How WRS Supports Vessel Operators with Galley and Deck Crew
Worldwide Recruitment Solutions (WRS) recruits offshore catering staff and deck crew for vessels across the globe. We supply MLC 2006 compliant chief cooks, stewards, bakers, galley hands, and camp bosses, alongside back deck crew, riggers, and ABs. Clients can build a full vessel manifest through one consultant team.
Catering is one of the most underestimated functions on an offshore vessel. The galley team feeds the crew three meals a day, sometimes more, often in challenging conditions and rotating around a 24-hour operation. When the catering team is strong, morale stays high, retention improves, and crew turn up to shift ready to work.
This guide answers the most common questions about offshore catering staff recruitment, explains how WRS supports vessel operators hiring catering and deck crew, and shows candidates what to expect when working with a specialist marine recruitment agency.
What is offshore catering staff?
Offshore catering staff are the personnel responsible for food preparation, galley hygiene, accommodation cleanliness, laundry, and crew welfare on board offshore vessels and floating assets. Common roles include Camp Boss, Chief Cook, Baker, Steward, Messman, and Galley Hand.
Offshore catering teams work to Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC) standards, flag state requirements, and client-specific service expectations. They keep the vessel running around the clock by feeding rotating shift crews and maintaining accommodation standards.
Common offshore catering roles WRS recruits for include:
- Camp Boss and Catering Supervisor
- Chief Cook and Second Cook
- Baker and Pastry Chef
- Stewards and Stewardesses
- Messmen and Galley Hands
- Laundry Operatives and Accommodation Attendants
- Night Bakers and Night Stewards
For vessels with ten or more crew on international voyages, MLC 2006 requires a fully qualified Ship’s Cook holding a recognised certificate. Getting this wrong is not just an operational problem; it is a compliance failure.
What qualifications do offshore catering staff need?
Offshore catering staff typically need a recognised Ship’s Cook certificate where MLC 2006 applies, food hygiene certification such as HACCP or Level 2 Food Safety, STCW basic safety training, and a valid offshore medical (ENG1, OGUK, or regional equivalent). Requirements vary by role and flag state.
WRS verifies the following before any catering candidate reaches a shortlist:
- Ship’s Cook certificate (MLC 2006 compliant where required)
- Food hygiene certification (HACCP, Level 2 Food Safety, or equivalent)
- STCW basic safety training (PST, PSSR, EFA, FPFF)
- Offshore medical: ENG1, OGUK, or regional equivalent
- BOSIET or FOET for North Sea operations
- Sea-time records and Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC)
- Client and vessel-specific inductions
- Allergen awareness and dietary management training, where applicable
Documentation is collected, validated, and held in an audit trail before any candidate is mobilised.
How does WRS support clients hiring offshore catering staff?
WRS supports clients with MLC and food safety compliance, pre-vetted candidate pools across multiple regions, combined catering and deck crew solutions, end-to-end mobilisation, performance management linked to crew retention, and workforce planning for long campaigns.
Clients hiring catering staff through WRS include OSV operators, drilling contractors, FPSO operators, dive support and construction vessel owners, and renewables marine contractors.
MLC and food safety compliance built in
Every catering candidate is screened against MLC 2006 requirements, flag state rules, and client food safety standards. Ship’s Cook certification, HACCP and food hygiene tickets, STCW, and offshore medicals are verified before a CV is shortlisted.
Vetted candidate pools across regions
WRS maintains pre-screened catering candidates across crewing hubs in the UK, Houston, Singapore, Iraq, and East Africa. Short-notice rotations, sick reliefs, and emergency mobilisations are handled without cutting corners on documentation.
Combined catering and deck crew solutions
Most vessel operators do not want separate suppliers for catering and deck. With WRS, you get one team handling the full crew manifest, one point of contact, one set of compliance paperwork, and one consultant tracking performance.
Mobilisation handled end-to-end
Visas, work permits, flights, joining instructions, port agency liaison, and kit lists. WRS sorts the logistics so catering staff arrive ready to step into the galley.
Performance management and crew retention
Catering performance directly affects retention across the whole vessel. WRS conducts post-rotation appraisals, gathers feedback from the Master and OIM, and feeds it back into the candidate pool.
Workforce planning for long campaigns
For FPSO operations, drilling campaigns, and multi-year contracts, WRS works with client HR and operations to forecast catering demand and build pipelines for harder-to-fill roles.
How does WRS support candidates looking for offshore catering jobs?
WRS supports catering candidates with career conversations, honest role briefings, certification tracking, mobilisation logistics, a named consultant during rotation, and a pipeline of repeat work for strong performers. Candidates are matched to suitable contracts, not blasted out generically.
If you are a cook, steward, galley hand, baker, or experienced catering supervisor, WRS gives you access to offshore catering contracts across multiple regions, vessel types, and operators.
A proper conversation about your career
Before submission, WRS consultants understand your tickets, sea-time, preferred vessel type, rotation pattern, and day rate expectations. Catering staff are not interchangeable. The right match makes for a better rotation.
Clear, honest role briefings
You will get full details on vessel type, crew numbers, galley setup, menu expectations, rotation length, mobilisation point, and day rate before you commit.
Certification and document support
Ship’s Cook certificates, STCW, food hygiene, and medicals all have renewal cycles. WRS tracks your documentation against the roles you are pursuing and flags what needs updating.
Mobilisation logistics taken care of
Flights, visas, joining instructions, port agent details, kit lists, and client-specific inductions. WRS handles the logistics so you can focus on turning up rested and ready.
A real point of contact during your rotation
You keep a named consultant throughout the contract. Rotations get extended, schedules shift, and family situations come up. WRS is there to advocate.
Repeat work for strong performers
Catering staff who deliver consistent service and contribute positively to crew morale move to the top of WRS shortlists for future campaigns.
Can WRS recruit catering and deck crew together?
Yes. WRS recruits catering and deck crew together as a combined crewing solution. One consultant team handles the full vessel manifest, with aligned compliance standards, faster reliefs, and consistent performance feedback across both departments.
Catering and deck crew are recruited together more often than separately. Here is why that matters when choosing a crewing partner:
One supplier, one manifest
WRS manages catering and deck crew through the same consultant team, on the same mobilisation timeline, with one set of compliance paperwork. Less coordination overhead for your operations team.
Aligned compliance standards
Whether the role is Chief Cook or Bosun, every candidate passes through the same vetting, medical, certification, and document verification process. No gaps between catering and deck standards.
Faster reliefs and emergency cover
When a galley hand or deckhand goes down, you call the same team. Pre-vetted pools across both disciplines mean reliefs move faster.
Consistent performance feedback
Post-rotation appraisals cover the full crew, so you build a picture of how catering and deck are functioning together, not in isolation.
Why choose WRS for offshore catering recruitment?
WRS leads with safety, compliance, and full lifecycle crew management rather than transactional staffing. Every catering and deck candidate passes the same vetting process, MLC and food safety compliance is embedded in the workflow, and clients get end-to-end crew lifecycle support.
Three things set WRS apart in the offshore catering and deck crew market:
Safety first, always
Catering safety, food hygiene, manual handling, and fire safety in the galley. Safety is the filter every candidate passes through before reaching a shortlist, regardless of department.
Compliance is built into the process
MLC 2006, flag state requirements, food safety standards, client-specific protocols, and GDPR. Compliance is embedded in how WRS works, not added at the end.
Full lifecycle crew management
From workforce planning through mobilisation, in-rotation support, appraisal, and continuous improvement, WRS manages the entire crew lifecycle for catering and deck.
Frequently asked questions
What does offshore catering staff mean?
Offshore catering staff are the personnel responsible for food preparation, galley operations, accommodation cleanliness, and crew welfare on board offshore vessels and floating assets. Common roles include Camp Boss, Chief Cook, Steward, Baker, and Galley Hand.
What is the MLC Ship’s Cook requirement?
Under the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, vessels with ten or more crew on international voyages must employ a fully qualified Ship’s Cook holding a recognised certificate. The cook must be trained, qualified, and competent for the role.
What qualifications do offshore catering staff need?
Requirements vary by role and flag state, but typically include a recognised Ship’s Cook certificate where MLC 2006 applies, food hygiene certification (HACCP or equivalent), STCW basic safety training, and a valid offshore medical such as ENG1 or OGUK.
Does WRS recruit catering and deck crew together?
Yes. WRS recruits both catering and deck crew for offshore vessels, often as a combined crewing solution managed through a single consultant team. This simplifies mobilisation, compliance, and ongoing performance management for clients.
How quickly can WRS mobilise catering staff for an offshore vessel?
Timelines depend on the role, region, and certification requirements, but WRS maintains pre-vetted catering pools across crewing hubs in the UK, Houston, Singapore, Iraq, and East Africa. Emergency reliefs and short-notice mobilisations are handled regularly.
What vessel types does WRS supply catering staff for?
WRS supplies catering staff for OSVs, drillships, jack-ups, semi-submersibles, FPSOs, dive support vessels, construction vessels, and renewables marine assets across the energy, maritime, and offshore construction sectors.
What is the difference between a Camp Boss and a Chief Cook?
A Camp Boss is the senior catering supervisor responsible for the entire catering and accommodation function on a vessel or platform, including staff management and budgeting. A Chief Cook leads the galley and is primarily responsible for food preparation and kitchen operations.
How do I register as an offshore catering candidate with WRS?
Submit your CV through the WRS website or contact the marine team directly. Have your Ship’s Cook certificate (where applicable), food hygiene tickets, STCW, sea-time records, and offshore medical ready to speed up registration.
Work with WRS
Need catering, deck crew, or a full vessel manifest? Contact the WRS marine team to discuss your project and mobilisation timeline.
Looking for your next offshore catering contract? Register with WRS and speak to a consultant who understands the offshore galley.
Worldwide Recruitment Solutions. Safety led. Compliance driven. Crew lifecycle managed.
