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​ RYA certificates now valid for Spanish registered vessels To All news 16 June 2021 Since the UK left the EU on 31 December 2020, it has officially been listed as a ‘third country’ by the EU. This has resulted in some RYA certificates no longer being recognised by the Spanish Government for use on Spanish flagged boats, as this UK certification was seen as coming from outside the EU. Following persistent and coordinated consultations by the RYA through the UK Government with Spain’s General Directorate for Merchant Marine (DGMM), they have received confirmation that its International Certificates of Competence (ICC) and several of its course completion certificates and other Certificates of Competence remain valid for skippering Spanish flagged boats. The British titles now valid for sailing in Spain are as follows: RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence; RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence; RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence; RYA Day Skipper; RYA Powerboat Level 2; RYA International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft (ICC). For full details, visit the RYA website. Article source: wwww.rya.org.uk More news PYA CEO to Moderate “Environment and Sustainability” Panel at Superyacht Conference in Monaco on 27 June Christophe Bourillon, the CEO of the Professional Yachting Association (PYA) will be moderating a panel on “Environment and Sustainability” at the upcoming NextGen Owner: Managing Tomorrow's Superyacht conference, to be held in Monaco on 27th June 2024. The event will bring together industry leaders and experts to discuss the future of superyacht ownership. Read more 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

​ French regulations regarding anchorage and Posidonia – Updated To All news 1 April 2021 After two years of discussions, the main orders prohibiting mooring in the French protected areas of the Mediterranean have been published. This means that yachts will have to anchor further from the shore and beaches. The three main yachting associations: PYA, ECPY and GEPY met recently with the services of the Maritime Prefecture, to discuss the new regulation and its implementation. The maritime authorities The maritime authorities recognise, the positive economic impact of the yachting industry on the Mediterranean coasts, as well as the efforts of yachting professionals to protect the environment.The three associations raised concerns regarding the complexity of the new rules and the need to implement clear information campaigns about the implementation of the rules (up-to-date charts, etc.). Key facts The maritime authorities will encourage the creation of organized buoy fields and moorings, with public as well as private funding. These facilities will be under the responsibility of land-based authorities and local communities. In case of adverse weather, the authorities have confirmed that safety and security will take precedence. Vessels that may take shelter in forbidden zones (Posidonia meadows) may be required to provide justification for their decision. The maritime authorities are attempting to speed up the update of the new charts published by SHOM. It is also understood that messages regarding the anchoring rules will be broadcasted through CROSSMED, both in French and in English. It is understood that the restricted areas will also be displayed on the Donia application. There are areas such as the beach of Pampelonne in Saint Tropez/Ramatuelle where the regulations are not yet clarified. The authorities have indicated that, in future regulation, they will adopt a limitation of mooring time to 72 hours. This will not apply to yachts in routine operation, with crew on board, but rather to vessels left without supervision and presenting a risk of stranding. To enable this management of mooring times, the Maritime Prefecture has agreed to establish a list of yachts (24-45m) benefiting from an implicit renewal every 72 hours, for the whole season. Unlike the Spanish or Italian authorities, France elected to sanction the position of the vessel itself. This can lead to serious consequences as the maritime infraction can amount to 150,000€, whereas the environmental infraction is "only" a hundred euros. In addition, several of the means to be used to establish potential offences, such as human observation from aircrafts, boats or land-based platforms can lead to arbitrary decisions. PYA, ECPY and GEPY will continue to work closely with the maritime authorities (Préfecture maritime de Méditerranée), to propose a joint Préfecture maritime / Yachting professionals observatory to monitor incidents during the season. Anchorage regulations: Doc 1 .pdf Download PDF • 2.76MB Doc 2 .pdf Download PDF • 2.71MB Doc 3 .pdf Download PDF • 2.82MB Doc 4 .pdf Download PDF • 3.57MB Doc 5 .pdf Download PDF • 2.01MB Doc 6 .pdf Download PDF • 600KB For further information, please visit the website of the Préfecture Maritime de la Mediterranée: https://www.premar-mediterranee.gouv.fr Watch our webinar now: More news PYA CEO to Moderate “Environment and Sustainability” Panel at Superyacht Conference in Monaco on 27 June Christophe Bourillon, the CEO of the Professional Yachting Association (PYA) will be moderating a panel on “Environment and Sustainability” at the upcoming NextGen Owner: Managing Tomorrow's Superyacht conference, to be held in Monaco on 27th June 2024. The event will bring together industry leaders and experts to discuss the future of superyacht ownership. Read more 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

What does the PYA do for yacht crew? Organisation The PYA is a non-profit, trade association which was founded in 1991. It is not a union. Its primary mission is to represent the interests of professional yacht crew from around the world. With members from over 90 countries, the PYA is THE representative body for professional yacht crew. Read more Watch a video Representation With 30 years of experience, the PYA advocates for professional yacht crew in addressing industry issues and shaping the future of yachting. Learn about our representation efforts and how we secure your career in the sector. Read more Historical Achievements For 30 years, PYA has been supporting the rights of professional yacht crew. We have made significant achievements in addressing industry issues and shaping the future of yachting. Learn more about our successes and how they benefit the industry and crew on our website. Read more Event sponsorship Maximize your brand exposure in the yachting industry with PYA event sponsorship. With members from 90+ countries and connections to top management, charter, training and recruitment companies, PYA offers unique opportunities to showcase your company to a global audience. Read more How you can help Get involved with PYA and help shape the future of the yachting industry. As a leading association for yacht crews around the world, our relationships with authorities enable us to support regulations with your feedback while we advocate for yacht crew wellbeing. As a member or partner, you can support our mission to assist crew with qualifications, careers, and more. Read more About us Learn more about the PYA and how you can help

​ Sexual harassment of seafarers To All news 14 October 2018 As part of its members' assistance service, the PYA has seen a marked increase in the number of incidents of sexual harassment reported by crew members. The PYA has therefore conducted an industry survey to give crew members a voice to bring forward their own experiences of sexual harassment in yachting. Our results were reported at the Sea Changes Forum at the Monaco Yacht Show and produced some shocking statistics and personal testimony. A huge thank you to all the people who bravely reported information in our survey. What's next? The PYA in conjunction with other partners in this sector of the maritime industry are joining forces to continue to highlight this subject and to campaign on behalf of crew in establishing improvements in their working environment and in promoting better understanding of the issues raised. If you want to get involved then let us know - possibly consider becoming a PYA Councillor and representing colleagues in future forum dealing with such issues? Contact us at welfare@pya.org More news PYA CEO to Moderate “Environment and Sustainability” Panel at Superyacht Conference in Monaco on 27 June Christophe Bourillon, the CEO of the Professional Yachting Association (PYA) will be moderating a panel on “Environment and Sustainability” at the upcoming NextGen Owner: Managing Tomorrow's Superyacht conference, to be held in Monaco on 27th June 2024. The event will bring together industry leaders and experts to discuss the future of superyacht ownership. Read more 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

​ US Pollution Control Regulations and Smart Travel To All news 5 November 2019 During a lunch hosted by The Marine Industries Association of South Florida, officers from several U.S. government agencies were discussing current issues with captains and crew. Remaining compliant with Non-Tank Vessel Response Plans An increase in the number of vessels without a valid ‘Non-Tank Vessel Response Plan’ and/or a valid Certificate of Financial Responsibility caused the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to issue a Marine Safety and Information Bulletin (MSIB) in May 2019. According to the USCG, a non-tank vessel is defined as a self-propelled vessel of 400 gross tons or greater, that carries oil of any kind as fuel for main propulsion and that operates on the navigable waters of the United States. In a report published by The Triton, the central issue causing many vessels to be non-compliant is the fact that approval of proper documentation takes time. The USCG said that new plans must be approved at least 60 days before a vessel intended to operate in U.S. waters, while revised or amended plans require at least 30 days. Crew need to plan ahead for these timelines. Failure to show a plan to mitigate and respond to an oil spill when submitting an Advanced Notice of Arrival can lead to denial of entry into the U.S. In addition, failure to comply can result in a civil penalty of $47,353 against the owner or operator, according to the bulletin. Using technology to make travel simpler for crew The officers also emphasised that they’re trying to work with crew to make travel to and from ports easier. For example, the US Customs and Border Protection agency (CBP) is investing in facial recognition technology, said Michael Silva, Public Affairs Officer. “You’ll be able to travel from reservation to destination just with the face,” he said. The agency also stressed that they’re continuing to make the Reporting Offsite Arrival – Mobile (ROAM) app easier to use to help prevent problems, such as illegal bareboat charters. Officers stressed that they’re listening to multiple other issues raised relating to the travel of crew and Captains in the yachting industry and hope to go back to their departments to help find solutions. Read the full article here. Image by The Triton More news PYA CEO to Moderate “Environment and Sustainability” Panel at Superyacht Conference in Monaco on 27 June Christophe Bourillon, the CEO of the Professional Yachting Association (PYA) will be moderating a panel on “Environment and Sustainability” at the upcoming NextGen Owner: Managing Tomorrow's Superyacht conference, to be held in Monaco on 27th June 2024. The event will bring together industry leaders and experts to discuss the future of superyacht ownership. Read more 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

© Ryan Geller PYA to launch Webinar on Yachting in the Bahamas with the BWA To All news 30 October 2023 This November, the PYA will launch a webinar with the BWA to discuss important seafaring issues specific to the Bahamas and surrounding island communities. The Bahamas is considered one of the world’s most seductive yachting destinations, offering more than 700 breath-taking islands and cays to explore, both for those seeking an adventurous yachting vacation or one of total seclusion. “We are welcoming a host of guest speakers from across the yachting industry to take part in this important conversation on yachting in the Bahamas. Attendees will be able to learn about industry-specific issues by getting involved in this conversation and sharing various perspectives,” said Kim Llorente, Operations Manager for the PYA. BWA Yachting is a worldwide yacht agency and yachting services provider set up to support captains, managers and crew - making their lives easier and assisting with the increasing demands of managing a modern superyacht. Their global office network stretches throughout the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas, providing a unique and seamless experience, wherever clients are cruising. We want to say a big thank you to BWA and all our guest speakers for supporting our latest webinar and taking part in this year’s discussion centred on the Bahamas. Guest speakers Daniel Persaud: Operations Manager at BWA Yachting Bahamas Chrislyn Stubbs: crew member and operator of Palm Winds (shore support) Jonathan Lord: Bahamas Tourism ambassador Safwene Guilouchi: Captain M/Y Centurion To take part in this webinar, you can reserve your place by booking via our event page . If you would like to host a webinar with the PYA, please contact us on info@pya.org with the subject ‘Webinar Partner’. We look forward to welcoming you to our Yachting in the Bahamas webinar! To access our previous webinars, you can visit our website to see the latest discussions in the archive . More news PYA CEO to Moderate “Environment and Sustainability” Panel at Superyacht Conference in Monaco on 27 June Christophe Bourillon, the CEO of the Professional Yachting Association (PYA) will be moderating a panel on “Environment and Sustainability” at the upcoming NextGen Owner: Managing Tomorrow's Superyacht conference, to be held in Monaco on 27th June 2024. The event will bring together industry leaders and experts to discuss the future of superyacht ownership. Read more 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

​ 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 PYA CEO to Moderate “Environment and Sustainability” Panel at Superyacht Conference in Monaco on 27 June Christophe Bourillon, the CEO of the Professional Yachting Association (PYA) will be moderating a panel on “Environment and Sustainability” at the upcoming NextGen Owner: Managing Tomorrow's Superyacht conference, to be held in Monaco on 27th June 2024. The event will bring together industry leaders and experts to discuss the future of superyacht ownership. Read more 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

​ Join the MED GHOST FADS Flotilla To All news 29 January 2021 MED GHOST FADS was launched by the SAVE THE MED foundation to address the threat of ghost fishing to our marine environment. It consists of a network of navigators, vessels, rescue centres, port authorities, dive centres, research organizations and more, which is committed to creating a safer, cleaner and healthier sea. Whoever signs-up to the network immediately becomes part of a wider collaboration. What are Ghost FADS? Ghost gear is any lost, abandoned and otherwise discarded fishing gear and fish aggregating devices (FADs). It is estimated that over 800.000 tons of ghost gear enter the marine ecosystems, threatening vulnerable species and habitats. Learn more about FADS Join the GHOST FADS Flotilla The PYA has joined the GHOST FADS network and is encouraging all of our members working on vessels in the Mediterranean to join the flotilla. Vessels that sign-up to the flotilla learn to: 1) safely retrieve ghost FADs & other illegal fishing gear which are also a navigation hazard 2) ensure entangled wildlife is properly taken care of and directed to the appropriate rescue center for treatment and further release 3) collect and submit essential data which is shared and studied to understand the issue at the source There are many ways that the superyacht industry can assist in this endeavour and it all starts by visiting http://www.ghostfads.org and learning more. Yacht crew in conservation Find out how Captain Ivan volunteered for Save The Med during the Summer of 2020. Image source: www.ghostfads.org More news PYA CEO to Moderate “Environment and Sustainability” Panel at Superyacht Conference in Monaco on 27 June Christophe Bourillon, the CEO of the Professional Yachting Association (PYA) will be moderating a panel on “Environment and Sustainability” at the upcoming NextGen Owner: Managing Tomorrow's Superyacht conference, to be held in Monaco on 27th June 2024. The event will bring together industry leaders and experts to discuss the future of superyacht ownership. Read more 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

​ Cayman Islands Flag Makes Waves: New Law Protects Yacht Crew To All news 14 March 2024 The Cayman Islands, a popular registry for luxury yachts, has taken a big step towards crew welfare with a brand new law. The Cayman Islands Ship Registry (CISR) now requires written contracts for all crew members on Cayman-flagged yachts, including private vessels . This is a major first in the yachting industry and sets a strong example for better working conditions at sea. What Changed? Many crew members, especially on smaller yachts, don't have formal employment contracts. This can lead to confusion and disagreements about pay, work hours, and other important aspects of their jobs. Now, with a written contract in place, everyone is on the same page. The contract clearly outlines the crew member's rights and responsibilities, along with the yacht owner's obligations. This helps to ensure fair treatment and a more professional work environment for all. What This Means for Yacht Owners and Crew If you own a Cayman-flagged yacht, you'll need to have a written contract for each crew member. The CISR will be checking for compliance during surveys, and failing to provide a contract could be considered a violation of maritime law. For crew members, this new regulation is a positive development. It guarantees a clear understanding of their employment terms and provides essential protections. How You Can Get Help The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) supports yacht crew members in navigating this change. Here are some resources we offer: Free Contract Templates: PYA members have access to downloadable contract templates that follow industry best practices. ( https://www.pya.org/knowledge-base/employment-contracts ) Understanding the Regulations: The CISR website provides detailed guidance notes on the revised Merchant Shipping Act, including the new contract requirement. ( https://www.cishipping.com/policy-advice/guidance-notes ) Look for the first guidance note under "Policy & Advice". The PYA is here to answer any questions you may have about crew employment contracts. Feel free to contact us at advice@pya.org for further assistance. More news PYA CEO to Moderate “Environment and Sustainability” Panel at Superyacht Conference in Monaco on 27 June Christophe Bourillon, the CEO of the Professional Yachting Association (PYA) will be moderating a panel on “Environment and Sustainability” at the upcoming NextGen Owner: Managing Tomorrow's Superyacht conference, to be held in Monaco on 27th June 2024. The event will bring together industry leaders and experts to discuss the future of superyacht ownership. Read more 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