Struggling to keep your head above water?
23 August 2019
It’s mid-season and you feel like you’ve got much more than you’ve bargained for. The idea of a glamorous, well-paid career on a luxurious yacht have long gone. You’re working long hours, jumping through every hoop imaginable and tensions onboard are at an all time boiling point. But unlike everyone else, you’re feeling on edge, trapped without anyone to talk to or so wound up and exhausted that you can’t sleep at night...
You're not alone.
Depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions aren’t unique to the yachting industry, but working long hours coupled with increased feelings of isolation when living out at sea can contribute to mental illness.
With the help of our digitally connected world, yacht crew can now access mental health support from any location at any time. If you need urgent support, no matter where you are, here are some mental crisis support services:
ISWAN (International Seafarers Network and Assistance) is a charity supporting all seafarers in the world. ISWAN has developed a 24/7, confidential and multilingual support service to deal with urgent emotional issues -Seafarerhelp.
BetterHelp is an affordable online service which provides professional counselling and support via video conference, telephone, live chat or messaging.
NHS Recommended Apps -The National Health Service UK has recommended a range of mental health support apps which include resources and tools to help manage mental health.
In addition to these services, the PYA has been campaigning to raise awareness and remove the stigma associated with mental and emotional issues.
We recently joined forces to host the mental health awareness event, ‘Life is for Living’, in Palma Mallorca. Following its success, we would like to host more events to help support global yacht crew in predominant yachting hubs.
To find out about our upcoming event in a port near you, join the event’s Facebook page.
To learn more about this event and our mental health campaign, read our most recent Yachting Matters article.
Image credit: Photo by Ian Espinosa on Unsplash
More news
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The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days.
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.