This year's PYA Sea Changes Forum took place on 29 September at the International Hydrographic Organisation at the Monaco Yacht Show. It was a fantastic forum with a lot of information shared about Regulations and Qualifications from leading Maritime Policymakers. Summary of the PYA Sea Changes Forum 2022 To All news 20 October 2022 This year's PYA Sea Changes Forum took place on 29 September at the International Hydrographic Organisationat the Monaco Yacht Show. It was a fantastic forum with a lot of information shared about Regulations and Qualifications from leading Maritime Policymakers. Below you will find a short summary of the proceedings along with links to each speaker’s presentation video. PYA Board Member Rod Hatch kicked off the forum discussing the new AV/IT certification currently under development, with input from Rod and from other PYA contributors. Mr. Ajit Jacob, Chief Examiner of the MCA presented the UK Hydrographic Office’s (UKHO) plans for the phased exit of paper charts to be compliant for digital navigation by 2026, and the MCA’s shift toward digital and the modernisation of training, including immersive training tools. The MCA is looking to overhaul its suite of student training and assessment criteria by end of 2023. Updates included the status of the amended STCW regulations, electronic training record book, online oral exams and streamlining pathways in OOW less than 500gt. Mr. Mauro Peresso, Technical Director at Transport Malta focused on the rules, regulations and flexibility of the Malta Commercial Yacht Code and the Passenger Yacht Code. He presented Crew Qualifications accepted on Malta Flagged Vessels and spoke about future trends such as green ships and the reality of the volume required for different types of fuel. Ms. Amelie Delamarre-Chardin and Ms. Ornella Valls, Head & Deputy Head of Marine Environment, Mediterranean Maritime Prefecture spoke about current French regulations (anchoring, light & sound, and the protection of marine mammals) and their enforcement in French Waters. Part of Ms. Valls presentation is cut off due to a technical glitch however Ms. Delamarre-Chardin revisits her points in the Q&A. Captain Luca Triggiani, Founding Member and Director of Training of the Italian YachtMasters spoke of taking action and accountability for managing yachting professionals through advanced training (leadership, behavioral analysis, sustainability practices, etc), networking and coaching. Italian YachtMasters path to a sustainable future is through zero tolerance of easy certification, following environmental regulations and advanced crew training for both practical and professional development. Mr. Richard Falk, RYA Director of Training and Qualifications spoke of the RYA’s efforts to improve digital offerings, focus more on practical learning, streamline yacht inspections, and broadly implement the Personal Watercraft (PWC) Safety Scheme. He touched on the confusion following Brexit and cleared up some misinformation. In addition, he asked to spread the word about the annual Trinity House RYA Yachtmaster Scholarship . Emma Baggett, Director of OM and Chair of the IAMI GUEST Program, focused on crew retention, why crew leave, the impact on the industry and ways we can redress the balance through personal and professional development. The GUEST Program (Guidelines for Excellence in Superyacht Training) is the recognised yacht qualification body for non-mandatory training & professional development and in addition to interior-based training, is now offering owner representative, new build and administration programs. Thank you to our valued sponsors for making the PYA Sea Changes 2022 possible: Burgess , MYBA , Maritime MT and VSF . More news Sea Changes Forum 2026 highlights - Navigating the future of yachting The PYA Sea Changes Forum 2026, held on 24 September at the IHO in Monaco, brought together Flag States, maritime authorities and industry experts to address critical yachting updates, safety compliance, crew training and welfare, and ocean stewardship initiatives. Read more Sea Changes Forum 2026 The PYA is pleased to invite you to the 2026 Sea Changes Forum, taking place on Thursday, 24 September 2026, at the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in Monaco, during the Monaco Yacht Show. Read more Upcoming Webinar: Water Safety On Yachts The Professional Yachting Association is pleased to invite yacht crew and industry professionals to an upcoming live webinar dedicated to Water Safety On Yachts, taking place on 10 June 2026 from 15:00 to 16:00CET. Led by recognised experts in water management and regulatory compliance, this session will explore the common bacteria found in vessel water systems, the risks they pose to crew, guests and operations, and the practical measures that can be implemented to maintain safe onboard water standards. Read more

Over the past year there have been a number of newly released Marine Guidance Notices (MGNs) providing highly relevant information to the maritime industry. Maritime Safety Guidances: A look back at MGNs on Critical Maritime Safety Issues To All news 2 January 2024 Over the past year there have been a number of newly released Marine Guidance Notices (MGNs) providing highly relevant information to the maritime industry. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has issued these MGNs to provide comprehensive guidance on crucial aspects of maritime safety. You can discover some of the latest MGNs below to become familiar with important issues that are affecting seafarers today: 1. Fatigue and Fitness for Duty for Seafarers (MGN 505) This MGN provides comprehensive guidance on managing fatigue and ensuring seafarers are fit for duty to maintain vessel safety and efficiency. It outlines effective fatigue management strategies, rest requirements, and monitoring procedures to prevent fatigue-related incidents. Download this MGN 2. Interference with Safe Navigation through Inappropriate Use of Mobile Phones (MGN 299) MGN 299 emphasizes the critical role of mobile phones in maritime safety and the importance of their responsible use. It highlights the potential for distractions and interference with safe navigation caused by inappropriate mobile phone usage. The MGN provides recommendations for minimizing distractions and maintaining focus during critical operations. Download this MGN 3. 12 Significant People Factors in Maritime Safety (the Deadly Dozen) (MGN 520) Recognizing human factors as a significant contributing factor to maritime accidents, MGN 520 identifies 12 critical human behaviors that pose potential hazards to maritime safety. It provides insights into these behaviors and effective strategies to address them, promoting a culture of safety and vigilance among seafarers. Download this MGN Reassessing the Relevance of MGN Guidance Today While these MGNs may not be recent publications, their insights into fatigue management, mobile phone usage, and human factors remain highly relevant today. As technology evolves and maritime operations become more complex, these guidelines can help seafarers and maritime professionals adopt practices that enhance safety and minimize the risk of accidents. Seeking Feedback and Collaboration We encourage you to review these MGNs and provide your feedback on their continued relevance and effectiveness. Your input is valuable in ensuring that these guidelines remain applicable to the evolving maritime landscape. You can contact us at info@pya.org with any questions or further comments. Stay updated on future maritime developments The PYA team remains committed to providing you with relevant maritime information and guidance. You can become a PYA member or subscribe to our newsletter today to get the latest important developments in the maritime industry. More news Sea Changes Forum 2026 highlights - Navigating the future of yachting The PYA Sea Changes Forum 2026, held on 24 September at the IHO in Monaco, brought together Flag States, maritime authorities and industry experts to address critical yachting updates, safety compliance, crew training and welfare, and ocean stewardship initiatives. Read more Sea Changes Forum 2026 The PYA is pleased to invite you to the 2026 Sea Changes Forum, taking place on Thursday, 24 September 2026, at the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in Monaco, during the Monaco Yacht Show. Read more Upcoming Webinar: Water Safety On Yachts The Professional Yachting Association is pleased to invite yacht crew and industry professionals to an upcoming live webinar dedicated to Water Safety On Yachts, taking place on 10 June 2026 from 15:00 to 16:00CET. Led by recognised experts in water management and regulatory compliance, this session will explore the common bacteria found in vessel water systems, the risks they pose to crew, guests and operations, and the practical measures that can be implemented to maintain safe onboard water standards. 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 15 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 Sea Changes Forum 2026 highlights - Navigating the future of yachting The PYA Sea Changes Forum 2026, held on 24 September at the IHO in Monaco, brought together Flag States, maritime authorities and industry experts to address critical yachting updates, safety compliance, crew training and welfare, and ocean stewardship initiatives. Read more Sea Changes Forum 2026 The PYA is pleased to invite you to the 2026 Sea Changes Forum, taking place on Thursday, 24 September 2026, at the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in Monaco, during the Monaco Yacht Show. Read more Upcoming Webinar: Water Safety On Yachts The Professional Yachting Association is pleased to invite yacht crew and industry professionals to an upcoming live webinar dedicated to Water Safety On Yachts, taking place on 10 June 2026 from 15:00 to 16:00CET. Led by recognised experts in water management and regulatory compliance, this session will explore the common bacteria found in vessel water systems, the risks they pose to crew, guests and operations, and the practical measures that can be implemented to maintain safe onboard water standards. Read more

Keeping an accurate record of your sea service is essential throughout your yachting career. Verified sea service may be required when applying for a Notice of Eligibility (NoE), revalidating a Certificate of Competency (CoC), or demonstrating your professional experience to a future employer. Top tips on getting a valid Sea Service Testimonial To All news 24 August 2026 The PYA is authorised by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Transport Malta to verify yacht sea service testimonials for crew worldwide. The process is now completed digitally through the PYA Portal, making it easier to submit, track and manage your sea service records. How do I get my sea service testimonials verified? To begin, join or log in to your PYA profile and make sure your personal information is complete. You will need to provide: A passport-style photograph Your personal and contact information Your billing address A certified copy of your passport in PDF format Certified copies of any relevant certificates, if required You can then complete a Sea Service Testimonial form directly through your profile and send it digitally to the appropriate signatory. Once the testimonial has been signed and confirmed, it will automatically be sent to the PYA Sea Service Department for review. The team will check that the information complies with the relevant MCA definitions and may contact you if additional information or supporting evidence is required. After approval, the testimonial receives a final review and is officially verified by the PYA’s SRB Officers. The complete process can take up to 25 working days. Follow these top tips when requesting your testimonials Why should I request a Sea Service Testimonial? It provides an official record of the sea service you completed on board a vessel. You may need verified sea service when applying for an NoE or revalidating a CoC. It helps you maintain a clear and accurate record of your professional experience. It is advisable to request your testimonial before leaving a vessel, particularly if you are working under a seasonal or temporary contract. Who can sign a testimonial? Your testimonial must be completed and digitally signed by an appropriate authorised signatory, such as the vessel’s Captain, Chief Officer, Chief Engineer, Owner or Manager. Masters cannot sign their own testimonials. Their sea service must be confirmed by the vessel’s Owner or Manager. Important details to remember Complete your testimonial using the digital form available through your PYA profile. Follow the relevant MCA sea service definitions for your department. Always provide accurate start and end dates, including when you are still employed on board. Check that the dates do not incorrectly overlap with sea service already recorded. Make sure the sea service entered does not exceed your total period of employment. Review all information carefully before sending the testimonial to your signatory. Respond promptly if the PYA Sea Service Department requests further information or corrections. What will I receive? PYA Full Members receive a Service Record, which displays all their verified sea service in one official record. Full Membership also includes unlimited testimonial and certificate verification. For more information about the process, the relevant definitions and the available options, visit the PYA Sea Service Verification page. More news Sea Changes Forum 2026 highlights - Navigating the future of yachting The PYA Sea Changes Forum 2026, held on 24 September at the IHO in Monaco, brought together Flag States, maritime authorities and industry experts to address critical yachting updates, safety compliance, crew training and welfare, and ocean stewardship initiatives. Read more Sea Changes Forum 2026 The PYA is pleased to invite you to the 2026 Sea Changes Forum, taking place on Thursday, 24 September 2026, at the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in Monaco, during the Monaco Yacht Show. Read more Upcoming Webinar: Water Safety On Yachts The Professional Yachting Association is pleased to invite yacht crew and industry professionals to an upcoming live webinar dedicated to Water Safety On Yachts, taking place on 10 June 2026 from 15:00 to 16:00CET. Led by recognised experts in water management and regulatory compliance, this session will explore the common bacteria found in vessel water systems, the risks they pose to crew, guests and operations, and the practical measures that can be implemented to maintain safe onboard water standards. Read more

The PYA will hold its latest leadership networking event in the bustling city of Antibes in France this November. PYA to launch quarterly leadership networking event in Antibes, France To All news 31 October 2023 The PYA will hold its latest leadership networking event in the bustling city of Antibes in France this November. The quarterly leadership meetup will bring together a host of crew from across the industry including yacht captains, first officers, engineers, chief stewardesses, chefs and the various heads of departments. The event will provide opportunities for networking and yacht crew to share their perspectives and reflections on the past year’s important milestones. “We are delighted to be welcoming esteemed yacht crew from across France and Europe at our latest networking event in Antibes. What better place to have important industry conversations that will shape how we work together in the future. A special thanks to everyone that has contacted the PYA about this upcoming event and pledged their support to make it a truly memorable occasion. We look forward to meeting you all,” said Christophe Bourillon, CEO for the PYA. DWD Dolphin Wear & Deckers , Riviera Wine , Luxury Hospitality and MS Yachts by Edge Ship are sponsors for our latest quarterly event where attending guests will be provided with drinks and canapes at the opening reception. We would like to say a big thank you to all our partners for their continuous support and helping to facilitate important networking events. Event details and how to participate L'AUTHENTIK 1 Boulevard d'Aguillon, 06600, Antibes, France Thu, 16 Nov 2023 17:00 - 19:00 CET To reserve your place, visit our event page and book your tickets. If you would like to know more about PYA events and stay informed of the latest yachting industry developments, explore our membership options to learn more. Among the benefits include gaining early access to exclusive industry meetups and a wide range of services to support your career. More news Sea Changes Forum 2026 highlights - Navigating the future of yachting The PYA Sea Changes Forum 2026, held on 24 September at the IHO in Monaco, brought together Flag States, maritime authorities and industry experts to address critical yachting updates, safety compliance, crew training and welfare, and ocean stewardship initiatives. Read more Sea Changes Forum 2026 The PYA is pleased to invite you to the 2026 Sea Changes Forum, taking place on Thursday, 24 September 2026, at the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in Monaco, during the Monaco Yacht Show. Read more Upcoming Webinar: Water Safety On Yachts The Professional Yachting Association is pleased to invite yacht crew and industry professionals to an upcoming live webinar dedicated to Water Safety On Yachts, taking place on 10 June 2026 from 15:00 to 16:00CET. Led by recognised experts in water management and regulatory compliance, this session will explore the common bacteria found in vessel water systems, the risks they pose to crew, guests and operations, and the practical measures that can be implemented to maintain safe onboard water standards. Read more

EU MRV and IMO DCS have been developed in the context of reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG)/carbon dioxide emissions, with the target to measure, and potentially reduce the CO2 emissions in the maritime industry. Reducing CO2 emissions in the maritime sector - IMO DCS and EU MRV To All news 28 June 2018 EU MRV and IMO DCS have been developed in the context of reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG)/carbon dioxide emissions, with the target to measure, and potentially reduce the CO2 emissions in the maritime industry. Whilst the EU MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification) scheme, which has been in place since the beginning of this year, focuses on shipping activities to, from and within the EU area, the IMO DCS scheme covers emissions from shipping globally and comes into force on 1st January 2019. Both regulations only apply to vessels of 5,000 GT and above. According to Superyacht Intelligence , this is currently the case for only 33 yachts, however as the industry continues to grow, we will see this number rise and more yachts needing to comply. You will also find lots of useful information here http://imo-dcs.com/ . You can also learn more about the directives by tuning in to a free webinar hosted by DNV-GL on 3rd July. Register your place . Even if you are not working on one of the 33 yachts of 5,000 GT and above, the PYA would encourage ALL crew to be mindful of fuel consumption and take steps to minimise it where possible. #environmentalisminyachting More news Sea Changes Forum 2026 highlights - Navigating the future of yachting The PYA Sea Changes Forum 2026, held on 24 September at the IHO in Monaco, brought together Flag States, maritime authorities and industry experts to address critical yachting updates, safety compliance, crew training and welfare, and ocean stewardship initiatives. Read more Sea Changes Forum 2026 The PYA is pleased to invite you to the 2026 Sea Changes Forum, taking place on Thursday, 24 September 2026, at the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in Monaco, during the Monaco Yacht Show. Read more Upcoming Webinar: Water Safety On Yachts The Professional Yachting Association is pleased to invite yacht crew and industry professionals to an upcoming live webinar dedicated to Water Safety On Yachts, taking place on 10 June 2026 from 15:00 to 16:00CET. Led by recognised experts in water management and regulatory compliance, this session will explore the common bacteria found in vessel water systems, the risks they pose to crew, guests and operations, and the practical measures that can be implemented to maintain safe onboard water standards. Read more

The ACP have issued a new Advisory for shipping as an extended period of drought hits normal operations in the Panama Canal. © Michael D. Camphin Panama Canal limits shipping due to low water levels affecting yacht transition times To All news 10 August 2023 The ACP have issued a new Advisory for shipping as an extended period of drought hits normal operations in the Panama Canal. Yachts that have not booked their transit will find delays running between 2 to 7 days. Unbooked larger vessels are also seeing very high delays of more than 2 weeks in certain cases. It is therefore recommended to book transit slots for specific days following the updated guidance. In particular yachts should plan ahead despite experiencing less disruption at present as the situation is changing daily. A limit of only 32 vessels on average per day is now in place until September 2024. Yachts that are over 125 feet which use Locomotives and Panama Canal Lineholders are also encouraged to book their transit for a specific day as August and September availability has almost run out. Delays could also worsen in the coming months with an increasing backlog of vessels due to the restrictions affecting yachts that have not yet made a decision on their transit booking dates. The new ACP Advisory is in effect since July 30th, and low water levels at the Gatun Lake as a result of the current drought means that measures are being taken now to avoid further restrictions. Due to the unpredictably dry season, additional action could be taken at short notice to restrict transits further. The Panama Canal Authority communiqué can be reviewed here for additional guidance. More news Sea Changes Forum 2026 highlights - Navigating the future of yachting The PYA Sea Changes Forum 2026, held on 24 September at the IHO in Monaco, brought together Flag States, maritime authorities and industry experts to address critical yachting updates, safety compliance, crew training and welfare, and ocean stewardship initiatives. Read more Sea Changes Forum 2026 The PYA is pleased to invite you to the 2026 Sea Changes Forum, taking place on Thursday, 24 September 2026, at the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in Monaco, during the Monaco Yacht Show. Read more Upcoming Webinar: Water Safety On Yachts The Professional Yachting Association is pleased to invite yacht crew and industry professionals to an upcoming live webinar dedicated to Water Safety On Yachts, taking place on 10 June 2026 from 15:00 to 16:00CET. Led by recognised experts in water management and regulatory compliance, this session will explore the common bacteria found in vessel water systems, the risks they pose to crew, guests and operations, and the practical measures that can be implemented to maintain safe onboard water standards. Read more

There's a lot of misinformation and confusion amongst yacht crew who hold Schengen visas when it comes to being stamped in and out of the Schengen area when starting and finishing their employment onboard a vessel. Guidelines for being stamped in and out of the Schengen area for visa holders To All news 7 October 2019 There's a lot of misinformation and confusion amongst yacht crew who hold Schengen visas when it comes to being stamped in and out of the Schengen area when starting and finishing their employment onboard a vessel. Unfortunately, far too many yacht crew are still taking their questions to yacht crew Facebook groups with the hope of finding answers. Whilst advice from fellow yacht crew might provide some general guidance, we would highly discourage members from relying on this information as visa advice is tailored to each individual's passport, visa and circumstances. In addition, visa regulations are constantly being updated by authorities, so it's important to get advice which is current and in line with the latest information. By relying on advice from unqualified sources, you might end up breaking the rules of your visa which could prevent you from being granted future Schengen visas and, subsequently, jeopardise your career in yachting. We interviewed immigration officials at the Cannes and Nice Ports in France on 3 October 2019, which are two ports in the French Riviera which have immigration offices. They have provided the following guidance for yacht crew with Schengen Visas: Stamped out - To be stamped out of the Schengen area, the crew member should visit the immigration office at Le Vieux Port Cannes or Nice Port with a valid passport and Schengen Visa. Stamped in - Once a crew member has returned from their time at sea, they can visit the immigration office with a valid passport and visa to be stamped back into the Schengen area, provided they still have available days left on their visa. Please note: The crew member needs to be present in order for their passport to be stamped. Also, the type of Schengen visa a crew member holds might affect their ability to be stamped back in and out multiple times, so we advise crew to check if this possible in advance. Documents required - Only a valid passport and Schengen visa. However, be prepared to show additional documentation to prove your employment, such as an Employment Agreement and/or the Crew List, a Seafarer’s Identity Document, the Yacht’s Certificate of Registry and/or a return ticket back to your home country. The flag under which the boat is registered - This does not affect the immigration requirements and crew can still be stamped in and out of the Schengen area when working on a boat which is registered in a Schengen country. The PYA does not currently provide tailored visa advice, however, we've put together some basic guidelines you should follow: Most of the Schengen countries are in the European Union, BUT some are not. It's important not to confuse the Schengen Area with the EU. Yacht crew can be stamped out of the Schengen area by a Port's Immigration Officer with an official immigration stamp in their passport. Due to the fact that a crew member is officially on a vessel and out of Schengen territory, the number of days that they're allowed in the Schengen area on their visa should not be affected and they should be able to pick up where they left off when being stamped back in by immigration officials. Please note - this is usually only allowed if your visa grants you multiple entries and should be confirmed by an official source. Many Schengen authorities are very strict on stamping crew back into a Schengen country once they've completed their employment on board a vessel and will only do so if the crew member has a repatriation ticket back to their home country. Do not rely on your Captain, management company or the vessel's owners to solve your visa issues. Make sure you know the rights and the regulations of your visa without your employer's assistance. Never ever overstay the number of days allowed on land on your visa. Never overstay your visa expiry date without being stamped out the Schengen area. If you are looking to leave your vessel via a Schengen airport after overstaying your original visa, you will usually need to apply for a transit visa which can usually be issued by an agent at the port of disembarkation. If MLC 2006 applies to your Seafarers Employment Agreement, the cost of this visa and agent should be covered by your vessel. Important - The type of visa and passport you hold might affect the guidelines provided above. We advise all crew to discuss their situation with the port's immigration officials or a verified visa agent. We recommend our members search online for a verified visa agent or speak directly with their local Immigration Officials. Here's a list of useful resources you can also refer to, although be mindful some of this content might be out of date: Official Schengen Visa Website Onboard Online - The Dilemma: Yachting and Schengen Visas (published 21.05.2015) Crew Compass App (published 27.04.2018) Please note: The information provided in this article is believed to be correct at the time of publishing (07.10.2019) and has been verified to be the best of the PYA's ability, however, cannot be guaranteed. Watch our latest webinar on Visas & Crew Immigration (published 28.02.2024) More news Sea Changes Forum 2026 highlights - Navigating the future of yachting The PYA Sea Changes Forum 2026, held on 24 September at the IHO in Monaco, brought together Flag States, maritime authorities and industry experts to address critical yachting updates, safety compliance, crew training and welfare, and ocean stewardship initiatives. Read more Sea Changes Forum 2026 The PYA is pleased to invite you to the 2026 Sea Changes Forum, taking place on Thursday, 24 September 2026, at the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in Monaco, during the Monaco Yacht Show. Read more Upcoming Webinar: Water Safety On Yachts The Professional Yachting Association is pleased to invite yacht crew and industry professionals to an upcoming live webinar dedicated to Water Safety On Yachts, taking place on 10 June 2026 from 15:00 to 16:00CET. Led by recognised experts in water management and regulatory compliance, this session will explore the common bacteria found in vessel water systems, the risks they pose to crew, guests and operations, and the practical measures that can be implemented to maintain safe onboard water standards. Read more

GEPY – Association of Professional Yachting Crew – is the French organisation representing yachting professionals. Their mission is to inform, advise, and bring people together in order to ensure the voice of seafarers is heard within French institutions. The Groupement des Équipages Professionnels du Yachting (GEPY) has been uniting and representing crew, professionals, and businesses in the yachting sector for over 20 years. Founded in 2002, the association played a key role in the creation of the French STCW certificates, enabling French seafarers to access internationally recognised positions. Today, GEPY’s mission is to provide information on regulatory and social developments, to bring the community together through events, and to act as a bridge between its members and the relevant institutions. A new agreement of trust with DIRM Méditerranée now allows us to support our members in the renewal of their certificates and to facilitate communication with the French authorities – an assistance close to our heart, aimed at simplifying procedures that are often complex for seafarers. Contact Information 470 Promenade des Anglais, Air Promenade Flex-O, 06200 Nice website : www.gepy.org LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/gepy-yachting/ mail : contact@gepy.org GEPY GEPY – Association of Professional Yachting Crew – is the French organisation representing yachting professionals. Their mission is to inform, advise, and bring people together in order to ensure the voice of seafarers is heard within French institutions. Visit website Back to All Partners Become a member and enjoy the exclusive offers from our partners. Become a member

Get access to the PYA's SEA contract templates, specifically designed for crew working on non-commercial vessels. PYA Develops SEA Contract Templates To All news 26 October 2021 From surveys and cases handled by our confidential Member Assistance Service, the PYA has become aware that there are many seafarers, especially those working on smaller yachts, that have inadequate employment contracts or, even, no contract at all. We are also aware that some Captains are not using employment contracts and would like to introduce them but do not know how to do so. It is for these reasons that the PYA is offering two 'contract templates' that can be used to create an employment contract suitable for each particular situation or individual. Please note carefully that these templates are only for use on so-called 'Pleasure Vessels'/yachts not operating commercially. The PYA would very much like to receive feedback from members on these templates. Please send all feedback to advice@pya.org . Download SEA Templates More news Sea Changes Forum 2026 highlights - Navigating the future of yachting The PYA Sea Changes Forum 2026, held on 24 September at the IHO in Monaco, brought together Flag States, maritime authorities and industry experts to address critical yachting updates, safety compliance, crew training and welfare, and ocean stewardship initiatives. Read more Sea Changes Forum 2026 The PYA is pleased to invite you to the 2026 Sea Changes Forum, taking place on Thursday, 24 September 2026, at the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in Monaco, during the Monaco Yacht Show. Read more Upcoming Webinar: Water Safety On Yachts The Professional Yachting Association is pleased to invite yacht crew and industry professionals to an upcoming live webinar dedicated to Water Safety On Yachts, taking place on 10 June 2026 from 15:00 to 16:00CET. Led by recognised experts in water management and regulatory compliance, this session will explore the common bacteria found in vessel water systems, the risks they pose to crew, guests and operations, and the practical measures that can be implemented to maintain safe onboard water standards. Read more