Ditch the 9 to 5. Get paid to travel the world as superyacht crew.

Superyacht Sunday School
Hugo taking a selfie with a group of his crew in a shipyard, a yacht on the lift behind them
Me with some of my crew in the shipyard.

1 on 1 coaching with Captain Hugo, as seen on a famous TV show

Monday is identical to Friday? My crew swapped that desk for a superyacht. My crew land a paid job on a yacht within 90 days of looking, even if they’ve never set foot on a boat.

I’m not selling you knowledge. I’m selling you the door. Weekly calls with me, your CV in my network, and the boats I recruit for.

Show me what’s holding me back

A free 30 minute call with me. Bring your partner if they have questions.

Yasmina Ehdaie
★★★★★
“With Hugo’s help I was able to get 3 job offers in 2 weeks!”
Yasmina Ehdaie

Get paid to travel the world, and save real money while you do it.

You’re on your feet all day, in the sun, giving people the best holiday of their life. It can be a gap year. A pitstop to travel and save real money. Or a full career, all the way up to captain. It doesn’t have to be forever.

The aft deck of a motor yacht at sunrise, teak planks and a coiled line, open sea behind
The new office view.
The wake behind a tender in the early morning, a motor yacht at anchor on the horizon
The new commute.
A white motor yacht at anchor in a quiet bay, green cliffs dropping into clear blue water
The new Monday.

25 to 50% of new crew go home empty handed.

Everyone wants this job. There’s even a famous TV show about it. Sometimes it’s three to five crew going for one position, and one job post gets 400 applications.

On their own, it takes people about two months just to find work. That’s if they find it at all.

Every week you spend looking for work on your own, €1,000 disappears. €500 in crew house rent. €500 in missed earnings.

So how the hell are you going to beat those odds?

Are you willing to take the chance and come home empty handed? Or do you want to get it right the first time?

Here’s the other number: 95% of my crew who relocate find work.

Why most people fail with yachting

Most people trying to break in on their own Google “how to become yacht crew”, get 47 contradictory blog posts, book the wrong cert first and show up in Antibes in February when the season starts in May. Three months later they’re on a plane home, convinced the industry doesn’t work.

It’s not because you lack boating experience. It’s not because you don’t have the certs. It’s not because the market is saturated.

The real reason is you don’t know how to stand out.

And when you don’t stand out, it takes way longer to find a job. You run out of cash. You fly back home broke.

Here’s how my crew stand out.

5 easy steps to become yacht crew

  1. The Foundation

    Where do yachts go? When is the best time to look for work? Who owns these things? All the insider info you need before you start, in one place.

  2. Basic Requirements The 3-Bucket Framework

    Don’t break the bank on certificates. It’s like a supermarket: you walk in for milk and eggs and walk out with a cart full of stuff you never needed. Every cert falls into one of three buckets.

    • MustLike death and taxes. Your STCW Basic Safety Training and your seafarer medical (the ENG1 or an accepted equivalent).
    • MaybeThe role boosters. They can help, but plenty of my crew found jobs with bucket one only.
    • NeverThe marketing fluff. Avoid it like the plague.

  3. Your Kickass CV The six second scan and the Pivot Pitch

    Think of your CV like dating. Attraction gets you to stop. Chemistry keeps you there. Visual gets the six seconds of attention. Content gets the call back.

    Then the Pivot Pitch turns your past life, even office work, into yacht language. Your old job becomes the proof you belong.

  4. Prepping to Set Sail The Money Marathon

    It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Some people find jobs in two weeks. For most it takes two to three months. The difference between the person who gets hired and the person who goes home is money, so you pace it. Paperwork, budget and your wellbeing are sorted before you book the flight.

  5. Dayworking, Dockwalking and Your First Full Time Job The Dockwalk Cycle

    Show up, audition, add it to your CV. Loop until landed. Most people go straight from showing up to applying for full time jobs, and that’s why they fail.

    Inside the cycle there’s a follow up rhythm I call 24-48-7. Most people send nothing. You’re going to send three.

Which one are you?

It doesn’t matter if you’ve never set foot on a boat. Here’s where three of my crew started.

Work in hospitality?

Kayla W.

Kayla W. 33 · Canada

Before: fine dining server.

Now: working on a yacht 5 days after joining. Then she sent me this:

“I got the contract for a 102m !!!!!!”

Stuck in a 9 to 5?

Jeffrey K.

Jeffrey K. 31 · Germany

Before: logistics, and a dad.

Now: deckhand on a 67m.

“I’m loving every little bit of it… My Captain and Chief officer are really happy with my performance and willingness to work that they gave me the last weekend of September to go home and be there for my kids birthday…”

Coming from commercial?

Davide M.

Davide M. 23 · Italy

Before: seafarer.

Now: deckhand on a 70m, then a permanent job in Miami.

“I found a permanent job on a mangusta 108, private really chill. I can finally be back to work and enjoy Miami.”

None of these you? That’s okay.

Over 350 crew on board, from over 100 different jobs: lawyers, teachers, software engineers, accountants, bartenders, nannies, electricians, sound engineers, even a yoga instructor. Aged 19 to 53. 88% started with zero boating experience. I’ve got you covered.

  • Philip B.Philip B.Exports planning manager · South AfricaFull time job in under a month
  • Hayley LavarackHayley LavarackServer · South AfricaTemp job in under a month
  • Nafi O.Nafi O.Software engineer · USAFull time job in under 3 months
  • Camila L.Camila L.Teacher · USAFull time job in under a month
  • Faron T.Faron T.IT · South AfricaFull time job in under a month
  • Annette M.Annette M.Executive · USADay work in under 3 months
  • Victoria K.Victoria K.Event coordinator · UKTemp job in under a month
  • Kristen C.Kristen C.Marketing · USADay work in under 3 months

Times run from the day they joined to their first paid work on a yacht.

Show me what’s holding me back See all my crew’s success stories

I learned all of this the hard way.

Hugo Ortega in his captain’s uniform, a harbour behind him
Hugo Ortega. 12 years in yachting, worked my way up to captain.

In 2014 I’d just walked out of a well paid engineering job I couldn’t stand. I was backpacking through Southeast Asia, trying to work out what to do with my life.

In a hostel lobby in Myanmar I met a yachtie. One conversation and I knew this was my ticket: no more 9 to 5, paid to travel the world, real money, and the story of a lifetime.

So I spent months getting ready. I got my certificates. I did everything I was told.

Then I showed up, and the job offers I expected never came. It was just me against the world. I was frustrated and, honestly, kind of scared.

What scared me more wasn’t the unknown. It was the alternative. I could go back to that cubicle for the next 40 years.

I’d learned how to get certified in yachting. Nobody had taught me how to get employed.

That’s why most people fail. The yachting schools sell them course after course, and nobody coaches them on how to actually start working as crew.

You’ve got it in you to be great crew on a beautiful yacht. Without the right formula, you won’t land that first job.

I worked it out the hard way, went on to become a captain, ended up on a famous TV show, and now I recruit for boats too. That’s why I started Superyacht Sunday School: to get you there the fastest and easiest way.

With Office View to Superyacht Crew you get:

Cut the risk

I slash your risk of not landing a yacht job. You don’t research certificates: I tell you which ones to book, in order. From day one your effort goes into what actually gets you hired.

Mentorship and direct feedback

I’m not just any captain. I’m also a recruiter. You get a captain in your pocket: weekly calls, every CV review, every “should I take this offer” conversation. No nonsense feedback from someone who does the hiring.

A kickass CV

A single yacht job can get 400 CVs, and captains give each one the six second scan. You answer twelve questions, I rebuild your CV with you on a call, and we get it through the six second scan together.

The complete walkthrough

No more randomly looking for jobs. I map the stretch of marina you actually walk in Antibes, Palma or Fort Lauderdale, the week to fly and the week to wait. The app tracks every application and every follow up, so nothing slips.

Go beyond just getting hired and focus on what really matters: finding the job and the boat that fit you.

But that’s not all!

It also comes with these bonuses to make the whole process easier.

  • Two private sessions with me

    We dive deep into your questions and ambitions and build a strategy made for your yachting journey.

  • Weekly live sessions with me

    Bring any question. Learn from crew further along their journey before you hit the same problems.

  • Direct access to me

    A quick text about a job offer or a long email about your next career move. Advice is always a message away.

  • Unlimited CV reviews

    I check your CV before it goes in front of any boat.

  • QuickClimb Career Cheatsheets

    A simple roadmap of the fastest routes and the key positions to move your yachting career up quickly.

  • Visa Success Kit

    Clear, simple steps through the visa process, so you get on board and on your way. Personalised guidance on working visas is available as an additional service within the programme.

  • Your CV in my recruitment database

    Ever wished you could skip the job boards and land right on a recruiter’s desk? This is the next best thing.

  • SSS Private Job Group

    The inner circle where our job listings meet crew who are ready to go. Step inside and let your next gig find you.

  • SSS Private Community

    Distraction free, high level conversations with other ambitious crew. See what yachties are really talking about, all in one place.

Plus the Port Networking Groups, the SSS Success School Workbook and 12 months of alumni membership.

What you’re going to get

  • The complete system
  • Full Bootcamp Course$2,000
  • Superyacht Job OS App$2,000
  • SSS Success School Workbook$200
  • Hands on help
  • 2 Private Sessions with Hugo$2,000
  • Unlimited CV Reviews$1,000
  • Direct Access to Hugo$1,000
  • Network and jobs
  • SSS Private Community$1,000
  • Weekly Live Sessions with Hugo$2,500
  • SSS Private Job Group$1,500
  • Port Networking Groups$1,500
  • 12 Month Alumni Membership$500
  • CV in Hugo’s Recruitment DatabasePriceless
  • Bonuses
  • QuickClimb Career Cheatsheets$300
  • Visa Success Kit$1,000

Total value$16,500+

You won’t pay anything like that. There are payment plans, and we go through the real price on the call.

Office View to Superyacht Crew

Find out what’s holding you back.

In 30 minutes I’ll tell you which of the three it is: your CV, your location or your timing. No pitch deck, no slides. Just you, me and your situation.

Show me what’s holding me back

The call is free. The programme is paid, there are payment plans, and we go through the price on the call.

I do these calls myself, no team. Once they’re booked, they’re booked.

I’ve got your back.

Look, diving into something as big as this isn’t some casual click. It’s a life pivot. You don’t want to toss your cash into the ocean without a lifebuoy.

So here’s my side of it. Follow the plan the way I lay it out. If you’re still stranded on jobless island after three months, I personally jump on board and we keep working on it together.

That’s the roadmap I wish someone had handed me. Once my crew start looking, they’re working within 3 months.

And if we get on a call and it’s not a fit, no problem. You walk away with a clearer plan than you came in with.

More success stories

“Superyacht Sunday School has helped me so much. Whether it’s resource materials or career advice. Hugo has a tremendous amount of industry knowledge that other mentors and programs don’t have.”
Armand Pretorius2nd Officer on a 55m motor yacht, South Africa
“I highly recommend getting in touch with Hugo. It will be one of the best investments you make in yourself.”
Angus MacMillanFirst Mate on a 35m motor yacht, South Africa
“He always responded quickly to my questions and kept me on track. Overall, I would fully recommend using Superyacht Sunday School, as I’m not sure where I would be without it.”
Cole McleanDeckhand on a 90m motor yacht, United Kingdom
“With his help I was able to quickly get multiple jobs offers and finally land my dream job! I still reach out to him whenever I need help!”
Reilly BayerStewardess on a 65m motor yacht, United States

“I love working with Hugo and Shelby! They helped me with multiple job offers, and were there whenever I needed advice. It’s a great idea to go with a company like this because it’s so difficult getting into Yachting and it’s important to have guidance along the way, they made my life so much easier!”

Reilly BayerReilly BayerStewardess, United States

“Hugo is the only reason I was able to get into Yachting. I had been trying for so long but I am from Costa Rica so this is very hard. Me and my family are grateful that I now get to do what I love while making a great salary and traveling the world. I hope more people benefit from his help just like I did.”

Ruben Lopez DelgadoRuben Lopez DelgadoSports Fish Captain, Costa Rica

“Hugo gives the best advice for anything to do with Yachting. With his knowledge I was able to get my ideal job on a 60m and have already been there for 2 years. He has mentored me in every big decision I’ve taken in Yachting and he has never steered me wrong. I’ll continue to use him for professional advice.”

Jose GalvisJose GalvisBosun, Venezuela

Messages I get from my crew

  • Omg ... good news ... I found a permanent job as a deck/stew, just signed all the paperwork and I just arrived on board. Everything is lovely. … It’s a 50m M/Y and we’re cruising in the med and Scandinavia and then we’ll head over to the States.

    Kerstin K.

  • So Captain just texted me welcome aboard. I got the job Hugo. I’m about to call my parents.

    Camila L.

In case I missed anything

Does this replace an STCW requirement?

No. This is in addition to STCW and the other maritime requirements. If you still need your STCW, we can connect you with our partners.

I already completed my STCW and several courses. Do I still need this?

Certificates are less than 10% of what we cover. We coach you on everything you need before you step on your first yacht: salary expectations and negotiation, your rights at sea, networking, job applications, recruiters and your CV.

I don’t have any boating experience at all. Can I still do this?

That’s ok! Most incoming crew don’t either. 88% of my crew started with zero boating experience. We walk you through every step and show you how to apply your land based experience to yachting.

Do you find me a job?

We don’t provide job placement. We give you all the tools to find work. That said, we’re constantly getting requests for new crew and we do our best to connect our students with those opportunities. We keep every student on file and let them know about the job listings in our network.

What if I want to work on sailing yachts or other types of yachts?

This works for anyone interested in luxury boating. Sailing yachts, expedition yachts, chase boats or sportfishers, we do it all and tailor your plan to you.

Am I too old, or too young?

My crew range from 19 to 53, and the average age is 30. Bring your age to the call and I’ll tell you straight how it plays.

What does it cost?

It’s not a $99 mini course. It’s also not some crazy 10k mastermind. There are payment plans, and we go through the price on the call, once I know your situation and whether I can actually help.

What happens on the call?

It’s 30 minutes with me. You tell me where you are, and I tell you which of the three is holding you back: your CV, your location or your timing. Bring your partner if they have questions.

Is this for me?

It’s for you if you’re stuck in a job that looks fine on paper, you keep thinking “is this it?”, and you’re ready to do the work. It’s not for you if you’re waiting for the perfect moment, or you’ll let someone talk you out of it. Nobody is ever ready.

And if you think your job or your background means you can’t do this, you’re exactly the person I want to work with.

Office View to Superyacht Crew

You’ll know more in 30 minutes than you would in 30 days of Googling.

Worst case, free plan. Best case, you change your life.

Show me what’s holding me back

A free 30 minute call with me. Bring your partner if they have questions.