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"There is no second shift" perfectly summarises the growing challenge in the yachting industry: balancing unlimited guest expectations with limited crew resources. As yachts get smaller, the ability to deliver exceptional experiences while adhering to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) becomes increasingly difficult. Even on larger yachts, extended guest occupancy and short turnaround times strain compliance with work and rest regulations. PYA response to ISS From the Bridge article To All news 22 October 2024 "There is No Second Shift": A Key Industry Mantra All the content of the article is valid , but its message is actually delivered by a simple brilliant statement: “ There is no second shift” . This is a great choice of words to sum up the situation of unlimited guest expectations versus finite crew numbers. It should become an industry mantra, embedded in the day-to-day thinking and actions of all regulators, designers, builders, brokers and managers. If everybody spoke like that, and acted accordingly without exception, then owners and charterers would no longer be surprised and frustrated when confronting reality. What everybody knows about and talks about eventually gets baked into expectations. Challenges of Meeting Expectations with Limited Crew It is commonplace that delivering the yachting experience beyond guest expectations, while still complying with MLC hours of work and rest stipulations, becomes less and less feasible the smaller the yacht and the number of its crew. Generally speaking, above 55m the crew size is sufficient to schedule compliant work and rest hours, but even then, compliance starts to become problematical over extended periods of guest occupancy and/or short turnaround times. Rotation is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. Even a cycle of one month on and two months off would not exempt a yacht crew from full MLC compliance with working hours during the period on board. Non-compliance is actionable by flag and port states. That “there is no second shift” is no legal defence. Addressing the Issue of the Absent Second Shift What actions can be taken to address the issue of the absent second shift? Delivering a fit-for-purpose yacht would be a good place to start. However, “ The crew are brought on too late in construction to provide an operational perspective and then are instructed to ‘make it work’. A series of innocuous compromises in construction combine to make a workplace that is physically improbable to operate efficiently. " This is another commonplace, and there are endless anecdotes about design deficiencies that can directly affect crew performance and fatigue. When a yacht is delivered, it is too late to make changes to physical features which impede operational efficiency and even safety. Familiar complaints include: obstructed bridge visibility; yachts of 50m with no office; 40-45m yachts expected to operate 24/7 on charter with two engineers and no UMS; 48m production yachts with the captain's cabin in the crew area, opposite the mess and at the entrance to the crew alleyway; and over-integrated bridge electronics meaning that one centralised computer with drop-down menus has replaced individual keyboards, thereby making bridge teamwork impossible. Moving Beyond Complaints: Taking Action Captains venting to other captains will achieve nothing. It is time to stop griping about these problems and instead take action to fix them. The leverage point is the REG Yacht Code, which was established to improve safety in yacht design by prescribing minimum standards. Its weakness is that many operational design deficiencies are allowed to pass unchallenged through the design approval process because there is nothing in the Code to prevent them. To illustrate the fix: in order to address issues with bridge layouts, the REG has accepted a proposal from the PYA (which sits on the REG steering group) that one section of the next version of the LYC should be changed from “Bridge Visibility” to “Bridge Functionality”. This will cover all aspects of safe bridge operations and allow for discussions on matters such as a captain’s access time and route to the bridge in the event of an emergency. Any other operational design deficiencies affecting any department can be added to the agenda, provided that we give sufficient lead time. The Superyacht Alliance: A Platform for Change It should further be noted that with the establishment of the Superyacht Alliance (SYA) in October 2023, with the imminent inclusion of the PYA, there now exists an umbrella body to disseminate and address any issues of general concern to yacht designers, builders, managers and crew, with further outreach to flag and Class surveyors, and also owners. The REG has made it clear that in order to justify any amendment to the REG Yacht Code, it is essential to back up each proposed change with data. How You Can Help: Providing Evidence Accordingly, the PYA is now asking captains and department heads for as many examples as possible of operational design deficiencies which can be described, photographed, or video-recorded, in order to compile an illustrated dossier. This dossier will be presented to the appropriate bodies to argue for applicable changes in yacht design. Please address any relevant examples to info@pya.org . Rod Hatch PYA Director for Training (Deck) More news PYA - the Voice of yacht crew Discover how our actions go beyond membership to strengthen the entire yachting sector. Read more Sea changes Forum 2025 Edition - Everything You Need to Know The PYA is proud to present the 2025 Sea Changes Forum, taking place on Thursday 25 September at the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in Monaco, during the Monaco Yacht Show. From 16:00 to 20:00, this key industry event will bring together professionals, regulators, and crew representatives to discuss the latest developments in yachting, from regulations and certification to crew welfare and career opportunities. The Forum will conclude with a networking reception, offering a unique opportunity to connect with colleagues and stakeholders in the heart of Monaco. Read more Next Generation in Yachting Forum 2025 - Highlights The PYA Next Generation in Yachting Forum, held on 11 April in Antibes, offered aspiring yacht crew an invaluable insight into the yachting industry. With contributions from leading recruitment agents including Bluewater, Hill Robinson, The Crew Network, and YPI, the event covered essential topics such as CV preparation, interview techniques, and professional etiquette. Attendees also received guidance on visas, welfare support, and career pathways across all departments, with practical advice from Captains, trainers, and experienced crew. The afternoon concluded with focused breakout sessions and networking, providing a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals and prepare for a successful career at sea. Read more

If you’ve just started another season and are surrounded by a variety of new team members, it’s probably not surprising to learn that an entirely new dynamic is starting to form onboard. But, since the launch of social media and uninterrupted internet connection in the majority of crew cabins, it’s becoming less and less frequent for crew... Is your crew in need of team building support? To All news 13 December 2019 If you’ve just started another season and are surrounded by a variety of new team members, it’s probably not surprising to learn that an entirely new dynamic is starting to form onboard. But, since the launch of social media and uninterrupted internet connection in the majority of crew cabins, it’s becoming less and less frequent for crew to socialise, play board games or watch movies together in crew quarters, leading to a decline in crew bonding. According to an article published by Onboard Online, majority of yacht Captains think that crew bonding is key to overcoming some of their biggest challenges, including ‘crew retention, crew recruitment, crew conflict, crew issues, guest/owner expectations and external factors’. Whilst some might not see the value in paying for specialist team-building advice, it’s definitely a small investment compared to the time and money required when things go wrong. To ensure that your team is set for the highs and lows of the season ahead, we highly recommend taking on board some of the following team-building techniques to ensure that crew politics don’t ‘rock the boat’ and affect the experience for your guests. Break the Ice Encourage your crew to get to know each other. Going out for a meal or simply playing a number of ice-breaker games is a great way for everyone to get talking - especially for the more reserved members of the team. Here’s a list of fun ice-breakers you can play. Inspire teamwork Try to get your crew working together by encouraging new bonds and friendships to form. Taking part in team activities like paintball, bowling or a quiz night is a great way to get crew from different departments working together. It also helps make each crew member aware of their strengths and talents whilst developing a greater understanding of others and what makes them tick. If you’re based out at sea, here are some easy team-building exercises . Foster a positive working environment Taking simple steps to create a positive environment can go a long way. Conducting regular check-ins, encouraging communication or simply putting up a positive quote each day in your crew quarters will help build a positive atmosphere, which will have a big impact on crew happiness and performance. Here are some simple steps to start with. Deal with conflict tactfully By understanding the source of onboard conflict and nipping it in the bud quickly, you can stop it escalating. Simply encouraging crew to talk, understanding the source of problems and helping them find a solution together can avoid conflict and unhappiness onboard. Here are some guidelines for dealing with conflict. Get help from the professionals In addition to the techniques listed above, there are a variety of companies offering training and advice tailored specifically to the challenges faced by professional yacht crew. Luxury Hospitality Industry (LH ) has been running courses for a number of years which develop crew team dynamics and wellbeing. In addition, Impact Crew and Crew Glue offer facilitated training to develop crew team building, whilst also providing crew management tools, tips and techniques. If you have a specific crew issue or would like more advice on crew training and development, contact our Member's Assistance Service at advice@pya.org . More news PYA - the Voice of yacht crew Discover how our actions go beyond membership to strengthen the entire yachting sector. Read more Sea changes Forum 2025 Edition - Everything You Need to Know The PYA is proud to present the 2025 Sea Changes Forum, taking place on Thursday 25 September at the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in Monaco, during the Monaco Yacht Show. From 16:00 to 20:00, this key industry event will bring together professionals, regulators, and crew representatives to discuss the latest developments in yachting, from regulations and certification to crew welfare and career opportunities. The Forum will conclude with a networking reception, offering a unique opportunity to connect with colleagues and stakeholders in the heart of Monaco. Read more Next Generation in Yachting Forum 2025 - Highlights The PYA Next Generation in Yachting Forum, held on 11 April in Antibes, offered aspiring yacht crew an invaluable insight into the yachting industry. With contributions from leading recruitment agents including Bluewater, Hill Robinson, The Crew Network, and YPI, the event covered essential topics such as CV preparation, interview techniques, and professional etiquette. Attendees also received guidance on visas, welfare support, and career pathways across all departments, with practical advice from Captains, trainers, and experienced crew. The afternoon concluded with focused breakout sessions and networking, providing a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals and prepare for a successful career at sea. Read more

Antibes, 20th June 2022 - Last Thursday, the Prefecture Maritime issued a new regulation regulating the mooring time for ships in French Med territorial waters (link to the regulation in the article). Anchoring in the French Med - New regulation (16/06/22) To All news 20 June 2022 Antibes, 20th June 2022 - Last Thursday, the Prefecture Maritime issued a new regulation regulating the mooring time for ships in French Med territorial waters The Regulation According to existing regulation (Art.3): - All yachts exceeding 80 meters are required to seek anchoring authorisation by calling the CROSS. These authorisations are provided for 24 hour periods, renewable. - All yachts exceeding 45 meters but less than 80 meters are required to declare anchoring intentions. Art. 4 introduces the new regulation: Art. 4.1 and 4.2 indicate that yachts smaller than 45 meters are not required to seek authorisations or declare anchoring intentions. They can anchor for up to 72 hours, renewable. They must maintain appropriate watch. What should be Art.4.3 (there are two Art. 4.2. - obviously a typo) introduces the real important matter: "The duration of the anchoring can be reduced by maritime authorities for reasons related to maritime safety, traffic or environmental protection". Analysis of the new regulation by the PYA CEO We understand that this new regulation is not targeted at professional yachts but to smaller vessels owned by holidaymakers who leave their boat at anchor for weeks or months with no crew or no watch. This is also targeted at a number of well-known vessels at anchor for months or years on end (there is one of these in the bay of Golfe Juan). For the past couple of years, the PYA has been developing and cultivating a very good working relationship with French authorities in general and with the Prefecture Maritime in Toulon in particular. PYA members may remember that, during the last summer season, a number of yachts anchored in prohibited areas, mainly contravening the recent Posidonia anchoring regulation. Several of these yachts were repeat offenders, anchoring many times over a few days, in prohibited areas. During this period, the PYA and the Prefecture Maritime held a number of informal discussions on the matter. It appears that there were a fairly large number of instances when the authorities attempted to contact contravening yachts and found the yachts were not maintaining a proper listening watch. This new regulation may be used to prevent yachts not maintaining appropriate watch (e.g. not responding to VHF calls), from staying in the areas. Recommendation from the PYA Whenever possible, the PYA contacts yachts identified by the Prefecture Maritime as contravening regulations, to seek “their side of the story”. We did obtain confirmation from a number of captains that they “did not hear the radio calls”. One of the captains received a warning from the Gendarmerie Maritime who informed him that should he be caught re-offending repeatedly the Posidonia anchoring regulation OR not maintaining a proper watch, he would be banned from working in French waters. France is a country known for many things, one being the fact that they keep churning out new laws and regulations on a constant basis. This makes it sometimes very difficult for business, industry or operators to ensure compliance. However, in our case, it should be very easy for yachts to be compliant with Art. 4.2 of this new regulation. We urge all yachts to maintain appropriate watch, and ensure they anchor in authorised and safe areas. Link to the regulation More news PYA - the Voice of yacht crew Discover how our actions go beyond membership to strengthen the entire yachting sector. Read more Sea changes Forum 2025 Edition - Everything You Need to Know The PYA is proud to present the 2025 Sea Changes Forum, taking place on Thursday 25 September at the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in Monaco, during the Monaco Yacht Show. From 16:00 to 20:00, this key industry event will bring together professionals, regulators, and crew representatives to discuss the latest developments in yachting, from regulations and certification to crew welfare and career opportunities. The Forum will conclude with a networking reception, offering a unique opportunity to connect with colleagues and stakeholders in the heart of Monaco. Read more Next Generation in Yachting Forum 2025 - Highlights The PYA Next Generation in Yachting Forum, held on 11 April in Antibes, offered aspiring yacht crew an invaluable insight into the yachting industry. With contributions from leading recruitment agents including Bluewater, Hill Robinson, The Crew Network, and YPI, the event covered essential topics such as CV preparation, interview techniques, and professional etiquette. Attendees also received guidance on visas, welfare support, and career pathways across all departments, with practical advice from Captains, trainers, and experienced crew. The afternoon concluded with focused breakout sessions and networking, providing a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals and prepare for a successful career at sea. Read more

Have questions about the PYA or the services it provides? You can check the frequently asked cuestions about the organisation, Sea Service Testimonials, Yacht Rating Certificate, Training Record Book and more. Frequently asked questions General Questions Digital Service Record Book (D-SRB) What is an NOE or Notice of Eligibility? NOE stands for Notice of Eligibility. The MCA issues this document and it means you have met all the requirements to sit an oral examination with the MCA for a Certificate of Competence (CoC). Before you can book a date for an oral exam, you must have obtained an NOE. It will come with instructions on how to book an oral and details on how the oral exam works. What is a testimonial? Why can’t Reference Letters or Seaman Discharge Books be accepted instead? A testimonial is documentary proof of your onboard yacht service and sea service. It contains the details of the yacht, your position, and your detailed sea service, with days at sea, standby, shipyard, and watchkeeping (whichever applicable). Most of the time, letters do not contain all the necessary information related to your sea service, so even if they can serve as a reference, they will not qualify as a testimonial as well. The same applies to Seaman Discharge Book (SDB) entries. They refer only to your dates and role on board but do not specify the sea service you acquired. Testimonials must be signed by the Master of the vessel on board which the qualifying service has been performed, or can also be signed by the Chief Officer or Chief Engineer (where engineers are concerned). In the case of service as Master, the testimonials must be signed by the owner or a responsible person from the Yacht Management Company such as a company director or yacht manager. When should I get a testimonial? The best would be to get a testimonial every 6 months or seasonal. You can always ask for a testimonial afterwards but it may prove more complicated as people might move on to other jobs in the meantime and not necessarily have access to the required information later. You can ask the Captain, Chief Officer, Chief Engineer (if you were working in an engineering role and weren't the Chief Engineer onboard), yacht manager, owner or owner's representative to sign your testimonials and verify them. What happens if my Captain no longer works on the boat where I was employed? You can still use the captain as a signatory, as long as you have their contact information (email). When can a testimonial be ‘declined’? This can happen for various reasons: If the definitions of sea service have been disregarded, i.e. standby time exceeds days at sea, sea service totals are higher than employment period, etc. If the testimonial is self-signed If the testimonial for a Master is signed by another Master and does not fall in an exceptional situation. See guidelines . What is the procedure to issue/update my D-SRB? How do my testimonials get verified? How do I know the status of my testimonials’ verification? Log into your PYA profile and upload your testimonials/certificates to ‘your documents’. The documents will then go through our verification process. You can verify the status of your documents in your profile under ‘your documents’. How does the sea service verification work? Please read here. How does the PYA D-SRB work? Please go back to the D-SRB FAQ here. What is Seaman's Discharge Book (SDB)? What is the difference between the SDB and the PYA D-SRB (Digital Service Record Book)? A Seaman's Book / Seaman's Discharge Book / Discharge Book is a physical booklet, issued by maritime authorities all around the world, which, traditionally, has two purposes: Identity document, and Record of your employment history Additionally, a Seaman's Book can be useful when passing through an airport or when taking shore leave. You can read more about SDBs here. A D-SRB (Digital Service Record Book) is a PYA-generated electronic document that replaced the PYA's physical Service Record Book (SRB). The PYA's SRB (now D-SRB) was introduced to make it easier for yacht crew to prove to the MCA their experience and that they held the relevant qualifications required to apply for a Certificate of Competency (CoC). It is recognized by the MCA and Transport Malta but not necessarily by the maritime authorities of other countries. We recommend that you have BOTH. As they serve different purposes. You can read more about the PYA D-SRB by going back to the FAQs here. What is a TRB or Training Record Book? TRB stands for Training Record Book. For deck, the OOW 3000 Yachts MCA Training Record Book is a requirement that must completed before you can apply for an OOW 3000 Yachts CoC. You can download this online on the MCA website or ask us for a free bound copy when you are a PYA member. For engineers going through the Small Vessel Route, the Engineering TRB can only be obtained after you've registered into the Program and from Training Providers or Colleges that offer SV courses. To register, you have to prove you satisfy all the entry requirements. How can I get certified copies of documents? Who can certify documents that I need to submit to the PYA? Do they all (testimonials and certificates) need to be certified? The certification of your documents for PYA use can be done by anyone holding a CoC, a management company, a training provider, or other professionals such as doctors, lawyers or teachers, who declare that the copies are true copies of the originals. Only certificates need to be certified as true copies, not testimonials. We cannot process your testimonials without confirming your identity so your file will remain pending until you upload a certified copy of your passport. Text sample: ----- "I certify that this/these is a/are true copy/ies of the original/s." Full name, COC number and issuing authority (if available), stamp (if available), signature. ----- Whoever is certifying your documents can: - write the declaration on each copy; Alternatively, you can go to one of our Agents listed in the Contacts section, or any notary public, or MCA-approved nautical colleges, or IYT NOE Application documents and certificated are send to the MCA via EMAIL ONLY at deck@mcga.g.uk or engineering@mcga.g.uk Is the Y route still available to engineers? No, the Y route was closed at the end of December 2022. Now, the route has been completely replaced by the Small Vessel Program. To learn more about it you can read MCA's MSN 1904 or contact us at srb@pya.org . Does the MEOL still exist? Yes, it is the new SV MEOL CoC. You can learn more about it by reading the MCA's MSN 1904 or contacting srb@pya.org Want to get personalised support? Choose the plan that fits you. 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You may remember that, together with our friends from ECPY and GEPY, the PYA has been working with the French Minister and lobbying the French administration, to seek alternative solutions to the Posidonia anchorage ban. Installation of mooring buoys approved in Cannes, Golfe-Juan and Eze/Beaulieu To All news 17 May 2022 We are pleased to announce that the decision to install mooring buoys for yachting is now being implemented. The French administration has approved 5 buoys in the bay of Eze/Beaulieu-sur-Mer, 6 in Golfe-Juan and 4 in Cannes (see link to maps below). However, at this stage, we do not know when the buoys will be available, or the procedure, duration and cost of anchorage. We will keep you informed as soon as information becomes available. Do not hesitate to contact our CEO, should you require additional information on this situation at ceo@pya.org or +33 (0)6 26 83 70 58. Download maps here. More news PYA - the Voice of yacht crew Discover how our actions go beyond membership to strengthen the entire yachting sector. Read more Sea changes Forum 2025 Edition - Everything You Need to Know The PYA is proud to present the 2025 Sea Changes Forum, taking place on Thursday 25 September at the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in Monaco, during the Monaco Yacht Show. From 16:00 to 20:00, this key industry event will bring together professionals, regulators, and crew representatives to discuss the latest developments in yachting, from regulations and certification to crew welfare and career opportunities. The Forum will conclude with a networking reception, offering a unique opportunity to connect with colleagues and stakeholders in the heart of Monaco. Read more Next Generation in Yachting Forum 2025 - Highlights The PYA Next Generation in Yachting Forum, held on 11 April in Antibes, offered aspiring yacht crew an invaluable insight into the yachting industry. With contributions from leading recruitment agents including Bluewater, Hill Robinson, The Crew Network, and YPI, the event covered essential topics such as CV preparation, interview techniques, and professional etiquette. Attendees also received guidance on visas, welfare support, and career pathways across all departments, with practical advice from Captains, trainers, and experienced crew. The afternoon concluded with focused breakout sessions and networking, providing a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals and prepare for a successful career at sea. 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 PYA - the Voice of yacht crew Discover how our actions go beyond membership to strengthen the entire yachting sector. Read more Sea changes Forum 2025 Edition - Everything You Need to Know The PYA is proud to present the 2025 Sea Changes Forum, taking place on Thursday 25 September at the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in Monaco, during the Monaco Yacht Show. From 16:00 to 20:00, this key industry event will bring together professionals, regulators, and crew representatives to discuss the latest developments in yachting, from regulations and certification to crew welfare and career opportunities. The Forum will conclude with a networking reception, offering a unique opportunity to connect with colleagues and stakeholders in the heart of Monaco. Read more Next Generation in Yachting Forum 2025 - Highlights The PYA Next Generation in Yachting Forum, held on 11 April in Antibes, offered aspiring yacht crew an invaluable insight into the yachting industry. With contributions from leading recruitment agents including Bluewater, Hill Robinson, The Crew Network, and YPI, the event covered essential topics such as CV preparation, interview techniques, and professional etiquette. Attendees also received guidance on visas, welfare support, and career pathways across all departments, with practical advice from Captains, trainers, and experienced crew. The afternoon concluded with focused breakout sessions and networking, providing a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals and prepare for a successful career at sea. Read more

Find out how you can learn the practical skills to measure and managing sustainability within the Superyacht industry. Sustainability Training for the Superyacht Industry To All news 5 November 2020 Since their launch, the PYA has been a proud supporter of the Water Revolution Foundation , the first independent, international, science-driven, non-profit organisation that is taking the lead to neutralise the ecological footprint of the superyacht industry and preserve the world’s precious oceans. In addition, following our initial message to members about The Foundation, there was a positive response and many members enquired about signing up their yachts to this initiative. At the beginning of the year, the Water Revolution Foundation declared that 2020 was the beginning of the decade of sustainability in yachting - a period where the industry would work together towards the United Nations’ 2030 agenda, guided by their Sustainable Development Goals. Since then, the Foundation has seen more companies becoming Water Revolution Foundation partners, but they also noticed a subsequent increase in questions surrounding the ‘how’ of sustainability....How do we improve? How do we ensure that our industry will be future proof? Sustainability Course for the Superyacht Industry For those looking to understand how to make practical changes – from measuring the environmental impact to creating a sustainability strategy – The Water Revolution Foundation's sustainability course was developed to do just that. The course is very pragmatic, provides useful tools and tips, and empowers participants to start their own sustainability programmes within their respective companies/roles. Held in five hours divided over two days, it’s the perfect way to get up to speed with sustainability. And you’ll be in good company. Over fifty industry professionals from leading companies have already taken the course to rave reviews. The course is run by the Centre for Sustainability & Excellence which has trained 90% of Fortune 500 companies. The next course takes place online on 19 and 20 November, from 2.00-4.30pm CET on both days. This will be their last course for 2020 so make sure you secure your spot. Learn more & register here. More news PYA - the Voice of yacht crew Discover how our actions go beyond membership to strengthen the entire yachting sector. Read more Sea changes Forum 2025 Edition - Everything You Need to Know The PYA is proud to present the 2025 Sea Changes Forum, taking place on Thursday 25 September at the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in Monaco, during the Monaco Yacht Show. From 16:00 to 20:00, this key industry event will bring together professionals, regulators, and crew representatives to discuss the latest developments in yachting, from regulations and certification to crew welfare and career opportunities. The Forum will conclude with a networking reception, offering a unique opportunity to connect with colleagues and stakeholders in the heart of Monaco. Read more Next Generation in Yachting Forum 2025 - Highlights The PYA Next Generation in Yachting Forum, held on 11 April in Antibes, offered aspiring yacht crew an invaluable insight into the yachting industry. With contributions from leading recruitment agents including Bluewater, Hill Robinson, The Crew Network, and YPI, the event covered essential topics such as CV preparation, interview techniques, and professional etiquette. Attendees also received guidance on visas, welfare support, and career pathways across all departments, with practical advice from Captains, trainers, and experienced crew. The afternoon concluded with focused breakout sessions and networking, providing a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals and prepare for a successful career at sea. Read more

The PYA is dedicated to equality and diversity within the yachting industry. To further contribute to the development of diversity within the industry, we have decided to sign the She of the Sea Pledge and have committed to diversity not only within the industry but internally within the PYA. PYA Becomes She of the Sea Signatory To All news 12 November 2020 She of the Sea was founded by Jenny Matthews, a qualified Officer of the Watch, who aims to connect and empower women working in yachting and those who support them. In addition, she hopes that She of the Sea will cultivate equality, realise potential and celebrate diversity. She of the Sea has collaborated with organisations and schools engaging young women, such as the 1851 Trust, the official charity of INEOS Team UK, delivering science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) events to young women. They are regularly invited to speak publicly including speaking at UK’s women's Trade and Union Congress 2019, with frequent contributions to leading industry publications and their growing community of followers, She of the Sea is uniting the industry behind its vision. What is the She of the Sea Pledge? The Pledge is a commitment by She of the Sea and signatory organisations to work together to build a diverse and inclusive Yachting industry. Organisations that sign the pledge represent the industry's early adopters and leaders within this global movement? The Pledge reflects global aspiration to see diversity and inclusion at all levels realised. A diverse workforce is widely recognised to significantly outperform any other. Areas of particular relevance to our industry include economic performance, improved work cultures, innovation and return on invested capital. From all corners of yachting, these individuals and organisations are utilising their unique platforms to create an increasingly diverse industry, both ashore and at sea. By combining efforts from both the shore side and crew sectors, She of the Sea hopes to see widespread change that benefits us all.? She of the Sea welcomes interest in the Yachting Diversity & Inclusion Pledge from all organisations and vessels of any type and size. If you would like more information on the Pledge, or if f you would like to speak to the She of the Sea team about your potential involvement, please contact: jmatthews@sheofthesea.com More news PYA - the Voice of yacht crew Discover how our actions go beyond membership to strengthen the entire yachting sector. Read more Sea changes Forum 2025 Edition - Everything You Need to Know The PYA is proud to present the 2025 Sea Changes Forum, taking place on Thursday 25 September at the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in Monaco, during the Monaco Yacht Show. From 16:00 to 20:00, this key industry event will bring together professionals, regulators, and crew representatives to discuss the latest developments in yachting, from regulations and certification to crew welfare and career opportunities. The Forum will conclude with a networking reception, offering a unique opportunity to connect with colleagues and stakeholders in the heart of Monaco. Read more Next Generation in Yachting Forum 2025 - Highlights The PYA Next Generation in Yachting Forum, held on 11 April in Antibes, offered aspiring yacht crew an invaluable insight into the yachting industry. With contributions from leading recruitment agents including Bluewater, Hill Robinson, The Crew Network, and YPI, the event covered essential topics such as CV preparation, interview techniques, and professional etiquette. Attendees also received guidance on visas, welfare support, and career pathways across all departments, with practical advice from Captains, trainers, and experienced crew. The afternoon concluded with focused breakout sessions and networking, providing a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals and prepare for a successful career at sea. Read more

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 PYA - the Voice of yacht crew Discover how our actions go beyond membership to strengthen the entire yachting sector. Read more Sea changes Forum 2025 Edition - Everything You Need to Know The PYA is proud to present the 2025 Sea Changes Forum, taking place on Thursday 25 September at the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in Monaco, during the Monaco Yacht Show. From 16:00 to 20:00, this key industry event will bring together professionals, regulators, and crew representatives to discuss the latest developments in yachting, from regulations and certification to crew welfare and career opportunities. The Forum will conclude with a networking reception, offering a unique opportunity to connect with colleagues and stakeholders in the heart of Monaco. Read more Next Generation in Yachting Forum 2025 - Highlights The PYA Next Generation in Yachting Forum, held on 11 April in Antibes, offered aspiring yacht crew an invaluable insight into the yachting industry. With contributions from leading recruitment agents including Bluewater, Hill Robinson, The Crew Network, and YPI, the event covered essential topics such as CV preparation, interview techniques, and professional etiquette. Attendees also received guidance on visas, welfare support, and career pathways across all departments, with practical advice from Captains, trainers, and experienced crew. The afternoon concluded with focused breakout sessions and networking, providing a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals and prepare for a successful career at sea. Read more

After two years of discussions, the main orders prohibiting mooring in the French protected areas of the Mediterranean have been published. This means that yachts will have to anchor further from the shore and beaches. The three main yachting associations: PYA, ECPY and GEPY met recently with the services of the Maritime Prefecture, to discuss the new regulation and its implementation. French regulations regarding anchorage and Posidonia – Updated To All news 1 April 2021 After two years of discussions, the main orders prohibiting mooring in the French protected areas of the Mediterranean have been published. This means that yachts will have to anchor further from the shore and beaches. The three main yachting associations: PYA, ECPY and GEPY met recently with the services of the Maritime Prefecture, to discuss the new regulation and its implementation. The maritime authorities The maritime authorities recognise, the positive economic impact of the yachting industry on the Mediterranean coasts, as well as the efforts of yachting professionals to protect the environment.The three associations raised concerns regarding the complexity of the new rules and the need to implement clear information campaigns about the implementation of the rules (up-to-date charts, etc.). Key facts The maritime authorities will encourage the creation of organized buoy fields and moorings, with public as well as private funding. These facilities will be under the responsibility of land-based authorities and local communities. In case of adverse weather, the authorities have confirmed that safety and security will take precedence. Vessels that may take shelter in forbidden zones (Posidonia meadows) may be required to provide justification for their decision. The maritime authorities are attempting to speed up the update of the new charts published by SHOM. It is also understood that messages regarding the anchoring rules will be broadcasted through CROSSMED, both in French and in English. It is understood that the restricted areas will also be displayed on the Donia application. There are areas such as the beach of Pampelonne in Saint Tropez/Ramatuelle where the regulations are not yet clarified. The authorities have indicated that, in future regulation, they will adopt a limitation of mooring time to 72 hours. This will not apply to yachts in routine operation, with crew on board, but rather to vessels left without supervision and presenting a risk of stranding. To enable this management of mooring times, the Maritime Prefecture has agreed to establish a list of yachts (24-45m) benefiting from an implicit renewal every 72 hours, for the whole season. Unlike the Spanish or Italian authorities, France elected to sanction the position of the vessel itself. This can lead to serious consequences as the maritime infraction can amount to 150,000€, whereas the environmental infraction is "only" a hundred euros. In addition, several of the means to be used to establish potential offences, such as human observation from aircrafts, boats or land-based platforms can lead to arbitrary decisions. PYA, ECPY and GEPY will continue to work closely with the maritime authorities (Préfecture maritime de Méditerranée), to propose a joint Préfecture maritime / Yachting professionals observatory to monitor incidents during the season. Anchorage regulations: Doc 1 .pdf Download PDF • 2.76MB Doc 2 .pdf Download PDF • 2.71MB Doc 3 .pdf Download PDF • 2.82MB Doc 4 .pdf Download PDF • 3.57MB Doc 5 .pdf Download PDF • 2.01MB Doc 6 .pdf Download PDF • 600KB For further information, please visit the website of the Préfecture Maritime de la Mediterranée: https://www.premar-mediterranee.gouv.fr Watch our webinar now: More news PYA - the Voice of yacht crew Discover how our actions go beyond membership to strengthen the entire yachting sector. Read more Sea changes Forum 2025 Edition - Everything You Need to Know The PYA is proud to present the 2025 Sea Changes Forum, taking place on Thursday 25 September at the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in Monaco, during the Monaco Yacht Show. From 16:00 to 20:00, this key industry event will bring together professionals, regulators, and crew representatives to discuss the latest developments in yachting, from regulations and certification to crew welfare and career opportunities. The Forum will conclude with a networking reception, offering a unique opportunity to connect with colleagues and stakeholders in the heart of Monaco. Read more Next Generation in Yachting Forum 2025 - Highlights The PYA Next Generation in Yachting Forum, held on 11 April in Antibes, offered aspiring yacht crew an invaluable insight into the yachting industry. With contributions from leading recruitment agents including Bluewater, Hill Robinson, The Crew Network, and YPI, the event covered essential topics such as CV preparation, interview techniques, and professional etiquette. Attendees also received guidance on visas, welfare support, and career pathways across all departments, with practical advice from Captains, trainers, and experienced crew. The afternoon concluded with focused breakout sessions and networking, providing a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals and prepare for a successful career at sea. Read more