Deckhand / Tender Driver

You are a full member of the deck team who has been trusted with the guest tender. When guests want to go ashore for lunch, reach a beach club or come back from dinner at midnight, you drive them. You also run crew to the dock, collect provisions and parcels, and pick up the captain or agent when needed. Between runs you do the same work as every other deckhand: washdowns, polishing, lines and fenders.

The tender is often the first and last thing guests see of the yacht, so how you drive matters. A smooth approach to a crowded quay, dry passengers, a clean boat with fresh towels and cold water on board. You plan routes around swell, wind and harbour traffic, know the local speed limits and no wake zones, and stay on the radio with the bridge. On smaller yachts you may also launch and drive the water toys.

You are responsible for the day to day care of the tender. That means fuel, fresh water rinses after every trip, checking the bilge, kill cords and safety kit, and flagging problems to the bosun or engineer before they become breakdowns. Expect long, irregular hours on charter, standing by on the dock in the heat or late at night. Good tender drivers are calm, punctual and discreet, and they are noticed by captains.