Behind The Scenes With The Professional Yachting Association

Your Training Record Book, explained: The Training Record Book (TRB) can feel like one of those “I’ll deal with it later” tasks, until suddenly it becomes essential.
To help cut through the confusion, we spent five minutes with The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) to get straight‑talk answers on what crew really need to know.

The PYA is a non‑profit association dedicated to supporting yacht crew throughout their careers. Here’s what they shared.

What exactly is a Training Record Book?

A Training Record Book is your official log of onboard training, practical experience, and demonstrated competencies. It’s completed under supervision and forms part of the evidence required for certification.

Where do I get a TRB for my Deck career?

You can download the Deck TRB directly from the PYA website or the MCA website.
If you prefer a hard copy, the PYA team in Antibes can issue one.

Where do I get a TRB for Engineering?

For engineers, the TRB is issued by an MCA‑approved Training Provider - including Bluewater - once you enrol on the SV programme.

How do I complete my TRB correctly?

The PYA emphasises one key point: your TRB is your responsibility.

You should:

Keep it safe and up to date
Record vessel details, tasks, assignments, and training accurately
Present it to the Master when joining, during your service, and before leaving
Ensure each section is signed by the Master or authorised officer once competence is achieved

Full guidance is available on page 2 of the TRB.

For further information, please contact our dedicated Training Department, training@bluewateryachting.com