Advancing safety and environmental performance across the yacht industry

The Yacht Safety and Environmental Consortium brings together five of the world’s leading classification societies to address shared safety and environmental challenges affecting large yachts.

The logo features the letters 'ABS' next to a stylized eagle clutching an object.
Bureau Veritas logo with seal featuring a woman holding a torch and a book, surrounded by the text 'Bureau Veritas 1828' and a banner with the words 'BUREAU VERITAS'
DNV logo with light blue, black, green, and blue stripes.
Teal square with black stylized letter R
A logo with the word 'RIP' on the left and a stylized blue and white shape in the middle, with the word 'AI' on the right.

Five classification societies One shared purpose

YSEC was established by five classification societies with significant experience in yacht classification and statutory activities. ABS, Bureau Veritas, DNV, Lloyd’s Register and RINA.
By working collectively on shared industry challenges, YSEC can bring together a broader range of knowledge, experience and technical perspectives than any one organisation could provide independently.

YSEC’s activities are directed by a Steering Committee comprising representatives from each founding member.

The Steering Committee identifies and prioritises areas of work, while specialist working groups undertake the detailed technical activity. Decisions are made collectively, with all members contributing to the consortium’s direction and external outputs.

This structure enables YSEC to remain focused on areas where collaboration can provide practical value to the wider yacht industry. The challenges facing the yacht sector extend across individual organisations, jurisdictions and areas of technical responsibility.

YSEC creates a structured environment in which classification societies can collaborate on appropriate areas of research, knowledge-sharing and best-practice development while continuing to operate independently.

Our work is intended to support:

  • Yacht designers and builders.

  • Owners and operators.

  • Flag administrations.

  • Regulators and standards bodies.

  • Industry associations.

  • Technical and professional partners.

Aerial view of multiple large white yachts docked in a marina.
Large luxury yacht docked at marina with city buildings in the background during sunset, featuring sleek white exterior and illuminated decks.

Areas of focus

Several large yachts docked along a stone wall, with a small wooden boat with six people in the water nearby.

Through YSEC, specialists from ABS, Bureau Veritas, DNV, Lloyd’s Register and RINA can combine technical knowledge, statutory experience and diverse industry perspectives. This collaborative approach enables the consortium to examine complex issues more comprehensively, build greater alignment and develop practical outputs with wider industry relevance.

By working with yacht builders, owners, operators, industry associations, standards bodies and technical partners, YSEC helps turn shared challenges into coordinated action.

Colloborative Impact

An aerial view of a yacht's bow cutting through deep blue ocean water.
A large white yacht docked in a harbor during sunset with a smaller boat nearby and calm water in the background.

Helping the yacht industry better understand, assess and improve environmental performance.

YSEC contributes classification and statutory expertise to industry initiatives, environmental assessment frameworks and international standards intended to support credible and measurable progress.

Safety

Supporting the development of consistent, practical approaches to safety challenges affecting the design, construction and operation of large yachts.

YSEC’s safety work brings together technical specialists from across its member organisations to examine existing requirements, identify areas where greater clarity may be needed and support safer outcomes across the industry.

Environmental performance