What Does a Yacht Purser Do?

A yacht Purser looks after the administration of the yacht: the paperwork, crew and guest documents, accounts and records that keep a yacht running and compliant. The role is mostly found on larger yachts, where the Captain and the interior team need someone to take the administration off their hands.

The exact duties depend on the yacht, the size of the crew and what the Captain and owner expect. This guide describes what a Purser usually does, how the role differs from Chief Stewardess, and how people move into it.

What a Purser usually looks after

• Crew and guest paperwork. Passports, visas, crew lists, certificates and employment records, kept up to date and in order.
• Clearance in and out of ports. Working with the Captain and shipping agents on customs and immigration paperwork when the yacht arrives or leaves.
• Accounts and records. Tracking spending against the budget, receipts, petty cash and the yacht’s purchasing records.
• Crew leave, travel and correspondence. Recording crew leave and expenditure against travel allowances, arranging travel and managing correspondence and paperwork. On some yachts the role also combines Secretary and PA duties for the Captain.
• Suppliers and stores. Ordering, receiving and recording supplies, and dealing with agents and suppliers.
• Support for the interior team. On many yachts the Purser also helps with guest services and works closely with the Chief Stewardess.

Purser or Chief Stewardess?

The two roles work side by side but do different jobs. The Chief Stewardess leads the interior team and is responsible for the standard of service and housekeeping. The Purser is responsible for the administration. On a smaller yacht one person may cover both, and on a larger yacht both roles may be filled by separate people. See yacht crew positions and ranks for how the departments fit together.

What the job asks of you

• Organisation and meticulous attention to detail: Essential for maintaining accurate records and documentation, as even minor errors can cause unnecessary delays and setbacks to the yacht’s operations.
• Discretion and confidentiality: A Purser handles sensitive financial information, crew records and personal documentation, all of which must be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
• Clear and effective communication: The ability to liaise professionally with the Captain, Heads of Department, yacht agents, suppliers and shore-based management is essential.
• Calm under pressure: The ability to remain composed, organised and adaptable, particularly when managing guest arrivals, departures and charters with tight turnaround times.

How people become a Purser

Pursers are typically chosen for their experience rather than a single qualification. Many come up through the interior team, moving from Stewardess to Chief Stewardess and then taking on the administration. Others arrive from an administration or finance background and add yachting certificates.

Basic safety training (STCW) and a valid medical certificate are expected, as for any crew member, and some training providers offer Purser and interior management courses. See training and certificates by role. For what Pursers are typically paid, see the yacht crew salary guide.

From the founder

As Purser on a 75m private yacht, I worked closely with the Captain in a role that combined the responsibilities of Purser, Secretary and PA. My day-to-day work included accounting, meticulously recording crew leave and expenditure against travel allowances, arranging travel and managing correspondence and paperwork.

We managed all the accounts in Excel, so a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel, was essential, although Excel certainly took me out of my comfort zone, especially as maths was never my strong point at school!

What I wish I’d known at the start was that doubting my ability didn’t mean I wasn’t capable of doing the job. In fact, the attention to detail, organisation and ability to juggle different responsibilities have all stayed with me and proved valuable in running my own recruitment business.

Cara Lees, founder of Cara Lees Yacht Crew. Read her story.

Looking for a Purser, or the next step as one?

Owners, Captains and yacht managers can read how we recruit for the role at hire a yacht Purser, or get in touch. Pursers looking for their next position can register with us.