THEY are the ultimate status symbol for billionaires across the globe. Super yachts are the latest multi-million-pound, must-have toy for the mega rich who are keen to splash their cash in serious style.

Forget the fleet of fast cars, flash jewellery, big houses in the country and private jets.

With onboard helicopter landing pads, submarines, cinemas and missile detection systems, these vessels are the absolute kings of the waves when it comes to total opulence and indulgence.

Described by many as "floating palaces", wealthy shipmates - such as Chelsea boss Roman Abramovich, fashion designer Roberto Cavalli and high street supremo Philip Green - can indulge their every whim as they cruise the blue seas of the world's top-dollar destinations.

Owners want the best of the best - they can afford it after all - and while the fixtures and fittings are key, there are few finer details as important as the crew.

As more tycoons, oligarchs and princes decide they want a super yacht to play with, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find professional sailors to staff the luxury vessels.

It has got so bad that the maritime industry has described it as a "critical" shortage.

Specially trained skippers, deck crew, cooks, domestic servants, and in particular engineers, are all hard to find.

With about 5,000 super yachts already built, vessel numbers are predicted to rise at around ten per cent a year.

The growth is being linked to an expanding Far Eastern market and new wealth emerging from the former Soviet Union.

And the yachts themselves are getting bigger and bigger.

The world's largest privately owned vessel, The Eclipse, is currently under construction in Hamburg.

With a price tag of a cool £200m, the 550ft yacht - which will require 50 crew - has been commissioned by Russian tycoon Abramovich who already owns three super yachts.

The average luxury yacht measured around 165ft five years ago, but has now grown to 230ft - stretching crew numbers even more.

In 2006, 688 super yachts measuring more than 80ft were built across the world, about 250 of which will be launched this year.

Experts estimate that the maritime industry will need an extra 3,000 deck crew this year and 4,700 next year to cope with the growth.

The UK Sailing Academy (UKSA) - based in West Cowes on the Isle of Wight - has launched a new degree course in professional yachting to train sailors for the market.

The academy runs a variety of courses - from six week crew entry to the three-year degree - that enable people to enter yachting at a range of levels.

The new course, which will be based at the University of Plymouth, will include super yacht studies.

"The super yacht industry has been growing enormously over the past 15 years and it isn't stopping," said Jon Ely, chief executive of the UKSA.

"I think the growth is tied in with the increasing number of high net worth individuals. Recently we have had a lot of Russians getting involved in particular.

"I think one of the reasons why wealthy people get involved in yachting is because it is a way of giving them some privacy. They can have their own space and go to places they want to go.

"Today you can have a very nice yacht with all the things you need on it to run a business thanks to advances in technology.

"Fifteen years ago we didn't have mobile phones or the Internet. If you went on a yacht you ran away, now you can make things work for you. It gives them freedom but they can still carry on with their lives."

While thousands of extra crew are needed, the UKSA - which believes it is probably one of the biggest trainers globally - currently only trains 450 people each year.

"Industry magazines are extremely worried about the levels of crew," added Mr Ely.

"It is not only numbers, it is quality. These boats are very, very sophisticated and therefore they need people who understand the cutting-edge technology involved."

As well as the soaring numbers of super yachts being built, the chief executive also believes the crew shortage is due to the fact that many people are unaware that the job opportunities exist.

"I don't believe we are the great maritime nation we once were," he said.

"When youngsters leave school these days, going to sea isn't on their minds any more."

On the UKSA careers board there are currently 121 engineering vacancies being advertised, but only ten engineers are due to graduate between now and Christmas.

The huge shortfall means that staff are increasingly being recruited direct from both the Royal and Merchant navies.

Hamble-based recruitment firm Wilsonhalligan was set up in November last year to supply staff exclusively to large yachts.

Director Terry Wilson believes there is "a shortage of quality people rather than a shortage of people".

"There are many avenues for introducing people into the large yacht world," he said.

"There is the Merchant Navy, the Royal Navy and the hospitality side, such as the five star restaurants.

"We deal with recruitment for yachts in excess of 60m or 180ft and have a number of applications from individuals who don't have the certification or experience the yachts are searching for. That's because they are particularly selective, as we are.

"The quality of service they need to provide, both from the interior hospitality side and the deck and engine side, isn't just excellent - it is beyond excellent.

"It needs exemplary standards of behaviour and delivery of service, exceptional flexibility in particular and people management skills.

"In terms of supply and demand, quality individuals don't hang around and wait for a job.

"They are already in employment and there is a small window of opportunity for us to assign them.

"Perhaps we do experience a shortage at times but we constantly look to keep a pool of quality people."