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Improving Yacht Crew Retention Conference
15 February 2023
We are excited to share that the 2nd Annual Improving Yacht Crew Retention Conference will be held at The Westminster Hotel in Nice, France on Thursday, March 9th 2023.
Following the success of its debut in 2022, this one-day event will bring together an international audience to address one of the most pressing questions in the industry: how can superyachts retain their crew?
Captains, Senior Crew, Yacht Managers, Associations, Crew Managers and Agencies, Crew Training companies, Superyacht lawyers, Crew Pension Providers, Tax Specialists, and more will gather in the south of France, a hub for yachting and crew, to address the thorny issues impacting yacht crew retention.
We are proud to support this event, and as a member, you can enjoy a 15% discount on your ticket by entering "PYA" in the discount box on the registration page.
To find out more and register for the conference, please visit https://quaynote.com/conference/improving-yacht-crew-retention-conference-2nd-annual-conference/.
We are eagerly anticipating this conference and hope to see you there!
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Launch of a New AV/IT Training Programme to Address Growing Skills Gap Onboard Superyachts
The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) spearheaded the development of a series of courses to deliver fit-for-purpose AV/IT training, aligned with real onboard needs. The courses will be provided through IAMI GUEST Accredited training providers.
Antibes (France), 21 Jan. 2026 - Yacht agents and captains are reporting a growing demand for crew with Electrical Technical Officer (ETO) certification. However, while an ETO Certificate of Competency is a degree-level qualification focused primarily on high-voltage electrical systems, the operational reality onboard many yachts tells a different story.
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Real Life On Board Competition - Superyacht Reality Project
The PYA, with the backing of the Raising The Bar think tank, invites yacht crew worldwide to contribute to Superyacht Reality – Real Life On Board, a global photo and video competition designed to reflect the authentic experience of working on superyachts.
This initiative aims to support career awareness, promote realistic expectations of life at sea, and share the everyday moments that define professional yachting — from teamwork and skills development to the challenges and rewards of working on board.
The competition starts on 19th January 2026, ends on 22nd March 2026, and the winners will be announced the following week.
PYA Christmas Ball 2025 Highlights
The 2025 PYA Christmas Ball took place on 5 December at the Hotel Martinez in Cannes, bringing Captains, crew and well-known leading industry professionals together for a 1960s-themed evening. We started with a cocktail reception, with live musicians playing as guests arrived in retro attire. After months of preparation, we were truly delighted to see how much our members and partners enjoyed this special night. The PYA Christmas Ball remains a cherished tradition, bringing our community together to celebrate, connect, and create lasting memories.