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© Chris Gouvernelle

PYA Welfare Group to launch new webinar on crew rights and wellbeing

23 October 2023

The PYA Welfare Group will chair a new webinar on crew rights and wellbeing, bringing together experts from key Flag states to discuss important issues affecting seafarers globally.


The latest webinar follows a series of discussions in the past year including a forum held by the PYA Welfare Group with key Flag states that covered how to deal with bullying, harassment and other workplace issues. With many yacht crew unfamiliar with local and international support resources available to them, the Flag states discussion was well received by the community. It also provided the opportunity for participants to ask questions as well as learn about regulations.


Building on that success, our latest webinar, chaired by Angela Wallace, Director of Interior Training for the PYA Welfare Group, will welcome the Flag states back to explore further areas of crew rights and wellbeing.


The following guests will attend:


Guest speakers


  • Ivan Tabone - Deputy Chief Officer at the Merchant Shipping Directorate at Transport Malta Authority

  • Martyn Oates - Technical Policy Manager, Isle of Man Ship Registry

  • Holly Griffin - Seafarer Living and Working Conditions Policy Manager, UK Maritime and - Coastguard Agency

  • James Hatcher - Senior Maritime Policy Adviser and Shipping Master, Cayman Islands Shipping Registry

  • Alexander von Stein - Advisor / Special Agent / Certified Trainer of trainers and maritime inspectors MLC 2006, Marshall Islands Registry

  • France representative (DIRM MED/RIF) - To be confirmed


To take part in this webinar, you can reserve your place by booking via our event page. If you would like to host a webinar with the PYA, please contact us on info@pya.org with the subject ‘Webinar Partner’.


We look forward to welcoming you to our latest webinar hosted by the PYA Welfare Group!


To access our previous webinars, you can visit our website to see the latest discussions in the archive.

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