How to become a Below Deck cast member

For many, the thought of being a superyacht crew member conjures wanderlust and a sense of envy towards those who currently boast such employment. A job that allows you to travel around the world without expense, all while earning an impressive salary and working with likeminded individuals, is the stuff of dreams.

The idea, then, that a lucky band of individuals are fortunate enough to experience this while simultaneously starring in a hit reality TV show seems almost too good to be true.

But, thanks to Below Deck, such a job exists – and it can be the launchpad to a future career doing almost anything. The potential for those who have worked on board the most famous charter superyacht in the world is limitless.

But how did the Below Deck cast get chosen? What’s the process for applying and being considered by producers?

Yachting Pages provides an introduction into how the current cast were recruited, the application process they completed and the key things producers look for from candidates.

Below Deck cast season one
Below Deck season one cast | Photo by: Bravo

The eight stages of the application process

Surprisingly the application process isn’t as complicated or restricting as you might think considering that it’s essentially two jobs in one: Being both a superyacht crew member and reality show cast member.

In the early stages of 2020, Below Deck season eight casting director Diana Wallace uploaded a casting call on Instagram, explaining that ‘experienced yachties’ were being recruited and that they needed to supply a CV and photo to apply. Nothing too strenuous, all things considered.

However, there are a few prerequisites that applicants must meet to be considered for employment. Some of them you might expect and others you might not.

These are the eight fundamentals that producers demand of each and every cast member prior to recruiting them – and ultimately the things all current Below Deck yachties will have demonstrated to land their place on board.

1. You must be licensed and certified

It should go without saying, but the first thing producers will look at is whether you are licensed and qualified to undertake a position as a crew member aboard a superyacht. If you aren’t, applying for the show is a complete non-starter.

The show isn’t staged; it’s real, paid-for yacht charters, so the utmost professionalism is essential at all times.

Captain Lee Rosbach
Captain Lee Rosbach | Photo by: Bravo

Producers will only consider individuals who are fully trained to the high standards expected of superyacht crew. The individuals in question need to be healthy, knowledgeable and capable of carrying out their duties for long periods of time with little in the way of time off. Experience is also an important factor.

If you aren’t qualified and want to pursue a career as a crew member, refer to our crew training guides for helpful tips and advice on how to start your journey.

NB: Don’t expect qualification to mean that producers will consider you for a job; they look for individuals who demonstrate a genuine and long-term enthusiasm for the role.

2. You have to meet an age requirement

All Below Deck crew members are required to be at least 21 years old to join the show. Sadly, if you are fully qualified but fall beneath this age requirement, you may have to wait a couple of seasons before applying.

3. You can’t be a candidate for public office

Bravo do not pursue applications from individuals that are candidates for public office, for obvious reasons. Politics and yachting don’t mix in the eyes of producers.

4. You have to apply online… most of the time

Whilst Wallace’s Instagram post demonstrated that there are occasions when casting directors will openly invite applications to their professional email address, generally prospective applicants are asked to apply online.

Unsurprisingly, it is thought that the show receives a number of applications every time it puts out a casting call, so it’s much more time efficient to have them going to a central location online.

Applicants simply share their basic information, their yachting CV and a short video introducing themselves.

Below Deck alum Kate Chastain at TV show screening
Kate Chastain at a Bravo red carpet event | Photo by: Bravo

5. You must secure a Visa

As yachting is a global industry, there are many logistical details that need to be ironed out ahead of each season.

All cast members are responsible for securing the necessary visa to work in the location the charters are going to be taking place.

6. You must sign a contract with Bravo

Each crew member is required to sign a contract with Bravo. There are a number of other documents that need to be signed, including a waiver and a release form for appearing on television (as well as the abundance of modern-day streaming platforms).

7. You are subject to a background check

It’s important that producers get the right people in situ, so a comprehensive background check is undertaken on every prospective cast member before they are recruited. Chiefly, the background vetting is in place to ensure individuals can carry out their job safely.

But Below Deck is a reality TV show which relies on drama and relationships, so producers undoubtedly look into each yachtie’s personality to gauge whether they are likely to bring something to the group dynamic.

8. You must work hard – for at least two thirds of every day

8-hour shifts do not exist in the superyacht industry. Each cast member signs on for 16-hour-plus shifts – and that only factors in their responsibilities on the boat.

Below Deck alum Kate Chastain confirmed this on Twitter in 2020. In a tweet, she explained that cast members work for a minimum of 16 hours each day before getting the chance to sleep.

Hannah Ferrier promo shot Below Deck
Hannah Ferrier promo shot | Photo by: Bravo

While the benefits of the job are obvious and plentiful, it’s fair to say the cast forfeit a lot to fulfill their contractual obligations on the show. From having cameras following them around almost every room on board to not being in control of the lights in their cabin, there’s no such thing as privacy when you’re a Below Deck cast member.

It’s a win-win for producers, because not only does it ensure they capture everything that unfolds behind the scenes of each charter, but it also causes irritability, which can often be the catalyst for some inter-crew drama!

If you’re keen to become a Below Deck cast member in the future, make sure you adhere to the eight fundamentals that producers expect.


Read more Below Deck articles in our dedicated library. Alternatively, if you're inspired by the thought of working on a yacht, you can search for a Crew Agent near you.

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