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International Luxury Training YACHT & VILLAS is a consulting & training provider with more than 15 years of experience based in Barcelona. Focused on education for the International Luxury Super Yacht and Villa segment, we have industry-recognized qualifications. We provide a full range of specific training courses for the Interior & Maritime areas Onboard, on-class, live sessions, on-site. We offer bespoke training tailored to your yacht or private state needs & requirements. Our training program is based on the Guest Superyacht Interior Training Program. All our courses are international recognized , and we follow the highest yacht industry standards of the G.U.E.S.T. Program & IAMI Association. Also, we provide consulting and recruitment services. Services 1. Training: you will learn standards for all levels of Yacht crew working in the hospitality & service Interior departments of a Super Yacht. All courses are available on class, online, on board or on site. a. For Junior Stewardess – entry level b. For Senior Stewardess – Advanced hospitality and specialist program c. For HoD and Chief Stewardess – Advanced Management program 2. Consulting: Performance managemet design and implement tailored to your yacht or Estate, create operation standards procedures, internal communication, job satisfaction, procedures optimization, improve productivity and guest experience, efficiency and effectiveness 3. Recruitment: we provide crew recruitment services, offering career opportunities and development adapting to our customer’s detailed requirements Contact information maytebruguera@barcelonacrew.com | training@barcelonacrew.com Call (+34) 63655398434 WhatsApp Website: https://www.barcelonacrewacademy.com/ Instagram: @barcelonacrewyacht https://www.instagram.com/barcelonacrewyacht/ Facebook: BarcelonaCrew Yacht Academy https://www.facebook.com/barcelonacrewyachtacademy/ International Luxury Training - Barcelona Crew Academy We are a consulting & training provider with more than 15 years of experience. We offer consulting services & bespoke training tailored to your yacht or private state needs & requirements. Our training program is based on the Guest Superyacht Interior Training Program. Visit website Back to All Partners 5% discount by using the discount code: 'PYABCN'. Become a member and enjoy the exclusive offers from our partners. Become a member

© Yuriy Kleymenov PYA joins Raising the Bar Think Tank with the Superyacht Alliance for Professional Standards To All news 14 September 2023 The PYA today is joining the Raising the Bar think tank of experts from across the superyacht industry to improve outcomes for yacht crew and support their careers. The initiative brings together key stakeholders and industry players to solve some of the emerging challenges facing yacht crew - identifying issues and putting forward suggestions to improve outcomes. This month, Raising the Bar unveiled a new platform that will provide detailed career maps for superyacht crew in all departments. Created in collaboration as a voluntary exercise and hosted by the Superyacht Alliance for Professional Standards, these career maps are designed to guide crew at every stage of their careers, from initial entry to progression through the ranks. For each department, the career maps have been thoroughly pieced together to provide an overview of each pathway, including timelines to help manage crew expectations regarding the realistic pace of progression. Each pathway also includes a comprehensive summary of the qualifications required at every stage, both mandatory and recommended, and in line with the International Association of Maritime Institutions (IAMI) and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA). These will be regularly updated as any changes arise. The goal will be to encourage training schools and recruitment companies to share these defined career maps with both prospective and existing crew to highlight the wide range of career options available within the superyacht industry. Senior crew will also have the opportunity to use these career maps as they mentor, support, and encourage their juniors to develop key skills. Christophe Bourillon, CEO of the PYA said: “We are very pleased to be participating in this project. It is one of the only working groups where the various parts of the industry are being represented to discuss different issues with the ultimate objective of benefitting yacht crew. We look forward to taking part in these discussions.” A key driver of the initiative is to engage, inspire and retain superyacht talent, with plans to extend the career maps to shore based roles offering guidance and support for crew ready to transition ashore. Among the members of the alliance include: PYA, Bluewater, Burgess, Camper & Nicholsons, Fraser Yachts, Hill Robinson, IAMI, Impact Crew, Isle of Man Ship Registry, Italian Yacht Masters, JPMA, Life After Yachting, MHG Insurance, MYBA, Northrop & Johnson, Ocean Independence, Purser Trainer, Reardon Yacht Consulting, The OM, Viking Recruitment, Watermark Yacht Management, Wilson Halligan, Yachtzoo, YPI Crew. A number of consultants and captains are also involved in sharing perspectives. With these discussions, the industry will be able to make more informed decisions and encourage owners, owner’s representatives and other key stakeholders to make improvements for the next generation of crew. Currently, crew turnover within the industry remains high. In Impact Crew’s 2015 survey, it was revealed that 78% and 69% of junior interior and deck crew, respectively, left within 12 months of taking on a new position. Average shoreside staff turnover rates are between 6 and 13 percent. The cost of replacing crew and staff runs far higher than the tangible expenses of recruitment, travel expenses and severance pay. There’s a raft of other costs that fly under the radar. By appreciating and addressing issues facing crew and finding a range of solutions, Raising the Bar aims to engage, Inspire & retain superyacht talent. More news Kickstart Your Yachting Career: Next Generation in Yachting Forum on May 3rd, 2024 This is the first forum ever created for the next generation of yacht crew. Representatives from top recruitment agencies and other yacht professionals, will be joining to answer your questions and guide you on your yachting journey. Read more PYA to Address Crew Concerns at Palma Boat Show Panel The PYA is excited to announce their participation in a panel discussion on “Crew Careers, Retention, Health and Wellbeing” at the upcoming Superyacht Breakfast Seminars by Estela Superyacht Agency during the Palma Boat Show. Read more YARE 2024: Captains Brainstorm Solutions for Finding the Right People 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. Read more

​ PYA Verification Procedure and MCA Applications To All news 1 October 2020 Our team at the PYA office in Antibes works continuously to verify sea service testimonials for our members around the world (in peak times, up to 400 per month!). Due to the large number of crew and testimonials that we verify, it’s important that to understand and follow the correct process below when submitting your testimonials to us. We have also included some guidelines for submitting your applications to the MCA online. A step-by-step guide to verifying your sea time: 1. Upload your testimonial documents to your member profile on the PYA website, making sure all details are correct, the responsible's person email address is valid and filled-in following our guidelines. 2. When you upload your documents, your file goes into a queue for verification with our Sea Service team. 3. When your file gets to the team, your testimonials are checked for possible issues, including inconsistencies, missing info, errors. To improve the efficiency and speed at which we process your testimonials, make sure all details are correct before uploading your documents to your profile. 4. If errors are found in your testimonials, we contact you for clarification/correction. If not, we contact your signatories by email for verification. This includes summing up the information you’ve submitted and asking them to confirm it. NB: you will receive a notification email when your signatories have been contacted, and one for each reply we receive. 5. Only when we receive all replies for all testimonials in your file do we submit it to an SRB Officer who will review it. If there are any queries from the SRB Officer, your file is flagged up and we will contact you or the signatory to clarify the issue. Once clarified, we have to re-submit your file to the SRB Officer for review and approval. 6. Once all details have been approved by the SRB officer, they appear as VERIFIED on your online profile. 7. Your Digital Service Record Book (D-SRB) will be updated, made available on your profile and you'll get an email to inform you that it's ready for download. (If you are a non-member, you will receive digitally signed copies of your testimonials, that will be available for download as soon as you are notified). NB: From this point on you can apply for an NOE/Revalidation if you fulfil the rest of the requirements. Please note, you will need to have full membership or pay the non-member fee. How long does it take to verify your sea time? Turnaround time varies with our workload and the quality of the testimonials submitted. Generally, it takes less than 2 weeks but the process can take up to 25 working days if there are issues with your documents. Applying for your NOEs/Revalidations with the MCA The MCA accepts online applications (except for first time applicants), so you can apply for NOEs/Revalidations as long as you fulfil all the requirements and you have a copy of your D-SRB (or digitally signed testimonials for non-members). Please read MCA MIN 655 for the latest updates. For NOEs, you'll need to send everything to deck@mcga.gov.uk For Revalidations, you'll need to send everything to revalidation@mcga.gov.uk For further assistance, you can contact us srb@pya.org . Further information More information about PYA membership and sea service verification can be found below: Sea Service Verification process Membership fees and benefits Updated 22/02/2023 More news Kickstart Your Yachting Career: Next Generation in Yachting Forum on May 3rd, 2024 This is the first forum ever created for the next generation of yacht crew. Representatives from top recruitment agencies and other yacht professionals, will be joining to answer your questions and guide you on your yachting journey. Read more PYA to Address Crew Concerns at Palma Boat Show Panel The PYA is excited to announce their participation in a panel discussion on “Crew Careers, Retention, Health and Wellbeing” at the upcoming Superyacht Breakfast Seminars by Estela Superyacht Agency during the Palma Boat Show. Read more YARE 2024: Captains Brainstorm Solutions for Finding the Right People 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. Read more

​ The MCA releases new advice on conversions of Engineer Yacht COCs To All news 8 August 2023 The MCA have updated their advice regarding conversions from foreign Engineering licenses to MCA SV CoCs. Among some of the criteria include the successful completion of MCA approved modules including technical safety course certificates and the MCA oral examination required for the specific conversion being requested. The MCA’s latest guidance covers conversions for 8 different scenarios with steps to take to begin the request. In order to make a successful conversion, you must hold a CoC from a country that the UK accepts towards the issuance of a UK FSE/CEC. You are however not required to obtain a FSE or CEC to apply for a conversion in the first instance. To learn more about the new guidance on conversions see the latest publication from the MCA. To review the list of countries that the UK accepts towards issuing a UK FSE, please visit this resource for further information. The PYA is authorised by the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency to issue Yacht Rating Certificates which are needed by some vessels to comply with their safe manning requirements. If you are looking to get a Yacht Rating Certificate verified, explore our service , or as a full member you can access this for free. More news Kickstart Your Yachting Career: Next Generation in Yachting Forum on May 3rd, 2024 This is the first forum ever created for the next generation of yacht crew. Representatives from top recruitment agencies and other yacht professionals, will be joining to answer your questions and guide you on your yachting journey. Read more PYA to Address Crew Concerns at Palma Boat Show Panel The PYA is excited to announce their participation in a panel discussion on “Crew Careers, Retention, Health and Wellbeing” at the upcoming Superyacht Breakfast Seminars by Estela Superyacht Agency during the Palma Boat Show. Read more YARE 2024: Captains Brainstorm Solutions for Finding the Right People 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. Read more

The PYA was founded in 1991 by a small group of yacht captains and has grown since then into a world leading association, which has earned significant influence with government bodies which regulate our industry and set the qualifications required to carry out our professional roles. The PYA works tirelessly to represent the views of yacht crew and the yachting industry at the administrative level but also further afield in areas from careers to mental wellbeing. The PYA employs a dedicated support team in its Antibes office who assist members daily, with advice and information concerning their qualifications, careers, training and numerous employment issues. Its SRB team undertake sea-time verification procedures demanded by the MCA. Council members and elected officers operate the many active workgroups on a voluntary basis. If you work in the yachting industry, whether as crew or as a shore-based professional, you can do your bit to ensure that the good work of the PYA is able to continue into the future. Sponsor a PYA Event The PYA runs a programme of events around the world for yacht crew. Educational events such as our Sea Changes Forum and our Continuing Professional Development Events are extremely important for promoting ongoing professionalism in our industry, and our social events are always extremely popular, but neither would be possible without the support of our sponsors. In exchange we are in a unique position to be able to offer excellent promotional value to your company. To enquire about sponsorship, please contact us. Become a PYA partner The PYA do not just act on behalf of yacht crew. We represent the whole industry, from brokers to crew agents, to training providers and beyond. Help us continue to do so by becoming a partner of the PYA. Read more here. Promote the PYA Patronage scheme Ensuring the professionalism of the yachting industry is as much the responsibility of yacht owners as it is the rest of us. The PYA Patronage scheme encourages owners to put something back into the industry by supporting the ongoing work of the association. If you think that your owner would be interested in supporting crew in this way, you can download the patronage scheme details. PYA Patronage proposal downloading version new .pdf Download PDF • 1.16MB Join a PYA Workgroup If you want to get involved with representing yacht crew, we want to hear from you. We're always open to new ideas, opinions and energy. You could take part in our lobbying efforts, work towards solutions for ongoing issues in the industry, provide advice and be part of shaping the future of the yachting industry. Contact info@pya.org to connect. Tell us your opinion The PYA is here to be your voice. So if you want to to be heard, please tell us ! The good stuff, the bad stuff and the ugly stuff - we can't take it forward for you if we don't know about it. We run surveys from time to time so please help by giving us your thoughts. We also host open discussions on topics such as training requirements, safety and security, career development and more, so don't be shy- come and share your views! Mentor the next generation With more and more people entering the yachting industry, those in the know have a responsibility to pass on their expertise and experience to the next generation. The PYA encourages on-board mentoring and will support those interested in developing this in their own teams. Take time to help those completing their training record books and help them develop their skillset. Instil the importance of them taking the time for their own Continuing Professional Development. Encourage junior crew members to get into good habits with recording their sea service as soon as they enter the industry - they will thank you for it later! Crew in their first season are unlikely to need their sea service verified for presentation to the MCA, however they can still join the PYA as a Basic member, to learn more about their career and the industry, receive advice from us and contact us should they need help. To About us How you can help

​ UPDATE - EU Stamping In and Out To All news 31 May 2022 Over the past few months, yacht crew entering Italy have been experiencing real difficulties to be "stamped out" to board their vessels. This was due to the strict application of a February 2020 decision of the European Court of Justice by Italian port authorities. Thanks to successful government relations actions by a number of yachting and cruising organisations (Genova for Yachting, Federagenti, Confindustria Nautica, Assarmatori and Confitarma), the Italian Parliament has recently adopted a rule whereby non-EU yacht crew arriving in Italy will be able to obtain a long-term work visa for up to 365 days. The details of the visa issuance procedures are still being developed and the PYA will keep you informed as soon as we know more. More news Kickstart Your Yachting Career: Next Generation in Yachting Forum on May 3rd, 2024 This is the first forum ever created for the next generation of yacht crew. Representatives from top recruitment agencies and other yacht professionals, will be joining to answer your questions and guide you on your yachting journey. Read more PYA to Address Crew Concerns at Palma Boat Show Panel The PYA is excited to announce their participation in a panel discussion on “Crew Careers, Retention, Health and Wellbeing” at the upcoming Superyacht Breakfast Seminars by Estela Superyacht Agency during the Palma Boat Show. Read more YARE 2024: Captains Brainstorm Solutions for Finding the Right People 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. Read more

​ Guide - Brexit regulations for yacht crew To All news 14 January 2021 Your Brexit questions answered During our recent webinar on 12/01/2021, our panel of yachting agents answered the following questions. General regulations The UK left the EU on 31/12/2020 UK citizens can now only stay in the EU for ‘tourist’ purposes (unless official resident status has been obtained) for 90-days within a 180-day period. If you were in the EU before the Brexit date (31/12/2020), you should consider your 90-day period to have started on 01/01/2021. UK citizens need to have their passport stamped IN & OUT upon entering & exiting the EU borders UK citizens need a valid passport, no older than 10 years with at least 6 months left before it expires. UK citizens are not legally allowed to work in the EU, unless they have a valid work visa. Please note, although working onboard a vessel is permitted as it’s seen as work offshore, some EU-flagged vessels (e.g. France and Spain) require crew who work onboard these vessels to have the legal right to work in the EU. Therefore, UK citizens would require an EU work visa to work on these vessels. NB: Although immigration and travel rules are the same throughout Europe, every country and port might have slightly different requirements, so we urge crew to work with local yacht agents to assist them with their immigration. What are the immigration rules for UK crew who arrived in the EU and were working onboard vessels before Brexit 31/12/2020? FRANCE Update 18/01/2021 Crew having arrived prior 1/1/21 not having a Schengen entry stamp, cannot be stamped ‘out'. These crew are considered to be in transit. UK citizens can only get stamped ‘out’ if you have an entry stamp. Crew departing to fly out of France can get stamped 'in' prior to leaving the boat and will get stamped out at the last Schengen airport. However, should you fly out prior to 31/3/21 there is no obligation to get stamped ‘in’ first as you will be in same case as any odd tourist using his 90 days from 1/1/21. When leaving after 31/3/21 it is compulsory to get stamped ‘in’ to the Schengen area (EU) to avoid suspicion of overstay. Documents required Valid passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months longer than the planned stay in Schengen and less than 10 years old. Seaman's book: A Seaman's discharge book can be used to prove seafarer status, without which no ‘out’ stamp will/should be granted by port immigrations. We must insist, especially for yachts not using agents, that the crew hold a seaman book in order to handle the immigration matters on a legal basis. 90 days allowance: per any 180 days running period. Prior stamp request in ports: Most immigration offices can stamp with 24h notice or even less. Some immigration points will ask for 5 workdays notice which is the maximum legal notice time. [Answer supplied by Mark Ravnholt, Catalano Shipping France 12/01/2021] SPAIN Unlike France, Spain is not automatically counting the entry date of crew members who arrived before Brexit as 01/01/2021 and the start of their 90-day allowance. Crew will need to be stamped ‘in’ to Spain by a local yachting agent for their 90-day period to start. Due to current COVID regulations, UK crew will need to have proof of departure in order to get stamped ‘In’. This might include flights or supporting documentation from the vessel or management company proving their departure. Immigration/ Border Police Appointment Times: Must have an appointment & be accompanied by an authorised agent. Regular appointment times: Monday-Friday from 08.30 - 14,00 (Palma from 08:00 and occasionally available in the evening). Emergency appointments are available under exceptional circumstances. Documentation needed: Certificate of Registry (if the boat's not already a BWA Yachting client). Passport. Seaman's Book (or documentation from the boat proving employment, plus professional certificates etc). An updated crew list including the crew member’s name. Copy of the travel details (where relevant). [Answer supplied by Antonella Della Pietra, BWA Yachting Spain 12/01/2021] What if a UK citizen (crew member) has residency in an EU country? UK crew/citizens who hold a valid EU residency card or passport have the same residency and immigration rights as EU citizens. They can live, work and travel within the EU and not face the restrictions that standard UK citizens are now facing after Brexit. These crew need to ensure they travel with their EU residency card and passport at all times to show proof of residency. These individuals are not subject to the 90-day rule and will not have to get their passport stamped in or out when they travel or work on vessels within the EU. How far can crew travel from their vessel (in the port) once stamped out the EU? Some ports, especially larger commercial ports, can have strict policies on crew movement beyond the vessel once they have been stamped out of the EU. At certain times, local authorities can enforce stricter rules. It is therefore important that crew have their Seaman’s Book with them as this will confirm their status as a seafarer and allow them to circulate shoreside in the port of call and the neighbouring touching towns within the same country (If you are based in the last town on a border e.g. Menton, France, this does not allow you to enter the next country e.g. Italy). What about UK crew looking for work or dock walking during their 90-day travel allowance? UK citizens are not allowed to work in the EU (on-land) after Brexit. However, UK citizens are allowed to work onboard vessels within EU waters. But, some EU-flagged vessels (France, Spain) will require non-EU crew to hold a valid work visa. What about crew tax declarations? UK crew who spend long periods of time working on vessels based in EU ports might be liable to pay tax and/or social security charges within the local EU state. We advise all crew to look into the rules and regulations of the individual EU state they are in. How can UK crew get a Seaman’s Book? UK crew (with existing or prospective jobs only) can apply for a UK Seaman’s Book in person (at one of the UK Marine Offices) or via post - see full details here . Please note, the PYA has contacted the MCA and they have confirmed that they currently have a 10-week delay in processing Seaman’s Books and have removed the 24-hour turnaround service, so it’s best to wait until these processing times have improved before making your application. In the meantime, we suggest contacting a yacht agent to advise which other documentation is accepted by your local port customs officials to prove your status as a seafarer. In addition, UK crew can apply for another flag state seaman’s book - this will be determined by the flag state of the vessel on which you are employed. Here are some additional details: Malta is reluctant to issue seaman books to non-Maltese crew if the boat is not based in Malta Sweden only issues seaman’s Books to individuals having had merchant marine or navy experience Panama can issue a seaman book for a great number of nationalities working on a great number of flag states. However, this is a very slow procedure (count 2 months) and the book has only got 4 pages. At some ports, the PYA Service Record Book has been known to be accepted, however, this will need to be confirmed by a local yachting agent. Validity of Certification The below questions have been answered by Richard Falk from the RYA on 12/01/2021. Has the validity of UK (RYA) certificates been affected by Brexit? To date we have not been advised of any changes in the validity of UK and RYA certificates by most EU countries. In Spain, however, we are advised that vessels under 14 meters which are UK flagged are no longer able to obtain a permit to operate commercially. Therefore, crew who hold UK Certificates of Competence (CoC’s) can no longer operate vessels under 14 meters in Spain , regardless of what flag they are registered under. We are still awaiting a response as to whether this ruling applies to holders of MCA STCW 200 gt COC’s also. Are ICCs issued by the UK still valid in the EU? ICCs are still valid , with the exception of Spain. In Spanish waters, UK ICCs are no longer valid on a Spanish vessel, or on a vessel flagged under any member EU state. Spain has not adopted ‘UNEC Resolution 40’ and are therefore not obliged to follow any of the conventions relating to the ICC, whereas most other EU nations have. Please note, the operation of tenders has not been addressed by the Spanish authorities - this will need to be confirmed with local authorities . It is considered good practice however to ensure that tenders to larger vessels are clearly identified as such in order to minimise any risk of problems. What should crew do if they are unsure about the validity of their RYA/UK certificates in individual EU states? Crew should seek confirmation/clarification on the validity of their certificates in individual EU countries. Right now, the RYA has not been informed by any EU member states (other than Spain) that their certification is no longer valid. Will RYA examiner and instructor certificates still be valid with EU training schools? The instructor qualifications are still valid for instructing RYA courses in the EU. Examiner qualifications are also still valid for examining Yachtmasters under exam conditions. However, in Spain, the RYA / MCA Yachtmaster CoC which underpins RYA instructor qualifications is no longer accepted by the authorities there. Instructors would therefore need to hold an appropriate Spanish COC or work under someone who is legally able to be in command of that vessel. Those working on a freelance basis from outside of the EU would be subject to immigration laws and cannot instruct as a tourist. our understanding is that examiners are allowed to continue working in the EU and Spain as they are employed by the RYA and effectively travelling on business in the EU. Looking for more information? Watch our recent webinar . Please note, this information is only correct at the time of airing 12.01.2021 and may have changed since this date. The PYA accepts no responsibility for any losses associated with this advice. Please consult a local yachting agent to get up-to-date advice based on your individual circumstances. More news Kickstart Your Yachting Career: Next Generation in Yachting Forum on May 3rd, 2024 This is the first forum ever created for the next generation of yacht crew. Representatives from top recruitment agencies and other yacht professionals, will be joining to answer your questions and guide you on your yachting journey. Read more PYA to Address Crew Concerns at Palma Boat Show Panel The PYA is excited to announce their participation in a panel discussion on “Crew Careers, Retention, Health and Wellbeing” at the upcoming Superyacht Breakfast Seminars by Estela Superyacht Agency during the Palma Boat Show. Read more YARE 2024: Captains Brainstorm Solutions for Finding the Right People 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. Read more

Geio Tischler European Commission continues to recognise Filipino seafarer certificates in maritime sector To All news 23 August 2023 The European Commission recently made the decision to maintain its recognition of seafarer certificates issued by the Philippines, a prominent global supplier of maritime labour. The decision was a testament to the Philippines' commitment to adhering to international standards within the maritime industry. Back in December 2021, the European Commission had raised concerns over the training and certification procedures within the Philippines' seafarer system which put into doubt the future of seafarer certificates. It had signaled that the recognition of these certificates might be revoked unless tangible measures were taken to align with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) - which could have impacted a significant number of yacht crew internationally. Since then, the Philippines has undertaken substantial initiatives to meet the stringent requirements outlined by the Commission. Notably, improvements were focused on critical aspects such as the oversight, monitoring, supervision, training, and assessment processes. There are currently an estimated 50,000 Filipino masters and officers actively serving on EU-flagged vessels. In the following months, the Commission is expected to provide additional technical support to further bolster the Philippines' education, training, and certification system for seafarers. This commitment aligns with discussions held between President Ursula von der Leyen and President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos on the sidelines of the EU-ASEAN summit last December. The European Commission's decision stands as a pivotal moment in sustaining the flow of skilled maritime professionals from the Philippines into the European and global shipping industry. It underscores the importance of maintaining rigorous standards and collaborative partnerships to ensure the safety, efficiency, and quality of maritime operations worldwide. With seafarer certification playing a major role in the maritime industry, yacht crews can expect to receive further guidance in the future for upcoming changes in maritime law and requirements for training. The PYA is authorised by the MCA and Transport Malta to verify yacht sea service testimonials for all yacht crew worldwide. Explore our service or consider subscribing as a full member to receive this service for free. More news Kickstart Your Yachting Career: Next Generation in Yachting Forum on May 3rd, 2024 This is the first forum ever created for the next generation of yacht crew. Representatives from top recruitment agencies and other yacht professionals, will be joining to answer your questions and guide you on your yachting journey. Read more PYA to Address Crew Concerns at Palma Boat Show Panel The PYA is excited to announce their participation in a panel discussion on “Crew Careers, Retention, Health and Wellbeing” at the upcoming Superyacht Breakfast Seminars by Estela Superyacht Agency during the Palma Boat Show. Read more YARE 2024: Captains Brainstorm Solutions for Finding the Right People 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. Read more

What is Sea Service verification? When progressing your yachting career – whether it be obtaining a Notice of Eligibility (NoE), revalidating a Certificate of Competency (CoC) or moving to a more senior position on board, you need to be able to show an accurate and VERIFIED record of your time at sea. Having testimonials verified by PYA will avoid significant delays in issuing an MCA Notice of Eligibility (NoE). The PYA is authorised by the MCA and by Transport Malta, to verify yacht sea service and has been doing it for the MCA since 1994 - no other organisation has this track record. Get your Sea Service verified To get your sea service verified, become a Full member of the PYA. You will get our Digital Service Record Book (D-SRB) , and we will process as many yacht sea service testimonials and certificates as you wish. To know more about the benefits, click here. Setting up your member's area After registering, you need to upload the following documents to your member’s area: a passport-size photo* - head shots only (.jpg format) a certified copy of your passport* or identity card* (.pdf format) certified copies of your certificates (optional) sea service testimonials * * required How does it work? When you upload new documents to your profile, your file goes into the queue for verification.When your file is processed by the Sea Service team, your paperwork is checked for any inconsistencies, missing info, or errors ( read our guidelines to avoid these issues ). If your testimonials are duly filled and signed, the verification emails are sent to the signatory. N.B .: If the testimonials submitted are illegible, email addresses and names of signatories are missing, signatures are missing, dates are missing, dates overlap, etc., then we must contact you while your file goes into pending until all queries are resolved. Read our guidelines to avoid these issues . After we've received replies for all the testimonials (unless you tell us to proceed without some), they are submitted to an SRB Officer for final review and approval. Sometimes the information is rejected by the SRB Officer as new queries come up. N.B. : We are unable to keep track of unverified testimonials. Signatories generally reply within a few days, if more days pass, please check with the signatories and with us. Testimonials for which we have received replies will have a green 'tick' next to them.Once everything has been approved by the SRB officer, your testimonials will appear as VERIFIED on your online profile and your D-SRB will be generated. You will receive a notification email that your D-SRB is ready for download. For non-members : you won’t receive a D-SRB but digitally signed testimonials which need to be downloaded and emailed to the MCA as you would with the D-SRB. You will receive a notification email when your testimonials are ready for download. The verification process can take up to 25 working days depending on the quality of your documents, the response of the signatories, and our workload. Free with Full Membership €50 (minimum 2) For non-members Become a member or buy the service Sea Service Verification The PYA is authorised by the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) and by Transport Malta to verify yacht sea service testimonials for all yacht crew worldwide. To All services Discover our plans to get access to all the services we provide. Become a member

​ Accident report - MYs Minx and Vision, near Cannes To All news 28 January 2021 Accident Investigation Report 1/2021 On 25 May 2019 at 8:52pm, the Gibraltar registered motor yacht Vision collided with the UK registered motor yacht Minx, which was anchored near Île Sainte-Marguerite, near Cannes, France. Minx’s crewman was on the foredeck and there was nothing he could have done to prevent being fatally struck by Vision’s bow. The accident happened because Vision’s skipper underestimated the risk associated with attempting a fast, close pass by the anchored Minx, a manoeuvre intended to provide an opportunity for the guests to wave goodbye, as the charterer had asked. Vision’s skipper had also consumed cannabis, which is likely to have impaired his judgement. Following the accident, an investigation was conducted by the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) as a means to ascertain the cause and to prevent future accidents. To read the full accident report here . This includes all the details of what happened, actions taken, and recommendations. Safety issues uncovered in the investigation: It is vital for the safe operation of a commercial motor yacht, that the skipper prioritised the safety of the crew, passengers and the vessel Vision’s surface-drive propulsion system was complex to operate and there were insufficient margins for error in the skipper’s plan to allow for any misjudgement, loss of control or failure. The use of recreational drugs, even in a ‘tolerant’ individual can impair decision-making and responses, which are vital for the safe operation of vessels. The accident took place in an anchorage with a 5-knot speed limit applicable to all vessels; however, Vision was proceeding at over six times that limit. Speed limits exist for a reason and it was unsafe to proceed at high speed in the anchorage. Recommendation A safety recommendation (2021/101) has been made to the Royal Yachting Association and the Professional Yachting Association to promulgate the safety lessons from this accident to owners and operators of commercial motor yachts. More news Kickstart Your Yachting Career: Next Generation in Yachting Forum on May 3rd, 2024 This is the first forum ever created for the next generation of yacht crew. Representatives from top recruitment agencies and other yacht professionals, will be joining to answer your questions and guide you on your yachting journey. Read more PYA to Address Crew Concerns at Palma Boat Show Panel The PYA is excited to announce their participation in a panel discussion on “Crew Careers, Retention, Health and Wellbeing” at the upcoming Superyacht Breakfast Seminars by Estela Superyacht Agency during the Palma Boat Show. Read more YARE 2024: Captains Brainstorm Solutions for Finding the Right People 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. Read more