crew for luxury yachts

Yacht Crew Job Board

With Bluewater's expertise in crew training and yacht crew recruitment, finding your ideal yacht crew vacancy is simple. We offer yacht management services to a variety of exclusive superyachts. Our team excels in sourcing top-notch yacht crew positions, spanning from 25-meter private yachts in the Bahamas to 50-metre charter yachts in the Mediterranean to luxurious 100+ metre superyachts navigating the globe extensively.

49 yacht crew jobs available now.

Yacht Crew Training

Alongside sourcing the latest yacht crew jobs worldwide, Bluewater offers a range of specialised yacht crew training courses. Whether you're new to the superyacht industry seeking entry-level qualifications, an experienced deckhand or engineer aiming to advance your career, or a dedicated crew member looking to enhance your resume with certifications like HELM (Human Element Leadership and Management), Yachtmaster, or OOW (Officer of the Watch), explore our comprehensive yacht crew training options.

Working on a Luxury Yacht

Working as a crew member on a superyacht is undeniably one of the most rewarding yet demanding professions, calling for hard work, dedication, and professional training. The opportunities within the yachting industry are vast, and at Bluewater, we are committed to helping every crew member discover their ideal yacht crew position. Our recruitment division focuses on finding the perfect yacht for crew members and provides unparalleled professional support. Our recruitment experts guide crew members through every step of their yachting career journey, ensuring they receive the best possible assistance.

Manage Your Yacht Career

Whether you're seeking a yacht crew position as a deckhand, engineer, onboard masseuse, stewardess, chef, chief stewardess, purser, first officer, or captain, take control of your yacht career. Create a profile and join one of the world's largest yachting communities for free.

49 JOBS FOUND

• Qualifications: STCW, ENG1, Food Hygiene Level 2
• Experience: 3 Years +
• Salary: 4500EUR
• Qualifications: Master 200gt
• Experience: 5 years as Captain/Engineer
• Salary: Attractive salary (doe)
• Rotational 2:2
• Qualifications: STCW, ENG1, FHL2
• Experience: 18 months as chief stew
• Salary: $7000
• Experience: Open
• Salary: DOE
• Experience: 2 Seasons +
• Salary: 2500 euros
• Qualifications: STCW, ENG1
• Experience: 1 Season +
• Salary: 4500€
• Qualifications: Yachtmaster Offshore
• Experience: 2 Years +
• Temporary (5 Days)
• Qualifications: Y2

AHOY! Crew Agency

Ahoy! International is a leading yacht recruitment agency, providing crew for luxury yachts worldwide. 

There are dozens of crew placement agencies around the world so why Ahoy?

At Ahoy Crew, we pride ourselves on being a trusted and reputable agency in the maritime industry.

We see our core strengths in bespoke, tailored approach to recruiting, headhunting and placement on behalf of our clients.

Our extensive database of contacts and industry connections is our competitive advantage allowing us to connect the right person with the right superyacht.

Once Ahoy, always Ahoy!

Our Top Vacancies

Being extremely well integrated into the industry means to receive requests for candidates on a daily basis. Our list of vacancies varies from new builds and refits to vessels with intense cruising and racing schedules as well as to the requests for proper gardienage. Here are just the top three of this week

Tatiana K. Lüders

Managing Director

E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +49 17667267031

Maya Vinograd

E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +34 655 927 783

World-class Crew Services

Northrop & Johnson has been one of the leading players in the yachting industry for the past six decades and has on staff a highly experienced team of professionals to support you.

Luxury Yacht Crew Placement & Management

Our crew services experts specialize in accurately placing crew members on the appropriate yachts and guiding the successful careers of tens of thousands worldwide. Our global presence allows us to deliver quality results in all the main yachting hubs around the world.

Crew Services

Worldwide support.

For yacht crew looking for a new position, or for those who are new to the industry, Northrop & Johnson Crew Services also provides career advice, help with CVs and overall guidance. We look forward to building a professional relationship with all crewmembers throughout a full and successful career. Register or update profile below to get started.

Find Your Perfect Crew

Leaders in quality crew placement.

Northrop & Johnson’s Yacht Crew Services offers a highly personable approach to finding your perfect crew, striving to go above and beyond our competitors to make sure your yacht is in the most capable hands. We work closely with owners, captains, and all hiring personnel to identify your exact needs, then diligently work to ensure the best possible match is found. With one of the most advanced databases in the industry and team of experienced crew placement professionals, we have the resources to properly staff your yacht. Our team handles all of the research, interviews and proper vetting to hand-select your perfect crew. Driven by integrity, expertise and unrivaled attention to detail we will ensure your success.

Crew Positions

Find your ideal job.

Finding a position that suits your strengths and skills is key to ensuring your success as yacht crew. Our hands-on approach focuses on placing you in the ideal role onboard a yacht that will benefit not only you, but the owner, captain, and current crew. Thanks to our vast network of yacht captains and owners around the world, we have our finger on the pulse of the latest yacht crew job openings and availabilities around the world.

Crew Resources

Helpful job search tools.

We recognize the importance of looking after crew. That’s why we have established relationships with the world’s leading crew training schools, accommodation specialists and travel agents. Our N&J Crew team takes their time to develop and maintain genuine, long-standing relationships with future and current crew to continually exceed expectations and guide them along the way. Our experience and highly personalized approach to luxury yacht crew placement are second to none. Take a look at some helpful tools to set you up for success in the yachting industry. Terms & Conditions .

Salary Guidelines (USD)

Salary guidelines (eur).

Meet The Team

Let us help you.

Our N&J Crew team is made up of experienced professionals in recruitment. Not only do we have one of the most extensive databases within the industry, but more importantly, we take our time getting to know our crew which in turn makes the recruitment process an enjoyable experience.

Contact Our Crew Services Team

With offices in all the main yachting hubs, we are available to assist with any crew-related needs. Please get in touch and arrange a meeting with one of our N&J Crew team members today!

Proud to be part of the MarineMax family

© 2024 Northrop & Johnson

Ocean-Crews

• Job Role Duties

Ocean-Crews is a premier recruitment agency specializing in the dynamic world of yacht crew placement. With a rich heritage in the yachting industry and a keen understanding of the unique demands it entails, we are your trusted partner in assembling exceptional crews for luxury yachts worldwide.

Our mission at Ocean-Crews is to connect highly skilled and passionate crew members with yacht owners and operators in need of top-tier talent. Whether you are seeking a seasoned captain, a proficient chef, an attentive stewardess, or any other vital role aboard your yacht, we have an extensive network and a rigorous vetting process to ensure that only the most qualified candidates are presented.

We pride ourselves on our personalized and attentive approach, tailoring our services to meet the specific needs of both our clients and candidates. At Ocean-Crews, we understand that each yacht is unique, and so are the individuals who make up its crew. That’s why we go the extra nautical mile to match the perfect candidates with the right vessels, creating harmonious and successful partnerships that endure.

Whether you’re a yacht owner in search of exceptional crew members or a dedicated professional looking for your next exciting adventure at sea, Ocean-Crews is your compass to success in the yachting world. Join us on this voyage, and let us help you navigate the waters of opportunity.

To embark on your journey with Ocean-Crews and unlock a world of yachting opportunities, simply reach out to us by sending an email to Samantha at [email protected] . To ensure we can match you with the ideal yacht job, please attach your CV or provide comprehensive details about your qualifications, experience, and the specific yacht job you are seeking. Samantha and our dedicated team of yachting experts will swiftly guide you through the registration process, helping you set sail toward your next adventure on the open seas. If you would like to register to browse and apply for jobs on this website then register

Meet Samantha

At the age of 17, Samantha embarked on her journey in the yachting industry, amassing over a decade of invaluable experience both at sea and on land. With determination and dedication, she ascended to the role of Chief Stewardess, leaving her mark in both the Caribbean and Mediterranean regions. Her time in Dubai saw her excel as a Charter Broker and Crew Trainer, where she consistently aided crew members in discovering their ideal positions aboard yachts.

Today, Samantha is at the helm of Ocean-Crews, where her deep insights into the unique needs of both crew members and employers seeking exceptional crew members shine through.

Testimonials

List item 5

I had the pleasure of working with Sam during her time at sea and also now as a crew agent and I can attest to her exceptional skills, dedication, and effectiveness in the field of recruitment.

It was an absolute pleasure dealing with Sam , very attentive, understood our crew needs and connected us with high quality candidates. Highly recommend her to fellow Captains. Certainly made the hiring process a pleasure. Captain Matthew Mackay MV Shadow

Matthew Mackay

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Yacht Crew Agency

Morgan & Mallet Yacht Crew Agency

The leading international yacht crew recruitment & placement agency.

Morgan & Mallet Yacht Crew Agency is a bespoke yachting recruitment and placement agency for luxury yachts and sailing boats. We select qualified and experienced yacht crew for the well-being and comfort of our clients on board.

At Morgan & Mallet Yacht Crew Agency, an active participant in placement of crews for yachting on the international stage, we endeavour to establish really trust-based relations both with our customers and our candidates.

All our recruiters have in-depth knowledge of the yachting industry and are experts in recruitment for Superyachts.

Apart from our primary role, of the recruiter, we also can provide advice to candidates on the matters of education and professional qualification to give guidance about a professional career in yachting and working on a luxury yacht with good conditions.

The mission of Morgan & Mallet Yacht Crew Agency also includes maintenance of permanent compliance with MLC 2006 (Maritime labour convention), to guarantee efficient placement in conformity with the law.

Our yachting recruitment agencies are represented in Paris, Valbonne/Antibes, France, French Riviera and Monaco, in London, United Kingdom, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in Rolle/Geneva, Switzerland, in New-York, Los Angeles, United-States and work throughout the entire world.

We support our clients and advise them on the matters of recruitment and placement of their deck personnel and crew for seasonal work or permanent positions on Yachts, Superyachts, Megayachts and Luxury Sailboats.

Our Yacht crew recruitment consultants speak French, English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and Ukrainian. Our team is at your service and is ready to answer your questions from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Our specialist recruitment areas

Galley yacht crew positions

Engineering yacht crew positions

Deck yacht crew positions

Interior yacht crew positions

Other yacht crew positions

The best international yacht crew agency.

Morgan & Mallet Yacht Crew Agency stands out as the best yacht staffing agency in the business for a range of key reasons. Our unrivalled expertise and commitment to providing top quality services has earned us a reputation as a leader in the yachting industry.

Firstly, at Morgan & Mallet Yacht Crew Agency, we have a team of highly experienced recruiters who have a thorough understanding of the yachting industry. This expertise ensures that we can accurately deliver the best recruitment service for your yacht crew, enhancing the overall experience for both our candidates and our yacht owner clients.

Our global presence is another significant advantage. With offices in major international destinations such as Paris, New York, London, Dubai, Geneva and Monaco. We offer an extensive network that enables us to receive clients and candidates from all over the world. This international reach not only broadens our talent pool, but also ensures that our clients receive the best possible service. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of compliance and ethics. We strictly follow the Maritime Labor Convention, ensuring that all placements are made in full respect of international labor laws. This commitment to legal and ethical standards ensures that crew members and yacht owners can trust our agency to manage their needs in a professional and responsible manner.

Our personalized approach sets us apart from other yacht staffing agencies. We take the time to build relationships based on trust with our clients and candidates, ensuring a perfect fit for every placement. This custom-made service means that the unique needs of each yacht are met with precision, resulting in a seamless working environment and a superior level of service on board. In addition, we offer comprehensive support services that go beyond simple recruitment.

We also provide advice on education and professional qualifications, guiding candidates through their career development in the yachting industry. This integral approach not only helps candidates achieve their career goals, but also ensures that yacht owners receive highly skilled and motivated crew members. This makes us the best choice for anyone looking for yacht crew solutions.

Find the Right Yacht Crew with Morgan & Mallet Yachting Crew Placement

Our yacht crew recruitment agencies, more than 50 different recruitment position in the yachting sector.

Exclusivity : In a world teeming with generalists, we pride ourselves on being the true specialists in luxury hospitality recruitment. Morgan & Mallet’s network ranges from luxury hospitality to yachting and household staff.

Global network : Our strong network of agencies and local recruiters ensures that we source talent from every corner of the globe, bringing diverse expertise and fresh perspectives to our clientele.

Confidentiality : We uphold the highest standards of discretion, ensuring that every interaction remains confidential.

Personalized approach : We believe that every client and candidate is unique. Our bespoke recruitment solutions ensure that individual needs are always prioritized.

Morgan Richez and Laurine Mallet  : Founders

The leading recruitment agency for sailing boat and catamaran. Our recruiters place crew all aroundthe world

Recruitment for yachts and luxury sailboats, a professional and specialist team at your service for your yacht, mega yacht, super yacht & sailing boat, placement & recruitment of board personnel for yachts.

We recruit and hire a wide choice of yacht crew member such as :  superyacht captain ,  c aptain,  junior captain ,   1st Officer/chief mate ,  Watch officer ,  bosun/bosco ,  skipper ,  deckhand ,  unlimited chief engineer ,  Y1 chief engineer ,  Y2 chief engineer ,  Y3 chief engineer , Y4 chief engineer ,  2nd unlimited engineer ,  2nd 3000 gt / 6000 w engineer,   2nd 3000 gt / 3000 kw engineer,   2nd 500 gt / 3000 kw engineer,   oow (Meol) engineer,  oow (aec) engineer ,   electronics engineer ,  junior engineer ,  purser ,  chief steward(ess) ,   steward(ess) ,  solo steward(ess) ,  yacht housekeeper ,  laundress ,  2nd stewards(ess) ,  junior steward(ess) ,  yacht butler ,  yacht couple ,  executive chef ,  chef ,  sous chef , dishwasher ,  yacht project manager ,  helicopter pilot ,  interior designer/architect ,  nanny ,  personal coach ,  bodyguard ,  beauty   and   massage specialist ,  and many others.

A modern and bespoke approach of recruitment for the yachting industry

Find our agencies everywhere in the world

Our reach is truly global with 7 agencies across the entire world in New-York, Paris, London, French Riviera, Rolle or even Dubai there is always an agency ready to answer to your every need in recruitment. Don’t hesitate anymore and explore the map to the right and find the best agency to start your recruitment.

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How to hire the perfect superyacht crew

Related articles.

Fed up with a revolving door of crew? BOAT shares the industry secrets for finding the right people for the right job...

"Think of how much effort you put into hiring a CEO to run your company. You’d do a pretty good job of finding out who the right person was, right?” asks Jenny Matthews, founder of yachting diversity taskforce She of the Sea, and holder of a Chief Mate 3000GT licence. “Hiring someone to look after your multi-million-pound yacht is the same – but for some reason, people don’t think about it in the same way.”

Whether that’s true or not, it’s certainly the case that many owners have their frustrations when it comes to staff. From all across the industry, there have been tales of questionable stewardess skills, overbearing captains, love triangles on board... the list goes on.

Fortunately, stories like this are the exception, rather than the rule. Many owners, in fact, find that their enthusiastic, hard-working and good-humoured crew makes a large part of their yachting experience. But of course, there is always the odd disappointment – a new recruit that mysteriously doesn’t seem to gel with the rest of the team or those who stay for just a season before moving on.

A well-balanced, happy crew on board, meanwhile, sets the tone for the whole yacht, and it pays to get it right financially, too. Aside from the comfort that comes with being around those who know you well, “about a third of the running cost of owning a yacht every year is avoidable damage”, states Matthews, so trusting your expensive pride and joy to those who know what they are doing can cut down on maintenance costs significantly.

The peace of mind from having a competent, slick crew shouldn’t be ignored, either. “All you have to do is read the accident reports and you’ll find that people drown, they get concussed, boats burn down,” notes Matthews. “Behind this glossy veneer, a yacht is an extremely hazardous environment.” Add to this the fact that each time you replace a crew member on board, you’ll spend around £4,000 on new uniforms, crew agency fees, training and more, and you will start to see why investing a little time and energy into getting it right the first time makes a lot of sense.

So without further ado then, here’s our 101 guide to hiring the right crew...

Should owners hire their own crew?

It’s fairly rare for owners to get directly involved in the recruitment process, with good reason. Roles on board are often highly specialised and need someone who knows the job intimately to act as a recruiter. If you’re a captain-turned-owner or have run your own vessel previously, you might want to try going it alone, but a better bet is to take a double-pronged approach using your captain and a large and well-established recruitment agency.

That doesn’t mean you can’t have a say throughout the process. “Think about what kind of experience you want on board,” advises Matthews. “Do you want family-style dining or silver service? Are you going to be at beach clubs 90 per cent of the time or going exploring? You need to really define what you want because that feeling when you’re on board is going to be incredibly important.”

If you’ve got a captain that’s been with you for some time, “they’re going to know you intimately – probably better than you think they do,” says Matthews, so take their guidance seriously.

How do I choose a crew agency?

Choosing the right crew agency is half the battle won, and you only have to look at the recent red tape brought about by the global Covid-19 pandemic to see how using one can pay off. “Last year, recruitment was impossible,” says Lucy Medd, fleet crew manager and partner at Burgess, who has worked in the field for more than 30 years. “Getting crew from A to B involved a huge amount of work for many people, involving travel agents, embassies…” The issues remain in play today, with many Australian and New Zealander crew members returning home and choosing to stay there, leaving a gap in the yachting workforce that no other nationality has moved in to fill. Others who were laid off last year when owners scaled back to a skeleton crew have “found new jobs onshore and haven’t returned”, says Medd, so it’s certainly a challenging landscape in which to find good people.

With so many agencies around, it can be tempting to send the same job out to 20 or more companies, in the belief that the more feelers you have out there, the better chance you have of finding true talent. It’s a mistake, says Matthews. “When you do that the quality is going to go right down. People are just going to start firing CVs at you because they know 20 other agents are going for that one commission.” Daniel Küpfer, operations director at Ocean Independence and a former captain, agrees. “It’s turned into a first-come, first-served industry, where it’s obviously imperative to defeat the competition,” he says about the speed in which some agencies send through candidates. “It’s not a good development.”

One-person operations or newer agencies, which can be competitive in offering lower fees, can also seem like a preferable option, but in most cases, a long-standing organisation with multiple offices around the world is the better bet. Often, they’ll have staff who’ll have worked in the industry over decades, and a big black book of contacts that means they’re able to dig deep when it comes to checking out references.

“If they are the dedicated crewing division of an established brokerage or yacht management company, this should guarantee a level of professionalism,” advises Louise Caïlbourdin of The Crew Network in Antibes, which has three global office managers with more than 60 years of maritime experience between them. “For a further guarantee, check that a crewing agency follows maritime industry standards, that it is currently MLC 2006-compliant and has been externally audited by a serious entity such as DNV-GL.”

“My top three are Quay Crew in Antibes and Poole, YPI, and Erica Lay from El Crew Co,” advises Matthews. “These guys value competency over any other factors, and they’re the straight shooters.”

Job postings often receive thousands of applications, and they can’t all be taken at face value. “Do people lie on their CVs? Absolutely!” she laughs. “I once interviewed someone who claimed to have worked with a former colleague of mine. I said I’d get in touch with them and the interviewee looked panicked and suddenly said ‘Oh you can’t… he’s dead!’ Of course, I knew perfectly well that wasn’t the case.”

How else can I find good crew?

You shouldn’t be sceptical of dockwalkers, especially if they’re very young “green” crew. “We’re finding many green crew are getting their first jobs this way,” says Caïlbourdin, and Matthews agrees. “I think people will keep doing it until it becomes illegal; it’s a great opportunity,” she says. “What has changed is that 25 years or so ago, it was basically just backpackers turning up to get some more money. Now people are well dressed and ready to hit the ground running.”

Social media too might be a mixed blessing in terms of the volume of applications, but crew know that “they can get a job through a social media network, through someone else working on that boat, before the job even gets advertised on the market”, says Küpfer. And as for LinkedIn and other platforms? “Why not?” he asks. “It’s quantity but that doesn’t mean it’s not quality.  We also use a platform called Yotspot, which you shouldn’t ignore. Captains and crew members have direct access [to it], it’s easy to upload a vacancy and the fees are reasonable.”

What are some red flags when hiring crew?

While agencies should take on the initial admin of filtering through applications, checking references and running background checks on experience and qualifications, it’s not unreasonable for owners to want to get involved around the final interview stage. Aside from the obvious – turning up late, being sloppily dressed, rude or ill-prepared – there are plenty of potential warning signs when it comes to meeting candidates.

“If I ever interview a captain and he says he’s never had any crew issues, that’s absolutely not true,” says Medd. Bad-mouthing former superiors, yachts or owners is something that Caïlbourdin watches out for, while you should be wary of applicants that seem up for anything. “At the end of the interview, if someone says please put me forward if you have any other positions, that’s not really a good sign,” notes Esther Delamare, senior recruitment manager at Hill Robinson.

It can be hard to filter out candidates at entry-level with little experience, something that Matthews does via simple knowledge tests. “I ask them, ‘Can you do me a bowline?’ Or, ‘What are the ingredients for an old-fashioned?’” she says. “If they haven’t worked on yachts before I’d look at if they’ve had waiting jobs, shop jobs, jobs in pubs… things that are hard work where you’re on your feet all day,” adds Medd.

Basic levels of training might seem unimportant, but it’s useful to differentiate between those who have been inspired by Instagram and reality-TV shows like Below Deck, and those who are serious about a career – not least because these certificates show a significant financial commitment on their part.

Moving from yacht to yacht is more common today than 10 years ago, when a minimum three-year stint was normal, so multiple boats on a CV isn’t necessarily a bad sign. “I see CVs and I’m shocked – it’s very different to when I was working on yachts. But it’s just the way it is,” says Küpfer.

“The thoughts on longevity have changed a lot; people leave boats for very different reasons,” agrees Matthews. “Now a red flag is more likely to be someone who has stayed on a yacht for a number of years at the same level. If I see someone who’s been an entry-level deckhand for six years, I want to know why they haven’t progressed.”

A cursory look at any applicant’s social media accounts is also a wise check, and can help gauge maturity and whether they’re likely to be a good fit for the rest of the boat. Should owners these days accept that their crew are likely to post on social media about the yacht and the destinations that you travel to? “No – owner’s boat, owner’s rules,” says Matthews.

How long does it take to hire a crew?

It’s possible to put together a whole yacht crew from scratch in a very short amount of time, but it’s far from ideal. You might be lucky and find good people who have left yachts that have been sold, or the stars might align and their contracts happen to be coming to an end as the seasons change, but in general “very high-level crew often have very good jobs with proper notice periods in place”, says Matthews. “If you want to essentially poach them, you should be wary about the ethics of asking them to leave a post before they can – when I’ve been in that position, it’s made me uncomfortable; it’s not the best start to a new role.”

On the flipside, good crew know their worth, and aren’t likely to be on the market for long. “If you see someone who fits the culture, has the right qualifications and gave a good interview, make them an offer and make it good,” says Matthews. “They’re not going to be hanging around.”

Which crew members are hardest to hire?

“Really good chefs are always hard to come by,” says Medd. “They’re quite flighty by nature.” On charters, certainly, chefs can get a rough ride,  and of course whether a chef is good or not can often come down to your own personal taste.

Engineers, too, are in short supply, but as a general rule of thumb they move around far less. “Engineers never leave – once they fall in love with a boat that’s it and they’re there forever,” laughs Medd. Female engineers and captains are also rarer, while the number of experienced female interior crew out there means that candidates can afford to be picky about the jobs they take. “Often it’s a case of, do they [crew] really want the job?” says Delamare, rather than the other way round.

Interior staff in particular often work for no more than a few years in the industry, but if you’re keen on a really long-term crew, looking at those who’ve previously worked on commercial boats can be productive. “Especially engineers or people who’ve worked in oil and gas – there are  a lot of them coming into the industry,” says Delamare, “and unlike green 19-year-olds, they’ve got plenty of experience.”

When it comes to finding a charter captain, “charisma and a repeat client base” is the secret ingredient, according to Caïlbourdin.

How can I keep crew happy?

In a nutshell: pay them fairly, treat them with respect and offer them competitive leave and time off for training. In general, owners tend to place more emphasis on salary than perhaps they should. Of course, “money is still right up there”, says Medd, and “if someone’s been on your boat for three years and they’ve not got a pay rise, they’re going to be looking around”, observes Matthews. Experienced, motivated staff, however, are more likely to be impressed by a calm, supportive working environment and the opportunity to move up the career ladder than an extra £1,000. “Very high salaries can actually be counterproductive,” says Küpfer. “We had a boat recently where people were overpaid and it meant they were staying put on a yacht that they didn’t like, rather than moving on. It wasn’t the best atmosphere.”

Allowing staff a healthy amount of shore leave prevents burnout. “There’s only so much time people can spend on board before they actually have to leave,” notes Matthews, while time off for training is all too often neglected. “Every single good crew member I know has had to leave a vessel because they weren’t even allowed a week off to do a course to further their career.”

This is why, when hiring department heads, someone who can act as a mentor and encourage crew development is key – if talent don’t feel supported and can’t rise up through the ranks, they’ll often leave to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

Should I psychometrically test my crew?

It might sound sinister, but psychometric testing is becoming more and more common, “especially on the larger boats”, reveals Matthews. Many who’ve engaged with it seem to find it yields erratic results. “I tested one captain once, and I said, ‘I’m never doing this again,’” says Medd. “The results were absolutely crazy. I think there’s got to be a lot more input to get the right output.” Nevertheless, it’s likely something that will be relied on more heavily in years to come, as tests become more sophisticated.

What if a member of crew just isn’t working out?

Sometimes, no matter how much effort you put into finding the right person, things still don’t seem to click. “It’s very easy to just hoof someone off,” says Medd, “but you need to find out what the problems are and if you can train people up or improve the situation somehow.” On larger boats, even good captains and managers can be far removed from problems happening further down the chain. Replacing crew members is costly, and can often be avoided with the right approach. Nevertheless, sometimes things don’t work out for reasons beyond your control, “in which case, both parties just have to walk away”, says Medd.

“The crew atmosphere is contagious and bringing happy, fulfilled and passionate energy to everything from cocktail parties to beach barbecues is a surefire way to ensure that owners can experience their vessel at its full potential,” says Matthews. “At the end of the day, it’s people that can make or break the experience.”

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9 superyacht crew members share what it's really like working for a billionaire on board

• Superyachts are luxurious, but working on them isn't.
• Insider polled superyacht crew members to find out what it's really like working for a billionaire on board.
• They said their days are spent fulfilling requests and keeping the yacht in top shape — but it really all depends on the superyacht owner.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories .

While working on a superyacht sounds glamorous, in reality it can be anything but.

Insider polled superyacht crew members to get an inside look at life on board. When asked what working for a millionaire or billionaire is really like, they agreed on a few things, like long hours.

Many superyacht  crew members wake up before dawn to start their day, which typically involves a lot of cleaning and catering to the requests of owners and guests.

Read more: The super rich are hoarding cash — instead bartering yachts, $30 million mansions, and caviar to ride out the pandemic

But while some superyacht owners are demanding, others are less so — it really all depends on their personality. Some crew members said that owners and guests are more like regular people than you'd expect.

Here's what life on board looks like, according to nine superyacht crew members.

Note: Insider was able to verify each crew member's identity, but we refrained from publishing their full names to protect their privacy.

Working on a yacht can be lucrative.

Insider previously reported that deckhands earn an average of $3,083 to $3,574 a month, depending on the boat size. Captains reportedly get paid even more — they earn $7,750 to $19,961 a month on average.

Kate Lardy of the Sun Sentinel reported that a captain in Fort Lauderdale once spent a total of $14,255 on day workers, who are hired temporarily for onboard services, during a two-month period.

But it's also tiring and demanding.

One captain who works on a 120-foot boat alluded to tiring conditions. Working for a billionaire is "demanding," he said, with hours that begin very early — before 6 a.m. — and end very late.

Yacht crew members have to meet high expectations.

One electronic technical officer who works on a 223-foot yacht stressed the pressure of delivering top-notch service while remaining level-headed.

Working on a yacht involves "very, very long days with little rest and expectations to perform at the highest levels of service while not losing your cool under pressure," he said.

They have to work hard to keep yachts spotless.

Guests and owners can be messy and dirty — and it's up to the crew to make sure it doesn't look that way. A mate on a 92-foot yacht said he had to wake up before guests or other crew members to get the yacht's exterior ready for the day.

"They expect it to look like no one has touched it," he said. "So any rain or dew, water spots, bird crap, or salt spray has to be continuously cleaned, not to mention having to constantly wipe stainless [steel] and glass when guests move around the boat. They leave smudges and fingerprints everywhere.

"By the time I start at the top of the boat and move around drying the boat, washing windows, and prepping water toys, depending on where the guests are, it's time to clean behind them."

He said he then has to be available for whatever the day brings, whether guests want to take the tender out or play with water toys, the interior crew needs help with service, or any maintenance issues need to be addressed.

There's a lot of cleaning, smiling, and snacking.

Nic, a chief stewardess, shared her typical daily itinerary, which extends from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., with a one-hour break for a power nap.

There's constant snacking, as she doesn't always have time to sit and eat, she said. She's also "always thinking and planning ahead for the next meal or excursion," like what guests "need to take with them and what they need upon return," she said.

"Always thinking of ways to make the day special and 'perfect' (as much as possible)," she said.

She added: "Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning, and lots of smiling. Behind the scenes, a lot of running around and working at high speed, throwing stuff into drawers and sorting it out later when you have time, laughing, and keeping crew spirits high. Never-ending laundry."

Work is easier when the owners are away, which is often.

Billionaire owners actually don't spend a lot of time on their multimillion-dollar yachts. Neither do the guests who charter them.

"Owners or guests are typically not on the boat all that much, so most of the time the crew has the boat to themselves," said Michael, a former yacht captain who worked on yachts ranging from 130 to 170 feet.

"Work is pretty easy and consists of general maintenance and keeping the boat in perfect/ready state for when the owner does show up. If you have a good crew it can be very enjoyable. If you do not, it can be very stressful and miserable."

Everything depends on the owner's personality.

Some crew members get lucky working for generous yacht owners, while others get treated like the help.

"It's hard work and long days when they are on board," said Martin, the captain of a 155-foot yacht. "It really depends on the owner. Some have treated me like family, and some have treated me like a servant."

But sometimes it's not the owner who's difficult.

A chef on a 150-foot motor yacht also said that working for a billionaire could be unpredictable, as every boat and owner is different.

But it's not the owner of the yacht who's always difficult to work for.

"Bear in mind that the captain is every bit as much your boss as the owner is, and sometimes the captain is a bigger pain in the ass than the billionaire owner," she said.

Yacht owners are just your everyday people on vacation — with more money.

According to Mark, the captain of a 114-foot yacht, billionaire owners are just like normal vacationers. Kind of.

"They're just people holidaying, but with more money and toys to fill their days," he said.

They can be more down-to-earth than expected, but their spontaneity can be frustrating.

"It's really nice to find out that some of the wealthiest people you'll work for are actually more down-to-earth and normal like any person you'd meet on the street," a stewardess on a 112-foot sailing yacht said. "The saying is 'money screams, wealth whispers.'"

She added: "A typical day involves turning heads, beds, and laundry for guests and crew, which can be a lot if you're a department of one. Food and beverage service three times a day. A lot of plans and schedules change on the fly depending on the owners and their wants and whims, which can be a bit frustrating."

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We are seeking an experienced Chief Engineer to join a private 40m Motor Yacht.

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The ideal candidate would have at least 1 years+ of experience on similar size vessel and experienced and a good understanding of how to sail. Full time Deckhand off charter and 60/40 Stew on Charter. Candidates with a B1B2 visa and located in the Med would be highly desirable.

This position is open to female candidates only due to cabin arrangements. Start date: 1 Oct 2024 Salary: DOE Leave: 38 days

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head of service, as always, the bespoke team was an absolute pleasure to work with. only sending forward candidates that match your criteria makes the hiring process fast and smooth. thank you again for finding us a great candidate who is the ideal fit for our team and owner. bespoke is, for sure, the only agent i would use for any future hiring., emma cottrell – chief stewardess., when you work with bespoke crew, you get the same high standards associated with yachting. their industry knowledge, attention to detail for each of their candidate profiles, and their drive to find the best is what yachts need in a recruitment agency., nick calligeros - chief officer, i have worked with bespoke crew for a few years now, from her helping me find positions to helping me fill them. the agents take time to really understand our needs and only send the best candidates forward. they send detailed profiles from their conversations with the crew, which really helps us to get an understanding of the candidate beforehand. they are not a typical agency who puts crew forward and forgets, they still keep in contact and follow up to check both parties are happy with the overall performance and if we have any concerns. fantastic service all around; i would highly recommend using the bespoke crew. thank you for everything, danielle hemming - chief stewardess, bespoke crew's team exhibited an impressive understanding of the yachting industry and a genuine dedication to finding the perfect match for candidates and employers. their attention to detail, personalized approach, and unwavering support throughout the recruitment process were nothing short of outstanding. bespoke crew yachting recruitment is for anyone seeking a professional, reliable, and personalized recruitment experience within the yachting industry., benjamin le marechal - head chef, the team at bespoke has always gone above and beyond to ensure each candidate presented to us not only fills the position but also aligns with our yacht's specific culture and ethos. they constantly demonstrate their passion for the industry and extensive knowledge of their own experiences, and i am always impressed with their unique, professional, yet personalized approach., georgia barber - chief stewardess, i first spoke to jacob from bespoke crew in my first few weeks of dock walking near antibes. the first call was extremely helpful; and he took an interest in my own background, qualifications, and experience. we then discussed the position i applied for in great detail. i am now secure in that role we discussed and after five months in i couldn't be happier with the yacht i am on, and the crew i am with., james lashmar - pt/ deckhand, it has been a great experience dealing with bespoke. excellent communication and a fast turnaround from the initial discussion to being placed on the yacht i am on now., euan ratley - deckhand, it was great dealing with jacob, one of the better agencies out there, tom riley - avit, claire provided such amazing support when looking for a new role. she really took the time to listen to both my previous experience and what i was looking for in the future to find the ideal position. claire’s help enabled me to make the transition from lead service to chief stewardess. i’d absolutely recommend bespoke crew to anyone in the industry., bonnie mitchell – chief stewardess, after working closely with bespoke crew over the past 3 seasons for permanent and temporary crew placement, they have become our go-to agent for crew. we have been highly satisfied with bespoke’s high caliber of service, which has been very professional yet personable. we have found they genuinely listen to and understand the requirements expressed for the crew sought and deliver only highly suitable candidates that meet the specific experience level, necessary skillset, and personal demeanor desired., brianna stenhouse - chief stewardess, i had a fantastic experience working with frankie. she found my cv, reached out to me, and i was successful in landing the first role she presented me with, which she ensured met my needs. she is communicative, friendly, and professional; most importantly, in a recruiter-candidate relationship, she comes across as very honest. when i am ready for my next opportunity, and if i take on any recruitment on board, i know who to call. i look forward to working with frankie again., helena sanguinetti - purser, i had a great experience with claire from bespoke crew she’s super helpful, always checks-in, and answers all of my questions. she helped me land my new role on an amazing yacht with great opportunities. i’m so happy for all of the support, i would love to work together with her again in the future would really recommend bespoke crew., linn sundqvist - stewardess, i had the luck to have claire contact me from bespoke crew recruitment. as a greenie, i heard it would be hard starting in the industry, and only on my second day of searching for a job, claire told me about me three amazing options. one of the yachts got in contact with me, and the next day and everything fell into place. she takes time to get to know you and find the job that would make you happy on all terms. thank you, claire, for sticking by me the trust i have in you is immense., zoé meeuwens - 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chief stewardess, i wouldn’t work with any other crew agent. the team at bespoke crew listens to exactly what we require in a candidate and delivers solid, carefully selected, and well-vetted crew. the team has placed multiple candidates across the interior, deck, engineering, and galley. their excellent communication and high level of professionalism, it makes them a joy to work with., savannah squire - chief stewardess, i was first introduced to bespoke crew when i was personally called for a reference check. as we know, the industry is small, and we are all somehow connected by social interaction. checking references, especially verbal references, is of utmost importance when trying to find that “perfect fit” for your yacht. i immediately knew that the friendly, trusted voice on the end was doing their job diligently, trying to find that ‘perfect fit’ for another captain, and i respected that. we have worked closely with bespoke crew for nearly three years and have only positive feedback to contribute to their professional service. most, if not all, the crew has served on a longevity basis, all of whom fit in very well with our crew dynamic. i can highly recommend bespoke crew for your crew placement needs., aldon beukman - captain, bespoke has hands down become my number 1 crew agency. the agents i have worked with have all been extremely responsive and friendly and have made a real effort to build a relationship with you. they truly understand what you are looking for and never try to 'throw anything out there.' with my crazy schedule, they are good about chasing me up when need be and never letting anything fall by the wayside. there is always open, honest transparency, and i appreciate that so much. it is a big relief that there is such a consistent, all-star crew agency out there, brielle crumpler - chief stewardess, it’s been a pleasure dealing with the bespoke crew team ….thank you for discovering the right individuals for our program. we greatly appreciate the care is taken when introducing quality candidates to us and the effort to ensure a good long-term fit., len beck - captain, bespoke crew and their team have been a great help in finding the right people for our island. even though land-based and a very remote location, frankie was able to forward excellent candidates competent for the roles. bespoke crew is very responsive, responsible, and highly reliable. they stand behind their candidates 100%. excellent background checks and written and verbal references were provided. a great database of staff. highly recommended, ana white - general manager - private island in the caribbean, we are the managers in charge of a 25m sailing yacht and used bespoke crew to employ a new captain. frankie at bespoke crew was excellent. she acted quickly, provided regular updates, and produced an excellent list of highly qualified candidates. we placed the captain and would highly recommend her and bespoke crew., tom benson - director - seymour yachts, i am very impressed with how quickly i was put in touch with a highly suitable candidate through bespoke crew. the whole process was professional, extremely quick and efficient. i look forward to using bespoke crew in the future., doug pender - captain, the best crew agency i’ve been in contact with. i can’t thank frankie enough for landing me such an unreal job, james gordon - deckhand, professional and timely crew services delivered with a smile. thank you bespoke crew for helping me find the right job., heinz schneider-waterberg - bosun, claire from bespoke crew was amazing every step of the way when placing me on my next yacht. attentive, empathetic, and supportive, i couldn't have asked for anyone better. she went the extra mile in calling me out of her work hours to check-in too i can't recommend her enough. thank you so much claire, harriet simmonds - 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How safe are luxury yachts? What to know after Mike Lynch yacht disaster left 7 dead

The Bayesian was a world-class yacht.

The 19th largest yacht designed by luxury Italian manufacturer Perini , it boasted a sleek interior design by French designer Remi Tessier, a double engine, and one of the tallest aluminum masts in the world. It won multiple awards, including for "best sailing yacht" the year after its release.

But, almost two weeks ago on Aug. 19, the luxurious vessel sank to the bottom of the ocean off the coast of Sicily in an internationally-followed disaster, dumping 22 people aboard into the water and leaving seven dead , including British tech magnate Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah .

"The impossible happened on that boat," Giovanni Costantino, the yacht manufacturer's CEO, told Reuters.

In the wake of the disaster, an ongoing investigation into possible criminal errors committed by the Bayesian's crew and lingering questions surrounding its design underscore the need for proper yacht safety measures and practical ship designs, according to experts.

Italian prosecutors from a nearby town have now widened their investigation into possible criminal actions by the ship's captain in the lead-up to the shipwreck to include two additional crew members, a judicial source told Reuters on Wednesday.

Tim Parker Eaton and Matthew Griffith are now under investigation for manslaughter and shipwreck, days after news broke that investigators are probing whether Captain James Cutfield committed the same crimes.

Authorities are looking into whether Parker Eaton, a ship engineer, failed to protect the ship's engine room and operating systems. Griffith, a sailor on the ship, was on watch duty on the morning the ship sank.

Cutfield "exercised his right to remain silent" when investigators interrogated him on Tuesday, Giovanni Rizzuti, his lawyer, told Reuters.

"First, he's very worn out," Rizzuti said. "Second, we were appointed only on Monday, and for a thorough and correct defense case, we need to acquire a set of data that at the moment we don't have."

Rizzuti did not immediately respond to a request for comment emailed to him by USA TODAY.

Rescuers found the bodies of Chris Morvillo, an American citizen and lawyer for Clifford Chance, his wife, Neda Morvillo, Jonathan Bloomer, a non-executive chair of Morgan Stanley International, and his wife, Judy Bloomer, inside the ship two days after the wreck. Recaldo Thomas, the ship's cook who also went by Ricardo, was the first person pronounced dead in the disaster – his body was recovered on the day of the sinking.

Captains must follow safety procedures before storms

Costantino chalked up the boat's fate to a "series of indescribable, unreasonable errors" committed by the crew. The ship's crew made an "incredible mistake" in not preparing adequately for the storm, he said.

Costantino said the crew should have summoned passengers from their rooms earlier, as the storm picked up. The keel, a heavy weight under the ship to counterbalance the ship's large mast, should have been lowered, and portholes should have been closed – both factors that could influence whether the captain is found culpable, according to experts .

Captains should always check weather forecasts and look into local weather patterns, Mitchell Stoller, a maritime expert witness and captain, told USA TODAY . When in stormy weather, captains should also weigh anchor, so that a ship can float over unstable waters, he added.

"The general standard of care in this situation is to monitor the weather, exercise caution, have a night watch, have the engine going, ready to maneuver," he said.

More: Even heroes need a vacation: What to expect from the Disney Destiny cruise ship

Wealthy clients push for impractical designs, expert says

Costantino said the ship's design and construction was error-free. But one yacht design expert disagrees.

"There's so many other factors, and this huge, complex boat is part of it," said Tad Roberts, a British Columbia-based yacht designer who has worked in the industry for nearly 40 years.

The Bayesian's giant mast is part of a trend of bigger and bigger yachts, according to Roberts. He worked on the design of the Asolare, formerly the Scheherazade – at 154 feet long, the largest cold-molded sailing yacht in the world when it was released in 2003, according to its manufacturer, Hodgdon Yacht Services. "It's small today," Roberts added.

Roberts said problems emerge when yacht designers can't say no to wealthy clients' demands for more and more extravagant and overgrown designs.

"The clients are wealthy people. They are very used to getting whatever it is they want," he said.

But owners' requests can compromise security, he said.

"Owners are not naval architects," he said. "They don't understand the issues involved, and trying to explain to them may or may not work, but there are compromises being made all the time."

Yacht buyers are more likely to get a better boat than they would 50 years ago, since yachts are exported and built towards international standards, he said. Still, the worsening effects of climate change and extreme weather are growing risks to anyone sailing the high seas, he added.

"Be aware. That's the biggest part of it," he said. "There's a possibility that things could go bad, that there is risk involved."

More: Investigators seek answers to why luxury superyacht Bayesian sank in storm

Yacht owners install million-dollar, AI-powered security systems

Piracy on yachts is even rarer than sudden storms – only two cases were reported between 2019 and 2023, according to the International Maritime Bureau's Piracy Reporting Centre . Still, superyacht owners are investing in James Bond-esque technology in an effort to protect their vessels.

"There's definitely increased concern," said Frederik Giepmans, managing director of safety and security at MARSS, a technology company that offers high-tech surveillance and security systems for superyachts with a price tag "from the hundreds of thousands into millions," he said.

NiDAR, a software program manufactured by MARSS to provide protection for superyachts, can pick up on objects approaching a yacht from the air or water "while underway, at anchor and in port," according to the company's website.

The surveillance system uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to handle data from sensors monitoring all sides of a vessel. The AI system provides "constant, long range monitoring of the air, of the surface, of the underwater, to try and give the crew as much response time as possible," said Giepmans.

That way, yacht owners can pick up on any manner of approaching objects, from "small, fast craft approaching on the surface" to divers and submarines under the water.

But if a threat is detected, a yacht owner's "options to respond are limited," Giepmans said. "You can get out of the way. You can bring people to safety. But, for instance, a more military response is not available to you."

Giepmans pointed to a recent increase in attacks on commercial ships, like attacks carried out by Houthi rebels on ships cruising through the Red Sea. "There's a gap there in terms of security," he said. "Because there isn't really, right now, a way for commercial or private clients, to respond, perhaps, in an appropriate way to these threats."

Luxury yacht owners cruising off the coast of Monaco, for instance, shouldn't be as concerned about a direct threat to their security, as compared with boats sailing through other locations, he said. "It really depends on that, as to what extent they will go to protect their ship."

The greater danger could come from adverse weather events, as the planet warms every year.

Meteorologists have pointed to a water spout, a tornado that spun up over the water amid the storm that hit the Bayesian, as a possible factor in its wreck.

Water temperatures in the area were more than three degrees higher than average that day, the perfect conditions for the spout to form and the likely result of climate change, Rick Shema, a certified consulting meteorologist and former member of the Navy, previously told USA TODAY.

"The water spout was an uncommon occurrence. But again, these things happen, especially in warmer water," he said.

Contributing: Reuters

Cybele Mayes-Osterman is a breaking news reporter for USA Today. Reach her on email at [email protected]. Follow her on X @CybeleMO.

Watch CBS News

Captain, 2 crew members from Mike Lynch's family yacht reportedly under investigation over sinking off Italy

By Anna Matranga

Updated on: August 28, 2024 / 10:47 AM EDT / CBS News

Rome — The engineer and a sailor from the crew of the luxury superyacht that sank off the coast of Sicily , killing British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter along with five other people, have been placed under investigation by Italian prosecutors along with the captain of the vessel, according to the Reuters and ANSA news agencies. CBS News could not immediately reach the prosecutors or lawyers for the Bayesian yacht's crew members to confirm the development, which comes about a week and a half after the vessel capsized on Aug. 19.

Engineer Tim Parker Eaton and sailor Matthew Griffiths, who was on night watch duty when the incident occurred, were reportedly placed under formal investigation for possible manslaughter and culpable shipwreck a few days after the 184-foot Bayesian yacht's captain, James Cutler, whose lawyers have confirmed that he's a subject of the probe.

After meeting with prosecutors for several days, Cutler, a 51-year-old New Zealander, has declined to answer any further questions, his lawyer said Wednesday.

"The captain exercised his right to remain silent for two fundamental reasons," attorney Giovanni Rizzuti told reporters. "First, he's very worn out. Second, we were appointed only on Monday and for a thorough and correct defense case, we need to acquire a set of data that at the moment we don't have."

Lynch and his daughter Hannah, 18, were among the passengers and one crew members who died when the superyacht sank rapidly during a violent storm in the pre-dawn hours of Aug. 19. The capsize of the high-tech vessel quickly raised questions, as another sailboat that had been anchored nearby off the coast of Palermo made it through the storm unscathed.  

Fifteen people, including Lynch's wife Angela Bacares, escaped to a life raft and were rescued by another boat that had been in the vicinity.

According to reports by Italian media, investigators are looking into whether the engineer, Eaton, might have neglected to activate security systems designed to automatically close all the hatches on the vessel, leaving the engine room to flood and possibly causing a power outage and the subsequent rapid flooding of the entire yacht.

Under Italian law, being placed under investigation does not necessarily mean formal charges will follow. 

During a press conference on Saturday, prosecutors said the investigation would require the wreck of the Bayesian to be salvaged from the seabed, where it currently sits at a depth of about 160 feet. 

Chief prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio said his team would work to determine whether the captain, other crew members, or the yacht's manufacturers bear any responsibility for the sinking. 

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Questions for Investigators Trying to Unravel Mystery of Luxury Yacht’s Sinking

The investigators searching for answers about the shipwreck, leaving seven dead, face questions about extreme weather and possible human error or problems with the yacht itself.

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By Alan Yuhas

More than 180 feet long, with a mast towering about 240 feet and a keel that could be lowered for greater stability, the Bayesian luxury yacht did not, in the eyes of its maker, have the vulnerabilities of a ship that would easily sink.

“It drives me insane,” Giovanni Costantino, the chief executive of the Italian Sea Group, which in 2022 bought the company that made the ship, said after its wreck last week. “Following all the proper procedures, that boat is unsinkable.”

But the $40 million sailing yacht sank within minutes and with fatal results: seven dead, including the British technology billionaire Michael Lynch, his teenage daughter, four of Mr. Lynch’s friends and a member of the crew. Fifteen people, including the captain, escaped on a lifeboat.

Mr. Lynch had invited family, friends and part of his legal team on a cruise in the Mediterranean to celebrate his acquittal in June of fraud charges tied to the sale of his company to the tech giant Hewlett-Packard.

The Italian authorities have opened a manslaughter investigation, searching for answers from the survivors, the manufacturer and the wreck itself. They face a range of questions and possible factors.

An ‘earthquake’ in the sky?

When the Bayesian sank around 4 a.m. on Aug. 19, the waters in its area, about half a mile off the Sicilian port of Porticello, were transformed by an extremely sudden and violent storm, according to fishermen, a captain in the area and meteorologists.

But what kind of storm is still a mystery, compounded by the fact that a sailing schooner anchored nearby did not have its own disaster. Also unclear is whether the crew was aware that the Italian authorities had issued general warnings about bad weather the night before.

Karsten Börner, the captain of the nearby passenger ship, said he’d had to steady his ship during “really violent” winds . During the storm, he said, the Bayesian seemed to disappear behind his ship.

Severe lightning and strong gusts were registered by the Italian Air Force’s Center for Aerospace Meteorology and Climatology, according to Attilio Di Diodato, its director. “It was very intense and brief in duration,” he said.

The yacht, he said, had most likely been hit by a fierce downburst — a blast of powerful wind surging down during a thunderstorm. His agency put out rough-sea warnings the previous evening, alerting sailors about possible storms.

Locals have said the winds “felt like an earthquake.” A fisherman in Porticello said that he had seen a flare go off in the early-morning hours. His brother ventured to the site once the weather had calmed about 20 minutes later, he said, finding only floating cushions.

The Italian authorities have so far declined to say whether investigators had seen any structural damage to the hull or other parts of the ship.

Open hatches or doors?

The boat executive, Mr. Costantino, has argued that the Bayesian was an extremely safe vessel that could list even to 75 degrees without capsizing. His company, the Italian Sea Group, in 2022 bought the yacht’s manufacturer, Perini Navi, which launched the ship in 2008.

Mr. Costantino said that if some of the hatches on the side and in the stern, or some of the deck doors, had been open, the boat could have taken on water and sunk. Standard procedure in such storms, he said, would be to switch on the engine, lift the anchor and turn the boat into the wind, lowering the keel for extra stability, closing doors and gathering the guests in the main hall inside the deck.

At a news conference on Saturday, almost a week after the sinking, investigators said the yacht had sunk at an angle , with its stern — where the heavy engine was — having gone down first. The wreck was found lying on its right side at the bottom of a bay, about 165 feet deep.

12 guests occupied the yacht’s six cabins. There were also 10 crew members.

Open hatches, doors and cabin windows could have let in water during a storm, according to the manufacturer.

Open hatches, doors and

cabin windows could

have let in water

during a storm,

according to the

manufacturer.

Source: Superyacht Times, YachtCharterFleet, MarineTraffic

By Veronica Penney

Water pouring into open hatches or doors could have contributed to the sinking, experts say, but that on its own may not account for the speed at which such a large boat vanished underwater.

Asked about the hatches at the news conference, the authorities declined to comment on whether they had been found open at the wreck.

The authorities have also not specified whether the boat had been anchored, whether it was under power at the time or whether its sails had been unfurled.

A retracted keel?

The Bayesian had a keel — the fin-like structure beneath a boat that can help stabilize it — that could be retracted or extended, according to its manufacturer. On some yachts, keels can be raised to let the large vessel dock in shallower water, and extended downward to help keep a boat level.

But like the hatches, the status of the keel alone may not explain why a large ship sank with such precipitous speed. Investigators have not disclosed what divers may have seen at the wreck, aside from saying divers had faced obstacles like furnishings and electrical wiring in tight quarters. Officials want to raise the wreck to better examine it, a process that may take weeks.

Human error?

Ambrogio Cartosio, the prosecutor in charge of the case, said at the news conference that it was “plausible” crimes had been committed, but that investigators had not zeroed in on any potential suspects.

“There could be responsibilities of the captain only,” he said. “There could be responsibilities of the whole crew. There could be responsibilities of the boat makers. Or there could be responsibilities of those who were in charge of surveilling the boat.”

It remains unclear what kind of emergency training or preparation took place before the disaster, or what kind of coordination there was during it. So far, none of the surviving crew members have made a public statement about what happened the night the ship sank.

Prosecutors said they want to ask more questions of the captain and crew, who have been in a Sicilian hotel with other survivors. They said that neither alcohol nor drug tests had been performed on crew members, and that they have been allowed to leave Italy.

Prosecutors also said they were also investigating why the captain, an experienced sailor, left the sinking boat while some passengers were still on board.

Besides possible manslaughter charges, the authorities are investigating the possibility of a negligently caused shipwreck.

The bodies of five passengers were found in one cabin, on the left side of the yacht, the authorities said. The five were most likely trying to flee to the higher side of the boat and were probably sleeping when the boat started to sink, they said.

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