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Find out what the first steps are. How to set up an RYA Water Sports Centre on a yacht To All news 14 June 2023 Interested in running a jet ski centre on your yacht? The link below takes you to the RYA Training support site and in particular to the section that introduces the concept of “RYA Training Recognition”. This is what is required to be able to deliver RYA courses – in this case PWC safety courses. You would first need to lodge an expression of interest, which is a simple (free) online process that will put you in direct contact with the RYA Recognition team. You will subsequently be provided with a login to the RYA closed site. The Recognition team will then be able to assist. https://www.rya.org.uk/club-centre-support/training/recognition/apply https://www.rya.org.uk/club-centre-support/training/thinking-of-running-a-centre For any questions, please contact: recognition@rya.org.uk 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 Crew Network is a specialist crew agency providing tailored recruitment solutions for the yachting industry. Working closely with yacht owners, managers, and captains, they place carefully vetted crew in both permanent and temporary roles worldwide. The Crew Network is one of the world’s most established yacht crew recruitment and placement agencies, with over 30 years of experience connecting crew and yacht employers. They are fully compliant with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) and have successfully filled thousands of positions across all departments on yachts of various sizes. With multinational, multilingual teams and offices in key yachting hubs including Antibes, Fort Lauderdale, Palma and Viareggio, TCN offers personalised recruitment support for both crew seeking jobs and yacht owners looking to hire. Their process includes in-depth profiling, vetting and matching to ensure the right fit for both candidates and vessels. The agency also provides career guidance and assistance with applications, helping crew build long-term careers in yachting. Owners and captains benefit from professional service and placements that contribute to smooth, efficient yacht operations. Services Crew recruitment Placement services Career guidance Contact Information 12 Avenue Pasteur, 06600 Antibes, France https://www.crewnetwork.com/ +33 4 97 21 13 13 The Crew Network The Crew Network is a specialist crew agency providing tailored recruitment solutions for the yachting industry. Working closely with yacht owners, managers, and captains, they place carefully vetted crew in both permanent and temporary roles worldwide. Visit website Back to All Partners Become a member and enjoy the exclusive offers from our partners. Become a member

There's a lot of misinformation and confusion amongst yacht crew who hold Schengen visas when it comes to being stamped in and out of the Schengen area when starting and finishing their employment onboard a vessel. Guidelines for being stamped in and out of the Schengen area for visa holders To All news 6 October 2019 There's a lot of misinformation and confusion amongst yacht crew who hold Schengen visas when it comes to being stamped in and out of the Schengen area when starting and finishing their employment onboard a vessel. Unfortunately, far too many yacht crew are still taking their questions to yacht crew Facebook groups with the hope of finding answers. Whilst advice from fellow yacht crew might provide some general guidance, we would highly discourage members from relying on this information as visa advice is tailored to each individual's passport, visa and circumstances. In addition, visa regulations are constantly being updated by authorities, so it's important to get advice which is current and in line with the latest information. By relying on advice from unqualified sources, you might end up breaking the rules of your visa which could prevent you from being granted future Schengen visas and, subsequently, jeopardise your career in yachting. We interviewed immigration officials at the Cannes and Nice Ports in France on 3 October 2019, which are two ports in the French Riviera which have immigration offices. They have provided the following guidance for yacht crew with Schengen Visas: Stamped out - To be stamped out of the Schengen area, the crew member should visit the immigration office at Le Vieux Port Cannes or Nice Port with a valid passport and Schengen Visa. Stamped in - Once a crew member has returned from their time at sea, they can visit the immigration office with a valid passport and visa to be stamped back into the Schengen area, provided they still have available days left on their visa. Please note: The crew member needs to be present in order for their passport to be stamped. Also, the type of Schengen visa a crew member holds might affect their ability to be stamped back in and out multiple times, so we advise crew to check if this possible in advance. Documents required - Only a valid passport and Schengen visa. However, be prepared to show additional documentation to prove your employment, such as an Employment Agreement and/or the Crew List, a Seafarer’s Identity Document, the Yacht’s Certificate of Registry and/or a return ticket back to your home country. The flag under which the boat is registered - This does not affect the immigration requirements and crew can still be stamped in and out of the Schengen area when working on a boat which is registered in a Schengen country. The PYA does not currently provide tailored visa advice, however, we've put together some basic guidelines you should follow: Most of the Schengen countries are in the European Union, BUT some are not. It's important not to confuse the Schengen Area with the EU. Yacht crew can be stamped out of the Schengen area by a Port's Immigration Officer with an official immigration stamp in their passport. Due to the fact that a crew member is officially on a vessel and out of Schengen territory, the number of days that they're allowed in the Schengen area on their visa should not be affected and they should be able to pick up where they left off when being stamped back in by immigration officials. Please note - this is usually only allowed if your visa grants you multiple entries and should be confirmed by an official source. Many Schengen authorities are very strict on stamping crew back into a Schengen country once they've completed their employment on board a vessel and will only do so if the crew member has a repatriation ticket back to their home country. Do not rely on your Captain, management company or the vessel's owners to solve your visa issues. Make sure you know the rights and the regulations of your visa without your employer's assistance. Never ever overstay the number of days allowed on land on your visa. Never overstay your visa expiry date without being stamped out the Schengen area. If you are looking to leave your vessel via a Schengen airport after overstaying your original visa, you will usually need to apply for a transit visa which can usually be issued by an agent at the port of disembarkation. If MLC 2006 applies to your Seafarers Employment Agreement, the cost of this visa and agent should be covered by your vessel. Important - The type of visa and passport you hold might affect the guidelines provided above. We advise all crew to discuss their situation with the port's immigration officials or a verified visa agent. We recommend our members search online for a verified visa agent or speak directly with their local Immigration Officials. Here's a list of useful resources you can also refer to, although be mindful some of this content might be out of date: Official Schengen Visa Website Onboard Online - The Dilemma: Yachting and Schengen Visas (published 21.05.2015) Crew Compass App (published 27.04.2018) Please note: The information provided in this article is believed to be correct at the time of publishing (07.10.2019) and has been verified to be the best of the PYA's ability, however, cannot be guaranteed. Watch our latest webinar on Visas & Crew Immigration (published 28.02.2024) 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 partnering with Genoa Superyacht Hub (GSH) to develop a number of initiatives in support of yacht crew commencing in March 2024. PYA and Genoa Superyacht Hub to launch joint initiatives in 2024 To All news 26 February 2024 The PYA is partnering with Genoa Superyacht Hub (GSH) to develop a number of initiatives in support of yacht crew commencing in March 2024. As part of the new partnership, the PYA and GSH will work together on a new event, Yachties Career Day, specifically designed for crew in the Genoa region of Italy. The event will bring together prominent recruiters and trainers in the sector, providing unique networking opportunities for yacht crew and expert educators where they will be able to meet face-to-face. “Our new joint event in Genoa, Italy is just the beginning as we look forward to bringing crew together for Yachties Career Day. This new initiative will support Italian as well as international crew across the region,” said Kim Llorente, Operations Manager for the PYA. Attendees of the event will benefit from: Speed dating to get matched up with employment opportunities. Advice and career progression from the PYA and training providers in attendance. Specialist information on training: Learning about training programmes that can elevate career prospects. Amico & Co and Pesto Sea Group, part of GSH, aim to establish Genoa as an international hub for yachts in the coming years ahead. Genoa Superyacht Hub, offers one of the leading refit shipyards in the world, located next to a brand new marina, the Waterfront Marina, an integral part of Renzo Piano’s Waterfront city development and minutes away from the city’s historical centre, an Unesco World Heritage Site. The world renowned yacht agency also organizes events, a wide array of industry-specific courses, and provides assistance to crew in town. This new partnership underlines Genoa's strategic role as a Mediterranean hub of international excellence in the yachting industry with PYA and GSH seeking to support yacht crew through career development and networking in the region. The first Yachties Career Day is scheduled for Tuesday, 19 March, from 8.30am to 4.30pm, taking place at the Genova Waterfront Marina – P.le John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 1, Genoa. Registrations are now open for the event which can be booked online . 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 Professional Yachting Association (PYA) and the Italian Yacht Masters Association (IYM) sound the alarm on a hidden danger: a surge in unqualified crew with fake or purchased Certificates of Competence, which raises potential safety issues for crew, passengers, and vessels. A surge in unqualified crew with fake or purchased CoCs To All news 2 July 2024 The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) and the Italian Yacht Masters Association (IYM) sound the alarm on a hidden danger: a surge in unqualified crew with fake or purchased Certificates of Competence, which raises potential safety issues for crew, passengers, and vessels. It is also in the best personal interests of all crew not to waste money on any CoC which is not recognised by the major Flag states in yachting. The same principle applies to any type of training course (deck, engineering or interior) which is not accredited by the rigorous requirements of national educational establishments, or the industry-driven IAMI accredited GUEST courses , which exercises rigorous requirements in both its prerequisite regulations and educational standards. While there are procedures in place to identify fraudulent licenses - Flag states such as MCA (UK Maritime Coastguard Agency) and TM (Transport Malta) can denounce any fraudulent tickets they encounter - there are still loopholes. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) maintains a "White List" of countries that meet strict minimum training and certification standards for seafarers ( STCW ). Holders of a CoC (Certificate of Competency - license) from a non-white list country will most likely be denied a Certificate of Equivalency, they will likely be rejected as a viable manning solution for white list flagged vessels, and their sea time and training may either be highly scrutinised or not accepted at all towards a CoC from a white list country. The PYA and IYM urge all yacht crew, managers, recruiters, and insurers to only accept white list CoCs to ensure the safety and legitimacy of your yachting operation. The IMO White List is available here: https://gisis.imo.org/Public/STCW/CertificateRecognition.aspx and here: https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/OurWork/HumanElement/Documents/MSC.1-Circ.1163-Rev.12.pdf Or you can consult with high-quality Flag states directly. For more information, feel free to reach out to srb@pya.org The PYA and the IYM 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

Our recent Leadership in Yachting webinar has been released, revealing insights into industry practices and expert opinions from a host of guest speakers. Leadership in Yachting 2024 - Webinar now available To All news 1 February 2024 Our recent Leadership in Yachting webinar has been released, revealing insights into industry practices and expert opinions from a host of guest speakers. Our latest webinar focused on the strength of leadership as a force for good in the wider industry, with perspectives shared from our guests who have a range of experiences in crew management, welfare, working onboard vessels, and within the education sector. “We want to thank our members and participating guest speakers for sharing their industry knowledge during our Leadership in Yachting 2024 webinar. We look forward to furthering these discussions in the near future on the important topic of leadership in our industry,” said Kim Llorente, Office Manager for the PYA. The PYA regularly engages with the industry in order to highlight evolving standards, new technologies and the latest training for yacht crews. You can see who was involved in our latest webinar below. The speakers Marianne Danissen, Camper & Nicholsons Head of Management. Captain Micheál Pierse, PYA member and MCA Master / HELM instructor for Bluewater. Karen Passman, Founder of Impact Crew. Captain Kelly Gordon, an advocate of strong leadership and a spokeswoman for mental health awareness. Robin Weninger, Co-Founder and Managing Director of the executive education company Global Institute of Leadership and Technology (GILT). The core safety leadership qualities Confidence and authority Instil respect and command authority Lead the team by example Draw on knowledge and experience Remain calm in a crisis Empathy and understanding Practise “tough empathy” Be sensitive to different cultures Recognise the crew’s limitations Motivation and commitment Motivate and create a sense of community Place the safety of crew and passengers above everything Openness and clarity Communicate and listen clearly Leading for Safety: Additional resource This a comprehensive guide published by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). It aims to assist leaders and senior officers in the maritime industry in improving their leadership and people management skills to ensure safety on board. This resource emphasises the critical role of leaders in developing and maintaining a safe maritime environment. For more details, you can refer to the official guide https://www.gov.uk/guidance/leading-for-safety To access the full webinar visit: https://youtu.be/6wrwByg6JNY 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 minimum required STCW kW limitation for engine officers (as listed on the MSMC) will be determined based on the single highest rated engine power in kW.” Streamlined Certification for Yacht Engineers: New RMI Policy Clarifies Requirements To All news 8 March 2024 The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) has recently formalized an existing policy that simplifies engineer certification requirements for yachts with multiple engines. This change benefits both yacht owners and engineers by aligning RMI standards with the practicalities of multi-engine configurations. Previously, some flag states might have required engineers on a yacht with two powerful engines (say, 3,000kW each) to hold a combined 6,000kW certification. However, the RMI recognizes that the single most powerful engine on board dictates the skillset needed for operation and maintenance. This update is now reflected in the Marine Notice (MN) 7-038-2, Section A 2.19 . It clearly states: “ The minimum required STCW kW limitation for engine officers (as listed on the MSMC) will be determined based on the single highest rated engine power in kW. ” In simpler terms, the engineer's qualification is based on the power of the yacht's strongest engine, not the sum of all engines . This means that for our example yacht with dual 3,000kW engines, engineers only require a 3,000kW certification, reducing potential certification hurdles. This change streamlines the certification process for engineers working on multi-engine yachts under the RMI flag, while still maintaining safety standards. It allows qualified professionals to operate within their expertise while ensuring efficient operations for yacht owners. For any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@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

The MCA have updated their advice regarding conversions from foreign Engineering licenses to MCA SV CoCs. The MCA releases new advice on conversions of Engineer Yacht COCs To All news 8 August 2023 The MCA have updated their advice regarding conversions from foreign Engineering licenses to MCA SV CoCs. Among some of the criteria include the successful completion of MCA approved modules including technical safety course certificates and the MCA oral examination required for the specific conversion being requested. The MCA’s latest guidance covers conversions for 8 different scenarios with steps to take to begin the request. In order to make a successful conversion, you must hold a CoC from a country that the UK accepts towards the issuance of a UK FSE/CEC. You are however not required to obtain a FSE or CEC to apply for a conversion in the first instance. To learn more about the new guidance on conversions see the latest publication from the MCA. To review the list of countries that the UK accepts towards issuing a UK FSE, please visit this resource for further information. The PYA is authorised by the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency to issue Yacht Rating Certificates which are needed by some vessels to comply with their safe manning requirements. If you are looking to get a Yacht Rating Certificate verified, explore our service , or as a full member you can access this for free. 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

Over the last couple of months, the PYA's Member Assistance Service (MAS) has received a number of reports from crew who have been approached by scammers offering false jobs onboard yachts. Along with these direct reports, there has also been a number of incidents reported via the Yacht Crew Facebook Groups. Yacht Job Scams on the Rise To All news 26 November 2020 Over the last couple of months, t he PYA's Member Assistance Service (MAS) has received a number of reports from crew who have been approached by scammers offering false jobs onboard yachts. Along with these direct reports, there has also been a number of incidents reported via the Yacht Crew Facebook Groups. The motive of these scams is not clear, however, the PYA would like to warn crew that these scams might put them at an increased risk of individuals wanting to commit crimes of human trafficking, identity fraud or sexual assault. We have provided the details of some of these reports below and put together a survey to gather more information on the prevalence of job scams in the industry. Take our short survey now What has been reported in 2020? Majority of the scams reported involve female yacht crew. Report 1 - False job onboard We previously released the following report which gave the details of a job scam where a female crew member was recruited for a Stewardess position and asked to board a private plane to join the yacht. In addition to this individual, we received another report where the same scammer tried to recruit a female Chef under the same circumstances. Report 2 - Sexual assault during a video interview We received reports that young inexperienced Stewardesses had fallen victim to a false job scam. After applying to a Stewardess position in France advertised on social media, a number of girls were interviewed via a video call by an individual posing as the 'Captain' and asked to let their hair down and put on their bikinis during the interview. One reported incident included '8 hours of interview ing in 3 sessions, being asked to mess up her hair for him and get undressed'. Here is a visual of the original job post which appeared on social media: Report 3 - Inappropriate photos requested for interview Recently, it was reported via the yachting social media groups that another young girl had applied for a job online and had been asked for photos of herself in her underwear by the interviewer. 'A young girl who applied for a position on social media was asked to send photos of herself in her underwear, as this is how the industry works, according to the company. Luckily she took some advice and was told absolutely NOT. If ever in doubt when applying for positions pls pls pls ask someone. Trust your gut, not all you see Is as it seems. There are some rotten apples out there.' Here is the visual of the original job advert below: Report a job scam If you have been the victim of a job scam and need advice or support, please report your incident to our team via info@pya.org and we can put you in touch with the best support services. 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

Find out how you can learn the practical skills to measure and managing sustainability within the Superyacht industry. Sustainability Training for the Superyacht Industry To All news 5 November 2020 Since their launch, the PYA has been a proud supporter of the Water Revolution Foundation , the first independent, international, science-driven, non-profit organisation that is taking the lead to neutralise the ecological footprint of the superyacht industry and preserve the world’s precious oceans. In addition, following our initial message to members about The Foundation, there was a positive response and many members enquired about signing up their yachts to this initiative. At the beginning of the year, the Water Revolution Foundation declared that 2020 was the beginning of the decade of sustainability in yachting - a period where the industry would work together towards the United Nations’ 2030 agenda, guided by their Sustainable Development Goals. Since then, the Foundation has seen more companies becoming Water Revolution Foundation partners, but they also noticed a subsequent increase in questions surrounding the ‘how’ of sustainability....How do we improve? How do we ensure that our industry will be future proof? Sustainability Course for the Superyacht Industry For those looking to understand how to make practical changes – from measuring the environmental impact to creating a sustainability strategy – The Water Revolution Foundation's sustainability course was developed to do just that. The course is very pragmatic, provides useful tools and tips, and empowers participants to start their own sustainability programmes within their respective companies/roles. Held in five hours divided over two days, it’s the perfect way to get up to speed with sustainability. And you’ll be in good company. Over fifty industry professionals from leading companies have already taken the course to rave reviews. The course is run by the Centre for Sustainability & Excellence which has trained 90% of Fortune 500 companies. The next course takes place online on 19 and 20 November, from 2.00-4.30pm CET on both days. This will be their last course for 2020 so make sure you secure your spot. Learn more & register here. 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