Essential Superyacht Stew/Stewardess Qualifications:
Certain stew/stewardess training courses are essential for you to complete your duties onboard a yacht or superyacht. Additional/beneficial stew/stewardess courses may refine or expand your skill set and help you stand out from the crowd when looking for a stew/stewardess job although they are not essential.
Below is a list of courses you should complete as essential yacht stew/stewardess training:
- STCW Basic Training
Mandatory for all crew members - Food Safety & Hygiene Level II
This may not be necessary for an experienced and dedicated role (onboard a very large yacht) such as a laundry stew, although it is still advised. - Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (Recommended)
or
Proficiency in Security Awareness (Mandatory)
STCW 2010 Basic Training
This is generally the start of your exciting journey to become a stew/stewardess onboard a yacht/superyacht. Fire fighting, sea survival, medical aid, and other crucial subjects/practicals will be done in order to familiarize you with how to work and live at sea in a manner that is safe for you and everyone else around you.
You will make new friends and start familiarizing yourself with what it will be like to work at sea.
ALL crew members have to be STCW certified, no matter their role so it will also give you the opportunity to meet crew from different departments.
STCW is the abbreviation for Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. The STCW Basic Training needs to be refreshed every five years and is offered in most countries worldwide.
Food Safety and Hygiene Level II Certificate:
Although this course is not a minimum qualification, it might as well be. You will need to hold this certificate to work on any MCA compliant vessel and it is therefore highly recommended.
Find Out More About The Course
Find a Food Safety & Hygiene Level II Training Centre
Find an Online Food Safety & Hygiene Level II Course
Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD)
Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD) is a course that must be undertaken by all seafarers and security personnel who have been assigned designated duties under the Ship's Security Plan. Although it is the Proficiency in security awareness that is the mandatory course, we strongly advise new crew members to complete the PDSD course instead. An increasing number of superyachts are seeing it as a requirement for all of their crew.
Additional / Beneficial Yacht Stew/Steward(ess) Qualifications:
There are additional qualifications and courses that you can do as an aspiring stew in order to better prepare you for the industry and improve your chances of finding that crucial first job.
Introductory Superyacht Stewardess Course:
This yacht stewardess crash course will better prepare you for the industry and teach you some basic skills and principals. It can be grouped with the essential courses and offered as a combined training package. Stewardess courses are useful for people with no transferable skills that are unfamiliar with the industry. Although these courses are helpful and should improve your chances of gaining employment, they are not internationally recognised.
Extensive Steward(ess) Course Including Basic Deck Work:
Working on a boat as a steward(ess) comes with some tasks and challenges that not all entry-level courses have the time to cover. If you are looking for extensive coverage into steward(ess) duties as well as how to thrive on a financial and personal level, while gaining practical exposure to common deck operations often encountered, we encourage a more extensive introductory course.
The G.U.E.S.T (Guidelines for Unified Excellence in Service Training) Steward / Stewardess Training program:
***AIMI (International Association of Maritime Institutions) Recognised***
The G.U.E.S.T program is accredited by the International Association of Maritime Institutions (IAMI). It is the only Internationally Accredited Maritime Hospitality & Service Training & Certification Program available to Crew working in the luxury Superyacht sector.
This program provides the interior crew with a clearly defined training route. It comprises three levels of assessment of practical and relevant modules to be completed at each level.
Find out about the G.U.E.S.T Level 1 Steward / Stewardess Course
Find an AIMI Accredited G.U.E.S.T Training School Near Me
Experienced stewardesses looking to progress their careers to more senior roles are able to continue training with the G.U.E.S.T Program Level 2 and G.U.E.S.T Program Level 3 training courses. More information about the program can be read on the G.U.E.S.T Program overview page.
Power Boat Level II:
Many yachts, especially those less than 50m, may require a stew to drive a tender from time to time, it can, therefore, increase your employability on smaller vessels.
Find a Power Boat II training course
WSET Wine Training
The Wine & Spirit Education Trust provides globally recognised education and qualifications in wines, spirits and sake, for yacht crew who have service-related roles.
Transferable Skills and Training:
Previous jobs or training that you have experienced may be positive to your yachting skill set. Have you worked or training as a waitress/waiter, beautician, hairstylist, makeup artist or masseuse/masseur? Training and skills such as these will compliment your yacht stewardess training and boost your chances of finding a job on a yacht.
Find Stewardess Training Near you:
Find stewardess training courses in the selected countries below. You can refine the location on the results page.
Yacht Stewardess Training in South Africa:
Find training courses in Durban or Cape Town on the links below or view all stewardess training providers in South Africa.
Yacht Stewardess Training in The United States:
Find training courses in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Cape Canaveral & Orlando Florida on the links below or view all stewardess training providers in the United States.
Yacht Stewardess Training in France
Find superyacht stewardess courses in Antibes and Cannes or view all stewardess training providers in France.
Yacht Stewardess Training in the United Kingdom
Find superyacht stewardess courses in Antibes and Cannes or view all stewardess training providers in The United Kingdom