Confidential crew placement for owners & captains across Europe  ·  Start the conversation →
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Yacht Services

The right crew,
found properly.

Sourced from a genuine industry network, assessed by people who have worked on board, and placed with your specific yacht and standards in mind — from captain to stewardess.

Industry Network — genuine relationships
built over years at sea
Vetted Every candidate assessed
by experienced sailors
Both Permanent positions
and seasonal contracts
Med+ Placements across the
Mediterranean & beyond
Recruitment That Understands Yachting

The right person aboard
makes everything better.

A great captain sets the tone for every passage, every season, every relationship with the owner. A skilled, professional crew makes life aboard a pleasure — for everyone. Finding these people requires more than posting a vacancy and reviewing applications.

Yachting Europe recruits from within the industry. We know which candidates have the technical depth, the professional discipline and the character to thrive in a demanding live-aboard environment — because we have spent time in those environments ourselves.

Discuss Your Requirements
Professional yacht crew at sea
Placed by Real sailors.
Positions We Fill

Every role on board,
placed with care.

From a solo-handed captain on a family sailing yacht to a full professional crew for a large motor yacht — we match the right person to the right vessel, at the right level. Every placement is considered, every candidate understood.

01

Captain & Skipper

MCA or flag-state certified deck officers for sailing and motor yachts. We source experienced captains with the seamanship, leadership and owner-management skills that the role truly demands.

02

First Officer & Mate

Qualified deck officers ready to support an experienced captain or take command on smaller vessels. Strong watchkeeping, passage planning and crew-coordination skills are central to every candidate we put forward.

03

Chief Engineer

MCA-certified engineers and experienced mechanics for power and systems management aboard motor and sailing yachts. Technical depth and a methodical approach to preventive maintenance are the qualities we look for in every candidate.

04

Bosun & Deckhands

Deck crew who take genuine pride in the vessel — from brightwork and rigging to tender operations and water sports instruction. We place both experienced bosuns and motivated entry-level deckhands.

05

Chief Steward / Stewardess

Interior department leads who set the standard for hospitality, service and guest experience aboard. We source candidates with genuine five-star service backgrounds and the composure to lead a team under pressure.

06

Chef & Full Crew Packages

Private yacht chefs with professional culinary training and the adaptability that life aboard demands. We also assemble complete crew packages for new vessels or full seasonal changeovers — matched as a cohesive team.

Yacht owner consultation
For Yacht Owners & Captains

Tell us what your
yacht needs.

Every vessel is different. We take the time to understand the yacht, the owner's style, the existing crew dynamic and the specific demands of the role before we begin sourcing candidates. You receive a shortlist of people who are genuinely right for the position — not every available CV.

  • Private, confidential briefing — we listen before we search
  • Candidates assessed on technical skill, character and fit
  • References verified directly — not taken at face value
  • Placement support through trial period and beyond
Book a Consultation
How We Find Your Crew

Thorough by design.
Discreet throughout.

Every placement follows the same structured process — because cutting corners at any stage risks putting the wrong person aboard. We take the time to get it right.

01

Owner & Vessel Brief

A private conversation to understand the yacht, the existing crew structure, the owner's expectations and the specific requirements of the role. We write a detailed brief before approaching a single candidate.

02

Candidate Sourcing

We draw on our own industry network first — candidates known to us personally or by trusted referral. Where we need to cast wider, we do so discreetly and present only those who meet the full brief.

03

Assessment & Vetting

Certificates verified, references contacted directly, and a thorough interview conducted by someone who has worked at sea. We assess technical competence, professional conduct and personal character.

04

Introduction & Placement

A curated shortlist presented to you with our honest assessment of each candidate. We facilitate the introduction, support contract arrangements and remain available through the trial period and beyond.

Professional crew on deck
People Not profiles.
Placed with judgement.
Why Owners Trust Us With Their Crew

Recruitment by people
who know the job.

Our recruiters have worked aboard, managed crew and understood what a professional yachting environment truly demands — from every person in every role. That experience is what makes our assessment of candidates meaningful and reliable.

Industry network, not just a register

Many of our best placements come from candidates we already know — through industry relationships, through the Academy or through previous placements. These people are not searching job boards.

Character assessed, not just certificates checked

Qualifications are the baseline. What matters beyond that is temperament, professionalism and whether someone will represent your yacht well in every situation.

Confidential from first conversation to placement

Owner requirements, vessel details and vacancy information are handled with complete discretion. We do not broadcast positions or share information without explicit agreement.

Academy connection — trained crew, ready to perform

Our link to the Yachting Europe Academy gives us access to recently trained, motivated candidates who are current on best practices and entering the industry with strong foundations.

" "The crew is the yacht. You can own the finest vessel in European waters, but it is the people aboard who determine whether every season becomes a memory worth keeping."
Christopher W. Dougall — Co-Founder, Yachting Europe
Begin Your Search

Tell us about the
role you need filled.

Whether you need a captain for next season, a replacement stewardess at short notice, or a complete crew assembled for a new vessel — the conversation starts here. Private, unhurried, and focused entirely on finding the right person for your yacht.

For Crew Seeking Positions

Find a role
worth your standards.

We place crew who take pride in their work, hold the right certifications and are ready to commit to a professional standard aboard. If you are seeking a permanent or seasonal position on a well-run private yacht across Europe, we would like to hear from you.

  • Access to private vacancies not publicly advertised
  • Matched to vessels that suit your experience and ambitions
  • Direct introduction — no impersonal application portals
  • Ongoing representation as your career develops