasoning to the agencies and potential employers through your CV and the conversations you have with them. I hope that helps and please do get in touch for any other questions or videos that you'd like to see. I look forward to hearing how you get on!
I know tattoos can be a problem for a lot of yachts but I am an engineer and have been told that they're really not arsed what an engineer looks like as long as he can do the job. Is this accurate?
Hi Matt and welcome to the channel! For some yachts, tattoos on even engineers could be a problem. But for the most part you're right; it's far less of a consideration than any other department on board. Depending on the size of yacht you work on, your job will largely be unchanged whether or not there are guests on board. You're not there to be on show but rather ensure that everything is working smoothly behind the scenes. I've worked on yachts where the engineers had full sleeves or big tattoos on their legs, so I certainly wouldn't let it put you off.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht thanks for the insight, I'm really enjoying your videos!
@Matt Howarth You're welcome. I'm really pleased to hear that you're enjoying the channel.
OK but what then? what if they are most of the time busy and your employment is depending on it? aren't there any agencies who help you getting forward with employment? Its all about network in every job, and this seems not as secured. You were in Italy for work then went to France to give CVs?
Yes, there are agencies that can help you find a job. I talk about the process in this video: kzhead.info/sun/Zaawlb2glnOAg30/bejne.html However, yachts are often unwilling to pay agency fees to fill junior positions when they could just as easily find someone walking along the dock. Even if you don't find a permanent job through dockwalking, there is a very good chance of finding day work. This will allow you to build your experience and gain some references, thereby making you more appealing to a yacht crew agency.
What can i do if i dont have much money saved?
My dream is to work in Monaco
Is it a plus to speak multiple languages of countries where you visit?
Knowing local languages is always a bonus, but in addition to English there are some top languages that would be of most benefit in the yachting industry. These include French, Spanish, Russian, and Mandarin Chinese.
What about the use of agencies?
Hello djt2412. Yacht crew agencies are another great option, but when you're just getting started dockwalking can yield a higher success rate. Day work often won't be advertised with agencies, and the best way to get this work is to visit the yachts in person. If you time it right, they might even get you on board immediately. These small amounts of work can eventually lead to permanent positions, but it all starts with getting out there, making the best of yourself, and a little bit of luck!
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Oh thanks for that. I missed the aim was day-work. Cheers 👍
isn't it illegal to do a daywork? i mean any work without a proper visa.
If you're not a US national (or you don't have a green card), you can get in a lot of trouble dayworking in the USA. But in Europe you can daywork without any issues, provided that you've entered the Schengen area legally (with a Schengen visa if your nationality requires it) and haven't overstayed your time there. If you hold a passport from a Schengen country then you can stay for as long as you like.
Do these yachts have a Bell?
Yes, most yachts have an electronic bell at the end of the passerelle.
Just look for the ones with "Help Wanted" signs hanging from the bow.
what do you think of tattoo's in the industry?
Hi Dominique. Thanks for getting in touch. On some yachts, tattoos aren't allowed and they simply won't consider you. However, there are many yachts where tattoos aren't a problem. It of course depends on the tattoo(s) in question: a full sleeve will be viewed differently to a small bit of art on the wrist or ankle, for example. My advice is to not let having tattoos put you off trying to start a career in yachting. Just be prepared that some yachts simply won't be an option for you.
Work on a Superyacht thank you so much!
is that your real accent or are you putting it on ?
Hello Bob. Yes, this is my accent.
Wouldn't you just be handing your CV to a DH that considers you as 'competition' and will just dispose of it??
In my experience, most yacht crew are happy to pass CVs on to their heads of department or the Captain. If the yacht is actively looking for new crew then it's actually quite nice to feel like you're part of the process, taking a look at the CVs as they come in and offering an opinion on the candidate if you spoke to them.
The reason why Italy has 40 governments in 70 years is the same reason you buy a ticket, then you have to “validate” it! 😂
This reminds me of the time that my sister was fined on a train to Venice because she hadn't validated her ticket!
It's the same in Germany smart-ass...how many governments have they had?
@@jonnieinbangkok with or without the DDR?
@@EuroGuy85 Your original post mocking Italy is idiotic...most countries in Europe require public transport tickets be "validated" before use, meaning marked in some way to show its been used, so the same ticket can't be used more than once.
@@jonnieinbangkok I know what validation means in terms of tickets! I don’t need an explanation. I just don’t see the point of it. Buy a ticket, get on the train and go to where you need to go. If you’re asked to provide proof that you bought a ticket for being on the train show the ticket. Can you use the ticket at a later time if you don’t validate it? That step is useless! You don’t like it, that’s ok. It has nothing to do with other countries needing the same useless step to allow you to travel. Don’t get all in your feelings just because you’ve been doing something wrong for decades and now you realize it’s just second nature to do it. I just don’t see the use of that step, and very well compared it to the bureaucratic crap that country has suffered through the decades. It’s ok, you keep validating your ticket.
Your point of origin? My guess New Zealand
No, I'm from England!
Why would someone leave their current yacht to work on another?
You can think of every yacht like a small company. Just as in other industries, every company offers something different: employee numbers; approach to management; itinerary; opportunities; challenges; salaries; etc. Certain things become more or less important to a crew member as their career progresses, so a change of yacht is sometimes necessary for them to find what they're looking for.
Work on a Superyacht thank you for answering my question.
Don't be distracted...you'll never own one 🤣🤣🙂
Your not related to me are you my mums side is Taylor my mums name before she married
My grandmother was a Taylor until she married. Then my Mum married a Taylor!
Total waste of time. Nobody out there on the aft deck to approach and talk to.
Sadly the way this guy talks makes the vids a lil boring
Hello Clayton. Thank you for the honest feedback. I've worked on my presentation a lot over the last few months, and I hope you find the way I talk in my recent videos more engaging.
your videos are really informative u doing a great job thank you for taking my comment into consideration I look forward to watching more of your videos
@Clayton Claasen Thank you.
Does this guy really talk like this? I could not listen to him for too long. I guess he wouldn't be talking to an owner or he'd be fired. He talks like a robot haha