ISS Assimilates Yacht Captains Association (YCA) Membership

The International Superyacht Society (ISS) has announced the assimilation of the Yacht Captains Association (YCA) membership, extending ISS membership benefits to all current YCA members.

YCA was first established in March 2014 at the Palm Beach International Boat Show to serve the needs of yacht captains and its founders believe the time is now right to join in ISS’s global mission to promote sustainability and excellence across the wider superyacht industry.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am that ISS - the widely respected organization with an international reach through global yachting basins - has agreed to bring YCA’s membership into the ISS family,” says founding YCA board member, Captain Michael Schueler of M/Y Rasselas.

“ISS’s 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. Plans are already well underway to create autonomy for captains within the ISS committee structure.” Schueler added.

As part of ISS’s overall initiative to support crew members, Wright Maritime Group (WMG) will work with new captain members to develop a strategy to meet their needs within the wider organization.

WMG CEO and ISS board member, Captain AJ Anderson, comments,

“The industry is served by supporting the involvement of all seafaring professionals to be the next generation of industry leaders. WMG is honoured to help ISS’s innovative approach in building sustainability in our most important resource - the seafaring human factor - and will bring all resources at its disposal to welcoming and encouraging initiatives of importance to ISS’s new captain members.”

Founded in 1989, ISS’s original mission was to create continuity in the rapidly expanding yachting industry. With initiatives such as the Associations Alliance, the design and leadership awards and a range of educational programs, it provides an important platform for industry professionals as well as inspiration for the next generation.  

Derik Wagner, ISS President, comments,

“On behalf of the ISS Board of Directors, we are delighted to welcome these remarkable captains to the Society. It is our privilege to provide a forum for the captains to express their particular points of view to help shape sound operational and promotional blueprints for the future of our industry and the owners who so enjoy our celebrated products.”

Captain Schueler concludes, “I plan to remain an active participant in the transition, help in the formation of the ISS Captains Committee and work with ISS’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors as YCA captains build a new home within ISS that honours our original vision and mission. I’m confident it will flourish and grow, encompassing hundreds of captains worldwide in a short time.”