What Crew Can Expect by Department

February is a transitional month in the yachting calendar, with many yachts finishing winter programs, repositioning, or finalising crew ahead of the Mediterranean season. Recruitment activity during this period is often role-specific and time-sensitive, with a mix of permanent hires, seasonal planning roles, and short-term cover.

Many yachts are currently operating between the US and the Mediterranean, or preparing for crossings and deliveries. As a result, a valid B1/B2 visa is often essential, particularly for temporary or last-minute opportunities.

To connect with your next role, make sure your CV and certificates are fully up to date. Then, check in with our recruiters via the chatbox on our website to confirm your availability.

Below is an overview of the types of roles crew can typically expect to see in February, broken down by department.

Engineering

February remains a consistently busy period for the engineering department, with demand across both permanent and temporary positions. We see a strong mix of senior engineers, junior support roles, and specialist technical positions.

Roles include:

• Chief Engineers holding III/3 to III/2, SV or Unlimited licences

• Sole Engineers with AEC to III/1, particularly on yachts under 40m

• 2nd Engineers with AEC to III/2, including temporary or relief cover

• 3rd Engineers with AEC to III/1, including short term contracts

• AVIT Officers

• ETOs (III/6) or Electrical Engineers with strong AVIT capability

Temporary cover is especially common at this time of year, often linked to annual leave, refits, or vessels preparing for crossings. Engineers who are available at short notice and hold the correct certification are well placed.

Captains and Officers

Below you will find the current trends in Officers and Captains recruitment.

Roles include:

• Non rotational Captain roles

• German speaking Captain couples

• Chief Officers on mid size to large yachts, both permanent and rotational

• Chief Mates in the under 500gt sector

• 2^nd Officers for dual season vessels and 60 day leave packages

• Officers for charter programs

• Bosun OOW hybrid roles combining deck leadership with bridge responsibilities

This is an important month for officers looking to secure positions ahead of the Med season.

Deck

Deck recruitment in February is a mix of seasonal preparation and operational cover. While entry-level roles typically increase closer to the start of the season, there are strong opportunities for experienced deck crew.

Roles include:

• Deckhands for seasonal or replacement contracts

• Lead Deckhands providing operational support and bridge liaison

• Bosuns, including chase boat roles and short-term contracts

• Deckhands with dive or watersports qualifications

• Skills-based Deckhands offering additional support such as video, physio, or specialist services

Candidates with proven experience, solid references, and additional skills are particularly competitive at this time of year.

Chefs

February is a key planning month for galley recruitment, especially for yachts preparing for the Mediterranean season.

Roles include:

• Seasonal Sole Chef enquiries for the upcoming Med season

• Last-minute temporary Sous Chef and Crew Chef roles

• Short-term cover for yachts nearing the end of their winter season, covering annual leave or completing deliveries

For many of these temporary positions, a B1/B2 visa and previous yachting experience are essential, as yachts often need chefs who can step in quickly and operate independently.

Senior Interior Roles

The senior interior market continues to show strong activity. January started well, and this momentum typically carries through February.

Current demand includes:

• Chief Stews, accounting for around 60 per cent of open interior roles

• Interior Managers

• Heads of Service

• Heads of Housekeeping

These roles span vessels from 30m to 90m. Most positions are on private yachts, with approximately 30 per cent operating as charter vessels, primarily under 60m.

In terms of packages, we are seeing:

• Time for time rotations on private yachts over 60m

• Similar rotation structures for 2nd Stews, Heads of Service, and Heads of Housekeeping on yachts over 70m

• Leave packages ranging from 44 to 90 days on yachts between 30m and 60m

Looking ahead to February, we expect an increase in requests for 2nd Stews, Lead and Senior Stews, Heads of Service, and Heads of Housekeeping across all vessel sizes.

Junior, Experienced and Specialist Stews

February is a strong period for experienced stews with up to three years of experience. Most opportunities at this stage are not entry-level, as yachts typically recruit junior crew closer to the start of the season.

Key trends include:

• Strong demand for stews with at least one full season of experience

• Opportunities across yachts from 30m to 80m

• Leave packages of 40 to 90 days on yachts up to 70m

• 3:1 rotations commonly offered on yachts between 70m and 80m

• On yachts over 80m, there is increased demand for dedicated Service Stew and Housekeeper Stew roles, primarily on private vessels, often offering 3:1 or 4:2 rotations.

Demand for specialist stews remains strong, with around 30 per cent of roles seeking an additional skill. Spa and massage therapists are the most in demand, followed by hairdressers, nurses, personal trainers, and mixologists. Many of these positions are on charter yachts, making this an excellent time for multi-skilled candidates to be active.

February is a key month for positioning yourself ahead of the Mediterranean season. While the volume of roles varies by department, opportunities are driven by availability, experience, and readiness to move quickly. Crew who have their CVs and certificates up to date, hold the correct visas, and clearly confirm their availability are best placed to secure roles as recruitment activity continues to build into the spring months.