The Mediterranean is the heart of yachting in summer - long lunches in Saint-Tropez, glittering nights in Ibiza, and tender runs that never seem to end. But once September fades, things change. Guests disappear, marinas empty out, and the crew left behind discover a very different kind of season.
If you are staying in Europe for the winter, here is how to make it through with sanity (and your CV) intact.
Cold Weather Maintenance
Forget polishing champagne flutes. Winter is about polishing rails, sanding decks, and scrubbing things you did not even know existed. The boat may be hauled out in the yard, stripped back and rebuilt bit by bit.
Engineers focus on servicing engines, generators, watermakers, air-con systems.
Deck crew get stuck into varnishing, painting, polishing stainless, replacing safety gear.
Interior crew tackle deep cleans, stain treatments, fabric care, and updating inventories.
Yard time may not look glamorous on Instagram, but future captains and chief stews know how valuable it is.
Keeping Morale Up in Empty Marinas
Winter ports are not exactly buzzing. Antibes without the summer crowd feels like a ghost town, and Palma’s crew bars are quieter than you remember. But there is a silver lining.
Crew traditions: weekly dinners, Friday film nights, or even “fake charter nights” where you cook and set the table for each other.
Fitness: crew gyms in Antibes and Palma offer cheap off-season memberships.
Mini trips: skiing in the Alps is just a train ride from Nice, and Mallorca offers hiking trails even in winter.
Finding small rituals keeps spirits high when the weather is grey and the guests are long gone.
Training and Courses in Downtime
Winter is the perfect time to invest in yourself. Agencies notice crew who use downtime for courses.
Deck: Powerboat Level 2, PWC Instructor, Yachtmaster Offshore/Coastal, GMDSS Radio.
Interior: WSET Level 2 Wine, Silver Service, Mixology, Floristry.
Engineering: AEC 1 & 2, MEOL, Diesel Maintenance.
Mandatory refreshers: STCW 95 refresher, ENG1 renewal if due.
Where to train:
Palma Sea School – RYA Yachtmaster, Powerboat Level 2, engineering modules.
UKSA (Isle of Wight) – Career packages, deck courses, interior training, watersports instructor pathways.
Warsash Maritime School – Advanced navigation, engineering, officer training.
The Yacht Stew Academy - Interior GUEST-accredited interior training, including Advanced Housekeeping, Foundations of Leadership, and Events & Interior Management. And for those aiming higher, they are running an in-person Chief Stew CoC course this winter — definitely one to have on your radar.
Recruitment Sites to Keep in Touch With
Winter is also when yachts quietly start looking for next season’s crew. Staying visible with agencies and recruitment platforms keeps you front of mind.
Some of the big names crew rely on in the Med include Quay Crew, Yotspot, Bespoke Crew, Seven Seas Recruitment, Viking Crew, and Wilsonhalligan. Most now connect directly with CrewPass, so when your profile is verified, recruiters can instantly see that your background checks are done and you are ready to work.
Tips:
Having your CrewPass profile fully verified means these agencies can fast-track your applications and captains can trust your background checks.
Smart move: update your profile, display your CrewPass badge clearly on your CV, and drop your recruiter a quick email to let them know you are available.
Why It Matters for Crew Careers
The Med may feel sleepy in winter, but this is when smart crew prepare for the next season. Boats start hiring again in March and April, so being proactive now pays off later. Captains notice crew who invest in training, keep their finances in order, and show up ready with paperwork and CrewPass already done.
Surviving winter in the Med is about balance. Yes, it is colder, quieter, and sometimes damp, but it is also a chance to reset. Use the downtime to polish your skills, save money, and strengthen your CV.
By the time spring rolls around, you will be sharper, rested, and ready for another whirlwind season. Guests may not see the work you put in during the winter, but future employers will, and your future self will thank you too.
