£7,500
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 Owner’s Representatives, Project Managers, Captains, Officers, and Contractors, the course is delivered 100% online via kelp. through interactive masterclasses, self-study, and guest lectures from industry experts.
Course Format
Unit 40 – Role and Responsibilities Skills
3-week online 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 41–43 – 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
Chanine Mierop
Our Leadership Trainer at The Crew Academy, Chanine brings an abundance of experience with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Cross Cultural Management and a former career in Recruitment & Human Resources. She later transitioned to the yachting industry, 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.
Andrew Roch
The founder of The Crew Academy, Andrew brings over 25 years of specialised industry experience to his role as Course Facilitator on the YORP. He is an IAMI board member and a passionate advocate for raising standards and promoting transparency in the industry. Andrew has pioneered numerous training programs including the Yacht Owner's Representative Program (YORP), a SYBAss initiative which is elevating standards for the role of the Owner’s Representative.
Samantha Watson
An expert in Operations and Project Management and a YORP Course Facilitator at The Crew Academy. 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
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Anton Smit - Oceanco
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Arjan Kleinveld - ONEXP and YachtCloud
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Eduard Henny - Cayman Islands Shipping Registry
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Gerben Visser - Aquator Marine
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Giovanna Cabbia - Clyde & Co
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Ian Hornsby - Hubware Ltd
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James Drysdale - Howden Sturge
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John Leonida - LP Squared
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Linda Peute - U-Boat Worx
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Nicola Nicolai - Nicola Yacht Consulting & Project Management
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Nima Moin from Lloyd's Register
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Patrick Martin from Teem Yacht Services
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Paul Bournas from CCS Yacht Coating Consultants for Superyachts
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Steen Christensen from SuperYachtsMonaco
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Steve Gresham from Gresham Yacht Design
Accreditations
Upon completion of the program, learners will be awarded the following certificate:
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Unit 40 – YOR Role and Responsibility Skills
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Unit 41 – Foundations of a New Build Project
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Unit 42 – Management and Compliance Obligations
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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 which aims to elevate industry standards and connect qualified Owner's Representatives with potential clients.
Platform access
Students gain immediate access to all course content and resources and must complete all training within 12 months of booking.
Course Content
YORP Live Training (Unit 40)
Training takes place over 3 weeks. Consisting of 6 live lectures delivered by your trainer Chanine, over Zoom each week .
Sessions will run on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5pm to 8pm UK time.
Students will also be expected to complete an additional 12 hours of guided self-study in order to complete the self-study portions of the program, and to complete their homework.
YORP Live Training (Units 41, 42, 43)
Training takes place 3 times a week over 12 weeks. With 2 guest lectures plus one interactive live masterclass with your course facilitators each week .
Sessions will run from 5pm to 7pm, and students will also be expected to complete an additional 60 hours of guided self-study in order to complete the self-study portions of the program, and to complete their homework.
*Please note there is flexibility in delivery with the Masterclasses and our Course Coordinators will communicate with you via your WhatsApp channel with any changes in delivery times or dates.
YORP Introductory Information
All sessions are recorded so you can catch up later if you can't make a particular session but we recommend joining as many sessions live as possible.
We understand that working onboard a yacht involves an unpredictable schedule. So, if you need to pause your training, we can transfer you to a different cohort throughout the year, if needed.
Following the end of the course, we support all of our graduates to progress their career through our in-house talent management team at The Crew Hunter.
You will also join our alumni network of professionals who have completed the YORP to help build more industry connections.
Pre-Course Evidence
Before you start your pre-course reading, you will need to upload the following documents to confirm your eligibility for the course before enrolment.
Please upload the following documents:
Valid Passport
CV (Demonstrating experience within the maritime sector within a senior position).
Please note - to succeed in this intensive and fast-paced program:
Students MUST possess professional working-level English skills. If English is not your first language, you may need to complete the Maritime English for Seafarer's test. To assess your proficiency, you can practice this test at marlins.co.uk.
Students should be at least 25 years old, younger applicants must meet specific entry requirements.
Pre-Course Knowledge Check
Before You Begin
You will start with a short knowledge check. This is not a test. It is simply designed to help you see what you already know before starting the course.
Everyone will move forward into the full learning content, no matter the results. Your trainer will be able to view your responses to understand your current knowledge level and provide the right support during the program.
Take your time and answer as best you can, this is just a starting point.
YOR Role and Responsibility Skills (Unit 40)
The focus of this unit is to understand the Yacht Owner’s Representative’s identity, authority, and communication landscape.
Study units include:
Defining what a Yacht Owner’s Representative is and is not.
Navigating authority, contractual limits, and delegated decision-making.
Identifying and managing key project stakeholders.
Using stakeholder maps, communication models, and the RACI matrix to clarify roles.
Applying professional communication strategies across formal and informal channels.
During this module, you will gain clarity on your professional identity as an Owner’s Representative, how to communicate with authority effectively, and how to build strong working relationships across shipyards, designers, and owner-side teams.
Advanced Leadership Module
In this module we explore the topic management and leadership, clarifying their distinct yet interconnected roles and highlighting the importance of adaptability in various contexts.
We will also discuss key leadership theories, styles, and practical applications to enhance your overall effectiveness as a leader.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
Analyse and understand the impact a leader has on individuals and the overall team dynamic.
Identify and differentiate between various different leadership styles.
Advanced Leadership Assessments
All answers provided in your assessments must be in your own words.
AI-generated answers (from programs such as Chat GPT, Gemini etc.) and answers directly copied & pasted from the platform, internet or any other outside source will be detected by our anti-plagiarism software and result in a Fail.
By accessing the assessment links below, you are agreeing to these terms.
Foundations of a New Build Project (Unit 41)
This unit provides an in-depth exploration of yacht design, engineering, and construction processes, emphasising their interconnectedness and the importance of collaboration.
It also covers project management strategies, market trends, and the roles of key stakeholders in the yacht-building industry.
Study units include:
Concept Design Engineering Construction Processes
Organisation of Shipyards & Sub-Contractors
Statutory Knowledge
Management and Compliance Obligations (Unit 42)
This course focuses on the critical aspects of building and managing an effective Owner's Team for yacht construction projects. It covers team assembly, role definitions, communication strategies, and project goal alignment to ensure successful outcomes.
Additional Content (Non-compulsory)
This course provides comprehensive insights into visual training, yacht marketing, and storytelling techniques, emphasising the importance of innovative tools and strategies in luxury industries.
Specialist Project, Legal and Administrations (Unit 43)
This course provides comprehensive insights into managing technical documentation, accounting systems, and communication strategies for yacht projects. It emphasises the importance of clarity, organization, and collaboration across various phases of yacht design, construction, and operation.
Post-Course Survey
Congratulations on reaching the finish line of our YORP program! Your dedication and hard work have shone through, and we're excited to see how you'll apply your newfound knowledge to make impactful changes.
Your feedback is invaluable in helping us enhance the learning experience for future leaders like yourself. Please take a few moments to complete our final course survey - We'd love to hear your thoughts!
Your honest insights will guide us in continuing to refine and innovate the course to better meet your needs and aspirations.
