Yacht and Boat Chartering Trade Associations

Association of Brokers & Yacht Agents (ABYA)

UK professional brokers’ trade body setting a Code of Practice, client-account standards and training via ABYA Academy; membership is almost 200 firms/individuals (UK and abroad).

https://abya.co.uk/ Membership: 200

Association of Yacht Support Services (AYSS)

Worldwide network of vetted superyacht shore-support agents helping charter and private yachts with permits, logistics and compliance; 61 member offices across 45 countries.

https://www.ayss.org/ Membership: 61

Balearic Yacht Brokers Association (BYBA)

Palma-based brokers’ association that organizes the Palma Superyacht Village/Palma International Boat Show superyacht area; BYBA comprises six international brokerage firms with Mallorca offices.

https://palmasuperyachtvillage.com/ Membership: 6

British Marine

The UK’s national marine trade association spanning leisure marine, superyacht and small commercial sectors; around 1,200 member businesses including charter-related firms.

https://www.britishmarine.co.uk/ Membership: 1,200

British Virgin Islands Charter Yacht Society (CYS)

Registered non‑profit for crewed charter yachts in the BVI; the Society advocates, educates, promotes and runs the annual charter yacht show. Membership currently comprises about 100 crewed charter yachts (250+ crew).

https://cysbvi.com/ Membership: 100

Charter Yacht Brokers Association (CYBA)

Charter brokers’ trade association known for ethics, escrow practices, and broker education; over 140 members (as of 2023).

https://www.cyba.net/ Membership: 140

European Committee for Professional Yachting (ECPY)

Nice‑based association representing European yachting professionals (brokers, managers, shipyards, service firms) and running Open Days; 172 members (ECPY in numbers, 2025).

https://www.ecpy.org/en_GB Membership: 172

Hellenic Professional Yacht Owners Association (HPYOA / EPEST)

Greek owners’ association representing professional charter yachts; members are owners of 4,000+ professional yachts (manned and bareboat) under Greek law.

https://greekyachtownersassociation.com/ Membership: 4,000

Hellenic Professional Yacht Owners Bareboat Association (SITESAP)

National association for Greek bareboat charter owners; more than 750 member businesses collectively manage 3,000+ boats and support thousands of jobs.

https://sitesap.gr/en/ Membership: 750

International Superyacht Society (ISS)

Global superyacht industry association advancing business growth, standards and recognition (awards, education, committees); 1,200+ members representing 600+ companies across 50+ countries (2025).

https://www.superyachtsociety.org/ Membership: 1,200

International Yacht Brokers Association (IYBA)

World’s largest yacht brokerage and charter trade association promoting professionalism, advocacy and education; over 2,000 individual members representing 900+ businesses.

https://iyba.org/ Membership: 2,000

Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF)

Regional trade group for South Florida’s boating and yachting sector (home to many charter refit and service firms) and owner of FLIBS; 500+ member companies.

https://www.miasf.org/ Membership: 500

MYBA The Worldwide Yachting Association

Global brokers’ association (originally Mediterranean) upholding standards and operating tools like MYBA E‑Contract and the MYBA Charter Show; membership comprises 50+ major brokerage houses.

https://www.myba-association.com/ Membership: 50

National Association of Charterboat Operators (NACO)

U.S. national body representing charter‑boat operators (e.g., fishing/day-charter) on regulatory and legislative issues; about 4,100 members noted in Congressional Record (1997).

http://nacocharters.org/ Membership: 4,100

Passenger Vessel Association (PVA)

U.S. passenger vessel trade association covering ferries, sightseeing and excursion/charter boats; roughly 600 member companies operate about 1,500 vessels (Congressional testimony).

https://www.passengervessel.com/ Membership: 600

Professional Yachting Association (PYA)

Crew‑focused trade association providing sea‑service verification, advocacy and guidance for professional yacht crew across the charter/superyacht sector; 10,518 members as of 1 January 2025.

https://www.pya.org/ Membership: 10,518

Thai Yachting Business Association (TYBA)

Thailand’s marine leisure and charter industry association (marinas, charter operators, brokers, services) engaging with government on policy and promoting the Thailand Charter Week; nearly 40 corporate members (2019).

https://www.thaiyachtingbusinessassociation.com/ Membership: 40

U.S. Superyacht Association (USSA)

U.S. superyacht industry association supporting advocacy, marketing and business development (member lounges, events) for charter and support businesses; nearly 400 members (2020).

https://www.ussuperyacht.com/ Membership: 400

Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association (VIPCA)

Territory‑wide charter association for the U.S. Virgin Islands unifying charter vessels and shore‑based businesses; 144 USVI‑based charter vessel members reported in 2020; runs the USVI Charter Yacht Show and member health programs.

https://vipca.org/ Membership: 144

Yacht Brokers Association of America (YBAA)

North American brokers’ trade association for yacht sales professionals (many with charter divisions); 250+ brokerage firms representing 1,000+ individual professionals, with education and CPYB certification.

https://ybaa.yachts/ Membership: 1,000