How to Choose a Yacht Crew Agency for a Sailing Superyacht

• Understand the yacht, the programme, the crew structure and the person you need, in a real conversation.
• Search beyond its database, including good crew who are not actively looking.
• Interview candidates, check certificates and sea service, and speak with previous captains.
• Send a short, relevant shortlist, not every CV that matches a keyword.
• Support the offer, the contract and the joining, and stay in touch after the start date.

On a sailing yacht, every deck crew member sails the boat, and crews are smaller, so each person carries more weight. A general superyacht agency can check tickets; it is harder for it to judge whether a deckhand can trim a genoa in thirty knots or whether a mate understands rig maintenance.

Ask who will interview your candidates and whether they have sailed on yachts like yours. Ask how they assess sailing skills, not just yachting experience. Our guide sailing yacht vs motor yacht crew explains the differences in more detail.

1. How do you vet candidates? Look for interviews, reference calls with previous captains and checks of certificates with the issuing authority where possible.
2. Do you comply with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006)? Under Regulation 1.4, crew must never be charged for finding a job. An agency that charges crew is a red flag. See our MLC guidance.
3. How is the fee calculated, and when is it due? Many agencies charge the employer about one month of the crew member's salary on placement. Others offer fixed or staged fees. Ask for the terms in writing.
4. What happens if the hire leaves early? A replacement guarantee is standard. Check how long it lasts and what it excludes.
5. How fast can you send a shortlist? For urgent roles before a passage or a charter, days matter.
6. Is the search confidential? The agency should not name the yacht or the owner without consent.

• Fees charged to crew, in any form.
• Dozens of CVs within an hour, with no sign anyone has spoken to the candidates.
• No reference checks, or references only from friends.
• Vague terms: no written fee, guarantee or confidentiality clause.
• Pressure to decide fast without meeting or interviewing the candidate yourself.

Sailing Match recruits for sailing yachts only. Lawrence, our founder, was Chief Officer on sailing superyachts and interviews candidates on real sailing situations. We never charge crew, and our fees and guarantee are set out in our terms and conditions. See how a search works on Find crew, or read our guide how to hire crew for a sailing yacht.