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The PYA is authorized to issue Yacht Rating Certificates on behalf of the MCA. Some vessels require crew to have a Yacht Rating Certificate as part of their safe manning requirements. Having this certificate can improve your chances of finding a job. We accept digital applications! Simply email all required documentation to certificates@pya.org - read below for further details. Fees In the case of a seafarer joining the PYA as a full member, the YRC, if required at time of joining, will be included in their first year's membership fee. The charge is €40 to PYA other type members and €80 for non-PYA members. Requirements Be at least 16 years of age Demonstrate at least 6 months of onboard service including 2 months of seagoing service , all of which must be on vessels of 15 metres and over in load line length Have the Basic STWC training: Personal Survival Techniques (STCW Code Ref A-VI/1-1), or RYA Basic Sea Survival Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (STCW Code Ref A-VI/1-2) Elementary First Aid (STCW Code Ref A-VI/1-3) Personal Safety & Social Responsibility (STCW Code Ref AVI/1-4) Complete the Yacht Rating Training Record Book* *You can be exempted from the TRB, and the requirement for 6 months’ onboard service may be reduced to 2 months’ seagoing service on vessels of at least 15 metres, if you hold one of the following: Watch Leader Certificate, together with a Competent Crew certificate; or Day Skipper Certificate together, with a Competent Crew certificate; or Yacht Rating course completion certificate. Documentation You will need to submit to us the following - in person (originals) or by email (certified copies): Yacht Rating Application form (filled in, signed and countersigned*) Original or Certified copy of passport (by a training school or your Captain or Chief Officer with their CoC number included) 2 Passport-size photographs (if applying by email, 1 will suffice) - the back of the photo must be countersigned by the same person countersigning your application . PYA D-SRB or Testimonials + Discharge Book / Discharge Certificate (if you don't have a D-SRB, two forms of proof are required). You may find our testimonial templates here . Originals or Certified copies of your STCW Certificates Original or Certified copy of valid medical fitness certificate, e.g. ENG 1 Yacht Rating Certificate Training Record Book (Annex B of MSN 1862) - not required if you have the certificates listed in par. 4B of the application form For more information please contact certificates@pya.org Last updated 31/07/2023 Free with Full Membership €40 / €60 Without Full Membership Become a member or buy the service Yacht Rating Certificate Some vessels require crew to have a Yacht Rating Certificate as part of their safe manning requirements. Having this certificate can improve your chances of finding a job. To All services Discover our plans to get access to all the services we provide. Become a member

Kim Woodey, Director and Lead Trainer of KDW Training, is IAMI GUEST Accredited Interior trainer and runs a range of courses for yacht crew, helping them gain an in-depth understanding of the highest levels of service, housekeeping and organisational skills. All courses are offered onboard, including the option for bespoke training courses, tailored to the exact requirements of your team and yacht. KDW Training Kim Woodey, Director and Lead Trainer of KDW Training, is IAMI GUEST Accredited Interior trainer and runs a range of courses for yacht crew, helping them gain an in-depth understanding of the highest levels of service, housekeeping and organisational skills. Visit website Back to All Partners ​ Become a member and enjoy the exclusive offers from our partners. Become a member

​ PYA at the Ocean Race Grand Finale in Genoa, Italy To All news 10 July 2023 The PYA was invited by the Italian Trade Agency and the city of Genova , through Genova For Yachting , to attend the Ocean Race Grand Finale in Genoa, 10 days ago. The Ocean Race , formerly known as the Whitbread Round the World Race, is an iconic and prestigious sailing event that tests the teams like no other. It is said to be the longest and toughest professional sporting event in the world. Sailors circumnavigate the planet and this year’s edition of the race started from Alicante, Spain on January 15th 2023 and ended in Genoa, Italy on 1 st July 2023. The 11th Hour Racing Team won with 29 points. Congratulations to skipper Charlie Enright and his team for all their hard work and dedication. The program for guests included visiting shipyards such as AMICO , Sangiorgio Marine and Tankoa . It was the perfect occasion to meet captains, crew and companies from all over the world and we had some very meaningful conversations about the yachting industry. Two of the big themes from this year’s event were crew retention and education. With many companies seeking professional crews, there’s a big need for the industry to improve working conditions and the welfare of all crew members. We also discussed current crew issues with Captain Theodoros Antonellos, a member of the Hellenic Yacht Masters Club , which gave us additional insights into the current state of the industry, and we look forward to working more closely together in the near future. We want to say a big thank you to the city of Genova for hosting us at such an incredible event. See some highlights below from our visit to this year’s event. 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

​ Repatriation of Personal Possessions To All news 13 April 2021 Last month’s news was that the crew on the 31m M/Y La Dolce Vita had to abandon their burning yacht off the Florida Keys before fire totally gutted it and the yacht sank. Other than the watches on their wrists and the smartphones in their pockets, they may not have managed to take many other of their personal belongings with them when they abandoned the yacht. This was not a unique occasion when yacht crew have been unexpectedly separated from their personal effects in a traumatic manner. A brief online search will reveal a series of other yacht fires and founderings, including some very large yachts. Recently, the 75m S/Y Enigma burned out and sank off Langkawi. The 60m M/Y Yogi sank in heavy weather in the Aegean in February 2012. The Yogi episode was spread over several hours before the crew were lifted off by helicopter, and they reportedly had time to assemble all their belongings to take with them. In other incidents, the speed of abandonment was such that few of the crew members’ personal effects left with their owners. Bicycles, surfboards, parachute packs, and even laptops are unwelcome candidates as survival equipment in a life raft. The above examples illustrate one category of separations between crew and their possessions, namely accidents to vessels. Accidents to individuals, leading to unexpected hospitalization and/or repatriation, are another category. Fatalities, occurring either onboard or during the period of service, are a third category. The Covid-19 crisis has brought to our attention a fourth category of enforced separation of seafarers from their belongings. A combination of quarantine/isolation/lockdown restrictions, plus limited or total unavailability of air travel to particular destinations, has meant that some of our PYA members have been unable to rejoin their yachts after a period of leave and have consequently been paid off. The return of their belongings has not always gone smoothly. The foregoing serves to show that there exists a niche area of crew welfare that is often overlooked and unprepared for until a critical situation arises. Whenever seafarers are separated from their onboard personal possessions for whatever reason, there are specific regulations and protocols to follow. The particular duties and responsibilities of owners/managers and masters, and the rights of the seafarer concerned, will be found in the flag state shipping regulations (for instance the UK Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Minimum Requirements for Seafarers etc.) Regulations 2014, Part6). In some instances the seafarer’s rights under such regulations may be embodied in, appended to, or referred to in the SEA. With regard to the UK Statutory Instrument referred to above, note the following paragraph: (13) The seafarer or the next of kin, as the case may be, must reimburse the shipowner for the reasonable delivery costs if demanded. A similar clause may be found in the regulations of other flag registries. There is no guidance as to the grounds for reimbursement of such delivery costs. Justifiable grounds could be extreme misconduct on board, leading to instant dismissal and police escort to the airport, or criminal conduct leading to imprisonment under the regime of the port being visited, such as possession of drugs or pornography. No matter who pays for the shipment, a proper accounting of all left-behind possessions is called for in all circumstances. In the event of personal belongings having to be shipped to a former crew member, or their next of kin, the circumstances leading to separation from those belongings, whether fire, foundering, sickness, injury or death are certain to create stress for those involved. The last thing that anybody needs is to compound the stress by controversy over the belongings which have been left behind on board. The best precaution to take in order to avoid a dispute over such possessions is to maintain onboard an electronic register into which each crew member can enter all relevant details regarding their personal belongings. Entries should include a photograph of each item (face and back of the case of expensive watches,) photograph of proof of purchase, make, model, serial number, a brief description, and any other pertinent information (such as provenance). The electronic format allows for easy updates as crew change or they buy themselves new toys, and remote cloud storage safeguards the list in the event of catastrophic annihilation of onboard records. The full list should be password protected, with at least one person ashore, possibly the DPA, having access. With this data always retrievable, appropriate action can be taken in the event of shipment of one person’s belongings, or a post-loss insurance claim by all crew members. If no central registry is kept on board, it would behove each individual crew member to maintain their own personal inventory in a similar remotely stored manner. In all instances, the Master or a delegated officer should verify the existence of all items listed. 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

​ Hill Robinson and Sanlorenzo Academy seek yachts to take students To All news 24 March 2021 We are seeking yachts in the Ligurian Region (due to travel restrictions) who can take our students on and provide an opportunity for Deck/Interior role experience under the relevant Head of Department during normal crew working hours. Note that yachts are not expected to pay the students – this is part of an Internship Placement which will assist them in attaining necessary hours towards graduation from the Sanlorenzo Crew Academy. Students are between the ages of 24-35yrs, have their own accommodation, are trained across all areas of working on-board, plus have all necessary qualifications. While the Academy benefits greatly from your kind assistance, we also hope to benefit your current crew and yacht should you be willing to take on an extra hand (or two!) in preparation for the coming season. The dates of availability of our students is between 20th April – 31st May. Please contact Peta Rook at Hill Robinson Italia for further information: peta.rook@hillrobinson.com Published by: Hill Robinson 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

Purser Trainer launched in 2018 as the first online Purser Training course. Since then, it has grown exponentially and in 2020 the Purser Program officially became accredited under the GUEST program through the internationally recognised awarding body of IAMI. Topics include the role of the purser, crew administration and logistics, port clearances, financial administration and budgeting, maritime legislation and legalities, guest logistics and much more! Throughout the program, you will receive personalised one-to-one coaching and mentoring calls with Angela as you work through each module. Upon completion of the course, Angela also offers ongoing support. We were honoured to receive the ACREW Superyacht Business Award for Crew Training in 2021 for our interactive program. Contact information Website: www.pursertrainer.com . Email: angela@pursertrainer.com Mobile: +34 633 810 561 Purser Trainer IAMI GUEST accredited blended online Purser training program dedicated to those who want to advance their careers in the superyacht crew industry. With one year to complete, our innovative e-learning system offers a flexible course structure which can be completed according to your schedule from anywhere in the world. Visit website Back to All Partners ​ Become a member and enjoy the exclusive offers from our partners. Become a member

​ PYA to attend Improving Yacht Crew Retention Conference in Nice, France To All news 30 January 2024 The PYA will be attending the 2024 Improving Yacht Crew Retention Conference in Nice, France on March 7th. This year's 3rd annual conference will bring together a panel of experts from the industry to discuss crew welfare and retention issues. The speakers will also share their insights on a wide range of topics related to the industry's current recruitment landscape. Among some of the guest speakers include representatives from IAMI, UKSA, Hill Robinson, Wilson Halligan, PG Legal, Northrop & Johnson SYM, Bluewater, the WMU and Impact Crew to name but a few. PYA’s CEO, Christophe Bourillon, will also attend a panel discussing the importance of recruitment in the industry and retaining skilled seafarers: “This year’s conference will provide us with additional opportunities to build on the progress made in the past year on crew retention. These discussions will be an important step forward in addressing some of the imminent challenges. We will also be sharing our insights following recent consultations with recruitment agencies and employers.” We are offering 2 free delegate passes for people interested in coming to the event plus a 15% discount to all PYA members who would like to take part in the conference. You can register your attendance by visiting the Improving Yacht Crew Retention Registration page and typing in "PYA" into the promo box to add your discount. The full schedule for the event will be made available soon. We look forward to seeing you in March! 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

​ Know your EU Social Security Rights and Obligations To All news 1 March 2022 Within the EU, Seafarers, like other EU Nationals are entitled to social protection. Those crew (who are EU nationals) working on board vessels flying the flag of an EU country, by virtue of Article 11.4 of EU Regulation 883/2004, shall be subject to be insured in the Flag State. The only exception for crew to be insured in the Member State where the employer has their business/registered office, is if he/she has their residency in the same Member State. It is important to know that, although there are various private schemes offered to yachts that, along with insurance policies, claim to provide private alternatives to a state social security scheme, none of these private solutions are approved by country bodies, such as ENIM in France. There are also significant legal consequences, both civil and criminal for yachts not complying with social security obligations. France In July 2017, France introduced a social security decree, following mandatory obligations under the MLC, requiring all seafarers resident in France, or those who spend more than 181 days in France, to pay into their social security system. The aim of these regulations is to ensure seafarers resident in France are afforded protection (whether the yacht is a pleasure or commercial vessel). During the 2021 Cannes Yachting Festival, PYA Partner, Breaking The Mould Accounting, heard from local lawyers that there are still yacht owners regularly being prosecuted for hidden employment, despite the legislation being in place for 5 years. If you would like to find out more about social security protection in France, contact ENIM. Malta With exception to the above ruling, yacht crew working on vessels registered in Malta have the benefit of registering their social security in another EU member state scheme, allowing greater flexibility to those who reside elsewhere and still receive the same social protection. More information Learn more about EU Crew Employment Services, plus specific advice for social security in Malta, by contacting our partner, Alasdair Milroy, at Breaking the Mould Accounting . 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

​ Posidonia legislation for superyachts in the Med by YP To All news 23 May 2023 If you missed the webinar about the Posidonia legislation for superyachts in the Med by Yachting Pages on 15th May 2023, you can find the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ_HCm9C1E0 Useful links: Yachting Pages – French anchoring laws Yachting Pages – underwater lights and noise laws Yachting Pages – Mooring buoys in South of France and Corsica Yachting Pages Forum – Posidonia Q&A Yachting Pages – Med book marks Préfet maritime de la méditeranée – Official source for decrees DONIA – mooring app Bonifacio Marina – mooring buoys in Corsica PYA – Posidonia information Mediterranean Posidonia Network – Posidonia legislation across the Med Contact details of panellists - in case you have any questions: Fred Villers – Office français de la biodiversité frederic.villers@ofb.gouv.fr Ornella Valls – Préfet maritime de la méditerranée ornella.valls@intradef.gouv.fr Pierre Descamps – DONIA mooring app pierre.descamp@andromede-ocean.com Michel Mallaroni – Bonifacio Marina directeur@bonifaciomarina.com Marcial Bardolet – Mediterranean Posidonia Network marcialbardolet@gmail.com Steve Crowe – Yachting Pages steve.crowe@yachtingpages.com Thank you to Yachting Pages for all these fantastic resources. They will update their website soon. If you would like to share any feedback with them about the webinar or the Posidonia resources available to you, you can contact hannah.rankine@yachtingpages.com 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

Top Sail Italy is based in North Sardinia, one the most important spot for Yachting industry. We provide several training opportunities all year round those who desire to certify their skills when the yacht is in shipyard or in marina waiting for the next voyage. Our instructors mission is to lead candidates to the highest standard for a successful career. Services Our courses: Personal Watertcraft Component Crew Dayskipper Yachtmaster Coastal Offshore, Ocean Master 200gt Silver Service SRC Radio Contact information Topsailitaly, Via Ischia 18A, 07021 Cannigione Arzachena, Sassari, Italy Ph.+39 351 831 8387- +39 328 369 6610 Top Sail Italy Top Sail Italy is a nautical training center recognized by the “Royal Yachting Association” (RYA), where passion for sealife and training join together 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