Camp Boss & Catering Career Path: From Steward and Cook to Chief Steward and Hotel Manager
Messman to Camp Boss — certificates, ranks, day rates from €250+, and a live job market snapshot
CrewBase Team
On many vessels the catering department is invisible until something goes wrong — and then it becomes the most important department on board. Bad food, dirty cabins, lost laundry, or an unhappy client in the accommodation block can shut down morale faster than a weather delay.
The career ladder in hotel and catering at sea is one of the most accessible entry points in maritime — and one of the fastest paths to serious responsibility and day-rate pay. You do not need a maritime academy degree to start as a Messman, Steward, or Cook. With the right certificates, a strong work ethic, and a few contracts of proven reliability, you can progress to Chief Cook, Chief Steward, Camp Boss, or Hotel Manager — titles that sound different on every fleet, but describe the same job: head of the galley and hotel department.
This guide maps the full route: how to get your first job, which certificates employers actually ask for (merchant, offshore, and wind), what each rank does day to day, what a Camp Boss really manages on high-crew and passenger-capable vessels, and what the market pays in 2026. If you can run a galley, keep cabins to standard, and stay calm when 200 people are tired and hungry — this career is for you.
Certificate basics by sector: STCW & Maritime Certifications 2026. Salary context: Maritime Salary Guide 2026.
One Role, Many Names — Capture Them All
Employers and manning agents use overlapping titles. When you search jobs or build your CrewBase profile, list every label you have held:
| What you do | Common titles |
|---|---|
| Entry galley / housekeeping | Messman, Galley Utility, Catering Assistant |
| Cabins, laundry, service | Steward, Stewardess, Cabin Steward |
| Food production | Cook, Day Cook, Night Cook, 2nd Cook, Assistant Cook, First Cook |
| Galley leadership | Chief Cook, Sole Chef, Executive Chef (cruise) |
| Department head (offshore / large crew) | Camp Boss, Campboss, Camp Boss |
| Department head (cruise / hotel structure) | Chief Steward, Chief Steward(ess) |
| Department head (offshore hotel-style) | Hotel Manager, Assistant Hotel Manager |
| Combined deck + galley | AB/Cook, OS/Cook |
On offshore construction vessels, cable-layers, PSVs with large complements, CSOVs, SOVs, and accommodation barges, Camp Boss and Hotel Manager often mean the same function: you run catering and hotel services for crew and, where applicable, project passengers or technicians. On yachts and cruise ships, Chief Steward(ess) is the equivalent head-of-department role.
Smaller merchant ships may employ only one Cook and no dedicated steward. Large offshore units may carry a full team — Chief Cook, multiple cooks, stewards, messmen — all reporting to one Camp Boss or Hotel Manager. Target vessel types that match the career level you want.
Step 1: How to Start — Steward, Cook, or Messman
Who hires at entry level?
- Merchant fleet — bulkers, tankers, container ships: Cook, Messman; sometimes AB/Cook on small tonnage
- Offshore support — PSV, AHTS, construction, DSV: Cook, Steward, Messman; galley teams grow with crew size
- Passenger / RoRo / ferry — Steward(ess), Cook, galley ratings
- Yacht — Stewardess, Cook, Junior Steward — higher service standards
- Wind / CSOV — Cook, Steward; some operators request GWO BST in addition to offshore survival training
Minimum certificates (almost everywhere)
| Certificate | Why you need it |
|---|---|
| STCW Basic Safety Training | PST, PSSR, EFA, FPFF — the four core modules; often called “Basic Safety” |
| STCW Security Awareness (PSA) | ISPS — mandatory for most seafarers |
| Seafarer medical | ENG 1 (UK), offshore medical, or flag-state equivalent — typically 2 years validity |
| Passport & seaman’s book | Identity and sea service documentation |
Additional certificates employers commonly request
| Certificate / training | When it matters |
|---|---|
| Ship’s Cook Certificate / CoC | Required on many vessels for Cook (MLC Reg. 3.2 — trained ship’s cook) |
| Food hygiene / HACCP | Cruise, ferry, yacht, quality-conscious offshore operators |
| Designated Security Duties (DSD) | Some passenger and offshore companies |
| BOSIET / HUET with CA-EBS | Offshore — North Sea, most OSV and construction fleets |
| OGUK / OPITO offshore medical | UK/Norway offshore sector |
| GWO Basic Safety Training (BST) | Offshore wind, CSOV/SOV — sometimes requested for catering staff |
| Crowd / Crisis Management | Ferries, RoPax, cruise — stewards with passenger emergency duties |
Do not wait for your first offshore job to book BOSIET/HUET + CA-EBS. Most offshore Cook and Camp Boss vacancies list it in the first line of requirements. Wind-sector vessels may accept or prefer GWO BST — check each listing; having both widens your options.
How people actually get the first contract
- Complete Basic Safety + PSA + medical — this makes you deployable.
- Add Ship’s Cook training if applying as Cook.
- Build a CV with any hospitality, catering, or housekeeping experience — hotels, restaurants, offshore camps, military. It counts.
- Apply to Cook, Messman, and Steward roles on merchant and offshore.
- After 2–4 contracts, target 2nd Cook, Chief Cook, or lead steward on your profile.
Step 2: Know the Ranks — What Each Job Actually Is
Messman
The traditional entry point. Dishwashing, galley prep, cleaning mess rooms, assisting cooks, sorting stores. Hard work, long hours — but you see the full galley operation. Many Chief Cooks and Camp Bosses started here.
Steward / Stewardess
Focus on accommodation and service: cabins, corridors, laundry, linen, public areas. On yachts and cruise ships, standards are high. On offshore vessels, stewards may handle cabin allocation, inventory, and hygiene inspections.
Cook / Day Cook / Night Cook / 2nd Cook
- Cook — general production for crew (and sometimes passengers)
- Day Cook — main meal periods, bulk prep
- Night Cook — hot meals for 24-hour operations (drilling, construction, ROV ops)
- 2nd Cook — supports Chief Cook; common promotion step
Chief Cook / Sole Chef
Runs the galley: ordering, menus, food safety, team supervision, equipment care. On smaller vessels you may be the only cook — listed as “Sole Chef.”
Chief Steward / Chief Steward(ess)
Head of housekeeping and service (distinct from galley). Laundry, cabins, public areas, uniform issue. On yachts, often manages the interior team. Works closely with — or alongside — the Chief Cook depending on company structure.
Camp Boss / Hotel Manager
Department head for the combined hotel function: galley + housekeeping + catering-related stores. Detailed below.
What Does a Camp Boss Actually Do?
The Camp Boss is not “a senior cook.” On vessels with large crews (80–300+) or passenger-capable accommodation — CSOVs, construction vessels, cable-layers, large PSVs, drill support — the Camp Boss is the operational manager of the hotel department.
Galley and catering
- Lead Chief Cook and galley team; approve menus and ration scales
- Food safety, HACCP records, galley inspections, storage rotation
- Coordination with Master / Chief Engineer on power, water, and waste affecting galley ops
- Budget awareness: consumables, overtime, special events (project milestones, client visits)
Accommodation and hotel services
- Cabin standards — cleanliness, linen cycles, defect reporting
- Cabin deficiency lists — track faults (broken locker, shower, AC); chase rectification with deck/engine/stores
- Laundry — industrial machines, chemicals, turnaround for crew and passengers
- Public areas — mess rooms, TV rooms, gyms, smoking rooms
Passengers, clients, and the link to the bridge
On vessels carrying passengers, clients, surveyors, or technicians, the Camp Boss is often the link between accommodation complaints and the bridge / management:
- Passenger or client complaints — food, cabins, noise, temperature, service
- Familiarisation with the vessel for passengers — muster stations, escape routes, meal times, house rules
- Liaison with Master, Chief Officer, and company reps when hotel issues affect safety or client relations
- Support during audits, inspections, and vetting
Emergency response and leadership
- Assigned emergency duties — often muster station leader for accommodation blocks
- Guide and account for personnel in your department during drills and real emergencies
- Knowledge of LSA/FFA locations in accommodation areas
Team leadership
Hire, train, and roster catering and housekeeping ratings. On long offshore projects, the Camp Boss sets the tone of life on board as much as the Master sets safety culture.
You carry operational risk (food safety, cabin standards, client satisfaction), manage people, and work seven days a week at sea. Companies pay for reliability and calm leadership — not just cooking skill. Experienced Camp Boss and Hotel Manager roles offshore commonly start from €250/day and rise above €300/day on high-spec tonnage.
Career Progression — A Realistic Timeline
Years 0–2: Messman / Steward / Cook
Learn ship routine, safety culture, stores procedures, hygiene standards. Add BOSIET if targeting offshore.
Typical pay (2026): Merchant Cook $1,800–2,500/month; offshore Cook/Steward €150–250/day; Messman €75–120/day offshore.
Years 2–5: 2nd Cook / Chief Cook / Lead Steward
Lead a watch or full galley on smaller units.
Typical pay: €200–325/day offshore for experienced cooks; $2,500–4,000/month merchant Chief Cook.
Years 5–10: Toward Camp Boss / Hotel Manager
Operators want candidates who have been Chief Cook and understand steward/housekeeping. Relief on SOV/CSOV is a common stepping stone.
Typical pay: €250–330+/day on North Sea and high-spec offshore units.
Years 10+: Camp Boss / Hotel Manager
Department-head roles on large offshore fleets, cable-layers, construction, and yacht/cruise management tracks. Yacht Chief Steward(ess) roles can reach €7,000–10,000/month on large private yachts.
Salary Overview 2026
| Role | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Messman | €75–120/day offshore; $1,500–1,800/mo merchant | Entry |
| Steward | €150–200/day offshore; $2,000–3,200/mo merchant | |
| Cook | €180–250/day offshore; $1,800–2,500/mo merchant | |
| Night Cook / 2nd Cook | €200–300/day offshore | 24h operations |
| Chief Cook | €250–325/day offshore; $2,500–4,000/mo merchant | |
| Chief Steward(ess) | $2,000–3,500/mo merchant; €5,000–10,000/mo large yacht | Yacht premium |
| Camp Boss / Hotel Manager | €250–400/day offshore | From ~€250/day; top disclosed rates €330+/day on CSOV |
Note: Many offshore listings do not publish salary — rates are negotiated via agency. North Sea and Norwegian sector typically sit at the top of European ranges.
CrewBase Market Snapshot — May 2026
Active listings in the CrewBase database (catering / hotel keywords, anonymized — no company names):
| Position type | Approx. active vacancies |
|---|---|
| Cook (all types) | ~995 |
| Steward | ~262 |
| Chief Cook | ~160 |
| Chief Steward | ~47 |
| Camp Boss | ~18 |
| Hotel Manager | ~12 |
| Messman | ~20 |
Example listings (companies removed)
- Hotel Manager — CSOV / walk-to-work — worldwide — €330/day
- Chief Cook — offshore support vessel — UK sector — €325/day
- 2nd Cook — offshore support vessel — UK sector — €300/day
- Camp Boss — support vessel / jack-up — ~$203/day (~€185–190) — entry Camp Boss band
- Night Cook — SOV — €200/day
- Messman — CSOV / W2W — North Sea — €75/day
- Steward — cable-layer — €200/day
- Cook — drilling jack-up — £250/day
- Chief Stewardess — yacht >200 ft — Mediterranean — €7,000/month
The pattern is clear: hundreds of Cook and Steward openings, a steady pipeline into Chief roles, and a smaller but well-paid tier of Camp Boss / Hotel Manager roles — often €250/day and above.
Merchant vs Offshore vs Yacht
- Merchant — Steady ship’s cook route; MLC wage scales; good formal sea service. Lower daily rates than North Sea offshore.
- Offshore — Highest day rates for cooks and camp bosses; BOSIET + offshore medical essential; rotation often 4/4. Camp Boss title most common.
- Yacht — Chief Steward(ess) track; service excellence; strong monthly salaries on large private yachts.
- Wind (CSOV/SOV) — Fast-growing; GWO increasingly listed; overlaps with offshore Camp Boss skillset.
The Bottom Line
You can start with Basic Safety and a work ethic — and end up running a department of dozens, earning €250+ per day offshore. Crew must eat; cabins must be clean; clients must be kept happy. That does not change because of automation.
The vessels are crewed. The wind farms are staffed. The projects need people who can run the hotel department at sea. The only question is whether you start as Messman this year — or keep watching from shore.
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