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This November, the PYA will launch a webinar with the BWA to discuss important seafaring issues specific to the Bahamas and surrounding island communities. © 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 Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more Launch of a New AV/IT Training Programme to Address Growing Skills Gap Onboard Superyachts The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) spearheaded the development of a series of courses to deliver fit-for-purpose AV/IT training, aligned with real onboard needs. The courses will be provided through IAMI GUEST Accredited training providers. Antibes (France), 21 Jan. 2026 - Yacht agents and captains are reporting a growing demand for crew with Electrical Technical Officer (ETO) certification. However, while an ETO Certificate of Competency is a degree-level qualification focused primarily on high-voltage electrical systems, the operational reality onboard many yachts tells a different story. Read more Real Life On Board Competition - Superyacht Reality Project The PYA, with the backing of the Raising The Bar think tank, invites yacht crew worldwide to contribute to Superyacht Reality – Real Life On Board, a global photo and video competition designed to reflect the authentic experience of working on superyachts. This initiative aims to support career awareness, promote realistic expectations of life at sea, and share the everyday moments that define professional yachting — from teamwork and skills development to the challenges and rewards of working on board. The competition starts on 19th January 2026, ends on 22nd March 2026, and the winners will be announced the following week. Read more

CamForm is a nautical training center endorsed by the Italian Maritime Coast Guard. Their mission is to unite the passion for sea life with training. CamForm is situated in North Sardinia, a pivotal hub within the Yachting industry. They offer year-round training opportunities for those seeking to certify their skills while their yacht is either in the shipyard or docked at the marina, awaiting its next voyage. Their dedicated instructors strive to lead candidates to the highest standards for a successful maritime career. Services Basic Training Imo STCW Maritime Safety Boat licences Silver Service Contact Information CamForm Via Roma n.130 07026 ,Olbia, Italy Ph.: +39 324 920 4820 segreteria@camform.it www.accademianauticacamform.it CamForm Accademia Nautica CamForm is a nautical training center endorsed by the Italian Maritime Coast Guard. Their mission is to unite the passion for sea life with training. Visit website Back to All Partners 10% discount for all PYA members. Please quote your PYA membership number and expiry date with your purchase. Become a member and enjoy the exclusive offers from our partners. Become a member

Captain Thomas Auckland shares his first-hand account of the rescue of 16 migrants at sea off the coast of St Kitts & Nevis SY Genevieve crew rescue 16 migrants at sea off the coast of St Kitts & Nevis To All news 5 April 2023 16 migrants have been rescued at sea off the coast of St Kitts & Nevis after their fishing skiff capsized. Another 16 are presumed dead. Genevieve was en-route from Antigua to Saint Maarten when the faint sound of a woman’s scream was heard at around 11.30pm. The sail-yacht Captain immediately slowed and backtracked and at first found a man in the water clinging to a damaged lifejacket who became unconscious once on board, and, sure of a woman’s presence, they carried on the search to find her 400m away clinging to a plastic barrel. After being pulled from the water she mentioned an upturned boat that a further 30 persons had been onboard. She was in a very distressed state. The small boat had been heading for St. Thomas and broken down causing it to take on water that caused it to capsize in the 20kt winds and 2m seas. Captain Thomas Auckland, then coordinated his crew’s efforts to locate and rescue anyone else that could be close to them in the water. He discharged two red parachute flares to alert anyone in the area of their presence and sent out alerts to all of the required search and rescue organizations close by, including shipping. “With no knowledge of whether or not the vessel was still afloat, we decided to continue slowly downwind towards the brightest looms of St Kitts which would be visible from the water,” said Captain Thomas. The boat crew would soon encounter more objects floating in the water leading them to more survivors. “At around 00:28, the crew started spotting plastic drums floating in the water, and shortly afterwards they noticed a light coming in and out of sight, which later proved to be the light of a mobile phone being waved around. On approach we discovered the upturned fishing skiff, “La Belle Michelle” with 15 persons straddled on the hull, approximately 1.1nm from the first casualty.” “All the crew assembled on the aft deck, and together we quickly constructed a plan of how best to remove the individuals from the capsized vessel. This was a solid-hulled boat with two upturned outboards, so bringing it alongside in the given prevailing sea state was never a viable option. We therefore used the floating line and fender attached to a long Dyneema tail, which was floated downwind to them; then the line was tied around the leg of one of the outboards by one of the casualties, under instruction from our crew. We brought this to our STB stern and on to a primary winch for control. This line was at once under several tonnes of load, so once it was affixed we were very reluctant to move it. We then used a rescue sling with a thick Dyneema tail for grip and additional safety line attached. This rescue sling proved invaluable.” 

Each crew member was assigned a specific role during the rescue and incredibly 14 of the 15 migrants were brought onboard, unfortunately due to what is thought to be exhaustion, the last casualty fell into the water, and with the crew unable to recover him, was sadly lost. The local coastguard had been informed and by now several vessels were en-route to help. “Events now entered a new phase. I was clearly aware that we had 16 migrants on board, 13 of whom were male, of which we knew nothing other than the fact that they were willing to risk their lives being smuggled across to St Thomas. So we locked down the exterior of the boat and placed the female members of crew up forward, with everyone in direct radio contact. All casualties had been given water, sugary drinks, food and blankets, and were grouped together in the cockpit. The male crew members remained at the helm station, while I ran back and forth on the VOIP line with MRCC Fort du France, who requested that we remain at the scene until air support arrived. As there was evidently a security risk on board, at 03:42 we were given permission to depart the scene and headed directly to Basseterre in St Kitts, which was approximately 34nm away,” added Captain Thomas. “Once the day dawned and we were under coastguard escort, it became quite clear that these terrified Cameroonian nationals were extremely grateful to us and posed no risk to us at all. The female crew came and administered basic first aid; fed, watered and tried to dry out as much of their clothing as possible, before we arrived in Basseterre. On arrival in Basseterre they were transferred via coastguard boat to their base, where I went ashore and made statements to the various authorities.” A former PYA member, Captain Thomas wanted to share his story with seafarers in the hope that they could be better prepared for any incidents and what is now a growing issue globally, especially in both the Mediterranean and English Channel. He also wants to raise awareness for the Cameroonian Nationals stranded in Antigua with the hope of improving their quality of living. Sharing his first-hand account of the night of 27th March, his quick response and coordination with the onboard crew managed to save many lives.
 “I think what I take away most from this is just how well the crew performed under immense pressure: they were all making very sensible and rational decisions in a situation in which they have had very little training. We of course were incredibly lucky to hear a scream in the dark over the wind, and also unbelievably lucky that we were able to save so many people. We have sat together with an industry professional and dissected the night’s events in great detail, and we are also discussing it very openly among ourselves. All of the crew, myself included, are still in a stage of processing all that occurred. It is affecting everybody in a slightly different way, but knowing that there were 32 people on board, and only 16 survived is perhaps the hardest part for us all to comprehend.” Reflecting upon the rescue mission, and having had to come to terms with the fact that not all the migrants were able to survive the incident, Captain Thomas shared the following statement for all sea crews and captains should they ever be in a situation like theirs:

“ I sincerely hope that none of you ever have to encounter such an event during your time at sea, but if you do I hope this account may be of some use. In conclusion, never underestimate the importance of good watch-keeping – and rest assured that the teamwork and professionalism exhibited by your crew will leave you feeling very, very proud.” “I would like to thank, MRCC Fort du France, MV Britannia, Marine Assist Osprey, SY Midnight, St Kitts Coastguard and the numerous other vessels, that came together so selflessly, “it is an honour to sail the waters with you”. The rescue has reminded us how important it is for sea crews to work together during extraordinary circumstances, and to rise to the challenges that come. Thanks to their efforts and this personal account, crews can consider such events and become better prepared for them in the future. We want to thank Captain Thomas Auckland for sharing this extraordinary account with us, and we wish him and his crew all the best. More news Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more Launch of a New AV/IT Training Programme to Address Growing Skills Gap Onboard Superyachts The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) spearheaded the development of a series of courses to deliver fit-for-purpose AV/IT training, aligned with real onboard needs. The courses will be provided through IAMI GUEST Accredited training providers. Antibes (France), 21 Jan. 2026 - Yacht agents and captains are reporting a growing demand for crew with Electrical Technical Officer (ETO) certification. However, while an ETO Certificate of Competency is a degree-level qualification focused primarily on high-voltage electrical systems, the operational reality onboard many yachts tells a different story. Read more Real Life On Board Competition - Superyacht Reality Project The PYA, with the backing of the Raising The Bar think tank, invites yacht crew worldwide to contribute to Superyacht Reality – Real Life On Board, a global photo and video competition designed to reflect the authentic experience of working on superyachts. This initiative aims to support career awareness, promote realistic expectations of life at sea, and share the everyday moments that define professional yachting — from teamwork and skills development to the challenges and rewards of working on board. The competition starts on 19th January 2026, ends on 22nd March 2026, and the winners will be announced the following week. Read more

As the PYA continues to move over to a more digital way of working, we will also be transferring all of our members’ paper files to our digital system. This, not only to hold true to our aim to become an ecologically friendly and paperless organisation, but also to improve the speed and efficiency with which we can access our members’ data... PYA Membership Updates To All news 28 August 2020 Digitisation of Member Records As the PYA continues to move over to a more digital way of working, we will also be transferring all of our members’ paper files to our digital system. This, not only to hold true to our aim to become an ecologically friendly and paperless organisation, but also to improve the speed and efficiency with which we can access our members’ data and, therefore, improve our service to them. If you are a paid-up member of the PYA, your data will be automatically moved and stored in our new digital system. However, due to the high number of member records we hold, we have decided only to keep expired members' records for up to 5 years on our new digital system. Following this time frame, expired members’ data will be deleted. So…. in order to safeguard your documents and records in a secure digital environment, be sure to keep your membership up to date. New exciting digital advances will be announced very soon! More news Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more Launch of a New AV/IT Training Programme to Address Growing Skills Gap Onboard Superyachts The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) spearheaded the development of a series of courses to deliver fit-for-purpose AV/IT training, aligned with real onboard needs. The courses will be provided through IAMI GUEST Accredited training providers. Antibes (France), 21 Jan. 2026 - Yacht agents and captains are reporting a growing demand for crew with Electrical Technical Officer (ETO) certification. However, while an ETO Certificate of Competency is a degree-level qualification focused primarily on high-voltage electrical systems, the operational reality onboard many yachts tells a different story. Read more Real Life On Board Competition - Superyacht Reality Project The PYA, with the backing of the Raising The Bar think tank, invites yacht crew worldwide to contribute to Superyacht Reality – Real Life On Board, a global photo and video competition designed to reflect the authentic experience of working on superyachts. This initiative aims to support career awareness, promote realistic expectations of life at sea, and share the everyday moments that define professional yachting — from teamwork and skills development to the challenges and rewards of working on board. The competition starts on 19th January 2026, ends on 22nd March 2026, and the winners will be announced the following week. Read more

The PYA is a non-profit making association, registered at the Sub Prefecture in Grasse, France with number 9648 in accordance with the Law of 1st July 1901, and the decree of 16th August 1901. The PYA is a non-profit making association, registered at the Sub Prefecture in Grasse, France with number 9648 in accordance with the Law of 1st July 1901, and the decree of 16th August 1901. The PYA shall not support with its funds any object, or any endeavour to impose it, by its members or others, any regulation, restriction or condition which would make the object of the PYA a Trades Union. The income and property of the PYA whence so ever derived shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objects of the PYA and no part of it shall be paid or transferred, directly or indirectly, by way of dividends, bonus or otherwise by way of profits, to members of the PYA, unless otherwise agreed at any Council meeting where a quorum of members is present. Legal Status The PYA is a non-profit making association, registered at the Sub Prefecture in Grasse, France with number 9648 in accordance with the Law of 1st July 1901, and the decree of 16th August 1901.

It is now official that the increase of Tolls for the Panama Canal transit starts in January 1st, 2023 and is divided into 3 parts (January 1st, 2023, January 1st, 2024 and January 1st, 2025). Increase in Tolls for the Panama Canal transit To All news 20 July 2022 It is now official that the increase of Tolls for the Panama Canal transit starts on January 1st, 2023 and is divided into 3 parts (January 1st, 2023, January 1st, 2024 and January 1st, 2025). Adjustments to small vessels tolls: Modifications to small vessel tolls involve adjustments to the maximum limits of displacement tonnage established by tolls based on length overall. These tolls apply to all small vessels (length overall up to 125 feet). Vessels of length overall greater than 125 feet, of any market segment, with PC/UMS tonnage up to 999 as the maximum limit, will be applied the small vessels tolls in the length overall range greater than 100 feet, in addition to all related charges for other maritime services. The proposed modifications to small vessel tolls involve adjustments to the maximum limits of displacement tonnage established by tolls based on length overall (1,000 displacement tons). Vessels with a displacement tonnage greater than 1,000 will be assessed tolls based on the proposed displacement tolls. Below is the table that shows the tolls increase for the 3 years for vessels/boats that pay Tolls based on their length and not tonnage: Yachts that pay tolls based on PC/UMS tonnage fall in the segment of "Others". There will be a substantial increase in Tolls to be paid for vessels/boats that pay based on their tonnages or PC/UMS tonnage as per the table. The total tolls to be paid will be a combination of a Fixed Fee plus the PC/UMS of the vessel times $2.00 on 2023, $2.50 in 2024 and $3.00 in 2025. However, most yachts up to 180 ft and some close to 200 ft would still pay based on their length because of their PC/UMS tonnages. Associated Yacht Services recommends sending them an email ( yachts@shipsagent.com ) and they can make the calculations for you. For more information, download the Adjustment to Tolls from the Panama Canal. More news Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more Launch of a New AV/IT Training Programme to Address Growing Skills Gap Onboard Superyachts The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) spearheaded the development of a series of courses to deliver fit-for-purpose AV/IT training, aligned with real onboard needs. The courses will be provided through IAMI GUEST Accredited training providers. Antibes (France), 21 Jan. 2026 - Yacht agents and captains are reporting a growing demand for crew with Electrical Technical Officer (ETO) certification. However, while an ETO Certificate of Competency is a degree-level qualification focused primarily on high-voltage electrical systems, the operational reality onboard many yachts tells a different story. Read more Real Life On Board Competition - Superyacht Reality Project The PYA, with the backing of the Raising The Bar think tank, invites yacht crew worldwide to contribute to Superyacht Reality – Real Life On Board, a global photo and video competition designed to reflect the authentic experience of working on superyachts. This initiative aims to support career awareness, promote realistic expectations of life at sea, and share the everyday moments that define professional yachting — from teamwork and skills development to the challenges and rewards of working on board. The competition starts on 19th January 2026, ends on 22nd March 2026, and the winners will be announced the following week. Read more

This week, the PYA is launching a new webinar for captains, crew members, yacht managers and recruiters to discuss visa and immigration in Europe. 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 Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more Launch of a New AV/IT Training Programme to Address Growing Skills Gap Onboard Superyachts The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) spearheaded the development of a series of courses to deliver fit-for-purpose AV/IT training, aligned with real onboard needs. The courses will be provided through IAMI GUEST Accredited training providers. Antibes (France), 21 Jan. 2026 - Yacht agents and captains are reporting a growing demand for crew with Electrical Technical Officer (ETO) certification. However, while an ETO Certificate of Competency is a degree-level qualification focused primarily on high-voltage electrical systems, the operational reality onboard many yachts tells a different story. Read more Real Life On Board Competition - Superyacht Reality Project The PYA, with the backing of the Raising The Bar think tank, invites yacht crew worldwide to contribute to Superyacht Reality – Real Life On Board, a global photo and video competition designed to reflect the authentic experience of working on superyachts. This initiative aims to support career awareness, promote realistic expectations of life at sea, and share the everyday moments that define professional yachting — from teamwork and skills development to the challenges and rewards of working on board. The competition starts on 19th January 2026, ends on 22nd March 2026, and the winners will be announced the following week. Read more

The management consultant, Peter Drucker, famously said: "Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things." Captains - Common Leadership Issues On Board To All news 11 May 2021 Putting this into context, leadership coach Martin Mainey steps on board to answer some common questions raised by captains in relation to their crew. Read the full story More news Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more Launch of a New AV/IT Training Programme to Address Growing Skills Gap Onboard Superyachts The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) spearheaded the development of a series of courses to deliver fit-for-purpose AV/IT training, aligned with real onboard needs. The courses will be provided through IAMI GUEST Accredited training providers. Antibes (France), 21 Jan. 2026 - Yacht agents and captains are reporting a growing demand for crew with Electrical Technical Officer (ETO) certification. However, while an ETO Certificate of Competency is a degree-level qualification focused primarily on high-voltage electrical systems, the operational reality onboard many yachts tells a different story. Read more Real Life On Board Competition - Superyacht Reality Project The PYA, with the backing of the Raising The Bar think tank, invites yacht crew worldwide to contribute to Superyacht Reality – Real Life On Board, a global photo and video competition designed to reflect the authentic experience of working on superyachts. This initiative aims to support career awareness, promote realistic expectations of life at sea, and share the everyday moments that define professional yachting — from teamwork and skills development to the challenges and rewards of working on board. The competition starts on 19th January 2026, ends on 22nd March 2026, and the winners will be announced the following week. Read more

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. Next Generation in Yachting Forum 2025 - Highlights To All news 15 April 2025 The PYA Next Generation in Yachting Forum , held on 11 April in Antibes, provided aspiring yacht crew with an invaluable insight into the world of professional yachting. Organised by the Professional Yachting Association (PYA), the event brought together leading industry experts to offer practical guidance, career advice, and networking opportunities for those looking to take their first steps into a career at sea. This is the second edition of the forum created specifically for the next generation of yacht crew. Beyond recruitment, attendees benefitted from sessions covering welfare support (with ISWAN ), visa and immigration advice (from Catalano Shipping Services ), and training pathways in the galley, interior, and deck departments. Insightful talks were delivered by experienced captains, instructors, and ex-crew now working in training and product services—offering a 360° view of life on board. This event would not have been such a success without the invaluable support and participation of these top recruitment agencies: YPI CREW YPI CREW , established in 2002, has been connecting people with their dream careers on board superyachts for over two decades. The purpose is to allow new generations to discover yachting, whilst also helping seasoned crew to advance their career and develop their talents. Hill Robinson Hill Robinson is a leading yacht management company offering a full range of services including crew recruitment, operational support, technical management, and new build supervision for luxury yachts worldwide. The Crew Network The Crew Network (TCN) is the longest serving professional and fully MLC compliant Crew Recruitment and Placement Agency in the world today. In 35 years, the multinational, multilingual teams have successfully filled over 10,000 positions ranging from Deckhands to Master Mariners, across all departments including the engine room and interiors, on vessels from 24m (79′) to over 216m (709′). Bluewater Bluewater has been training and recruiting crew for over 30 years and is dedicated to ensuring a high level of excellence in the industry. Their comprehensive services cover all aspects of yachting, including yacht management, charter services, and yacht sales. Learn more For further information about the participating companies, available training opportunities, or forthcoming events, please contact pya@pya.org Whether you are just beginning your yachting journey or considering your next steps, the professional yachting community is here to support you every step of the way. More news Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more Launch of a New AV/IT Training Programme to Address Growing Skills Gap Onboard Superyachts The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) spearheaded the development of a series of courses to deliver fit-for-purpose AV/IT training, aligned with real onboard needs. The courses will be provided through IAMI GUEST Accredited training providers. Antibes (France), 21 Jan. 2026 - Yacht agents and captains are reporting a growing demand for crew with Electrical Technical Officer (ETO) certification. However, while an ETO Certificate of Competency is a degree-level qualification focused primarily on high-voltage electrical systems, the operational reality onboard many yachts tells a different story. Read more Real Life On Board Competition - Superyacht Reality Project The PYA, with the backing of the Raising The Bar think tank, invites yacht crew worldwide to contribute to Superyacht Reality – Real Life On Board, a global photo and video competition designed to reflect the authentic experience of working on superyachts. This initiative aims to support career awareness, promote realistic expectations of life at sea, and share the everyday moments that define professional yachting — from teamwork and skills development to the challenges and rewards of working on board. The competition starts on 19th January 2026, ends on 22nd March 2026, and the winners will be announced the following week. Read more

Many crew might find themselves in a position where they have extra time on their hands as they wait for lockdown restrictions to be lifted. With this in mind, now is the perfect time to get your sea service testimonials up to date before the summer season.  Top tips on getting a valid Sea Service Testimonial To All news 18 April 2020 Many crew might find themselves in a position where they have extra time on their hands as they wait for lockdown restrictions to be lifted. With this in mind, now is the perfect time to get your sea service testimonials up to date before the summer season. What do I need to do to get my testimonials verified? All members should upload copies of their documents (certified by the captain) and their testimonials into their PYA Profile. These will be processed, verified and digitally signed in your profile by SRB officers in the usual way. As the office is currently closed, we are not updating SRBs. However, we will let you know as soon as our team is back in the office and it's possible to update your physical SRB. Follow these top tips before requesting your testimonials Kim Llorente, one of our PYA advisors and former crew member, has put together some top tips to requesting testimonials which will be valid for future employment: Why ask for a testimonial? If you’ve only been hired on a seasonal contract, or would like to leave your current vessel, it’s a good idea to get proof of your sea service before you leave. Employers can refuse to give you a reference, but they have to give you a Sea Service testimonial if you request it. This will validate your sea time on that vessel and is a credible reference when looking for employment on other vessels in the future. Who can provide a testimonial? Testimonials should be signed by the vessel’s Master, Owner or Manager. For Masters looking to get a testimonial, only the vessel’s Owner or Manager can sign - self-declarations aren’t valid. Important details to remember It’s best to use the PYA’s testimonial template as this includes all the required information. Remember to always put down start and end dates. This is important as it determines the reference period of your sea time, even if you are still on board, or on a non-seasonal contract. Make sure the dates on your testimonials don’t overlap. If your employment is continuous, the new testimonial should start after the last entry in your SRB or after your last testimonial. If the dates on your testimonials overlap in any way you will be asked to submit new correct testimonials. We don’t need the original testimonials. Upload digital copies to your PYA profile. Remember to check your calculations and add your numbers up. Your recorded sea service should never exceed your employment period. To access the PYA on-line Testimonials for Deck & Engineers or if you have any doubts or questions about testimonials or sea service, please read our guidelines or contact us at srb@pya.org More news Schengen EES Update: Guidance for Yacht Crew The new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records for non-Schengen nationals. While procedures remain largely unchanged for yacht crew, entries and exits are now tracked electronically—with no physical proof provided—making it essential for crew to monitor their own Schengen days. Read more Launch of a New AV/IT Training Programme to Address Growing Skills Gap Onboard Superyachts The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) spearheaded the development of a series of courses to deliver fit-for-purpose AV/IT training, aligned with real onboard needs. The courses will be provided through IAMI GUEST Accredited training providers. Antibes (France), 21 Jan. 2026 - Yacht agents and captains are reporting a growing demand for crew with Electrical Technical Officer (ETO) certification. However, while an ETO Certificate of Competency is a degree-level qualification focused primarily on high-voltage electrical systems, the operational reality onboard many yachts tells a different story. Read more Real Life On Board Competition - Superyacht Reality Project The PYA, with the backing of the Raising The Bar think tank, invites yacht crew worldwide to contribute to Superyacht Reality – Real Life On Board, a global photo and video competition designed to reflect the authentic experience of working on superyachts. This initiative aims to support career awareness, promote realistic expectations of life at sea, and share the everyday moments that define professional yachting — from teamwork and skills development to the challenges and rewards of working on board. The competition starts on 19th January 2026, ends on 22nd March 2026, and the winners will be announced the following week. Read more