KEY POINTS:
What: Certificate in Super Yacht Crew (level 3)
Where: Mahurangi Technical Institute, Warkworth
Prerequisites: minimum age 17
Course dates: Feb 11, June 3, Sept 15
Cost: 2007 fees $3445
Contacts: website www.mti.net.nz, ph (09) 425 8493, email office@mti.net.nz
Working on super yachts is a great way to see the world and be paid
at the same time. Plus, qualified crew are in demand to work on the growing international fleet of luxury vessels.
Mahurangi Technical Institute delivers the Certificate in Super Yacht Crew. The course makes it easier for somebody to step into the super yacht industry with the confidence and skills to carry out their job.
Hands-on practical experience forms a large part of the 12-week course.
On the five days' sail training, candidates practise day and night sailing, boat driving, man overboard recovery, watch-keeping duties, radar work and righting a life raft.
Technical subjects include the Seafarer's Training Certification and Watchkeeping qualification as well as the Royal Yachting Association Competent Crew, Powerboat and Engine Maintenance certificates. Other modules include fire fighting, helicopter safety, wine appreciation and hospitality.
The hardest part of working in the super yacht industry is getting that initial foot in the door. It helps to have contacts and suitable qualifications.
Course graduates say the best way to find work is to be overseas in the right port at the start of a season.
If you try to find work from NZ you need to be prepared to drop what you're doing and head to the airport as soon as you get the call.
THE GRADUATE
Roddy Mckerchar (26)
Graduated May 2006
Deckhand/fishing guide on motor yacht Ice Bear
I heard through a captain about the Ice Bear position, thought it was a bit of me and sent my CV. Two days later I was flown to Seattle to meet the vessel. That was about five months ago.
Working in the US is tricky as you need to have a B1/B2 visa and can work only on foreign-flagged vessels. Most people favour the Med to join up.
A deckhand's salary ranges between US$2300 ($3088) to US$3500 a month with no living expenses and full medical insurance for a private boat. Most boats also pay for you to do courses that will benefit the running of the vessel.
We spent the northern summer in Alaska. We are now in Seattle for about three months, then we go to Costa Rica for another season; so we're not really based anywhere. The owner is a generous and wealthy businessman from Nebraska who is passionate about fishing. My confidentiality agreement means I'm not able to say more.
Ice Bear is a 170ft Feadship motor yacht with a replacement value of US$60 million. Toys onboard include dive compressors and sports fishing tenders. We have 11 fulltime crew - a mixed bag of nationalities.
My working hours vary: without guests 7am to 4pm, with guests normally 5am to 8pm. Guests are onboard for a week at a time with an average of five to six trips a season. In Alaska we fish for salmon and halibut; in Costa Rica we fish for sailfish, tuna, mahi-mahi and marlin.
The MTI course is an excellent introduction to super yachts. I knew a lot about boating but there were large parts of the training that helped me on the daily routines and life aboard a luxury vessel especially for tasks such as bridge watch, where the likes of navigation and radar training are important.
There were 12 on my course. The best experience would have been the competent crew side of it, where we went sailing for five days.
My goal is to move up the ranks and become first mate. But all I really want do is to see the world with the benefit of being paid at the same time and with the added bonus of seeing it from a billionaire's perspective. I've never had so much fun in a job.
THE EMPLOYER
Geoff Slack-Smith
First Officer, Ice Bear
The courses that Roddy completed in NZ showed us that he is looking at the maritime industry as a long-term career choice. These qualifications display a genuine interest and base to advance from.
Roddy is also an experienced fisherman. As the owner likes to spend the majority of his time on board fishing, Roddy's extensive knowledge in this area has been an advantage.
We cater to high-profile guests so, along with the training required, all the crew on board need to carry themselves in a professional manner.