Yacht Captains Association

03/24/2017

YCA integrates into the ISS
The YCA has struggled to build a robust membership since our founding in March 2014 at the Palm Beach International Boat Show. Our goal to organically build an association “By Captains for Captains” required that we limit corporate sponsorships and focus on the membership’s needs first and foremost. We held some great educational events and Captain networking opportunities, partnered with Italian yachting friends to send YCA Captains to Tuscany in 2015 and 2016 for the Yachting Aftersales & Refit Experience (YARE), and established collaborative partnerships with SIXT Rental Cars, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Integra Global and the Hudson Center of Entrepreneurship and Executive Education at NOVA Southeastern University. Unfortunately our membership uptake was not sufficient to provide us with the resources to fully maximize these opportunities.

In the last year it has become clear to those of us on the founding Board of Directors (myself and Captains Ian Bone, Wendy Umla, Chris Lewis and Mike French) that our original YCA model has become financially unsustainable. Accordingly, we explored many options for how to keep the organization intact but transfer it to a larger organization with resources sufficient to carry on with our mission. After a lot of soul searching, we have determined that the best organization for this transfer is the International Superyacht Society (ISS). In recent days, the ISS Executive Committee and its Executive Director, Amy Halsted, have confirmed that they will merge our entire current membership into the ISS. They have expressed great enthusiasm for this integration, and are confident that their vast reach into the yachting industry will help propel the interests of Captains, and quickly find a home for YCA members.

I can’t tell you how happy I am that ISS – a widely respected international organization with headquarters in Fort Lauderdale but with an international reach through global yachting basins – has agreed to bring the YCA membership into the ISS family. Their financial stability, diverse membership, industry partnerships and dedication to the future of yachting and yachting professionals provides the ideal infrastructure for building a Captains community second to none.

While more details will be forthcoming, I can tell you that ISS and YCA will make an official announcement to the media later today in conjunction with this week’s Palm Beach International Boat Show – an appropriate place to make this announcement since that is where we announced our formation three years ago. I also can tell you that YCA dues paying members will be provided a free 12-month Professional membership in ISS until April 1, 2018 (a $300 benefit), immediately be folded into their regular member communications, and invited to participate in events at international boat shows and beyond.

I plan to remain an active participant in the new organization, and hope you will join me in building a new home for our members inside ISS that allows our vision and mission to flourish and grow to encompass hundreds of Captains worldwide in a short time. Transitions like this are never easy or without glitches, but I and the entire founding Board promise to be vigilant and continue to look out for the best interests of Captains.

Thank you for your patience with us as we continue to build a vibrant platform for Yacht Captains worldwide. I am optimistic that our best days lie ahead and that ISS will be an outstanding home for Captains going forward.

All my best to you. I am in Italy on a refit until June, but if you would like to contact me directly about this merger, please feel free to send me an email at [email protected].

Yours sincerely,

Captain Michael Schueler
M/Y Rasselas
Co-Founder of Yacht Captains Association


Geoff Ziebart
Executive Director
Yacht Captains Association, Inc.
1323 SE 17th Street, #654
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
(877) 333-0702
[email protected]
www.yachtcaptains.org

By Captains...For Captains

Yacht Captains Association (YCA) website. As a start-up organization, we are eager to hear your ideas about how to make YCA stronger in the future.

11/25/2016

A great article for this time of year.

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02/17/2016

YCA Delegation to 2016 Yachting Aftersales & Refit Experience (YARE)
Viareggio and Carrara, Tuscany ITALY – April 3-9, 2016

The Yacht Captains Association (YCA) is proud to announce that the organizers of the 2016 Yachting Aftersales & Refit Experience YARE – an event occurring inside the larger international SEATEC exhibition in Carrara, Italy -- will pay all international airfare, hotel, ground transportation and selected meals for a delegation of 15 YCA member Captains to attend this year’s event. This generous opportunity to join the YCA delegation is extended to dues paying YCA members in good standing and is subject to approval of an application submitted to YARE (see attached). While the target audience for this event is Captains with experience on 40-60 meter yachts, any professional YCA Captain interested in attending is invited to submit an application for consideration.

This event presents a unique opportunity for YCA Captains to learn firsthand about doing business in Italy, tour renowned Italian boatyards, meet leaders in the European yachting industry, and connect with fellow Captains from around the world.
YCA Captains accepted for this year’s trip are invited to arrive in Italy as early as April 3rd, and will return from the event on April 9th. Additional stays beyond these dates are allowed -- and will be organized by the YARE organizers-- but are at your own cost. Likewise, all costs associated with spouses/guests are not covered by YARE. Attached is a copy of the latest schedule of official events. The first formal Captains track program begins on the afternoon of April 5th and concludes with a Captains Dinner on April 8th.
If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, please contact [email protected] so we can submit it with our other applications. If you know a fellow Captain who is not a YCA member but would qualify for this trip, please have them use the attached membership form to join today so they can submit their application in time for consideration. We also have an opportunity to bring a handful of Chief Engineers – for more information on that, please drop me an email.

We hope many of our members will take advantage of this special opportunity. Please let me know if you have any questions.

01/14/2016

Plan to attend the Yacht Captains Association’s first "Captains Connect" happy hour of the New Year on Thursday, January 21st from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. at Tap 42 Bar & Kitchen in Fort Lauderdale (1411 South Andrews Avenue). We'll have complimentary wine, beer and appetizers. We'll also have information about how you can apply to join the expense-paid YCA Captains and Engineers delegation trip to the Yachting After Sales and Refit Experience (YARE) in Carrara, Italy this April. Catch up with old friends and meet new ones. No formal program. Please note, this event is restricted to Captains and one guest. RSVP today at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/join-us-for-a-captains-connect-happy-hour-at-tap-42-tickets-20754661752.

Join the Yacht Captains Association for our first "Captains Connect" happy hour of the New Year at Tap 42 Bar & Kitchen in Fort Lauderdale (1411 South Andrews Avenue) from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 21st. We'll have complimentary wine, beer and appetizers. We'll also have information ab…

01/08/2016

Here's one for those perfectionists... The Joy of Imperfection: How Not to Drive Yourself and Others Nuts in 2016 - Fulfillment DailyFulfillment Daily http://ow.ly/3yNeIL

We get caught up in making everything perfect--but at what cost? Check out what research says about the secrets of inner perfection.

12/20/2015

Perhaps crew can use some of theae ideas Adam Grant writes about when "selecting" a yacht position?The One Question You Should Ask About Every New Job - NYTimes.com http://ow.ly/3yBdKS

Corporate culture is more important to your happiness than the salary, title or position. But how can you find out what the corporate culture is?

12/16/2015

Win a Superyacht Scholarship ....A marvellous initiative....Thanks Alison and the other organisers.http://ow.ly/VZOq5

12/10/2015

This is a good article discussing engagement.. And some ideas to improve your engagement practices. Employee Engagement Isn't Getting Better And Gallup Shares The Surprising Reasons Why | Mark C. Crowley | LinkedIn http://ow.ly/3yxvvG

www.tibbr.comMark C. CrowleySpeaker, Leadership Change Agent, Author of "Lead From The Heart: Transformational Leadership For The 21st...

12/01/2015

This recent article in the Dockwalk magazine highlights reasons why crew leave yachts. One of the four key reasons is not getting along with the Captain (17.4 percent.... Captains competencies and leadership abilities contribute to crew turnover. We've know this for years and we continue to have this confirmed through feedback and research. Captains have a responsibility to their owners and crew to be better leaders and educate themselves about contemporary leadership and HR practices. The sooner some Captains realise that they have to address their own performance, the better off the industry will be.

“I’m leaving because I don't like working sixteen plus hour days every day without a day off,” writes one deckhand. “I don't want to do another...

11/27/2015

Education is "free" if you choose yourself.

Find over 150 courses, many from leading universities, that will deepen your professional education. Topics include finance, technology,...

11/25/2015

Some interesting insights....Alternative approach to the review "farce"...Scrap Performance Reviews, Start Talent Conversations - Center...

Why not scrap annual performance reviews? Regular, more meaningful talent conversations could eventually end the dreaded employee rating system.

11/20/2015

Good Article from Alene Keenan

Alene KeenanFollowUnfollowFollowingLoadingUniforms, more than just looking goodNov 19, 201541 views4 Likes0 CommentsShare on LinkedInShare on FacebookShare on Twitter Crew uniforms are an important part of the distinctive image of every yacht. I think most stews would agree that purchasing, allocati…