The Maritime Food Authority (MFA) in collaboration with Highfield Qualifications has launched the internationally recognised ‘Manager in Charge for Luxury Yacht Program’.
The MFA is the certification body for this new program in food safety management, yacht sanitation, outbreak planning and auditing, approving training centres to deliver the qualifications and provide annual audits.
MFA certification of excellence signifies best practice, bringing food safety and outbreak management in line with other aspects of a yacht’s operation.
Until now the superyacht industry has lacked a quality standards authority to recognise best practice, conduct audits and provide continual support for crew. Currently crew are only required to have a Level 2 Certificate in Food Safety. “This is very basic and it is not tailored to the superyacht industry,” says Georgie Mainey, managing director of the MFA. “Food safety and public health are the responsibility of all crew and having fully trained, competent managers in charge will ensure safe practices are maintained at all times.”
An experienced superyacht chef, chief stewardess and first officer, Georgie spent many years consulting on food safety management and outbreak control for luxury cruise liners, where training and auditing are more rigorous.
“In an industry which prides itself on excellence, the MFA will give peace of mind to yacht owners, captains and crew that all aspects of a yacht’s operation can now be recognized for outstanding practice,” Georgie explains.
Richard Sprenger, Chairman of the Highfield Group, which includes Highfield Qualifications comments, “I am delighted that this successful approach to food safety is being adopted by the MFA and the superyacht industry as a demonstration of their commitment to protecting passengers and building a reputation for global excellence in food safety.”
The Manager in Charge for Luxury Yacht Program will see crew trained in the following internationally recognised qualifications:
- Level 3 Food Safety at Sea
- Level 3 HACCP
- Level 3 Allergen Management
- Level 3 Auditing
- Award in Yacht Sanitation and Public Health, including MARPOL
Auditing is a key component of the annual certification, with each manager in charge required to conduct monthly internal audits. Conscious of the time constraints on board, the MFA has developed a bespoke auditing application to ensure the process is quick, easy and efficient.
The Manager in Charge is not a mandatory program, but the MFA is working with the flag states to raise awareness of how important this is to the superyacht industry. “The MFA annual certificate of excellence is something the yachts should be striving to achieve,” says Georgie. “The COVID-19 outbreak has certainly highlighted the vulnerability of yacht crew and the people they come into contact with. The MFA is here to support, not only in times of crisis but through continued professional development for crew that extends way beyond training.”
“In an industry which prides itself on excellence, the MFA will give peace of mind to yacht owners, captains and crew that all aspects of a yacht’s operation can now be recognised for outstanding practice,” she adds.
MFA approved training will be delivered via a network of approved centres worldwide and today they are proud to announce the first providers. Luxury Hospitality (LH) will cover the Netherlands and Germany, while Oceanwave Monaco will cover France, Italy and Spain.
Commenting, Managing Director of LH Peter Vogel says, “We are very proud to have been selected as an MFA training centre. We at LH have all worked in the hospitality field for decades, both on land and in the maritime industry, and the peace of mind that the MFA brings to the superyacht industry is long overdue. I congratulate the MFA on this important initiative.”
Duncan Biggs, superyacht chef and Managing Director of Oceanwave Monaco says, “The MFA gives structure, visibility and clear guidance for the management of food safety on board superyachts. We are proud to support the MFA which formalises due diligence and further professionalises our industry.”
For further information please contact:
Tel: +44 (0)770 100 9392
Email: georgie@maritimefoodauthority.com / info@maritimefoodauthority.com
Written By: Sam Watson
