Search on page

The MCA have updated their advice regarding conversions from foreign Engineering licenses to MCA SV CoCs. The MCA releases new advice on conversions of Engineer Yacht COCs To All news 8 August 2023 The MCA have updated their advice regarding conversions from foreign Engineering licenses to MCA SV CoCs. Among some of the criteria include the successful completion of MCA approved modules including technical safety course certificates and the MCA oral examination required for the specific conversion being requested. The MCA’s latest guidance covers conversions for 8 different scenarios with steps to take to begin the request. In order to make a successful conversion, you must hold a CoC from a country that the UK accepts towards the issuance of a UK FSE/CEC. You are however not required to obtain a FSE or CEC to apply for a conversion in the first instance. To learn more about the new guidance on conversions see the latest publication from the MCA. To review the list of countries that the UK accepts towards issuing a UK FSE, please visit this resource for further information. The PYA is authorised by the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency to issue Yacht Rating Certificates which are needed by some vessels to comply with their safe manning requirements. If you are looking to get a Yacht Rating Certificate verified, explore our service , or as a full member you can access this for free. 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

As we near the end of the Mediterranean season, the pressure of working long hours under demanding conditions might be causing tension or conflict onboard amongst crew membes. This conflict can, in turn, lead to additional stress, tiredness and severed relationships.  10 Tips for Conflict Resolution Onboard To All news 4 September 2020 As we near the end of the Mediterranean season, the pressure of working long hours under demanding conditions might be causing tension or conflict onboard amongst crew membes. This conflict can, in turn, lead to additional stress, tiredness and severed relationships. If you find yourself caught up in a dispute with a fellow crew member, or are struggling with a tense and strained working environment, you can follow our ten tips for conflict resolution onboard. Nip it in the bud, quick: The best step to easing conflict onboard is to confront all crew members involved, as quickly as possible to ensure a solution is reached. Not addressing conflict quickly might allow tensions to rise and worsen the situation further. Listen: Captains or senior crew members need to discuss the conflict with all parties to understand what has happened, when did it happen, why has it happened, how can it be fixed? Come together: all crew need to be brought together to voice their concerns or frustrations in a professional manner. Common ground: Senior members need to encourage those involved to find common ground and agree on workable solutions to all problems. Find a compromise: For the sake of working together, each crew member must be willing to give in a little. Explaining the detrimental effect of conflict onboard should hopefully defuse tensions and push those involved towards concession. Confront negative feelings: Crew might be feeling a range of emotions, including hurt, frustration or anger. These feelings should be discussed and diffused. Leadership: Senior crew members can help ease tensions and defuse conflict by reminding crew of their role onboard and mentoring those crew members who might need extra support or assistance. Teamwork: Remind crew about the importance of teamwork onboard and provide them with tools to improve how they work together. Time out: If possible, allow crew members to take a few minutes of time out each day to improve their ability to manage stress and tension onboard. The bigger picture : Encourage crew to focus on the bigger picture, including why they joined the industry and the areas of their role they enjoy the most. It's always worth reminding crew that simply saying 'sorry' and demonstrating mutual respect for other crew members is vital to a professional and happy work environment. 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

Read our guide with the latest Brexit regulations for yacht crew and watch our latest webinar recording. Guide - Brexit regulations for yacht crew To All news 14 January 2021 Your Brexit questions answered During our recent webinar on 12/01/2021, our panel of yachting agents answered the following questions. General regulations The UK left the EU on 31/12/2020 UK citizens can now only stay in the EU for ‘tourist’ purposes (unless official resident status has been obtained) for 90-days within a 180-day period. If you were in the EU before the Brexit date (31/12/2020), you should consider your 90-day period to have started on 01/01/2021. UK citizens need to have their passport stamped IN & OUT upon entering & exiting the EU borders UK citizens need a valid passport, no older than 10 years with at least 6 months left before it expires. UK citizens are not legally allowed to work in the EU, unless they have a valid work visa. Please note, although working onboard a vessel is permitted as it’s seen as work offshore, some EU-flagged vessels (e.g. France and Spain) require crew who work onboard these vessels to have the legal right to work in the EU. Therefore, UK citizens would require an EU work visa to work on these vessels. NB: Although immigration and travel rules are the same throughout Europe, every country and port might have slightly different requirements, so we urge crew to work with local yacht agents to assist them with their immigration. What are the immigration rules for UK crew who arrived in the EU and were working onboard vessels before Brexit 31/12/2020? FRANCE Update 18/01/2021 Crew having arrived prior 1/1/21 not having a Schengen entry stamp, cannot be stamped ‘out'. These crew are considered to be in transit. UK citizens can only get stamped ‘out’ if you have an entry stamp. Crew departing to fly out of France can get stamped 'in' prior to leaving the boat and will get stamped out at the last Schengen airport. However, should you fly out prior to 31/3/21 there is no obligation to get stamped ‘in’ first as you will be in same case as any odd tourist using his 90 days from 1/1/21. When leaving after 31/3/21 it is compulsory to get stamped ‘in’ to the Schengen area (EU) to avoid suspicion of overstay. Documents required Valid passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months longer than the planned stay in Schengen and less than 10 years old. Seaman's book: A Seaman's discharge book can be used to prove seafarer status, without which no ‘out’ stamp will/should be granted by port immigrations. We must insist, especially for yachts not using agents, that the crew hold a seaman book in order to handle the immigration matters on a legal basis. 90 days allowance: per any 180 days running period. Prior stamp request in ports: Most immigration offices can stamp with 24h notice or even less. Some immigration points will ask for 5 workdays notice which is the maximum legal notice time. [Answer supplied by Mark Ravnholt, Catalano Shipping France 12/01/2021] SPAIN Unlike France, Spain is not automatically counting the entry date of crew members who arrived before Brexit as 01/01/2021 and the start of their 90-day allowance. Crew will need to be stamped ‘in’ to Spain by a local yachting agent for their 90-day period to start. Due to current COVID regulations, UK crew will need to have proof of departure in order to get stamped ‘In’. This might include flights or supporting documentation from the vessel or management company proving their departure. Immigration/ Border Police Appointment Times: Must have an appointment & be accompanied by an authorised agent. Regular appointment times: Monday-Friday from 08.30 - 14,00 (Palma from 08:00 and occasionally available in the evening). Emergency appointments are available under exceptional circumstances. Documentation needed: Certificate of Registry (if the boat's not already a BWA Yachting client). Passport. Seaman's Book (or documentation from the boat proving employment, plus professional certificates etc). An updated crew list including the crew member’s name. Copy of the travel details (where relevant). [Answer supplied by Antonella Della Pietra, BWA Yachting Spain 12/01/2021] What if a UK citizen (crew member) has residency in an EU country? UK crew/citizens who hold a valid EU residency card or passport have the same residency and immigration rights as EU citizens. They can live, work and travel within the EU and not face the restrictions that standard UK citizens are now facing after Brexit. These crew need to ensure they travel with their EU residency card and passport at all times to show proof of residency. These individuals are not subject to the 90-day rule and will not have to get their passport stamped in or out when they travel or work on vessels within the EU. How far can crew travel from their vessel (in the port) once stamped out the EU? Some ports, especially larger commercial ports, can have strict policies on crew movement beyond the vessel once they have been stamped out of the EU. At certain times, local authorities can enforce stricter rules. It is therefore important that crew have their Seaman’s Book with them as this will confirm their status as a seafarer and allow them to circulate shoreside in the port of call and the neighbouring touching towns within the same country (If you are based in the last town on a border e.g. Menton, France, this does not allow you to enter the next country e.g. Italy). What about UK crew looking for work or dock walking during their 90-day travel allowance? UK citizens are not allowed to work in the EU (on-land) after Brexit. However, UK citizens are allowed to work onboard vessels within EU waters. But, some EU-flagged vessels (France, Spain) will require non-EU crew to hold a valid work visa. What about crew tax declarations? UK crew who spend long periods of time working on vessels based in EU ports might be liable to pay tax and/or social security charges within the local EU state. We advise all crew to look into the rules and regulations of the individual EU state they are in. How can UK crew get a Seaman’s Book? UK crew (with existing or prospective jobs only) can apply for a UK Seaman’s Book in person (at one of the UK Marine Offices) or via post - see full details here . Please note, the PYA has contacted the MCA and they have confirmed that they currently have a 10-week delay in processing Seaman’s Books and have removed the 24-hour turnaround service, so it’s best to wait until these processing times have improved before making your application. In the meantime, we suggest contacting a yacht agent to advise which other documentation is accepted by your local port customs officials to prove your status as a seafarer. In addition, UK crew can apply for another flag state seaman’s book - this will be determined by the flag state of the vessel on which you are employed. Here are some additional details: Malta is reluctant to issue seaman books to non-Maltese crew if the boat is not based in Malta Sweden only issues seaman’s Books to individuals having had merchant marine or navy experience Panama can issue a seaman book for a great number of nationalities working on a great number of flag states. However, this is a very slow procedure (count 2 months) and the book has only got 4 pages. At some ports, the PYA Service Record Book has been known to be accepted, however, this will need to be confirmed by a local yachting agent. Validity of Certification The below questions have been answered by Richard Falk from the RYA on 12/01/2021. Has the validity of UK (RYA) certificates been affected by Brexit? To date we have not been advised of any changes in the validity of UK and RYA certificates by most EU countries. In Spain, however, we are advised that vessels under 14 meters which are UK flagged are no longer able to obtain a permit to operate commercially. Therefore, crew who hold UK Certificates of Competence (CoC’s) can no longer operate vessels under 14 meters in Spain , regardless of what flag they are registered under. We are still awaiting a response as to whether this ruling applies to holders of MCA STCW 200 gt COC’s also. Are ICCs issued by the UK still valid in the EU? ICCs are still valid , with the exception of Spain. In Spanish waters, UK ICCs are no longer valid on a Spanish vessel, or on a vessel flagged under any member EU state. Spain has not adopted ‘UNEC Resolution 40’ and are therefore not obliged to follow any of the conventions relating to the ICC, whereas most other EU nations have. Please note, the operation of tenders has not been addressed by the Spanish authorities - this will need to be confirmed with local authorities . It is considered good practice however to ensure that tenders to larger vessels are clearly identified as such in order to minimise any risk of problems. What should crew do if they are unsure about the validity of their RYA/UK certificates in individual EU states? Crew should seek confirmation/clarification on the validity of their certificates in individual EU countries. Right now, the RYA has not been informed by any EU member states (other than Spain) that their certification is no longer valid. Will RYA examiner and instructor certificates still be valid with EU training schools? The instructor qualifications are still valid for instructing RYA courses in the EU. Examiner qualifications are also still valid for examining Yachtmasters under exam conditions. However, in Spain, the RYA / MCA Yachtmaster CoC which underpins RYA instructor qualifications is no longer accepted by the authorities there. Instructors would therefore need to hold an appropriate Spanish COC or work under someone who is legally able to be in command of that vessel. Those working on a freelance basis from outside of the EU would be subject to immigration laws and cannot instruct as a tourist. our understanding is that examiners are allowed to continue working in the EU and Spain as they are employed by the RYA and effectively travelling on business in the EU. Looking for more information? Watch our recent webinar . Please note, this information is only correct at the time of airing 12.01.2021 and may have changed since this date. The PYA accepts no responsibility for any losses associated with this advice. Please consult a local yachting agent to get up-to-date advice based on your individual circumstances. 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

BWA Yachting is a worldwide yacht agency and yachting services provider formed to support captains, managers and crew, making their lives easier, assisting with the increasing demands of managing a modern superyacht. Our global office network stretches throughout the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas, providing a unique and seamless experience, wherever our clients are cruising. BWA Yachting is a worldwide yachting services provider established to support captains, managers and crew. We aim to make their lives easier, assisting with the increasing demands of managing a modern superyacht. Our global office network stretches throughout the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, The Caribbean and the Americas, providing a unique and seamless experience, wherever our clients are cruising. BWA Yachting can assist with a broad range of services from planning a complicated, multi-country itinerary to just a single port call. We can cover everything from clearance procedures to berthing reservations, bunkering, provisioning, itinerary advice, logistics, technical assistance, travel arrangements, and many more. With central and local points of reference, a ground breaking system developed in-house, that provides streamlined business workflows amongst our offices and enables seamless intercountry communication of your preferences, we plan to save you time and a whole lot of hassle. We consider ourselves to be a people company - we prefer relationships to transactions, friendships over deals and building trusted partnerships with our clients from the very first meeting. We are a dedicated yachting service provider; we don’t manage, sell or charter superyachts. We strive to deliver smart, reliable, transparent solutions to superyachts. Our offices will provide expert local knowledge in each port customising each client’s approach, looking after your entire trip; from pre-arrival and arrival to departure formalities, drawing upon the insight and capabilities that come from our unique global presence. Essentially, We speak your language. Services Arrival & Departure formalities Berth bookings in the most exclusive ports Berthing application assistance for major events (Monaco Grand Prix, Cannes & Venice Film Festival,…) Divers, Pilots & Moorings arrangements Clearance with local authorities Local information including anchorage area, Covid 19 regulations (if any), cruising rules (permits, Posidonia & anchorage, local PWC regulations,…) Bunkering arrangements (Duty Free bunker available in some specific areas, even if you are private) Grey & black waters pumping arrangements Garbage disposal Technical Support (International technical department based in Greece or local assistance to arrange the best support according to unexpected situations) Day workers organization Local and International Provisioning (we have provisioning companies, preferred partners or our own provisioning departments in several destinations) Flowers arrangements Laundry & general cleaning arrangements (Carpet cleaning included) Any kind of supplies & purchase on behalf including interior products, toiletries and any kind of guests’ requests Courier arrangements & packages reception and deliveries Postal address and storage of items Custom clearance Immigration assistance (Stamp-in/out of EU, Transit Visa, B1/B2 application assistance) VIP conciergerie assistance (exclusive restaurants, hotels and nightclubs suggestions & bookings, …) Entertainment arrangements (Catering, magicians & music performances, extra staffs, security,…) Tour guide & local experience (vineyards, museum, customized experiences according to guests’ preferences and local options) Beauty & Wellness arrangements (massage onboard included) Private Jet & Heli bookings Transportation (Limo and Taxi services, tender transfer, goods deliveries) Power Water Craft renting and purchase organization (including jet ski & tenders) General assistance to crew (medical appointment including) Insurance arrangements (through preferred contacts) Cash To Master arrangements and deliveries (according to local legislation) Book keeping & suppliers’ payment on behalf (one final consolidated invoice per country with credit line) Special offer for members Centralized intercountry general information shared to our members. Contact information BWA Yachting 22 Boulevard Princesse Charlotte, 98000 Monaco Tel.+377 93 500 277 info@bwayachting.com https://www.bwayachting.com/offices/ BWA Yachting BWA Yachting is a worldwide yacht agency and yachting services provider formed to support captains, managers and crew, making their lives easier, assisting with the increasing demands of managing a modern superyacht. Our global office network stretches throughout the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas, providing a unique and seamless experience, wherever our clients are cruising. Visit website Back to All Partners Centralized intercountry general information shared to our members. Become a member and enjoy the exclusive offers from our partners. Become a member

Get ready for an unforgettable evening at the 2024 PYA Christmas Ball, returning to the iconic Martinez in Cannes December 6th! Join us as we celebrate a year of incredible industry achievements, bringing together delegates and leaders from across the yachting world to honour progress, connect, and set our sights on the future. Our annual Christmas Ball is Back Again! To All news 5 November 2024 Get ready for an unforgettable evening at the 2024 PYA Christmas Ball, returning to the iconic Martinez in Cannes December 6th! Join us as we celebrate a year of incredible industry achievements, bringing together delegates and leaders from across the yachting world to honour progress, connect, and set our sights on the future. This year, we proudly recognise the substantial strides made across the industry in addressing crew welfare, advancing technological innovation, and spearheading initiatives that are shaping the future of yachting. Over 200 distinguished representatives from around the globe, including no fewer than 60 yacht captains, will be in attendance. We are also delighted to welcome, for the second time, the participation of the Italian Yacht Masters, an association dedicated to promoting and cultivating the esteemed tradition of Italian Mega Yacht Captains, as well as educating new generations in the highest standards of professionalism and an impeccable code of honour. “We are grateful for all the support we have received throughout the year as the PYA prepares for its annual gala event - the Christmas Ball. Following the success of our recent Sea Changes Forum and industry networking events, we’re especially excited to be welcoming guests who are representing the yachting industry from all corners of the world. This year we have made tremendous progress as an industry, and we will be commemorating those achievements as we prepare for bigger and more ambitious initiatives to come in the New Year,” Christophe Bourillon, CEO of the PYA. This year’s exclusive event, held in Cannes, will bring together crew members, business leaders, and pioneers in maritime exploration and engineering for a truly memorable evening and dinner. Christmas Ball Sponsors We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our sponsors for their invaluable support this year. Their commitment has enabled the PYA to bring this exceptional event to life, making it a truly memorable occasion for all involved. Premium Yacht Sponsor : Fort Insurance Fort Insurance is an Independent superyacht Insurance Broker, dedicated to securing the best coverage for our clients at the most competitive prices. With a team of industry-leading experts boasting decades of experience, we conduct a comprehensive assessment of your specific needs to recommend the most suitable insurance policies and offer expert claims management services. Your peace of mind is our priority, and we are committed to providing optimal coverage tailored to your unique requirements. Gourmet Deliveries Gourmet Deliveries , a family-owned and operated business since 2007, offer luxury provisions for superyachts worldwide, including a wide range of personalised food, wines, bedding, linen and more. They work alongside quality suppliers and ensure they provide clients with only the highest quality products. To save time for chefs and chief stews, Gourmet Deliveries offers a quick and efficient online order service . It lists 10,000 popular products to ensure it can cater to every guest and crew requirement. Gourmet Deliveries offers the widest and the most exclusive catalogue in the world. MYBA MYBA The Worldwide Yachting Association is an internationally renowned professional organisation, founded in 1984, whose Members are involved at all levels within the Superyacht Industry. Members of MYBA are widely represented in all fields of brokerage, charter, technical management and construction of large yachts. Riviera Wine With more than 15 years of experience, Riviera Wine has grown into one of the most well-renowned and experienced wine suppliers in the yachting industry, combining the finest wine expertise and passion with a vital focus and understanding of the luxury industry. They have a dedicated and passionate team who offers a complete solution to all your wine & spirits needs on board: be it wine or spirits supply, bespoke expert advice, wine tastings onboard and much more. Let Riviera Wine become your wine & spirits partner! Burgess Burgess has been perfecting its craft since 1975 and today it is the market-leading full-service superyacht company for yachts over 30m (100ft). Charter, sale and purchase, build, operational yacht management, crew recruitment, procurement and any aspect of yacht ownership, we take care of everything to help owners get the very best out of their superyacht experience. Besenzoni Besenzoni designs and manufactures distinctive yacht components, including boarding gangways, pilot chairs, multifunctional ladders, beach area systems, and much more. With a comprehensive portfolio of products and patents, it collaborates with the leading brands in the nautical sector. Its philosophy blends aesthetics, functionality, and innovation, ensuring top quality and a unique user experience. Gusella Venice is known worldwide for her maritime history and for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its art works. Somebody has wrote that she is “undoubtedly the most beautiful city built by man”. Gusella Yachting Agency looks at Venice like an amazing gateway where yachts arrive or from where they leave thanks to its strategical position. With many years of experience and knowledge of how the Port and City of Venice works, Gusella Yachting Agency is able to guide you through the administrative formalities and customs requirements of the Port Authority to allow docking in Venice. Seguso Seguso is a renowned Murano glassmaking dynasty with a heritage dating back to May 3, 1397. Spanning 23 generations, the family has been dedicated to the art of glassmaking, producing chandeliers, objects, and custom installations. Their creations are featured in over 75 museums worldwide, including the MoMA in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. How you can participate? A limited number of tickets are being made available through the PYA for guests to book their seats at one of our dinner tables. Click Here to register your interest. You can also contact Sophie via email to make arrangements for yourself or your company: office@pya.org Tickets are extremely limited, therefore we recommend you to book your place early! If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please contact us at office@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

Many crew might find themselves in a position where they have extra time on their hands as they wait for lockdown restrictions to be lifted. With this in mind, now is the perfect time to get your sea service testimonials up to date before the summer season.  Top tips on getting a valid Sea Service Testimonial To All news 18 April 2020 Many crew might find themselves in a position where they have extra time on their hands as they wait for lockdown restrictions to be lifted. With this in mind, now is the perfect time to get your sea service testimonials up to date before the summer season. What do I need to do to get my testimonials verified? All members should upload copies of their documents (certified by the captain) and their testimonials into their PYA Profile. These will be processed, verified and digitally signed in your profile by SRB officers in the usual way. As the office is currently closed, we are not updating SRBs. However, we will let you know as soon as our team is back in the office and it's possible to update your physical SRB. Follow these top tips before requesting your testimonials Kim Llorente, one of our PYA advisors and former crew member, has put together some top tips to requesting testimonials which will be valid for future employment: Why ask for a testimonial? If you’ve only been hired on a seasonal contract, or would like to leave your current vessel, it’s a good idea to get proof of your sea service before you leave. Employers can refuse to give you a reference, but they have to give you a Sea Service testimonial if you request it. This will validate your sea time on that vessel and is a credible reference when looking for employment on other vessels in the future. Who can provide a testimonial? Testimonials should be signed by the vessel’s Master, Owner or Manager. For Masters looking to get a testimonial, only the vessel’s Owner or Manager can sign - self-declarations aren’t valid. Important details to remember It’s best to use the PYA’s testimonial template as this includes all the required information. Remember to always put down start and end dates. This is important as it determines the reference period of your sea time, even if you are still on board, or on a non-seasonal contract. Make sure the dates on your testimonials don’t overlap. If your employment is continuous, the new testimonial should start after the last entry in your SRB or after your last testimonial. If the dates on your testimonials overlap in any way you will be asked to submit new correct testimonials. We don’t need the original testimonials. Upload digital copies to your PYA profile. Remember to check your calculations and add your numbers up. Your recorded sea service should never exceed your employment period. To access the PYA on-line Testimonials for Deck & Engineers or if you have any doubts or questions about testimonials or sea service, please read our guidelines or contact us at 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

With the ever-increasing burden of yacht administration and a growing demand for remote support, today sees the launch of Virtual Pursers, a bespoke shoreside purser service for yacht owners, captains and management companies. Virtual Pursers Launch Shoreside Services for Superyachts To All news 1 October 2020 With the ever-increasing burden of yacht administration and a growing demand for remote support, today sees the launch of Virtual Pursers, a bespoke shoreside purser service for yacht owners, captains and management companies. Founded by experienced yacht pursers Bec McKeever and Dominique Smit, Virtual Pursers can confidently assume all the responsibilities of a purser on board, relieving captains of the need to employ a full-time crew member when space is limited. Managing vessel and crew administration, accounting, logistics and provisioning, Virtual Pursers offer a flexible and cost-effective solution either full time, project-based, or whenever additional support is required. With extensive knowledge and years of experience working onboard world cruisers, Bec and Dominique are also experts in itinerary planning and guest concierge, providing a meticulous service at the height of any charter season. Not only a boon for captains, Virtual Pursers offer a solution to the industry brain-drain when female pursers eventually move ashore taking their skills and expertise with them. Describing themselves as ‘‘The Purser You’ll Never Lose’, a key part of their vision is to provide an opportunity for other yacht pursers to continue their careers ashore, accommodating lifestyle changes and family commitments. “We believe the purser role can be achieved just as effectively ashore and in many cases it has already proved to be very successful,” said Dominique Smit. “We know how time-pressured captains are and how much they have to do in a day, and we can alleviate their stress by taking care of all the administration that they don’t have time for.” Full time pursers will also appreciate the additional support available from Virtual Pursers ashore. “As pursers ourselves, we know first-hand of the pressures and time constraints that pursers face,” said Bec McKeever. “We can take care of any over-flow of work such as itineraries or general administration and we can also cover periods of sick leave, holiday and rotations.” The growing trend for remote working coupled with huge advances in communications and management software make it easier than ever for experienced pursers to provide a professional and secure service from a distance. “Technology makes it easy to communicate and operate remotely and at Virtual Pursers we use secure cloud-based systems with top of the range cyber security implementations to ensure the safety and privacy of all client data,” assures Bec. Conscious of the ongoing impact of the pandemic on top of the existing complexities of yacht administration Dom said, “The feedback we’ve received from peers and the wider yachting community has been very positive, and we’re proud and excited to launch our new business in the industry that we know and love.” For further information please visit the website: https://virtualpursers.com/ Or you can contact Bec and Dominique directly: Email: info@virtualpursers.com . Tel: +44 (0)203 5140413 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

This year’s Superyacht Forum in Amsterdam saw more than 800 guests participate in the 31st edition with a host of impactful panels and workshops held over the course of the 3 days. Superyacht Forum 2023 Highlights To All news 23 November 2023 This year’s Superyacht Forum in Amsterdam saw more than 800 guests participate in the 31st edition with a host of impactful panels and workshops held over the course of the 3 days. The PYA along with other industry organisations took part in discussions on a wide range of issues from technological innovations to crew welfare. Keynote speeches and sessions included insightful anecdotes of an industry that is changing rapidly and adapting to a new reality where environmental concerns and protecting maritime ecosystems is top of the agenda. Regulations and technology debates at this year’s event along with networking sessions fostered new collaborations between governing bodies and the wider industry - highlighting key issues that we will face in the coming years ahead. “The Superyacht Forum is a fantastic event that brings together people from all sides of the industry to discuss crucial matters. Our take is that most of the issues are related to a lack of professionalism and training. The PYA is working on various initiatives to tackle some of these problems through collaboration with stakeholders. The feedback on this was positive, and we look forward to launching these initiatives next year. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Martin from The Superyacht Group for inviting the PYA to such an important event, ” said Kim Llorente, Operations Manager for the PYA. Industries also collaborated outside of the yachting space with delegates from luxury hospitality, business aviation and ocean conservation discussing important sector-wide issues that will impact all stakeholders. This year’s attendees were also reminded of the precarious position that the yachting industry is in with a renewed focus on environmental concerns - echoed by PYA’s CEO, Christophe Bourillon, who highlighted this new reality in his latest position paper . With protest movements such as Extinction Rebellion evidently visible at this year’s event, delegates were keen to unveil ambitious reforms that will help yachting become more sustainable in future years. Part of the focus on sustainability has also been to unify various metrics to measure efforts and present evidence of binding reductions of carbon emissions as well as increasing protection for fragile maritime ecosystems. The openness of this year’s event showcased how much progress is being made across sectors and internationally to address the various issues impacting yacht crews. Gallery Highlights See some of our photos from this year’s event. 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 minimum required STCW kW limitation for engine officers (as listed on the MSMC) will be determined based on the single highest rated engine power in kW.” Streamlined Certification for Yacht Engineers: New RMI Policy Clarifies Requirements To All news 8 March 2024 The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) has recently formalized an existing policy that simplifies engineer certification requirements for yachts with multiple engines. This change benefits both yacht owners and engineers by aligning RMI standards with the practicalities of multi-engine configurations. Previously, some flag states might have required engineers on a yacht with two powerful engines (say, 3,000kW each) to hold a combined 6,000kW certification. However, the RMI recognizes that the single most powerful engine on board dictates the skillset needed for operation and maintenance. This update is now reflected in the Marine Notice (MN) 7-038-2, Section A 2.19 . It clearly states: “ The minimum required STCW kW limitation for engine officers (as listed on the MSMC) will be determined based on the single highest rated engine power in kW. ” In simpler terms, the engineer's qualification is based on the power of the yacht's strongest engine, not the sum of all engines . This means that for our example yacht with dual 3,000kW engines, engineers only require a 3,000kW certification, reducing potential certification hurdles. This change streamlines the certification process for engineers working on multi-engine yachts under the RMI flag, while still maintaining safety standards. It allows qualified professionals to operate within their expertise while ensuring efficient operations for yacht owners. For any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@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

Major changes have been announced for the European Schengen Visa, which is used by the citizens of 104 nations, including South Africa, Russia, Egypt and the Philippines. Schengen Visa Changes to Benefit Seafarers To All news 31 January 2020 Major changes have been announced for the European Schengen Visa, which is used by the citizens of 104 nations, including South Africa, Russia, Egypt and the Philippines. The Schengen zone includes 26 European countries and is home to some of the most popular Mediterranean cruising ports, so these changes are set to benefit multiple yacht crew transiting through the region. From 2 February 2020, new revisions will see seafarers granted with an extended period to submit their visa applications and frequent visitors will be given lengthier stays. Extended application submission periods: seafarers can apply up to 9 months before their trip (as opposed to 3 months), with standard applicants also granted an application submission extension of up to 6 months. Extended visa lengths: Those who frequently travel to EU member states with a good history of returning to their country of origin within the confines of previous visas will be eligible to receive multiple-entry visas for 5 years. Online applications: Member States should also allow applications to be submitted electronically, where possible. On the downside, the Schengen Visa will be getting more expensive and costing around €80 per application. Travel and medical insurance will also still remain mandatory. For more information, visit the Schengen Visa Info website. Please note: The information provided in this article is believed to be correct at the time of publishing (31.01.2020) and has been verified to be the best of the PYA's ability, however, cannot be guaranteed. 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