PYA 2020 Year in Review
18 December 2020
As we head toward the end of this year, we look back on what has been a rather challenging period. The Coronavirus pandemic has affected the functioning of all industries, with yachting and the lives of professional crew being no exception.
At the PYA, we have worked hard to offer an increased level of support and advice to our members during this uncertain time. Although the opening hours and manning of our office in Antibes has been affected during local lockdowns, our team has been available and working remotely throughout the pandemic, which has allowed us to continue delivering key services and support to our members. It has also encouraged us to adapt the way we communicate - with the PYA offering more digital services, support and communications to our members in 2020.
We have summarized our key achievements this year:
29 Years representing yacht crew
2,000 Members worldwide
59 Nationalities
2,490 Sea Service Testimonials verified
1,254 Service Record Books processed
600 Members given one-to-one career advice
186 Members given personalised advice from our Member Assistance Service (MAS) team
7 Meetings with the MCA & IAMI
10 Webinars with over 800 attendees
50 Newsletters
1,000 new Facebook followers
135,000 website visitors
Last but not least...
5 PYA staff doing their maximum on behalf of international yacht crew
0 Christmas Ball...but hoping to be back next year with a vengeance!
View the full statistics here:
We can report that the PYA is in good shape and is growing our membership with some exciting projects planned, which we will announce at the start of next year.
On behalf of Team PYA, have a Merry Christmas and we look forward to supporting you personally in 2021!
The PYA Team
More news
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.