The staff requirements of each yacht are specified by the regulations of the country it operates in and her registry flag state. These regulations typically require the yacht to give preferential treatment to hiring citizens (or residents with rights to work) of the country that the yacht is operating in.

When skills and certifications are not available locally, the yachts are permitted to hire foreign workers and purchase, on their behalf, permits that allow them to work within that country. If you are selected for employment, we will assist you in this process.

The skilled positions within the fleet that may qualify for work permits are Captains, Cruise Directors, Engineers, Chefs, and Dive Instructors. Positions for Divemasters, Stewards, and Galley Assistants are almost always filled locally.

Once all the rules are followed – the reality is there are more opportunities for foreign workers for employment with the Caribbean (5 yachts), Hawaii, and Palau (2 yachts) based yachts.

The Reality of Working on a Liveaboard

When prospective employees consider joining a crew, they often only think of the glamourous aspects of yacht life. While breathtaking sunsets, amazing dive locations, and exciting ocean adventures are part of the experience, a lot of hard work goes into executing a memorable trip for our paying guests. It’s more than just a job on a yacht. We have assembled the “Reality” list below to provide clarity for prospective employees in advance of the application process.

Reality #1

Remember that there is no “I” in TEAM

The fact that you are about to spend the next 365 days with roughly the same people, in a confined area, does not leave a lot of room for abrasive personalities or dramatic mood swings. Cooperation, consideration, and being a team player are vital traits to creating that special environment that all Aggressor Liveaboards’ guests have come to know and expect.

Reality #2

There is no such thing as “9 to 5”

If you think 10 hours a day, five days a week is rough, you need not read any further. There will be times when you are rudely awakened from a well-deserved sleep to repair a broken toilet in Stateroom 10, or maybe one of your fellow crew members is sick and you have to pick up the slack. And, don’t forget, “do it with a smile!”

Even if you have experience in restaurant management, hotel management, have worked on a cruise ship, working on an Aggressor liveaboard dive yacht is a 24/7 commitment. If you don’t think you can make that commitment, this job might not be for you.

Reality #3

“What, this closet is my living quarters, and you share it with me?”

If you are currently living in a one-bedroom apartment and don’t think you could live in anything smaller, suffer from claustrophobia, or have problems sharing space with others, you may want to consider a land-based operation. In the crew quarters on a liveaboard, you won’t be given much stretching room or room for personal items, and more importantly, you will have little privacy.

Reality #4

Compensation

Working on a liveaboard should be something that you do because you love the work but also with Aggressor Liveaboards, you are very well compensated. Since you are out on the sea with room and board paid for, good financial skills allow you to save most of your salary, tips and commission earned.

Reality #5

As the Divemaster, your sole responsibility is not diving.

It is a huge misconception in the liveaboard diving industry that the Divemaster is only a Divemaster and all he or she does is dive, dive, dive. Though the “I am the Divemaster, therefore all I do is dive” mentality does not fly on a liveaboard, you will have the opportunity to experience some great diving, but only when it is your turn to get into the water. The rest of the time you will be helping on the dive deck, doing the daily turn down service, watching guests’ bubbles, working in the engine room, cleaning not only guests’ rooms but the entire yacht or helping the Chef prepare for dinner.

Reality #6

No matter what your position is, Organization and Time Management are vital to your success.

This means more than organizing the dive briefing 15 minutes before the dive time or coordinating with the Captain when the yacht will move to the next dive site. It also means keeping paperwork in order, reading it, understanding it, completing forms accurately, and even filing it in alphabetical order. Everyone on the boat has responsibilities that go beyond what is on the schedule. Managing your time will ensure that you make it to bed on time.