Professionalism Articles
To kick off 2026 on a decisive note, a momentous shift is expected in the realm of the maritime industry. The compulsory update to the Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR) course reflects this evolution by introducing crucial amendments in the seafarer’s STCW basic training regime. Notably, these changes target violence and harassment at sea, setting new standards for both commercial vessels and private superyachts.
These amendments sprung forth from the International Maritime Organization’s Resolution MSC.560 (108), adopted in May 2024. The resolution laid ground for minimum competency standards for every PSSR course. Thereby, it strove to bolster safety and welfare standards across all vessels. Seafarers who have already completed the course will not be required to re-take the course. However, specialized training to align with these mandates might be necessary in some cases.
The selection of a refit manager, from the perspective of a superyacht owner, is a choice fraught with great importance and potential consequences. This person will hold the reins of a complex project, managing it from inception to completion. Based on over two decades of experience and insights from the superyacht sector, key learnings and recommendations can be drawn around this pivotal decision-making process.
A superyacht refit is an arduous task encapsulating everything from minor works during a brief stopover to major revamps that overhaul or extend the yacht’s layout. Regardless of the scale, managing a refit is a multi-disciplinary project that demands tight deadlines and incorporates ‘open and discover’ moments—unexpected hurdles that need immediate resolution, adding to the convoluted nature of refit projects.