360° lifecycle training & support for yacht crew

Cape Town, South Africa & Online

Launch your superyacht career with industry‑proven yacht & hospitality training.

We combine compulsory maritime courses (STCW10 & more) with vital industry skill-based training; stewardess, deckhand, powerboat, PWC and more. Seafarer visa support, seaman’s book applications, and recruiter‑ready yacht CV services – so you move from entry to onboard, without the hassle.

Welcome to VYA

Virtual Yacht Assistant (VYA) is an education-led yacht training and crew services from South Africa to global hubs.

Who We Serve: New & active crew, interior teams and HODs.

How We Help: End-to-end pathways for training, documentation, and career tools under one roof.

Why Us? Real practice, real outcomes, authentic drills, micro‑coaching and team work.

Clear pathways, credible training, and real support

Quick Search Bar

Start Your Yacht Career

Maritime Certification

Compulsory, Skill-Based, and Value‑Added Courses

Compulsory qualifications

Accredited STCW10, Seafarer Medical and Food Health & Safety Level II and more

Skills-based courses

Stewardess courses, Deckhand Training, Chef Courses, Advanced Interior Training

Core & Essential qualifications

Powerboat Level II, Jet-ski License (PWC), VHF Radio, Diesel Engine and more.

360º SUPPORT services

Yacht Crew Assistance

Crew logistics, solved: visas, CVs, Seaman’s Book, insurance, flights.

Global Visa & Travel Assistance

Compliant processes, appointment bookings, document templates, flights, travel insurance and travel prep.

Seamans Book Applications

Correct forms, bookings, and courier management - first‑time approvals and predictable timelines.

Professional CV Writing Services

Role‑targeted, metric‑driven CVs that surpass recruiter scans and speak to yacht standards - built to win interviews.

Superyacht Industry

Resources & Guidance

Your global hub for knowledge and crew connection

VY_Community: Your AI‑Powered Hub

An online, AI‑driven learning platform with reliable, up‑to‑date resources for all yacht departments - plus industry news, verified job postings, free courses, and e‑books.

VY_Community: Essential Industry E-books

This toolkit helps you track networking, dockwalking, job applications and interviews while providing vital tips to stand out in a competitive industry.

How we work?

Application

Complete application form in full & submit

Review

We review your application & send confirmation email (24 hrs)

Invoice & Payment

Receive invoice & send POP

Process & Updates

We will start your application & update you as we move along

Delivery

Delivery completed in timeframe, successfully

Proven Maritime Success

Trained Crew

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Student / Client Rating

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VYA CV Placement Rate

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Client Loyalty Rate

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Testimonial

What they say.

Real Stories from Real Clients

"VYA is the team you want on your side—efficient, reliable and well-organised. They can assist with CVs, visas, seaman books, and much more. If you are new to the yachting industry and looking for the right team to support you, look no further than VYA."

"I completed my advanced silver service course at SYTA. I recommend it for everyone that want to experience more in the yatching industry and your stewardess skills. I really enjoy my time there it was amazing experience."

"I’ve used VYA twice and each time I have received my desired outcome. The second time with a very limited time frame, but with the assistance of VYA I received everything I required on time. Tatum is a star and anyone could put their trust in the assistance and support of VYA!"

" Five-Star Service from VYA – The Ultimate Yachting Assistant VYA is hands down the best yachting assistant you will ever find. From start to finish, their service is exceptional — professional, reliable, and always tailored to your needs. Their courses are top-notch, offering real value and insight, led by friendly, knowledgeable instructors who truly care about your growth and success. Whether you’re just starting out or advancing your career, you can’t go wrong with VYA. Highly recommended!"

" I did my visa application through VYA, the communication on all the information that they required from me and the step-by-step process as to how everything was going to work was clear and extremely helpful!"

"An Exceptional Learning Experience with Virtual Yacht Assistant. 🙂 I had the pleasure of completing both the Stewardess Course and the Advanced Silver Service Course through Virtual Yacht Assistant, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. These courses, thoughtfully created and taught by Chanel Marais—founder, director, and an absolute powerhouse in the yachting world—are nothing short of exceptional. Chanel isn’t just a teacher; she’s a mentor, a motivator, and a true role model. Her extensive industry experience shines through in every lesson, and her warmth and encouragement make the learning journey all the more enjoyable."

"I recently completed both the Stewardess and Silver Service courses with Virtual Yacht Assistant, and I couldn't be more impressed with the experience! The courses were incredibly well-structured, informative, and practical, covering all the essential skills I need to excel in the yachting industry. The instructors, Kalyn Aschmann and Chanel Marais, with experience in the industry, were very knowledgeable, approachable, and passionate about what they do, making the learning process both enjoyable and highly effective. I feel much more confident in my abilities and am excited to apply what I've learned in a real-world setting. Highly recommend these courses to anyone looking to get into yachting or elevate your skills!""