WORKING AS A PASSENGER VESSEL SECURITY CREW MEMBER
- Money – The amount you earn with a career at sea is often more than what you can make back home. Passenger vessel security crew are also subject to tax exceptions provided you meet specific requirements.
- Cost of Living – Everything is paid for while you’re onboard; uniforms, food,
housing, electricity, water, and healthcare. You can save a lot of money or
send it back home to your family - Personal Growth – You have opportunities to advance on a passenger vessel
and you gain so much knowledge as you’re dipped in a pool of international
people/attitudes/ideas and atmosphere - Facilities – Most passenger vessels have a number of facilities for crew to
enjoy in their off time, such as the crew restaurant, crew bar, crew deck,
gym, computer center, crew shop and spa - Travel – Passenger vessels operate at some of the worlds most exotic
destinations which you get to see for free - Friendships – Crew members are a close community and you will make many
good friends for life - Vacation – After your contract, you will get a couple months or longer of
vacation at home
Each Security Team operates under the ultimate command of the Master and the Ship Security Officer (SSO) with the supervision of the Security Officer / Team Leader.
Each team consists of a number of security guards according to the many aspects of the required operation, such as size of vessel, number of passengers, number of entrances, security level, area of operation and itinerary.
If we look at larger passenger vessels with 2000 passengers, there is a team of 13. If we look at a medium sized passenger vessel with 1700 passengers as an example, crew complement is as follows:
- 1 x Security Officer – Reports to Ship Security Officer (SSO) and responsible for
implementing all security procedures established by the company and
coordinates the work of the whole security team - 8 x Security Guards (6 male and 2 female) – Responsible for all security duties
assigned by the Security Officer and reports to him/her
Depending on the size of the yacht, there are between 1 to 10 Deck Hands
Security Officers typically work 3-4 month contracts with 3-4 month vacations
Security Guards typically work 6-9 month contracts with 2-3 month vacations
Deck Hands typically work 6-9 month contracts with 2-3 month vacations
The vessel is constantly operating, and there are almost always guests onboard, so hours are long. Expect to work every day of your contract, about 70 hours per week. Shore-leave is limited to a few hours a day, if and when the vessel is in port
Security Officers salary ranges from $4000 to $8000 per month (on average) depending on the client and time served with the company
Security Guards salary ranges from $1300 to $2300 per month (on average) depending on the client and time served with the company
Deck Hands salary ranges from $2500 to $5000 per month (on average) depending on size of the yacht, previous experience, training and certification, and time served with the company
Full salaries and packages are discussed on a one-to-one basis during the final interview and offer stage of the selection process
