what to pack when working on a yacht

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What Green Yacht Crew Should Include on Their Packing List

Are you yacht crew wondering what to include on your packing list for your first job?

There are few jobs quite like working on a yacht. When your job is your lifestyle, your colleagues are sleeping in a bunk next to you and you’re working for some of the wealthiest people in the world it makes for a unique experience. When preparing for your first yacht crew job, it might be tempting to bring everything you own with you, however, this is a guaranteed way to get on the wrong side of your crew-mates. Personal space on yachts is limited so you don’t want to be cluttering up the already-tight crew areas.

The team from Wilson Halligan are sharing with us their handy guide on what to pack for your first yacht job. From the essentials to personal extras, this guide will help you cut the clutter and focus on what you really need.

So, what should I pack for my first yacht job?    

This is a question we get asked all the time by green crew so we thought we would make life easy for you with our go-to list!   

Start by choosing the lightest  suitcase you can find. A hard, square-type suitcase is not going to win you any immediate friends as they are a mission for onboard storage. A collapsible bag with wheels is the way forward, so it can be easily stored onboard.    

The Essentials:   

• ALL yachting certificates (originals)
• Drivers License/ID

The Basics :

• Flip flops because no yachtie could ever live without a pair!    
• Smart shoes for going out.   
• Trainers if you fancy hitting the gym or going for a run.   

Clothes    

• Casual Clothes: Shorts , Jeans, T-shirts.   
• Going out outfits – Dress / Nice tops / Shirts / Formal Trousers   
• Workout clothes   
• Comfies – PJ’s/ trackies   
• Underwear   
• Swimwear   

Tip:  Only pack a couple of each. You will have you will have plenty of chance to buy new clothes once you get that first pay check (and also depending on the yacht will be spending a LOT of time in uniform!)   

Grooming    

• Toiletries (travel size)*   
• Hair products (brush/elastics /bobby pins)    

* Once you are onboard, many of your day-to-day toiletries will be supplied. Therefore, bring small travel-size versions of these to tide you over.      

Technology     

• World Travel Adaptor   
• Mobile phone (be sure to do your research on the best provider for international roaming)   
• Kindle/eBook   
• Laptop/iPad   
• Headphones   

Tip:  download books or movies before you leave your strong land internet connection-you’ll be surprised at how slow the internet can be on some superyachts, and captains may also restrict your access to preserve bandwidth for the guests. 

Personal Extras    

• Sentimental photos for cabin   Laptop/iPad   
• Favourite tea bags from home   
• Small portable speaker   
• Yoga mat for all those yogis out there!   

Got your first superyacht stew job? Discover our 10 money tips for yacht stews here

Wilsonhalligan

Related articles, how to freelance as a yacht stew, crew, fancy a different job top tips for bolstering your employability, a crazy stewardess story with a ‘super’ ending, your next yachtie relationship. are you playing with fire.

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What To Pack When Working On A Yacht?

To stay punctual while working on a yacht, it is essential to wear a watch at all times. Pack a comfortable pair of track pants and a hoodie for relaxing and watching movies in the crew house. For female crew, a skin-tone tank top or nude undergarments are a good investment as white uniforms may be slightly transparent.

Packing for your first yacht job can seem daunting, but Wilson Halligan offers a handy guide on what to pack for your first yacht job. Gear essentials include clothing, crew gear, and personal extras. The guide categorizes gear into four types: clothing, crew gear, and personal extras.

When getting crewed on a yacht, you move on board and the boat nearly always provides your work uniform, towels, bed linens, and basic toiletries. Essentials include a passport, all yachting certificates (originals), drivers license, ID, medication, shoes, swimwear, a beach towel or sarong, and sunglasses. Swimwear, a beach towel or sarong, and sunglasses are staples, especially if going for a job.

Yachtie packing lists include swimsuit(s), coverups, beachwear, light rain jacket, windbreaker tops, shorts, skirts, dresses, 1-2 pairs of jeans, and pants for chillier days. Soft, waterproof, and collapsible items are best. A smaller rucksack and an optional handbag for ladies are also useful for nights offout.

When getting a job on a yacht, you won’t have to buy shower gel, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, and conditioner. Essential items to have on hand include identification and passage, credentials, medication, electronics, clothing and shoes, and a peak hat. Download the free yacht crew packing list to help you get organized and ready for your first yacht job.

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Debbie Green

I am a school teacher who was bitten by the travel bug many decades ago. My husband Billy has come along for the ride and now shares my dream to travel the world with our three children.The kids Pollyanna, 13, Cooper, 12 and Tommy 9 are in love with plane trips (thank goodness) and discovering new places, experiences and of course Disneyland.

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Congratulations on your First Mate position, Matthew! As this is the first article of yours that I have ever watched, I don’t know when you achieved this position. Are you left-handed, Matthew? I am left-handed and tend to notice my kindred spirits. But often articles are reversed and it’s hard to tell. I don’t mean it as a strange question, it is just that if find that I need to use different tools, such as scissors or desks at school, things that right-handed people take for granted.

That’s a fantastic job, what you’re doing for us sharing all that information Matt! Thanks a million. I only still need STCW.. and discharge book… and b1/b2.. and that’s all! Aaand now I see that I need a multitool as well, nice work. Looking towards your OOW, what you need to do now? Or that exam that you passed was already an oow?

I’m really enjoying this content, Thankyou so much! I hope to one day achieve my dream of working on a superyacht. Is there any chance that in one of your articles you could go through VHF procedures on board a superyacht e.q. the different websites used for different purposes, entering/leaving a port vhf procedures, emergency vhf procedures (mayday,panpan) Thankyou!

Great article. Very interesting and informative. Could you do a article on what u do normally as you are more senior on the yaght and what you do when guests are on board, such as deck hands etc Thank you for doing these articles I still need to do my studying 18 months of it but one’s it’s over I am looking forward to it. I am only 18 but will be 20 when I start working . B.V

I’m heading off to Singapore to do a world-wide itinerary on a private for a year as my first job, really excited but have always wondered what the positives are working on a private yacht instead of a charter yacht. I know tip wise you get a lot on charter but do you get any at all on private yachts or is it just your monthly pay. I do know that normally charter work is a lot harder but for the tips it seams worth it. Love the content, thanks in advance!

hi..Matt my doubt is what about woman crew ???i do understand there is small cabin,but i am sure woman will have more stuff,,small thing travel in first time to get a job ?? or what u mean less stuff and we buy after when got a job,to be flexible travel in first time?? i am new here still want a lot of your advice . thank you in advance ^^pat

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Crew Packing List

Whether you are green crew completely new to yachting or a seasoned yachtie, it’s always useful to refresh your packing list before setting sail on your next charter or boss trip..

Although some travelling essentials will never be far from your mind just like your usual holiday list, there’s always something we forget to take or replenish.

So here is a little reminder…

• Discharge book
• Vaccination certificate
• Foreign currency
• Credit card
• Sack off the suitcase Remember that a classic hard cabin case is just not suitable for onboard storage. Anything soft, waterproof and collapsible is best. A smaller rucksack and an optional handbag for the ladies – plain and useful for any nights off/out.
• Packing cubes Eespecially useful in a soft case to keep everything organised and easily transferable to your cabin.
• Storage Hanging toiletry/make-up bags, closet organiser and coat hangers (because you can never have enough). If you’re expecting to be away for a while or in colder climates, a vacuum storage bags are also great for minimising the space your big coats and jumpers take up.
• Travel toiletries Unless you’re particularly attached to a specific cream, oil based shampoo or serum, essential toiletries will likely be provided on the boat, but make sure you check. When it comes to make-up and skincare, double up on your favourites as you might not get the opportunity to replenish your stock for months!
• Hair accessories No matter how often you feel the wind in your hair, a tidy barnet is needed at the start of any day. Ditch your set of five roller brushes though and three styling irons and take only what you need. Maybe liaise with other crew too so you can share.

• Footwear Extreme destinations like the arctic exclusive, flip flops and deck shoes are an absolute must; trainers for fitness and one pair of heels/going out shoes for the ladies.
• Outerwear Windproof lightweight rain jacket, light fleece or jumper and casual jacket for off-boat.
• Sunglasses At least two pairs, because you will probably lose or break one pair.
• Swim attire At least two pairs of shorts or bikini and one-piece, a cover up and beach towel.
• Loungewear For those evenings off relaxing in the cabin or the crew mess.
• Pyjamas Because only the lucky few will have a cabin to themselves!
• Casual outfits A couple of pairs of shorts and t-shirts, with one or two trouser options if it’s a bit chilly.
• Smarter outfits Chinos and a linen shirt or two for the guys and a few lightweight and easily packed dresses for the girls.
• Underwear The less lacy and colourful the better. Think neutral and comfortable.
• Hat/cap not just for bad hair days, but to protect you from the sun of course!
• Travel home clothes Depending on where ‘home’ is and at what time of year you might be travelling to and from the yacht, make sure you have a suitable outfit that is both comfy for the plane and warm if you’re stepping out of a it into the bitter cold!

• Watch/smart watch to count down to the end of your shift as well as track your steps.
• Camera to capture every amazing memory that you’re going to make.
• iPad or small laptop to help you stay connected and binge the latest series.
• Kindle for your favourite page-turners.
• Earphones to zone out everything around you, accompany you at the gym or get you through a wash down!
• Speaker for when you want to share it with your crewmembers.
• Global adaptor plug to charge all these gadgets and gizmos.
• Home comforts anything that makes you feel more at home like a framed picture, your favourite essential oil and diffuser or go-to snack stash!

And if you get to the point where the zip on that duffle is struggling to close? When in doubt, throw it out!

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