March is where the pace changes. The Mediterranean season is no longer “upcoming”, it is actively being staffed. We typically see more time sensitive roles, more replacement cover, and more hiring decisions made quickly as yachts finalise plans for spring training, owner trips, yard periods, and Med repositioning.

A lot of yachts are still moving between the US and the Mediterranean, or preparing for crossings and deliveries. If you are targeting those programs, a valid B1/B2 visa remains a major advantage, especially for short notice start dates.

If you want to be considered quickly, make it easy for recruiters to say yes:

• CV updated with your most recent vessel, dates, and references

• Certificates and visa status clearly listed

• Availability confirmed (date and location)

• Then check in via our website chatbox to reach the relevant recruiter

Below is what crew can expect to see in March, by department, based on current open roles and typical seasonal patterns.

Engineering

Engineering continues to be one of the most consistently active departments in March, with a clear split between two needs: yachts locking in permanent crew for the season, and yachts needing temporary cover for leave, refits, and pre season preparation.

Requests we are receiving from clients:

• Chief Engineers across a range of licences from SV Chief 3000kw to Class I on larger yachts

• Sole Engineers on yachts under 40m for permanent contracts

• 2nd Engineers (including EOOW and Class II profiles), both permanent and temporary

• 3rd Engineers and junior support engineers for larger yachts

• ETO and AV/IT technical profiles on yachts from 70m to +100m range

March advantage:  Engineers who can start quickly and present a clean, compliant profile (licences, seafarers medical, STCW refreshers etc.) are often prioritised. In addition, there is still a demand for Engineers holding a B1 visa.

Captains and Officers 

March is a decision month for bridge teams.

Requests we are receiving from clients:

• Chief Officers and Chief Mates on mid size range yachts

• 2nd and 3rd Officer roles with defined leave periods

• Bosun/OOW, especially on 80m+ yachts, open to newly qualified OOWs

• Captains across different yacht sizes

March advantage: if you are an Officer, be explicit about your availability window, notice period, and what kind of leave package you are looking for as it increases matching speed.

Deck

Deck demand in March becomes more practical and operational. The theme is readiness: yachts are building teams that can hit the ground running, and they are also backfilling positions that change during repositioning or yard time.

Roles we are seeing:

• Deckhands for replacement and seasonal cover

• Bosuns and lead deckhands, including chase boat responsibilities

• Deckhands with additional skills (dive, watersports, video, carpentry, medic)

• Defined leave roles (for example 45 to 84 day packages) where quick mobilisation matters

March advantage: additional tickets and real evidence of capability (references, logged experience, tender time) carry more weight than generic “keen” profiles right now.

Chefs

As we move closer and closer to the Med season, clients are now actively interviewing for their seasonal roles.

Requests we are receiving from clients:

• Seasonal sole chef roles for Med programs

• Short notice relief for leave, deliveries, or end of winter season transitions

• Sous Chef and Crew Chef positions on larger yachts, including replacement cover

March advantage: Chefs who stand out at this time of year typically have a well-presented, up-to-date CV ready to share, supported by a strong food portfolio or an active Instagram page showcasing their work. Including recent written references with accurate contact details can also make a significant difference, allowing captains and recruiters to verify experience quickly and move forward with confidence.

Senior Interior Roles

Senior interior hiring stays active in March, especially as yachts align service standards, team structure, and rotations ahead of guest periods.

Current demand often includes:

• Chief Stews and Heads of Department

• Heads of Service and Heads of Housekeeping

• Pursers on larger yachts, including rotational structures

What is notable in March: rotations and leave packages become more defined now. We are seeing structured time off across private and charter programs, plus clear leave blocks for senior and mid senior interior roles on larger yachts.

Junior, Experienced and Specialist Stews 

March is still strongest for experienced stews. Entry level hiring generally rises closer to the start of the season, but the market is already active for those with at least one solid season and strong references.

Key trends we see in March:

• A steady flow of experienced stew roles across a wide range of yacht sizes

• Dedicated service and housekeeping focused roles, especially on larger yachts

• Rotations such as 3:1 and 4:2 appearing more frequently on bigger programs

• Ongoing demand for multi skilled profiles where an additional competency is genuinely useful onboard

Specialist demand remains strong, particularly spa and massage, followed by roles like hairdresser and nurse on certain programs. Multi skilled candidates should make their additional skill obvious in the first third of their CV, not buried at the bottom.

What March crew should do now 

March rewards crew who are “ready to move” and easy to place. The fastest placements usually happen when the basics are already handled.

Your practical checklist:

• Confirm your availability date and where you are based

• Make visa status clear (especially B1/B2 where relevant)

• Ensure certificates are current and visible on your CV

• Check in through our website chatbox so your recruiter can match you to the right roles quickly

If you are actively looking, do not wait until April to get visible. March is when many yachts finalise the people they want onboard for the season.