Not everyone is cut out of the same cloth. Some superyacht workers find comfort in working as a bosun, far away from the higher responsibilities that come with promotions. Some aspire to be in senior positions, climbing ranks through hard work and studies. First Officer on a Superyacht is an honourable position, directly serving under the superyacht Captain. So, Bosun vs First Officer, what is best for you? Let’s find out in this article.
Understanding the Superyacht Positions
Before you apply to work on a superyacht, you should have a general idea of the superyacht crew hierarchy. Depending on the superyacht, a bosun position may be an entry or a senior deckhand position. Such sub-divisions in the hierarchy are usually decided by a crew’s size. Larger crews will have multiple different positions compared to smaller ones.
On the other hand, a first mate or a first officer serves directly under the superyacht’s captain. He/she is the right hand of the captain. They are expected to fill in whenever the captain is unavailable. A first officer is responsible for assisting the captain with the smooth operation of the vessel and its crew, and yacht’s navigation. Let’s take a look at these two positions one by one.
What is a Bosun?
Bosun is either a senior deckhand/lead deckhand on a superyacht; or on smaller yachts, the bosun may be an entry position altogether. A bosun is typically in charge of the junior deckhand crew, organising deck operation and supplies, and storage, maintenance, and use of toys and tenders.
In any scenario, a bosun directly reports to the immediate officer of the ship. The immediate officer could be the First Officer, Second Officer, or Third Officer, depending on the yacht’s crew size.
Apart from your entry qualifications, a bosun typically requires the following qualifications as well.
- The RYA Yachtmaster Offshore;
- Efficient Deckhand (EDH); and optionally
- Navigation and Radar (if you are doing Officer of the Watch (OOW) modules).
Apart from that, it would help if you considered other extra qualifications as they can help you achieve a bosun position relatively quickly. Those include the Jet Ski Instructor Course or the Approved Engine Course (AEC).
What is a First Officer?
As mentioned previously, a First Officer is the highest position amongst the superyacht crew, the captain being the only personnel above them. A First Officer bears the heaviest responsibilities along with the captain. They are technically in charge of a superyacht’s safety, navigation, operations, and crew. He/she enjoys the benefits of a hefty sum of salary, captain-like treatment, and their own quarters.
Depending on the crew size, there may be a hierarchy of officers on a yacht, from First Officer to Fourth Officer.
Becoming a First Officer is no easy feat. If you are on the Bosun level, chances are you might already be trying for an officer position on a superyacht. They have to go through several qualifications and require years of service to be qualified. Some of these qualifications are as follows.
- Chief Mate 3000
- The Chief Mate CoC for Yachts <3000 GT
- MCA Officer of the Watch Unlimited
- Master Officer of the Watch
- RYA Yachtmaster Ocean
- RYA Yachtmaster Offshore
What is best for me? Bosun or First Officer?
Becoming a First Officer is a super long commitment and requires your innate focus and dedication to advance. Not to mention, it is also financially challenging to aim for an Officer position on a yacht.
On the other hand, a Bosun may or may not require additional qualifications and still can make it to Bosun with experience and smarts alone. Being prompt and methodical with your work and displaying organising and teamwork skills can help you acquire the position faster. While Bosun is somewhat of a management position that oversees junior deckhands, it is not an officer position.
Ultimately, it all boils down to whether you want to pursue it or not. Are you ready to have a life-long commitment to becoming an Officer? Do you have the dedication and finances to become an Officer? If not, then Bosun may remain a perfect position for you. Regardless, even a Bosun enjoys a hefty pay along with income from tips, if any.
Conclusion
Becoming an Officer requires a plethora of extra qualifications, finances, and dedication. On the other hand, you can simply become a Bosun via experience alone. Ultimately, only you can answer what is best for you. But understanding the situation and differences between the two positions can certainly help you make a decision.
If you are aspiring to become a deckhand/stewardess on a superyacht in South Africa, Sail and Power SA can assist you. Kindly take a look at our webpage or contact us for more information.