Chief Mate/First Officer
Superyacht Deck · €3,100 – €13,500 a month
A Chief Mate/First Officer on a superyacht typically earns €3,100 to €13,500 a month, depending on the size of the yacht. Training for this step includes Chief Officer 3000GT, on top of the basics such as an ENG1 medical and Basic Safety Training.
The Chief Mate, Chief Officer or First Mate/Officer is head of the deck department, who must know all navigation, bridge and deck procedures. On most vessels, the Chief Mate is second in command after the Captain, which requires strong leadership and communication skills. This role requires five years of experience with a minimum license of a Chief Officer 3000GT, with experience as a first officer on smaller vessels.
| Yacht length | Monthly salary (EUR) | Monthly salary (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 - 40 m (70 - 130 ft) | €3 100 – €5 000 | $3 700 – $6 000 |
| 40 - 50 m (130 - 165 ft) | €4 300 – €6 400 | $5 100 – $7 700 |
| 50 - 60 m (165 - 200 ft) | €6 300 – €7 500 | $5 300 – $9 000 |
| 60 - 70 m (200 - 230 ft) | €6 300 – €9 300 | $7 600 – $11 300 |
| 70 - 80 m (230 - 265 ft) | €6 500 – €9 500 | $7 800 – $11 500 |
| 80 - 90 m (265 - 295 ft) | €6 500 – €11 000 | $7 800 – $13 300 |
| 90 - 100 m (295 - 330 ft) | €6 500 – €12 000 | $7 800 – $14 500 |
| 100 m+ (330 Ft +) | €6 800 – €13 500 | $8 200 – $16 300 |
Typical monthly ranges. Pay varies with experience, the yacht's programme and whether it's private or charter.
These are the courses and certificates on the Deck career path up to this role, in the order most crew take them.
To qualify for an issue of the Master Yachts, <500GT Certificate of Competency, you must meet the following requirements: hold an MCA OOW yachts, <3000 GT, II/1, Certificate of Competency; have completed a minimum of 12 months’ onboard yacht service as a deck officer, including at least 120 days watchkeeping service, in vessels of 15 metres or over in load line length while holding an OOW yachts, <3000 GT, II/1 Certificate of Competency; hold the applicable ancillary certificates; successful completion of approved education and training, meeting the standards of competency identified by the MCA from section A-II/2 of the STCW Code as applicable to a yacht restricted Certificates of Competency and covered by: successful completion of an MCA-approved ‘Seamanship and Meteorology (Master Yachts)’ training module and passing the corresponding IAMI module written examination; successful completion of an MCA-approved ‘Stability (Master Yachts)’ training module and passing the corresponding IAMI module written examination; successful completion of an MCA-approved ‘Business and Law (Master Yachts)’ training module and passing the corresponding IAMI module written examination; successful completion of an MCA-approved ‘Navigation, Radar and ARPA Simulator (Master Yachts)’ training module and passing the corresponding IAMI module written examination; passing the IAMI ‘Celestial Navigation’ written examination; hold a valid accepted Seafarers Medical Fitness Certificate; and, pass the Master yachts <500GT oral examination. To qualify for an issue of the Master Yachts, <3000GT Certificate of Competency, you must meet the following requirements: have completed a minimum of 24 months’ onboard yacht service as a Deck Officer, including at least 240 days watchkeeping service while holding an OOW yachts, <3000 GT, II/1, Certificate of Competency. All of this service must be completed in vessels of 15 metres or over in load line length and include; 12 months in vessels of 24 metres or over in load line length, or 6 months in vessels of 500 GT or more; hold the applicable ancillary certificates; hold either: an MCA Master yachts <500 GT, II/2, Certificate of Competency and a pass certificate for the IAMI ‘Celestial Navigation’ written examination; OR Certificates demonstrating successful completion of all of the MCA-approved yacht modules and IAMI written examinations passes applicable to the Master yachts <500 GT, II/2, Certificate of Competency (Celestial Navigation must be less than 1 year old and all other IAMI written exam pass certificates must be less than 3 years old prior to the issue of this Certificate of Competency); and, pass the Master yachts <3000GT oral examination. Service should be in the deck department onboard yachts and will be reckoned from the date of engagement to the date of discharge. A minimum of 4 hours of working duty in 24 hours would count as 1 full day. At least 6 months of the qualifying seagoing service must have been performed within the 5 years immediately preceding the MCA’s receipt of your application. Service may be performed in vessels of any flag.