Most average sized superyachts/megayachts have 5 or six main job positions which are as follows:-

• Captain/Skipper - Who is in overall charge of the vessel and crew, usually reporting to the superyachts owner or manager.  The highest paid crew member.

• Engineer - Responsible for the ships systems including the propulsion system (engine or engines), auxillary equipment and everything mechanical or electrical.  Not unusual to be seen fixing the owners wife's hairdrier at stupid o'clock.

• 1st Officer/Mate - One step away from the top position.  Often responsible for the crew, navigational duties and usually the manouvering of the yacht.  Reporting direct to the captain.

• Deckhand - Often the 1st rung on the ladder for newly trained crew.  Responsible for deck operations under the supervision of the 1st officer.

• Steward/Stewardess - Responsible for the interior of the yacht and the owner and his/her guests.  Duties include silver service, bed making, general cleaning, laundery etc.

• Chef - Responsible for preparing meals for guests and the crew and also the provisioning of the yacht.

On larger yachts some positions may have extra numbers such as 2nd engineers, 2nd officers, more than one deckhand, a number of steward/stewardesses and a seperate crew chef.