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Superyacht References has introduced a ground-breaking platform to streamline and enhance the yacht crew recruitment process. Founded by Captain McDowell, the platform offers independent referencing support, background checks, and career guidance for crew members. It addresses the challenges of verifying references and qualifications by providing a secure, transparent, and time-saving solution. Crew members can upload their details to an encrypted portal for verification, ensuring that captains and agents can trust the authenticity of the information. The platform aims to continue improving user experience and offers free services for crew members, including professional development and mentoring throughout their careers. Superyacht References prioritises mental health, aiming to alleviate stress for crew members in an industry known for high demands. Our commitment to mental well-being is underscored by a dedicated team that not only offers career guidance and mentorship but also assists crew members in addressing areas for improvement highlighted in the feedback received form their references. Our team guides them on specific actions to enhance their skills, ensuring they stand a better chance of achieving their career goals. Overall, Superyacht References aims to reshape the industry by providing a stress-free and efficient experience for both crew members and recruiters. Services - References Checks - Certification/Qualification Checks - Background Checks - Security & National ID Checks - Career Guidance - Mentorship Program Contact Information Website: www.superyachtreferences.com Email: hello@superyachtreferences.com Socials: @superyachtreferences Superyacht References Superyacht References is an innovative new platform set to revolutionise the yacht crew recruitment process. Built by a captain, for captains, senior crew and agents, it’s a pioneering solution to the challenges of undertaking background checks, verifying crew references alongside a mentoring and career guidance program. Visit website Back to All Partners ​ Become a member and enjoy the exclusive offers from our partners. Become a member

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. Samantha Morris @Samantha Morris Healer Samantha set sail into her career in Maritime when she was just 21, working in the Cruise Ship industry before transiting into the Yachting industry in 2016. She was nominated and won the Purser of the year award with ACREW in 2021, due to her dedication to crew welfare & mental health in maritime. Samantha has numerous qualifications including the IAMI GUEST Purser COC, Advanced Leadership, Mental Health First Aider and she has recently qualified as both a Life Coach and a NLP Practitioner. As a Seafarer Clarity and Confidence Coach she focuses on the readiness to change by facilitating crew to implement healthier habits into their lives to ensure that their Mental Health is their highest priority. ​ 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

​ Is the ISPS Code still suitable for yacht crew safety? To All news 27 December 2023 PYA Board Director Captain Rod Hatch writes this opinion piece regarding the ISPS Code’s current relevance in relation to the safety of yacht crew. Safety Management Systems developed with reference to the ISPS Code are not up to the task of providing yacht crew with protection from threats of increasingly aggressive tactics by environmental activists. This applies to potential physical harm which could result from attempting to confront or deter activist actions, and also to potential legal jeopardy arising from physical contact with activists. The PYA was recently contacted about this issue by The Nautical Institute (NI) and CHIRP (Confidential Human Factors Incident Reporting Programme). The NI focus is on marina security. This is reasonably well covered in marinas which are ISPS compliant, but only from landward attacks, as emphasized in the Onboard Online article. CHIRP sees a change in public perception across the maritime luxury sector, including cruise ships. They advocate sector-wide security protocols to address the risks which are not covered by the ISPS Code (such as from environmentalist activism). They also asked if there is any relevant form of ISPS Code ready for implementation, which there is not. Anecdotally, one security company contacted about this issue reported that when the subject of such activism crops up during Shipboard Security Officer training, then in general crew attitudes are that activists should be met hands-on, which in fact would produce a disastrous outcome. There is a serious gap in crew preparedness which needs to be plugged here. It appears that captains have no clear directives regarding how they and their crew should respond, both during an incident and then during its negative PR aftermath. The NI and CHIRP are keen to open discussion with the PYA about how to address the twin issues of (i) yachting’s negative image with the wider public, following the oligarch debacle early in 2023, and (ii) the environmentalists’ campaign to “ban superyachts”. We look forward to having our colleagues at Italian Yachtmasters (IYM), Hellenic Yachtmasters’ Club (HYMC), and Groupement des equipages professionels du yachting (GEPY) with us during the discussions with the NI and CHIRP. A further factor has very recently made it clear that the ISPS Code has stagnated to the point whereby it is partly the Irrelevant Ship and Port Facility Security Code. Defensive measures such as armed guards and creating an onboard citadel, which were relevant and effective when high seas piracy was a daily threat in some areas, are of reduced usefulness in the present situation in the Red Sea. The Houthi group based in North Yemen has used drones and ballistic missiles to attack 12 ships in the Red Sea and adjacent waters in the past month. Only dedicated defensive equipment on warships can detect and counter such attacks. A targeted commercial vessel would receive little or no warning of such an attack, and anyway would have no defensive capability. There would be no time to shoot, and no time to retire to a citadel. Any realistic defence can only come at inter-governmental level with deployment of military assets. This week, on 18th December the formation of a joint naval task force was announced. In response, on the 19th December the Houthis announced their capacity and intent to deliver attacks every 12 hours against shipping. This is all hot news, but outside of shipping circles the general public is so far not stirred up about rockets being fired at bulk carriers or container ships. To the Houthis, yachts may look like small fry, not worth the expenditure of ammunition. But if the connection were to be made about the propaganda value of the destruction of such a despised symbol of plutocrat wealth as a superyacht, then for an indeterminate period it would be game over for a link between Mediterranean yachting and any place East of Suez. The yachting industry has the resources to deal with its image problem, and to take corrective action in all areas where it is open to valid criticism on environmental grounds (Part 1: SuperyachtNews - Unmanaged risk ; Part 2: Unmanaged risk ). Effective implementation will require a time frame of several years. In the interim, the PYA and its partner groups representing crew interests will be active in formulating guidelines for crew in handling environmental protests, in conjunction with other industry bodies. Regarding the new form of maritime threat affecting the Red Sea, we shall provide regular advisories through our contacts with flag states and involved maritime security companies. It is actually very unlikely that any yacht owners would send their vessel on a Red Sea transit at the moment. Calls to maritime insurers, and reports from on-board security providers, indicate: (i) many yacht owners have cancelled their plans to proceed East of Suez for this winter: (ii) a rise in insurance rates is anticipated for those who wish to make the transit: and (iii) notwithstanding its current news dominance, Houthi terrorism has not supplanted piracy as the major risk to shipping in the Red Sea and adjacent waters, but has piled another serious risk on top. This article was first published on OnboardOnline on the 13th December, 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

© Jéan Cloete PYA to launch Lithium-ion Batteries webinar with Seascope France To All news 9 November 2023 The PYA in collaboration with Seascope France will launch a webinar this November covering lithium-ion battery awareness and a new training course based on the MCA’s MGN 681. The discussion will welcome a number of experts from across the yachting industry familiar with lithium-ion battery systems and their implementation on board yachts of various sizes. The webinar will also explore the important areas that underpin safety on vessels and the often overlooked component of lithium batteries including their role in the yachting industry. “Leading yacht industry experts will be taking part in our latest webinar with Seascope France to better understand the safety aspects of yacht management and lithium-ion batteries. This discussion follows a number of fires on yachts in recent months and will enable yacht crew to learn valuable insights on safety procedures. We want to thank Seascope France for working with us to arrange our latest webinar which will bring in-depth knowledge to the industry,” said Christophe Bourillon, CEO for the PYA. Yachting industry experts with years of experience in areas such as health & safety, fire & rescue training, the merchant navy, surveying and maritime law will share their unique insights. Discover our guest speakers Mr Kevin Howlette, Director of Ferndale Fire Ltd. and Emergency Fire & Safety Ltd Kevin is a Health & Safety Consultant who specialises in fire and rescue training. His companies specialise in providing cutting-edge solutions for extinguishing Lithium Ion Battery Fires, including robotics. Ferndale Fire Ltd is a Joint Venture between Emergency Fire & Safety Ltd from Belfast and Ferndale Lane Investments Ltd from Cork, London and Dublin. Working both locally and widely abroad, Kevin, a former member of the NIFRS, has extensive health and safety knowledge in the fire & rescue sector and a proven track record for managing and delivering training in his field. Master Mariner Gerard Pollock, who developed the course around the MCA’s MGN 681 Gerard Pollock is a Master Mariner who began his career in the merchant navy before entering yachting 20 years ago. Gerard has worked on several prominent yachts, including as Master on MY Musashi. Since moving ashore in 2016, Gerard has worked as a Port State Control Officer before joining the Pacific Maritime Safety Programme as a Maritime Advisor to governments in the South Pacific. Gerard is also an author and writes on maritime safety and regulation. His third book is due out from Witherby’s later this year. Captain Herbert Magney Herbert Magney is an active captain of a 135' private yacht and in the U.S.C.G. Auxiliary. He works with Sectors Miami and Boston Commanders in the Accident and Incident Investigation Branches. After launching a working group initially made up of members of the ISS, Captain Magney has worked with several flag and class surveyors plus various law firms, insurance underwriters and insurance providers. He has also led the creation of On Board Safety Management Plans and On Board Training for large and small vessels of various types of construction. Allan Love, MCA Policy Lead – Fire Safety & Engineering Allan Love represents the MCA on policy and works within the UK Technical Services Ship Standards. He is the main author for The MAC’s MGN 681. To take part in this webinar, you can reserve your place by booking via our event page . If you would like to host a webinar with the PYA, please contact us on info@pya.org with the subject ‘Webinar Partner’. We look forward to welcoming you to our latest webinar hosted by the PYA and Seascope France. To access our previous webinars, you can visit our website to see the latest discussions in the archive . More news 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 Partners not only contribute to the association's growth through funding but also by offering our members special benefits. To find out what these benefits are, please visit the Partner's page . ​ Included in all paid memberships ​ Become a member Partner Offers PYA Partners offer our members special benefits To All services Discover our plans to get access to all the services we provide. Become a member

​ PYA to launch new Visa and Crew Immigration Webinar To All news 27 February 2024 This week, the PYA is launching a new webinar for captains, crew members, yacht managers and recruiters to discuss visa and immigration in Europe. The webinar will bring together a panel of experts from leading companies to cover key issues affecting seafarers operating in the EU. With changing regulations for yacht crew and more stringent visa requirements in the Schengen area, we’ve brought together experts from a number of countries to go more in-depth on emerging topics: France & Monaco : Get expert guidance from Catalano Shipping Services on the recent regulations and procedures for smooth entry and operations. Italy (Genoa, Viareggio, Sardinia & Naples) : Learn from Luise Group's specialists about navigating the latest visa requirements and processes for your crew in key Italian ports. Spain : BWA Yachting's experts will offer valuable information on visa regulations and efficient immigration procedures for Spain. In this webinar, you will be able to: Stay informed on the latest visa requirements and changes in policy Learn best practices for smooth crew immigration processes Get expert advice from leading companies in the industry Ask questions and address any specific concerns you may have The Visa and Immigration webinar will be launched on Wednesday 28th of February, at 15:00 CET. You can register your attendance now to secure your spot here: http://tinyurl.com/46ynddju Contact us at info@pya.org for any questions you'd like us to answer in our upcoming webinar. 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

Our team is available to assist and support your requirements. Our services include Yacht Agency, Sales, Charter, Procurement and storage facilities along with Management & Consultancy Services and Marine Surveyors. Vessel construction – classification society consultants- water transportation - support vessels - independent surveyors - luxury motor yachts- fabrication & installation - dealer & distributor Medasia Marine and Yachting Group Medasia Marine & Yachting consists of a team of dedicated professionals with various backgrounds in the marine services industry. Visit website Back to All Partners ​ Become a member and enjoy the exclusive offers from our partners. Become a member

We stick to our dates and ensure your place on our courses, regardless of any cancellations by others. If you book with us then we honour that arrangement !!! Steve Brand, Managing Director Seahaven Maritime Academy Ltd Seahaven Maritime Academy is a purpose built, full training centre in the port of Newhaven, East Sussex. It is run entirely by professional mariners for professional mariners. Visit website Back to All Partners ​ Become a member and enjoy the exclusive offers from our partners. Become a member

​ PYA to launch quarterly leadership networking event in Antibes, France To All news 31 October 2023 The PYA will hold its latest leadership networking event in the bustling city of Antibes in France this November. The quarterly leadership meetup will bring together a host of crew from across the industry including yacht captains, first officers, engineers, chief stewardesses, chefs and the various heads of departments. The event will provide opportunities for networking and yacht crew to share their perspectives and reflections on the past year’s important milestones. “We are delighted to be welcoming esteemed yacht crew from across France and Europe at our latest networking event in Antibes. What better place to have important industry conversations that will shape how we work together in the future. A special thanks to everyone that has contacted the PYA about this upcoming event and pledged their support to make it a truly memorable occasion. We look forward to meeting you all,” said Christophe Bourillon, CEO for the PYA. DWD Dolphin Wear & Deckers , Riviera Wine , Luxury Hospitality and MS Yachts by Edge Ship are sponsors for our latest quarterly event where attending guests will be provided with drinks and canapes at the opening reception. We would like to say a big thank you to all our partners for their continuous support and helping to facilitate important networking events. Event details and how to participate L'AUTHENTIK 1 Boulevard d'Aguillon, 06600, Antibes, France Thu, 16 Nov 2023 17:00 - 19:00 CET To reserve your place, visit our event page and book your tickets. If you would like to know more about PYA events and stay informed of the latest yachting industry developments, explore our membership options to learn more. Among the benefits include gaining early access to exclusive industry meetups and a wide range of services to support your career. 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

​ New route to Officer of the Watch To All news 12 October 2018 This MIN details a new route for applicants looking to gain an UK OOW yachts, less than 3000 GT, unlimited area, II/1 Certificate of Competency. MIN 580 can be found here. It essentially is a new route for Seafarers wanting to gain an OOW Yachts Licence but don’t have the relevant service on smaller yachts due to the nature of the industry. 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