Search on page

It’s that time of year in the Mediterranean and other northern hemisphere yachting locations when many vessels are lined up in ports for the winter whilst a portion of their crew stay onboard to undertake the important task of ‘winterising’, as well as other key maintenance jobs which didn’t get addressed during the busy summer months of chartering. Important tasks for your crew this winter To All news 3 December 2020 It’s that time of year in the Mediterranean and other northern hemisphere yachting locations when many vessels are lined up in ports for the winter whilst a portion of their crew stay onboard to undertake the important task of ‘winterising’, as well as other key maintenance jobs which didn’t get addressed during the busy summer months of chartering. Whilst most crew recognise the importance of the maintenance and refit work that vessels undergo during the winter, many forget the importance of crew management, planning and team building. In fact, the winter months are a great opportunity to reflect on the peak periods during the summer season and put in place new structures in crew leadership, management and wellbeing to ensure the long-term success of your team onboard. Here are some key tasks to add to your winter schedule: Leadership Has your leadership team completed HELM training? The 2010 ’Manila’ amendments to the STCW convention introduced a requirement for management and leadership training for all ships’ officers. HELM training can be beneficial to all leadership roles onboard and teaches crew the knowledge and skills needed to be an effective team member and team leader. Leadership structures and training In addition to HELM training, Captains should use the winter to reassess the leadership structures onboard their vessel. There should be clearly-defined leadership roles and reporting structures onboard, so that all crew understand the management structure of the vessel. It’s also important that your management team is aligned to a unified leadership strategy and have the skills necessary to enforce this leadership strategy onboard. Luxury Hospitality runs onboard or video conference leadership coaching for vessels and can teach crew the key skills to manage their team onboard. Impact Crew can also work with your senior crew onboard to develop their skills and turn them into the leaders. ‘The leadership team must be united and equipped with the tools to deal with the challenges that crew throw at them, from dealing with discipline and conflicts, to being empathetic and supportive, all while being consistent and fair. Crew need their leaders to motivate and inspire them, as well as empower and help them grow. And then they need to be flexible to adapt to crew’s different ages, nationalities and drivers. Its not easy developing the culture you want, but it's most definitely worth it. With success comes your dream team! - Karen Passman, Impact Crew. Conflict resolution We previously ran the ‘Leadership & Conflict Resolution’ webinar providing some guidance to leaders onboard. The winter is a great time to conduct annual reviews with your crew where underlying issues and conflicts can be addressed. To get some more tips and advice on conflict resolution, watch our webinar . Crew Wellbeing & Mental Health Crew mental health can often get pushed aside during the busy summer months, but it's important for leaders to use downtime to address their crew mental health and put in place some safeguarding structures which ensure crew wellbeing is maintained. This can include reassessing work/rest schedules to ensure that crew have enough downtime to recuperate from the high season and focus on their mental health. In addition, Captains should ensure all crew have taken their required holiday or have the ability to leave the vessel to visit family and friends. Many crew can benefit onboard mental health coaching. ISWAN and The Crew Coach currently offer courses on mental health and wellbeing. Team building Captains can use the extra time during the winter to invest in onboard team building activities. This includes a range of activities, including taking your crew out for joint activity such as bowling, golf, skiing or simply a crew dinner. In addition, running onboard training exercises which boost team bonding and morale are incredibly valuable. We previously published some onboard training exercises from our Director of Training, Captain Rod Hatch. You can view these training guides here: Surprise Fire Drills - How to Spice up Fire Drills Onboard Onboard First Aid Training - How to Run Engaging First Aid Training Onboard Recruitment Captains and team leaders can also plan and prepare for new crew that need to be hired for next season. Defining clear job descriptions and hiring schedule with the help of specialised recruitment personnel can ensure you attract the best talent for your team next season. More news Launch of a New AV/IT Training Programme to Address Growing Skills Gap Onboard Superyachts The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) spearheaded the development of a series of courses to deliver fit-for-purpose AV/IT training, aligned with real onboard needs. The courses will be provided through IAMI GUEST Accredited training providers. Antibes (France), 21 Jan. 2026 - Yacht agents and captains are reporting a growing demand for crew with Electrical Technical Officer (ETO) certification. However, while an ETO Certificate of Competency is a degree-level qualification focused primarily on high-voltage electrical systems, the operational reality onboard many yachts tells a different story. Read more Real Life On Board Competition - Superyacht Reality Project The PYA, with the backing of the Raising The Bar think tank, invites yacht crew worldwide to contribute to Superyacht Reality – Real Life On Board, a global photo and video competition designed to reflect the authentic experience of working on superyachts. This initiative aims to support career awareness, promote realistic expectations of life at sea, and share the everyday moments that define professional yachting — from teamwork and skills development to the challenges and rewards of working on board. The competition starts on 19th January 2026, ends on 22nd March 2026, and the winners will be announced the following week. Read more PYA Christmas Ball 2025 Highlights The 2025 PYA Christmas Ball took place on 5 December at the Hotel Martinez in Cannes, bringing Captains, crew and well-known leading industry professionals together for a 1960s-themed evening. We started with a cocktail reception, with live musicians playing as guests arrived in retro attire. After months of preparation, we were truly delighted to see how much our members and partners enjoyed this special night. The PYA Christmas Ball remains a cherished tradition, bringing our community together to celebrate, connect, and create lasting memories. Read more

Crew retention is generally perceived to be one of the biggest headaches in the yachting industry, yet cited as one of the most important factors in maintaining an efficient and happy ship. Crew retention - How to build and keep a great team To All news 9 April 2021 We spoke to leading industry figures in recruitment, training and operations to ascertain the fundamental issues surrounding crew retention – and identify the best strategies for improving longevity. One stumbling block which is universally agreed upon is lack of leadership, with Luxury Hospitality founder Peter Vogel citing poor leadership as the number one reason for crew moving on. "If you are not led in a professional manner that feels fair and just, why would you remain?" he asks. Continue reading here . Author: Karen Hockney More news Launch of a New AV/IT Training Programme to Address Growing Skills Gap Onboard Superyachts The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) spearheaded the development of a series of courses to deliver fit-for-purpose AV/IT training, aligned with real onboard needs. The courses will be provided through IAMI GUEST Accredited training providers. Antibes (France), 21 Jan. 2026 - Yacht agents and captains are reporting a growing demand for crew with Electrical Technical Officer (ETO) certification. However, while an ETO Certificate of Competency is a degree-level qualification focused primarily on high-voltage electrical systems, the operational reality onboard many yachts tells a different story. Read more Real Life On Board Competition - Superyacht Reality Project The PYA, with the backing of the Raising The Bar think tank, invites yacht crew worldwide to contribute to Superyacht Reality – Real Life On Board, a global photo and video competition designed to reflect the authentic experience of working on superyachts. This initiative aims to support career awareness, promote realistic expectations of life at sea, and share the everyday moments that define professional yachting — from teamwork and skills development to the challenges and rewards of working on board. The competition starts on 19th January 2026, ends on 22nd March 2026, and the winners will be announced the following week. Read more PYA Christmas Ball 2025 Highlights The 2025 PYA Christmas Ball took place on 5 December at the Hotel Martinez in Cannes, bringing Captains, crew and well-known leading industry professionals together for a 1960s-themed evening. We started with a cocktail reception, with live musicians playing as guests arrived in retro attire. After months of preparation, we were truly delighted to see how much our members and partners enjoyed this special night. The PYA Christmas Ball remains a cherished tradition, bringing our community together to celebrate, connect, and create lasting memories. Read more

The 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 Launch of a New AV/IT Training Programme to Address Growing Skills Gap Onboard Superyachts The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) spearheaded the development of a series of courses to deliver fit-for-purpose AV/IT training, aligned with real onboard needs. The courses will be provided through IAMI GUEST Accredited training providers. Antibes (France), 21 Jan. 2026 - Yacht agents and captains are reporting a growing demand for crew with Electrical Technical Officer (ETO) certification. However, while an ETO Certificate of Competency is a degree-level qualification focused primarily on high-voltage electrical systems, the operational reality onboard many yachts tells a different story. Read more Real Life On Board Competition - Superyacht Reality Project The PYA, with the backing of the Raising The Bar think tank, invites yacht crew worldwide to contribute to Superyacht Reality – Real Life On Board, a global photo and video competition designed to reflect the authentic experience of working on superyachts. This initiative aims to support career awareness, promote realistic expectations of life at sea, and share the everyday moments that define professional yachting — from teamwork and skills development to the challenges and rewards of working on board. The competition starts on 19th January 2026, ends on 22nd March 2026, and the winners will be announced the following week. Read more PYA Christmas Ball 2025 Highlights The 2025 PYA Christmas Ball took place on 5 December at the Hotel Martinez in Cannes, bringing Captains, crew and well-known leading industry professionals together for a 1960s-themed evening. We started with a cocktail reception, with live musicians playing as guests arrived in retro attire. After months of preparation, we were truly delighted to see how much our members and partners enjoyed this special night. The PYA Christmas Ball remains a cherished tradition, bringing our community together to celebrate, connect, and create lasting memories. Read more

One year ago, we launched our Digital Service Record Book (D-SRB), allowing yacht crew to download a digital verified record of their sea service, which they can email directly to the MCA when applying for certification and revalidation. PYA Issues Over 2,000 Digital Service Record Books (D-SRBs) One Year Since Launch To All news 1 March 2022 One year ago, we launched our Digital Service Record Book (D-SRB) – the first tool of its kind in our industry – allowing yacht crew to download a digital verified record of their sea service, which they can email directly to the MCA when applying for certification and revalidation. We also reached another important milestone this week, issuing over 2,000 D-SRBs to our members since the launch, proving the success of this pioneering tool. Our team has made a number of significant additions and improvements to the D-SRB since its launch, including adding fields in the D-SRB for: A member’s dual nationality; The Yachtmaster Commercial Endorsement expiration date (for Deck); The days with Guests On Board (for interior); Engineering watchkeeping. During a recent review of the D-SRB with the MCA, they commended the PYA on the success of the D-SRB and provided only positive feedback, securing this format of sea service verification for years to come. To verify your most recent sea service with the PYA, follow these simple steps , or contact the sea service team for personlised support: srb@pya.org . More news Launch of a New AV/IT Training Programme to Address Growing Skills Gap Onboard Superyachts The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) spearheaded the development of a series of courses to deliver fit-for-purpose AV/IT training, aligned with real onboard needs. The courses will be provided through IAMI GUEST Accredited training providers. Antibes (France), 21 Jan. 2026 - Yacht agents and captains are reporting a growing demand for crew with Electrical Technical Officer (ETO) certification. However, while an ETO Certificate of Competency is a degree-level qualification focused primarily on high-voltage electrical systems, the operational reality onboard many yachts tells a different story. Read more Real Life On Board Competition - Superyacht Reality Project The PYA, with the backing of the Raising The Bar think tank, invites yacht crew worldwide to contribute to Superyacht Reality – Real Life On Board, a global photo and video competition designed to reflect the authentic experience of working on superyachts. This initiative aims to support career awareness, promote realistic expectations of life at sea, and share the everyday moments that define professional yachting — from teamwork and skills development to the challenges and rewards of working on board. The competition starts on 19th January 2026, ends on 22nd March 2026, and the winners will be announced the following week. Read more PYA Christmas Ball 2025 Highlights The 2025 PYA Christmas Ball took place on 5 December at the Hotel Martinez in Cannes, bringing Captains, crew and well-known leading industry professionals together for a 1960s-themed evening. We started with a cocktail reception, with live musicians playing as guests arrived in retro attire. After months of preparation, we were truly delighted to see how much our members and partners enjoyed this special night. The PYA Christmas Ball remains a cherished tradition, bringing our community together to celebrate, connect, and create lasting memories. Read more

The flag states are essentially the ‘nationality’ of the yacht. For example, if it is registered in the Isle of Man, the yacht will be governed by the laws of the Isle of Man, so it’s a relatively important decision for the owner to make, not to mention the fiscal implications of the country that they choose. The Flag State and the Seafarer To All news 20 June 2022 For those of you that have been in yachting for a while, you’ll know all about the flag states. But for those that need an introduction, this is essentially the ‘nationality’ of the yacht. For example, if it is registered in the Isle of Man, the yacht will be governed by the laws of the Isle of Man, so as you can imagine, it’s a relatively important decision for the owner to make, not to mention the fiscal implications of the country that they choose. The flag state holds a lot of power because they can govern the legislature and regulations that are likely to influence the yacht and international maritime issues. As early as the Roman Greek empire, flag states have played a role, often being selected for protection and benefits for that specific port when it came to trading. Obviously, these days, the more important issues such as regulations, tax and general standards dictate how flag states are chosen. What were once known as “open registers”, which back in the day were chosen for their trading advantages, are now known as “flags of convenience” which are generally laxer with their regulations, standards and often have sanctions to trade in contrabands and dangerous goods. Additional points that attract ship owners to these registries is the ability to hire crew of any nationality, freedom from tax & fiscal control and the mere simplicity of the registration procedure. However, what’s in the interest of the owner, is not necessarily in the interest of the seafarer. Fortunately, the majority of yachts tend to register with the red ensign group, which are a group of British Shipping Registries which are well known for their high standards and strict adherence to rules and regulations that provide safe work environments for seafarers as well as the protection of the marine environment. SOLAS, the IMO, MARPOL, the STCW and other conventions also contribute to these objectives. The red ensign group, along with any registries of the Paris White List, are registries under which you would be wanting to work. The Paris MoU Annual Report gives an extensive list of registries ranked in order from quality to poor performance flags. With your HOD, Captain and DPA all being points of contact for any contentious issues onboard, the flag state is also responsible for seafarers that are working under its jurisdiction and are not to be ruled out when issues onboard arise. As with their responsibility to protect seafarers, so it is the responsibility of the seafarer to report any incidents to the flag state. Failing to do so not only skew any reporting but also has a knock-on effect to potential flaws in registration and protection of seafarers in the long term, so it is important to take this responsibility seriously. Flag states are considered a bit of a weak point when it comes to the protection of seafarers, as they are one of the highest authority figures to go to. There is work being conducted to illuminate ways in which to improve the situation, however, there is very little action that can be taken to ensure flag states are taking every measure possible to oversee the good of the maritime industry. They like to remain diplomatic with other flag states and IMO sanctions have many legal and fiscal effects that make it an unattractive solution. Not to mention the numerous different regulations within the commercial sector that they need to oversee which is time-consuming and requires specific expertise which can be a strain on resources. This brings us back to the point of taking every action as a maritime professional to work together with the authorities towards creating improvements, which includes the reporting of incidents. There are many organisations that can also assist seafarers in need and can facilitate communication in difficult circumstances, namely Nautilus , the PYA , The Seafarers Rights International (SRI) and it’s important to make use of these organisations and the flag states to strive for better conditions in the maritime industry throughout. Dominique Smit Founder VIRTUAL PURSERS More news Launch of a New AV/IT Training Programme to Address Growing Skills Gap Onboard Superyachts The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) spearheaded the development of a series of courses to deliver fit-for-purpose AV/IT training, aligned with real onboard needs. The courses will be provided through IAMI GUEST Accredited training providers. Antibes (France), 21 Jan. 2026 - Yacht agents and captains are reporting a growing demand for crew with Electrical Technical Officer (ETO) certification. However, while an ETO Certificate of Competency is a degree-level qualification focused primarily on high-voltage electrical systems, the operational reality onboard many yachts tells a different story. Read more Real Life On Board Competition - Superyacht Reality Project The PYA, with the backing of the Raising The Bar think tank, invites yacht crew worldwide to contribute to Superyacht Reality – Real Life On Board, a global photo and video competition designed to reflect the authentic experience of working on superyachts. This initiative aims to support career awareness, promote realistic expectations of life at sea, and share the everyday moments that define professional yachting — from teamwork and skills development to the challenges and rewards of working on board. The competition starts on 19th January 2026, ends on 22nd March 2026, and the winners will be announced the following week. Read more PYA Christmas Ball 2025 Highlights The 2025 PYA Christmas Ball took place on 5 December at the Hotel Martinez in Cannes, bringing Captains, crew and well-known leading industry professionals together for a 1960s-themed evening. We started with a cocktail reception, with live musicians playing as guests arrived in retro attire. After months of preparation, we were truly delighted to see how much our members and partners enjoyed this special night. The PYA Christmas Ball remains a cherished tradition, bringing our community together to celebrate, connect, and create lasting memories. Read more

Four buoys are now operational in Cannes and Antibes and available to book through the DONIA App. This new device avoids the immersion of concrete blocks and limits the impact on the bottom. UPDATE - Installation of Mooring Buoys To All news 9 August 2022 Four buoys are now operational in Cannes and Antibes and available to book through the DONIA App. The Donia Mooring boxes are designed to support 10 tons of forces (the tension exerted by a 70m yacht undergoing a 50km/h wind). The anchoring system is composed of a metallic frame fixed on the bottom. This new device avoids the immersion of concrete blocks and limits the impact on the bottom. They are located: • Buoy N°1 - NW of Sainte-Marguerite island under the Royal Fort • Buoy N°2 - SW of Sainte-Marguerite island in front of the “Pointe du Dragon ” • Buoys N°3 and N°4 are located in the Gulf of Juan The installation of 11 mooring buoys is still planned for the near future. These buoys will be located mainly in the bay of Eze/Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Golfe-Juan. These buoy systems can be booked directly on the Donia application. The booking procedure can be seen here . More news Launch of a New AV/IT Training Programme to Address Growing Skills Gap Onboard Superyachts The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) spearheaded the development of a series of courses to deliver fit-for-purpose AV/IT training, aligned with real onboard needs. The courses will be provided through IAMI GUEST Accredited training providers. Antibes (France), 21 Jan. 2026 - Yacht agents and captains are reporting a growing demand for crew with Electrical Technical Officer (ETO) certification. However, while an ETO Certificate of Competency is a degree-level qualification focused primarily on high-voltage electrical systems, the operational reality onboard many yachts tells a different story. Read more Real Life On Board Competition - Superyacht Reality Project The PYA, with the backing of the Raising The Bar think tank, invites yacht crew worldwide to contribute to Superyacht Reality – Real Life On Board, a global photo and video competition designed to reflect the authentic experience of working on superyachts. This initiative aims to support career awareness, promote realistic expectations of life at sea, and share the everyday moments that define professional yachting — from teamwork and skills development to the challenges and rewards of working on board. The competition starts on 19th January 2026, ends on 22nd March 2026, and the winners will be announced the following week. Read more PYA Christmas Ball 2025 Highlights The 2025 PYA Christmas Ball took place on 5 December at the Hotel Martinez in Cannes, bringing Captains, crew and well-known leading industry professionals together for a 1960s-themed evening. We started with a cocktail reception, with live musicians playing as guests arrived in retro attire. After months of preparation, we were truly delighted to see how much our members and partners enjoyed this special night. The PYA Christmas Ball remains a cherished tradition, bringing our community together to celebrate, connect, and create lasting memories. Read more

Capt. Schofield, who commands the yacht WHITE ROSE OF DRACHS, has been President of the PYA since 2008 and has played a significant role in bringing the PYA to its current position as the only world-wide body devoted exclusively to the interests of seafarers working on superyachts. Award of Merchant Navy Medal to PYA President To All news 9 October 2018 Capt. Schofield, who commands the yacht WHITE ROSE OF DRACHS, has been President of the PYA since 2008 and has played a significant role in bringing the PYA to its current position as the only world-wide body devoted exclusively to the interests of seafarers working on superyachts. Following the award ceremony, Captain Schofield stated “The success of the PYA’s initiatives is the result of the hard work of many people who volunteer their time to make them a reality along with the diligence of our staff. I would like to acknowledge this and accept the honour on behalf of this collective effort”. In addition, Capt. Schofield is one of main instigators of the IHO’s scheme to collect ‘crowd-sourced’ bathymetric data from yachts in order to improve chart data in areas infrequently, or never, surveyed. This Queen’s award, presented by Princess Anne on her behalf, is welcome proof that the United Kingdom acknowledges the importance and value of super-yachts to the Red Ensign group of flag administrations. More news Launch of a New AV/IT Training Programme to Address Growing Skills Gap Onboard Superyachts The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) spearheaded the development of a series of courses to deliver fit-for-purpose AV/IT training, aligned with real onboard needs. The courses will be provided through IAMI GUEST Accredited training providers. Antibes (France), 21 Jan. 2026 - Yacht agents and captains are reporting a growing demand for crew with Electrical Technical Officer (ETO) certification. However, while an ETO Certificate of Competency is a degree-level qualification focused primarily on high-voltage electrical systems, the operational reality onboard many yachts tells a different story. Read more Real Life On Board Competition - Superyacht Reality Project The PYA, with the backing of the Raising The Bar think tank, invites yacht crew worldwide to contribute to Superyacht Reality – Real Life On Board, a global photo and video competition designed to reflect the authentic experience of working on superyachts. This initiative aims to support career awareness, promote realistic expectations of life at sea, and share the everyday moments that define professional yachting — from teamwork and skills development to the challenges and rewards of working on board. The competition starts on 19th January 2026, ends on 22nd March 2026, and the winners will be announced the following week. Read more PYA Christmas Ball 2025 Highlights The 2025 PYA Christmas Ball took place on 5 December at the Hotel Martinez in Cannes, bringing Captains, crew and well-known leading industry professionals together for a 1960s-themed evening. We started with a cocktail reception, with live musicians playing as guests arrived in retro attire. After months of preparation, we were truly delighted to see how much our members and partners enjoyed this special night. The PYA Christmas Ball remains a cherished tradition, bringing our community together to celebrate, connect, and create lasting memories. Read more

Greece has taken a significant step forward in supporting its yachting industry with the implementation of the new electronic application "e-Charter Permission." Boost for Greek Yachting with the Launch of "e-Charter Permission" To All news 10 January 2024 Greece has taken a significant step forward in supporting its yachting industry with the implementation of the new electronic application "e-Charter Permission." This innovative platform, launched in December, marks a pivotal moment in Greece's transition to a digitalized yachting landscape, streamlining the process and opening up new avenues for growth in 2024. At its core, "e-Charter Permission" serves as a one-stop shop for yachting stakeholders, offering a simplified and streamlined approach to navigating the complexities of the industry. This centralised platform seamlessly integrates with existing governmental systems, ensuring seamless data exchange and enhanced efficiency. The introduction of "e-Charter Permission" goes beyond mere streamlining; it establishes a robust mechanism for recording, monitoring, and controlling the activities of vessels operating under this license. This comprehensive oversight contributes to enhanced safety standards and regulatory compliance, aligning Greece with other nations that have also focused on improved outcomes for their respective industries. The implications of this technological advancement also extend far beyond streamlined operations. The release of the potential of maritime tourism is expected to fuel significant growth within the domestic yachting sector, creating new job opportunities and attracting commercial yachts to choose Greek ports as homeports. This, in turn, will drive the overall economic development of the country as Greece seeks to expand its thriving blue economy. The Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, through the General Secretariat of Shipping and Ports, is at the forefront of this transformation, aligning "e-Charter Permission" with the national maritime development strategy. This commitment to innovation and modernisation underscores Greece's dedication to becoming a global leader in the yachting industry. With the introduction of "e-Charter Permission," Greece has established a modern and transparent framework for the operation of commercial yachts, aptly meeting the evolving demands and challenges of internationalised maritime tourism. This innovative platform marks a new era for Greek yachting, one characterised by efficiency, transparency, and global competitiveness. Details of Charter Permission for Commercial Yachts in Greece The electronic application "e-Charter Permission" issued by the Greek government grants permission for the operation of commercial yachts under a foreign flag of more than 35 meters (excluding wooden vessels) in Greek waters. The application offers two types of licenses: "Charter Permission" for charter contracts entirely within Greek territory and "Charter Permission Plus" for charter contracts with either the start or end point within Greece. The initial license duration is set at twenty-eight (28) days, subject to modification based on specific conditions. Thank you to SOS Yachting Greece for contributing to this announcement. To stay updated with the latest industry developments, be sure to sign up to our newsletter . You can also join the PYA as a member and access numerous services including our MCA and Transport Malta approved Sea Service Verification . More news Launch of a New AV/IT Training Programme to Address Growing Skills Gap Onboard Superyachts The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) spearheaded the development of a series of courses to deliver fit-for-purpose AV/IT training, aligned with real onboard needs. The courses will be provided through IAMI GUEST Accredited training providers. Antibes (France), 21 Jan. 2026 - Yacht agents and captains are reporting a growing demand for crew with Electrical Technical Officer (ETO) certification. However, while an ETO Certificate of Competency is a degree-level qualification focused primarily on high-voltage electrical systems, the operational reality onboard many yachts tells a different story. Read more Real Life On Board Competition - Superyacht Reality Project The PYA, with the backing of the Raising The Bar think tank, invites yacht crew worldwide to contribute to Superyacht Reality – Real Life On Board, a global photo and video competition designed to reflect the authentic experience of working on superyachts. This initiative aims to support career awareness, promote realistic expectations of life at sea, and share the everyday moments that define professional yachting — from teamwork and skills development to the challenges and rewards of working on board. The competition starts on 19th January 2026, ends on 22nd March 2026, and the winners will be announced the following week. Read more PYA Christmas Ball 2025 Highlights The 2025 PYA Christmas Ball took place on 5 December at the Hotel Martinez in Cannes, bringing Captains, crew and well-known leading industry professionals together for a 1960s-themed evening. We started with a cocktail reception, with live musicians playing as guests arrived in retro attire. After months of preparation, we were truly delighted to see how much our members and partners enjoyed this special night. The PYA Christmas Ball remains a cherished tradition, bringing our community together to celebrate, connect, and create lasting memories. Read more

The Maritime Police have boarded several yachts recently and issued Masters with a summons to appear at the French Maritime Affairs office in Nice . They are applying two new local laws. Roquebrune Anchoring Laws To All news 2 October 2018 The Maritime Police have boarded several yachts recently and issued Masters with a summons to appear at the French Maritime Affairs office in Nice . They are applying two new local laws: Anchoring in the fish haven Anchoring in waters less than 30 metres deep On the Monaco and Roquebrune border (RED shaded area) a 30 metres depth limit and on the Roquebrune and Menton border (GREEN shaded area) it’s a 20 metres depth limit. These depth related anchoring laws came out the same time as the speed restriction around Cap d’Antibes. More news Launch of a New AV/IT Training Programme to Address Growing Skills Gap Onboard Superyachts The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) spearheaded the development of a series of courses to deliver fit-for-purpose AV/IT training, aligned with real onboard needs. The courses will be provided through IAMI GUEST Accredited training providers. Antibes (France), 21 Jan. 2026 - Yacht agents and captains are reporting a growing demand for crew with Electrical Technical Officer (ETO) certification. However, while an ETO Certificate of Competency is a degree-level qualification focused primarily on high-voltage electrical systems, the operational reality onboard many yachts tells a different story. Read more Real Life On Board Competition - Superyacht Reality Project The PYA, with the backing of the Raising The Bar think tank, invites yacht crew worldwide to contribute to Superyacht Reality – Real Life On Board, a global photo and video competition designed to reflect the authentic experience of working on superyachts. This initiative aims to support career awareness, promote realistic expectations of life at sea, and share the everyday moments that define professional yachting — from teamwork and skills development to the challenges and rewards of working on board. The competition starts on 19th January 2026, ends on 22nd March 2026, and the winners will be announced the following week. Read more PYA Christmas Ball 2025 Highlights The 2025 PYA Christmas Ball took place on 5 December at the Hotel Martinez in Cannes, bringing Captains, crew and well-known leading industry professionals together for a 1960s-themed evening. We started with a cocktail reception, with live musicians playing as guests arrived in retro attire. After months of preparation, we were truly delighted to see how much our members and partners enjoyed this special night. The PYA Christmas Ball remains a cherished tradition, bringing our community together to celebrate, connect, and create lasting memories. Read more

SPECIALIST SUPERYACHT INSURANCE FOR OVER 50 YEARS HOWDEN STURGE is an insurance broker dedicated exclusively to the world’s luxury yacht industry. Their relationships with the industry’s top firms mean they have the experience and expertise to advise on the risks clients face, solutions available and the ultra-professional levels of service expected at this level, each client having a dedicated team to smooth admin and provide claim advocacy when losses occur. Beyond yachts the Howden Group can cater for every insurable interest of a High Net Worth individual. Services Superyacht insurance and associated products Contact information Dairine Williams Dairine.Williams@howdensturge.fr Superyacht Insurance | Howdengroup.com Howden Sturge, 15 rue Sadi Carnot, 06600 Antibes, France S 0033 (0)4 93 95 22 95 D 0033 (0)4 89 37 96 16 M 0033 (0)6 76 52 09 86 Howden Sturge International Services SPECIALIST SUPERYACHT INSURANCE FOR OVER 50 YEARS Visit website Back to All Partners Become a member and enjoy the exclusive offers from our partners. Become a member