Yachting and Public Opinion - Rough Seas Ahead?
6 October 2022
The yachting industry has always been very discreet, largely unknown to the general public. The seizing of yachts of Russian oligarchs has placed our industry on the front page of mainstream media, from CNN to the FT, opening it up to public scrutiny.
Since then, a number of initiatives have recently been launched which will impact the way we operate:
In 2023, the Maritime industry will be included in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. Yachts are - for the time being - excluded. However, powerful environmental NGOs are lobbying the European Commission to include yachting in the new scheme.
In July 2022, a private initiative to track the routes of superyachts and calculate their greenhouse gas emissions was launched. It is drawing much interest and public support (this follows a similar initiative tracking private jets owned by Elon Musk, other businessmen and artists).
On 24thSeptember 2022, climate activists blocked a quayside in Port Vauban (Antibes) - one of the most popular superyacht marinas in the Mediterranean, to protest against what they deem to be ultra-rich ‘climate criminals'.
The above projects/actions are firmly establishing Yachting in the "court of public opinion". Collectively, we cannot ignore these issues and requests for public accountability. Individually, we are all custodians of the image of our industry and there is much we can do to improve the public image of yachting, thus consolidating our “license to operate.”
Watch my interview with Yachting International Radio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G42Wzp9b-E
Photo credit: Courrier Picard
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.