World Cruising Opportunity - Couples Only

Featured Job

Category:
Deck Jobs
Positions:
Captain, Stew / Cook
Salary:
TBD
Location:
Caribbean & South Pacific
Start date:
Between October and December
Job posted:
August 9, 2026
Position suitable for a team/couple.

Seeking an experienced Captain / Chef couple - to be part of rotational crew with another couple

Yacht - “Catalyst” - BVI-flagged 2025 Fountaine Pajot Samana 59 sailing catamaran.

Privately owned and operated by an American couple in their 50s who live aboard most of the year and regularly host family and friends. The yacht is also offered for limited charter between 4 and 8 weeks per year.

The program focuses on offshore passage making, remote cruising, diving, kiting, foiling, and other water-sports. Planned cruising areas over the next four to eight years include the Southern Caribbean, Panama, French Polynesia, Fiji, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and eventually the Mediterranean.

Catalyst is well-appointed and extensively equipped for long-range remote cruising, including Starlink, large lithium battery bank, extensive solar, multiple refrigeration and freezer systems, and numerous additional upgrades focused on comfort, redundancy, and onboard autonomy.

Catalyst departed France in June 2025, cruised the Iberian Peninsula, crossed the Atlantic November 2025, and spent 6 months in the Bahamas. The owner actively participates onboard during crossings & passages, with additional crew brought on for ocean crossings and when guests are onboard.

Applicants must be experienced and comfortable operating and maintaining a modern luxury sailing catamaran in remote cruising areas while maintaining high operational, maintenance, and guest-service standards.

The owners are personable and reasonable, but this is a very busy, hands-on position requiring professionalism, flexibility, a strong work ethic, and attention to detail. The owners are seeking experienced crew capable of operating both independently and alongside the owner.

Applicants must share a queen berth — therefore COUPLES ONLY
Crew accommodations consist of a shared private cabin with ensuite bath and queen berth. An additional forepeak berth is used periodically for temporary crew or water-sports staff.

Captain Qualifications
• Yacht Master Ocean or equivalent advanced license
STCW & ENG1
• Extensive offshore and blue-water sailing experience
• Multiple ocean crossings
• Prior catamaran experience
• Prior charter experience
• Strong engineering, mechanical, troubleshooting, and maintenance skills are essential
• Must be a non-smoker, may drink alcohol occasionally but not to excess, and must be completely fluent in English
• Professional references required

Captain Responsibilities
• Safe operation and navigation of the vessel
• Passage planning and weather routing
• Maintenance and troubleshooting of all vessel systems including engines, generators, water makers, plumbing, electrical, and onboard equipment
• Docking, anchoring, and tender operations
• Customs and immigration coordination
• Provisioning logistics
• Guest & Charter preparation and coordination
• Supporting guest activities and watersports operations when coaches are not onboard
• Maintaining high safety and operational standards

Chef / Stewardess Qualifications
STCW & ENG1
• Prior yacht chef and/or charter experience
• Culinary training and strong practical cooking ability
• Organized, capable, and self-motivated
• Must be a non-smoker, may drink alcohol occasionally but not to excess, and must be completely fluent in English
• Professional references required

Chef / Stewardess Responsibilities
• Meal planning and preparation in coordination with owners
• Provisioning
• Interior management, housekeeping, and laundry
• Guest service
• Inventory management
• Supporting charter operations when applicable
• Assisting with docking and line handling

Terms & Compensation
• Salary competitive and appropriate for highly experienced offshore crew
• Start date between October and December 2026
• Basic Health insurance provided
• Flights/repatriation provided
• Standard seafarer employment agreement
• Most likely part of a rotational crew system with work periods to be determined

Projected Itinerary – Subject to Change

2026
• August & September – Grenada (maintenance period)
• October and November – St. Vincent & the Grenadines, ABCs, Colombia
• December – San Blas Islands, Panama

2027
• January & February – Panama Canal transit & Pacific Panama
• March – Galapagos
• May through November – French Polynesia -Marquesas, Tuamotus, Tahiti
• December – Tonga?

2028
• Fiji
• New Zealand

Work Experience Requirements:

All applicants must have previous experience in working on yachts matching the following requirements:

  • Yacht types:  sailing
  • Experience length:  min 1 year

Language Requirements:

Good knowledge of the English language is required.

Certificates and Qualifications:

All applicants must hold a valid ENG1 certificate to be able to apply for this position.

A valid STCW Basic Safety Training certificate is required from all applicants. Please sign up for an STCW course and obtain the certificate if you don't have it yet.