The following article, on Nautilus UK, was published in the yacht sector magazine The Yacht Report, April 2007.

Imagine this situation. You are working aboard the luxury yacht Amélie, cruising off Antibes, when the French authorities board the vessel claiming your vessel has been spotted discharging oil.

The officials are looking to throw the book at someone, and everyone on the yacht comes under suspicion. You’re far from home, in an unfamiliar jurisdiction; your certificate and even your liberty is on the line. What do you do now?

Fortunately, if something like this did happen to you, there would be somewhere to turn: your professional association - Nautilus UK.

Nautilus UK is the only membership organisation fully dedicated to all maritime professionals - with members working in every part of the industry, including the large yacht sector.

We have a proven record of providing unrivalled support, protection and advice to members over 150 years. Suppose you had an accident at sea that meant you were out of work for a long time. As a Nautilus UK member, our legal department would assist you in securing compensation for personal injuries.

Even if you’re lucky enough to avoid a major injury during your career, there are other problems that can arise at sea - as in the pollution case described above. It’s a sad truth that, in these times of heightened anxiety about terrorism and environmental damage, seafarers are regularly under suspicion of wrongdoing; suspicion that can lead to loss of certificates, loss of income and even jail time. As a maritime professional serving on a large yacht, you will have invested in your qualifications and future. Becoming a Nautilus UK member would help you protect that investment.

Nautilus UK provides members with worldwide legal support during investigations and inquiries, and membership entitles you to financial benefits if your certificate is suspended, cancelled or downgraded.

Nautilus UK is also a recognised organisation representing the views of maritime professionals to ministers and government bodies like the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. In Europe, Nautilus UK plays a key role in many European bodies and has access to the European Commission. Internationally, Nautilus UK is well known for its work with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and International Labour Organisation (ILO).

With more than 18,000 members, Nautilus UK has the clout to get things done in the maritime world. But we recognise that there are differences between sectors, and we are tailoring our services to meet the needs of members serving in the growing professional yachting industry.

And Nautilus UK isn’t just there for emergency backup. As the leading organisation for maritime professionals, we provide our members with technical advice and keep them up to date with the ever-changing maritime regulations. There are also numerous opportunities on offer for networking and sharing expertise, such as our regular professional and technical forums and the Biennial General Meeting - the organisation’s popular two-yearly members’ conference.

In addition, members receive a free copy each month of the award-winning journal, the Nautilus UK Telegraph, which is a trusted - and entertaining - source of seafaring news and features, read throughout the maritime industry.

You’re a professional; it makes sense to join a professional association. Nautilus UK offers you the support and protection you need. Can you afford not to join?

To apply for Nautilus UK membership, go to www.nautilusuk.org or call our membership services team on +44 (0)20 8989 6677.