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VSF has been providing the finest wines to the yachting community for 30 years. With over 30,000 bottles in stock, we offer immediate availability of many of the world’s finest wines. Our wine experts work around the clock to answer your enquiries and we have our own fleet of vans and drivers to ensure that the wines get to you on time and in perfect condition. VSF has been successfully providing the finest wines, service and expertise to the yachting community for over 30 years. Through decades of experience and investment, our stockholding is constantly growing with new additions made each year, offering an unparalleled selection of the world’s most sought-after wines. Located just outside Antibes and with over 35,000 bottles in stock, we can ensure immediate availability for your next yachting adventure. Priding ourselves on our customer service, our wine experts work around the clock to answer your enquiries. We have our own fleet of vans and drivers to ensure that the wines get to you on time and in perfect condition. For worldwide deliveries we work with proven courier services and agents in order to get your wine to you, wherever your yacht is starting its journey. Services Wine supply Champagne supply Spirits supply Beer supply Delivery to yachts and villas Contact information +33 (0)4 22 10 67 70 info@vsfgroup.com Languages spoken – English, French, Spanish VSF VSF has been providing the finest wines to the yachting community for 30 years. With over 30,000 bottles in stock, we offer immediate availability of many of the world’s finest wines. Our wine experts work around the clock to answer your enquiries and we have our own fleet of vans and drivers to ensure that the wines get to you on time and in perfect condition. Visit website Back to All Partners Become a member and enjoy the exclusive offers from our partners. Become a member

Life is for Living is an organisation created by a community of yacht-related individuals who wanted to create awareness around the emotional and mental wellbeing support services available in the yachting industry.  Update from the Life is for Living team To All news 23 July 2020 Life is for Living is an organisation created by a community of yacht-related individuals who wanted to create awareness around the emotional and mental wellbeing support services available in the yachting industry. Due to addiction being incredibly prevalent within the yachting industry and a struggle for many crew, the organisation decided to partner with a specialist team, EMA, to provide accurate and informative guidance during their debut event earlier this year. EMA is run by a psychologist and counsellor duo, Enrique and Marta, who are based in Porto Portals, Mallorca, and specialise in addiction. Unfortunately, EMA already has many clients who are yacht crew. During the event, Enrique and Marta illustrated the workings of the mind through addiction, including how the prolonged use of substances can permanently alter the mind. Captains, crew and yacht managers were taught actionable skills to help recognise the signs of addiction and mental health issues. They were also given handouts of resources so they can accurately direct affected fellow crew. If you need support or would like access to some useful resources, head over to the Life is for Living Facebook page for a list of emotional health and wellbeing services and resources, or join the EMA support group in Mallorca for addiction-related matters. See the full details below. EMA Support Group Jeremy, Enrique and Marta have set up EMA Entorno de Soporte Terapeutico, a professional group therapy support network in English. They meet every Wednesday in Portals Nous and the sessions are open to anyone (in yachting or not) who is struggling with life, addiction, mental instability or can see themselves heading in that direction. Everything discussed within the group is completely confidential and all they ask is that you send them a WhatsApp message beforehand so that they have an idea of numbers. Meet with EMA When: Every Wednesday 6:45pm Where: Portals de Yoga Carretera Andratx 43 Local 12 Portals Nous Mallorca Contact: WhatsApp +34 608 418 863 The EMA Team Enrique Balasch Torres Therapist at EMA and Instituto Hipocrates Mallorca. Specialist in the treatment of addictions to substances. Experience: Former recovered addict with many years of experience conducting group therapy at Instituto Hipocrates. Marta de la Cruz Clinical psychologist Specialist in the treatment of addictions at the Instituto Hipocrates Specialist in floral therapy applied to emotional processes Psychosocial analyst in freelosophy Experience: Psychologist for EMA with 3 year's experience treating patients at Instituto Hippocrates Mallorca. More than 10 years of experience as a clinical psychologist in different areas and more than 20 years in the area of qualitative market research with a psychosocial approach. Jeremy Hance Engineer and Captain, recovered with Instituto Hipocrates a year and a half ago. Promoter of the group in Portals Nous. More news 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 Summary of the Sea Changes Forum 2025 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. Read more The PYA Christmas Ball Returns for Its 33rd Edition The 33rd edition of the PYA Christmas Ball returns at the iconic Hôtel Martinez in Cannes on Friday 5th December 2025, this year with a glamorous 1960s theme. Join us for a night of celebration with the yachting community — featuring a gourmet dinner, live band, raffle prizes, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow professionals from across the industry. A much-loved PYA tradition, the Christmas Ball promises elegance, entertainment, and a touch of vintage sparkle as we come together to close the year in style. Read more

The recent Yachting Aftersales and Refit Experience (YARE) event in Italy brought captains, yacht managers and other stakeholders, together for a lively discussion on a critical topic: The Human Capital – Finding the Right People. YARE 2024: Captains Brainstorm Solutions for Finding the Right People To All news 3 April 2024 The recent Yachting Aftersales and Refit Experience (YARE) event in Italy brought captains, yacht managers and other stakeholders, together for a lively discussion on a critical topic: The Human Capital – Finding the Right People . The session, hosted by CEO Christophe Bourillon and Operations Manager Kim Llorente from the Professional Yachting Association (PYA), tackled challenges faced by captains who are increasingly responsible for managing complex crew needs, but may not have all the necessary resources. The 90-minute session proved to be an excellent discussion that brought up not only issues that seem to be more and more recurring among captains, but also some innovative ideas and solutions. Here are the key takeaways: Standardization is Needed: Captains are calling for a more standardized approach to everything from crew recruitment and training to crew and yacht management. This would help streamline processes and ensure a higher level of professionalism across the industry. Captains Need More Support: The role of captains has grown significantly, and they often lack the proper training and tools to manage crew effectively. The industry needs to invest in education (for both crew and owners), workshops and training on self-development and mental health, and clearer communication to manage expectations. The PYA will build on the YARE discussions and initiate some of these ideas starting from the participants in the room and sharing the projects with anyone in the industry who wishes to be involved and be part of the change. If you want to join these discussions, please email us at info@pya.org If you want to bring substantial contribution, please consider becoming a member or partner of the PYA here https://www.pya.org/plans More news 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 Summary of the Sea Changes Forum 2025 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. Read more The PYA Christmas Ball Returns for Its 33rd Edition The 33rd edition of the PYA Christmas Ball returns at the iconic Hôtel Martinez in Cannes on Friday 5th December 2025, this year with a glamorous 1960s theme. Join us for a night of celebration with the yachting community — featuring a gourmet dinner, live band, raffle prizes, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow professionals from across the industry. A much-loved PYA tradition, the Christmas Ball promises elegance, entertainment, and a touch of vintage sparkle as we come together to close the year in style. Read more

It’s mid-season and you feel like you’ve got much more than you’ve bargained for. The idea of a glamorous, well-paid career on a luxurious yacht have long gone. You’re working long hours, jumping through every hoop imaginable and tensions onboard are at an all time boiling point. But unlike everyone else, you’re feeling on edge, trapped without... Struggling to keep your head above water? To All news 23 August 2019 It’s mid-season and you feel like you’ve got much more than you’ve bargained for. The idea of a glamorous, well-paid career on a luxurious yacht have long gone. You’re working long hours, jumping through every hoop imaginable and tensions onboard are at an all time boiling point. But unlike everyone else, you’re feeling on edge, trapped without anyone to talk to or so wound up and exhausted that you can’t sleep at night... You're not alone. Depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions aren’t unique to the yachting industry, but working long hours coupled with increased feelings of isolation when living out at sea can contribute to mental illness. With the help of our digitally connected world, yacht crew can now access mental health support from any location at any time. If you need urgent support, no matter where you are, here are some mental crisis support services: ISWAN (International Seafarers Network and Assistance) is a charity supporting all seafarers in the world. ISWAN has developed a 24/7, confidential and multilingual support service to deal with urgent emotional issues - Seafarerhelp . BetterHelp is an affordable online service which provides professional counselling and support via video conference, telephone, live chat or messaging. NHS Recommended Apps -The National Health Service UK has recommended a range of mental health support apps which include resources and tools to help manage mental health. In addition to these services, the PYA has been campaigning to raise awareness and remove the stigma associated with mental and emotional issues. We recently joined forces to host the mental health awareness event, ‘Life is for Living’, in Palma Mallorca. Following its success, we would like to host more events to help support global yacht crew in predominant yachting hubs. To find out about our upcoming event in a port near you, join the event’s Facebook page . To learn more about this event and our mental health campaign, read our most recent Yachting Matters article . Image credit: Photo by Ian Espinosa on Unsplash More news 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 Summary of the Sea Changes Forum 2025 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. Read more The PYA Christmas Ball Returns for Its 33rd Edition The 33rd edition of the PYA Christmas Ball returns at the iconic Hôtel Martinez in Cannes on Friday 5th December 2025, this year with a glamorous 1960s theme. Join us for a night of celebration with the yachting community — featuring a gourmet dinner, live band, raffle prizes, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow professionals from across the industry. A much-loved PYA tradition, the Christmas Ball promises elegance, entertainment, and a touch of vintage sparkle as we come together to close the year in style. Read more

MYBA The Worldwide Yachting Association is an international professional organisation, founded in 1984, with both Corporate and Individual Members. The Association’s mission is to inspire, support and empower people in the superyacht industry to be their best: by maintaining business at the highest level of ethical conduct, committing to equality and diversity, protecting the environment, sharing knowledge and combining strengths, building strong relationships, and continuously developing, both professionally and personally. All MYBA Members possess a proven track record of professional excellence and they are involved at many levels and in most of the disciplines of the superyacht industry. MYBA is the Association that brings them together, encourages them to work in harmony to ensure that the industry continues to flourish and guides them on the highest ethical and technical standards. MYBA Membership means becoming an active advocate for the superyacht industry: acquiring a seat at the collective table, adding your perspective and having your voice heard. MYBA is the creator of the industry’s most respected and widely used contract documents, the MYBA Sales & Purchase Agreement (MoA) and the MYBA Charter Agreement, which together with their associated documents are regularly updated as regulations and the global market change. MYBA is the owner and administrator of YACHTFOLIO, the online tool that changed the way luxury yacht charter professionals do business, and it organises the very successful MYBA Charter Show, one of the most important events of the yachting calendar. MYBA also organises a series of annual seminars for aspiring or new brokers as well as established superyacht professionals who are looking to refresh and build on their knowledge and experience. Contact Information Address: 120 Avenue Eugène Donadeï Cap Center 06700 St Laurent du Var France info@myba.net Tel: +33 (0)493-318-549 Fax: +33 (0)493-318-853 MYBA MYBA The Worldwide Yachting Association is an international professional organisation, founded in 1984, with both Corporate and Individual Members. The Association’s mission is to inspire, support and empower people in the superyacht industry to be their best: by maintaining business at the highest level of ethical conduct, committing to equality and diversity, protecting the environment, sharing knowledge and combining strengths, building strong relationships, and continuously developing, both professionally and personally. Visit website Back to All Partners Become a member and enjoy the exclusive offers from our partners. Become a member

Find out how you can learn the practical skills to measure and managing sustainability within the Superyacht industry. Sustainability Training for the Superyacht Industry To All news 5 November 2020 Since their launch, the PYA has been a proud supporter of the Water Revolution Foundation , the first independent, international, science-driven, non-profit organisation that is taking the lead to neutralise the ecological footprint of the superyacht industry and preserve the world’s precious oceans. In addition, following our initial message to members about The Foundation, there was a positive response and many members enquired about signing up their yachts to this initiative. At the beginning of the year, the Water Revolution Foundation declared that 2020 was the beginning of the decade of sustainability in yachting - a period where the industry would work together towards the United Nations’ 2030 agenda, guided by their Sustainable Development Goals. Since then, the Foundation has seen more companies becoming Water Revolution Foundation partners, but they also noticed a subsequent increase in questions surrounding the ‘how’ of sustainability....How do we improve? How do we ensure that our industry will be future proof? Sustainability Course for the Superyacht Industry For those looking to understand how to make practical changes – from measuring the environmental impact to creating a sustainability strategy – The Water Revolution Foundation's sustainability course was developed to do just that. The course is very pragmatic, provides useful tools and tips, and empowers participants to start their own sustainability programmes within their respective companies/roles. Held in five hours divided over two days, it’s the perfect way to get up to speed with sustainability. And you’ll be in good company. Over fifty industry professionals from leading companies have already taken the course to rave reviews. The course is run by the Centre for Sustainability & Excellence which has trained 90% of Fortune 500 companies. The next course takes place online on 19 and 20 November, from 2.00-4.30pm CET on both days. This will be their last course for 2020 so make sure you secure your spot. Learn more & register here. More news 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 Summary of the Sea Changes Forum 2025 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. Read more The PYA Christmas Ball Returns for Its 33rd Edition The 33rd edition of the PYA Christmas Ball returns at the iconic Hôtel Martinez in Cannes on Friday 5th December 2025, this year with a glamorous 1960s theme. Join us for a night of celebration with the yachting community — featuring a gourmet dinner, live band, raffle prizes, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow professionals from across the industry. A much-loved PYA tradition, the Christmas Ball promises elegance, entertainment, and a touch of vintage sparkle as we come together to close the year in style. Read more

Major changes have been announced for the European Schengen Visa, which is used by the citizens of 104 nations, including South Africa, Russia, Egypt and the Philippines. Schengen Visa Changes to Benefit Seafarers To All news 31 January 2020 Major changes have been announced for the European Schengen Visa, which is used by the citizens of 104 nations, including South Africa, Russia, Egypt and the Philippines. The Schengen zone includes 26 European countries and is home to some of the most popular Mediterranean cruising ports, so these changes are set to benefit multiple yacht crew transiting through the region. From 2 February 2020, new revisions will see seafarers granted with an extended period to submit their visa applications and frequent visitors will be given lengthier stays. Extended application submission periods: seafarers can apply up to 9 months before their trip (as opposed to 3 months), with standard applicants also granted an application submission extension of up to 6 months. Extended visa lengths: Those who frequently travel to EU member states with a good history of returning to their country of origin within the confines of previous visas will be eligible to receive multiple-entry visas for 5 years. Online applications: Member States should also allow applications to be submitted electronically, where possible. On the downside, the Schengen Visa will be getting more expensive and costing around €80 per application. Travel and medical insurance will also still remain mandatory. For more information, visit the Schengen Visa Info website. Please note: The information provided in this article is believed to be correct at the time of publishing (31.01.2020) and has been verified to be the best of the PYA's ability, however, cannot be guaranteed. More news 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 Summary of the Sea Changes Forum 2025 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. Read more The PYA Christmas Ball Returns for Its 33rd Edition The 33rd edition of the PYA Christmas Ball returns at the iconic Hôtel Martinez in Cannes on Friday 5th December 2025, this year with a glamorous 1960s theme. Join us for a night of celebration with the yachting community — featuring a gourmet dinner, live band, raffle prizes, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow professionals from across the industry. A much-loved PYA tradition, the Christmas Ball promises elegance, entertainment, and a touch of vintage sparkle as we come together to close the year in style. Read more

The PYA is excited to announced the launch of the PYA Safety Group, a dedicated platform for fostering a culture of safety and well-being in yachting. This group brings together Captains, Engineers, DPAs, Managers, and industry professionals to share knowledge, identify emerging safety risks, and share best practices. Available on Telegram! Onboard Safety Group Announcement To All news 10 October 2024 At the Professional Yachting Association (PYA), we believe that the safety and well-being of crew members is paramount. Empowering Crew for a Safer Yachting Experience 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. A Collaborative Platform for Safety We provide a platform for Captains, Engineers, Deck Officers, DPAs, Managers, Insurers, Auditors, and Trainers to share knowledge and experiences. This collaborative approach allows us to: Identify emerging safety concerns and risks specific to the yachting industry. Collect and analyse data from industry professionals to generate actionable insights. Develop tailored safety guidance for crew members, promoting a learning, thriving, and safe living environment onboard. Beyond Compliance: Sharing Best Practices We go beyond the standard ISM Code by: Creating informative advisories and recommendations based on collective expertise. Filling gaps in existing safety regulations – addressing topics not fully covered. Enhancing existing standards by incorporating best practices learned from real-world yachting experiences. Our Vision: A Culture of Well-being for All Our mission extends beyond physical safety. We aim to: Reduce crew anxiety through proactive risk management and knowledge sharing. Promote healthier minds and bodies by fostering a supportive environment for crew well-being. Nurture leadership skills in all crew members, empowering them to prioritize safety and well-being for themselves and others. Join the Group Stay connected with the Yachting Safety Group: Email: onboardsafety@pya.org Join our Telegram group: Click Here More news 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 Summary of the Sea Changes Forum 2025 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. Read more The PYA Christmas Ball Returns for Its 33rd Edition The 33rd edition of the PYA Christmas Ball returns at the iconic Hôtel Martinez in Cannes on Friday 5th December 2025, this year with a glamorous 1960s theme. Join us for a night of celebration with the yachting community — featuring a gourmet dinner, live band, raffle prizes, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow professionals from across the industry. A much-loved PYA tradition, the Christmas Ball promises elegance, entertainment, and a touch of vintage sparkle as we come together to close the year in style. Read more

The PYA will be attending this year’s 2023 Superyacht Forum in Amsterdam as part of wider industry discussions to improve standards and wellbeing for seafarers. PYA heads to Amsterdam for industry discussions at The Superyacht Forum 2023 To All news 9 November 2023 The PYA will be attending this year’s 2023 Superyacht Forum in Amsterdam as part of wider industry discussions to improve standards and wellbeing for seafarers. The Superyacht Forum 2023 is an important event in the calendar for anyone in the superyacht industry, and this year, the streamlined concept of ‘TSF: Connect’ will be focusing on fostering connections, sharing knowledge, and driving innovation within the industry. Meeting and connecting with the key players in our industry continues to be one of the most important and anticipated aspects of The Superyacht Forum. “We would like to thank the Superyacht Group for inviting us to participate in this year’s event. These important industry discussions at TSF will enable us to better understand emerging trends in the yachting industry and learn perspectives of yacht owners and crew,” said Kim Llorente, Operations Manager at the PYA. Over the course of the 3 days, The Superyacht Forum (TSF: Connect) will bring together representatives from across the industry. The lineup of events includes networking sessions, partner roundtables, strategic workshops, and one definitive Keynote Debate each day, bringing together a diverse range of speakers and experts to share their insights and perspectives. Covering a wide range of topics, including sustainability, technology, design, and business strategy, The Superyacht Forum is anticipated to provide important networking opportunities where the future of the yachting business will be discussed. More than 800 delegates from around the world are attending with 30 keynote speeches set to take place. More news 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 Summary of the Sea Changes Forum 2025 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. Read more The PYA Christmas Ball Returns for Its 33rd Edition The 33rd edition of the PYA Christmas Ball returns at the iconic Hôtel Martinez in Cannes on Friday 5th December 2025, this year with a glamorous 1960s theme. Join us for a night of celebration with the yachting community — featuring a gourmet dinner, live band, raffle prizes, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow professionals from across the industry. A much-loved PYA tradition, the Christmas Ball promises elegance, entertainment, and a touch of vintage sparkle as we come together to close the year in style. Read more

This year’s PYA Christmas Ball took place at the Martinez in Cannes and welcomed esteemed guests from across the yachting industry. PYA Christmas Ball 2023 Highlights To All news 14 December 2023 This year’s PYA Christmas Ball took place at the Martinez in Cannes and welcomed esteemed guests from across the yachting industry. With a night packed full of entertainment and networking, the 2023 PYA Christmas Ball brought together international yacht crews, captains of industry and leading institutions for an evening of celebration after a year of exciting developments in yachting. Set in the ballroom of the Martinez, guests arrived in style for the themed masquerade evening with a photocall capturing the elegance and fashionable attire of this year’s attendees. A host of media interviews also took place on the sidelines of the event. Following a drinks reception, the evening got underway with a gourmet dinner followed by dancing and live music into the early hours of the morning. Christophe Bourillon, CEO for the PYA said, “It’s been a tremendous year of change for the yachting industry and we are delighted to have been able to welcome guests from around the world in Cannes for our annual Christmas Ball gala. In addition to being a festive event, the setting offered many opportunities for bilateral discussions.” Ksenia Kokoshkina, Crewing Manager for The Crew Network added, “We truly enjoyed another PYA ball! It was a success. Great networking opportunity, amazing venue and meals this year were exceptional. Thank you very much for your time organising this beautiful event!” “Thank you to the PYA for organizing a splendid Christmas gathering, bringing together the Seascope Team for our festive work celebration. From entering the impressive Martinez, elegantly dressed in glamorous attire, balancing in our high heels, into a tastefully decorated dining room, where we enjoyed delicious cuisine, an endless array of drinks, and an incredible band that kept us on our feet dancing until we were ready to drop,” said Sophie Sevier, Director for Seascope France. Adrien Rizzi, Business Development for Riviera Radio in Monaco said, “I would like to thank all the team at PYA for organising such a fantastic Christmas ball at the Martinez! It was a perfect moment for connecting with colleagues and celebrating the end of the year together in style. Can’t wait for next year’s edition. Thanks again!” As in previous years, the PYA also unveiled its special Christmas ball raffle, offering a number of exciting prizes and unique experiences for lucky winners of the 2023 draw. This year’s event could not have been made possible without the generous support of our sponsors including Fort Insurance , whose contribution enabled the PYA to make this year’s ball an extra special occasion. We also want to thank this year’s guest of honour, the Italian Yacht Masters , an association which aims to promote and develop activities related to seafaring and boating. With the impact of our industry being felt around the world, we are coming up to the end of the calendar year, and what a year it’s been. We wish everyone a Happy Christmas and we look forward to seeing you again in the New Year! Christmas Ball Sponsors This year’s event could not have been made possible without the support of our sponsors. Learn more about their important work below and be sure to consider collaborating with them for your future projects and events: Premium Yacht Sponsor: Fort Insurance Fort Insurance is an Independent Superyacht Insurance Broker. They are committed to finding their clients the best possible cover at the most competitive prices. Their team of industry-leading experts combines decades of experience allowing them to help you choose the insurance policies suited for you by doing a thorough assessment of your specific needs. Their global panel of insurers allows them to find the best solutions available in the insurance market, whether it’s in continental Europe, Lloyd’s of London, the Americas, the Middle East or Asia. Burgess Founded in 1975 and now with 14 offices worldwide, Burgess is the global superyacht industry leader, uniquely specialising in yachts of over 30m (100ft). Renowned for its professional yachting services, the company leverages its expertise to guide clients through every aspect of the yachting experience, including sale and purchase, new construction, charter and operational yacht management. Nautech Group Shipyard Founded in 1998 in Marseille, Nautech is one of the oldest shipyards in France, dedicated to the refit and repair of luxury yachts and superyachts. The foundations of Nautech in Marseille were laid in 1998 when the opportunity was taken to create a refit and repair Shipyard at a location of strategic and commercial importance. Marseille has the most westerly drydocks in the South of France and is a genuine centre of maritime maintenance operations. Over the years, Nautech has continued to expand. Nautech has developed a loyal superyacht clientele who are looking for convenient and flexible shipyard services in the South of France and the Caribbean. MYBA MYBA , The Worldwide Yachting Association is an internationally renowned professional organisation, founded in 1984, whose Members are involved at all levels within the Superyacht Industry. Members of MYBA are widely represented in all fields of brokerage, charter, technical management and construction of large yachts. GWS Global Wine Solutions are the leading supplier of fine wines and spirits to the yachting industry, with offices in all the major yachting hubs worldwide. They understand the unique requirements of the superyacht community and have an unwavering commitment to excellence, an extensive global network of suppliers and producers, and a passionate team of experts who can curate a portfolio of wines that rival the most exclusive cellars in the world. Christmas Ball 2024 Next Year’s Christmas Ball will take place on 6 December and return to the Martinez in Cannes. Stay tuned for more details when tickets become available. More news 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 Summary of the Sea Changes Forum 2025 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. Read more The PYA Christmas Ball Returns for Its 33rd Edition The 33rd edition of the PYA Christmas Ball returns at the iconic Hôtel Martinez in Cannes on Friday 5th December 2025, this year with a glamorous 1960s theme. Join us for a night of celebration with the yachting community — featuring a gourmet dinner, live band, raffle prizes, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow professionals from across the industry. A much-loved PYA tradition, the Christmas Ball promises elegance, entertainment, and a touch of vintage sparkle as we come together to close the year in style. Read more