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Know more about regulations and guidelines including Sea Service Verification, Seaman Discharge Book, French Anchorage regulations and more. Superyacht Qualification Framework The Superyacht Qualification Framework (SYQF) is an Erasmus+ cooperation partnership in Vocational Education and Training (VET), co-funded by the European Union. Read more Superyacht Alliance The Professional Yachting Association, is proud to sit on the Board of Directors of the Superyacht Alliance, a collective of key industry organisations working together to strengthen professional standards and support the global yachting community. The Superyacht Alliance is a non-profit organisation based in Malta, founded by MYBA, SYBAss, and IAMI, with the shared objective of elevating industry standards, promoting collaboration, and enhancing professionalism through member-led initiatives. Read more French Anchorage Regulations France has introduced anchorage regulations (enforced in March 2021) which prevent yachts over 24m (78ft) from anchoring within areas containing protected Posidonia seagrass beds. Last update: 12/06/2024 Read more Webinars View all the webinars we've hosted Read more Employment contracts Learn about contracts for seafarers and use our template Read more 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. Read more Knowledge Base Explore the world of yachting and its regulations

The PYA is a non-profit association which was founded in 1991, and exists primarily to represent the interests of professional yacht crew around the world. Now with members from over 90 countries worldwide, the PYA is THE body for professional yacht crew. About us Who We Are The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) is the voice of professional yacht crew worldwide. Since 1991 as a non-profit, trade association, we represent the interests of yacht crew and yachting companies, advocating on their behalf with maritime and other authorities across the globe. Powered by over 10,000 international members, our mission is to promote high standards of qualification, skills and knowledge. With the collaboration of our PYA partners, we strengthen the yachting industry and support its professionals. Our Role in the Industry: PYA attends policy meetings with the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) and other administrative bodies, ensuring yacht crew voices are heard in decision-making processes. Beyond advocacy, we play a key role in the industry's development, offering crucial services such as the MCA-approved Service Record, an essential tool for career progression that ensures seamless verification of sea time and compliance with industry regulations. We actively support crew wellbeing across all aspects of their careers providing access to essential resources and safety guidance through our Member Assistance Service and Onboard Safety Group. These services are managed collaboratively by our experienced teams and council members. From our headquarters, the PYA staff... Read more Watch a video What does the PYA do for yacht crew? Historical Achievements For over three decades, PYA has driven significant change in the yachting industry. Here are some of our key achievements: 2025: PYA launches its new digital platform, transforming the way Sea Service Testimonials are processed. The entire system is now online — no more paper forms — making the submission and verification process faster and easier for crew and captains alike. 2025: The PYA was granted permission by the MCA to verify sea service carried out in the Amazon Basin, to be used for CoC revalidations. Read more Why Join The PYA Get involved with PYA and help shape the future of the yachting industry. By joining the PYA, you will not only be taking your career to the next level but also helping to shape the future of yachting. Your involvement strengthens the community and ensures the professional growth of the industry. - Career Development: Access expert guidance, and networking opportunities. - Verified Sea Service: Ensure your records meet MCA standards. - Industry Representation: Have your voice heard in key regulatory discussions. - Events & Community: Join exclusive events that connect you with peers and industry leaders. Read more

The PYA provides many different services. Become a member to get access to Sea Service Verification, Yacht Rating Certificate, Yacht Training Record Book and more. Learn more Sea Service Verification The PYA is authorised by the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) and by Transport Malta to verify yacht sea service testimonials for all yacht crew worldwide. Learn more Career Advice & support Support and Advice are available to members and potential new members to provide professional advice and one-to-one support to seafarers in yachting. Support and Advice to obtaining your NOE, CoC, Action Plan, Revalidation and Conversion. Learn more Yacht Rating Certificate Some vessels require crew to have a Yacht Rating Certificate as part of their safe manning requirements. Having this certificate can improve your chances of finding a job. Learn more OOW 3000 Deck Training Record Book The OOW 3000 Deck Training Record Book (TRB) is part of the requirements for the Officer of the Watch (Yachts) Certification – OOW 3000 (Y). Learn more Research & Insights Research and surveys are carried out on a regular basis by the PYA to learn about yachting industry issues from crew retention and recruitment through to safety, welfare and new technologies. Learn more Member Assistance Service The MAS is a confidential support service that offers practical support to PYA members facing difficulties or challenges in their professional lives, including all work-related issues. Learn more Onboard Safety Group The Professional Yachting Association's (PYA) Safety Group is dedicated to fostering a culture of safety and well-being for all crew members on board. Services we offer Join the PYA membership to get access to the services listed below.

The PYA offers paid partnership to highlight your organisation or business in its webpage. Load more A1 Group A1: Your yachting experts in Greece Read more Go to partner's website Yacht Management, Brokerage / Charter, Shipyard, Legal Services ASSET V Asset V is the quintessential management company, with a 150-year legacy in the marine industry. Our integrity heightens the best interests of our clients and partners. We offer seamless solutions through extensive experience and expertise for superior technical and operational management of a wide variety of vessels. Read more Go to partner's website Crew Recruitment Agency, Yacht Management, Services to yachts or crew BWA Yachting BWA Yachting is a worldwide yacht agency and yachting services provider formed to support captains, managers and crew, making their lives easier, assisting with the increasing demands of managing a modern superyacht. Our global office network stretches throughout the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas, providing a unique and seamless experience, wherever our clients are cruising. Read more Go to partner's website Yacht Agent, Services to yachts or crew Centralized intercountry general information shared to our members. Blue Oceans Yachting powered by Crew Unlimited Blue Oceans Yachting powered by Crew Unlimited, is your all-in-one yachting solution. From sales, charters, management, crew placement and crew training, we are here to optimize your yachting experience, one department at a time. Read more Go to partner's website Brokerage / Charter, Crew Recruitment Agency, Training Provider, Yacht Management 10% OFF crew placement fees for new clients and 25% OFF for existing clients, for all crew hired to start before November 1ST 2024. Our partners Brokerage / Charter Crew Recruitment Agency Digital Transformation Consultant Helpline Law firm Legal Services Marina / Port Services to yachts or crew Shipyard Supplier Training Provider Water Treatment Yacht Agent Yacht Insurance Yacht Management Yacht Media Yachting Association Explore our partners and the special offers they provide for PYA members. Or become a partner now to promote your brand to the PYA members.

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. The Professional Yachting Association (PYA), with the backing of the Raising The Bar think tank , invites yacht crew worldwide to take part in Superyacht Reality – Real Life On Board , a global photo and video competition showcasing the authentic reality of working on superyachts . Superyacht Reality has been created to address public misunderstanding of the yachting industry by presenting an accurate, balanced and human view of professional life on board . The project aims to showcase the professionalism, skill and responsibility that underpin modern yachting; highlight positive initiatives and best practices across the sector and promote yachting as a legitimate, rewarding career path, helping to attract the next generation of crew. 📅 Competition Period: 19 January 2026 – 22 March 2026 9 Weeks Duration How the Competition works Weekly Themes Each week, a new theme is announced on our social media channels and to participate: Follow @pya.crew on Instagram Tag us and use #superyachtreality in your post/story that fits the weekly theme You can also submit your photos/videos through the website form below You can participate every week even with multiple entries, We will repost every entry in our story. Weekly winners may receive spot prizes (gift cards, mentorship sessions, etc.) Main Competition All entries submitted via the website form below, are automatically considered for the main competition , which runs for the full campaign duration. Prizes will be awarded to the following winning categories. 🏆 Main competition winners are selected at the end of the campaign. 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 *excluding expenses, such as travel, accommodation or meals; if applicable, they will be billed to the yacht. 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. SYR_Real_Life_on_Board_Terms_and_Conditions_UPDATED .pdf Download PDF • 230KB 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). Photo_Video_Release_Form .docx Download DOCX • 52KB Please complete the form below and upload it with your file(s). Submit your entry here 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 Real Life On Board Competition - Superyacht Reality Project To Knowledge Base

Now that the Covid-19 lockdowns have been eased in Europe and some Caribbean yachting centres, most yachts are focused on returning to some type of “normality”. Whilst some boats might already be cruising, or due to depart in the next few days, others might not see such an immediate return to active yachting.  Training - How to spice up fire drills onboard To All news 25 June 2020 Now that the Covid-19 lockdowns have been eased in Europe and some Caribbean yachting centres, most yachts are focused on returning to some type of “normality”. Whilst some boats might already be cruising, or due to depart in the next few days, others might not see such an immediate return to active yachting. There are two considerations to bear in mind. Globally, we have not seen an instant return to the pre-pandemic world as we knew it. The hospitality industry, of which we are a part, is in parlous straits, and no leading analysts are forecasting a full recovery in less than 18 to 24 months from now. International air travel continues to be restricted. St. Tropez with 50% capacity and social distancing in bars and cafes, with service staff wearing masks and gloves, might not feel like the old St. Tropez. The same dampening of destination ambience will apply all across the Mediterranean. So, we might experience some reduction in out-of-port cruising activity this summer. The other consideration is that the easings are tentative and come with a warning that a secondary spike in infection and mortality rates may mean a return to local or general lockdowns to try to contain the second wave. So some planning is advisable in case we might see more of the same lockdowns in the year ahead. This does not have to be a glum prospect. There is an opportunity here to develop a culture of mentoring on board by encouraging the creative talents among crew members. The same creativity and artistic skills which make theme nights a charter success can be applied to training in disaster preparedness. To illustrate, while basic drills are fundamental to effective emergency responses, embodying some drill aspects into a theatrical scenario that could actually happen adds a new level of teamwork. For example, fire drills tend to be repetitive and do not recreate the experience of the mandatory fire fighting courses. But a surprise themed drill can go a long way towards sharpening the edge of responders. How to run a surprise themed fire drill One tried and proven example is for the captain to conspire with the chief engineer to set up a realistic morning fire drill for the crew. Here are the simple steps: Captain and Engineer on standby to isolate and shut off power to all lighting, including emergency lighting, in the crew area. In the early morning darkness before their normal wake-up times, block all exits except for the emergency exit with chairs and set up strobe lights wrapped in red rags. On a couple of laptops have YouTube running with clips of burning buildings. Load up the toaster, burn the toast, call the chief on the radio to shut off power, and retire to a dark corner as the fire alarm sounds. As half-asleep and half-dressed figures emerge and smell burning, yell “Move! Move! Get out!”. The unreal lighting is disorientating. Is it real or a drill, but the captain is urging them to get out fast. Observe. Who are the quick thinkers? Who leads the way out? Who thinks to check all the cabins for anybody left behind? When everybody reaches the assembly point the exercise is over. Later in the morning, conduct a debriefing to bring up lessons learned, and suggestions about ways to improve future fire drills. For a change it will be the crew, not the captain, doing all the talking. Endless variations can be played on this theme. By giving crew (single or in pairs) the opportunity to create, write and direct any type of scenario which can be worked into routine drill schedules, it will help get further buy-in from them. They will become more capable and confident in their safety roles and will start to develop their own leadership skills. This example is intended to stimulate crew to produce their own scenarios so as to maintain a high level of interest and involvement in safety drills. We will follow up next week with some ideas on preparing engaging first aid drills and preparing for annual audits/surveys, including specific chart exercises. Rodney A. Hatch - Director for Deck Training Rod hails from Southampton. His connection to the sea goes back to early memories of the city skyline being dominated by the last generation of the great trans-Atlantic liners, and when the only yachts on the River Hamble were wooden ones, sympathetic neighbours of one of the last wooden hulks from the Royal Navy's Napoleonic wars. After graduating from Sheffield University, and prior to actually running away to sea, he was a Lecturer in Economics and Liberal Studies at South Bank Polytechnic, London. His yachting career and commercial sea time span over fifty years, and he is still active as a Relief Captain. From its shores to its inland hills, Rod embraces the Mediterranean littoral, with special affection for the ancient magic of the Greek islands, the glories of Renaissance Italy, France for the historic ties with England, and every vineyard along the way. Rod can be reached at deck@pya.org 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. Read more 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. Read more 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. Read more

Crew mental health and wellbeing have come to the forefront of many conversations within the yachting industry, with more and more yacht crew coming forward to share their struggles and multiple yachting organisations responding with services to support them. Crew Mental Wellbeing in the Spotlight To All news 5 November 2020 Crew mental health and wellbeing have come to the forefront of many conversations within the yachting industry, with more and more yacht crew coming forward to share their struggles and multiple yachting organisations responding with services to support them. Due to the increased pressure and uncertainty placed on crew this year due to the pandemic, mental health and wellbeing has never been so important. One of the organisations leading the response to crew wellbeing and providing a 24-hour helpline for seafarers all over the world, is ISWAN. ISWAN's Yacht Crew Help - Launching Soon In addition to their general helpline for seafarers, ISWAN will be launching an additional 24/7 helpline via their 'Yacht Crew Help' website which will provide specialised wellbeing support for yacht crew worldwide. The PYA is dedicated to improving the mental health and wellbeing support available to yacht crew, so we have been working closely with ISWAN as a supporting organisation behind the development of this service. This website is due to go live in November 2020, so we will follow-up with the full details on how you can access this service. Sailor's Society Launches Wellbeing Petition The Sailor's Society is a charity offering welfare, chaplaincy, mental health support and crisis response to seafarers and their families around the world. They too run a 24/7 helpline for seafarers, plus a number of chaplains situated in ports worldwide. In addition to this support, they run a number of campaigns to advocate on behalf of seafarers and raise awareness of the issues they face to promote their welfare within the maritime industry and to the general public. #Notonmywatch Recently, the Sailor's Society launched a petition to make wellbeing training a mandatory part of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC). By providing wellbeing training to seafarers, they hope that this will reduce the prevalence of depression and suicide amongst seafarers. The PYA is supporting this initiative and intends to be proactive as it develops. Sign the petition. 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. Read more 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. Read more 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. Read more

This year’s Sea Changes Forum in Monaco is set to be the PYA’s biggest year yet with a host of guest speakers confirmed for the 2023 edition. PYA announces official lineup for Sea Changes Forum 2023 To All news 21 September 2023 This year’s Sea Changes Forum in Monaco is set to be the PYA’s biggest year yet with a host of guest speakers confirmed for the 2023 edition. Among the topics of debate for this year’s Sea Changes Forum include updates on industry certification, digitisation, career progression including recruitment, retention, soft skill training and the importance of mapping the oceans. Taking place at the International Hydrographic Organisation’s HQ during this year’s Monaco Yacht Show, the Sea Changes Forum speakers include Capt. Rodney A. Hatch, PYA Director of Deck Training Mr Ajit Jacob, Chief Examiner for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Mr Richard Falk, Director of Training and Qualifications for the Royal Yachting Association Miss Joey Meen, IAMI Guest Program Director Mr John Wyborn, Co-founder and Director of Bluewater Miss Angela Wallace, PYA Director of Interior Training and Head of the PYA Welfare Group Mr Jo Assael, Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) Yacht Register, International Registries Inc Mr John Everett Nyberg, Technical Director of the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) Following on from the success of last year’s event , the PYA has held a number of discussions with the industry to formulate this year’s agenda with the aim of improving the welfare of yacht crew around the world and to address pressing issues including recruitment and retention. Christophe Bourillon, CEO for the PYA said: “We are grateful to have the ongoing support of the industry for our Sea Changes Forum. This is a great opportunity to explore and discuss the various issues that will shape the future of our industry, and we would like to thank all our participating guest speakers and sponsors who will be taking part this year.” This year’s Sea Changes Forum also welcomes a record number of sponsors with strong support from across the industry. These include: Ocean Drive IAMI GUEST PROGRAM Bluewater IHO MYBA YPI Crew Seascope Following this year’s conference there will be a special event taking place on the rooftop of the IHO venue, providing networking opportunities for guests in attendance. To access the full agenda view the PDF below: Sea Changes 2023 Agenda .pdf Download PDF • 419KB 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. Read more 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. Read more 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. Read more

The MCA have revealed the much anticipated new Yacht Manning Guidance framework which sets out the principles of Safe Manning and the new requirements for holders of the engineering Yacht Certificate of Competency. MCA publishes new Yacht Manning Guidance for engineers on yachts To All news 31 July 2023 The MCA have revealed the much anticipated new Yacht Manning Guidance framework which sets out the principles of Safe Manning and the new requirements for holders of the engineering Yacht Certificate of Competency. Following industry discussions, the MCA have unveiled their new guidance which includes the Manning Guidance tables that can now be reviewed by yacht crew. The new guidance is a must-read for crew and yacht owners across the industry, covering important areas including: The MCA and the UK’s approach to small yachts with large engines The requirements for additional endorsements Additional endorsements that can be requested by the holder of a Yacht CoC Additional endorsements that can be requested by the holder of a EOOW III/1 CoC Some vessels require crew to have a Yacht Rating Certificate as part of their safe manning requirements. Having this certificate can improve your chances of finding a job and ensure that you are able to access all the opportunities available to you in the yachting industry. “The position held onboard by the seafarer must be reflected by the capacity and limitations in their CoC. The exception is where a vessel is under 500 GT and not a passenger ship (where SOLAS and STCW do not apply) and that operate within the near-coastal area (up to 150 miles from a Safe Haven). For these non-Convention sized vessels, The MCA has allowed for holders of an MCA issued non-STCW certificates to take on the role as an Engineer Officer, as per the manning table.” – UK Maritime & Coast Guard Agency To access the latest guidance, you can download the document here . For further reading, visit the UK Government’s website here If you require assistance in obtaining a Yacht Rating Certificate, you can access our service to begin the process of verification or, as a full PYA member, you can make this request to us. 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. Read more 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. Read more 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. Read more

Our team at the PYA office in Antibes works continuously to verify sea service testimonials for our members around the world (in peak times, up to 400 per month!). PYA Verification Procedure and MCA Applications To All news 1 October 2020 Our team at the PYA office in Antibes works continuously to verify sea service testimonials for our members around the world (in peak times, up to 400 per month!). Due to the large number of crew and testimonials that we verify, it’s important that to understand and follow the correct process below when submitting your testimonials to us. We have also included some guidelines for submitting your applications to the MCA online. A step-by-step guide to verifying your sea time: 1. Upload your testimonial documents to your member profile on the PYA website, making sure all details are correct, the responsible's person email address is valid and filled-in following our guidelines. 2. When you upload your documents, your file goes into a queue for verification with our Sea Service team. 3. When your file gets to the team, your testimonials are checked for possible issues, including inconsistencies, missing info, errors. To improve the efficiency and speed at which we process your testimonials, make sure all details are correct before uploading your documents to your profile. 4. If errors are found in your testimonials, we contact you for clarification/correction. If not, we contact your signatories by email for verification. This includes summing up the information you’ve submitted and asking them to confirm it. NB: you will receive a notification email when your signatories have been contacted, and one for each reply we receive. 5. Only when we receive all replies for all testimonials in your file do we submit it to an SRB Officer who will review it. If there are any queries from the SRB Officer, your file is flagged up and we will contact you or the signatory to clarify the issue. Once clarified, we have to re-submit your file to the SRB Officer for review and approval. 6. Once all details have been approved by the SRB officer, they appear as VERIFIED on your online profile. 7. Your Digital Service Record Book (D-SRB) will be updated, made available on your profile and you'll get an email to inform you that it's ready for download. (If you are a non-member, you will receive digitally signed copies of your testimonials, that will be available for download as soon as you are notified). NB: From this point on you can apply for an NOE/Revalidation if you fulfil the rest of the requirements. Please note, you will need to have full membership or pay the non-member fee. How long does it take to verify your sea time? Turnaround time varies with our workload and the quality of the testimonials submitted. Generally, it takes less than 2 weeks but the process can take up to 25 working days if there are issues with your documents. Applying for your NOEs/Revalidations with the MCA The MCA accepts online applications (except for first time applicants), so you can apply for NOEs/Revalidations as long as you fulfil all the requirements and you have a copy of your D-SRB (or digitally signed testimonials for non-members). Please read MCA MIN 655 for the latest updates. For NOEs, you'll need to send everything to deck@mcga.gov.uk For Revalidations, you'll need to send everything to revalidation@mcga.gov.uk For further assistance, you can contact us srb@pya.org . Further information More information about PYA membership and sea service verification can be found below: Sea Service Verification process Membership fees and benefits Updated 22/02/2023 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. Read more 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. Read more 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. Read more