The PYA and MaritimeMT held a round of discussions at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show on the topic of training for yacht crew and the changes taking place in the industry. PYA and MaritimeMT discuss training for yacht crew at the Monaco Yacht Show To All news 5 October 2023 The PYA and MaritimeMT held a round of discussions at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show on the topic of training for yacht crew and the changes taking place in the industry. MaritimeMT, a leading maritime training centre based in Malta, launched their event to coincide with their strategic collaboration with Gente di Mare, a training centre based in Livorno and Genova, Italy, that forms part of the global shipping organisation’s Fratelli Cosulich Group. The event was a big success, bringing together key industry stakeholders to discuss important issues on training and maritime licences. “It was a great honour for the PYA to be invited to participate in MaritimeMT’s launch event at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show. The opportunities to extend training to yacht crew in Italy with in-depth STCW courses will lead to more qualified seafarers entering the industry and upskilling during a key time where our industry is in need of more qualified crew members,” said Christophe Bourillon, CEO for the PYA. MaritimeMT extended their operations to Greece’s capital, Athens, last year as part of its strategy for international expansion, which is now opening its doors to other neighbouring ports. The synergies have brought considerable opportunities for growth across Europe where Maltese certification and licences are increasingly sought after. The Malta Flag Registry is currently one of the most in-demand licences for seafarers globally. Pauline Micallef, CEO of MaritimeMT said: “MaritimeMT chooses to partner with organisations on the same wavelength that share a common strategy, that of providing excellence in seafarers education.” Elena di Tizio, Managing Director at Gente di Mare SRL, added: “Bringing the Maltese certification to Italy will create an opportunity for maritime professionals including seafarers and crew to further their studies and climb up the ranks.” “Our standard processes and quality management system has helped us kickstart operations in different locations,” said Captain Edwin Vella, Principal at MaritimeMT. The new cooperation will provide STCW courses to yacht crew with a focus on yachting certification in particular with the anticipation that as the partnership develops, unique courses and specially designed programmes will become available. Both MaritimeMT and Gente di Mare Italy are committed to improving the skills of maritime professionals around the world. Seafarers can access courses that meet their needs whether they are already working in the maritime sector or want to. The global standard for marine education and services is expected to rise as a result of this collaboration. Have you considered undertaking an STCW course? Learn more about how you can access training here . More news 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 Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more

This week, the PYA is launching a new webinar for captains, crew members, yacht managers and recruiters to discuss visa and immigration in Europe. PYA to launch new Visa and Crew Immigration Webinar To All news 27 February 2024 This week, the PYA is launching a new webinar for captains, crew members, yacht managers and recruiters to discuss visa and immigration in Europe. The webinar will bring together a panel of experts from leading companies to cover key issues affecting seafarers operating in the EU. With changing regulations for yacht crew and more stringent visa requirements in the Schengen area, we’ve brought together experts from a number of countries to go more in-depth on emerging topics: France & Monaco : Get expert guidance from Catalano Shipping Services on the recent regulations and procedures for smooth entry and operations. Italy (Genoa, Viareggio, Sardinia & Naples) : Learn from Luise Group's specialists about navigating the latest visa requirements and processes for your crew in key Italian ports. Spain : BWA Yachting's experts will offer valuable information on visa regulations and efficient immigration procedures for Spain. In this webinar, you will be able to: Stay informed on the latest visa requirements and changes in policy Learn best practices for smooth crew immigration processes Get expert advice from leading companies in the industry Ask questions and address any specific concerns you may have The Visa and Immigration webinar will be launched on Wednesday 28th of February, at 15:00 CET. You can register your attendance now to secure your spot here: http://tinyurl.com/46ynddju Contact us at info@pya.org for any questions you'd like us to answer in our upcoming webinar. More news 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 Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more

The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew To All news 16 April 2026 New Schengen Immigration Entry/Exit System (EES) for non-Schengen nationals: What does it mean for yacht crew? Date: 15 April 2026 As you may know, the new Schengen Immigration Entry/Exit System (EES) for non-Schengen nationals entered into force on 10 April 2026. This new digital EES registration replaces the system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the EU. It is a European database in which the Member States record the data of nationals of non-EU and non-Schengen Area countries, who cross the borders into the Schengen Area. It has been gradually implemented since 12 October 2025 and has been "fully" operational since 10 April 2026. The PYA reached out to EU officials to discuss the situation of non-Schengen nationals joining a vessel in a port in the Schengen Area, and I met with officials from the French Immigration administration, to discuss how the system would be implemented. In theory, nothing has changed for Non-Schengen nationals, other than the fact that they are digitally stamped in (not in their passport) when they enter a Schengen border and digitally stamped out (not in their passport) when they board their vessel, and vice versa. Individuals who require a visa will still need a visa and their passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned end of stay in the Schengen Area. A new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) for nationals not subject to a visa, will be implemented towards the end of 2026. The system in practice From now on, when a non-Schengen national arrives at a Schengen border, their passport will be scanned into the system with the date of entry. The very fact that the immigration officer will let the individual into the Schengen Area, serves as a proof that they are legally allowed to remain in the Schengen Area. As with the old system, the individual should then go to the immigration office, local to their vessel, to present their passport. It will be scanned again and the immigration officer will make a digital note in the system (not in their passport) that the yacht crew has been “stamped out” to join the vessel. The reverse should be implemented when the crew leaves the yacht to fly outside the Schengen Area. A very important matter, with huge consequences, is the fact that only Customs & Immigration and the Border Police have access to the Digital system. The individual will have no visible proof to show that they are legally in the Schengen Area and within the number of allocated days. Serious implications 1. The responsibility lies with the crew member, to make sure that they are operating within the confines of the immigration law. 2. They will have no official means to prove the above to the yacht captain or to the management company. This is the reason why we recommend to all non-Schengen nationals to keep a record of their Schengen entry & exit dates (this could be on a loose sheet of paper, copies of their boarding passes and any other means to document their coming in and out of Schengen borders, such as dated photos at airports, etc.). 3. Should a non-Schengen national exceed their number of days in the Schengen area, they may face a number of possibilities: If trying to be stamped back into the country to leave the boat, the immigration officer is likely to refuse and ask the captain to sail the vessel to a non-Schengen country, in order for the crew member to disembark; If going straight to the airport or to any other Schengen border to exit, a note will be inserted into their file and this may adversely affect their next attempt to enter the Schengen area. They can be declined re-entry or, at the very least, the individual will have to wait 90 days outside the Schengen Area before they can re-enter for another short stay. In theory, the above is the way the system should be implemented in the whole of the Schengen area. The situation in Italy We understand that Italy is implementing a different procedure than described above, requesting vessels to depart Italian waters within 10 days, in order for crew to be stamped out. We are told by non-Italian officials that this country’s “application of the new EES is not in line with the Schengen Code”. Food for thought 1. As is often the case, administrations are not best at communicating new regulations. We understand that the information should have been communicated “Top-Down”, from central administrations to regional administrations, then to harbour authorities, etc. We understand from local Immigration officers that not many stakeholders are aware of the workings of the new EES. For this reason, please feel free to distribute this email widely to your own network , management and other companies, other vessels, Harbour masters, etc. 2. As we have seen in the past, crew may face different situations when addressing immigration officials, depending on the port or even sometimes depending on the individual they are addressing. Should crew encounter any problems or issues with the implementation of the new EES, please contact me at ceo@pya.org , as we would like to gather, and document, real-life experience to provide feedback to administrations and to maritime authorities. Best regards Christophe Bourillon CEO, PYA More news 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 Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more

Captain Thomas Auckland shares his first-hand account of the rescue of 16 migrants at sea off the coast of St Kitts & Nevis SY Genevieve crew rescue 16 migrants at sea off the coast of St Kitts & Nevis To All news 5 April 2023 16 migrants have been rescued at sea off the coast of St Kitts & Nevis after their fishing skiff capsized. Another 16 are presumed dead. Genevieve was en-route from Antigua to Saint Maarten when the faint sound of a woman’s scream was heard at around 11.30pm. The sail-yacht Captain immediately slowed and backtracked and at first found a man in the water clinging to a damaged lifejacket who became unconscious once on board, and, sure of a woman’s presence, they carried on the search to find her 400m away clinging to a plastic barrel. After being pulled from the water she mentioned an upturned boat that a further 30 persons had been onboard. She was in a very distressed state. The small boat had been heading for St. Thomas and broken down causing it to take on water that caused it to capsize in the 20kt winds and 2m seas. Captain Thomas Auckland, then coordinated his crew’s efforts to locate and rescue anyone else that could be close to them in the water. He discharged two red parachute flares to alert anyone in the area of their presence and sent out alerts to all of the required search and rescue organizations close by, including shipping. “With no knowledge of whether or not the vessel was still afloat, we decided to continue slowly downwind towards the brightest looms of St Kitts which would be visible from the water,” said Captain Thomas. The boat crew would soon encounter more objects floating in the water leading them to more survivors. “At around 00:28, the crew started spotting plastic drums floating in the water, and shortly afterwards they noticed a light coming in and out of sight, which later proved to be the light of a mobile phone being waved around. On approach we discovered the upturned fishing skiff, “La Belle Michelle” with 15 persons straddled on the hull, approximately 1.1nm from the first casualty.” “All the crew assembled on the aft deck, and together we quickly constructed a plan of how best to remove the individuals from the capsized vessel. This was a solid-hulled boat with two upturned outboards, so bringing it alongside in the given prevailing sea state was never a viable option. We therefore used the floating line and fender attached to a long Dyneema tail, which was floated downwind to them; then the line was tied around the leg of one of the outboards by one of the casualties, under instruction from our crew. We brought this to our STB stern and on to a primary winch for control. This line was at once under several tonnes of load, so once it was affixed we were very reluctant to move it. We then used a rescue sling with a thick Dyneema tail for grip and additional safety line attached. This rescue sling proved invaluable.” 

Each crew member was assigned a specific role during the rescue and incredibly 14 of the 15 migrants were brought onboard, unfortunately due to what is thought to be exhaustion, the last casualty fell into the water, and with the crew unable to recover him, was sadly lost. The local coastguard had been informed and by now several vessels were en-route to help. “Events now entered a new phase. I was clearly aware that we had 16 migrants on board, 13 of whom were male, of which we knew nothing other than the fact that they were willing to risk their lives being smuggled across to St Thomas. So we locked down the exterior of the boat and placed the female members of crew up forward, with everyone in direct radio contact. All casualties had been given water, sugary drinks, food and blankets, and were grouped together in the cockpit. The male crew members remained at the helm station, while I ran back and forth on the VOIP line with MRCC Fort du France, who requested that we remain at the scene until air support arrived. As there was evidently a security risk on board, at 03:42 we were given permission to depart the scene and headed directly to Basseterre in St Kitts, which was approximately 34nm away,” added Captain Thomas. “Once the day dawned and we were under coastguard escort, it became quite clear that these terrified Cameroonian nationals were extremely grateful to us and posed no risk to us at all. The female crew came and administered basic first aid; fed, watered and tried to dry out as much of their clothing as possible, before we arrived in Basseterre. On arrival in Basseterre they were transferred via coastguard boat to their base, where I went ashore and made statements to the various authorities.” A former PYA member, Captain Thomas wanted to share his story with seafarers in the hope that they could be better prepared for any incidents and what is now a growing issue globally, especially in both the Mediterranean and English Channel. He also wants to raise awareness for the Cameroonian Nationals stranded in Antigua with the hope of improving their quality of living. Sharing his first-hand account of the night of 27th March, his quick response and coordination with the onboard crew managed to save many lives.
 “I think what I take away most from this is just how well the crew performed under immense pressure: they were all making very sensible and rational decisions in a situation in which they have had very little training. We of course were incredibly lucky to hear a scream in the dark over the wind, and also unbelievably lucky that we were able to save so many people. We have sat together with an industry professional and dissected the night’s events in great detail, and we are also discussing it very openly among ourselves. All of the crew, myself included, are still in a stage of processing all that occurred. It is affecting everybody in a slightly different way, but knowing that there were 32 people on board, and only 16 survived is perhaps the hardest part for us all to comprehend.” Reflecting upon the rescue mission, and having had to come to terms with the fact that not all the migrants were able to survive the incident, Captain Thomas shared the following statement for all sea crews and captains should they ever be in a situation like theirs:

“ I sincerely hope that none of you ever have to encounter such an event during your time at sea, but if you do I hope this account may be of some use. In conclusion, never underestimate the importance of good watch-keeping – and rest assured that the teamwork and professionalism exhibited by your crew will leave you feeling very, very proud.” “I would like to thank, MRCC Fort du France, MV Britannia, Marine Assist Osprey, SY Midnight, St Kitts Coastguard and the numerous other vessels, that came together so selflessly, “it is an honour to sail the waters with you”. The rescue has reminded us how important it is for sea crews to work together during extraordinary circumstances, and to rise to the challenges that come. Thanks to their efforts and this personal account, crews can consider such events and become better prepared for them in the future. We want to thank Captain Thomas Auckland for sharing this extraordinary account with us, and we wish him and his crew all the best. More news 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 Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more

PYA members and the general public can access our Sea Changes Forum 2023 conference video and presentations from today. Sea Changes Forum 2023 - Full conference video and presentations released To All news 28 November 2023 PYA members and the general public can access our Sea Changes Forum 2023 conference video and presentations from today. This year’s Sea Changes Forum at the Monaco Yacht Show brought together stakeholders from across the yachting industry to discuss important issues from crew welfare to the mapping of the seas. Our conference was held at the IHO HQ in Monaco, with a packed auditorium of guests who had travelled from around the world to participate in the PYA’s annual event. This year was a particularly special occasion to highlight some of the emerging technologies that will be changing our industry in the coming years ahead. We also gained insights into how yachts are being equipped to map the ocean floors, advancing our knowledge of the world’s marine ecosystem - further cementing how yachting is playing a key role in scientific discovery. Video conference - Full length version We would like to thank Bluewater for supporting our event and putting together this production of the conference. To access it, please see our Youtube video to watch the full conference . Conference presentations from guest speakers Below you can view and download a list of presentations from some of our speakers this year. These can be used for research and educational purposes. If you would like to request permission for commercial use, please get in contact with us: info@pya.org Mr Ajit Jacob, Chief Examiner, Maritime and Coast Guard Agency View the full presentation Mr John Wyborn, IAMI Board member - who discussed the work IAMI does for yacht training including the Deck Certification Report. View the full presentation Miss Joey Meen, IAMI Guest Program Director - who shared insights on the importance of soft skill training & the CPD opportunities of bespoke (non-mandatory) education to support yachting careers – with the Yacht Owners Representative Program being provided as an example. View the full presentation Mr Richard Falk, Director of Training and Qualifications, Royal Yachting Association - who introduced “RYA Training and Qualifications, Rising to the Challenges of the Future”. View the full presentation Miss Angela Wallace, PYA Director of Interior Training, PYA Welfare Group - who discussed current issues in the industry regarding crew including recruitment and retention. Mr Jo Assael, Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) Yacht Register, International Registries Inc - who introduced the RMI’s Master (Yachts) Unlimited Tonnage Certificate of Competency (CoC). Mr John Everett Nyberg, Technical Director, IHO - who discussed the IHO’s international mapping project. View the full presentation To see the full presentation of this year’s Sea Changes Forum 2023, please view this document for further details. We want to say another big thank you to our supporters and partners including the IHO , Ocean Drive , IAMI , Guest Program , Bluewater , MYBA , Seascope France and YPI Crew for making this event possible. We look forward to seeing you at next year’s event in 2024! More news 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 Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more

The Red Ensign Group (REG) and the International Maritime Association (IMO) have both issued statements regarding the rumoured fraudulent certificates issued by the Montserrat Yachting Association (MYA). REG and IMO issue statements about Fraudulent COC's To All news 20 July 2022 The Red Ensign Group (REG) and the International Maritime Association (IMO) have both issued statements regarding the rumoured fraudulent certificates issued by the Montserrat Yachting Association (MYA) . As first reported in Superyachtnews , a spokesperson for the Red Ensign Group said: “The Montserrat Yachting Association is not recognised or authorised by the British Shipping registry and maritime administration of Montserrat in any capacity whether as a registry agent, a trainer of seafarers or to issue vessel or seafarer certification on behalf of the administration. Furthermore, Montserrat Yachting Association has no connection or recognition either from the wider Red Ensign Group of British shipping registries and maritime administrations." A recent letter from the IMO representative of the Director, sent to all IMO Members, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations in consultative status states " I would like to take this opportunity to bring to the attention of the IMO that the Montserrat Yachting Association (MYA) has no connection with the Montserrat Maritime Administration (as part of the group of British Registries) and has no authority to issue any ship or crew documentation on behalf of, or pertaining to be linked with, the British flag administration of Montserrat. It does not have the United Kingdom’s authority to issue STCW Certificates of Competency." “It has recently been confirmed that the Montserrat Yachting Association is issuing a number of Certificates of Competency for Yacht Master Ocean/Chief Engineer – Motor and Sailing Yachts of carrying limitations. This matter is being further investigated by the Government of Montserrat.” Photos of COC's were included in the letter. We will keep you updated on the investigation as we get more information. More news 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 Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more

The International Superyacht Society (ISS) exists to advance the global superyacht industry through connection, collaboration, and recognition. When you join ISS, you become part of a dynamic, international network with over 1,200 members representing more than 600 companies across 50+ countries—all committed to shaping the future of yachting. Their Mission is to Promote Excellence and Ensure Sustainability in the Global Yachting Industry. Founded in 1989, ISS is the representative organisation of the large yacht industry. Their mission is to build alliances worldwide, serve as the collective voice on issues affecting the industry, recognise achievement, and further strengthen the industry overall through regional and global committees, educational opportunities, and networking events. The International Superyacht Society is a member-driven organisation with a marketing and administrative staff that is reliant on the volunteer efforts of its Board and members. Services Global Reach with Local Insight Their 14 Ambassadors around the globe provide vital regional perspectives, offer on-the-ground support to members, and represent ISS at key events—boosting your brand visibility and connecting you with the right people wherever you operate. Meet the Fleet This unique initiative connects ISS members with captains and department heads to discuss how their services function onboard. It’s not a sales pitch—it’s a valuable two-way exchange that creates real product insight, honest feedback, and meaningful relationships. Leadership Series Seminars Their seminars, held in global yachting hubs like West Palm Beach, Monaco, Newport, and Fort Lauderdale regularly host over 100 attendees. These sessions offer education, insight, and connection—including a special crew-focused event in Fort Lauderdale. Membership Receptions ISS hosts elegant, well-attended receptions around the world, offering members the chance to connect with top professionals in the industry—yacht builders, designers, brokers, suppliers, and innovators—all in a relaxed, welcoming setting that fosters genuine relationships. Members will receive a discount to attend events. Design & Leadership Awards The annual gala celebrates excellence across yacht design, refit, interior innovation, and industry leadership. Attendees range from builders and designers to sponsors and company leaders—this high-profile event is a cornerstone of the superyacht calendar. Distinguished Crew Award ISS members have the opportunity to nominate exceptional crew members for our annual Distinguished Crew Award—recognizing outstanding service, leadership, and professionalism onboard. This is your chance to shine a light on those who go above and beyond. Contact Information info@superyachtsociety.org www.superyachtsociety.org Follow them on LinkedIn International Superyacht Society (ISS) The International Superyacht Society (ISS) exists to advance the global superyacht industry through connection, collaboration, and recognition. When you join ISS, you become part of a dynamic, international network with over 1,200 members representing more than 600 companies across 50+ countries—all committed to shaping the future of yachting. Visit website Back to All Partners As member of the Professional Yachting Association, the International Superyacht Society (ISS) is kindly offering complimentary membership to all paid crew-based members of the PYA. For the duration of your membership with the PYA, crew can enjoy reciprocal 'individual membership' with ISS. This would usually cost $200 per year. When filling out the membership form, please select “crew” under membership type. Under credit card information (name on card), please input your PYA membership number. Become a member and enjoy the exclusive offers from our partners. Become a member

A few months ago, the PYA announced that the MCA would start recognising Maltese Yacht-restricted CoCs. Some of our members contacted the MCA without receiving any concrete information. We have reached out to the MCA several times and finally received the following statement: The MCA & Red Ensign Group recognise Maltese Yacht-Restricted Certificates of Competence To All news 24 May 2024 A few months ago, the PYA announced that the MCA would start recognising Maltese Yacht-restricted CoCs. Some of our members contacted the MCA without receiving any concrete information. We have reached out to the MCA several times and finally received the following statement: The United Kingdom Administrations shall issue Flag State Endorsements (FSE) issued against the Maritime Administration of Malta Yacht CoCs providing the training and assessment has been conducted by the approved training centres listed. The United Kingdom Administrations shall issue FSEs against the following Maltese Yacht CoCs : • Officer of the Watch (Yachts) <3000GT (STCW II/1) • Master of Yachts <3000GT (STCW II/2) • Master of Yachts <500 (STCW II/2) Maritime Administration of Malta approved Training Centres : 1. Maritime MT, Hal Far Industrial Estate, Birzebbugia, Malta 2. XONE Superyacht, Skyway Offices Block C, 179 Marina Road, Pieta, Malta Candidates with Maltese Yacht CoCs applying for a Flag State Endorsement (STCW I/10) to the Red Ensign members must, in addition to mandatory requirements submit a course completion certificate from one of the above-named approved centres. The Cayman Islands Ship Registry has also confirmed that the " REG now have an agreement in place and yes we are accepting specific Yacht-restricted CoCs issued by Malta. We will be issuing a new version of our STCW CISN in the near future to confirm this and provide the necessary details ". The PYA is authorised to carry out sea service verification on behalf of Transport Malta. The PYA D-SRB can be used to prove your sea time. If you want to apply for a Maltese Yacht CoC, don't hesitate to contact us. If you have any questions or experience any issues, please don’t hesitate to contact us at srb@pya.org More news 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 Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more

Suicide is the biggest killer of young men in the UK and the number of people seeking help with thoughts of suicide has tripled since the first lockdown began. Helping to Combat Suicide with sail2help To All news 27 May 2021 Following the tragic loss of his eldest son George, and previously his brother Peter, former Royal Navy aviator Captain Tim Davies has put his heart into setting up the sail2help programme to raise awareness of mental health and help reduce the incidence of suicide. His mission now is to raise funds to facilitate ‘Sailing Escape Days’ for bereaved families and to continue making donations to Papyrus, the UK’s main suicide prevention charity for young people. Here Tim shares his personal insight around mental health and explains what he hopes to achieve long term through sail2help. Continue reading... More news 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 Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more

The superyacht industry has been paying closer attention to diversity and inclusion, with a focus on equality and creating a more sustainable industry. However few articles have reported on navigating the barriers and successes of building diversity and inclusion strategies into yachting companies. The status of diversity and inclusion in yachting To All news 25 March 2021 The superyacht industry has been paying closer attention to diversity and inclusion, with a focus on equality and creating a more sustainable industry. We see roles such as 'chief diversity officer' or 'diversity and inclusion manager” in luxury retail, healthcare, private aviation or sport, yet few articles have reported about navigating the barriers and successes of building diversity and inclusion strategies into yachting companies. Diversity includes but isn’t limited to age, disability, gender, race, religion or faith, sexual orientation, pregnancy and parental considerations, marriage and civil partnership or social status. Inclusivity is ensuring your employees feel accepted, valued and at ease to share their ideas and perspectives. For present purposes, diversity is the ‘what’ and inclusion is the ‘how’. Corporate benefits of diversity and inclusion strategies include improved workplace culture, a wider talent pool and social cohesion that facilitates better communication, creativity and innovation. According to a recent Facebook report of 1200 consumers, 71 per cent of respondents expect brands to promote diversity and inclusion in their online advertising and 59 per cent said they prefer to buy from brands that “stand for diversity and inclusion” in their ads. Shifts in global sentiment will leave a mark on brand longevity and customer engagement. Isn’t it high time to uncover diversity and inclusion in the yachting industry and have honest discussions about something that impacts all of us? Continue reading here . Author: Rebecca Whitlocke More news 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 Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more