Search on page

PYA Christmas Ball 2022 To All news 1 December 2022 PYA Christmas Ball has been one of the biggest and best events in the yachting calendar for 20 years. Attracting over 200 captains, crew and yachting professionals to the prestigious Hotel Martinez in Cannes, it is a night not to be missed! It is being held 16 December 2022 from 7pm. Featuring a cocktail reception, live music, gourmet food, plenty of drinks, fantastic prizes, entertainment, gifts, a photobooth and more, the PYA Christmas Ball never fails to kick off the Christmas season with a bang! This year’s dress code is black tie with a touch of gold! Book your tickets now before it sells out! As a non-profit association, the PYA relies on the support of our wonderful sponsors to host this prestigious fundraiser. Take a moment to learn about this year’s sponsors. Burgess In addition to being a global leader for brokerage, charter, operational management and new-build advisory services, Burgess has now started a podcast! The Burgess Yacht Crew Podcast opens up in-depth conversations about life at sea, discussing hot topics within the industry, as well as offering mental health support and promoting well-being for yacht crew. It also has series on diversity and sustainability in the yachting world. Listen on Spotify or search for Burgess Yacht Crew wherever you get your podcasts. San Lorenzo Since 1958 the Sanlorenzo shipyards have been producing luxury motor yachts, creating an inspiring line of yachts, both semi-custom and made-to-measure according to the owner’s specific requests. In 2018 they launched the Sanlorenzo Academy committed to supporting the younger generation by promoting the technical and craft skills of young people in the nautical sector. The vocational training courses last 600 hours, divided between theoretical activities and workshops, and are always followed by internships of varying duration. This initiative creates an important virtuous circle between industry, the training sector and the world of work, investing in new generations and creating employment. To learn more or apply visit the San LorenzoAcademy . Yotspot Yotspot has been a successful online community since launching in 2010, bringing Captains, Crew and employers together for jobs, sailing opportunities, and courses and now through Yotspot Connect you can stay connected to friends all over the world. When you arrive at a new location, port or networking event, just ask "Who's around?" Stay connected with unlimited friends and colleagues by downloading Yotspot Connect in the Apple Store or Google Play. Infoburo Infoburo offers complete office solutions and support for telephony, printing, servers, networking, hardware (desktop & laptop rent or buy), backup solutions, internet protection, and office automation. Based out of Istres they operate in the South of France and guarentee on-site intervention within 4 hours. To find out more visit their website of contact them for a quote on +33 490 441 427. Gourmet Deliveries Gourmet Deliveries, a family-owned and operated business since 2007, offer luxury provisions for superyachts worldwide, including a wide range of personalised food, wines, bedding, linen and more. They work alongside quality suppliers and ensure they provide clients with only the highest quality products. To save time for chefs and chief stews, Gourmet Deliveries offers a quick and efficient online order service . It lists 10,000 popular products to ensure it can cater to every guest and crew requirement. Gourmet Deliveries offers the widest and the most exclusive catalogue in the world. To get more information visit their website or directly on WhatsApp +33 628 646 124 . MYBA MYBA, the Worldwide Yachting Association , is a global trade association founded in 1984 by a group of prominent yacht brokers with the aim of promoting standards of professionalism and ethics in the yachting industry both throughout the Mediterranean and worldwide. MYBA is the creator of the industry’s most respected and widely used contracts, the MYBA Sales & Purchase Agreement (MoA) and the MYBA Charter Agreement. In addition to being the owner of YACHTFOLIO, and the MYBA Charter Show, MYBA runs a number of influential Committees and Panels ensuring that the industry continues to flourish and maintains the highest ethical and technical standards. To find out more about becoming a member visit MYBA online Voyonic Voyonic offers a full crew employment solution to yacht owners and operators. They work with crew managers or directly with the Captains on the yachts to coordinate the day-to-day basics of employment so you don’t have to. Their team has decades of experience in payroll and personnel management within the maritime industry with the most up-to-date knowledge of the fast-moving environment of global business and global employment regulation. If you are looking for maritime experts in crew management, global employment, employment benefits and payroll, reach out to them at https://voyonic.com/yacht Riviera Wines With more than 15 years of experience, Riviera Wines has grown into one of the most well-renowned and experienced wine suppliers in the yachting industry, combining the finest wine expertise and passion with a vital focus and understanding of the luxury industry. They have a dedicated and passionate team who offers a complete solution to all your wine & spirits needs on board: be it wine or spirits supply, bespoke expert advice, WSET crew training, wine tastings onboard and much more. Let Riviera Wine become your wine & spirits partner! More news Our annual Christmas Ball is Back Again! Get ready for an unforgettable evening at the 2024 PYA Christmas Ball, returning to the iconic Martinez in Cannes December 6th! Join us as we celebrate a year of incredible industry achievements, bringing together delegates and leaders from across the yachting world to honour progress, connect, and set our sights on the future. Read more PYA response to ISS From the Bridge article "There is no second shift" perfectly summarises the growing challenge in the yachting industry: balancing unlimited guest expectations with limited crew resources. As yachts get smaller, the ability to deliver exceptional experiences while adhering to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) becomes increasingly difficult. Even on larger yachts, extended guest occupancy and short turnaround times strain compliance with work and rest regulations. Read more Fatigue in Captaincy and PYA initiatives An Update From The Bridge - an article written by the Captain's Committee of the ISS. The PYA’s mission is “to represent the interests of Professional Yacht Crew and to encourage and maintain the highest professional standards”. For this reason, we have been talking with Captains and crew in the yachting industry to better understand some of the current issues we are facing: Read more

Crew and Concierge - a crew agency with a difference. We highly value our clients and crew. Crew and Concierge Ltd Crew and Concierge - a crew agency with a difference. We highly value our clients and crew. Visit website Back to All Partners Become a member and enjoy the exclusive offers from our partners. Become a member

All MYBA Members possess a proven track record of professional excellence and they are involved at many levels and in most of the disciplines of the superyacht industry. MYBA is the Association that brings them together, encourages them to work in harmony to ensure that the industry continues to flourish and guides them on the highest ethical and technical standards. MYBA Membership means becoming an active advocate for the superyacht industry: acquiring a seat at the collective table, adding your perspective and having your voice heard. MYBA is the creator of the industry’s most respected and widely used contract documents, the MYBA Sales & Purchase Agreement (MoA) and the MYBA Charter Agreement, which together with their associated documents are regularly updated as regulations and the global market change. MYBA is the owner and administrator of YACHTFOLIO, the online tool that changed the way luxury yacht charter professionals do business, and it organises the very successful MYBA Charter Show, one of the most important events of the yachting calendar. MYBA also organises a series of annual seminars for aspiring or new brokers as well as established superyacht professionals who are looking to refresh and build on their knowledge and experience. MYBA: An Association with a vision, a mission and a long-term strategy. You can find our latest news on Facebook , Instagram and LinkedIn MYBA MYBA The Worldwide Yachting Association is an international professional organisation, founded in 1984, with both Corporate and Individual Members. The Association’s mission is to inspire, support and empower people in the superyacht industry to be their best: by maintaining business at the highest level of ethical conduct, committing to equality and diversity, protecting the environment, sharing knowledge and combining strengths, building strong relationships, and continuously developing, both professionally and personally. Visit website Back to All Partners Become a member and enjoy the exclusive offers from our partners. Become a member

New PYA Partner – MaritimeMT To All news 18 July 2022 Today, MaritimeMT has three academies with campuses in Malta and Athens. The Superyacht Academy offers career progression training and education to seafarers working in the Deck, Hospitality and soon, Engineering departments (IMO STCW Convention as accredited by the Malta Flag Registry). Their 2 other Academies offer training programmes for Merchant Seafarers and Recreational Seafarers. Hence, they offer career routes across different segments, be it Merchant or Superyachts. In addition, they welcome seafarers from all over the globe and seek to make their training programmes available remotely through a digital learning platform through which course participants have access to the classroom-based training modules allowing them to save time and money on their training. Why did you decide to start a training school in the Maritime Sector? Education is the foundation for all sectors, and we truly believe that our industry in particular requires high level quality training. It is only natural that our shareholders, all Master Mariners in their own right, would want to invest in the sector which has given so much back to them. Also, Malta is a Maritime Island Nation... we have a mission to sustain the sector! What makes your business unique? MaritimeMT is a dedicated Maritime Training Centre, whose main concern is the career progression and satisfaction of seafarers and shore-based personnel. We do not only offer training, but also support and mentoring to our students. We get to know our students to be able to build solid and healthy relationships that last a lifetime. We applaud and celebrate the success of all our students and a student at MaritimeMT is not just a number. Where can I stay while taking courses? Students who travel to Malta to undergo training, have a number of options. At MaritimeMT we can assist students depending on their preferred arrangements. Malta is a small island, so depending on the type of accommodation and surroundings required, we can assist you, knowing that nowhere in Malta is too far! What types of certifications do you offer? We offer STCW certificates and courses leading to COCs, certificates and licences issued by the Malta Flag Registry under the accreditation of Transport Malta. It is important to note that we are also an SQA Certified training and examination centre, as well as duly approved by DNV to deliver training and simulator training. We also offer bespoke courses which are normally organised based on the requirements set out by the customer. What’s your pass rate for Master courses? We can proudly declare that since we started offering the Master of Yachts <200GT up to 150Nm, and then the OOW-Yachts <3000GT Reg II/1 and Master of Yachts <500GT / Chief Mate <3000GT Reg II/2, we have had close to 95% Pass rate amongst our participants. Who are your teachers? All our teachers are selected as per the Standards for Qualifications of Instructors issued by Transport Malta. We currently boast an Academy of 4 full-time Master Mariners who develop and deliver training, assisted by a compliment of 40 other professionals, including Master Mariners, Chief Mates, Engineers, First Aiders, Fire Fighters, Lawyers, and others, who work with us in their down-time and off contract periods. Our team of teachers is constantly growing to reflect the demand of the market, the industry at large and our stakeholders. To discover more about MaritimeMT and their services check out their website here . More news Our annual Christmas Ball is Back Again! Get ready for an unforgettable evening at the 2024 PYA Christmas Ball, returning to the iconic Martinez in Cannes December 6th! Join us as we celebrate a year of incredible industry achievements, bringing together delegates and leaders from across the yachting world to honour progress, connect, and set our sights on the future. Read more PYA response to ISS From the Bridge article "There is no second shift" perfectly summarises the growing challenge in the yachting industry: balancing unlimited guest expectations with limited crew resources. As yachts get smaller, the ability to deliver exceptional experiences while adhering to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) becomes increasingly difficult. Even on larger yachts, extended guest occupancy and short turnaround times strain compliance with work and rest regulations. Read more Fatigue in Captaincy and PYA initiatives An Update From The Bridge - an article written by the Captain's Committee of the ISS. The PYA’s mission is “to represent the interests of Professional Yacht Crew and to encourage and maintain the highest professional standards”. For this reason, we have been talking with Captains and crew in the yachting industry to better understand some of the current issues we are facing: Read more

Join the MED GHOST FADS Flotilla To All news 29 January 2021 MED GHOST FADS was launched by the SAVE THE MED foundation to address the threat of ghost fishing to our marine environment. It consists of a network of navigators, vessels, rescue centres, port authorities, dive centres, research organizations and more, which is committed to creating a safer, cleaner and healthier sea. Whoever signs-up to the network immediately becomes part of a wider collaboration. What are Ghost FADS? Ghost gear is any lost, abandoned and otherwise discarded fishing gear and fish aggregating devices (FADs). It is estimated that over 800.000 tons of ghost gear enter the marine ecosystems, threatening vulnerable species and habitats. Learn more about FADS Join the GHOST FADS Flotilla The PYA has joined the GHOST FADS network and is encouraging all of our members working on vessels in the Mediterranean to join the flotilla. Vessels that sign-up to the flotilla learn to: 1) safely retrieve ghost FADs & other illegal fishing gear which are also a navigation hazard 2) ensure entangled wildlife is properly taken care of and directed to the appropriate rescue center for treatment and further release 3) collect and submit essential data which is shared and studied to understand the issue at the source There are many ways that the superyacht industry can assist in this endeavour and it all starts by visiting http://www.ghostfads.org and learning more. Yacht crew in conservation Find out how Captain Ivan volunteered for Save The Med during the Summer of 2020. Image source: www.ghostfads.org More news Our annual Christmas Ball is Back Again! Get ready for an unforgettable evening at the 2024 PYA Christmas Ball, returning to the iconic Martinez in Cannes December 6th! Join us as we celebrate a year of incredible industry achievements, bringing together delegates and leaders from across the yachting world to honour progress, connect, and set our sights on the future. Read more PYA response to ISS From the Bridge article "There is no second shift" perfectly summarises the growing challenge in the yachting industry: balancing unlimited guest expectations with limited crew resources. As yachts get smaller, the ability to deliver exceptional experiences while adhering to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) becomes increasingly difficult. Even on larger yachts, extended guest occupancy and short turnaround times strain compliance with work and rest regulations. Read more Fatigue in Captaincy and PYA initiatives An Update From The Bridge - an article written by the Captain's Committee of the ISS. The PYA’s mission is “to represent the interests of Professional Yacht Crew and to encourage and maintain the highest professional standards”. For this reason, we have been talking with Captains and crew in the yachting industry to better understand some of the current issues we are facing: 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 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.

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 Our annual Christmas Ball is Back Again! Get ready for an unforgettable evening at the 2024 PYA Christmas Ball, returning to the iconic Martinez in Cannes December 6th! Join us as we celebrate a year of incredible industry achievements, bringing together delegates and leaders from across the yachting world to honour progress, connect, and set our sights on the future. Read more PYA response to ISS From the Bridge article "There is no second shift" perfectly summarises the growing challenge in the yachting industry: balancing unlimited guest expectations with limited crew resources. As yachts get smaller, the ability to deliver exceptional experiences while adhering to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) becomes increasingly difficult. Even on larger yachts, extended guest occupancy and short turnaround times strain compliance with work and rest regulations. Read more Fatigue in Captaincy and PYA initiatives An Update From The Bridge - an article written by the Captain's Committee of the ISS. The PYA’s mission is “to represent the interests of Professional Yacht Crew and to encourage and maintain the highest professional standards”. For this reason, we have been talking with Captains and crew in the yachting industry to better understand some of the current issues we are facing: Read more

Combining heritage and modernity, Port Vauban stands out for its prime location on the French Riviera. Ideally located in Antibes, between Monaco and St Tropez and less than 20 minutes from France’s second-largest international airport, Port Vauban charms yachtsmen and attracts tourists from all over the world. With 1,500 berths set within secure and outstanding architectural heritage, Port Vauban has high-performance infrastructure that makes it the place to be for yachting and super yachting in the Mediterranean. SERVICES Synonymous with international excellence, Port Vauban places customer relations at the heart of all of its projects to meet everyone’s needs and desires. From their arrival at the port, where they receive a personalised welcome at the quay, to their departure, clients are taken care of by dedicated agents who provide support throughout their stay at Port Vauban. With a range of high-end, high-quality services, combining amenities, technical services, a concierge service and festive and sports events, Port Vauban is committed to providing its yachtsmen with a unique experience. Port Vauban Antibes With its 1500 berths, its modernized infrastructure, its capacity to accommodate boats up to 160 meters, Port Vauban is a mecca for yachting and superyachting in the Mediterranean. Visit website Back to All Partners Become a member and enjoy the exclusive offers from our partners. Become a member

Malta now issuing CoC's for Master under 3000 GT To All news 10 August 2022 The Yacht Deck Career path under the Maltese Flag is now complete with Transport Malta announcing the publication of the Master on Yachts less than 3000GT Reg. II/2. In order to be eligible to undergo examinations leading to a certificate of competency as Master on Yachts less than 3000 GT (STCW Regulation II/2) you will need to hold one of the following recognised qualifications: A recognised Certificate of Competency as Chief Mate on yachts less than 3000 GT (STCW Regulation II/2) or A recognised Certificate of Competency as Master on yachts less than 500 GT (STCW Regulation II/2) or A recognised Certificate of Competency attesting a higher capacity than those mentioned above. In addition, the sea service required to be eligible for the CoC MoY <300GT, at a minimum, the individual must have accumulated either: A total of 24 Months of approved seagoing service 24 months as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch on vessels not less than 24 m LOA or 80 GT in length whilst holding a certificate of competency as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch on yachts less than 3000 GT or a higher qualification, of which, at least *3 months in the capacity of Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch on vessels over 500 GT or A total of 15 Months of approved seagoing service 12 months as Chief Mate on vessels not less than 24 m LOA or 80 GT whilst holding a certificate of competency as Chief Mate on yachts less than 3000 GT or as Master on yachts less than 500 GT or a higher qualification; and *3 months in the capacity of Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch or Chief Mate on vessels over 500 GT, whilst holding a certificate of competency as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch on yachts less than 3000 GT or higher or A total of 12 Months of approved seagoing service 12 months as Chief Officer on vessels over 500 GT whilst holding a certificate of competency as Chief Mate on yachts less than 3000 GT or Master on yachts less than 500 GT or a higher qualification or A total of 15 Months of approved seagoing service 12 months as Master on yachts not less than 24 m LOA or 80 GT whilst holding a certificate of competency as Master on yachts less than 500 GT; and *3 months in the capacity of Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch or Chief Mate on vessels over 500 GT, whilst holding a certificate as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch less than 3000 GT or higher. The above-mentioned seagoing service required for the qualification should be interpreted as onboard service (the time spent signed on a yacht , irrespective of the vessel activity ). *Seagoing service shall be accumulated within 5 years preceding the submission of an application for the issue of a certificate of competency as Master on Yachts less than 3000 GT. All courses on the Yacht Deck Career path under the Maltese Flag are available at MaritimeMT . If you have further questions, please contact info@maritimemt.edu.mt More news Our annual Christmas Ball is Back Again! Get ready for an unforgettable evening at the 2024 PYA Christmas Ball, returning to the iconic Martinez in Cannes December 6th! Join us as we celebrate a year of incredible industry achievements, bringing together delegates and leaders from across the yachting world to honour progress, connect, and set our sights on the future. Read more PYA response to ISS From the Bridge article "There is no second shift" perfectly summarises the growing challenge in the yachting industry: balancing unlimited guest expectations with limited crew resources. As yachts get smaller, the ability to deliver exceptional experiences while adhering to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) becomes increasingly difficult. Even on larger yachts, extended guest occupancy and short turnaround times strain compliance with work and rest regulations. Read more Fatigue in Captaincy and PYA initiatives An Update From The Bridge - an article written by the Captain's Committee of the ISS. The PYA’s mission is “to represent the interests of Professional Yacht Crew and to encourage and maintain the highest professional standards”. For this reason, we have been talking with Captains and crew in the yachting industry to better understand some of the current issues we are facing: Read more

Sea changes Forum 2024 Highlights To All news 23 October 2024 The 2024 Sea Changes Forum at the Monaco Yacht Show brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from across the yachting industry to tackle key issues such as training, welfare, safety, and new & upcoming regulations.  Held at the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) headquarters in Monaco on September 26th, this year’s forum featured insightful presentations from leading maritime policymakers and industry experts. With a full auditorium of international guests, this year’s event continued the PYA’s tradition of fostering important discussions that shape the future of yachting. Christophe Bourillon, CEO of the PYA commented: "One of the key proceedings from this year’s Sea Changes is that the yachting industry is at a crossroads ". Said Christophe Bourillon, CEO of the PYA. "Much is happening in our industry, which is becoming more professional than ever. Further evolution will be required, including cultural changes " he added." Conference presentations from guest speakers: Below you can view and download a list of presentations from some of our speakers this year. These can be used for research and educational purposes. If you would like to request permission for commercial use, please get in contact with us at info@pya.org 16.00 Christophe Bourillon,   CEO of the Professional Yachting Association (PYA) & Kim Llorente,  Operations Manager (PYA)  - who welcomed speakers and guests and introduced new PYA services such as the new Onboard Safety Group a platform open to Captains, ETOs, Engineers, DPAs, Managers, Insurers, Auditors and Trainers to ask questions or create awareness of current and emerging safety concerns/risks to crew on yachts. You can contact the group at onboardsafety@pya.org or join the Telegram Group here https://t.me/+Fr1UrdTNIzw2NjE0 . Also introduced is  the new app for getting Digital Sea Service Testimonials through the N-Cap Wallet, secured on blockchain and easily verified by the PYA. The launch date is expected in the coming weeks. An email notification will be sent out to inform our members.   16:03 John Wyborn,  International Association of Maritime Institutions (IAMI) Board member, Superyacht Alliance - who introduced the new AV/IT level 1 and 2 courses (Audio Visual & Information Technology), centered on AV and IT technologies relevant to Superyacht operations under the IAMI-GUEST Program. First classes are expected to be opened in Spring 2025. He also reminded us of the importance of the E-TRB (Electronic Training Record Book) for yacht crew’s professional development and the progress its made so far. 16:11 Joey Meen,  IAMI Guest Program Director - gave updates on the Superyacht Alliance , the importance of accredited training, and industry-led training. Introduced the new Yacht Mental Health & Wellbeing course “a conduit towards a long-term solution to Mental Health issues within the Yachting Industry” also under the IAMI-GUEST Program.   16:19 Angela Wallace,   Director of Interior Training, Head of Welfare Group, PYA  - who shared insights on the welfare of the yachting industry through statistics from Yacht Crew Help .   16:27 Ajit Jacob,   Chief Examiner, Head of Seafarers Technical Delivery, UK Seafarer Services, Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA ) - discussed the modernization program the MCA has gone through, updating a lot of the syllabuses with current needs. The consultation for the Approved Electric propulsion course (AEPC), covering batteries, electronics on electric and hybrid vessels, appropriate first actions in case of failure, etc., has been approved. A draft Merchant Shipping Notice (MSN) on the modernization of the Master 500 Restricted CoC transferability to other sectors is available for consultation. The MCA also announced that they are creating a pathway to a Master Yacht Unlimited size , removing the 3000 GT limitation. Developments will be followed closely by the PYA because it is of particular interest to long term career Deck Officers. Finally, in consultation with the PYA, they are going to simplify sea service definitions and requirements, with the use of the E-TRB and Simulator time. 16:42 Julian Smith, Principal Surveyor - Cayman Islands Ship Registry  - shared insights on the recently updated REG Yacht Code . Significant changes will be summarized and promulgated in a further PYA advisory.   16:57 Gerard Griffiths, Professional in maritime safety and training, delivering STCW courses, Seascope France   - who highlighted how lithium-ion fires can easily be triggered on board and the importance of knowing how to deal with batteries and avoid potential issues through training.   17:02 Mark Savona,   Safety Coordinator, Technical Department, Transport Malta (TM) - who presented the origin of the different Maltese Codes. What the advantages are under the Maltese Flag. What certification is currently available for crew under the Maltese scheme.   17:17 Pierre-Luc Lecompte,   Senior Maritime Affairs Administrator,   Division of “State Action at Sea”, Head of the Marine Protection and Sustainable Development Unit, French Maritime Administration (Préfet Maritime de la Méditerranée) - who discussed the origin and issues that the Administration faces regarding the implementation of certain restrictions in the South of France, including the Posidonia and speed limitations in certain areas.   17:32 Richard Falk FRIN,   Director of Training and Qualifications, Royal Yachting Association (RYA) (By video Link)  – gave an update on the Superyacht Personal Watercraft Safety Scheme that continues to grow, with around 450 yachts now using this scheme to ensure their guests are well equipped to use their onboard PWC’s safely and confidently. Port State authorities are not formally obliged to accept these certificates for use in their waters, but to date, they are unaware of any which do not, other than on rare occasions where anti-social behaviour has been demonstrated by the operators of the craft. The RYA Yachtmaster celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, which also saw the 100,000th RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence issued, a fitting milestone for such a special year. The RYA continues the evolution from traditional navigation towards more emphasis on the electronic navigational tools available across all manner of craft. “Digital First”, is the name given to the strategy that supports the push from hydrographic offices around the world to move (eventually) away from paper charts.   17:42 Gregory Romano,  Managing Director, Romano Energy - introduced how their biofuel is produced and how it can easily replace traditional fuel to diminish a yacht’s carbon footprint. To see the full presentation of this year’s Sea Changes Forum 2024, please refer to the PDF document attached below. SEA CHANGES PWP .pdf Download PDF • 12.12MB After the forum, we hosted a networking cocktail reception in the same room as the conference at the IHO. It offered a great opportunity for attendees to continue discussions and connect with fellow industry professionals in a relaxed setting. We want to say another big thank you to our supporters and partners : including the IHO , VSF Group , Macor & Yachtelec (Amarix Group) , Bluewater , IAMI / Guest Program , MYBA , Romano Energy , Seascope France , Amico & CO for making this event possible. More news Our annual Christmas Ball is Back Again! Get ready for an unforgettable evening at the 2024 PYA Christmas Ball, returning to the iconic Martinez in Cannes December 6th! Join us as we celebrate a year of incredible industry achievements, bringing together delegates and leaders from across the yachting world to honour progress, connect, and set our sights on the future. Read more PYA response to ISS From the Bridge article "There is no second shift" perfectly summarises the growing challenge in the yachting industry: balancing unlimited guest expectations with limited crew resources. As yachts get smaller, the ability to deliver exceptional experiences while adhering to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) becomes increasingly difficult. Even on larger yachts, extended guest occupancy and short turnaround times strain compliance with work and rest regulations. Read more Fatigue in Captaincy and PYA initiatives An Update From The Bridge - an article written by the Captain's Committee of the ISS. The PYA’s mission is “to represent the interests of Professional Yacht Crew and to encourage and maintain the highest professional standards”. For this reason, we have been talking with Captains and crew in the yachting industry to better understand some of the current issues we are facing: Read more