Deck Department
What a Bosun Does on a Superyacht
What a bosun does on a superyacht, how the role sits between deckhand and officer, the tickets you need, and how long it takes to get there.
A bosun leads the deck team below officer level on a superyacht. They run exterior maintenance, tender and watersports operations, and supervise the deckhands. It is the most hands-on senior position on deck, sitting between deckhand and officer.
What a bosun does on board
- Leading the deck team on daily exterior maintenance
- Tender, jet-ski and watersports operations
- Line handling, anchoring and mooring
- Training and supervising junior deck crew
What the job is actually like
Early starts and a washdown before the guests appear, then teak, paint, varnish and whatever the exterior needs that week. On top of that: driving tenders, setting up watersports, handling lines, and keeping three or four deckhands busy and improving. The bosun is the person who decides what good looks like on the exterior.
Certification and experience
These are the qualifications yachts ask for in a bosun. Most yachts also want around 3 years behind them, though a strong reference from a captain counts for more than an extra season on paper.
- STCW
- ENG1
- Powerboat Level 2
- PWC
- Yachtmaster (desirable)
Typical experience sought: 3+ years · Reports to Chief Officer · Manages Deckhand
Getting into the role
Two to four seasons as a deckhand, building tender handling, maintenance knowledge and the ability to run a small team. Powerboat Level 2, PWC and often Yachtmaster support the step. From bosun the route splits: Officer of the Watch and the bridge, or staying on deck as a senior hand on a smaller boat.
What a bosun earns
| Vessel | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Varies with vessel size | €3,500 – €5,500 per month |
Figures published on this site since 2021. Pay varies with programme, rotation and whether the yacht is private or charter. More on what moves crew pay.
Frequently asked
Bosun: common questions
What is a bosun on a yacht?
A bosun leads the deck team below officer level. They run daily exterior maintenance, tender and watersports operations, and supervise deckhands, reporting to the chief officer or directly to the captain on smaller yachts.
How do I become a bosun?
Usually two to four seasons as a deckhand, building tender handling, maintenance knowledge and the ability to run a small team. Powerboat Level 2, PWC and often Yachtmaster support the step up.
What does a bosun earn?
Pay varies with vessel size, programme and rotation, and published figures move year to year. We are compiling salary ranges from actual placements rather than repeating unsourced numbers.
What comes after bosun?
Officer of the watch, then chief officer. Bosun is the last hands-on deck role before the bridge career path, so it is the natural point to start accumulating certificated sea time.
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