The PYA would like to advise all seafarers that the MCA has published MIN 543 to implement new arrangements for the verification of Sea Service Testimonials (SSTs) in the yachting sector. The MCA is transferring the task of verifying SSTs from their own staff to an approved 'Verifying Organisation', which the PYA has been since 1994 - when it was first approved by the MCA to verify sea service on its behalf. As from the 24th May 2017, all seafarers in the yachting sector who wish to apply for an NoE or for the renewal of a CoC will be expected to have their SSTs verified PRIOR TO SUBMISSION to the MCA. What does this mean for crew and how can the PYA help both members and non-members?  There will be no change in the procedures for PYA members who are al...

Launched at the very beginning of this year, the 98.4-metre Abeking & Rasmussen built Aviva has left the yard's facilities in Germany and is now en route to her new owner. Aviva's design is the work of design studio Reymond Langton, who also designed her owner's smaller, 68-metre, yacht by the same name that was launched back in 2007. The team worked with Toby Silverton on the exterior of the yacht. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....

Three Britons have been injured - one seriously - after a helicopter fell from a superyacht in Norway. The helicopter lost control when a tarpaulin got entangled in its rotors as it tried to land on a luxury yacht in Bergen on Wednesday, Norwegian investigators say. Haukeland University Hospital confirmed it was treating a 57-year-old man, who is in a critical condition. The other two hurt suffered what have been described as "minor injuries". The pair were released from hospital on Thursday and the Foreign Office said it was assisting all three Britons. An investigation into the incident has found that a loose fuel tank cover was sucked into the helicopter's rotors as it attempted to land. The pilot tried to avoid it but the helicopter span out of control, landing upside down in ...

We've compiled a list of our top 20 instagram accounts that are definitely worth a follow. There are some absolutely stunning images out there showcasing the beauty and luxury of the yachting industry for those who live it, love it and work it! Let us know your favourites by tagging us @yotspot_crew. Prepared to be inspired for the season ahead #yourewelcome ;) In no particular order...     SuperYacht Times @SuperYachtTimes SuperYacht Times is the leading website and newspaper for the superyacht industry. www.superyachtgallery.com/tickets Image: @SuperYachtTimes - Up close with the 98m Abeking & Rasmussen built Aviva. Now on her way to Gibraltar.     SuperYacht Gallery @SuperYachtGallery Luxury exposition about superyachts in Saatchi...

Seeking your first yacht job? Visited all the agencies already? Now what? Camp out at the local yachtie bar and wait for the phone to ring? Uhh no! You need to be more proactive than that. Chances are maybe 50/50 that your first job could come from dock walking or an agent. What is dock walking, you ask? Dock walking is exactly what it sounds like. Put on your comfortable walking shoes, wear your best smile, pack a stack of your most perfect CV, and get ready to explore the beautiful coastline on foot! Plan on walking each dock of every port, mustering your courage over and over again as you respectfully approach every shiny (and maybe not so shiny) vessel to inquire for the possibility of employment. Employment could come in the form of a permanent, seasonal, short term work or da...

The French Flag RIF is the French registry for commercial vessels and commercial yachts. Within the framework of harmonising community policies, reinforcing maritime safety and security, developing competitiveness of shipping companies and maritime employment, a register for overseas commercial vessels, international cabotage and commercial yachts more than 24 metres l overall length, the law of 3 May 2005 was created (consolidated text). Commercial vessels under the French Flag are in the "white list" of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding [1], thereby confirming the quality of French vessels regarding compliance with international safety standards. Beyond tax benefits and comprehensive social protection, the French Flag is the modern symbol of France's commitment to ...

The start of the Med season is upon us and if you haven't already many of you lovely newbies should be giving serious thought to heading to a yachting hub. Many of you have already started asking the question: Palma or Antibes? I admit, when it comes to a job searching for those new to the industry, I heavily lean towards Antibes, and here are my reasons why: More access to ports/vessels. Palma is a beautiful place to be and you should see it someday, but as an island, you are highly limited to the amount of places you can dock walk and therefore, access to the most vessels limited. Antibes' location and ease of transportation allow you to be as pro-active and diligent as you want to be in your dock walk search. From Genoa, Italy to even Marseille, France, one has the entire co...

Sitting at your computer having finished your CV and registered with all of the agencies, are you wondering, "Now what? Where and when does the adventure start?" If you're new to the industry, you'll want to get yourself to a yachting hub.   What's a yachting hub, you say? Yachting hubs are large ports of call in desirable cruising areas where boats will gather seasonally.  It is highly recommended that you situate yourself in a yachting hub to begin your job search.  Unless you are an experienced crew member seeking a senior position or have a very specialised skill set, truth is that it will be nearly impossible for you to gain your first yacht job if you don't place yourself in the middle of the action at the right time of year. ...

Ever been left high and dry without pay, repatriation or compensation whist working on a super yacht? Well, these changes will help you to avoid chasing a yacht owner for what you are owed. Instead, you can now deal with an insurance company directly. No longer will you be on your own thinking that you don't stand a chance against the big boss and here's why...Since the 18th January 2017 a new enforcement on crew pay rights have been brought into action. Here's what you need to know to give you the power to get paid! In a nutshell As of January the 18th the 2014 MLC amendments come into play. These changes seek to provide better financial security and look to protect crew who are abandoned. The changes will also help families in circumstances where a crew member dies...

Yotspot is sad to learn of the news that a British teenager has died after reportedly falling from the mast she was working on while onboard SY Germania Nova.  The 18 year old is thought to have died from her injuries in hospital. The accident occured on board 60 meter Germania Nova, a Schooner that was berthed in Jamaica. Local newspaper The Jamaica Observer reports that Bethany was "cleaning the mast of the vessel when the ropes became undone and she fell onto the deck". This was also echod in a GoFundMe page set up to help her family which says she "fell off the mast" of the yacht on Tuesday. The Deckhand orignally from Denbigshire in North Wales left the UK a decade ago to sail around the world with her family on their yacht. Bethany had been on SY Germania Nova for more tha...