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The PYA Welfare Group aims to educate, support & guide yacht crew ensuring their well-being is safeguarded. Empowering crew with knowledge to protect their rights, and to steer them in the right direction for legal and professional assistance. What is the the PYA Welfare Group? The PYA Welfare Group aims to educate, support & guide yacht crew ensuring their well-being is safeguarded. Empowering crew with knowledge to protect their rights, and to steer them in the right direction for legal and professional assistance. The group is made up of industry professionals who volunteer their time to address the welfare needs of yacht crew. They not registered counsellors, lawyers or financial advisors, and any advice provided is without prejudice or promotion. Meet the Welfare Group What the Welfare Group can assist you with? Should you be experiencing any of these problems on board, contact welfare@pya.org for: Confidential Support: The PYA Welfare group offers a confidential and safe space for individuals to discuss their concerns and receive support. Expert Advice: The PYA Welfare Group is composed of industry experts and professionals who can provide advice and guidance on the appropriate steps to take in welfare issues such as bullying and harassment, abuse, safety issues, complaints and mental well-being. Advocacy: The PYA Welfare Group can advocate on behalf of individuals to help resolve bullying or harassment issues in a timely and effective manner. Access to Resources: The PYA Welfare Group can connect individuals with the necessary resources and support networks, such as legal or medical assistance. Promoting Positive Change: By addressing welfare issues within the industry, the PYA Welfare Group works to promote a positive work environment and raise awareness of the importance of treating all personnel with dignity and respect. Building a Stronger Community: The PYA Welfare Group strives to build a strong and supportive community in the yachting industry, where everyone is treated fairly and with respect. Introducing the members of the group the members of the Group Angela Wallace @PYA Director of Interior Training & @Purser Trainer Ten years experience as crew on both sail and motor yachts saw Angie’s career rise from deck-stew to galley into the interior and culminating as Purser on a worldwide cruising 85m Superyacht. On becoming land-based, she worked as a GUEST-accredited trainer, passing on her extensive knowledge and experience to others. Finally, the pull of home in Palma brought her back to Mallorca and new and exciting opportunities in the field of training. The first online Purser course was Angie’s brainchild. Her Purser program is fully accredited under IAMI & GUEST, and Angie was instrumental in helping create the learning objectives and outcomes for this as well as serving on the IAMI GUEST Hospitality Workgroup. Sandra Jordaan @The Yacht Purser Sandra worked on board private, charter and explorer yachts ranging from 35-91m during her ten year yachting career as a purser and chief stewardess. Her yachting career saw her travel to all seven continents, including Antarctica. Sandra is an IAMI GUEST accredited trainer for the Purser Certificate (and was instrumental in helping create the learning objectives and outcomes) and also serves on the IAMI GUEST Hospitality Workgroup. She holds numerous university degrees, diplomas and courses spanning finance, law, tourism management, project management and superyacht management. Sandra also edited a financial magazine with a focus on how to prevent, mitigate and insure enterprise-wide risk. As a certified life coach, Sandra works tirelessly to amplify the yachting industry and community through teaching, coaching, mentoring and supporting crew. Karine Rayson @The Crew Coach With a background in counselling-psychology and organisational psychology and being an ex-seafarer herself, Karine helps Superyacht Crew elevate their leadership skills through the GUEST IAMI accredited Advanced Leadership Course, master their mental health through online counselling, as well as provides an exclusive yacht crew online membership for like-minded yachting professionals to come together to access a powerful professional network of Crews as well as provide online training resources to aid their professional growth and development. Dominique Smit @Virtual Pursers Dominique entered the yachting industry after completing a Bachelors in Social Science in Organisational Psychology at the University of Cape Town. After a decade of working on some of the most prestigious yachts, she decided to move ashore, where she has since co-founded Virtual Pursers with Bec McKeever. She is a qualified make-up artist, yoga teacher and modern dance instructor, but also enjoys snowboarding, hiking and running, successfully summiting Mount Kilimanjaro and completing the Florence Marathon in 2015. Suffice to say that anything that includes keeping active or learning something new is of interest! Her passions lie with improving standards in the industry, through support, mentorship and advice for current and future yachting crew. Chandré Robinson - Co-founder @Yachtieflix & Start Yachting Chandré, better known as Dray Robinson has spent 9 years working on various yachts with experience working in various roles onboard. Starting off working in both deck and interior departments, she finally finished her career as a Chief stewardess of a Charter Motor yacht which at the time was based in the Bahamas. Some of the qualifications that she holds includes, Master of yachts 200 ton Sail, Ship Security Officer and a Diploma in Superyacht Management. Before discovering yachting, she worked as a cocktail waitress, event manager, entertainer, assistant manager and an online English Teacher. Working in a service based industry naturally developed her keen sense to serve as well as activated that never satisfied taste for adventure! Yachting has inspired her to achieve many accomplishments in life & her calling has become to help others navigate their way into this industry - providing the right information to those who seek it. Included in all paid memberships Become a member Welfare Group The PYA Welfare Group aims to educate, support & guide yacht crew ensuring their well-being is safeguarded. Empowering crew with knowledge to protect their rights, and to steer them in the right direction for legal and professional assistance. To All services Discover our plans to get access to all the services we provide. Become a member

Get involved with PYA and help shape the future of the yachting industry. For Yacht Crew By joining the PYA, you will not only be taking your career to the next level but also helping to shape the future of yachting . Your involvement strengthens the community and ensures the professional growth of the industry. Career Development: Access expert guidance , and networking opportunities. Verified Sea Service: Ensure your records meet MCA standards . Industry Representation: Have your voice heard in key regulatory discussions . Events & Community: Join exclusive events that connect you with peers and industry leaders. See all services for crew For Industry Partners Collaborate with PYA to strengthen your presence in the yachting industry and support its professionals: Access to professionals – Connect with skilled yacht crew and other industry leaders. Brand Visibility – Increase exposure through event sponsorships and partnerships. Industry Influence – Play a role in shaping professional standards and crew welfare. Join the Network – Engage with key players driving the future of yachting. See all benefits for Industry Partners Make an Impact As an industry partner, your collaboration with PYA supports the growth and evolution of the yachting sector. Together, we drive high standards and create new opportunities for crew and companies alike. Ready to Get Started? PYA is here to support you. If you need more information, feel free to reach out – we are happy to help! Contact us at pya@pya.org To About us Why Join The PYA

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 Next Generation in Yachting Forum 2025 - Highlights The PYA Next Generation in Yachting Forum, held on 11 April in Antibes, offered aspiring yacht crew an invaluable insight into the yachting industry. With contributions from leading recruitment agents including Bluewater, Hill Robinson, The Crew Network, and YPI, the event covered essential topics such as CV preparation, interview techniques, and professional etiquette. Attendees also received guidance on visas, welfare support, and career pathways across all departments, with practical advice from Captains, trainers, and experienced crew. The afternoon concluded with focused breakout sessions and networking, providing a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals and prepare for a successful career at sea. Read more PYA Christmas Ball 2024 Highlights The PYA Christmas Ball, held on 6 December 2024, was an exceptional evening celebrating the yachting community in style. This year’s theme, Peaky Blinders meets Downton Abbey, provided the perfect blend of elegance and vintage charm, creating a truly memorable atmosphere. Read more Our annual Christmas Ball is Back Again! Get ready for an unforgettable evening at the 2024 PYA Christmas Ball, returning to the iconic Martinez in Cannes December 6th! Join us as we celebrate a year of incredible industry achievements, bringing together delegates and leaders from across the yachting world to honour progress, connect, and set our sights on the future. Read more

The MAS is a confidential support service that offers practical support to PYA members facing difficulties or challenges in their professional lives, including all work-related issues. The MAS provides members with access to a range of resources and services, including advice, guidance, and support from experienced Yacht Captains. The MAS aims to help members navigate difficult situations and find practical solutions to the challenges they face. The MAS is designed to help PYA members maintain their careers on track. By providing support and resources to its members, the PYA demonstrates its commitment to promoting the highest standards in the yachting industry. If you require information or are experiencing disputes with subjects such as contracts of employment (Seafarers Employment Agreements - SEA's), unlawful stoppage of wages/salary, poor accommodation, unpaid medical bills, etc., get in touch with the MAS team. Due to the generous unpaid time offered by a small group of our senior Directors, Councillors, and members, the MAS team can answer your queries and help you with your case. They reply within 24h and take all cases. The advice and information provided are always impartial and confidential. Email: advice@pya.org Included in all paid memberships Become a member Member Assistance Service The MAS is a confidential support service that offers practical support to PYA members facing difficulties or challenges in their professional lives, including all work-related issues. To All services Discover our plans to get access to all the services we provide. Become a member

Following the mailing we sent out earlier this year which called for our members to join the war against the use of single-use plastic, the not-for-profit organisation, Clear Ocean Pact, has received a positive increase in the number of yachts and crew who signed up. Included, was a well-known 107m yacht which the organisation is hoping will have.. Join the war on single-use plastic with Clear Ocean Pact To All news 6 October 2019 Following the mailing we sent out earlier this year which called for our members to join the war against the use of single-use plastic, the not-for-profit organisation, Clear Ocean Pact, has received a positive increase in the number of yachts and crew who signed up. Included, was a well-known 107m yacht which the organisation is hoping will have a strong influence on other vessels joining the PACT. The organisation’s Founder, Richard Orme, is hoping to get 1,000 superyachts signed up to the initiative by November 2020. With 52 yachts and >575 crew already committed, the organisation still has some work to do before reaching their goal. By joining the PACT, yachts and crew commit themselves to a set of 5 common goals to help reduce the industry’s dependence on single-use plastics, to share information about viable alternatives to single-use plastic and to inspire other industries to take on the same approach. Do you want to join the fight against single-use plastic? Follow these simple steps: Visit their website clearoceanpact.org Sign-up to the PACT Inspire other yachts and crew to do the same Contribute to Clear Ocean Pact’s Blog If you’d like to contribute to raising awareness against single-use plastic by becoming a guest writer on their blog, please contact Richard Orme at richard@clearoceanpact.org . More news Next Generation in Yachting Forum 2025 - Highlights The PYA Next Generation in Yachting Forum, held on 11 April in Antibes, offered aspiring yacht crew an invaluable insight into the yachting industry. With contributions from leading recruitment agents including Bluewater, Hill Robinson, The Crew Network, and YPI, the event covered essential topics such as CV preparation, interview techniques, and professional etiquette. Attendees also received guidance on visas, welfare support, and career pathways across all departments, with practical advice from Captains, trainers, and experienced crew. The afternoon concluded with focused breakout sessions and networking, providing a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals and prepare for a successful career at sea. Read more PYA Christmas Ball 2024 Highlights The PYA Christmas Ball, held on 6 December 2024, was an exceptional evening celebrating the yachting community in style. This year’s theme, Peaky Blinders meets Downton Abbey, provided the perfect blend of elegance and vintage charm, creating a truly memorable atmosphere. Read more Our annual Christmas Ball is Back Again! Get ready for an unforgettable evening at the 2024 PYA Christmas Ball, returning to the iconic Martinez in Cannes December 6th! Join us as we celebrate a year of incredible industry achievements, bringing together delegates and leaders from across the yachting world to honour progress, connect, and set our sights on the future. Read more

The UK’s cadet syllabus has undergone a landmark review which could set future standards for yacht crew training worldwide. © MCA Landmark Review of UK Cadet Syllabus Could Transform Global Yacht Crew Training To All news 13 December 2023 The UK’s cadet syllabus has undergone a landmark review which could set future standards for yacht crew training worldwide. Completed by the Cadet Training & Modernisation (CT&M) Programme, the updated UK cadet syllabus is an integral part of training for seafarers. It has been many years since we’ve seen the seafarer officer qualifications syllabus undergo a significant overhaul and initial results have already been met with encouragement from across the yachting industry. The updated syllabus was completed by the CT&M Programme - led and coordinated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). It was one of the recommendations of the Seafarer Cadet Review bringing together key stakeholders, including the Merchant Navy Training Board, in order to improve cadet training. It is believed to be the first time a maritime regulator has teamed up with industry experts in this format to help improve cadet training. Following the important overhaul with industry participation, this will now be presented to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) with the aim of achieving positive change for seafarers on an international scale. Syllabus modules have been delivered to nautical colleges since the start of December and are set to be introduced by September 2025 for future training. MCA Chief Examiner, Ajit Jacob, who recently spoke at the PYA Sea Changes Forum in Monaco said: “We were very clear from the outset that we wanted this syllabus review to be industry-led and for it not to be the MCA dictating what is needed. “No other maritime nation has performed a review like this in conjunction with industry and what we have produced is a new collaborative model that delivers the training requirements of every sector within the industry. We will present it to the IMO next year as we are proud of what we have produced and know that other nations will benefit from this too. Well-educated and well-prepared seafarers benefit everyone, and we are happy to share our knowledge globally. “The pace of technological change shows no signs of slowing and a new, continuous review approach will help us to stay ahead and ensure that our cadets are offered the most modern training we can give.” The comprehensive review, which included all relevant modules across Nautical, Engineering and Electro-Technical disciplines, was undertaken throughout 2022 by a working group of representatives from nautical colleges and shipping companies, including seafarers in their fleets. The content of the syllabuses has been updated and improved to reflect the current practices and technology used on board vessels to ensure cadets have the very latest industry knowledge and the skills they need to operate safely at sea. Part of the review has also implemented crucial ’Human element’ skills, embedded throughout the syllabus to improve their practical application on board, boost the wellbeing of seafarers, and help them to understand how their lives could be impacted on a day-to-day basis if they are implemented effectively. 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. We also verify yacht sea service testimonials for all yacht crew worldwide. If you are looking to get a Yacht Rating Certificate or Sea Service testimonial verified, explore our services , or as a full member , you can access these for free. More news Next Generation in Yachting Forum 2025 - Highlights The PYA Next Generation in Yachting Forum, held on 11 April in Antibes, offered aspiring yacht crew an invaluable insight into the yachting industry. With contributions from leading recruitment agents including Bluewater, Hill Robinson, The Crew Network, and YPI, the event covered essential topics such as CV preparation, interview techniques, and professional etiquette. Attendees also received guidance on visas, welfare support, and career pathways across all departments, with practical advice from Captains, trainers, and experienced crew. The afternoon concluded with focused breakout sessions and networking, providing a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals and prepare for a successful career at sea. Read more PYA Christmas Ball 2024 Highlights The PYA Christmas Ball, held on 6 December 2024, was an exceptional evening celebrating the yachting community in style. This year’s theme, Peaky Blinders meets Downton Abbey, provided the perfect blend of elegance and vintage charm, creating a truly memorable atmosphere. Read more Our annual Christmas Ball is Back Again! Get ready for an unforgettable evening at the 2024 PYA Christmas Ball, returning to the iconic Martinez in Cannes December 6th! Join us as we celebrate a year of incredible industry achievements, bringing together delegates and leaders from across the yachting world to honour progress, connect, and set our sights on the future. Read more

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. 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

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. The Benefits of a PYA Partnership Becoming a PYA partner is more than just a collaboration, it is an opportunity to join an esteemed network of professionals driving excellence in the yachting industry. Whether you are looking to enhance your brand visibility, connect with key stakeholders, or promote your services to a global audience, our tailored partnership packages are designed to help you achieve your goals. From spotlight features to bespoke collaborations, your success is at the heart of everything we do. Below, you will find an overview of our partnership: Support, Core, and Strategic. Each package offers unique benefits tailored to meet your business objectives and deliver maximum value. Whether you are a small business seeking visibility or an established company aiming to solidify your industry leadership, we have the perfect solution for you. Partners benefits: Support Annual partnership fee €500 Dedicated page on the PYA website Options to promote special offers for PYA members Spotlight post Story feature Story reshare 1 1 1 10% off on our Full Membership Marketing material displayed in our office Reduced / Free entry to PYA events Showcase your PYA affiliation Core Annual partnership fee €1000 Dedicated page on the PYA website Options to promote special offers for PYA members Promotion spotlight on the PYA website Article feature on PYA website Spotlight post Story feature Story reshare LinkedIn reshare Instagram collaboration Interactive poll Co-written educational content Proactive social media support PYA logo for your events campaigns 1 1 3 3 2 1 1 1 Regular 2 Your company logo in PYA newsletter 15% off on our Full Membership Marketing material displayed in our office Reduced / Free entry to PYA events Showcase your PYA affiliation Strategic Annual partnership fee €2000 Dedicated page on the PYA website Options to promote special offers for PYA members Promotion spotlight on the PYA website Article feature on PYA website Spotlight reel Story feature Story reshare LinkedIn reshare Instagram collaboration Interactive poll Co-written educational content Proactive social media support Instagram story highlight PYA logo for your events campaigns 1 1 5 Unlimited 3 2 1 1 Regular Ad hoc 4 Your company logo in PYA newsletter 20% off on our Full Membership Marketing material displayed in our office Reduced / Free entry to PYA events Showcase your PYA affiliation Your company logo on the PYA homepage Ready to elevate your business? Explore our detailed partnership options and find the right fit for your business here: Presentation Partnership opportunities . Take the next step towards becoming a valued partner today! Simply register via this link: Become a Member . We look forward to welcoming you to the PYA community.

Have questions about the PYA or the services it provides? You can check the frequently asked cuestions about the organisation, Sea Service Testimonials, Yacht Rating Certificate, Training Record Book and more. When will the D-SRB be released to me? The D-SRB is released only after new documents are uploaded, reviewed, verified, and approved by our SRB Officers (please read here to learn about the process). If you haven't uploaded any new certificates or testimonials since we've gone digital, you won't receive any D-SRB. You are entitled to a D-SRB for all files uploaded since the start of the Pandemic in 2020 and that were not entered into the SRB already. The physical SRB has since been discontinued and cannot be updated. You are also entitled to a D-SRB for all files uploaded since 22 February 2021 (the official launch of the D-SRB). We have completed releasing the D-SRBs for files handled during the Pandemic. If for any reason you haven't received yours, please contact us. What is the PYA's D-SRB? On 22 February 2021, the PYA launched its Digital Service Record Book (D-SRB), which replaced the well-established physical SRB, which goes along with a completely new digital procedure and is available to all Full members who need their sea service to be verified. The MCA has agreed to a permanent switchover that resulted in a huge increase in the efficiency of recording documents and the MCA application process. Crew can upload key information into their online profile and visualise their verified sea-time and qualifications into the D-SRB – anywhere, at any time. Watch a short video on the D-SRB here. Where will I find it? You will see an orange button at the very top of your Member's area, that you can click to immediately download your D-SRB. It will also be the first document listed in the documents list, in the Documents tab, in your PYA profile. Do I still need to send my certificates to the MCA since they already are inside my D-SRB? Yes, the MCA currently accepts only the Sea Service section of the D-SRB, so the certificates listed are for your personal use only. We are working on getting the MCA to accept the Certificates section as well to prevent our members from having to send certificates to them in the future. What documents will be in the D-SRB? Any certificates or testimonials that have NOT already been entered into the physical SRB and that have been verified and approved by an SRB Officer. Certificates and testimonials written in the old, physical SRB can be transferred to the D-SRB for a fee. Our fees are as follows: Transfer of records between 1 to 6 entries: 30 euros Transfer of records between 7 to 12 entries: 60 euros Transfer of ALL records: 100 euros If you are interested in this service, please contact datatransfer@pya.org specifying the number of records and which documents you would like to have transferred to your D-SRB. Please note that files will be handled following the queue order and in low priority in relation to new testimonials, certificates and YRC applications. How do I apply for an NOE or Revalidation now? Most MCA applications (not the first MCA CoC) need to be sent by email. The D-SRB must be ready before you can apply so that you can download it and include it in your application email. Please do not copy PYA in the emails. If you are applying for your first MCA CoC, then you still need to send your original documents to the MCA by post, except for the D-SRB, which must always be sent by email. If all the required sea time (or part of it) is in a physical SRB, please contact us for a digitally stamped copy so you can send it by email instead. Is the D-SRB safe? The D-SRB is protected by a digital seal that safeguards the document from any changes and contains PYA information so that whoever receives the copy knows if it is authentic and valid. What if I need to apply to the MCA and some of my testimonials/certificates are in my old physical SRB and some of them are on the D-SRB? You will need to send your physical SRB by post or obtain a digitally stamped copy to email together with your D-SRB to the MCA. You can contact Sea Service team at srb@pya.org to obtain the digitally stamped copy. How will I know when it is ready for me to download? You will receive an email notification and you will see an orange button appear at the top of your Documents tab in your PYA profile. You can download and save your D-SRB, on your device. What will happen to the physical SRB? If you are in possession of your SRB, you can keep it and use it together with the Digital SRB when/if necessary. For those who stored their SRB in our office, we have contacted them to have it shipped out or picked up. If you haven't heard from us it might be because the contact details we had were no longer valid. You can contact certificates@pya.org for more information. Will I have access to the D-SRB even if my membership expires? Yes, for the 5 years following the expiration date of your membership you can contact us to receive a copy of your D-SRB or any other documents. By GDPR regulation we are allowed to retain copies of your documents on our system for a maximum of 5 years since your membership has expired. If you will require a copy of your D-SRB during that period, we can send you one by email by contacting certificates@pya.org. After the deadline, all your records (the D-SRB as well) will be deleted. We advise you always download a copy of your most recent D-SRB. If I already have a physical SRB, will I always need to use both SRB and D-SRB when applying to the MCA? No, you will not. For those members who have not recently applied for a new CoC or Revalidation, they might have entries both in the SRB and D-SRB that are relevant to their next application, but once they have been used, all future relevant entries will be in the D-SRB only. When should I get a testimonial? The best would be to get a testimonial filled in and signed right before you leave a yacht. You can always ask for a testimonial afterwards but it may prove more complicated as people might move on to other jobs in the meantime and not necessarily have access to the required information later. Should you find yourself in a situation where you don't have a testimonial and need to get one, since we don't require originals, you can fill in a new testimonial and email it to the signatory to have it signed and emailed back to you. It's always best if you fill it in first with as much information as possible, so they only need to review it, put their own details and sign it, but if you don't have all the information, you can ask for assistance from them. You can ask the Captain, Chief Officer, Chief Engineer (if you were working in an engineering role and weren't the Chief Engineer onboard), yacht manager, owner or owner's representative to sign your testimonials and verify them. You can find our templates here. Does the MEOL still exist? Yes, it is the new SV MEOL CoC. You can learn more about it by reading the MCA's MSN 1904 or contacting srb@pya.org How does the sea service verification work? Please read here. What is a TRB or Training Record Book? TRB stands for Training Record Book. For deck, the OOW 3000 Yachts MCA Training Record Book is a requirement that must completed before you can apply for an OOW 3000 Yachts CoC. You can download this online on the MCA website or ask us for a free bound copy when you are a PYA member. For engineers going through the Small Vessel Route, the Engineering TRB can only be obtained after you've registered into the Program and from Training Providers or Colleges that offer SV courses. To register, you have to prove you satisfy all the entry requirements. What happens if my Captain no longer works on the boat where I was employed? If you already have a Sea Service Testimonial, as long as Captain is still willing to verified it, this won't affect the verification process in any way. If you don't have a Sea Service Testimonial yet, you can still get one. As long as the Captain is willing to sign and verify your service, despite no longer being on board, you can get him/her to sign one. When can a testimonial be ‘declined’? This can happen for various reasons: If there is no breakdown of service time (days at sea, standby, shipyard and watch keeping - where applicable), if the testimonial form has missing dates or dates overlapping with another testimonial submitted. If the definitions of sea service have been disregarded, i.e. standby time exceeds days at sea, sea service totals are higher than employment period, etc. If the testimonial is not in English If the testimonial is self-signed If the testimonial for a Master is signed by another Master and does not fall in an exceptional situation. Please read our guidelines to avoid this. What is Seaman's Discharge Book (SDB)? What is the difference between the SDB and the PYA D-SRB (Digital Service Record Book)? A Seaman's Book / Seaman's Discharge Book / Discharge Book is a physical booklet, issued by maritime authorities all around the world, which, traditionally, has two purposes: Identity document, and Record of your employment history Additionally, a Seaman's Book can be useful when passing through an airport or when taking shore leave. You can read more about SDBs here. A D-SRB (Digital Service Record Book) is a PYA-generated electronic document that replaced the PYA's physical Service Record Book (SRB). The PYA's SRB (now D-SRB) was introduced to make it easier for yacht crew to prove to the MCA their experience and that they held the relevant qualifications required to apply for a Certificate of Competency (CoC). It is recognized by the MCA and Transport Malta but not necessarily by the maritime authorities of other countries. We recommend that you have BOTH. As they serve different purposes. You can read more about the PYA D-SRB by going back to the FAQs here. What is the procedure to issue/update my D-SRB? How do my testimonials get verified? How do I know the status of my testimonials’ verification? Log into your PYA profile and upload your testimonials/certificates to ‘your documents’. The documents will then go through our verification process. You can verify the status of your documents in your profile under ‘your documents’. How can I get certified copies of documents? Who can certify documents that I need to submit to the PYA? Do they all (testimonials and certificates) need to be certified? The certification of your documents for PYA use can be done by anyone holding a CoC, a management company, a training provider, or other professionals such as doctors, lawyers or teachers, who declare that the copies are true copies of the originals. Only certificates need to be certified as true copies, not testimonials. We cannot process your testimonials without confirming your identity so your file will remain pending until you upload a certified copy of your passport. Text sample: ----- "I certify that this/these is a/are true copy/ies of the original/s." Full name, COC number and issuing authority (if available), stamp (if available), signature. ----- Whoever is certifying your documents can: - write the declaration on each copy; - send an email to certificates@pya.org with the above text, mentioning each certificate, while you upload simple copies of your certificates to your profile; - write the declaration in a Word/PDF document and mention each certificate and upload it together with the simple copies of your documents to your profile. The MCA accepts certified copies of your documents in place of the originals. Please note that for us to issue certified copies that are accepted by the MCA we must see the originals first. We cannot make certified copies from certified copies unless they come from one of our Agents. If you are in the Antibes area, we can arrange an appointment for you to come with your certificates. Alternatively, you can go to one of our Agents listed in the Contacts section, or any notary public, or MCA-approved nautical colleges, or IYT, or Your Maritime Administration, or MCA Surveyors, or other MCA-approved organisations (you must contact the MCA directly for these). What is a testimonial? Why can’t Reference Letters or Seaman Discharge Books be accepted instead? A testimonial is documentary proof of your onboard yacht service and sea service. It contains the details of the yacht, your position, and your detailed sea service, with days at sea, standby, shipyard, and watchkeeping (whichever applicable). Most of the time, letters do not contain all the necessary information related to your sea service, so even if they can serve as a reference, they will not qualify as a testimonial as well. The same applies to Seaman Discharge Book (SDB) entries. They refer only to your dates and role on board but do not specify the sea service you acquired. Testimonials must be signed by the Master of the vessel on board which the qualifying service has been performed, or can also be signed by the Chief Officer or Chief Engineer (where engineers are concerned). In the case of service as Master, the testimonials must be signed by the owner or a responsible person from the Yacht Management Company such as a company director or yacht manager. Testimonials can be in different formats. We accept them all, not only PYA ones, as long as all the necessary information is provided. If not, the process may be delayed. You can find our testimonial templates here. How does the PYA D-SRB work? Please go back to the D-SRB FAQ here. What is an NOE or Notice of Eligibility? NOE stands for Notice of Eligibility. The MCA issues this document and it means you have met all the requirements to sit an oral examination with the MCA for a Certificate of Competence (CoC). Before you can book a date for an oral exam, you must have obtained an NOE. It will come with instructions on how to book an oral and details on how the oral exam works. Is the Y route still available to engineers? No, the Y route was closed at the end of December 2022. Now, the route has been completely replaced by the Small Vessel Program. To learn more about it you can read MCA's MSN 1904 or contact us at srb@pya.org. Want to get personalised support? Choose the plan that fits you the most. Become a member