Hey yachties, it’s Teagan! Your 24-year-old yacht girl from the US, currently obsessed with turning my passion into a full-time stewardess gig. I am on the brink of my dream career. If you’re dreaming of crisp linens, epic charters, and that endless horizon life, you already know the fun adventures come with serious responsibility. Safety isn’t just important on a yacht; it’s everything. When you’re floating in the middle of the ocean, far from hospitals or fire stations, the stakes are sky-high. You have to be ready for literally anything. Today I’m breaking down the real training every stewardess needs, the stuff that shows captains you’re serious about the professional side of this job. And if you’re hiring in Fort Lauderdale come May, hi, I’m looking! Let’s talk!!
First things first: you literally cannot start a yachting career without two big ones: STCW and ENG1. These aren’t optional extras; they’re the bare minimum to even get your foot on deck.
STCW stands for Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping. It’s the global standard set by the International Maritime Organization, and it’s non-negotiable for anyone working on commercial vessels. The course covers survival at sea, fire prevention and fighting, first aid, personal safety, social responsibilities, and more. I did mine in Palma de Mallorca through Bluewater, and honestly, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Five intense days, but I walked away knowing exactly what seven short blasts followed by one long one means (man overboard), or what a continuous ringing bell signals. Before that class, I had never even touched a fire extinguisher in real life, only seen them on walls, never thinking they would actually need to be used. Now I can run through the PASS technique (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) in my sleep. It’s wild how something so basic can feel so empowering once you actually practice it.
Then there’s the ENG1. This is your official seafarer medical certificate. You go to an approved maritime doctor who checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, overall fitness, and anything that could be a problem when you’re days away from land-based help. I have another blog post with links that will direct you straight to the booking site!!
It’s not a casual physical; it’s making sure you’re healthy enough for the isolation that comes with yacht life. I passed mine no problem, but it definitely drove home how important it is to take care of your body in this industry.
Once you’ve got those under your belt, onboard safety drills become your daily reality. Every yacht follows SOLAS rules, which means regular fire drills, abandon-ship drills, lifeboat musters, and emergency walkthroughs. Fire awareness is huge because yachts basically have kitchens, engine rooms, and fancy wood-paneled interiors all in one floating package. You learn the different classes of fire, which extinguisher or blanket to grab, and how to stay calm while you act. We also train for medical emergencies, man-overboard situations, and even security threats in certain cruising areas. It’s repetitive on purpose. Muscle memory saves lives when seconds count.
I’ve learned a ton outside the classroom too. Social media has changed everything. Yachting influencers post the most helpful tutorials—knots, line handling, interior tips, you name it. As someone who started as a deck/stew, I literally taught myself most of my knots from Instagram reels and TikToks. Super grateful for that community.
My very first job almost a year ago was in Alicante, Spain, and let me tell you, it was sink-or-swim. I barely had time to breathe before guests were on board and I was handling lines and fenders for real. Being green and getting started is extremely hard in this industry because no one wants to teach someone the basics when there are so many other people with expertise already. That is why you just need to find someone to take a chance on you. My hands were shaking, my stomach was in knots, but pushing through that fear taught me more than any calm practice session ever could. I used to drive to the marina an hour early just so I could sit in my car and practice bowlines and clove hitches on my steering wheel with my iPhone charger as rope. Sounds ridiculous, but it worked. Determination turns mistakes into lessons instead of roadblocks. If you’re willing to keep showing up and learning, even the scary moments help you grow.
If you’ve watched Below Deck (who hasn’t?), you see it over and over: most drama comes from someone skipping a safety step or getting sloppy with protocol. A missed checklist, a rushed maneuver, and suddenly the whole boat is in crisis mode. It’s a reminder that due diligence isn’t glamorous, but it keeps everyone safe and the charter running smoothly.
Bottom line? Yacht safety training isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about building a mindset where you stay sharp, stay prepared, and look out for your crew and guests no matter what. That’s the energy I’m bringing to every job I chase. If you’re a chief stew or captain in Fort Lauderdale looking for a STCW-certified, ENG1-fit stewardess ready to hustle this May, slide into my DMs or check out teaganlitten.com. I’d love to chat and bring that same dedication to your team.