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The PYA has undertaken to work with the MCA and other relevant partners to re-write the Deck Training Record Book in its entirety to bring it up to date with the skills required by today’s yacht crew. Help the PYA improve on board learning opportunities for crew today To All news 11 January 2023 On board training and mentoring survey 2023 THE PROBLEM The yachting industry has experienced incredible growth over the last 20 years and more recently, sometimes unwelcome publicity, which all employers and senior crew will know, has resulted in a great shortage of individuals with the right mind set, qualifications, knowledge and career background to fill many of their vacancies on board . The pace of yachting is faster, the demands higher and time shorter, which has meant that many crew do not today benefit from the on-board training & mentoring which was the staple method of learning for many senior crew when they first entered the industry. Shore based courses can only provide a certain amount of knowledge. There is nothing to compare with the broad spectrum of practical skills which can be gained by experience and passed down by senior crew to those starting in the industry. THE TRAINING RECORD BOOK In addition, the MCA Training Record Book (TRB), which Deck crew need to complete at the beginning of their careers to prove knowledge of practical skills, last revised in 2004 , is woefully out of date with modern yachting practice and fast moving current technology. SOME SOLUTIONS The board of the PYA has voted that one of its main aims for 2023 will be to encourage a return to the age-old practice of on-board training and mentoring of junior crew by their more senior fellow crew.The PYA has also undertaken to work with the MCA and other relevant partners to re-write the Deck Training Record Book in its entirety to bring it up to date with the skills required by today’s yacht crew. The first step of the journey is to discover current practices in the industry so that we can assess how to move forward with this aim. PLEASE HELP US BY COMPLETING THE SHORT PYA SURVEY HERE With your help, we can improve the learning outcomes for many crew and help re-build the pool of qualified, knowledgeable and professional crew in our great industry. Thank you. The PYA Team 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 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 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 Cayman Islands Ship Registry (CISR) now requires written contracts for all crew members on Cayman-flagged yachts, including private vessels. This is a major first in the yachting industry and sets a strong example for better working conditions at sea. Cayman Islands Flag Makes Waves: New Law Protects Yacht Crew To All news 14 March 2024 The Cayman Islands, a popular registry for luxury yachts, has taken a big step towards crew welfare with a brand new law. The Cayman Islands Ship Registry (CISR) now requires written contracts for all crew members on Cayman-flagged yachts, including private vessels . This is a major first in the yachting industry and sets a strong example for better working conditions at sea. What Changed? Many crew members, especially on smaller yachts, don't have formal employment contracts. This can lead to confusion and disagreements about pay, work hours, and other important aspects of their jobs. Now, with a written contract in place, everyone is on the same page. The contract clearly outlines the crew member's rights and responsibilities, along with the yacht owner's obligations. This helps to ensure fair treatment and a more professional work environment for all. What This Means for Yacht Owners and Crew If you own a Cayman-flagged yacht, you'll need to have a written contract for each crew member. The CISR will be checking for compliance during surveys, and failing to provide a contract could be considered a violation of maritime law. For crew members, this new regulation is a positive development. It guarantees a clear understanding of their employment terms and provides essential protections. How You Can Get Help The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) supports yacht crew members in navigating this change. Here are some resources we offer: Free Contract Templates: PYA members have access to downloadable contract templates that follow industry best practices. ( https://www.pya.org/knowledge-base/employment-contracts ) Understanding the Regulations: The CISR website provides detailed guidance notes on the revised Merchant Shipping Act, including the new contract requirement. ( https://www.cishipping.com/policy-advice/guidance-notes ) Look for the first guidance note under "Policy & Advice". The PYA is here to answer any questions you may have about crew employment contracts. Feel free to contact us at advice@pya.org for further assistance. 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

South African Crew are warned against purchasing false boat papers to travel to the EU to look for work. South African Crew – Beware of this False Papers Scam To All news 5 October 2021 The PYA has recently learned that a Cape Town-based crew agent has been providing job seekers, for a substantial fee, with a clutch of documents that purport to show the holder is employed as a crew member onboard a yacht called S/Y ‘Malcolm Miller' (which is actually a UK-based Sail Training vessel). Due to the COVID-19 travel regulations, this documentation is issued to allow the job seeker to enter the EU and look for a real yacht-based job. A member of the PYA's confidential Member Assistance Service (MAS) has said, "Crew who try to use these false papers are risking not just their hard-earned cash but also legal problems. We know of one South African seafarer who was detained on arrival in France and deported. And, on top of this, there is the possibility that this person could be black-listed in the EU's passport control system." If you would like to report a scam targeted at yacht crew, please send this directly to our MAS team at advice@pya.org . 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

As part of its members' assistance service, the PYA has seen a marked increase in the number of incidents of sexual harassment reported by crew members.  The PYA has therefore conducted an industry survey to give crew members a voice to bring forward their own experiences of sexual harassment in yachting. Sexual harassment of seafarers To All news 14 October 2018 As part of its members' assistance service, the PYA has seen a marked increase in the number of incidents of sexual harassment reported by crew members. The PYA has therefore conducted an industry survey to give crew members a voice to bring forward their own experiences of sexual harassment in yachting. Our results were reported at the Sea Changes Forum at the Monaco Yacht Show and produced some shocking statistics and personal testimony. A huge thank you to all the people who bravely reported information in our survey. What's next? The PYA in conjunction with other partners in this sector of the maritime industry are joining forces to continue to highlight this subject and to campaign on behalf of crew in establishing improvements in their working environment and in promoting better understanding of the issues raised. If you want to get involved then let us know - possibly consider becoming a PYA Councillor and representing colleagues in future forum dealing with such issues? Contact us at welfare@pya.org 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 sponsored GUEST training program developed over the last several years together with wider maritime hospitality training standards, has now successfully transferred from the PYA to IAMI. IAMI is the association of maritime training colleges and training providers for seafarers. Interior Training Standards for crew To All news 13 February 2019 The PYA sponsored GUEST training program developed over the last several years together with wider maritime hospitality training standards, has now successfully transferred from the PYA to IAMI. IAMI is the association of maritime training colleges and training providers for seafarers. IAMI has formed a Maritime Hospitality sub group with its first meeting planned later this month in Southampton, UK. Associate Membership of IAMI is now available to any training provider offering courses in hospitality training for interior crew. This forum will consider the standards of training and development for all interior departments. IAMI is managing the GUEST interior training programme. Joey Meen is the newly appointed Director of Interior Training at IAMI. 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

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. The PYA provides a unique research and insights service that gives brands and organisations the ability to survey our members on a wide range of yachting industry related issues. Over the years, the PYA has carried out numerous surveys to better understand how yachting crews have been impacted by industry changes such as the introduction of new regulations, employment laws and more. Our dedicated research team develops tailored surveys on a regular basis which allows public bodies, organisations and businesses to gain important feedback from yachting professionals, enabling them to make key decisions on upcoming projects, services and legislative changes. Examples of previous surveys Sexual Harassment in Yachting 2018 Study Understanding the impact of new certification requirements on yacht captains The current mental state of yachting crews and associated welfare issues What yachting crews are looking for when it comes to seeking new employment Surveys can be conducted throughout the year with questions developed in alignment with your objectives. Guidance is also provided on how to get the most qualified responses. Survey partners can also benefit from the following options Bespoke surveys targeted at specific members PYA data sorting an analysis Expert advice on creating the ideal survey Co-branded published reports PR and communications activities to highlight published findings If you are seeking to gain unique insights from the yachting industry, we can help. Get in contact with our research team to find out how you can conduct your first survey with us. Email: research@pya.org For research partners only Carry out survey Learn more about the yachting industry Become a member 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. To All services Discover our plans to get access to all the services we provide. Become a member

An Update From The Bridge - an article written by the Captain's Committee of the ISS. The PYA’s mission is “to represent the interests of Professional Yacht Crew and to encourage and maintain the highest professional standards”. For this reason, we have been talking with Captains and crew in the yachting industry to better understand some of the current issues we are facing: Fatigue in Captaincy and PYA initiatives To All news 17 October 2024 The PYA’s mission is “to represent the interests of Professional Yacht Crew and to encourage and maintain the highest professional standards”. For this reason, we have been talking with Captains and crew in the yachting industry to better understand some of the current issues we are facing: Crew recruitment Low retention of crew on board Lack of career aspiration Lack of right training Generational gap Mental health During the Superyacht Forum in Amsterdam , and YARE in Viareggio , we’ve discussed these issues deeply and they all seem to stem from wrong expectations. Wrong expectations starting from the owner of the yacht to the new generation of crew wanting to get a foot on board. Captains find themselves more alone than ever, having to manage everyone’s (wrong) expectations. For this reason, the PYA has been working on several initiatives including: A completely revamped Member’s Area, which will integrate new services that will allow members to communicate on important matters through Forums; A WhatsApp Group for Captains and HODs called PYA Helm Circle for quick exchanges; A new team of experts on safety on board available to crew and industry stakeholders that you can reach on Telegram (be part of the group!) or by email onboardsafety@pya.org ; A series of discussions, meetings, articles and webinars on these topics to raise awareness. PYA member Capt. Herbert Magney shared with us this interesting article by the ISS Captain’s Committee that well summarises what Captains are going through. As the introduction highlights the “Progress Paradox” (if everything is better, why are the Captains and crew feeling worse?), the article delves into the various factors that lead to exhaustion. If you have any feedback or comments after reading this article, please don’t hesitate to reach us at info@pya.org to help us bring positive change into the yachting industry. An Update From The Bridge - an article written by the Captain's Committee of the ISS The International Superyacht Society (ISS) is the representative organisation of the Large yacht industry with a mission to; “ Promote Excellence and Ensure Sustainability in the Global Yachting Industry ”. Within the ISS are committees established to work towards this mission. The Captain’s Committee is a collective of current seafaring Captains from varying backgrounds and locations that work together to represent the concerns of yacht crew and Captains. Major projects include, the support for ISWAN and the launch of the yacht crew helpline www.superyachthelp.org and the publishing of issues of wide industry concern. In this first article, from the ISS Captains, is the unanimous view of the greatest challenge to today’s Yacht Captains is fatigue management. Their own and that of the Crews they lead. There is a sense that we, the Captains, are sitting on the greatest “Dirty Little Secret” in the yachting industry. In this article we will break out some of the reasons we feel this and that it is not constrained to any one size or segment within yachting. “A Symptom, not a Problem” As the Captains began sharing anecdotes, one in the committee members spoke up and asked if we were all looking at this the wrong way: “Is fatigue not a problem in itself but a just a symptom of the wider problems in modern yachting?” The penny dropped and the group on the call took a pause, ‘If fatigue that is such a concern is the symptom, what are the cause(s)?”. When looking for causes it became tricky as we have what could be called a “Progress Paradox”, in that everything is better, but the Captains and crews are feeling worse. Breaking this quandary to its components: The yachts have never been built better, and this extends to operational capability, environmental considerations and with MLC now well entrenched better accommodation and facilities for crew. The Crew are better trained, more professionally focused and their terms are better than in the past. Supporting companies are stronger, more comprehensive and staffed by more qualified personnel. So with all this, the industry’s performance must be ‘never-better’, right? Why then, are we, the Captains, feeling stretched like never before? There is no single answer of course, more layers of factors that when combined leave Captains and their Crews feeling physically and mentally exhausted trying to hold the tails of the ocean-going tigers they work within. The Culture The stakeholders in the larger maritime world, have had a decades long campaign a positive error culture, where all are empowered to speak out on safety. Parallels have been drawn with aviation and medical industries which have successfully increased safety and reduced costs by empowering staff to report and document their mistakes so their industries can learn from it. Excellent further reading on this can be found at: “Making Critical Decisions at Sea”, which was recently published by CHIRP and distributed by the Nautical Institute amongst others. Many yacht Captains feel the opposite situation is entrenched within their yachts. Captains do not feel empowered to openly state; “I am stretched to breaking point and fatigue is endangering myself and my crew.” The shore support teams rely and demand the Captain to have and execute the authority to operate the vessel safely. Does this extend to stopping the yacht when fatigue is placing crew at risk? If this is said there are too many cases where the resolution is to replace the non-cooperating Captain at the next opportunity that doesn’t impact the Owners enjoyment with another Captain that will accept the motto of yachting “Harden Up, Sleep later and deliver the Guest Experience”. Ironically, all the ISS Captains have been guilty of this view as it is how they entered the industry and it is ingrained in their DNA. Now the industry has outgrown this Neanderthal-ques view and the question is; How can this cycle be broken? Is this critical problem even known by the most important members of our yacht community, the Yacht Owners? The yachts that are being marketed are so capable that the crew cannot maintain them. Is there meaningful representation by the DPA to the highest levels of Ownership of this concern as required by the ISM code? The legislation has flexibility, and, in many cases, fatigue could be easily mitigated by sensible turnaround times or an industry wide education campaign, so guests understand the yachts are not resorts with shifts - there is only one crew. No harm, no foul is only going to work while the yachts ride their luck until some terrible tragedy shakes the industry out of our self-induced blindness where fees and commissions exceed a true commitment to safety. There are more incidents in yachting than are reported. This is a whispered, though well-known fact. Yes, the responsibility for reporting returns to the Captains, but when fatigue is a contributory factor there is no action, or worse the captain is held to improve the work rosters, something they have too little control over when the charter or private guest routines exceed what they can address with crew numbers available. It ought to be so easy to explain to an UHNWI that the commitment to crew rest is in place for the safety of themselves, their families, their asset and their crews. They are also in place to protect all in the operation against liability issues. It is beyond the capacity of the Captain, with their single source of income to speak out, Captains will buckle in deference to their job security. It takes an industry-wide commitment. The Yachts The wonderful new yachts are a privilege to call a workplace, but they are so capable that the crew struggle to keep up. This begins from the day of the launch where challenges range from storage, to cleaning to operation. The crew are brought on too late in construction to provide an operational perspective and then are instructed to ‘make it work’. A series of innocuous compromises in construction combine to make a workplace that is physically improbable to operate efficiently. An ISS Build Captain recently was asked to sail a 90m yacht from the shipyard 24 hours after taking delivery. The shipyard stated the ‘normal’ period post-delivery was 4 to 8 weeks. This time allows a completed yacht to be Seaworthy with crew trained, stores loaded, and the vessel secured. The Captain spoke out but none in the process would accept the concerns. This included the; owner, broker, shore side support company, and comfortingly the DPA. With such a start this yacht will struggle to truly ‘make it’ as a sustainable operation the stress and fatigue such a rushed delivery builds into the culture is hard to shake. Once in operation the yachts the yachts limp through guest periods. Crew openly talk of ‘just making it’ through several weeks with guests. To an outsider this may seem strange. “How hard can it be fetching drinks, making beds, driving people to the beach or wakeboarding? Hardly work at all, right?” The Yachting Industry promotes an unparalleled guest experience with everything on call and no limitations to the guests. This is not possible for those tasked to deliver this model. Too many times limited crew numbers have seafarers navigating and maintaining engine watches through the nights after full days of guest service. The Crew Career focused and trained crew are amazing but impatient. The ‘hop onboard for adventure’ that yachting once represented has been replaced by a more mercenary approach. Crew are well-informed on what remuneration, leave and entitlements they seek. This should be held up as a positive, though with an expectation of black and white employment terms yachting’s long-held refrain of working together for a single goal of guest benefit is waning. Tenure on yachts is measured in months and not years, this is a great cost to the industry in administration, training, accidental damage and of course the ultimate measure being the team performance to the guests. This alone should bring to question the way crew employment is being handled. Too often a crew member leaves as they are just tired and want a break, they then repeat the cycle again in their next employment. The ISS Captains understand this, and all are aware of their guilt in not having the time in their own days to speak to crew and guide them through their work routines and indeed their career decisions. “If only the time” seemed to be a common response to the conversation between Captains on how much time you really dedicate to speaking and listening to crew. The Shore Support Community There has never been better support. This extends through; forward-leaning management companies, recruitment firms, medical providers, trainers, IT firms and suppliers. So many professionals all knowledgeable and all passionate wishing to assist. The shortfall being all these companies want a piece of the Captain’s and Senior Crew’s time. There is an irony that everyone offering to make a Captain’s life easier actually takes just a little more of their time. Training is the one area all Captains say is lacking; however, it is not through lack of providers. Too many of the Captains speak of booking, re-booking and eventually cancelling valuable training due to lack of time or variations in the schedule making a booking improbable. Overlaid with the amount of support firms needing time (particularly on larger yachts) there are layers upon layers to gain basic operational decisions and the Captains now struggle under the weight of communicating to all. Lastly, in day-to-day operations the dance floor is full, however, what is also apparent when there is an incident of significance the Captain is alone. All the Captains are aware that it is the Captain that will be legally accountable when there is an incident involving serious casualty, discharge to the marine environment or damage to the vessel or a third party. The Solution We, the ISS Captains, as authors and concerned representatives of the yachting community would like to offer a simple solution, but if it were that simple it would already be in place. It is a multi-faceted problem that need multiple paths to find a solution Hidden within this article is a plea. A plea to those involved in selling (charter and private), design and construction to seek operational input and then use your respective voices to educate and manage client expectations. Even the largest of yachts are restricted in the resources that are available when in operation. Unlike shore residences, there is no second shift or the chance to parachute in five more staff to help out at peak times, in times of sickness or fatigue. This article speaks to the daily operations where fatigue becomes a symptom. There is another layer that is compounding this. There is a privilege afforded to yacht owners to determine the programme at their whim. This is certainly their right due to the investment made, however, for crew this results in a situation where they are unable to have a clear picture of when and where they may take their earned leave. Again, it is beholden to those in the higher levels of the yachting community that have direct access to Yacht Owners to make this stressor known to their clients. For the love of yachting the ISS Captains ask that we all become stakeholders in supporting our Captains and crew in this most critical aspect of their safety and performance. Sincerely, Your Fleet Captains 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 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. The PYA Christmas Ball Returns for Its 33rd Edition To All news 22 October 2025 The Professional Yachting Association’s 33rd Christmas Ball will take place at the iconic Hôtel Martinez in Cannes on Friday, 5 December 2025 . This year, the event invites guests to step back in time with a 1960s theme , celebrating timeless elegance, vintage glamour, and a touch of Riviera sophistication. Guests will begin the evening with a festive cocktail reception before enjoying a gourmet dinner in one of the Riviera’s most prestigious settings. The celebration will continue with the traditional raffle prize draw , featuring a range of exciting gifts donated by our generous donors, followed by live music from an outstanding band to keep everyone dancing late into the night. The PYA Christmas Ball brings together nearly 200 guests , including Captains, crew, and leading professionals from across the yachting sector , for an evening of elegance, entertainment, and festive spirit as the community comes together to celebrate another successful year in yachting. How you can participate? A limited number of tickets are being made available through the PYA for guests to book their seats at one of our dinner tables. Click Here to register your interest. You can also contact Sophie via email to make arrangements for yourself or your company: office@pya.org Tickets are extremely limited, therefore we recommend you to book your place early! We are proud to be supported this year by our valued sponsors: Gourmet Deliveries A family-owned and operated business since 2007, offer luxury provisions for superyachts worldwide, including a wide range of personalised food, wines, bedding, linen and more. They work alongside quality suppliers and ensure they provide clients with only the highest quality products. To save time for Chefs and Chief Stews, Gourmet Deliveries offers a quick and efficient online order service . It lists 10,000 popular products to ensure it can cater to every guest and crew requirement. Gourmet Deliveries offers the widest and the most exclusive catalogue in the world. MYBA – The Worldwide Yachting Association Founded in 1984, MYBA is an internationally renowned professional organisation whose members operate across all levels of the superyacht industry. Represented in brokerage, charter, technical management, and yacht construction, MYBA promotes high standards of professionalism and integrity within the global yachting community. Riviera Wine With more than 15 years of experience, Riviera Wine has become one of the most respected and experienced wine suppliers in the yachting industry. Combining deep expertise and passion with a refined understanding of the luxury sector, their dedicated team provides complete solutions for all wine and spirits needs on board — from supply and bespoke advice to curated tastings. Let Riviera Wine be your trusted partner in fine wine and spirits. Bluewater Bluewater has been training and recruiting crew for over 30 years and is dedicated to ensuring a high level of excellence in the industry. Our comprehensive services cover all aspects of yachting, including yacht management, charter services, and yacht sales. Committed to innovation and service excellence, Bluewater continues to lead the way in the yachting industry, with our recently launched yachting app for everything a seafarer needs to manage their career. How to Sponsor the Ball? As one of the most anticipated events in the yachting calendar, the PYA Christmas Ball offers exclusive sponsorship opportunities for brands looking to stand out within the superyacht sector. From tailored visibility options to bespoke partnership activations, sponsoring the Ball allows your company to engage directly with an influential audience in a refined and festive setting. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact: office@pya.org 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 European Commission recently made the decision to maintain its recognition of seafarer certificates issued by the Philippines. Geio Tischler European Commission continues to recognise Filipino seafarer certificates in maritime sector To All news 23 August 2023 The European Commission recently made the decision to maintain its recognition of seafarer certificates issued by the Philippines, a prominent global supplier of maritime labour. The decision was a testament to the Philippines' commitment to adhering to international standards within the maritime industry. Back in December 2021, the European Commission had raised concerns over the training and certification procedures within the Philippines' seafarer system which put into doubt the future of seafarer certificates. It had signaled that the recognition of these certificates might be revoked unless tangible measures were taken to align with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) - which could have impacted a significant number of yacht crew internationally. Since then, the Philippines has undertaken substantial initiatives to meet the stringent requirements outlined by the Commission. Notably, improvements were focused on critical aspects such as the oversight, monitoring, supervision, training, and assessment processes. There are currently an estimated 50,000 Filipino masters and officers actively serving on EU-flagged vessels. In the following months, the Commission is expected to provide additional technical support to further bolster the Philippines' education, training, and certification system for seafarers. This commitment aligns with discussions held between President Ursula von der Leyen and President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos on the sidelines of the EU-ASEAN summit last December. The European Commission's decision stands as a pivotal moment in sustaining the flow of skilled maritime professionals from the Philippines into the European and global shipping industry. It underscores the importance of maintaining rigorous standards and collaborative partnerships to ensure the safety, efficiency, and quality of maritime operations worldwide. With seafarer certification playing a major role in the maritime industry, yacht crews can expect to receive further guidance in the future for upcoming changes in maritime law and requirements for training. The PYA is authorised by the MCA and Transport Malta to verify yacht sea service testimonials for all yacht crew worldwide. Explore our service or consider subscribing as a full member to receive this service for free. 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