In September, we hosted our annual Sea Changes Forum, bringing together key voices from across the yachting industry. The event delivered encouraging updates for the sector and inspiring insights into how we can continue to evolve and improve as a community. Below, you will find a summary of the presentations shared by our expert panelists, along with access to each full presentation for further details.

Pierre-Luc Lecompte, French Maritime Administration (Préfecture maritime de la Méditerranée)

Pierre-Luc outlined recent developments in France’s yachting framework, focusing on updated mooring and anchoring rules across the Mediterranean. Presentation PowerPoint:

Update on buoys:  

• The Bay of Pampelonne now includes 60 new buoys for yachts. 

• The Bay of Cavalière, in the central part of the Var (Le Lavandou), now includes 2 of 71 buoys dedicated to yachts. 

Area adjustments:  

• Extension of the area forbidden to dynamic positioning around the islands of Porquerolles and Port-Cros.

• Reduction of the south-eastern part of the mandatory mooring area for yachts over 80 meters in the east of Cannes.

• Extension of the area forbidden to anchoring for vessels over 20 meters around Cap d’Ail to include the entire MPA (Marine Protected Area) perimeter.

Main references updated:

• Rules for nautical activities within 300m from shore: arrêté n°109/2024 du 30 avril 2024 – Anchoring/mooring of yachts > 45m & 80m, mandatory areas for all French Med: arrêté n°157/2024 modifié du 23 mai 2024 – Duration of anchoring: arrêté n°077/2025 du 15 avril 2025.

All local regulations from the Maritime Prefect (incl. 16 on anchoring limits > 20–24 m) are available at: https://premar-mediterranee.gouv.fr/arretes.

Case study — “Divide the space”: East Golfe-Juan (Baie du Croûton) shows how segmentation balances access, protects sensitive areas, and improves safety. 

Rachel Andrews, Chief Instructor, RYA Power Schemes

Rachel’s “Digital First” update encouraged trusted digital navigation with built-in redundancy and verification, plus efficiency gains from virtual inspections. Presentation PowerPoint:

Small-Vessel Electronic Chart System: SV-ECS is the first formally recognised small-vessel electronic chart system.

Key Principle: Do not rely on a single source of information. Whilst using multi-function displays is practical, they should always be backed up with methods to give you an overall picture. 

Training:

• Yachtmaster (YM) recovered to pre-pandemic levels (~7,000 certificates so far in September 2025).

• Undertaking work to develop a YM apprenticeship route (MCA Master 200) with the Maritime Skills Alliance for UK nationals.

• Need to standardise onboard RYA Personal Water Craft (PWC) training for guests for safety purposes.

Post-Brexit recognition: Since Brexit, only Spain initially refused RYA qualifications, but most decisions were reversed by mid-2021. Despite contacting all European maritime authorities before Brexit, no formal responses have been received. However, anecdotal evidence shows that, apart from a few isolated cases, RYA certificate holders continue to operate as they did pre-Brexit.

John Wyborn, Co-founder & Director, Bluewater 

John discussed flexible, practical approaches that embed learning within real operations. 

Jason Collings, Director, Safety & Compliance, Cayman Islands Shipping Registry (CISR)

Jason outlined CISR’s latest yacht regulatory updates, clarifying contracts, safety expectations, and operational limits in line with international standards. Presentation powerpoint:

Employment contracts for Cayman Islands ship (pleasure vessels):

• Written contracts now required (Guidance Note 05/2024 ) issued to raise awareness and  provide clearer guidance on how to respond if subjected to harassment or inappropriate sexual behaviour.

• MLC vessels still require approved SEAs. 

• The minimum requirements include : the amount of wages and method of payment; the production of monthly wage accounts; any wage deductions permitted by the Act; the entitlement to repatriation and medical expenses; any entitlement to leave; any notice period required; the agreed place for the return of the seafarer; and the governing law.

Harassment/sexual misconduct:

• STCW Basic Training – Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR) updated, enters force 01 Jan 2026. Will include training on the prevention of and response to violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying, and sexual assault.

• MLC B 4.3 requires Companies to ensure H&S policies include bullying and harassment.

• Seafarer feedback and complaints will be a focus area during DoC audits

• IMO discussing ISM Code amendments specifically to deal with sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault.

REG Yacht Code:

• REG Yacht Code Part A (Large Yachts) now permits twin occupancy crew cabins for seafarers who are not performing the duties of officers on yachts up to 10,000GT.

• Following additional requirements apply: cabins to have ensuite facilities, officer’s lounge, crew lounge, crew gym.

• Case by case above 10,000GT.

Additional guests:

• Shipping Notice 01/2025 refers.

• ISM managed yachts in private use certified under the REG Yacht Code may carry additional guests with no need to request a dispensation letter.

• Capped at 36 for Large Yachts and 60 Passenger for Passenger Yachts. See presentation for all capacity.

Auxiliary tenders:

• CIGN 01/2025 refers

• An Auxiliary Tender has its own COBR solely for tender activities.

• Record of Auxiliary tender (ROAT) to assist with charter licensing.

• Guest transfer ashore only, <3 NM, up to 12 guests.

• Small Commercial Vessel cert or Cayman Islands Auxiliary Tender SoC.

• Record of Lifeboats, Tenders and Other Appurtenances (ROLTA). Stowed onboard, no separate COBR or safety cert

Electro Technical Officers (ETO):

• Sect.19 Electro Technical Officers (ETO) now includes when we would expect an ETO to be recorded on the MSMD.

• For all vessels with high voltage (HV) i.e. generated/distributed at more than 1kV it’s expected that an ETO will be required.

• ETO shall hold a STCW III/6 CoC.

• It’s recommended that Engineer Officers serving onboard diesel electric vessels with voltage less than 1KV complete HV training.

Propulsion power basis: Determined by the single highest-rated engine/pod. 

Steerable propulsion: Familiarisation mandatory before duties and before sailing. 

Non-STCW CoCs: These Certificates are not eligible for Flag State Endorsements: RYA Yacht Master Coastal; IYT Master of Yachts Coastal; RYA Yachtmaster Offshore; IYT Master of Yachts Limited; RYA Yachtmaster Ocean; IYT Master of Yachts Unlimited

Fully online STCW (with practical elements): Not accepted. 

Pilot boarding arrangements:

• SOLAS V/23 – ‘Pilot Transfer Arrangements’ applies to ALL “ships engaged on voyages in the course of which pilots may be employed”

• A pilot may refuse boarding, thus preventing the vessel’s entry into port, and the Port State authority may take enforcement action (i.e.a detention or fine).

• From 1 Jan 2028 - pilot ladders secured deckhead no longer permitted.

Ajit Jacob, Chief Examiner & Head of Seafarers Technical Delivery, MCA 

Ajit outlined the MCA’s modernisation of UK Yacht Certificates of Competency (CoCs) to support clear, sector-specific progression while upholding STCW standards. Presentation powerpoint :

• Cadet Training & Modernisation Programme (Sept 2025):  ECDIS simulator will now be used in workshop training and can contribute towards sea service requirements. The programme will include data skills and cybersecurity training. 

• Small Vessel Pathway: Updated syllabuses (outdated content removed; current tech added); written exams moving to MCA digital platform. 

• Yacht-restricted Unlimited kW CoC for Engineers: New CoC with updated syllabuses for Oral & Engineering Knowledge exams for large yachts; flexible sea-service; digital exams to progress from 3000 GT/9000 kW Chief Engineer. 

• AEPC1: Addressing the need for training on electrical propulsion. 35 hours within the Small Vessel Approved framework, parallel to AEC1. Training on battery safety (all crew) + operations/technical (Engineers). 

• Alternative fuels: Hydrogen pilot course (delivered Sept 2024) – a 2-day course covering bunkering and risks. Other courses include; ammonia, methanol and IGF 30-day equivalency in development. 

• Chief Mate & Master Yacht Unlimited (Reg II/2): CMYU aligned to modernise syllabus; eligibility and progression per amended MSN 1858. 

• Next steps: Monthly workshops; amendments to MSN 1858 & 1859 targeted by Apr 2026; collaboration via exams@mcga.gov.uk.

Joey Meen, IAMI Director; Director, IAMI GUEST; President, Superyacht Alliance for Professional Standards 

Joey placed the human element at the centre of yacht safety and service. Presentation powerpoint:

She highlighted the “expectation gap” between minimum standards and real-world competence and how this is driving fatigue, incidents, turnover and cost. 

She introduced the Superyacht Alliance’s committee-led Think Tanks and its work towards a Superyacht Qualifications Framework to align onboard and shore-based standards and map clearer careers.  

Joey closed with IAMI GUEST’s accredited programmes that fill the gaps between minimums and the broader skills needed across areas such as; service aligned with safety, leadership and communication, HR and wellbeing, purser/admin, finance and AV/IT. 

Dr Mathias Jonas, Secretary-General, International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) 

Dr Jonas set out where ocean mapping stands today and why the yachting community can meaningfully accelerate it. Presentation PowerPoint:

Despite major progress, only about 27% of global ocean depths have been directly measured, and roughly half of waters shallower than 200 metres remain un-surveyed areas infrequently transited by other vessels. Therefore, yachts are well placed to contribute meaningfully to this goal.  

He framed Crowdsourced Bathymetry (CSB) as “digital philanthropy”: citizen‑science data with scientific, commercial and research value, delivered at no cost to the public sector. The model is already working, more than 500 vessels have contributed hundreds of thousands of depth tracks to the IHO/NOAA Data Centre for Digital Bathymetry, building a dataset used to verify charts, identify uncharted or mis-charted features, and fill gaps along complex, shallow coasts. Notably, new contributors such as Carnival (since March 2025) have visibly densified coverage across the Atlantic within months, illustrating how incremental passages add up to step‑change improvements.   

His ask to explorer yachts: passively share navigational depth data through existing systems to help verify charts, reveal uncharted features, and make coasts safer - at no extra effort to the crew. 

Sam Stewart, Founder & Director, Relief Crew Foundation 

The forum concludes with an initiative led by Sam Stewart, founder of the Relief Crew Foundation, a registered NGO (non-profit) linking the yachting community’s skills and resources with humanitarian projects. Presentation powerpoint :

After witnessing asylum seekers crowded on a coastguard boat alongside guests on deck, Sam decided to create his foundation with the aim to turn goodwill into practical action.  

Relief Crew vets partner NGOs, assembles tailored volunteer teams, organises logistics (flights, accommodation, vaccinations and visas), and secures project materials and funding from supporters, owners and participating yachts. The result is purpose‑driven volunteering that offers owners a trusted, values‑aligned route to philanthropy and enables crew to work alongside communities in need to deliver lasting impact.  

To take part or support a project, please contact sam@reliefcrewfoundation.org or visit www.reliefcrewfoundation.org. 

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our sponsors, whose invaluable support made this event possible.