What does a Deckhand do? (Yacht Crew Roles Explained)
Explore what every yacht crew team member does on board to elevate your holiday and ensure a seamless sailing experience.
Updated April 2, 2025

A crewed yacht charter or a skippered yacht charter is the ultimate luxury getaway, made seamless by the dedicated teamwork ensuring smooth sailing. Much like any workplace, every crew member has a job to do to enhance your experience. The bigger the boat, the more crew necessary!
The yacht crew plays an essential role in maintaining the boat, providing exceptional service, and ensuring the safety and comfort of guests on board. From the captain leading the yacht to the deckhands handling maintenance and the stewards delivering top-tier hospitality, each crew member contributes to your unforgettable sailing experience.
Understanding the unique roles and responsibilities onboard reveals what it takes to create an exceptional vacation and whether you are more suited to a crewed or skippered yacht charter.
In this article we explain the following yacht crew charter roles:
- Captain
- Chief Officer
- Second Officer
- Head Chef
- Sous Chef/Crew Chef
- Purser
- Chief Steward(ess)
- Steward(ess)
- Engineer
- Bosun/Lead Deckhand
- Deckhand
- Additional Services
Yacht Charter Crew Hierarchy

Who's in charge on the Yacht Charter?
Captain
The Captain is the leader and commander of the yacht charter, in charge of managing and directing the crew. They are the highest authority on the charter.
They assist in planning the route for your sailing holiday and make suggestions based on what you enjoy doing on your vacation. The captain monitors the weather conditions and ensures that there is safe passage to the destinations. They enforce safety protocols, maintain the equipment, and adhere to maritime laws and regulations. The Captain communicates with the owners and guests.
Chief Officer
Second Officer
Purser
Chief Steward(ess)
The Chief Steward(ess) oversees a team of Steward(esses) ensuring high standards of service, cleanliness, and guest satisfaction. They ensure there is impeccable service, from dining and drinks to housekeeping and special requests. The Chief Steward(ess) manages stock levels of cleaning supplies, linens, tableware, and guest amenities. They work closely with the galley, deck, and bridge crew.
Steward(ess)
Head Chef
Sous Chef/Crew Chef
Engineer
Bosun/Lead Deckhand
Deckhand
Additional Services
Specialist service workers can be added to yacht ranging from Masseuse's, to Personal Trainers, to Yoga Instructors, Babysitters, DJ’s and many other roles - you can basically add any additional service to a crewed yacht.
Sometimes some of the Crew might be trained in multiple areas and that can be included in the charter already or if not, you can talk to your broker about adding additional services to your charter.
Need some help?
If you are unsure about charter or boat selection, contact us at HELM to help you decide.
We only choose boats that are in excellent condition, and we are here to help you every step of the way and to make sure the whole process is as easy as possible.