+27 68 510 0026 info@absoluteyachting.co.za

SUPERYACHT DECKHAND

Our training covers everything from the basic to advanced skills. Providing a comprehensive understanding of every aspect of the deckhand role while diving into the intricacies of living and working on a yacht.

YOUR PATH TO SUcCESS

Embarking on a deckhand career is an exhilarating and rewarding journey filled with opportunities to explore the vast, open seas and work on magnificent vessels. As a deckhand, you will become an integral part of the crew, handling essential tasks such as maintenance, navigation assistance, and ensuring the safety of the ship. This dynamic and adventurous career path allows you to develop a diverse skill set, travel to breathtaking destinations, and form lifelong friendships with fellow seafarers.

The starting salary averages around €2,500, plus the chance to pocket some sweet tips along the way. And guess what? This job isn’t just for the guys—girls can totally crush it too. The Superyacht industry values dedication, hard work, and enthusiasm, regardless of gender.

But wait, there’s more! Forget about rent, groceries, and even toiletries—everything’s sorted while you’re on board, giving you the chance to stack up some serious cash while exploring amazing destinations around the world. With accommodations, meals, and essentials provided, you can save a significant portion of your earnings. Imagine waking up in a new exotic location, working alongside a diverse and vibrant crew, and having the opportunity to immerse yourself in different cultures and environments. A deckhand career offers not just a job, but a lifestyle filled with adventure, financial benefits, and personal growth.

Whether you’re navigating the Mediterranean or sailing through the Caribbean, life as a deckhand on a Superyacht is your ticket to an extraordinary career and life experience. Join us and take the first step towards an unparalleled journey on the high seas.

OUR DECKHAND COURSE

Learning the ropes isn’t just about mastering basic skills — it’s about diving deep into the heart of the industry. Understanding the ins and outs of being a deckhand is key to your success.  Our course is carefully crafted to give you a comprehensive understanding of your role, your duties, and how to excel in every aspect of your job.

Our training covers everything from the basic to advanced skills. Taking a deep dive into knots, line handling, mooring, anchoring, navigation, watch duties, safety and security, COLREGs, sound signals, lights, flags, pilotage, buoys, emergency procedures, maintenance, watersports, and so much more.

Deckhand course

Duration: 4 days
Location: Hermanus
Cost: R6800

WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE

When you enroll in our Superyacht Deckhand Course, you’re not just joining any training course — you’re embarking on a journey curated by our seasoned Captain to fully immerse you in the world of yachting. With over two decades experience at sea and training deckhands, Matt is not only passionate about the industry but deeply committed to ensuring that our students receive the most comprehensive training possible.

Designed with meticulous attention to detail, our course goes beyond the basics, providing a comprehensive understanding of every aspect of the deckhand role. Moreover, our course delves into the intricacies of living and working on a yacht, offering invaluable insights that set our students apart.

We take pride in the depth of knowledge and expertise infused into every lesson. Join us, and let our Captain guide you towards a fulfilling career as a professional deckhand.

Pre-requisites and certification

Students must be 18 years or older. 

On completion of each course you will receive a Certificate of Completion.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?

Our Deckhand Course offers an immersive training experience designed to prepare you for the diverse responsibilities of a deckhand. Guided by a seasoned Captain who has been training deckhands for more than a decade, you’ll benefit from Matt’s extensive knowledge of the ins and outs of working on deck and his passion for greatness.

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Maintenance and Upkeep

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Deck Operations

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Safety and Security

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General

"The ocean is your playground, and the boat is your chance to explore."

Our deckhand package

Our Deckhand package encompasses all the essential certifications that you will need to kickstart your career as a deckhand. Our package includes our signature Deckhand course, all the STCW Safety and Security courses, plus the RYA Powerboat Level II course.

To support your journey, we provide you with our Smooth Sailing handbook and you get to attend our Navigating Your Success workshop.

To meet industry standards, we also facilitate your SAMSA medical certification, ensuring you’re fully compliant with mandatory requirements for employment in the industry.

Deckhand Package

Duration: 18 days
Location: Hermanus
Cost: R23807

STCW Basic Safety Training

deckhand course

Powerboat Level II

Smooth Sailing eBook

Navigating your success workshop

SAMSA MEDICAL

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical duties of a deckhand?

Deckhands often assist with mooring, anchoring, line handling, cleaning, maintenance, and general deck operations.

What are the working hours like for a deckhand?

Hours can be long and irregular, often involving shifts and weekend work. The schedule may vary depending on the vessel’s activities and itinerary.

How can I advance my career as a deckhand?

Advancement often comes with experience and additional training. Opportunities for progression may include gaining certifications, pursuing specialised skills, or moving into higher-ranking positions.

How can I adapt to the demands of life as a deckhand?

Flexibility, adaptability, and a willingness to learn are key attributes for success. Embrace the unique lifestyle of working at sea and be prepared to tackle diverse tasks as they arise.

What our Students had to say

Jordan

I recently completed the Superyacht Deckhand Course at Absolute Yachting and it was great.

Matt is so knowledgeable and passionate about yachting. He makes all the content easy and fun to understand.

Completing this course has given me confidence and made me feel prepared to start in the yachting industry.

Kyle

I did my powerboat level 2 with Absolute Yachting and it was an amazing experience. Matt’s patience and knowledge is incredible!

It was a laugh but very focused on the task at hand at the same time. Matt gave me extra tips and was super encouraging throughout.

Leigh-Anne is a blessing as well, giving guidance and extra knowledge without hesitation. I look forward to doing more courses through you guys!

Thank you so much guys!!!

 

Beulah

 

I recently did my Powerboat level 2 with Absolute Yachting with Matt.

It was a 10/10 experience and would recommend to anyone looking to do any yachting courses.

Matt is extremely patient and has so much knowledge when it comes to yachting due to his past in yachting.

He is excited to teach others and enjoys helping others to learn. Absolute yachting is very organized, helpful and quick to assist.

Had the best time!

Rolf

I did my Powerboat Level 2 and Deckhand courses with Absolute Yachting and I cannot recommend them enough!

Starting off in the yachting industry is intimidating, but Absolute Yachting helped so much with their honesty and them truly wanting the best for all of their learners.

Matt and Leigh-Ann are a blessing and great guides to all those who want to learn the skills and ins and outs of yachting.

They are unbelievably professional, fun, helpful and have a wealth of experience and knowledge.

I have never found myself looking forward to each class so much and finding all the content presented in a way that made it so interesting.

I believe that I will always look back at my time with Absolute Yachting as the true start of the journey in this new industry.

I am so glad to have done my courses with them and would encourage anyone to do the same.

Tianne

I recently did my Powerboat Level II and Deckhand courses through Absolute Yachting and I honestly can’t recommend them enough.

Starting out in the yachting industry is a new challenge on its own but getting guidance and direction from them, on top of a very well designed course, shows that they care about accurately preparing their students for the job while helping them be successful in their search for suiting opportunities.

Matt and Leigh-Anne put a lot of effort into making the course educational, fun and interesting. I’d wake up each morning exited to get to class and learn more.

There are a lot of courses out there to choose from, but we found that they treat each student like another chick under their wing and honestly care about how you perform in your job one day and that you end up in a job best suited for you as an individual.

10+/10 review if that was possible!

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+27 68 510 0026

info@absoluteyachting.co.za