
(2).png)
Real Life On Board Competition - Superyacht Reality Project
22 January 2026
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.

Winning categories
Best Photo – Life On Board
Best Video – Work & Skill
The Superyacht Reality Award – Most Authentic Moment
What you can win
A day of Leadership training - valued at £1,800 (about €2,000) by Impact Crew
IAMI GUEST certified Yacht Mental Health & Wellbeing Training - valued at €1920 by Phoenix Superyacht Training
€1.000 credit towards any training by MaritimeMT
One year's subscription to the Academy Online - valued at €550 by Hill Robinson
What You Can Submit
Photographs showing real working life on board
Short videos highlighting skills, routines, teamwork or daily operations
Submissions are welcome from crew in all departments and at all career stages.
Content does not need to be professionally produced. We are seeking genuine, representative material that reflects life on board in a responsible and respectful way.
By entering, you agree your photos/videos may be added to PYA’s media repository to help promote professional yachting — including possible use by mainstream media.
Submission Guidelines
Before uploading, please ensure that:
You are the creator and rights holder of the submitted content
The content was captured in compliance with onboard policies and applicable laws
Any identifiable individuals have provided consent
There are no restrictions from the yacht owner, management company, or relevant parties regarding public use
Use of Submitted Material
Selected entries may be used by the Professional Yachting Association as part of the Superyacht Reality campaign, including but not limited to:
PYA digital and social media channels
The Superyacht Reality and PYA websites
Educational, outreach, and industry awareness initiatives
Campaign-related presentations and communications
Wherever possible, contributors will be credited.
Rights & Permissions
By submitting an entry, participants:
Confirm that they hold the necessary rights to the content
Grant the PYA a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use the material for campaign and educational purposes
Confirm that all required permissions have been obtained
Full terms and conditions are available here.
Support & Enquiries
If you are uncertain whether your content meets the submission criteria or have questions regarding permissions, please contact marketingteam@pya.org prior to submission.
Submit Your Content
Please make sure to complete and upload the release form after getting consent from all people in your photo(s)/video(s).
Please complete the form below and upload your file(s).
Thank you for contributing to an initiative that supports transparency, professionalism, and informed career choices within the yachting industry.
Important
You always keep full ownership.
If any media outlet wants to buy your photo/video, 100% of the money goes to you.
PYA will NEVER sell your content without your permission

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.
