Yacht Job Scam Alert - Disclaimer
22 June 2021
Following the recent notification by the PYA (direct email and blog post) which revealed the modus operandi of an entity seeking to defraud people looking for positions in the yachting industry, more information has come to light as the PYA pursued further investigations and received feedback from other parties concerned.
It appears that an Eastern European cyberspace entity calling itself TMT Yachts Holding, has compiled a fake web profile by stripping parts from the web pages of an authentic yacht management company, TWW Yachts, using their logo, and an authentic commercial ship company C-bed Holding A/S, and illegally displaying the logos of other prime organizations such as Lloyd’s, on their material.
In addition, they have been pushing out crudely butchered employment “contracts”, purporting to come from Lesia Group in Guernsey, or from the PYA. Presumably such false contracts are intended to serve as bait when offering nonsensical courses, to be paid for upfront by job candidates as a pre-condition of employment.
This Disclaimer is to affirm that the PYA does not issue crew contracts, and that any and all implied or overt affiliations between TMT Yachts Holding and the PYA, or Lesia Group, or TWW Yachts, or YPI, or any individual yacht named by TMT Yachts Holding, or any other legitimate body which may have been targeted by TMT Yachts Holding, are totally spurious and invalid.
Our members are advised to ignore all postings, job offers, training courses, and any other online content emanating from TMT Yachts Holding. If any direct contact has already been made, the safe approach is to sever it forthwith, and change passwords to all personal and financial records.
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.