How to Write a Superyacht CV That Actually Gets Responses

Why Most Maritime CVs Fail

After reviewing tens of thousands of crew CVs over 15 years, the pattern is clear: most maritime CVs fail for the same reasons. They're too generic, poorly structured, or contain critical omissions that force employers to follow up before they can even consider the candidate.

The Right Format

Keep your CV to maximum 2 pages. The format should be:

Page 1: Photo, personal details, professional summary, key certifications
Page 2: Sea service record, additional qualifications, references

Your Professional Photo

Taken recently (within 12 months)
Clean, neutral background — ideally white or light grey
Smart professional attire — not a selfie, not a beach photo
Smiling, confident expression

The Professional Summary

Three sentences, maximum. A strong summary:

States your current position and years of experience
Highlights your most relevant certification or skill
Indicates what kind of role you're seeking and your availability

Bad example: "I am an enthusiastic, hardworking professional looking for an exciting new opportunity."

Good example: "Experienced Chief Stewardess with 7 years aboard vessels from 35m to 72m, specialising in Mediterranean charter seasons. WSET Level 3, spa-trained, available from April 2025."

Sea Service Record — Get This Right

List every vessel in reverse chronological order. For each entry include:

Vessel name and type (e.g. M/Y Artemis, 58m Motor Yacht)
Flag state
Your position
Dates (month/year from – to)
Brief description — 1–2 sentences on responsibilities and context

Gaps in your sea service record should be briefly explained — employers notice them and will ask.

Certifications Section

List every certificate with the exact name, issuing body and expiry date.

Never list a certificate you don't hold. Flag state cross-referencing is routine and fraud is an immediate dismissal offence.

References

Always include 2–3 references from captains or department heads. "References available on request" is a waste of space and signals you don't have strong references ready. Include them directly.