Crew Finding & Placement
We find experienced and referenced crew for your yacht personnel needs such as captain, engineer, chef, and steward.
A yacht is only as good as the people running her. Yacht Assist places experienced, referenced and fully document-checked crew — captains, engineers, chefs, stewardesses and deckhands. The aim is not to fill an empty berth but to find the person who fits the boat, her programme and the way the owner likes to run her.
What makes a crew placement work?
Good crew sit at the intersection of three things: valid certification, real sea time and fit with the boat. A captain with a flawless certificate but no hours on a 40-metre motor yacht, and an engineer with deep experience but a lapsed ticket, both become a problem mid-season. We check all three separately.
A charter boat rewards guest skills; a private boat rewards continuity and quiet competence. The same CV can be excellent on one and the wrong call on the other, and we brief candidates with that distinction in mind.
What is included?
- Captains, engineers, chefs, stewardesses and deckhands
- CV screening and candidate assessment
- Interview coordination and on-board trial arrangements
- Reference checks — spoken directly with the previous owner or captain
- Document verification (STCW, GOC/ROC, ENG1 or seafarer medical, certificate of competency, visas)
- Seasonal, temporary and full-time placements
- Mid-season crew replacement and relief crew
- Guidance on contracts and social-security registration after hiring
Positions we cover
Deck. Captain, first officer, bosun and deckhand. We check that the certificate of competency matches the yacht's tonnage, length and intended cruising area.
Engineering. Chief engineer and engineering crew. We match hands-on experience with the actual main-engine and generator makes on board, not just the job title.
Interior and galley. Chef, stewardess and interior crew. On charter yachts, menu ability and guest communication decide the outcome — a trial meal can be arranged.
How the process works
We begin with the yacht type, the season's programme, the crew structure and your expectations. We identify suitable profiles from our pool and complete CV, reference and certificate verification. We coordinate interviews and present only genuinely suitable candidates — three strong candidates are worth more than ten average ones. After hiring, contracts and social-security steps can be handed to our crew contracts and SGK service.
What if crew leave mid-season?
This is the most common and most damaging scenario. An active candidate pool lets us replace quickly, and where needed we bridge the gap with temporary crew while the permanent candidate is found without pressure. Protecting your charter calendar comes first.
Why Yacht Assist
Our network spans Turkish and international professionals, which lets us match the right person to the right yacht rather than the nearest available one. Documents and references are verified rigorously, and candidates who do not fit are never forwarded to you. See our full range of services or tell us what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you verify candidate certificates?
Yes. We check the validity and expiry of every certificate — STCW, GOC/ROC, medical, certificate of competency and visas — and confirm references by speaking directly with the previous owner or captain.
Do you place seasonal crew?
Yes. We cover seasonal, temporary and full-time positions, including crew for charter periods of only a few weeks.
Can crew be replaced mid-season?
Yes. Our active candidate pool allows fast replacement, and where needed we bridge with temporary crew while searching for the permanent hire.
Do you place international crew as well as Turkish crew?
Yes. Our network covers both, and we advise on work permit and visa requirements for foreign crew.
Can a candidate be trialled on board?
Yes, and we recommend it. For chef and stewardess roles in particular, a short trial trip or trial meal reveals far more than a CV.
Which certificate of competency does a captain need?
It depends on the yacht's tonnage, length and cruising area. Once we have the vessel's particulars we confirm exactly which level is required.
Do you handle contracts and payroll after hiring?
Yes, as a separate service. Our crew contracts and SGK service covers employment contracts, payroll and social-security registration.
How many candidates will you send?
We do not work to a number. We prefer to present a small set of pre-screened candidates whose documents and references have already been verified.