Officer Cadet - Superyacht

Become: Officer Cadet - Superyacht

As the Watchkeeping Officer on a super yacht, you get plenty responsibility early on in your career, and so the training has to be world class. Initially tackling the RYA (Royal Yachting Association) Yachtmaster qualification, you then progress onto the MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency Certificate of Competence. This latter qualification sets you on the same professional ladder as those driving oil tankers, container ships and cruise liners and, should you wish, you can at a later stage add to your qualification level in order to work onboard one of these giants of ocean commerce. There is an option to gain a Foundation Degree in the course of your professional studies, which requires either academic qualifications to UCAS entry level or appropriate experience in lieu.
This pathway offers the opportunity to earn while you learn and also, subject to selection, professional training could attract bursary support. See http://uksa.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/UKSA-Guide-to-yachting.pdf

About: Officer Cadet - Superyacht

The Superyacht sector is an international community offering lots of opportunity to take up a stimulating and rewarding career. With an estimated worth of £492m in 2013/14, a Superyacht is a sailing or motor yacht larger than 30 metres long. In big handfuls, there are about 5000 gracing the more desirable locations around the world. Team work and high standards are a must and a wish to give of your best will get you off to a good start. You might expect to earn £18000 having completed training. Whilst salaries do of course vary, larger yachts tend to pay larger salaries reflecting the increased responsibility involved. Captain of a smallish vessel might expect to earn between £50000 and £80000 whilst Captains of the largest superyachts might stand to earn half as much again. That's pretty good, particularly if it is also tax free!