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Antibes (France), 11 September 2024 - The PYA and other representatives of the yachting industry, met with the new Prefect Maritime (PREMAR) responsible for French Med operations, as well as with officials from French Maritime affairs. The objective of the meeting was to discuss the yachting season and any relevant topics. PYA meets with Prefect Maritime To All news 12 September 2024 Antibes (France), 11 September 2024 - The PYA and other representatives of the yachting industry, met with the new Prefect Maritime (PREMAR) responsible for French Med operations, as well as with officials from French Maritime affairs. The objective of the meeting was to discuss the yachting season and any relevant topics. Vice Amiral d’Escadre Christophe Lucas was nominated on 2 September 2024. The fact that he agreed to meet with the yachting industry only 9 days after being appointed, is an indication of how important he realises professional yachting is for the region. This was confirmed during the 5-hour meeting in Cannes. Among the issues raised by the PYA, these will be followed by concrete actions: - Over the season, a number of captains complained about the situation in the congested St Tropez area, where tenders and other vessels were going at unsafe speeds. Additional speed limits and/or more frequent maritime police patrols will be implemented. - A number of captains highlighted the fact that their vessel was boarded by Customs and Immigration officers several times over a set period and how inconvenient this can be, especially with guests on board. A registry of "cleared vessels" will be considered. - Yacht crew using the official and continuously updated application Nav & Co have raised concerns about the fact that, when zooming in, the app was cluttered with too much information. The PREMAR agreed to review the content of the App. Should you be using Nav & Co, please do send us any suggestions for improvement which we will incorporate in our discussions with the PREMAR ); - Last year, a number of captains were prosecuted for infringing anchoring regulations in French waters. Having been in contact with several of these captains - who, for the most part, were acting in good faith - I know how upsetting this experience was. I urged the PREMAR that, in the future, they order the maritime police to be more lenient with first offenders but, be very severe with repeat offenders - such as those vessels seen at anchor in prohibited areas 5 or 6 times over a 4-day period. Together with the various administrations, we will seek to organise a 1/2 day meeting with the office of the maritime prosecutor, to "inform and educate" them about superyacht operations. As seen above, the PYA will continue to be exchanging regularly with the PREMAR and his office. Should there be any issues you would like us to raise during our discussions, please send an email to info@pya.org and we will act on your suggestions . Christophe Bourillon PYA's CEO. More news PYA - the Voice of yacht crew Discover how our actions go beyond membership to strengthen the entire yachting sector. 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 PYA Christmas Ball 2024 Highlights The PYA Christmas Ball, held on 6 December 2024, was an exceptional evening celebrating the yachting community in style. This year’s theme, Peaky Blinders meets Downton Abbey, provided the perfect blend of elegance and vintage charm, creating a truly memorable atmosphere. Read more

Following a number of reported lithium battery fires in the past several months, yacht crew have been asking for a more in-depth look at how to minimise the risks, and what to do should you experience a fire. Taking care of lithium batteries to avoid fire on board a yacht To All news 25 July 2023 Following a number of reported lithium battery fires in the past several months, yacht crew have been asking for a more in-depth look at how to minimise the risks, and what to do should you experience a fire. With so much technology running on lithium batteries, now more than ever, yacht owners and crew need to understand the best practices. We want to thank Adrian Coetsee, PYA Board Director for Engineering Training, for sharing with us these unique insights on how to properly handle lithium batteries onboard and some of the things to look into for safer use and storage. A guide to lithium batteries With the advances in lithium batteries we are now finding them in more and more interesting applications, but this new flexibility brings its own challenges. One of these new risks is fire, the MCA has noted this and released MGN 681 to give some guidance on best practices on how to store, charge and maintain these new systems. Where we once used petrol engines, we now have batteries, from large tenders to smaller water toys like Dive bobs or efoil boards down to the batteries in your phone or laptop; they all use the same chemistry and all have the same increased risk of fire. This MGN is specifically aimed at batteries over 100Wh, but not forgetting smaller batteries from laptops and phones, which are less risky due to their size but still have increased risk of fire. For reference, a large drill battery would be around the 100Wh lower limit, if being stored ideally in a battery/fire box (if being charged or in a vehicle then in a REG yacht space A space.) Around page 97 (depending on version) Chapter 14 fire safety is where you can look. Stages of a Lithium battery fire Let us explore some of the stages of a lithium battery fire and why this occurs: Overheating leading to thermal runaway. Stored batteries shouldn’t be kept in an area that is above 45C. While charging batteries get warmer, the potential for thermal runaway starts between 60-70C. In best practice, linking these temperature alarms to the ship's monitoring system is essential. If caught early enough this can be stopped by halting charging or if in use, then preventing the battery from discharging. Once they’ve reached this temperature these cells shouldn’t be used or charged again as the thermal runway will continue and these batteries need to be disembarked - either repaired or replaced by their manufacturers. Off gassing Let’s take a closer look at what’s physically happening in the battery: Battery packs that have a way of venting instead of exploding and fire are of lower risk. Off gassing is a sudden release of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other volatile organic compounds - these gasses are difficult to predict and could gather at head height or deck level, complicating matters. These gasses also contain hydrogen cyanide, soot, oxides, lithium, cobalt amongst others these vapor clouds are hazardous and potentially explosive.If off gassing doesn’t occur this might be shown as a deformed or bulging battery pack. Hissing and popping and then fire Some of the warning signs: A damaged battery at this stage will need appropriate fire fighting measures. The “smoke” released will have a sweet chemical smell which is made up of nanoparticles of heavy metals. The temperature will have risen and the heat load in the battery pack is now substantial. Water dousing will eventually stop the fire and after that reduce the runaway temperature rise. This will take a surprisingly long time, all the time emitting gas and smoke and causing heat damage. Best practice to extinguish. How to extinguish a battery fire and taking steps to protect electrical supplies: For smaller fires a dedicated fire extinguisher could work if caught early enough but water dousing larger fires is the most effective. The residual temperature from the exothermic reactions is considerable and once thermal runaway - it won’t abate spontaneously. The area would need to be vented as the off gasses are noxious and dangerous. If in a garage, water mist is very effective at reducing the heat load released from the thermal runaway of the pack. Remote isolation of the electrical supply is paramount too. The bilge pumping arrangement should be overspecc’ed sufficiently to remove the continued water needed. Remote or manual opening of the garage to vent should be considered too. Storage and charging If the yacht is under construction following the full MGN this would be considerably easier but nonetheless existing ships should try as far as is practicable. Storage of smaller batteries should be in a dedicated box meeting international standards but not limited to EN14470, EN 16121, EN16122 and this be kept in a REG yacht PART A space. On yachts over 500Gt all batteries over 100Wh should be stored and charged in a REG yacht part: “Ideally” an A60 garage as far as practical from petrol tenders, charging outdoors is an option too. NOT forward of the collision bulkhead, NOT in a technical space like engine rooms and back backed onto or in a switchboard rooms. Vented directly overboard with intrinsically safe fans and sensors linked to the ship’s monitoring and fire systems. The chargers should be powered from outside the area. Ideally the area, switches, light and extraction should be intrinsically safe. Storage area should be more than 45 deg. Manual ways of opening or venting the area, that are outside the area e.g. a remote shell door opening if kept in a garage. Battery plan Identification of batteries onboard Batteries larger than 100wh should have certificates of compliance and their own dedicated chargers, where possible similar systems should be used to help prevent the accidental use of the wrong chargers. If a large selection of smaller batteries is kept in one area these should be noted e.g. If a charge station for many UHF batteries is kept in the radio room, if laptops, phones, and battery banks are kept in the bridge. Locations of those batteries Locations of the larger batteries over 100wh could be noted and shown on a GA. Extractions could be shown too. Training and maintenance All crew should be made aware of the basics of battery maintenance and care and the steps to be taken e.g. If a battery is found to be overheating or worse if one is on fire. The batteries and their respective chargers should be kept in top condition, any defaults noted, if some are seen to be damaged, how to remove or who to call. Plans in case of emergencies (SOP) Examples of things that could be included. Manual release of misting or water deluge. “How to” Bilge pumping arrangements for the specific zone. Consider manual operation of garage doors to vent the off gassing. Remote access to electrical isolation. The full MCA Guidance Note can be found here . More news PYA - the Voice of yacht crew Discover how our actions go beyond membership to strengthen the entire yachting sector. 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 PYA Christmas Ball 2024 Highlights The PYA Christmas Ball, held on 6 December 2024, was an exceptional evening celebrating the yachting community in style. This year’s theme, Peaky Blinders meets Downton Abbey, provided the perfect blend of elegance and vintage charm, creating a truly memorable atmosphere. Read more

Working on a Russian-linked vessel? Get the latest advice on your financial and legal status. PYA Advice for Crew on Russian-Linked Vessels To All news 8 March 2022 Watch Webinar There are concerns among some of our PYA members regarding their legal and financial status if they are working on yachts which are Russian flagged or are owned by Russian individuals or Russian entities. The current crisis is a constantly evolving situation, and we are all in uncharted waters. The PYA is following the situation closely and has been in direct contact with its legal adviser, and with three REG members - MCA, Cayman Islands and Isle of Man. We are also offering crew free personalised advice via our PYA Member Assistance Service, plus a discount on our membership (see details below). Moving a Russian-Linked Yacht Recently, the Cayman Islands Shipping registry office in the South of France has received calls from some captains and crew on yachts with Russian connections, currently in Italian ports, who are worried about the implications if they were to assist in moving these yachts from Italy into international waters or “safe havens”. Some Russian-connected yachts have already arrived in the Maldives and Montenegro, however, their ultimate “safe haven” there may not be assured. Provided that a yacht has not been formally placed under a detention order by flag or port state, and complies with all normal departure procedures, then moving a yacht from A to B in compliance with orders from the usual operational command centre would not place the crew in legal jeopardy. Moving, or attempting to move, a yacht that is under formal detention would constitute a serious offence. The UK has recently announced that it has banned Russian-linked vessels from docking at any of its ports, whereas the EU is still allowing the entry of Russian-linked vessels which are not subject to sanction. Crew on Sanctioned Vessels Overall, the legal situation is that the owner of a vessel is the person or entity listed as such on their vessel's Certificate of Registry. Crew may actually be employed by the vessel owner, or more commonly by an offshore “cell” entity. They may or may not know the identity of the yacht’s beneficial owner(s). Where such owners have been identified and sanctioned by state authorities, their assets, including yachts, face denial of access to the said owners or their representatives. This likely means that, in the case of a sanctioned yacht, the crew would, after an uncertain period, be required by the local port state officials to leave the vessel, which would then become a “Navire Désarme”. The concerns for crew members then become (i) where do they go next, and (ii) how to recover any outstanding wages. Leaving a Sanctioned Vessel In answer to (i) above, there will be several factors to consider. If the yacht is in an EU port, then EU crew on board are free to consider whether to go home, or travel to or remain in an EU port where they can seek new employment while dealing with recuperation costs and unpaid wages. Non-EU crew with or without Schengen visas and whose 90 days have not expired, may also return to or remain in the EU, but they have no right to approach crew agencies or otherwise seek new employment. Legally, they need to return home and apply for a new job from there. To avoid any entanglement with the vagaries of US immigration laws, non-US crew on a sanctioned vessel in a US port should, if required to leave such vessel, leave the US as soon as possible. However, as US immigration regulations require all crew to hold a valid visa to enter a port, there should be no issue leaving the vessel. Russian nationals would find themselves in a particularly invidious situation on a sanctioned vessel. If funding were to dry up, it is sure that individually their shipmates would not see them go hungry. However, as a group they would elicit little public sympathy anywhere, and their best course of action would be to return home as soon as possible and by any means. Repatriation costs Repatriation costs should be paid by the yacht owner. In the case of commercially registered yachts, insurance coverage is compulsory to cover such costs in the event of an owner’s inability to do so. However, access to such pay-out may not be a simple process for any individual crew member. The flag state then has a responsibility to assist the stranded seafarer with repatriation. If the flag response is slow or is unforthcoming, one’s consulate would normally assist with repatriation, or the port state may intervene to assist in returning the crew home. (In the foregoing scenarios, the flag, consular or port state authorities would then have the option to recover costs from the insuring entity). Recovery of unpaid wages With regard to concern (ii), unpaid wages (including leave and any other contractual benefits) may only be recovered after the fact. No pre-emptive action is possible by any port or flag state authority, or by any seafarers’ organization of any kind. In order to protect their claims, seafarers should remain with the vessel as long as possible, and assemble a portfolio of evidence of entitlement to wages. Documentation should include, but not be limited to, a SEA or other contract, previous pay slips, copies of relevant notations in the Official Log Book, copies of crew lists, and copies of any crew uniform issuance list(s) on which their signature occurs. The PYA is working with Maritime Lawyers who can provide our members with further assistance to claim unpaid wages. Free Advice - PYA’s Member Assistance Service (MAS) In any situation involving crew’s unpaid or disputed wages, if there is no satisfactory outcome achieved by the efforts of the captain or management company, the next port of call is flag state. Exceptionally, e.g. in France under specific circumstances, port state may enforce payment of retained wages. Regardless, our members should also contact the PYA office for reference to our Member Assistance Service (MAS), which is a free service available to all crew, including non-members. This service has a track record of successfully resolved wage disputes, and is totally private and exclusively confidential between only the parties concerned. There is no public disclosure of the identities of crew, owner, management or yacht, thereby protecting the reputation and career path of our involved member. (It is only an extremis, as for example an entire crew remaining unpaid by an intransigent or vanished yacht owner, that resolution can only be obtained by resort to court action, with its attendant undesirable publicity). Please note, we will be following up shortly with some additional advice. Captain Rod Hatch PYA Director for Training (Deck) Useful contact details PYA’s Member Assistance Service (MAS): advice@pya.org French Mediterranean Coastguard: +33 (0) 970278692 Flag states Cayman Islands Shipping Registry: France (Valbonne): +33 (0) 489027609 Marshall Islands Registry: yachtcrew@register-iri.com Virgin Islands Shipping Registry: 1(284)-468-9646 | vishipping@bvimaritime.vg Transport Malta: +356 21222203 Red Ensign Group: REGsecretariat@mcga.gov.uk Help the PYA Support Crew in Need The PYA represents yacht crew worldwide and can only continue to provide our advice and support services through the support of our members and partners. To further grow our capacity and membership network, the PYA is offering all crew a 20% discount on new memberships until 30 April 2022, using the code ‘ADVICE22’. More news PYA - the Voice of yacht crew Discover how our actions go beyond membership to strengthen the entire yachting sector. 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 PYA Christmas Ball 2024 Highlights The PYA Christmas Ball, held on 6 December 2024, was an exceptional evening celebrating the yachting community in style. This year’s theme, Peaky Blinders meets Downton Abbey, provided the perfect blend of elegance and vintage charm, creating a truly memorable atmosphere. Read more

As part of its members' assistance service, the PYA has seen a marked increase in the number of incidents of sexual harassment reported by crew members.  The PYA has therefore conducted an industry survey to give crew members a voice to bring forward their own experiences of sexual harassment in yachting. Sexual harassment of seafarers To All news 14 October 2018 As part of its members' assistance service, the PYA has seen a marked increase in the number of incidents of sexual harassment reported by crew members. The PYA has therefore conducted an industry survey to give crew members a voice to bring forward their own experiences of sexual harassment in yachting. Our results were reported at the Sea Changes Forum at the Monaco Yacht Show and produced some shocking statistics and personal testimony. A huge thank you to all the people who bravely reported information in our survey. What's next? The PYA in conjunction with other partners in this sector of the maritime industry are joining forces to continue to highlight this subject and to campaign on behalf of crew in establishing improvements in their working environment and in promoting better understanding of the issues raised. If you want to get involved then let us know - possibly consider becoming a PYA Councillor and representing colleagues in future forum dealing with such issues? Contact us at welfare@pya.org More news PYA - the Voice of yacht crew Discover how our actions go beyond membership to strengthen the entire yachting sector. 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 PYA Christmas Ball 2024 Highlights The PYA Christmas Ball, held on 6 December 2024, was an exceptional evening celebrating the yachting community in style. This year’s theme, Peaky Blinders meets Downton Abbey, provided the perfect blend of elegance and vintage charm, creating a truly memorable atmosphere. Read more

VSF has been providing the finest wines to the yachting community for 30 years. With over 30,000 bottles in stock, we offer immediate availability of many of the world’s finest wines. Our wine experts work around the clock to answer your enquiries and we have our own fleet of vans and drivers to ensure that the wines get to you on time and in perfect condition. VSF has been successfully providing the finest wines, service and expertise to the yachting community for over 30 years. Through decades of experience and investment, our stockholding is constantly growing with new additions made each year, offering an unparalleled selection of the world’s most sought-after wines. Located just outside Antibes and with over 35,000 bottles in stock, we can ensure immediate availability for your next yachting adventure. Priding ourselves on our customer service, our wine experts work around the clock to answer your enquiries. We have our own fleet of vans and drivers to ensure that the wines get to you on time and in perfect condition. For worldwide deliveries we work with proven courier services and agents in order to get your wine to you, wherever your yacht is starting its journey. Services Wine supply Champagne supply Spirits supply Beer supply Delivery to yachts and villas Contact information +33 (0)4 22 10 67 70 info@vsfgroup.com Languages spoken – English, French, Spanish VSF VSF has been providing the finest wines to the yachting community for 30 years. With over 30,000 bottles in stock, we offer immediate availability of many of the world’s finest wines. Our wine experts work around the clock to answer your enquiries and we have our own fleet of vans and drivers to ensure that the wines get to you on time and in perfect condition. Visit website Back to All Partners Become a member and enjoy the exclusive offers from our partners. Become a member

This MIN details a new route for applicants looking to gain an UK OOW yachts, less than 3000 GT, unlimited area, II/1 Certificate of Competency. New route to Officer of the Watch To All news 12 October 2018 This MIN details a new route for applicants looking to gain an UK OOW yachts, less than 3000 GT, unlimited area, II/1 Certificate of Competency. MIN 580 can be found here. It essentially is a new route for Seafarers wanting to gain an OOW Yachts Licence but don’t have the relevant service on smaller yachts due to the nature of the industry. More news PYA - the Voice of yacht crew Discover how our actions go beyond membership to strengthen the entire yachting sector. 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 PYA Christmas Ball 2024 Highlights The PYA Christmas Ball, held on 6 December 2024, was an exceptional evening celebrating the yachting community in style. This year’s theme, Peaky Blinders meets Downton Abbey, provided the perfect blend of elegance and vintage charm, creating a truly memorable atmosphere. Read more

The PYA takes privacy seriously and is committed to providing you with clear and comprehensive information on how your personal data is collected and used. When using our sea service verification process, you agree to let us use your personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy. You also agree to let us share certain data with the person who has signed the testimonial in order to verify its contents. It is your responsibility to ensure that when somebody signs your testimonial, they agree to pass on their personal data to the PYA (name, address, email, phone number, company/yacht, job title, CoC number) so that we can lawfully process it for the purpose of verifying your sea service. Our new GDPR-compliant testimonial templates include this statement as standard. We require users to agree to this policy before using our services, so we recommend that you take the time to read this document carefully. If you have any questions, please contact the PYA at info@pya.org . New Privacy Policy and Terms of Use 2024 - final .pdf Download PDF • 305KB Privacy Policy The PYA takes privacy seriously and is committed to providing you with clear and comprehensive information on how your personal data is collected and used.

A few months ago, the PYA announced that the MCA would start recognising Maltese Yacht-restricted CoCs. Some of our members contacted the MCA without receiving any concrete information. We have reached out to the MCA several times and finally received the following statement: The MCA & Red Ensign Group recognise Maltese Yacht-Restricted Certificates of Competence To All news 24 May 2024 A few months ago, the PYA announced that the MCA would start recognising Maltese Yacht-restricted CoCs. Some of our members contacted the MCA without receiving any concrete information. We have reached out to the MCA several times and finally received the following statement: The United Kingdom Administrations shall issue Flag State Endorsements (FSE) issued against the Maritime Administration of Malta Yacht CoCs providing the training and assessment has been conducted by the approved training centres listed. The United Kingdom Administrations shall issue FSEs against the following Maltese Yacht CoCs : • Officer of the Watch (Yachts) <3000GT (STCW II/1) • Master of Yachts <3000GT (STCW II/2) • Master of Yachts <500 (STCW II/2) Maritime Administration of Malta approved Training Centres : 1. Maritime MT, Hal Far Industrial Estate, Birzebbugia, Malta 2. XONE Superyacht, Skyway Offices Block C, 179 Marina Road, Pieta, Malta Candidates with Maltese Yacht CoCs applying for a Flag State Endorsement (STCW I/10) to the Red Ensign members must, in addition to mandatory requirements submit a course completion certificate from one of the above-named approved centres. The Cayman Islands Ship Registry has also confirmed that the " REG now have an agreement in place and yes we are accepting specific Yacht-restricted CoCs issued by Malta. We will be issuing a new version of our STCW CISN in the near future to confirm this and provide the necessary details ". The PYA is authorised to carry out sea service verification on behalf of Transport Malta. The PYA D-SRB can be used to prove your sea time. If you want to apply for a Maltese Yacht CoC, don't hesitate to contact us. If you have any questions or experience any issues, please don’t hesitate to contact us at srb@pya.org More news PYA - the Voice of yacht crew Discover how our actions go beyond membership to strengthen the entire yachting sector. 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 PYA Christmas Ball 2024 Highlights The PYA Christmas Ball, held on 6 December 2024, was an exceptional evening celebrating the yachting community in style. This year’s theme, Peaky Blinders meets Downton Abbey, provided the perfect blend of elegance and vintage charm, creating a truly memorable atmosphere. Read more

The PYA is proud to present the 2024 Sea Changes Forum, taking place on 26 September at the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in Monaco. This event will bring together key industry professionals to discuss the latest trends and changes impacting the yachting sector. Join us for insightful discussions and networking opportunities as we navigate the future of yachting together. Sea changes Forum 2024 Edition - Everything You Need to Know To All news 25 September 2024 The PYA is excited to announce the upcoming 2024 Sea Changes Forum, which will be held on 26 September at the prestigious International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in Monaco. This highly anticipated event brings together a diverse group of professionals, captains, and industry leaders from the global yachting community to address the most pressing challenges and developments in the sector. Whether you're a yacht captain, industry professional, or a passionate advocate for positive change in yachting, this forum offers invaluable insights and a chance to be part of the conversation. Explore the full agenda below, including biographies of this year’s guest speakers and an introduction to our sponsors below: PYA Sea Changes Forum Agenda 2024: 15:30 Forum Registration Open, International Hydrographic Organisation, 4b Quai Antoine 1er, Monaco 16.00 Christophe Bourillon, CEO Professional Yachting Association (PYA) & Kim Llorente, Operations Manager (PYA) “Welcome & Introduction by the PYA” 16:03 John Wyborn, International Association of Maritime Institutions (IAMI) Board member, Superyacht Alliance “One Vision – One Alliance - Why Our Industry Needs Collaboration” 16:11 Joey Meen, IAMI Guest Program Director “Importance & impact of Industry-led Accredited Education” 16:19 Angela Wallace, Director of Interior Training, Head of Welfare Group, PYA “PYA Welfare Group and Wellbeing” 16:27 Ajit Jacob, Chief Examiner, Head of Seafarers Technical Delivery, UK Seafarer Services, Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA ) “Modernisation of Yacht Qualifications” 16:42 Julian Smith, Principal Surveyor - Cayman Islands Ship Registry “Overview of the 2024 edition of the REG Yacht Code” 16:57 Gerard Griffiths, Professional in maritime safety and training, delivering STCW courses, Seascope France “Li-ion Risk Awareness” 17:02 Mark Savona, Safety Coordinator, Technical Department, Transport Malta (TM) “Different needs, Different Codes” 17:17 Pierre-Luc Lecompte, Senior Maritime Affairs Administrator, Division of “State Action at Sea”, Head of the Marine Protection and Sustainable Development Unit, French Maritime Administration (Préfet Maritime de la Méditerranée) “The juridical framework of anchoring and mooring of yachts in the French Mediterranean” 17:32 Richard Falk FRIN, Director of Training and Qualifications, Royal Yachting Association (RYA) (By video Link) “RYA Qualifications and Course Developments” 17:42 Gregory Romano, Managing Director, Romano Energy “No Petrol” we did it and you? 17:47 Samuel Harper, Assistant Director for Survey and Operations and the Secretary to the Crowdsourced Bathymetry Working Group, International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) “Update on the IHO Crowdsourced Bathymetry Initiative” 18:00 Social gathering on the IHO Rooftop overlooking the port Official Guest Speakers: Christophe Bourillon, CEO Professional Yachting Association With 30 years of experience in senior management, public affairs, and crisis communication at the national and international levels, has founded and led various industry associations, such as Wind Europe. He has also driven other organisations through major transformations, including the World Nuclear Association, the European Biofuels Association and the World Federation of Science Journalists. He has managed government relations campaigns for the oil and gas, nuclear, and other industries. As an accredited expert to the United Nations, he participated in the negotiations of the UN Convention on Climate Change for more than 15 years. Currently, Christophe serves as the CEO of the Professional Yachting Association (PYA). Kim Llorente, Operations Manager Professional Yachting Association With a Master's in Maritime Law, Kim has several years of experience working on yachts. Starting at the PYA as a Sea Service Administrator, she now leads all major operations at the PYA. Overseeing the daily activities of the Sea Service team and providing expert guidance for yacht crew facing complex challenges. Kim is responsible for maintaining strong relationships with key partners and crew, Maritime Administrations and the PYA Agents network, while also driving new business development and IT initiatives. Her dedication to the yachting industry is evident through her active participation in local and international events as a PYA Ambassador and host and guest of numerous webinars. John Wyborn, Co-founder and Director of Bluewater John is the Director of Crew and Training at Bluewater Yachting, a yacht brokerage, charter, and management company, as well as a provider of crew training and placement services. He is also a board member of the Professional Yachting Association (PYA) and the International Association of Maritime Institutions (IAMI), where he serves as Chairman of IAMI’s influential Small Ship subgroup. Additionally, John sits on the boards of both the Merchant Navy Training Board and the Maritime Skills Alliance. After university, John joined the Royal Navy as a seaman officer and served on various vessels, including frigates and destroyers, eventually commanding HMS Mentor, a navigation and seamanship training vessel, where he trained Royal Navy personnel and foreign navies. Joey Meen, Director of the International Association of Maritime Institutions (IAMI), Director of the IAMI GUEST Program, and President of the Superyacht Alliance for Professional Standards. With over 30 years of experience, Joey is a prominent figure in the yachting industry, having been instrumental in advancing yacht education and training, managing RYA and MCA training schools in the UK and France, and later serving for 15 years as the Director of Training Development & Certification at the Professional Yachting Association (PYA). Joey founded the GUEST Program (Guidelines for Excellence in Superyacht Training) launched in 2013 and under IAMI's governance, with over 36 accredited training providers offering more than 40 courses globally. She has also spearheaded initiatives like the RYA Personal Water Craft for Super Yachts, the RYA Super Yacht Tender Operators course, and the SYBAss-led Yacht Owners Representative Program. Actively engaged in shaping yacht education, Joey's motivation extends to influencing industry standards through collaborations with key associations such as PYA, MCA, RYA, IAMI, and SYBAss. Angela Wallace, Director of Purser Trainer Purser Trainer offers one-to-one, blended online VLE training for Pursers onboard Super Yachts. The Purser program is fully accredited under IAMI & GUEST, and Angie is shortly launching the new IAMI GUEST Accredited Mental Wellbeing Course. Angie is also the PYA Director of Interior Training volunteers as head of the PYA Welfare Group. Her passion is not only for training present and aspiring Pursers, but also for supporting and ensuring crew welfare across the board. Ajit Jacob, Chief Examiner, UK Seafarer Services, and Head of Seafarer Technical Policy for the maritime and Coastguard Agency Ajit is the Chief Examiner for MCA and has been in the role since 2018. He joined the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in 2013, after spending 17 years in the Merchant Navy. During his career at sea, he served as Officer on Aframax Tankers and VLCC’s and as Chief Officer and Master on Ro-Pax Ferries. He joined MCA as Examiner of Mates and Masters with the Seafarer Training Branch. Thereafter, he joined the Marine Office as a Surveyor, carrying out Surveys, Audits, and Port State Control Inspections on a broad range of vessels. In his current role as Chief Examiner, Ajit is actively involved in the Seafarer training modernisation programme being coordinated by the MCA. Ajit has a master's in international Commercial Law, is an Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute, Member of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers and Younger Brother of the Trinity House. Julian Smith, Principal Surveyor - Cayman Islands Shipping Registry After graduating from University, Julian joined Lloyd’s Register in 2004 as a Surveyor in the Yacht and Special Service Craft Department. In 2014, he joined the Fire & Safety Plan Appraisal Department as Lead Specialist (Yachts) and was responsible for the appraisal of plans and documentation for various superyacht projects. In 2017, he joined the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry and is now responsible for the survey and certification of superyachts from both a new build and in-service perspective and specialises in passenger yachts. He also acts in the capacity of Code Secretariat for the REG Yacht Codes and participates in various industry working groups regarding regulatory development. Julian is a Chartered Engineer and Member of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects. Gerard Griffiths, Professional in maritime safety and training, delivering STCW courses, Seascope France Ged Griffiths is a seasoned professional in maritime safety and training, delivering STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping) courses for Seascope France. His extensive background includes service in the Navy and a distinguished career in the UK firefighting service, where he was based at one of the busiest stations in the country. Drawing on his wealth of experience and expertise, Ged now dedicates himself to educating future seafarers, sharing the critical knowledge and skills he has acquired throughout his career. Mark Savona, Safety Coordinator, Technical Department, Transport Malta (TM) Mark Savona is a Safety Coordinator at the Technical Department of Transport Malta’s Merchant Shipping Directorate. His focus and responsibility for the last nine years has been in ensuring that Maltese registered commercial yachts comply with the required safety standards established in Malta’s Commercial Yacht Codes, as well as assisting with the implementation and development of the Codes with Classification Societies, Government Surveyors, Yacht Builders and Managers. Pierre Luc-Lecompte, Senior Maritime Affairs Administrator, Division of “State Action at Sea”, Head of the Marine Protection and Sustainable Development Unit, French Maritime Administration (Préfet Maritime de la Méditerranée) Pierre-Luc Lecompte is a distinguished maritime administrator, currently serving as Deputy to the Head of the State Action at Sea Division for the Maritime Prefecture of the Mediterranean in Toulon, since July 2023. In this role, he leads the regulatory, maritime activities, and marine environment offices, overseeing strategic dossiers for the entire Mediterranean coast. His responsibilities include managing teams of both military and civilian personnel, and steering the revision of the Mediterranean strategic plan, offshore wind farm planning for 2033 and 2050, and expanding protected marine zones. Richard Falk, Director of Training and Qualifications for the Royal Yachting Association Born in Australia, Richard spent much of his childhood in, on or under the water. He continued with his passion for the sea as he moved into adulthood before finally giving up a successful corporate management career 24 years ago to turn his passion for the sea into a career, becoming a commercial master for both sail and power vessels under 200 gt. He went on to work in various parts of the world and has skippered many of the major international yacht races, including around-the-world events. For the last 12 years, he has had responsibility for the management of the RYA’s Training schemes and publications business globally as the Director of Training and Qualifications. Richard works closely with the government, both in the UK and abroad, as well as with other boating governing bodies, making sure their qualifications are as widely recognised abroad as possible. Gregory Romano, Managing Director, Romano Energy Gregory Romano is a visionary entrepreneur and president of Romano Energy, a pioneering company in the production of sustainable synthetic biofuels. Founded in Monaco in 1896, the company has evolved from the fossil fuel sector to become a 100% petroleum-free fuel producer. In 2009, under Gregory's leadership, Romano Energy launched the "ZEROFOSSIL`22" program, aiming to eliminate all use of fossil fuels by 2020, a goal successfully achieved. Today, Romano Energy transforms various waste materials, such as recycled plastics and used oils, into synthetic biofuels, contributing to CO2 reduction and the circular economy. Gregory is firmly committed to combating climate change by promoting energy solutions that eliminate dependence on fossil resources. Under his leadership, the company continues to innovate, providing clean and sustainable fuel solutions to meet the current and future needs of industries. Samuel Harper, IHO assistant director for Survey and Operations and the Secretary to the Crowdsourced Bathymetry Working Group Sam Harper is IHO assistant director for Survey and Operations and the Secretary to the Crowdsourced Bathymetry Working Group. He was previously Head of Hydrographic Programmes at the UK Hydrographic Office and has worked in international development and policy-making in the UK government. He has helped over 25 nations globally to build their national hydrographic infrastructure. As part of his current role, he is also the permanent secretary to GEBCO and the IHO representative to the Hydrographic Surveys Working Group. Supporting sponsors for the 2024 Sea Changes Forum VSF Group VSF has been providing the finest wines to the yachting community for 30 years. With over 30,000 bottles in stock, we offer immediate availability of many of the world’s finest wines. Our wine experts work around the clock to answer your enquiries and we have our own fleet of vans and drivers to ensure that the wines get to you on time and in perfect condition. Macor & Yachtelec (Amarix Group) Yachtelec & Macor Yacht Repairs are part of the Amarix Group and trusted partners of the PYA and of prestigious brands in the yachting industry. With 800m² workshops in La Ciotat shipyard and 30 skilled collaborators, including a design office and project managers, they handle extensive refit projects with expertise. Bluewater Bluewater has been training and recruiting crew for over 30 years and is dedicated to ensuring a high level of excellence in the industry. Our comprehensive services cover all aspects of yachting, including yacht management, charter services, and yacht sales. Committed to innovation and service excellence, Bluewater continues to lead the way in the yachting industry, with our recently launched yachting app for everything a seafarer needs to manage their career. IAMI / Guest Program The International Association of Maritime Institutions (IAMI) is the largest network of maritime colleges and universities, with a century-long history of collaboration. While it began in the UK, IAMI has expanded globally in the past decade, and now welcomes maritime education and training providers worldwide. Its core mission is to facilitate communication and collaboration across all maritime industries between regulators, employers, and educational bodies involved in delivering maritime training. MYBA MYBA is an international professional organisation, founded in 1984, with both Corporate and Individual Members. The Association's mission is to inspire, support and empower people in the superyacht industry to be their best: by maintaining business at the highest level of ethical conduct, committing to equality and diversity, protecting the environment, sharing knowledge and combining strengths, building strong relationships, and continuously developing, both professionally and personally. Romano Energy Romano Energy specialises in bespoke designs for the yachting industry. Provide your yachts with clean energy, free of smoke and odor, while preserving the marine environment. Seascope France Seascope France, an award-winning superyacht crew training centre based in Antibes, offers high-quality MCA, RYA, and IAMI / GUEST approved entry-level and advanced courses for new and experienced crew. Amico & CO Amico & Co is a full-service refit shipyard servicing and refitting superyachts <140m LOA. Amongst the leading companies in the sector globally, founded in 1991, with a 90% international clientele, on average 130 projects are completed every year. With in-house departments and a 4000T ShipLift, it offers covered dry-docking for yachts <100m LOA and operates a 26-berth facility, Waterfront Marina. The PYA will be sharing various updates and insights throughout the day using the #SeaChanges hashtag across all social media platforms. Internet users can participate in discussions using the hashtag to share various perspectives on yachting. We look forward to welcoming you to Monaco for a day of meaningful discussion, networking, and collaboration at the 2024 Sea Changes Forum. If you have any questions related to this year’s event please contact us: office@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 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 PYA Christmas Ball 2024 Highlights The PYA Christmas Ball, held on 6 December 2024, was an exceptional evening celebrating the yachting community in style. This year’s theme, Peaky Blinders meets Downton Abbey, provided the perfect blend of elegance and vintage charm, creating a truly memorable atmosphere. Read more

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