43° 35′ N 7° 07′ ECrew roles · Sailing superyachts
Mate and Chief Officer on a Sailing Superyacht
The mate runs the deck and the sailing crew. On many sailing yachts, the mate is also the engineer, the tender driver and the rigger.
Lawrence, our founder, worked his way up to Chief Officer on sailing superyachts, so this is the role we know best. Here is what it involves, what captains look for and what it pays.
What the mate does
- Runs the deck team and the daily jobs list, and leads manoeuvres: hoists, reefs, tacks and gybes.
- Looks after the rig, sails, running rigging and deck hardware, and works with riggers and sail lofts in the yard.
- Stands watches on passage and steps in for the captain.
- Tenders, water toys, anchoring and mooring, and training junior crew.
On yachts under about 30 m the role is often combined: mate/engineer or mate/deck-chief. On larger yachts the Chief Officer is second in command, with a Second Officer and a Bosun below.
Certificates and experience
- RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore or Ocean (commercially endorsed) for mate roles on smaller yachts.
- OOW (Yacht) or Chief Mate (Yacht), or the flag state's equivalent, for officer roles on larger yachts.
- STCW, ENG1, GMDSS or VHF radio, and Powerboat Level 2 for the tender.
- Real sailing: deliveries, ocean miles, racing, rigging and splicing. For mate/engineer roles, an AEC and hands-on mechanical skills.
Salary
| Position | Below 30 m | 30–39 m | 40–49 m | 50–59 m |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Officer / First Mate | 3,200–4,500 | 3,500–5,000 | 4,600–5,000 | 5,500–8,000 |
| Second Officer | – | – | – | 5,000–6,000 |
| Bosun | – | 3,500–4,500 | 3,800–4,500 | 4,000–4,500 |
Euros per month, by yacht length. Source: Yotspot salary guidelines (checked November 2026), which cover all superyachts. Actual pay depends on the programme (private or charter), your experience and certificates, and whether the role is permanent, seasonal or rotational; charter yachts usually add tips. We never charge crew any fee.
Next step
Mates and officers can register with us for free. Captains looking for a mate can start a search; we interview every candidate on deck work and sailing, not only on tickets.
38° 54′ N 1° 26′ EQuestions
Questions
What is the difference between a mate and a Chief Officer?
On smaller sailing yachts the mate is the senior deck crew under the captain. On larger yachts the Chief Officer is second in command and holds an officer's certificate such as OOW or Chief Mate (Yacht).
How much does a mate earn on a sailing yacht?
According to Yotspot's salary guidelines, a Chief Officer or First Mate earns about €3,200–4,500 a month below 30 m, €3,500–5,000 on 30–39 m and €5,500–8,000 on 50–59 m.