11 open first officer positions right now
- Chief OfficerPrivate47m yacht
- Second Officer - TempMed90m yacht
- Chief officerMed based45m yacht
- Chief OfficerDual seasons50m yacht
- Mate / Engineer and Chef coupleIndonesia and South Pacific30m yacht
- Third OfficerWorld cruising90m yacht
- Chief OfficerMed40m yacht
- Mate / Sole deckDual seasons
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What the job involves
- Keep a navigational watch and support safe navigation
- Manage the deck crew and daily work
- Run safety equipment checks and drills
- Prepare the yacht for surveys and inspections
What you need
- STCW Basic Safety Training and a valid ENG1 seafarer medical certificate, which almost every yacht requires before you start
- Officer of the Watch certificate for the yacht's size, or a chief mate certificate for larger roles
- Yacht deck experience
Officers move from third or second officer up to first officer and then captain as their certificates allow.
See what a first officer earns in our salary guide and the 2026 salary report.
Yacht First Officer jobs: common questions
What is the difference between a first officer and a chief officer?
The titles are often used for the same role. Both are the captain's deputy and lead the deck department, and usage varies by yacht.
Hiring a first officer?
We send a shortlist of vetted candidates within 24 hours. No upfront fees.