Superyacht Crew Training graduate stories

Meet our training graduates who are working as crew on yachts!

Our graduates who are now working as crew on a yacht share their experiences before, during and after their career courses.

A young female sailor navigating a yacht

Lisa James

Meet Lisa, ex-RNLI Beach Life Guard who has transformed her huge love of the ocean and thirst for adventure travel to training for a quick entry to a career in the maritime industry. After completing the UKSA Superyacht Crew Training course, she is now crewing on a sailing superyacht in the South of France.

  • Before the course: Deck/stew on board a 34m sailing yacht
  • After the course: Stewardess onboard a 75m superyacht
My advice

“Consider which role in the industry you’d like and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Especially to the girls that want to get on deck in the industry. Enjoy every moment you’re given, make new friends, network and work hard. It’s all worth it in the end.”

A young yachtmaster student smiling at the camera

Ryan Jacobs

Training at UKSA was challenging but I had a brilliant time. My overall experience of the course and instructors was very good; I now know that I can do things on my own. Every morning I saw the sun rising on the water and I knew I wanted a career at sea. I made some really good friends and we had a laugh which made being away from home much easier.

  • Before the course: Working in a golf shop
  • After the course: Signing on to crew agencies to work as a deckhand
My advice

“If I was asked to advise someone thinking about taking the Superyacht Crew course I would tell them to enjoy every second; the time there goes really quickly.”

A young male holding his sunglasses

Oliver Garton

Ollie Garton is studying the first phase of our five-phase cadetship. Phase One offers 19 weeks of academic training in seamanship, watch keeping, maintenance and industry knowledge. If he is still looking for employment before finishing this course, he will begin dock walking in Antibes and return later next year to continue the cadetship.

  • Before the course: Office salesman
  • After the course: Dock walking in Antibes
My advice

“Bring the biggest microfiber quick drying towel you can find! Sleep as much as you can. Be prepared to make lots of new friends. Get ready to lean a lot from some really experienced instructors.”