Over the last couple of months, the PYA's Member Assistance Service (MAS) has received a number of reports from crew who have been approached by scammers offering false jobs onboard yachts. Along with these direct reports, there has also been a number of incidents reported via the Yacht Crew Facebook Groups.

We have particularly been working closely with the International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) who has - up until this point - provided a 24/7 helpline to all seafarers worldwide.

Following the European Commission’s announcement in 2019 on the new VAT Directive for charters, Italian authorities announced they would be charging a VAT rate of 22%, unless it is proven that the superyacht sailed outside of EU waters.