ROTATIONAL CAPTAIN | PRIVATE OYSTER 885

ROTATIONAL CAPTAIN | PRIVATE OYSTER 885

UK Refit | Caribbean | Panama Canal | Pacific | Hawaii

​Start Date: Mid-November 2026

An experienced Captain is required to join a well-run private Oyster 885 programme from mid-November, with an exciting cruising schedule planned over the coming years.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a sailing yacht Captain looking to become part of a long-term private programme that combines adventurous bluewater cruising with a highly engaged ownership experience. The yacht is currently in Norway and will return to the UK this autumn for a refit with Oyster, providing the successful candidate with valuable time to familiarise themselves with the vessel, owners, and crew before the next phase of the itinerary.

Plans include a Caribbean season, Panama Canal transit, extensive Pacific cruising, and a winter season in Hawaii.

The owners are enthusiastic sailors who typically spend around six months of the year onboard. They enjoy being actively involved in the programme and value open communication, professionalism, and teamwork. As such, this role would suit a Captain who is confident leading a crew, highly organised, approachable, and comfortable working closely alongside owners.

The programme has a fully rotational crew structure and places a strong emphasis on professionalism, reliability, continuity, and crew longevity. The owners genuinely value their crew and are committed to investing in both the programme and the people who make it successful.

Captain Responsibilities:

• Leadership and management of the crew
  
• Safety, compliance, and passage planning
  
• Maintenance oversight and technical management
  
• Owner and guest experience
  
• Budgeting, logistics, and operational planning
  
• Effective handover and communication with the rotational Captain
  

Requirements:

• Previous Captain experience on high-end sailing yachts
  
• Strong bluewater cruising and passagemaking experience
  
• Excellent leadership and crew management skills
  
• Strong technical knowledge and maintenance oversight experience
  
• Professional and organised approach to vessel operations
  
• Ability to work closely with owners and deliver exceptional service
  
• Commercially endorsed Yachtmaster Offshore/Ocean or higher
  
• Valid STCW and ENG1
  

Package:

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience
  
• Rotational position (currently 2:2, with flexibility being discussed for Pacific cruising)
  
• Annual salary review
  
• Performance-related bonus
  
• One professional training course per year
  
• Long-term opportunity within a stable private programme
  
• Supportive owners who genuinely value their crew and invest in the programme
  

This is a rare opportunity to join a fantastic Oyster sailing programme at an exciting stage of its journey. Offering world-class cruising, a professional rotational structure, and long-term stability, this role would suit a Captain seeking to become an integral part of a highly regarded private sailing programme.