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If you’re an aspiring crew member looking to work in the small commercial vessel sector, then the Trinity House RYA Yachtmaster™ Scholarship could help fund your career progression.  Advance your career with the Trinity House RYA Yachtmaster Scholarship To All news 28 February 2020 If you’re an aspiring crew member looking to work in the small commercial vessel sector, then the Trinity House RYA Yachtmaster™ Scholarship could help fund your career progression. Since its launch in 2018, the scholarship has helped 12 candidates further their careers by funding further training in one of the eligible RYA courses and qualifications . This training in navigation and seamanship is a vital part of many crew members’ maritime education and mandatory for career progression. Due to the high level of employment opportunities in this area, the RYA and Trinity House hope to boost the careers of many aspiring boaters across a wide variety of activities, including those working in the superyacht industry. The RYA’s Director of Training, Richard Falk, said, ‘it has long been the case that RYA qualifications form the cornerstone of the small commercial vessel sector and it’s essential for the marine industry to invest in top talent to remain the highly regarded industry it is today. With the deadline for applications for the next scholarship coming up soon, we encourage all yacht crew (UK citizens) who can demonstrate exceptional boating, navigation or leadership skills to apply. More details about the scholarship and eligibility criteria. 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

Support and Advice are available to members and potential new members to provide professional advice and one-to-one support to seafarers in yachting. Support and Advice to obtaining your NOE, CoC, Action Plan, Revalidation and Conversion. The PYA offers one-to-one advice on matters relating to sea service, certification, and examination. The PYA encourages and mentors new entrants into professional yachting, as well as offers career advice to experienced crew. The PYA staff can assist crew at all stages of their careers, including updates on qualifications, career mapping, CV advice, help with applications for NoEs, Training Record Books, Action Plans, Registering into the SV Program, and more. If you need such support, then please contact the Antibes office to discuss your situation. Email: srb@pya.org Need to apply for an MCA NOE, CoC, Conversion, Flag State Endorsement, Revalidation, or Action Plan? We can help you. If you are a Full or Associate member, this service is included in your membership and you can contact the Sea Service team at srb@pya.org to help you. If you are in Antibes and would like to make an appointment, please contact srb@pya.org Send your applications to the Engineering team at the MCA. Processing times for new applications are: NOE - 35 days NOE Resits - 35 days CoC - 21 days Ratings - 35 days Existing applications on hold: If you have sent us additional documents following your application being assessed, they aim to reprocess your application within 7-10 days. Included in all paid memberships Become a member Career Advice & support Support and Advice are available to members and potential new members to provide professional advice and one-to-one support to seafarers in yachting. Support and Advice to obtaining your NOE, CoC, Action Plan, Revalidation and Conversion. To All services Discover our plans to get access to all the services we provide. Become a member

After two years of discussions, the main orders prohibiting mooring in the French protected areas of the Mediterranean have been published. This means that yachts will have to anchor further from the shore and beaches. The three main yachting associations: PYA, ECPY and GEPY met recently with the services of the Maritime Prefecture, to discuss the new regulation and its implementation. French regulations regarding anchorage and Posidonia – Updated To All news 1 April 2021 After two years of discussions, the main orders prohibiting mooring in the French protected areas of the Mediterranean have been published. This means that yachts will have to anchor further from the shore and beaches. The three main yachting associations: PYA, ECPY and GEPY met recently with the services of the Maritime Prefecture, to discuss the new regulation and its implementation. The maritime authorities The maritime authorities recognise, the positive economic impact of the yachting industry on the Mediterranean coasts, as well as the efforts of yachting professionals to protect the environment.The three associations raised concerns regarding the complexity of the new rules and the need to implement clear information campaigns about the implementation of the rules (up-to-date charts, etc.). Key facts The maritime authorities will encourage the creation of organized buoy fields and moorings, with public as well as private funding. These facilities will be under the responsibility of land-based authorities and local communities. In case of adverse weather, the authorities have confirmed that safety and security will take precedence. Vessels that may take shelter in forbidden zones (Posidonia meadows) may be required to provide justification for their decision. The maritime authorities are attempting to speed up the update of the new charts published by SHOM. It is also understood that messages regarding the anchoring rules will be broadcasted through CROSSMED, both in French and in English. It is understood that the restricted areas will also be displayed on the Donia application. There are areas such as the beach of Pampelonne in Saint Tropez/Ramatuelle where the regulations are not yet clarified. The authorities have indicated that, in future regulation, they will adopt a limitation of mooring time to 72 hours. This will not apply to yachts in routine operation, with crew on board, but rather to vessels left without supervision and presenting a risk of stranding. To enable this management of mooring times, the Maritime Prefecture has agreed to establish a list of yachts (24-45m) benefiting from an implicit renewal every 72 hours, for the whole season. Unlike the Spanish or Italian authorities, France elected to sanction the position of the vessel itself. This can lead to serious consequences as the maritime infraction can amount to 150,000€, whereas the environmental infraction is "only" a hundred euros. In addition, several of the means to be used to establish potential offences, such as human observation from aircrafts, boats or land-based platforms can lead to arbitrary decisions. PYA, ECPY and GEPY will continue to work closely with the maritime authorities (Préfecture maritime de Méditerranée), to propose a joint Préfecture maritime / Yachting professionals observatory to monitor incidents during the season. Anchorage regulations: Doc 1 .pdf Download PDF • 2.76MB Doc 2 .pdf Download PDF • 2.71MB Doc 3 .pdf Download PDF • 2.82MB Doc 4 .pdf Download PDF • 3.57MB Doc 5 .pdf Download PDF • 2.01MB Doc 6 .pdf Download PDF • 600KB For further information, please visit the website of the Préfecture Maritime de la Mediterranée: https://www.premar-mediterranee.gouv.fr Watch our webinar now: More news 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 recent Yachting Aftersales and Refit Experience (YARE) event in Italy brought captains, yacht managers and other stakeholders, together for a lively discussion on a critical topic: The Human Capital – Finding the Right People. YARE 2024: Captains Brainstorm Solutions for Finding the Right People To All news 3 April 2024 The recent Yachting Aftersales and Refit Experience (YARE) event in Italy brought captains, yacht managers and other stakeholders, together for a lively discussion on a critical topic: The Human Capital – Finding the Right People . The session, hosted by CEO Christophe Bourillon and Operations Manager Kim Llorente from the Professional Yachting Association (PYA), tackled challenges faced by captains who are increasingly responsible for managing complex crew needs, but may not have all the necessary resources. The 90-minute session proved to be an excellent discussion that brought up not only issues that seem to be more and more recurring among captains, but also some innovative ideas and solutions. Here are the key takeaways: Standardization is Needed: Captains are calling for a more standardized approach to everything from crew recruitment and training to crew and yacht management. This would help streamline processes and ensure a higher level of professionalism across the industry. Captains Need More Support: The role of captains has grown significantly, and they often lack the proper training and tools to manage crew effectively. The industry needs to invest in education (for both crew and owners), workshops and training on self-development and mental health, and clearer communication to manage expectations. The PYA will build on the YARE discussions and initiate some of these ideas starting from the participants in the room and sharing the projects with anyone in the industry who wishes to be involved and be part of the change. If you want to join these discussions, please email us at info@pya.org If you want to bring substantial contribution, please consider becoming a member or partner of the PYA here https://www.pya.org/plans 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

NLab™ is a Think Tank of Next-Generation Technologies & Innovation for the Global Yachting Industry. NLab™ has pioneered cutting-edge solutions for the industry's digital transformation. With a rich history of innovation, NLab™ continues to lead the way in driving technological advancements tailored to the unique needs of the maritime and yachting sectors. Contact Information: Phone: +34 663 08 29 49 Email: nlab@navozyme.com Website: www.n-lab.io NLab™ - Navozyme™ NLab™ is a Think Tank of Next-Generation Technologies & Innovation for the Global Yachting Industry. Visit website Back to All Partners Become a member and enjoy the exclusive offers from our partners. Become a member

Octo Marine is the market leader in the design, supply, and maintenance of water treatment products and services for the marine industry. We offer watermakers, softeners, drinking systems, pumps, water sterilization services, water analysis, and more. Accredited to ISO 9001:2015 and 14001:2015 standards, Octo Marine is the market leader in the design, supply, and maintenance of water treatment products and services for the marine industry. We offer watermakers, softeners, drinking systems, pumps, water sterilisation services, water analysis, and more. With our headquarters in the South of France, our technicians can intervene from Marseille to Genoa, and further afield by request. We also have an office in Barcelona, and we have agents in Palma de Mallorca, Fort Lauderdale, Greece and Thailand. Services Water analysis Watermaker supply, maintenance and repair Water Softeners Drinking systems Sterilisation systems Consumables Special offer for members With the purchase of the Octo Marine Slimline drinking system, we offer PYA members 1 free set of the 5 replacement filters. Please quote your PYA member number and expiry date with your purchase. Contact information Octo Marine International info@octomarine.net +33(0) 4 93 65 04 84 www.octomarine.com Octo Marine Barcelona tom@octomarine.net +33 (0)6 74 70 60 96 Octo Marine Octo Marine is the market leader in the design, supply, and maintenance of water treatment products and services for the marine industry. We offer watermakers, softeners, drinking systems, pumps, water sterilization services, water analysis, and more. Visit website Back to All Partners With the purchase of the Octo Marine Slimline drinking system, we offer PYA members 1 free set of the 5 replacement filters. Please quote your PYA member number and expiry date with your purchase. Become a member and enjoy the exclusive offers from our partners. Become a member

The PYA is partnering with Genoa Superyacht Hub (GSH) to develop a number of initiatives in support of yacht crew commencing in March 2024. PYA and Genoa Superyacht Hub to launch joint initiatives in 2024 To All news 26 February 2024 The PYA is partnering with Genoa Superyacht Hub (GSH) to develop a number of initiatives in support of yacht crew commencing in March 2024. As part of the new partnership, the PYA and GSH will work together on a new event, Yachties Career Day, specifically designed for crew in the Genoa region of Italy. The event will bring together prominent recruiters and trainers in the sector, providing unique networking opportunities for yacht crew and expert educators where they will be able to meet face-to-face. “Our new joint event in Genoa, Italy is just the beginning as we look forward to bringing crew together for Yachties Career Day. This new initiative will support Italian as well as international crew across the region,” said Kim Llorente, Operations Manager for the PYA. Attendees of the event will benefit from: Speed dating to get matched up with employment opportunities. Advice and career progression from the PYA and training providers in attendance. Specialist information on training: Learning about training programmes that can elevate career prospects. Amico & Co and Pesto Sea Group, part of GSH, aim to establish Genoa as an international hub for yachts in the coming years ahead. Genoa Superyacht Hub, offers one of the leading refit shipyards in the world, located next to a brand new marina, the Waterfront Marina, an integral part of Renzo Piano’s Waterfront city development and minutes away from the city’s historical centre, an Unesco World Heritage Site. The world renowned yacht agency also organizes events, a wide array of industry-specific courses, and provides assistance to crew in town. This new partnership underlines Genoa's strategic role as a Mediterranean hub of international excellence in the yachting industry with PYA and GSH seeking to support yacht crew through career development and networking in the region. The first Yachties Career Day is scheduled for Tuesday, 19 March, from 8.30am to 4.30pm, taking place at the Genova Waterfront Marina – P.le John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 1, Genoa. Registrations are now open for the event which can be booked online . 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

The Yacht Deck Career path under the Maltese Flag is now complete with Transport Malta announcing the publication of the Master on Yachts less than 3000GT Reg. II/2. Malta now issuing CoC's for Master under 3000 GT To All news 10 August 2022 The Yacht Deck Career path under the Maltese Flag is now complete with Transport Malta announcing the publication of the Master on Yachts less than 3000GT Reg. II/2. In order to be eligible to undergo examinations leading to a certificate of competency as Master on Yachts less than 3000 GT (STCW Regulation II/2) you will need to hold one of the following recognised qualifications: A recognised Certificate of Competency as Chief Mate on yachts less than 3000 GT (STCW Regulation II/2) or A recognised Certificate of Competency as Master on yachts less than 500 GT (STCW Regulation II/2) or A recognised Certificate of Competency attesting a higher capacity than those mentioned above. In addition, the sea service required to be eligible for the CoC MoY <300GT, at a minimum, the individual must have accumulated either: A total of 24 Months of approved seagoing service 24 months as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch on vessels not less than 24 m LOA or 80 GT in length whilst holding a certificate of competency as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch on yachts less than 3000 GT or a higher qualification, of which, at least *3 months in the capacity of Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch on vessels over 500 GT or A total of 15 Months of approved seagoing service 12 months as Chief Mate on vessels not less than 24 m LOA or 80 GT whilst holding a certificate of competency as Chief Mate on yachts less than 3000 GT or as Master on yachts less than 500 GT or a higher qualification; and *3 months in the capacity of Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch or Chief Mate on vessels over 500 GT, whilst holding a certificate of competency as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch on yachts less than 3000 GT or higher or A total of 12 Months of approved seagoing service 12 months as Chief Officer on vessels over 500 GT whilst holding a certificate of competency as Chief Mate on yachts less than 3000 GT or Master on yachts less than 500 GT or a higher qualification or A total of 15 Months of approved seagoing service 12 months as Master on yachts not less than 24 m LOA or 80 GT whilst holding a certificate of competency as Master on yachts less than 500 GT; and *3 months in the capacity of Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch or Chief Mate on vessels over 500 GT, whilst holding a certificate as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch less than 3000 GT or higher. The above-mentioned seagoing service required for the qualification should be interpreted as onboard service (the time spent signed on a yacht , irrespective of the vessel activity ). *Seagoing service shall be accumulated within 5 years preceding the submission of an application for the issue of a certificate of competency as Master on Yachts less than 3000 GT. All courses on the Yacht Deck Career path under the Maltese Flag are available at MaritimeMT . If you have further questions, please contact info@maritimemt.edu.mt 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 here to find the answers to all of your questions and more on our new Digital Service Record Book. Learn everything you need to know about our new DIGITAL SRB To All news 10 March 2021 When will the D-SRB be released to me? Since the official release date, we will be generating the D-SRB to members files being processed and to those we have handled since Covid, by reviewing each file individually. How will I know when it is ready for me to download? You will receive an email notification and you will see an orange banner on your documents tab in your PYA profile. Where will I see it? It will be the first line in the documents list, in the documents tab, in your PYA profile. What are the requirements for the D-SRB to be issued successfully? Only PDF type files are accepted; Documents in multiple pages need to be in one file; Different certificates/testimonials need to be separated into different files (one document per file); Upload a passport photo to your profile; The text in the documents must be clear and visible. Failure of complying with the requirements will lead to the documents being declined and your file being put into pending until the issue is solved. What documents will be in the new D-SRB? Any certificates or testimonials that have NOT already been entered into the physical SRB and that have been approved by an SRB Officer.We are not transferring information from the old SRB to the new system. What will happen to the physical SRB? If your SRB is currently stored in our office, you will be contacted by staff to arrange the delivery of your SRB to you. You can accelerate the process by contacting certificates@pya.org directly. If you are in possession of your SRB, you can keep it and use it together with the Digital SRB when necessary. If I already have a physical SRB, will I always need to use both SRB and D-SRB when applying to the MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency)? No, you will not. For those members who have not recently applied for a new COC or Revalidation, they might have entries both in the SRB and D-SRB that are relevant to their next application, but once they have been used, all future relevant entries will be in the D-SRB only. How do I apply for an NOE or Revalidation now? All NOE and Revalidation applications need to be sent to the MCA by email as per MIN 655. You need to have your Digital SRB available in your profile before you can apply to the MCA for an NOE, so that you can download it and include it in your email to the MCA. Please do not copy PYA in the emails. If you are applying for your first NOE (first CoC with the MCA) then you need to send your original documents to the MCA by post as well (except the D-SRB of course).If all your required sea time (or part of it) is in a physical SRB, please contact us for a digitally stamped copy of your physical SRB so you can send that by email instead of by post. Is the D-SRB safe? The D-SRB is protected by a digital seal that safeguards the document from changes and contains PYA information so that for whoever receives the document is authentic and valid. Will I have access to the D-SRB even if my membership expires? By GDPR regulation we are allowed to retain copies of your documents on our system for a maximum of 5 years since your membership has expired. If you will require a copy of your D-SRB during that period, we can send you one by email by contacting certificates@pya.org . After the deadline, all your records (the D-SRB as well) will be deleted. We advise you always download a copy of your most recent D-SRB, but you will be notified 30-days before your account and records will be deleted. 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