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

The Chief Officer supports the captain with navigating the yacht charter, the operations on deck, and with decision-making. They are the second in comand. They oversee the deckhands, ensuring all of the maintenance, cleaning, and operational tasks are completed. They are responsible for conducting drills on deck and enforcing safety protocols. They ensure the yachts exterior, tenders, and equipment are all properly maintained.

Second Officer

The Second Officer works closely with the Chief Officer and the Captain, sharing navigational duties, monitoring the weather, and ensuring the safe passage during shifts. They assist the Chief Officer in managing the deck crew, maintenance and general upkeep of the yacht. They update and maintain the navigational charts, logs, and necessary documentation on deck. They help with launching and recovering tenders, jet skis, and other watertoys/recreational equipment for guests.

Purser

The Purser oversees budgets, crew payroll, expense tracking, and onboard financial records. They handle the crew administration, including managing contracts, visas, certifications, and scheduling for crew members. They coordinate the guest & owners travel arrangements, itineraries, and special requests. They manages inventory & provisioning, overseeing ordering, stocking, and record-keeping for food, beverages, and other supplies. They maintains vessel paperwork, legal requirements, and liaises with port authorities.

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)

Steward(ess) provides top-tier service, including dining, bartending, and fulfilling guest requests. They clean and maintain guest cabins, common areas, and the laundry. They set up elegant table arrangements and professionally serve meals and beverages. They ensure proper levels of toiletries, linens, and other interior supplies. They assist with events & theme nights, helping organise and execute special events. Sometimes referred to as the host(ess) on a skippered yacht.

Head Chef

The Head Chef manages the Galley operations, creating menus and planning the meals tailored to the guests preferences and dietary needs. They maintain the cleanliness, organisations, and efficiency in the kitchen. They are in-charge of ordering and managing provisions, sourcing fresh ingredients from local places. They supervise the Sous Chef and the other kitchen staff which varies based on the size of the yacht.

Sous Chef/Crew Chef

The Sous Chef supports the Head Chef in assisting with meal preparation, cooking, and plating. They are the second in charge in the galley operations, and take charge in the Head Chef's absence to ensure seamless meal service. They handle the prep work, side dishes, and assist with the main course execution. They assist the Head Chef in sourcing, organising, and managing the ingredients and stock levels.

Engineer

The Engineer on the yacht ensures the generators, engine, and mechanical systems are functioning properly. They oversee the power management, water systems, and HVAC to maintain onboard comfort. They regularly inspect equipment to prevent breakdowns and ensure safety on board. They keep stock of essential tools, spare parts, and technical supplies.

Bosun/Lead Deckhand

A Bosun manages and supervises the deckhands, ensuring all the exterior tasks are completed. They ensure the yacht's exterior, teak, paintwork, and metalwork are cleaned and maintained. They organise and operate the jet skis, tenders, and other water toys for guest activities. They oversee mooring operations, line handling, and anchor procedures. They train and mentor deck crew, providing guidance on safety procedures, seamanship and professional development.

Deckhand

Deckhands wash, polish, and care for the yacht's decks, metalwork, and paintwork. They assist with docking, line handling, and anchor operations. They help launch, drive, and retrieve tenders, jet skis, watertoys and recreational equipment. They participate in drills, maintaining safety equipment, and ensure a secure environment for all the guests.

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.

Check Yacht Charter FAQ Enquire