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The management consultant, Peter Drucker, famously said: "Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things." Captains - Common Leadership Issues On Board To All news 11 May 2021 Putting this into context, leadership coach Martin Mainey steps on board to answer some common questions raised by captains in relation to their crew. Read the full story More news Upcoming Webinar: Water Safety On Yachts The Professional Yachting Association is pleased to invite yacht crew and industry professionals to an upcoming live webinar dedicated to Water Safety On Yachts, taking place on 10 June 2026 from 15:00 to 16:00CET. Led by recognised experts in water management and regulatory compliance, this session will explore the common bacteria found in vessel water systems, the risks they pose to crew, guests and operations, and the practical measures that can be implemented to maintain safe onboard water standards. Read more Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more 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

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 Upcoming Webinar: Water Safety On Yachts The Professional Yachting Association is pleased to invite yacht crew and industry professionals to an upcoming live webinar dedicated to Water Safety On Yachts, taking place on 10 June 2026 from 15:00 to 16:00CET. Led by recognised experts in water management and regulatory compliance, this session will explore the common bacteria found in vessel water systems, the risks they pose to crew, guests and operations, and the practical measures that can be implemented to maintain safe onboard water standards. Read more Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more 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

Due to the ongoing drought conditions at the Panama Canal, the local authorities have updated their guidance on restrictions for yachts seeking to transit over the coming months. Yachts and small boats to experience extensive delays transiting Panama Canal To All news 11 October 2023 Due to the ongoing drought conditions at the Panama Canal, the local authorities have updated their guidance on restrictions for yachts seeking to transit over the coming months. A shipping advisory has been released warning vessels under 125 feet in length (38.1M) that they will experience significant delays with an extended period of the dry season now forecast to last an additional 2 months in the region. For yachts that are using the Panama Canal Linehandlers, locomotives and Canal transit over 125 feet in length, they can book their transit ahead of time. However, delays are also forecast due to the limited capacity for shipping. As of 1st November, the number of vessels being allowed to transit through the Panama Canal will be reduced to 31 per day (a reduction from 32 currently). Yachts are being encouraged to book their transit as early as possible so that they can avoid extensive delays. The unusual dry season caused by El Niño has been affecting the world’s busiest shipping lane which accounts for 40% of global cargo transit at sea. Opening in 1914, the Panama Canal transformed global shipping routes, reducing the time it took to transport goods from the Pacific to the Atlantic by up to 5 months. Following the expansion of global shipping lanes post WW1 and WW2, today the Panama Canal plays a vital role in the world economy. To get the latest guidance see the resources below to prepare your transit: Yacht and Small Craft Transits While Water Conservation Measures are in Effect / A-44-2023: Download Modifications to the Rules that Govern the Transit Reservation System / A-42-2023: Download More news Upcoming Webinar: Water Safety On Yachts The Professional Yachting Association is pleased to invite yacht crew and industry professionals to an upcoming live webinar dedicated to Water Safety On Yachts, taking place on 10 June 2026 from 15:00 to 16:00CET. Led by recognised experts in water management and regulatory compliance, this session will explore the common bacteria found in vessel water systems, the risks they pose to crew, guests and operations, and the practical measures that can be implemented to maintain safe onboard water standards. Read more Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more 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

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 Upcoming Webinar: Water Safety On Yachts The Professional Yachting Association is pleased to invite yacht crew and industry professionals to an upcoming live webinar dedicated to Water Safety On Yachts, taking place on 10 June 2026 from 15:00 to 16:00CET. Led by recognised experts in water management and regulatory compliance, this session will explore the common bacteria found in vessel water systems, the risks they pose to crew, guests and operations, and the practical measures that can be implemented to maintain safe onboard water standards. Read more Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more 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

Antibes, 20th June 2022 - Last Thursday, the Prefecture Maritime issued a new regulation regulating the mooring time for ships in French Med territorial waters (link to the regulation in the article). Anchoring in the French Med - New regulation (16/06/22) To All news 20 June 2022 Antibes, 20th June 2022 - Last Thursday, the Prefecture Maritime issued a new regulation regulating the mooring time for ships in French Med territorial waters The Regulation According to existing regulation (Art.3): - All yachts exceeding 80 meters are required to seek anchoring authorisation by calling the CROSS. These authorisations are provided for 24 hour periods, renewable. - All yachts exceeding 45 meters but less than 80 meters are required to declare anchoring intentions. Art. 4 introduces the new regulation: Art. 4.1 and 4.2 indicate that yachts smaller than 45 meters are not required to seek authorisations or declare anchoring intentions. They can anchor for up to 72 hours, renewable. They must maintain appropriate watch. What should be Art.4.3 (there are two Art. 4.2. - obviously a typo) introduces the real important matter: "The duration of the anchoring can be reduced by maritime authorities for reasons related to maritime safety, traffic or environmental protection". Analysis of the new regulation by the PYA CEO We understand that this new regulation is not targeted at professional yachts but to smaller vessels owned by holidaymakers who leave their boat at anchor for weeks or months with no crew or no watch. This is also targeted at a number of well-known vessels at anchor for months or years on end (there is one of these in the bay of Golfe Juan). For the past couple of years, the PYA has been developing and cultivating a very good working relationship with French authorities in general and with the Prefecture Maritime in Toulon in particular. PYA members may remember that, during the last summer season, a number of yachts anchored in prohibited areas, mainly contravening the recent Posidonia anchoring regulation. Several of these yachts were repeat offenders, anchoring many times over a few days, in prohibited areas. During this period, the PYA and the Prefecture Maritime held a number of informal discussions on the matter. It appears that there were a fairly large number of instances when the authorities attempted to contact contravening yachts and found the yachts were not maintaining a proper listening watch. This new regulation may be used to prevent yachts not maintaining appropriate watch (e.g. not responding to VHF calls), from staying in the areas. Recommendation from the PYA Whenever possible, the PYA contacts yachts identified by the Prefecture Maritime as contravening regulations, to seek “their side of the story”. We did obtain confirmation from a number of captains that they “did not hear the radio calls”. One of the captains received a warning from the Gendarmerie Maritime who informed him that should he be caught re-offending repeatedly the Posidonia anchoring regulation OR not maintaining a proper watch, he would be banned from working in French waters. France is a country known for many things, one being the fact that they keep churning out new laws and regulations on a constant basis. This makes it sometimes very difficult for business, industry or operators to ensure compliance. However, in our case, it should be very easy for yachts to be compliant with Art. 4.2 of this new regulation. We urge all yachts to maintain appropriate watch, and ensure they anchor in authorised and safe areas. Link to the regulation More news Upcoming Webinar: Water Safety On Yachts The Professional Yachting Association is pleased to invite yacht crew and industry professionals to an upcoming live webinar dedicated to Water Safety On Yachts, taking place on 10 June 2026 from 15:00 to 16:00CET. Led by recognised experts in water management and regulatory compliance, this session will explore the common bacteria found in vessel water systems, the risks they pose to crew, guests and operations, and the practical measures that can be implemented to maintain safe onboard water standards. Read more Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more 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

An Update From The Bridge - an article written by the Captain's Committee of the ISS. The PYA’s mission is “to represent the interests of Professional Yacht Crew and to encourage and maintain the highest professional standards”. For this reason, we have been talking with Captains and crew in the yachting industry to better understand some of the current issues we are facing: Fatigue in Captaincy and PYA initiatives To All news 17 October 2024 The PYA’s mission is “to represent the interests of Professional Yacht Crew and to encourage and maintain the highest professional standards”. For this reason, we have been talking with Captains and crew in the yachting industry to better understand some of the current issues we are facing: Crew recruitment Low retention of crew on board Lack of career aspiration Lack of right training Generational gap Mental health During the Superyacht Forum in Amsterdam , and YARE in Viareggio , we’ve discussed these issues deeply and they all seem to stem from wrong expectations. Wrong expectations starting from the owner of the yacht to the new generation of crew wanting to get a foot on board. Captains find themselves more alone than ever, having to manage everyone’s (wrong) expectations. For this reason, the PYA has been working on several initiatives including: A completely revamped Member’s Area, which will integrate new services that will allow members to communicate on important matters through Forums; A WhatsApp Group for Captains and HODs called PYA Helm Circle for quick exchanges; A new team of experts on safety on board available to crew and industry stakeholders that you can reach on Telegram (be part of the group!) or by email onboardsafety@pya.org ; A series of discussions, meetings, articles and webinars on these topics to raise awareness. PYA member Capt. Herbert Magney shared with us this interesting article by the ISS Captain’s Committee that well summarises what Captains are going through. As the introduction highlights the “Progress Paradox” (if everything is better, why are the Captains and crew feeling worse?), the article delves into the various factors that lead to exhaustion. If you have any feedback or comments after reading this article, please don’t hesitate to reach us at info@pya.org to help us bring positive change into the yachting industry. An Update From The Bridge - an article written by the Captain's Committee of the ISS The International Superyacht Society (ISS) is the representative organisation of the Large yacht industry with a mission to; “ Promote Excellence and Ensure Sustainability in the Global Yachting Industry ”. Within the ISS are committees established to work towards this mission. The Captain’s Committee is a collective of current seafaring Captains from varying backgrounds and locations that work together to represent the concerns of yacht crew and Captains. Major projects include, the support for ISWAN and the launch of the yacht crew helpline www.superyachthelp.org and the publishing of issues of wide industry concern. In this first article, from the ISS Captains, is the unanimous view of the greatest challenge to today’s Yacht Captains is fatigue management. Their own and that of the Crews they lead. There is a sense that we, the Captains, are sitting on the greatest “Dirty Little Secret” in the yachting industry. In this article we will break out some of the reasons we feel this and that it is not constrained to any one size or segment within yachting. “A Symptom, not a Problem” As the Captains began sharing anecdotes, one in the committee members spoke up and asked if we were all looking at this the wrong way: “Is fatigue not a problem in itself but a just a symptom of the wider problems in modern yachting?” The penny dropped and the group on the call took a pause, ‘If fatigue that is such a concern is the symptom, what are the cause(s)?”. When looking for causes it became tricky as we have what could be called a “Progress Paradox”, in that everything is better, but the Captains and crews are feeling worse. Breaking this quandary to its components: The yachts have never been built better, and this extends to operational capability, environmental considerations and with MLC now well entrenched better accommodation and facilities for crew. The Crew are better trained, more professionally focused and their terms are better than in the past. Supporting companies are stronger, more comprehensive and staffed by more qualified personnel. So with all this, the industry’s performance must be ‘never-better’, right? Why then, are we, the Captains, feeling stretched like never before? There is no single answer of course, more layers of factors that when combined leave Captains and their Crews feeling physically and mentally exhausted trying to hold the tails of the ocean-going tigers they work within. The Culture The stakeholders in the larger maritime world, have had a decades long campaign a positive error culture, where all are empowered to speak out on safety. Parallels have been drawn with aviation and medical industries which have successfully increased safety and reduced costs by empowering staff to report and document their mistakes so their industries can learn from it. Excellent further reading on this can be found at: “Making Critical Decisions at Sea”, which was recently published by CHIRP and distributed by the Nautical Institute amongst others. Many yacht Captains feel the opposite situation is entrenched within their yachts. Captains do not feel empowered to openly state; “I am stretched to breaking point and fatigue is endangering myself and my crew.” The shore support teams rely and demand the Captain to have and execute the authority to operate the vessel safely. Does this extend to stopping the yacht when fatigue is placing crew at risk? If this is said there are too many cases where the resolution is to replace the non-cooperating Captain at the next opportunity that doesn’t impact the Owners enjoyment with another Captain that will accept the motto of yachting “Harden Up, Sleep later and deliver the Guest Experience”. Ironically, all the ISS Captains have been guilty of this view as it is how they entered the industry and it is ingrained in their DNA. Now the industry has outgrown this Neanderthal-ques view and the question is; How can this cycle be broken? Is this critical problem even known by the most important members of our yacht community, the Yacht Owners? The yachts that are being marketed are so capable that the crew cannot maintain them. Is there meaningful representation by the DPA to the highest levels of Ownership of this concern as required by the ISM code? The legislation has flexibility, and, in many cases, fatigue could be easily mitigated by sensible turnaround times or an industry wide education campaign, so guests understand the yachts are not resorts with shifts - there is only one crew. No harm, no foul is only going to work while the yachts ride their luck until some terrible tragedy shakes the industry out of our self-induced blindness where fees and commissions exceed a true commitment to safety. There are more incidents in yachting than are reported. This is a whispered, though well-known fact. Yes, the responsibility for reporting returns to the Captains, but when fatigue is a contributory factor there is no action, or worse the captain is held to improve the work rosters, something they have too little control over when the charter or private guest routines exceed what they can address with crew numbers available. It ought to be so easy to explain to an UHNWI that the commitment to crew rest is in place for the safety of themselves, their families, their asset and their crews. They are also in place to protect all in the operation against liability issues. It is beyond the capacity of the Captain, with their single source of income to speak out, Captains will buckle in deference to their job security. It takes an industry-wide commitment. The Yachts The wonderful new yachts are a privilege to call a workplace, but they are so capable that the crew struggle to keep up. This begins from the day of the launch where challenges range from storage, to cleaning to operation. The crew are brought on too late in construction to provide an operational perspective and then are instructed to ‘make it work’. A series of innocuous compromises in construction combine to make a workplace that is physically improbable to operate efficiently. An ISS Build Captain recently was asked to sail a 90m yacht from the shipyard 24 hours after taking delivery. The shipyard stated the ‘normal’ period post-delivery was 4 to 8 weeks. This time allows a completed yacht to be Seaworthy with crew trained, stores loaded, and the vessel secured. The Captain spoke out but none in the process would accept the concerns. This included the; owner, broker, shore side support company, and comfortingly the DPA. With such a start this yacht will struggle to truly ‘make it’ as a sustainable operation the stress and fatigue such a rushed delivery builds into the culture is hard to shake. Once in operation the yachts the yachts limp through guest periods. Crew openly talk of ‘just making it’ through several weeks with guests. To an outsider this may seem strange. “How hard can it be fetching drinks, making beds, driving people to the beach or wakeboarding? Hardly work at all, right?” The Yachting Industry promotes an unparalleled guest experience with everything on call and no limitations to the guests. This is not possible for those tasked to deliver this model. Too many times limited crew numbers have seafarers navigating and maintaining engine watches through the nights after full days of guest service. The Crew Career focused and trained crew are amazing but impatient. The ‘hop onboard for adventure’ that yachting once represented has been replaced by a more mercenary approach. Crew are well-informed on what remuneration, leave and entitlements they seek. This should be held up as a positive, though with an expectation of black and white employment terms yachting’s long-held refrain of working together for a single goal of guest benefit is waning. Tenure on yachts is measured in months and not years, this is a great cost to the industry in administration, training, accidental damage and of course the ultimate measure being the team performance to the guests. This alone should bring to question the way crew employment is being handled. Too often a crew member leaves as they are just tired and want a break, they then repeat the cycle again in their next employment. The ISS Captains understand this, and all are aware of their guilt in not having the time in their own days to speak to crew and guide them through their work routines and indeed their career decisions. “If only the time” seemed to be a common response to the conversation between Captains on how much time you really dedicate to speaking and listening to crew. The Shore Support Community There has never been better support. This extends through; forward-leaning management companies, recruitment firms, medical providers, trainers, IT firms and suppliers. So many professionals all knowledgeable and all passionate wishing to assist. The shortfall being all these companies want a piece of the Captain’s and Senior Crew’s time. There is an irony that everyone offering to make a Captain’s life easier actually takes just a little more of their time. Training is the one area all Captains say is lacking; however, it is not through lack of providers. Too many of the Captains speak of booking, re-booking and eventually cancelling valuable training due to lack of time or variations in the schedule making a booking improbable. Overlaid with the amount of support firms needing time (particularly on larger yachts) there are layers upon layers to gain basic operational decisions and the Captains now struggle under the weight of communicating to all. Lastly, in day-to-day operations the dance floor is full, however, what is also apparent when there is an incident of significance the Captain is alone. All the Captains are aware that it is the Captain that will be legally accountable when there is an incident involving serious casualty, discharge to the marine environment or damage to the vessel or a third party. The Solution We, the ISS Captains, as authors and concerned representatives of the yachting community would like to offer a simple solution, but if it were that simple it would already be in place. It is a multi-faceted problem that need multiple paths to find a solution Hidden within this article is a plea. A plea to those involved in selling (charter and private), design and construction to seek operational input and then use your respective voices to educate and manage client expectations. Even the largest of yachts are restricted in the resources that are available when in operation. Unlike shore residences, there is no second shift or the chance to parachute in five more staff to help out at peak times, in times of sickness or fatigue. This article speaks to the daily operations where fatigue becomes a symptom. There is another layer that is compounding this. There is a privilege afforded to yacht owners to determine the programme at their whim. This is certainly their right due to the investment made, however, for crew this results in a situation where they are unable to have a clear picture of when and where they may take their earned leave. Again, it is beholden to those in the higher levels of the yachting community that have direct access to Yacht Owners to make this stressor known to their clients. For the love of yachting the ISS Captains ask that we all become stakeholders in supporting our Captains and crew in this most critical aspect of their safety and performance. Sincerely, Your Fleet Captains More news Upcoming Webinar: Water Safety On Yachts The Professional Yachting Association is pleased to invite yacht crew and industry professionals to an upcoming live webinar dedicated to Water Safety On Yachts, taking place on 10 June 2026 from 15:00 to 16:00CET. Led by recognised experts in water management and regulatory compliance, this session will explore the common bacteria found in vessel water systems, the risks they pose to crew, guests and operations, and the practical measures that can be implemented to maintain safe onboard water standards. Read more Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more 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

The PYA in collaboration with Seascope France will launch a webinar this November covering lithium-ion battery awareness and a new training course based on the MCA’s MGN 681. © Jéan Cloete PYA to launch Lithium-ion Batteries webinar with Seascope France To All news 9 November 2023 The PYA in collaboration with Seascope France will launch a webinar this November covering lithium-ion battery awareness and a new training course based on the MCA’s MGN 681. The discussion will welcome a number of experts from across the yachting industry familiar with lithium-ion battery systems and their implementation on board yachts of various sizes. The webinar will also explore the important areas that underpin safety on vessels and the often overlooked component of lithium batteries including their role in the yachting industry. “Leading yacht industry experts will be taking part in our latest webinar with Seascope France to better understand the safety aspects of yacht management and lithium-ion batteries. This discussion follows a number of fires on yachts in recent months and will enable yacht crew to learn valuable insights on safety procedures. We want to thank Seascope France for working with us to arrange our latest webinar which will bring in-depth knowledge to the industry,” said Christophe Bourillon, CEO for the PYA. Yachting industry experts with years of experience in areas such as health & safety, fire & rescue training, the merchant navy, surveying and maritime law will share their unique insights. Discover our guest speakers Mr Kevin Howlette, Director of Ferndale Fire Ltd. and Emergency Fire & Safety Ltd Kevin is a Health & Safety Consultant who specialises in fire and rescue training. His companies specialise in providing cutting-edge solutions for extinguishing Lithium Ion Battery Fires, including robotics. Ferndale Fire Ltd is a Joint Venture between Emergency Fire & Safety Ltd from Belfast and Ferndale Lane Investments Ltd from Cork, London and Dublin. Working both locally and widely abroad, Kevin, a former member of the NIFRS, has extensive health and safety knowledge in the fire & rescue sector and a proven track record for managing and delivering training in his field. Master Mariner Gerard Pollock, who developed the course around the MCA’s MGN 681 Gerard Pollock is a Master Mariner who began his career in the merchant navy before entering yachting 20 years ago. Gerard has worked on several prominent yachts, including as Master on MY Musashi. Since moving ashore in 2016, Gerard has worked as a Port State Control Officer before joining the Pacific Maritime Safety Programme as a Maritime Advisor to governments in the South Pacific. Gerard is also an author and writes on maritime safety and regulation. His third book is due out from Witherby’s later this year. Captain Herbert Magney Herbert Magney is an active captain of a 135' private yacht and in the U.S.C.G. Auxiliary. He works with Sectors Miami and Boston Commanders in the Accident and Incident Investigation Branches. After launching a working group initially made up of members of the ISS, Captain Magney has worked with several flag and class surveyors plus various law firms, insurance underwriters and insurance providers. He has also led the creation of On Board Safety Management Plans and On Board Training for large and small vessels of various types of construction. Allan Love, MCA Policy Lead – Fire Safety & Engineering Allan Love represents the MCA on policy and works within the UK Technical Services Ship Standards. He is the main author for The MAC’s MGN 681. To take part in this webinar, you can reserve your place by booking via our event page . If you would like to host a webinar with the PYA, please contact us on info@pya.org with the subject ‘Webinar Partner’. We look forward to welcoming you to our latest webinar hosted by the PYA and Seascope France. To access our previous webinars, you can visit our website to see the latest discussions in the archive . More news Upcoming Webinar: Water Safety On Yachts The Professional Yachting Association is pleased to invite yacht crew and industry professionals to an upcoming live webinar dedicated to Water Safety On Yachts, taking place on 10 June 2026 from 15:00 to 16:00CET. Led by recognised experts in water management and regulatory compliance, this session will explore the common bacteria found in vessel water systems, the risks they pose to crew, guests and operations, and the practical measures that can be implemented to maintain safe onboard water standards. Read more Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more 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

The PYA is very pleased to share with you the good news that the French government has agreed to remove a significant portion of the yachting sector from its Décret Etat d’Accueil legislation, and the famous Cabotage Declaration issue we have been dealing with since the end of last year will no longer apply to commercial yachts that comply with the “70% rule”. Decret Etat d'Accueil To All news 20 June 2016 The PYA is very pleased to share with you the good news that the French government has agreed to remove a significant portion of the yachting sector from its Décret Etat d’Accueil legislation, and the famous Cabotage Declaration issue we have been dealing with since the end of last year will no longer apply to commercial yachts that comply with the “70% rule”. The letter recently sent to MYBA by Franck Dosne, Director of the Ports of Nice and Cannes. 201606 Letter from Director of ports of Nice and C (14) .pdf Download PDF • 93KB This law would have obliged Captains of all foreign flagged commercial yachts under 650 GT to complete official forms and supply supporting documentation to the authorities 72 hours prior to the start of any single voyage commencing in French waters. In addition to the usual ship documents and crew list, this legislation would have also required a copy of each crew member's SEA, a copy of each crew member's last pay slip and proof of each crew member's social security contribution. Having been alerted by MYBA to this potential minefield for yachts operating out of French ports, the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie leapt into action and the PYA, ECPY, GEPY and IYM quickly joined forces. Together, we lobbied the French government, with the support of MYBA’s French lawyers, Ince & Co. During two round-table meetings with various government bodies and numerous exchanges on the subject, we were able to make the case that the new legislation, in force since 1st November 2015 and applicable to all commercial maritime activity, should not apply to charter yachts whose main activity takes place outside French territorial waters. Congratulations and thanks are due to all those involved in achieving this extremely positive result, with special recognition to Franck Dosne, Director of the Ports of Cannes & Nice. It is testament to the power of joint lobbying that we were able to achieve this very positive result, in a relatively short space of time. This is yet another example of the type of work PYA does behind the scenes for the benefit of all those working on large yachts. More news Upcoming Webinar: Water Safety On Yachts The Professional Yachting Association is pleased to invite yacht crew and industry professionals to an upcoming live webinar dedicated to Water Safety On Yachts, taking place on 10 June 2026 from 15:00 to 16:00CET. Led by recognised experts in water management and regulatory compliance, this session will explore the common bacteria found in vessel water systems, the risks they pose to crew, guests and operations, and the practical measures that can be implemented to maintain safe onboard water standards. Read more Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more 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

Find out how you can learn the practical skills to measure and managing sustainability within the Superyacht industry. Sustainability Training for the Superyacht Industry To All news 5 November 2020 Since their launch, the PYA has been a proud supporter of the Water Revolution Foundation , the first independent, international, science-driven, non-profit organisation that is taking the lead to neutralise the ecological footprint of the superyacht industry and preserve the world’s precious oceans. In addition, following our initial message to members about The Foundation, there was a positive response and many members enquired about signing up their yachts to this initiative. At the beginning of the year, the Water Revolution Foundation declared that 2020 was the beginning of the decade of sustainability in yachting - a period where the industry would work together towards the United Nations’ 2030 agenda, guided by their Sustainable Development Goals. Since then, the Foundation has seen more companies becoming Water Revolution Foundation partners, but they also noticed a subsequent increase in questions surrounding the ‘how’ of sustainability....How do we improve? How do we ensure that our industry will be future proof? Sustainability Course for the Superyacht Industry For those looking to understand how to make practical changes – from measuring the environmental impact to creating a sustainability strategy – The Water Revolution Foundation's sustainability course was developed to do just that. The course is very pragmatic, provides useful tools and tips, and empowers participants to start their own sustainability programmes within their respective companies/roles. Held in five hours divided over two days, it’s the perfect way to get up to speed with sustainability. And you’ll be in good company. Over fifty industry professionals from leading companies have already taken the course to rave reviews. The course is run by the Centre for Sustainability & Excellence which has trained 90% of Fortune 500 companies. The next course takes place online on 19 and 20 November, from 2.00-4.30pm CET on both days. This will be their last course for 2020 so make sure you secure your spot. Learn more & register here. More news Upcoming Webinar: Water Safety On Yachts The Professional Yachting Association is pleased to invite yacht crew and industry professionals to an upcoming live webinar dedicated to Water Safety On Yachts, taking place on 10 June 2026 from 15:00 to 16:00CET. Led by recognised experts in water management and regulatory compliance, this session will explore the common bacteria found in vessel water systems, the risks they pose to crew, guests and operations, and the practical measures that can be implemented to maintain safe onboard water standards. Read more Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more 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

The EDH (Efficient Deckhand) requirement came into play as of the end of June 2015 when the new M-notice was published. This means that as from 01 January 2017, the EDH certificate must have been issued within 18 months prior to the issue of the Certificate of Competency for the OOW. Completing your EDH before your OOW To All news 8 June 2015 The EDH (Efficient Deckhand) requirement came into play as of the end of June 2015 when the new M-notice was published. This means that as from 01 January 2017, the EDH certificate must have been issued within 18 months prior to the issue of the Certificate of Competency for the OOW. So if you are planning to do your OOW in the future, please bear this information in mind. More news Upcoming Webinar: Water Safety On Yachts The Professional Yachting Association is pleased to invite yacht crew and industry professionals to an upcoming live webinar dedicated to Water Safety On Yachts, taking place on 10 June 2026 from 15:00 to 16:00CET. Led by recognised experts in water management and regulatory compliance, this session will explore the common bacteria found in vessel water systems, the risks they pose to crew, guests and operations, and the practical measures that can be implemented to maintain safe onboard water standards. Read more Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more 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