What is a Yacht Bosun & What is Their Salary?
- Authors
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- Name
- Patrick Maflin
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The term bosun originally comes from boatswain.
They’re often referred to as the senior deckhand or the leading hand.
The bosun plays an important role on a yacht.
They often serve as a senior deckhand and are responsible for a wide variety of tasks revolving around the numerous deck department’s operations.
Chapters
- What is a Yacht Bosun?
- Key Responsibilities
- Required Skills
- Required Certification
- Yacht Bosun vs First Mate: What’s the Difference?
- How Much Does a Yacht Bosun Make?
- How Can I Become a Yacht Bosun?
- Conclusion
What is a Yacht Bosun?
A yacht bosun is the person responsible for the yacht’s exterior, including the regular maintenance and any necessary repairs that are required from time to time.
As a result, the bosun’s role is to ensure that the yacht is well maintained and safe for navigation.
The yacht bosun will also take care of the coordination of the work of the other deckhands.
So in effect, the bosun holds a position of authority.
The bosun will need to work closely with the first mate, and essentially acts as a link between the captain and the deckhands.
Inevitably, the tasks and responsibilities of the yacht bosun will vary depending on the size of the vessel, and any specific requirements that the first mate or the captain may assign.
Key Responsibilities
The main responsibilities of a yacht bosun include:
Operations
The bosun is essentially the senior deckhand.
As a result they will be responsible for the other deckhands, and will be supervising and overseeing that they are carrying out their respective duties properly and efficiently.
The bosun will assign tasks and offer guidance, so that ultimately the work is completed effectively.
Maintenance
The maintenance of the yacht is of utmost importance and the bosun will be in charge of this.
Regular maintenance and cleaning jobs will be handled by the bosun.
Moreover, if there is the need for any repairs, the bosun will ensure that they are seen to.
These may include painting, varnishing, caulking and fibreglass repairs.
The bosun’s role is thus critical to ensure that the yacht is in perfect condition.
Safety & Security
The bosun also has an important role in making sure that the crew and guests are safe.
They will take care of safety drills, carry out inspections on safety equipment, and ensure that a safe working environment is maintained on deck.
Any safety related tasks, such as implementing security measures, undertaking bridge watches, and monitoring access points, are key tasks that a bosun carries out.
Inventory
The bosun will need to keep track of inventory that is related to the deck department.
This includes any supplies required for the cleaning and maintenance of the yacht, as well as spare parts and tools.
Tenders
Many yachts will have tenders.
These small boats are mostly used for recreational activities.
The bosun will be responsible for these tenders, including their maintenance as well as operating them as necessary.
In fact, the bosun is generally the main tender driver.
They will normally oversee the gangway to ensure that the guests embark and disembark safely.
Guest Services
The yacht bosun will take care of guest services revolving around water sports and tenders.
The bosun will also need to assist guests in various ways during their time on board, including providing any information and other general assistance.
Required Skills
The yacht bosun will need to have certain key skills, including but not limited to:
- Maintenance skills, such as carrying out painting, varnishing, caulking and related jobs
- A good understanding of general deck duties
- Knowledge of water sports
- Tender driving skills
- Basic engineering knowledge
- Experience as a deckhand
- Positive attitude and a willingness to learn
- Good teamwork and delegation skills
- A good work ethic
- A keen eye for detail
- A willingness to work long hours and be flexible
Required Certification
There are no mandatory requirements for certification to become a yacht bosun.
Strictly speaking you do not need to have any official qualifications to apply for such a job.
However, it’s highly recommended that one considers the following to improve their chances of working as a bosun, as well as being well prepared for the responsibilities such a role involves:
- MCA Yacht Rating Certificate
- MCA STCW Basic Safety Certificate
- RYA Power Boat Level 2 or IYT Tender Driving Licence
- RYA Yachtmaster Offshore or IYT Master of Yachts <200gt
- GMDSS VHF/SRC Radio Operations Certificate
Yacht Bosun vs First Mate: What’s the Difference?
The roles of a yacht bosun and the first mate are both important.
While they may seem to be quite similar, in reality there are a number of differences.
The first mate has a higher rank, and they are the second in command to the captain.
While the first mate will be responsible for the deck department and oversee various operations, including crew management, navigation and safety, they will also have to take care of other areas as well.
On the other hand, the bosun will focus on deck related matters only.
They will be working under the guidance of the first mate.
Hence, the first mate will be setting the overall direction, and the bosun will be the main person responsible for executing that plan.
How Much Does a Yacht Bosun Make?
The salary of a yacht bosun will depend on a number of factors.
These include the type and size of yacht, the bosun’s level of experience as well as the geographical location.
A bosun’s salary can be anywhere in the range of £2,500 and £4,000 per month.
Apart from the base salary, the bosun may also receive additional benefits such as performance bonuses, paid vacation and health insurance.
A bosun may also receive a share of gratuities from guests, and hence the overall earnings can be greatly increased.
Furthermore, if you work as a yacht bosun aboard a ship for more than 183 days in any given tax year, you could be eligible for the seafarers earnings deduction.
If so, this means you get to keep every pound or dollar earned, and not pay a single penny in tax!
How Can I Become a Yacht Bosun?
Working aboard a superyacht is hard work and it is not for the faint hearted.
Despite the alluring glamous of sailing the open seas and anchoring in port at exotic locations, the reality is, working aboard a superyacht involves long hours, strenuous work and little time off.
If however you’re keen to get into yachting, the best way is to work your way up the ranks, usually starting as a deckhand aboard a yacht.
Whilsts hands-on experience is a great place to start, getting suitable qualifications and skills such as efficient deck hand certification will always put you at an advantage.
Qualifications such as these are not essential, but they will always give you an advantage when dockwalking and handing out your resumé to protective yacht owners.
Conclusion
A yacht bosun’s role is a diverse and interesting position, and with the potential of tax free earnings, they are reasonably attractive too.
If successful, a bosun could also expect to progress to the role of First or Second Officer over time.
The skills one acquires when working as a bosun also improve one’s employability in the leisure marine sector and in the wider maritime industry.
So for keen sailors, it’s a great way to start a yachting career.
Disclaimer: Any advice in this publication is not intended or written by Marine Accounts to be used by a client or entity for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties that may be imposed on any taxpayer or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party matters herein.
