The Complete Dock Walking Guide

What is dock walking?

Dock walking means walking along the marina pontoons, introducing yourself to captains, officers, or crew on the yachts moored there, and handing over your CV in person. It's the yachting industry's version of cold-calling — direct, personal, and remarkably effective when done well.

The logic is simple: captains and owners are frequently looking for crew at short notice, particularly in peak season when someone leaves unexpectedly or a charter is booked late. Being physically present in the right marina at the right time means you can be hired the same day. This almost never happens through an agency.

It works. It still works. Every season, people who had never set foot on a yacht before spend two weeks dock walking in Palma or Antibes and leave with a job. The ones who do it properly and persistently are almost always successful.

Before you go — the non-negotiables

Your documents

• STCW Basic Safety Training certificate — original or clear copy. Without this you cannot legally work and no captain will take you seriously.
• ENG1 medical certificate — current and in date.
• Passport — carry a copy, keep the original safe.
• Crew CV — printed, on good paper, 20+ copies. Not a normal job CV — see our crew CV guide.

What to wear

Smart-casual. This is the marina, not a job interview in an office, but you're presenting yourself as a professional. Clean chino trousers or smart shorts, a neat polo or shirt, clean deck shoes or non-marking trainers. No flip-flops. No ripped jeans. You want to look like you already belong on a yacht.

Avoid loud colours or patterns. Dress as close to crew uniform as you can — navy and white always works in this industry.

What to bring

• Your CV pack (20+ copies in a folder, not a screwed-up bag)
• Water — you'll be walking for hours
• Sunscreen — marinas have zero shade in summer
• A small notepad to record which vessels you've visited and any names you were given
• Your phone, charged — captains sometimes call the same day

What to say

You're not pitching. You're introducing yourself. Keep it short, confident, and direct. Here's a simple framework:

That's it. You don't need a speech. What you need is:

• Your name
• The role you're looking for
• Your key qualifications (STCW, ENG1, any experience)
• A clear ask — can I leave my CV / speak to the captain?

If the crew member takes your CV, ask for the captain's name. If the captain is aboard, ask if they have 2 minutes. Most captains, even when they're not hiring, will give you a quick conversation if you're polished and respectful — and they'll remember you if something comes up.

If you're told they're not hiring, say "No problem — thank you for your time. Would it be alright if I checked back in a few days?" Then actually do it.

Best times to dock walk

Timing matters more than most people realise:

Time of day

Early morning (7:30–10am) is when captains and officers are on deck, before guests arrive or schedules take over. Mid-afternoon (2–4pm) is the second window — after lunch and before the evening. Avoid 12–2pm (lunch) and after 5pm (crew downtime and evening preparations).

Time of season

The two weeks before and after the start of each season are when most crew changeovers happen. In the Med, this means late April/early May and late September/October. In the Caribbean, it's late October/November and March/April. Being in the right place as yachts are preparing for or wrapping up a season puts you in the best position.

The boat show effect

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (October) and the Palma International Boat Show (April) bring huge concentrations of owners, captains, and yachts into one place. The weeks surrounding these events are prime dock walking time.

Dos and don'ts

Dock walking by location

Each port has its own geography, rules, and culture. We've written detailed guides for every major dock walking location — which pontoons to target, where security is strict, the best nearby crew bars, and current tips from the community.

Beyond dock walking

Dock walking works best as part of a broader strategy. While you're in the marina every day, also:

• Register with crew agencies — they handle the longer-term contracts that dock walking rarely yields. Yotspot, YPI Crew, and Meridian are worth registering with.
• Use the PYC Facebook groups — crew post daywork opportunities and short-term positions constantly. Often faster than any other channel.
• Do daywork — a day's labour on a boat, even unpaid initially, gets you aboard, known, and sometimes leads to a full position.
• Stay in crew houses — the information network among crew looking for work is invaluable. Your crew house will be full of people with the same goal, and captains know where crew house.