A yacht is a boat that is designed for recreation and leisure, and such boats can be quite large and luxurious. Larger boats often require a yacht crew that will tend to the daily functions of the boat, including piloting the vessel, maintaining engines and other components, and attending to guests on board. The head of the yacht crew is the captain, who is responsible not only for piloting the vessel, but also for managing the rest of the crew and ensuring the safety of all people on board the vessel. This job requires an extensive amount of training, and one often needs to work his or her way up the ranks before obtaining such a position.
Engineers must attend to all the mechanical components of the yacht. These professionals are some of the most important members of the yacht crew because they are responsible for addressing mechanical failures that can disable the ship. The engineer must be knowledgeable in a variety of skills and techniques, including plumbing, electricity, and engine mechanics. This person may be present aboard the yacht while it is at sea, or he or she may stay on dry land and repair vessels when they come into dock.
Deckhands, shipmates, and stewards interact directly with guests on board the yacht, and these members of the yacht crew will also be responsible for a variety of tasks. They may take on the task of cleaning and maintaining the exterior of the ship, changing bed linens and doing other housekeeping tasks, and even accompanying guests on excursions on dry land while the yacht is docked. Meals may be served by these members of the yacht crew, and the safety of the guests is usually ensured by deckhands, shipmates, and stewards. Other activities and daily events may be coordinated by these crew members as well.
On larger yachts equipped with kitchen facilities, a chef will be present to prepare menus, cook meals, and coordinate other kitchen staff and waitstaff. It is likely that the chef will oversee a small portion of the yacht crew pertaining to the preparing and serving of meals, and he or she will also be responsible for dealing with food vendors on land. The chef must procure ingredients for meals and arrange transportation of those ingredients from the markets to the ship for proper storage during the voyage.
