1️⃣ Junior Steward/ess (Entry Level)
  • Where: Yachts of all sizes (typically 30m+ where a separate interior department exists).
  • Role: Cleaning guest and crew cabins, polishing surfaces, laundry duties, setting tables, assisting with guest service, washing dishes.
  • Minimum required documents:
  • Basic STCW:
  • Personal Survival Techniques
  • Fire Prevention & Firefighting
  • Elementary First Aid
  • Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities
  • ENG1 (seafarer medical certificate) or equivalent
  • Food Safety Level 2 (Hospitality/ Catering)
It is possible to get a job with limited experience (especially during the season), but professional growth requires learning onboard and completing additional courses.


Interior Department
2️⃣ 2nd Steward/ess / Senior Steward/ess
  • Role: Supervising junior staff, ensuring quality control of cleaning, assisting with guest service independently (taking orders, wine service), managing laundry rotas, helping with inventories and provisioning.
  • Usually required:
  • Valid STCW Basic & ENG1 & Food Safety L2
  • Accumulated sea time (typically 12-24 months)
  • Recommended Courses:
  • GUEST Program Level II (Interior specific)
  • WSET Level 1 or 2 (Wine)
  • RYA Powerboat Level 2 (Tender driving)
  • Bartending/ Barista courses
3️⃣ Chief Steward/ess
  • Role: Head of the Interior Department. Manages the interior team, guest experience, and budgeting.
  • Responsibilities:
  • Team management (rosters, hiring, training)
  • Menu planning and service execution
  • Interior inventory and provisioning
  • Budget control and reporting to Captain/Office
  • Linen and decoration management
  • Certificates required:
  • GUEST Program Level III (Chief Steward/ess CoC)
  • STCW Advanced Firefighting
  • STCW Medical Care (or Medical First Aid)
  • Proficiency in Survival Craft (PSC)
  • Food Safety Level 3 (Managing food safety)
  • Sea time (Typically 3-6 years total interior experience)
  • Courses & Knowledge:
  • Leadership & Management
  • Accounting & Budgeting
  • ISM Code basics
  • Wine & Spirits knowledge (WSET Advanced)
  • Exam:
  • Practical assessment of management skills
  • Document review (sea time verification, course certificates)
4️⃣ Purser / Administrative Officer
(Often a senior role that can be held alongside or instead of Chief Steward/ess on larger yachts)
  • Role: Administrative and financial management of the vessel.
  • Responsibilities:
  • Crew payroll and contracts
  • Port clearance and flag state paperwork
  • Guest and crew travel logistics
  • Budget tracking and expense reports
  • Liaising with agents and offices
  • Requirements:
  • GUEST Yacht Purser Program (or equivalent)
  • Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD)
  • Significant sea time (often 3+ years in interior/administrative roles)
  • Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel)
  • Valid STCW & ENG1
Specialized Roles & Secondary Skills
(These skills make a candidate highly valuable and can lead to better positions)
  • Massage Therapist / Beautician: Requires internationally recognized therapy qualifications.
  • Wine Steward/ess (Sommelier): WSET Level 3 or higher.
  • Fitness Instructor / Yoga Teacher: Certified personal trainer or yoga instructor qualification.
  • Childcare (Nanny): Relevant childcare qualifications and experience.
  • Water Sports Instructor: Jet ski, wakeboard, or diving instructor licenses.
  • DJ / Content Creator: Portable skills that enhance the guest experience.
CoC Levels (Yacht Interior Route)
Note: Unlike engineering, the interior department does not have statutory "Certificates of Competency" (CoC) issued by the MCA in the same way. However, the GUEST Program is the industry-recognized professional standard.


GUEST Level II — Senior Steward/ess
  • What it allows: Demonstrates professional competence for 2nd Steward/ess or Senior Steward/ess roles.
  • Entry Requirements:
  • 6-12 months sea time in interior
  • Valid STCW & ENG1
  • Food Safety Level 2
  • Content:
  • Advanced cleaning techniques
  • Laundry management
  • Basic service etiquette
  • Interior department operations


GUEST Level III — Chief Steward/ess
  • What it allows: Professional qualification for Chief Steward/ess roles on yachts.
  • Entry Requirements:
  • Minimum 12 months sea time in interior
  • GUEST Level II (or equivalent experience)
  • Valid STCW & ENG1
  • Food Safety Level 2 (Level 3 recommended)
  • Content (Management Level):
  • Management: Leadership, team building, training, conflict resolution
  • Service: Fine dining, etiquette, event planning, flower arranging
  • Operations: Inventory control, budgeting, provisioning, menu planning
  • Administration: Reporting, check-in/out procedures
  • Examination:
  • Written and practical assessments
  • Portfolio of evidence (photos, references, sea service)
  • Oral interview

GUEST Purser — Purser/Administrator
  • What it allows: Specialist qualification for administrative and financial roles on large yachts.
  • Entry Requirements:
  • Minimum 3 years sea time (often Chief Stew or Senior Crew)
  • GUEST Level III (recommended)
  • Valid STCW & ENG1
  • Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD)
  • Content:
  • Crew Administration: Payroll, contracts, SEA's, visas
  • Financial Management: Budgets, cash flow, expense tracking
  • Maritime Law: Flag state requirements, port clearance
  • Logistics: Itinerary planning, travel coordination
  • MS Office: Advanced Excel, databases
  • Examination:
  • Written exams (finance, law, administration)
  • Practical tasks (creating a budget, clearance procedure)
  • Oral interview

Position on BoardMin Certificate/QualificationYacht Size / Experience
Junior Steward/ess
STCW + ENG1 + Food Safety 2
Entry Level / 0-1 year
2nd Steward/ess
GUEST Level II
40m+ / 1-3 years
Chief Steward/ess
GUEST Level III
50m+ / 3-6+ years
Purser
GUEST Purser CoC
60m+ / 5+ years