Introduction to Yachting / Module 2: Yacht Departments and Career Options
Lesson 2: Exterior Department
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So, who’s in charge of everything you see happening on deck?
Let’s take a closer look at the exterior crew’s role.
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OBJECTIVE
In this lesson, you learn about the exterior department’s functions and hierarchy, including the roles within the department, and potential career paths.
Exterior department
The exterior department on a yacht is a dynamic team responsible for all the operations that take place on deck. They perform day-to-day tasks such as washing down the yacht,
maintenance tasks, handling mooring lines, and launching tenders and water toys. Together, they assist with guest services, manage anchoring and docking procedures, and ensure
safety and security on deck.
Let’s explore where this department fits within the command structure and how responsibilities are distributed across the team.
Command structure on a yacht – focus on the Exterior department.
Roles
First Officer/ Chief Mate
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The rank of First Officer is denoted by three gold
bars with an anchor on the epaulettes.
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The First Officer or the Chief Mate is the captain’s
right-hand person. They must be qualified to take command in the captain’s absence or in any emergency situation where the captain can no longer command the vessel.
The First Officer/ Mate is the shipboard leader. He or she is responsible for the physical day-to-day running of the vessel and the deck
department, ensuring that the captain’s orders are carried out.
This role requires clear communication skills and a thorough knowledge of
onboard emergency protocols, including firefighting, man-overboard procedures, search and rescue operations, security, medical emergencies, lifesaving appliances, survival craft,
and techniques for survival at sea.
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Officer of the Watch and / or Bosun
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The rank of Officer of the Watch or Bosun is denoted
by two gold bars with an anchor on the epaulettes.
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Officer of the Watch (OOW) – This role reports to the mate or first officer. They are responsible for watchkeeping, lookout duties, and
managing the deck crew. On a sailboat, they are responsible for setting or changing sails.
Bosun – This role shares similar responsibilities with the officer of the watch but is additionally responsible for the yacht’s watercraft,
including tenders and jet skis.
Either the OOW or the bosun is the shipboard leader and manages the deck team during the relevant operation, such as docking or dropping the
anchor. The junior exterior/deck crew will report to this person.
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Deckhand
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The rank of Deckhand is denoted by one gold bar with
an anchor on the epaulettes.
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Deckhands are responsible for maintaining the exterior of the vessel in a tidy and well-maintained condition. Duties include everything from
cleaning, polishing, sanding, varnish and painting to maintaining and operating the water toys and covering the deck equipment/furniture when not in use. As a deckhand, you will
also find yourself performing activities like navigational watches, repairing lines and cables, rigging towing lines, handling mooring lines and of course, washing down and
more.
The deckhand is answerable to the first officer or bosun and if the vessel is too small for either of these, he/she then answers to the
captain.
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Any water sports skills or qualifications are a significant asset and being a proficient swimmer is essential. As an experienced deckhand, you may be asked to help instruct
guests in the use of jet skis, wave riders, windsurfers and other watercraft.
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Career opportunities
Deckhand to Bosun
Starting as a deckhand is a common entry point for many individuals entering the yachting industry. Deckhands are responsible for maintaining, cleaning, and performing general
exterior operations on the yacht. With experience and dedication, deckhands can progress to the role of a bosun, who supervises deck operations and may oversee a team of
deckhands.
You need two to three years of experience as a deckhand, the relevant vessel certifications and the right attitude to become a
bosun.
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Bosun to First Officer to Captain
Once you have reached the role of bosun, you can obtain certifications to work as a bosun on larger vessels and work towards becoming a first officer and ultimately a captain
if that is the desired end goal.
Learning Activity: Knowing who to tell when things go wrong!
SUMMARY
This lesson explained the purpose of the exterior department and the roles and responsibilities of each rank. Key takeaways include:
- The first officer/chief mate serves as the backup to the captain in the event of an emergency.
- Each rank within the exterior department has defined responsibilities and forms part of a clear progression pathway.
- Bosuns and OOWs manage the deck teams.
- As a deckhand, you will clean and maintain the vessel and ensure guests have a good time with water sports.
- The exterior department has many career options, culminating in a captain role.
