

PYA to attend Improving Yacht Crew Retention Conference in Nice, France
30 January 2024
The PYA will be attending the 2024 Improving Yacht Crew Retention Conference in Nice, France on March 7th.
This year's 3rd annual conference will bring together a panel of experts from the industry to discuss crew welfare and retention issues. The speakers will also share their insights on a wide range of topics related to the industry's current recruitment landscape.
Among some of the guest speakers include representatives from IAMI, UKSA, Hill Robinson, Wilson Halligan, PG Legal, Northrop & Johnson SYM, Bluewater, the WMU and Impact Crew to name but a few.
PYA’s CEO, Christophe Bourillon, will also attend a panel discussing the importance of recruitment in the industry and retaining skilled seafarers:
“This year’s conference will provide us with additional opportunities to build on the progress made in the past year on crew retention. These discussions will be an important step forward in addressing some of the imminent challenges. We will also be sharing our insights following recent consultations with recruitment agencies and employers.”
We are offering 2 free delegate passes for people interested in coming to the event plus a 15% discount to all PYA members who would like to take part in the conference.
You can register your attendance by visiting the Improving Yacht Crew Retention Registration page and typing in "PYA" into the promo box to add your discount.
The full schedule for the event will be made available soon.
We look forward to seeing you in March!

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.
(2).png)
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.
