Professional Yachting Association

What Professional Yachting Association does

The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) is a non-profit trade association founded in 1991 and headquartered in Antibes, France, that represents the interests of professional yacht crew worldwide. Its core function is the verification of sea service testimonials, a regulatory activity for which it holds exclusive authorization from the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency under MIN 543 (held continuously since 1994) and from Transport Malta. The PYA also issues Yacht Rating Certificates on behalf of the MCA, supports OOW 3000 Deck Training Record Books, and runs a confidential Member Assistance Service that handled 1,679 cases as of January 2025.

The PYA operates a digital membership and service platform at member.pya.org, which in 2025 was upgraded to a fully online Sea Service Testimonials workflow, eliminating paper-based submission and verification. The association extends its reach through a global network of authorized agents in more than 20 yachting hubs, partnerships with training providers accredited under the IAMI GUEST programme, and strategic collaborations with MYBA, the Superyacht Alliance (where it holds a board seat), and NLab Navozyme. In January 2026 it launched a three-tier AV/IT Training Programme with embedded cyber security content.

Revenue is generated exclusively through collective membership subscriptions, supplemented by event sponsorship (e.g., Christmas Ball sponsors Burgess and Fort Insurance). The PYA serves 10,518 collective members from 90+ countries as of January 2025, with 1-10 employees at the Antibes headquarters. The organization is independent, not backed by external investors, and operates under French non-profit law (loi du 1er juillet 1901).

Name

Professional Yachting Association

Legal name

Professional Yachting Association

Website

https://pya.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Professional Yachting Association is a non-profit trade association founded in 1991 and headquartered in Antibes, France. It is the MCA-authorized (MIN 543) and Transport Malta-authorized body verifying sea service testimonials for professional yacht crew worldwide, serving 10,518 members across 90+ countries through certification, career support, and advocacy services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Industry Association Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Services-Services, Nec (8900)

akta.pro primary industry

Classification Society & Flag-State Liaison / Plan Approval Support (IMAJAGAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Marine Systems Commissioning, Testing & Certification Support (TLAKAKAM)

Keywords

• Yacht crew certification
• Sea service verification
• Yacht rating certificates
• Maritime crew advocacy
• Yachting career support

Headquarters

HQ city

Antibes

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: PYA operates as a non-profit trade association generating revenue through collective membership fees. Members pay for access to services including sea service verification, yacht rating certificates, career advice, and member assistance.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) is a non-profit trade association that verifies yacht sea service testimonials (authorized by the UK MCA under MIN 543 and by Transport Malta since 1994), issues Yacht Rating Certificates on behalf of the MCA, provides Officer of the Watch (OOW 3000) Deck Training Record Books, and delivers career advice, confidential Member Assistance Service support, and research and insights to professional yacht crew worldwide.

Product overview

The Professional Yachting Association operates as a membership-based non-profit trade association offering a portfolio of certification, verification, and support services for professional yacht crew. The core offerings include: Sea Service Verification (authorised by MCA and Transport Malta to verify yacht sea service testimonials), Yacht Rating Certificate issuance (on behalf of MCA), OOW 3000 Deck Training Record Book support, Career Advice & Support, Member Assistance Service, and a Research & Insights service. The association recently launched a new digital platform (2025) for online Sea Service Testimonial processing and an AV/IT Training Programme (January 2026) for skills development. The PYA also provides knowledge resources on regulations, employment contracts, and industry guidelines through its Knowledge Base.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sea Service Verification Authorised by the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) under MIN 543 and by Transport Malta to verify yacht sea service testimonials for all yacht crew worldwide; has been verifying yacht sea service for the MCA since 1994 and launched a fully digital platform in 2025.
• Yacht Rating Certificate Authorised to issue Yacht Rating Certificates on behalf of the MCA; required by some vessels as part of their safe manning requirements.
• OOW 3000 Deck Training Record Book
• Career Advice & Support
• Member Assistance Service (MAS)
• Research & Insights
• AV/IT Training Programme Fit-for-purpose AV/IT training programme developed by PYA and delivered through IAMI GUEST Accredited training providers, covering three skill levels with cyber security embedded across Levels 1 and 2.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 10,500 collective members as of January 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MYBA (The Worldwide Yachting Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMYBA is an international professional organization founded in 1984, with both Corporate and Individual Members. MYBA creates industry-standard contract documents (MYBA Sales & Purchase Agreement and MYBA Charter Agreement), owns YACHTFOLIO, and organizes the MYBA Charter Show. PYA collaborates with MYBA as a strategic partner representing professional yacht crew interests.
• GUEST Program (IAMI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe GUEST Program is governed by the International Association of Maritime Institutions (IAMI), representing maritime educators and regulators. It delivers industry-recognized certification for superyacht professionals. PYA spearheaded development of new AV/IT training courses through IAMI GUEST Accredited providers. IAMI GUEST Sub Group Secretary and Director Joey Meen leads the program.
• Superyacht Alliance / Raising The BarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Superyacht Alliance is a non-profit organization based in Malta, founded by MYBA, SYBAss, and IAMI. PYA sits on the Board of Directors. The Raising The Bar think tank backs the Superyacht Reality initiative. The alliance works to strengthen professional standards and support the global yachting community.
• MaritimeMTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaritimeMT is a leading maritime training centre based in Malta that provides STCW courses to yacht crew. They partnered with Gente di Mare in Italy for expanded training access. Discussions held at Monaco Yacht Show on training for yacht crew and industry changes.
• Seascope FranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeascope France collaborated with PYA on a lithium-ion battery webinar and training course based on MCA's MGN 681 guidance. Provides maritime training and support services.
• BWA YachtingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorldwide yacht agency and services provider with global office network throughout the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean and Americas. PYA agent providing local support to crew in various regions.
• Luise GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGroup of companies based in Italy operating in yachting since 1847. Registered yacht agency providing assistance to vessels cruising Italian waters. PYA agent for Italy operations.
• Sailors' SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal maritime charity offering around-the-clock support 365 days a year to seafarers. PYA refers members to Sailors' Society helpline for welfare support. Helpline: +1 938 222 8181.
• Fort InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndependent Superyacht Insurance Broker and Premium Yacht Sponsor of PYA Christmas Ball 2023. Committed to finding best possible cover at competitive prices with global panel of insurers.
• BurgessminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal superyacht industry leader since 1975, with 14 offices worldwide. Specializes in yachts over 30m. Services include sale and purchase, new construction, charter and operational yacht management. Christmas Ball sponsor.
• ITA Training AcademyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCertified training provider of IAMI GUEST Interior Courses. Offers training in interior management, food and wine service, cocktail & barista service, housekeeping, flower arranging and laundry. Also an Approved Highfield Qualifications Centre for Food & Hygiene training.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• MYBA (The Worldwide Yachting Association): International professional organization for the yachting industry, founded in 1984, with both Corporate and Individual Members. PYA already lists MYBA as a core strategic partner and the two co-govern the Superyacht Alliance.
• SYBAss (Superyacht Builders Association): Association representing the world's leading superyacht builders. Co-founder (with MYBA and IAMI) of the Superyacht Alliance where PYA sits on the Board of Directors, making it a closely aligned industry-association peer.
• IAMI (International Association of Maritime Institutions): Governing body for maritime educators and accreditors, including the GUEST Program for superyacht crew certification. PYA partners with IAMI GUEST to deliver AV/IT training, making IAMI a directly comparable standards-setting body.
• InterManager: International association of yacht managers, representing the operational/business counterpart to PYA's crew focus. Highly comparable membership-association model addressing the same superyacht value chain.

Others

• Sailors' Society: Global maritime charity providing 24/7 welfare support to seafarers. PYA explicitly refers members to the Sailors' Society helpline, making it a directly adjacent welfare-services peer.
• Nautilus International: Union for maritime professionals including seafarers and yacht crew. Operates a different model (collective bargaining vs. trade association) but serves overlapping populations and offers welfare/legal services similar to PYA's Member Assistance Service.

Broad incumbents

• RYA (Royal Yachting Association): UK national body for yachting training and certification with far larger scope (recreational sailing, racing, instructor schemes). PYA routes RYA Training Recognition enquiries to it, positioning RYA as the broader incumbent in yacht certification.

Regional players

• ISSA (International Ship Suppliers & Services Association): International trade association for the maritime supply industry. Comparable association model and governance approach, though focused on ship suppliers rather than yacht crew.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/PYA_yacht_Crew
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@thepya_crew
• Facebookfacebook.com/thePYA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thepya
• Instagraminstagram.com/pya.crew

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Professional Yachting Association