Yacht Owner's Representative Program (YORP)

YORP OVERVIEW:

The Crew Academy’s Yacht Owner’s Representative Program (YORP) is a fully accredited qualification setting a new industry standard for the Owner’s Representative (OR) role.

Backed by SYBAss and accredited by IAMI & GUEST, the program provides in-depth leadership, operational, and technical training essential for managing new build and refit projects.Units 40 - 43 cover everything from defining owner objectives and negotiating with shipyards to project management, compliance, design, finance, legal, and administrative responsibilities.

Designed for ORs, Project Managers, Captains, Officers, and Contractors, the course is delivered 100% online via kelp.yachts through interactive masterclasses, self-study, and guest lectures from industry experts.

Course Format

Unit 40 - Role and Responsibilities Skills: 3-week course via Zoom and kelp.

6 live sessions (Mon & Wed, 5–8pm UK), plus 3 written and 1 practical assessment, and 12.5 hours of guided self-study.

Units 41 to 43 - Core Operational and Technical Aspects: 12-week online course via kelp.

2 live sessions per week (5–7pm UK), with 45 hours of interviews, 60 hours of guided self-study, written assessments, and access to specialist resources.

Meet your trainers

Andrew Roch

Andrew brings over 25 years of specialised industry experience to his role as Course Facilitator on the YORP. As a member of the IAMI board, he's a passionate advocate for raising standards & promoting transparency in the industry. Andrew has pioneered numerous training programs including the YORP, a SYBAss initiative, elevating standards for the role of the OR.

Chanine Mierop

Chanine brings an abundance of experience to her role as our leadership Trainer, with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Cross Cultural Management and a former career in Recruitment & HR. She later transitioned to yachting, successfully managing and training teams as HoD and Purser for nine years. Her passion lies in building strong teams with an emphasis on communication and personal development.

Chris Hodgson

An accomplished Captain and maritime expert with over 14 years' experience on board vessels ranging from 35 to 138 meters. His background spans high-end hospitality as a mountain ski guide to serving as Captain of a 50-metre motor yacht, where he is known for delivering service with precision and professionalism. 

Samantha Watson

An expert in Operations and Project Management and Course Trainer for the YORP. With over 20 years of experience across the commercial legal sector, prestigious hotels, and luxury superyachts, Sam possesses extensive expertise in business and operations. Her qualifications include an MBA in Business Administration & Hospitality Management and a Diploma in Superyacht Operations New Build & Refit.

Meet your keynote speakers

• Anton Smit - Oceanco
• Eduard Henny - Cayman Islands Shipping Registry
• Gerben Visser - Aquator Marine
• Giovanna Cabbia - Clyde & Co
• Hein Velema - Superyacht Alliance
• Ian Hornsby - Hubware Ltd
• Keegan Leslie - Aquator Marine
• James Drysdale - Howden Sturge
• John Leonida - LP Squared
• Nicola Nicolai - Nicola Yacht Consulting & Project Management
• Nima Moin from Lloyd's Register
• Paul Bournas from CCS Yacht Coating Consultants for Superyachts
• Steen Christensen from SuperYachtsMonaco
• Steve Gresham from Gresham Yacht Design

Accreditations will be given upon completion of the program, learners will be awarded the following certificates:

Unit 40 – YOR Role and Responsibility Skills

Unit 41 – Foundations of a New Build Project

Unit 42 – Management and Compliance Obligations

Unit 43 – Specialist Project, Legal and Administrative Knowledge

Yacht Owner's Representative Register

Once qualified, participants will have the opportunity to apply for the Yacht Owner's Representative Register, a SYBAss initiative to elevate industry standards and connect qualified ORs with potential clients.Platform accessStudents gain immediate access to all course content and resources and must complete all training within 12 months of booking.nn

Course Structure

GUEST Unit 41: YORP Foundations of a New Build Project

Topic 1: Organisation of Shipyards and sub-contractors

To understand the variations of Shipyard requirements, the differences between the various Shipyard models and organisations, including rules, variants and pricing models and the collaborations with Shipyard sub-contractors.

• The various Shipyard organisation models and how they are structured
• The various Shipyard project management arrangements and considerations
• The various Shipyard sub-contractor’s collaboration models
• The various Shipyard costs and pricing arrangements
• The risks, responsibilities and rules between Shipyards

Topic 2: Builders Specifications, General Arrangement Plans,

Shipyard Standards and Statutory Knowledge

To understand the process for starting a Build Project and the purpose and development process of the General Arrangement Plan and Specification requirements; as well as the relevant Shipyard Building Standards

• The processes for starting of a build project, the production guidelines and phases
• The types, purpose, interpretation and considerations of a general arrangement plan
• The Shipyards prior new build experience, building standards and application
• The risks and conflicts for inclusion of a Reference Vessel in a contract.
• The new build legal frameworks, regulators, stakeholders and the relevancy and consequences for owners

Topic 3: Concept Design, Engineering and Construction Processes

To understand the processes of the Concept Design, Engineering and Construction Process for a Project

• The build types, terminology and technical know-how and an overview of what is involved within each arrangement.
• The principal processes relating to each phase of a build and specialised build
• The milestones and critical points of each process for planning, production and certification

GUEST Unit 42: YORP Management and Compliance Obligations

Topic 1: Building the Owners Team and Surveying

Understands how to identify and organise an Owners build project team, with relevant specialists to understand and meet Owner expectations; including requirements for Surveying and Risk Assessment.

• Identifying Owners Team needs and managing budget.
• Decision making, schedules, procurement and budgets for the interior designer
• Project surveys and risk assessments, including surveying experience and required time

Topic 2: Project Planning Management, Owners Decisions and Change Orders

Understands the management of workflows and coordination and contracting of orders and delivery of Items required by the Shipyard, Including the importance and impact of Owners decisions regarding change orders, milestones and payment schedules.

• Interpreting Shipyard planning and schedules.
• Managing workflows in line with planning schedules.
• The impact of milestones on payment schedules
• Managing Owner decision flow and the impact on planning schedules.
• Raise, manage and coordinate change orders and variations.

Topic 3: Sub-Project Management of Owners Supplied Items,

Crew Recruitment and Operational Preparations

Understands the management for coordinating procurement and purchasing of items identified in initial contract, including Owners supplied Items and orders and the delivery of interior and soft furnishings, audio video equipment and tenders.

• The coordination and procurement of Owner supplied Items.
• Management of supplied Items, budgets, and purchasing costs.
• Procurement and purchasing, and associated delivery timelines.
• Crew Recruitment and employment responsibilities, including key crew employment during procurement and set up phases.
• Administrations and operational preparations and set up, for departure

Topic 4: Delivery, Commissioning and Warranty

To understand the protocols for the Delivery, the phases of Commissioning, the Acceptance Documents, and the contractual and legal aspects of the Warranty and ongoing warranty periods.

• Protocol and critical stages of the delivery process.
• Commissioning phases and meeting the set targets
• Process and preparations for sea trials.
• Acceptance documentation process and dealing with outstanding issues

Topic 5: Public Image, Confidentiality and dealing with media and Shipyard Teams

To understand how to manage the public image of the New Built Project, and dealing with the media.

• Public Image, Owner expectations and confidentiality clauses.
• Media outlets, resources and practices
• Managing Publicity and Public Image during the Project

GUEST Unit 43: YORP Specialist Project, Legal and Administrative Knowledge

Topic 1: Technical Documentation, Operating and Accounting Systems and Reporting

Understands how to structure, organise, oversee and manage the Information documentation and accounting for production-built and custom-built vessels.

• An organised, controlled and structured Record Keeping of Processes throughout all Phases of the Project
• Differences between Documentation requirements of Production Vessels and Custom Vessels importance of timing Documentation deliverables.
• Importance and relevancy of recording information
• The impact on Shipyard and Owner teams for Contracts, Design, Production, Operations and Warranty
• Arrangement of onboard technical documentation and the ongoing management and accounting systems.
• Owners Team Project Cost and Accounting Owner Reporting Processes

Topic 2: Legal Contracts Dispute Resolution.

Understands the legal implications & impact within the various Contracts & Agreements; including understanding the meaning & reference to the terminology used.

• Legal implications & the Terminology used
• Contract between the Owner & Owner Representative

Useful Information

"The YORP course exceeded my expectations!

“Andrew and Sam’s passion and expertise shine through in every session, making complex material engaging and practical.

“Their Q&A sessions with industry experts add real-world insights that bring the lessons to life. This course is perfect for Pursers and Build Captains looking to deepen their knowledge and even explore new career paths.

Highly recommended!

– Linda, YORP Graduate