Capt. & Chef couple - Permanent - Min exp 3 years - $TBD - very competitive - Bahamas, The
Seeking Professional Captain / Chef Couple for Long Term Circumnavigation
Seeking an experienced Captain / Chef couple to become full-time crew of SY “Catalyst”, a 2025 Fountaine Pajot Samana 59 sailing catamaran engaged in a long-term world cruising program.
Catalyst is a BVI-flagged yacht privately owned and operated by an American couple in their 50s who live aboard most of the year and regularly host family and friends. The yacht is also offered for limited charter between 4 and 8 weeks per year. She is well-appointed and extensively equipped for long-range remote cruising, including Starlink, large lithium battery bank, extensive solar, multiple refrigeration and freezer systems, and numerous additional upgrades focused on comfort, redundancy, and onboard autonomy.
The program focuses on offshore passagemaking, remote cruising, diving, and watersports. Planned cruising areas over the next four to eight years include the Southern Caribbean, Panama, French Polynesia, Fiji, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and eventually the Mediterranean.
Start date will be between mid-June and mid-September 2026 in either the Bahamas or Grenada.
Catalyst began her slow circumnavigation after departing France in June 2025. She cruised the Iberian Peninsula, crossed the Atlantic, and has been based in the Bahamas since December 2025. The owner actively participates onboard during passages, with additional watch crew brought on board for ocean crossings.
Applicants must be experienced and comfortable operating and maintaining a modern luxury sailing catamaran in remote cruising areas while maintaining high operational, maintenance, and guest-service standards. The owners are personable and reasonable, though this is a very busy, hands-on position requiring professionalism, flexibility, a strong work ethic, and attention to detail. The owners are seeking experienced crew capable of operating independently while maintaining excellent communication and coordination onboard.
Crew accommodations consist of a shared private cabin with ensuite bath and queen berth. An additional forepeak berth is used periodically for temporary crew or watersports staff.
Applicants must share a queen berth — therefore couples only.
Captain Qualifications
• Yachtmaster Ocean or equivalent advanced license
• STCW & ENG1
• Extensive offshore and blue-water sailing experience
• Multiple ocean crossings
• Prior catamaran experience
• Prior charter experience
• Strong engineering, mechanical, troubleshooting, and maintenance skills are essential
• Must be a non-smoker, may drink alcohol occasionally but not to excess, and must be completely fluent in English
• Multiple professional references required
Captain Responsibilities
• Safe operation and navigation of the vessel
• Passage planning and weather routing
• Maintenance and troubleshooting of all vessel systems including engines, generators, watermakers, plumbing, electrical, and onboard equipment
• Docking, anchoring, and tender operations
• Customs and immigration coordination
• Provisioning logistics
• Charter preparation and coordination
• Supporting guest activities and watersports operations when coaches are not onboard
• Maintaining high safety and operational standards
Chef / Stewardess Qualifications
• STCW & ENG1
• Prior yacht chef and/or charter experience
• Culinary training and strong practical cooking ability
• Organized, capable, and self-motivated
• Must be a non-smoker, may drink alcohol occasionally but not to excess, and must be completely fluent in English
• Multiple professional references required
Chef / Stewardess Responsibilities
• Meal planning and preparation in coordination with owners
• Provisioning
• Interior management, housekeeping, and laundry
• Guest service
• Inventory management
• Supporting charter operations when applicable
• Assisting with docking and line handling
Compensation & Terms
• Salary competitive and appropriate for highly experienced offshore crew
• Charter gratuities paid fully to crew
• Health insurance provided
• Flights/repatriation provided
• Standard seafarer employment agreement
• One permanent crew couple preferred, though rotational arrangements may be considered
To apply please send letter of introduction, CVs, certifications, references, current location, and availability.
Projected Itinerary – Subject to Change
2026
• June and July – Bahamas
• August & September – Grenada (maintenance period — owner not onboard)
• October and November – St. Vincent & the Grenadines
• December – San Blas Islands, Panama
2027
• January – Panama Canal transit and Las Perlas Islands
• February or March – Galapagos
• April through November – Marquesas, Tuamotus, Tahiti
• December – Tonga?
2028
• Fiji
• New Zealand
• Fiji again?
2029–2031
• Indonesia?
• Thailand?
• Philippines?
• Southeast Asia?
2032–2034
• Mediterranean
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