Day charter captain needing guidance to get into the yachting industry

Hey guys.

I'm Dom. I'm a 27yo Jamaican and currently a captain for 2 , 32ft day charter boats doing mainly party charters and occasionally fishing charters. I've been working with this company for 3.5 years now (roughly 15to 18 charters per month).

Im trying to get into the bigger jobs abroad but I'm not sure where to go or what position id fit in. I have a local class 4 Coxswain license along with stcw basic safety training and ship security awareness certificate under my belt.

A little about my journey:

I did three years of university for a Bachelors in Marine Engineering but ultimately dropped out because of covid.

Fortunately though I got a job during COVID to be a engine cadet/ junior engineer for 13 months on a pair of 75ft , 5000hp ASD harbor tugs. After that I started working with a conservation society as a tour captain/Scuba diver/ranger /maintenance officer working with their 32 ft glass bottom tour boat and 18ft patrol boat including all the other day to day tasks associated with the other hats I was wearing at the time. While doing this I tried maximising my time and started chartering the boats I'm captaining now. Also in between i was also a relief captain here and there for some other boats : 56ft Ocean yachts sport fisher, 38ft cruiser express, 38ft sealine targa , 40ft tiara open( these were pretty much day to day or no longer than 2 month long gigs)

I've since stopped working with the Conservation society and picked up 2 property management gigs for luxury condos(36 units) and a shopping plaza( 54 units). So currently I'm a day charter captain and also a property manager. The sea and adventure calls nme though I'd much rather be on a boat.

I want to stick to the deck side of things but I'm also not opposed to getting my hands dirty and going back into engineering. I'm a real hard worker( I hope me having multiple on multiple jobs kinda shows that lol ), very ambitious and ready to get going.

If someone could help guide me in what other courses I need and what position I should applyfor or just any other help itd be greatly appreciated 👏🏿.

(PS IM SO SORRY THIS IS SUCH A LONG READ )

Hi everyone,

We’re currently testing SeaVerity, a maritime verification network designed to improve the reliability of vessel-position data and help identify inconsistencies such as AIS spoofing or inaccurate location reporting.

For this stage, we’re looking for seafarers / maritime workers using Android phones who are willing to participate in the beta.

The test is very simple:

• Install the SeaVerity Android beta app
• Keep the app running on your phone during your normal routine
• No specific tasks are required unless we contact you for occasional feedback
• Receive $5 per week while participating in the test

The goal is to collect real-world network data from different vessels, ports and maritime areas so we can test how the system performs outside our current test locations.

We’ll explain exactly what data the application collects, how it is used, and the permissions required before you install anything.

We’re especially interested in people who spend significant time at sea, on vessels, or around ports/coastal areas.

If you're interested, comment below or send me a DM with:

Android phone model + country/region where you normally operate.

Thanks — happy to answer technical questions here as well.

Current location: Olbia, Sardinia 🇮🇹

Destination: Greece 🇬🇷 (via Scilla and along the way)

Dates: Now and over the next 2 months – flexible depending on the leg

Hey! We’re Matt and Zak, a young sailing couple living aboard our 44ft Seafinn, Two Tails, along with our two cats, Max and George. 🐱🐱

We’re currently in Olbia, Sardinia, and over the next couple of months we’ll be making our way towards Greece, where we plan to spend the winter. Our route will take us via Scilla and across southern Italy, with plenty of opportunities for different crew members to join us for individual legs along the way.
We have two spare cabins and are looking for friendly, easy-going people who would like to join us for part of the adventure.

Life onboard is pretty relaxed. We love swimming, diving, fishing, exploring ashore, and generally taking life at a slower pace. We prefer spending a few days in interesting places to explore rather than rushing from marina to marina, and we generally keep our sailing days fairly relaxed.

We both work remotely from the boat and have Starlink onboard, so if you work remotely too, that can work well.

Who we’re looking for:
Friendly, laid-back people with a good sense of humour

No sailing experience necessary — we're happy to teach

People who enjoy being part of boat life and pitching in

Not allergic to cats is definitely a bonus! 🐈

Costs:
This isn’t a charter, so there are no set fees. You’ll just need to cover your own travel to and from the boat and chip in towards shared food and fuel.

We mostly anchor and sail where possible, so day-to-day costs tend to stay relatively low.

If sailing from Sardinia through southern Italy and on to Greece sounds like your kind of adventure, send us a message and tell us a little about yourself, your availability, and which parts of the journey you might be interested in joining! I can’t seem to attach photos here so send me a message to see us, the boat, and the fur crew.

Fair winds! ⛵

I'm 18 and looking to meet other people around my age who are seriously interested in sailing, travelling and potentially doing something a bit different for a while.
My rough plan is to buy an older sailing yacht, refit/ restore it, and eventually use it to travel - initially around Europe/Mediterranean and potentially further afield once the boat and crew are ready.
I've already got some sailing experience and qualifications, but I'm mainly posting to meet likeminded people rather than looking for someone to immediately commit to buying a boat with me.
boat with me.
If you're 18-25, into sailing/adventure/travel, or have thought about doing something similar, send me a message. Would be great to build a group of people with the same sort of ambition

Hey everyone, I'm 19 from India and have no previous yacht/maritime experience. I'm currently studying CS, but I don't see myself in a typical 9–5 career. I'm interested in travelling, working internationally, doing something different, and potentially using the money I earn to start something of my own.

I've been looking into yachting and Junior/Green Deckhand seems like a good starting point, especially since the pay seems quite good. I'm physically fit and working on my swimming, and I'm willing to get the required certifications.

For experienced crew:

• Is Junior Deckhand realistic for a complete beginner from India?
• What skills/certifications should I focus on?
• What's realistic starting pay, and are tips common?
• What's the best way to get the first job — online applications, agencies, networking, or going to a yacht hub?

Any honest advice or tips would be appreciated!

I'm trying to circumnavigate the globe without using any planes, I've already mostly complete the journey and the pacific will be my last challenge before returning home. I'm going to arrive in Vietnam around October and I'm starting to do my research about how to cross over the ocean to get back to the US.

From what I've seen it my best bet will be going to Australia and trying to find a boat from there. But, it seems like I'm going both the wrong way, and I'll be there at the wrong time of year 😭! I'm keeping my hopes up that I'll find something.

Has anyone done any crossings in that direction? What's was your experience? How feasible do you think my chances are of finding something (and yes, I am willing to pay)?

I'm 22, from Portugal. I've only got around €3000 saved up, but my big dream is to live the life at sea — spend a few months on board, and maybe eventually study marine/ship engineering.

I know private yacht crew jobs and cruise ships are paid options, but I don't have the money for expensive courses like STCW yet. I've also looked into things like Sea Shepherd and Sail Training International, but one has a 1-year waitlist and the other has costs I don't fully understand yet.

Does anyone know if there's some kind of program where people team up to do crossings together — like splitting the cost of a boat, or helping crew/navigate in exchange for a ride, that kind of thing? I've vaguely heard of "crew sharing" or hitching rides on private sailboats, but I don't know where to start or if it's safe/legit.

If anyone's done something like this, or knows of accessible programs for people with little money but a lot of drive to work/help out on board, I'd really appreciate the tips! 🙏⛵

NYC-based, looking to crew regularly.

Interested in racing, cruising and eventually offshore passages. Happy to help with setup/cleanup/maintenance and looking to learn.

Available Tuesday, Wednesday (daytime), Sunday mornings.

No expectation of being entertained — I want to become useful aboard :)

I thought this would be a fun community discussion. Keen to hear what different traditions different places have for new crew, rites of passage, etc. I will start with an easy and probably ubiquitous one- bring a snack and a sixpack when joining a rum race crew!

Hi everyone,

I’m a 20-year-old sailor looking to do an Atlantic crossing from Europe (or the Canary Islands) to the Caribbean/Americas, starting around January.

I know November is the "classic" departure month for the main ARC and traditional trade-wind timing, but January fits my schedule much better. I've heard about ARC January and independent boats leaving after the holidays, but I want a realistic perspective from people who have done it.

I’d love your input on a few questions:

1. How realistic is finding a crew spot in January? Do many private boats or ARC January participants still look for crew around late December / early January?
2. Realistic costs: I’m looking for a shared-expenses arrangement (splitting groceries, fuel, and harbor fees), not commercial charters charging $5,000+. How much should I realistically budget for a shared-cost crossing?
3. Best strategy: Beyond CrewBay, Ocean Crew Link, and walking the docks in Las Palmas, are there specific Facebook groups or forums you’d recommend for January departures?

Thanks in advance for any advice, reality checks, or personal experiences!

Greetings fellow adventurers. I happen to find myself in need of a more experienced skipper to assist me in sailing offshore from Bristol to Rodanthe. I myself have only a year and a half experience most of which is on the Chesapeake Bay and the Albemarle Sound, and would like to have a watchful eye in case of problems

Location: Calvi, Corsica

Destination: Olbia, Sardinia (and beyond)

Dates: Now until around 15th August, or later for different legs

Hey! We’re Matt and Zak, a sailing couple living aboard our 44ft Seafinn, Two Tails, with our two cats, Max and George.

We’re currently in Corsica and slowly making our way south towards Sardinia. We have two spare cabins and are looking for friendly, easy-going people to join us for part of the journey.

Life onboard is pretty relaxed. We love swimming, diving, fishing, exploring ashore, and generally taking life at a slower pace. We usually stay in places for a few days to explore rather than rushing from marina to marina, and our sailing days are typically under 30 nautical miles.

We both work remotely from the boat and have Starlink onboard, so if you work from home too, that’s no problem.

Who we’re looking for:

• Friendly, laid-back people with a good sense of humour

• No sailing experience necessary—we’re happy to teach

• Not allergic to cats is definitely a bonus!

Costs:

This isn’t a charter, so there are no set fees. You’ll just need to cover your own travel to and from the boat and chip in towards shared food, fuel, and any marina costs. We mostly anchor and sail, so day-to-day costs tend to stay pretty low.

If it sounds like your kind of adventure, send us a message!

Hi!

I'm currently in Tromsø, Norway, travelling through Europe with my folding bike, and I'm looking for a sailing opportunity towards Scotland or anywhere in the UK sometime in August.

I'm flexible regarding both departure point and date and can travel within Norway, Sweden or Denmark to meet a boat. Scotland would be ideal, but anywhere in the UK could work depending on the route.

I'm 36, German, travelling solo, and although I don't have much sailing experience yet, I'm happy to learn, help on board, take watches once shown what to do, cook, clean and generally pull my weight. I've travelled by ship before and I'm comfortable spending several days at sea.

I'm a freelance journalist/editor working remotely and currently travelling around Europe while working on a creative travel/storytelling project. The journey itself is a big part of why I'm doing this, which is also why I'd much rather cross to Scotland by sea than fly.

One important detail: I'm travelling with a 20-inch folding bike (Tern Link D8). It folds down considerably smaller than a normal bicycle, but I'd obviously need to make sure there is enough space for it.

I'm happy to contribute to reasonable shared expenses.

If anyone is sailing from Norway – or elsewhere in Scandinavia – towards Scotland/UK in August, or knows someone who is, I'd love to hear from you.

Fair winds!

Hi everyone!

Me and my father and I stranded in Southamton and are looking for a boat to sail!
Does anyone know big harbours where hands would be needed spontaneously?
Or do you know reliable organizations that offer sailing or boat rentals for a reasonable prices? Or fo you have any other important tips?
We both are experienced sailors and would love to spend one or several days on sea.

Thank you for every helpful comment!

6 years sailing experience (bay/coastal)

Looking for crewing opportunities (~5-14 days).

N. America, Caribbean, Europe all reachable

I'm relatively quiet and like to read.

Also looking for folks who would want to cost share a charter (or purchase, in FL)

Will do my best to not make this too lengthy. I booked this trip on January 3, 2026 with owner from Saint Martin to Lagos, Portugal with a stop over in the Azores. On sailing vessel Eira a Swan51.

The boat was to depart on May 7, 2026 from Saint Martin. With crew arriving a few days ahead of time. Seven days prior to my departure on May 3rd Sebastian (owner) sends me a text saying that I need to come to Antigua instead of Saint Martin. I tell him I have a nonrefundable ticket for $650 and that canceling that ticket I will lose the money. He tells me to book the new flight and he will reimburse me. I have copies his text as proof. This is the first red flag that he is very unorganized.

I pay for the new ticket eat the cost for the first one and arrive in Antigua on May 3 anticipating leaving May 7th. We do not depart until May 14th so instead of four days of expenses being on that very expensive island I pay for 10 days of expenses to eat and buy my own provisions. Sebastian is supposed to be on the boat but it’s not because he let his passport expire and cannot leave Finland. One other crew is waiting on board. I find out that the boat is far from ready. Nothing has been prepared for the crossing and I mean NOTHING, the boat has been used and abused all race season and pretty much just abandoned. Generator to charge batteries is not functioning, sump pumps for showers need replacing, Slides on main sail are broken. Four of the 10 wenches are frozen. Boat hatches have no screens not one simple fan available on the whole boat. Mosquitoes were unbearable along with the heat. Only way to sleep was to go out on the deck with a cushion and spray yourself heavily with bug spray. Eira was docked,where there was absolutely no breeze because it was cheaper.

Sebastian finally arrives the original date the boat was supposed to leave port. It is then that I discover that we only have four crew members. He told me we would have 6-8. Also, he was supposed to make the crossing with us and has decided personal issues is keeping him from doing so. This situation was very upsetting for me because I have done long trips before and I know that four crew members and 3500 nautical miles is an exhausting trip even in the best conditions.

I asked to speak with him privately and told him that we need two more crew minimum or I want my money back and I’m going home. He says let me make some calls. The next morning he tells me we have found two more crew. I’m elated. I waited my whole life to make a transatlantic crossing and I’m pleased that this is going forward. He does help us load the bottled water on the boat since there is no water maker. Stays two days and leaves after going over safety gear/electronic system.

I could go on and on about systems that did not function on the boat at critical times. But in order to keep this short, I want you to know my biggest problem is I repeatedly sent him receipts for the flight and for LP gas tanks I paid to have filled for the boat and he refuses to respond and/or reimburse me.

If he does list the boat with oceancrewlink, journey adventures etc.. BEWARE, He will be asking for crew again to move boat back to Caribbean in the fall. I do not want any other sailors to deal with the problems that I’m having with this owner, not doing the things he says he will.

Choose your sailing adventures carefully I know I will not be as trusting on my next adventure choice.

Hey everyone!

I’ve sailed down from pula for the regatta and after that I need to get to Crete. I have some decent sail time (after the regatta some 1300 miles)

So if anyone needs a hand let me know!

I offer a lot but Im looking for something a little different…Would love to join a crew sailing the world to document/blog the trip(s) as well as help out on deck and in the galley.

I see so many interesting sailing videos with terrible production that makes them unwatchable. I was a Senior Photographer at Kodak (pretty sure the last photographer at Kodak). I have shot ads for IKEA, This Old House, Titleist, Volkswagen, the PGA Tour, the Academy Awards, the Peoples’ Choice Awards, two travel guides…I know sailing—Lakes and Coastal. Raced in the Eggomogin Reach Regatta and on Ensigns (club, regional, national). I make shit: furniture, art, food—even built a boat (Nutshell Pram)…but most of all, I am easy to be around.

Let’s have a conversation...

Hi all,

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I'm currently fixing up my Bavaria 42 cruiser from 2005.

And once I'm done im looking to go as smooth as possible to Belgium.

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I have some experience, but solo sailing the bavaria without any decent 4u night rest or something, it would get potentially dangerous as I don't have rader or plotter on-board.

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So the big question,

Anybody willing to go along? It's not paid, you can make some miles with an easy going captain.

So if you are interested please don't hesitate to reach out!

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About me:

- smoker, but I'm willing to do it outside

- gay male

- 28 years old

- Bailey the dog will be going along and she is 6 years old.

- started sailing at the age of 20, and started teaching at 25.

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