It's not a gap year. It's a career.
Practical, personal support for anyone entering or moving up in professional yachting: visas, crew flights and one-to-one mentorship from crew who've done the job.
Next step: a quick WhatsApp chat with Cam or Kate. No 20-question forms.
Choose the support you need
Yachtlaunch helps simplify what can otherwise be a very overwhelming process. Start with one service or bring us the whole journey.
Visas
US B1/B2 and Schengen. DS-160, documents and interview preparation.
Start your visa enquiryFlights
Marine fares with flexible dates and extra baggage, from a 24/7 desk.
Request flight assistanceMentorship
One-to-one with Cam, ex-Chief Officer. Ten places a month.
Speak to CamMCA Training
From deckhand to captain, with our partner school PYT Durban.
Plan your next stepBetter prepared. Better informed. Better positioned.
- Visa guidance and application support
- Yacht crew flights and travel assistance
- One-to-one mentorship
- Career and CV guidance
- Training and course guidance
- MCA career progression guidance
- Practical support navigating the industry
We're not a recruitment agency. We don't promise jobs or visa approvals. We help you arrive prepared, informed and properly positioned to pursue opportunities in the industry.
“It's work, and it's hard work, and it's long work. But it's rewarding.”
Cam Baker, founder and mentor. About 12 years in professional yachting, including as Chief Officer.Honest about cost. Cam will tell you which “mandatory” courses you actually need, and which you don't.
A desk that never sleeps. Flights through Martin Wheeler's 12-person team, 35 years in marine travel, 24/7.
Read the transcript
My name is Cam Baker. The thinking behind Yachtlaunch is to make the process easier for the person trying to break into the industry. I know that when I started there was no one there that was able to tell me what to do. I knew that I had to go to yacht school. After yacht school, I had no idea what to do. I didn't know how to get a visa. I didn't know where I was going and I didn't know what I was going into.
Three main services are visa assistance in the application, the booking and issuing of marine fare flights, and mentorship to help you map out your career journey towards whatever position it is you want to become.
Yachtlaunch is here to hold your hand through the entire process, submit all of your documents on your behalf, proof check your documents, and make sure that they are abiding to the set of standards that the embassy or consulate require to issue a visa.
I wish someone had told me that it's not a gap year and it's not a holiday. That it's an actual career, not what you see on Instagram. It's work, and it's hard work, and it's long work, but it's rewarding.
It's not a necessity to go through an agent, or to come through Yachtlaunch for that matter. It is possible to do it on your own. However, through my experience, it was a lot more expensive to do it on my own and it took me a lot longer. So I wish I'd had someone there to help me through the process, to help me with my visa application, to hold my hand, and to help me figure out where I was going.
Crew who've launched with us
Straight from Instagram, in their own words.
“Their knowledge of the game and attention to detail gave me complete confidence that everything was being taken care of properly.”
Read Greg's full review
“I would highly recommend Cameron and Kate from YachtLaunch for their exceptional service and professionalism. I was faced with a very tight timeframe to obtain a Schengen visa, arrange flights, and get all the necessary documentation in order. From the very beginning, Cam and Kate went above and beyond to make the entire process as smooth and stress-free as possible. They assisted me with preparing all the required documentation, guided me through each step of the visa application process, and helped arrange flights to the appointment within very limited time. Despite the time pressure, they remained professional, efficient, responsive and incredibly helpful throughout. What really stood out to me was their willingness to go the extra mile and their ability to handle everything calmly and professionally, even under the pressure from my situation. Their knowledge of the game and attention to detail gave me complete confidence that everything was being taken care of properly. A huge thank you to them both for making what could have been a very stressful situation straightforward and manageable. I genuinely appreciate the effort and efficiency they put into assisting me, and I would have no hesitation in recommending YachtLaunch to anyone needing assistance with visas, travel arrangements and the overall process surrounding the travel requirements for a yachtie. Excellent service, from start to finish.”
“Using them saved me on money, time and headaches.”
Read Keagan's full review
“A huge shoutout to @yachtlaunch for helping me secure my Schengen visa! The team was incredibly professional, organised and helpful throughout the entire process, making everything so easy and stress-free. They guided me through every step, answered all my questions and helped me get my visa without any issues and in record time! Using them saved me on money, time and headaches. Thank you for making the whole process so seamless! Could not recommend enough.”
Working alongside
Trusted training providers and industry specialists who are part of the Yachtlaunch journey.
Our proud official partner school. MCA-endorsed qualifications that can carry you from deckhand to captain, from 3rd engineer to chief engineer, and from junior stewardess to chief stewardess.
A global roaming SIM and data solution designed by yacht crew, for yacht crew, so you stay connected on board and on shore leave.
Partner profile coming soon.
How it works
Personal from the first message. You'll always know who you're talking to and what happens next.
Say hello on WhatsApp
Tell us where you are and what you need. No 20-question forms.
Discovery call
A proper conversation on Teams to understand your goals and map out the next steps.
Personal support
Direct WhatsApp and phone contact with the team while we work through it with you.
Updates as it happens
Every booking and application update lands in your inbox, so nothing gets lost.
Questions, answered straight
Still unsure? Ask us on WhatsApp
Is Yachtlaunch a recruitment agency?
No. We don't place crew or promise anyone a job. We give you practical, personalised support with visas, flights, mentorship, CVs and training, so you're better prepared, better informed and better positioned to pursue opportunities in the industry yourself.
Can you guarantee my visa?
No. Yachtlaunch provides visa application support and guidance but does not guarantee visa approval. All visa decisions remain solely with the relevant embassy, consulate or immigration authority. What we can do is help you prepare a clear, complete application and get ready for your appointment or interview.
Do I have to use an agent to get into yachting?
No. As Cam says, it is possible to do it on your own. When he started out, though, doing it alone cost him a lot more and took a lot longer. Yachtlaunch is the help he wishes he'd had: someone experienced to guide you through visas, flights and your first steps.
How does it work once I enquire?
We start with a chat on WhatsApp. Then we set up a discovery call on Microsoft Teams to understand where you are and what you need. From there you have direct WhatsApp and phone contact with the team, and we keep you updated on any bookings by email.
Do I send my passport through the website?
No. Please don't send passport copies or ID documents through the website. Once we've reviewed your enquiry, we'll email you exactly which documents we need and how to send them securely. We only ask for what your application needs, and we keep it only as long as we need it.
How many people does Cam mentor?
Cam mentors up to 10 people a month, one to one, so everyone he works with gets real time and attention. If you'd like to be one of them, get in touch.
Who is PYT Durban?
PYT Durban is our official MCA training partner school. Yachtlaunch is not a training provider itself: we help you understand the MCA training pathway and which courses you actually need, and PYT Durban delivers the training.
Get in touch, mate.
Tell us where you are in your journey and we'll help you understand the next step. Launch your career with people who've done the job.