Charter terminology

 

Bareboat charter is an arrangement for chartering a yacht and being responsible for navigation and safeness onboard without any help of a professional skipper, provided that you have experience in navigation. Bareboat charter requires that the client skipper owns a certificate of competence (internationally recognized) in order to charter a bareboat, including the license of authorization to operate the radio-telephone station on the boat.

 

Crewed charter includes the services of a professional captain and a crew, which usually consists of a cook/hostess and a sailor, or even more members. The captain and the crew take care of all duties on board, including navigation, cooking, cleaning, provisioning, safety and all other details during your journey.

 

Cabin charter allows you to book a berth or a cabin on a pre-scheduled sailing trip and share a vessel with other guests.

 

One-way charter allows you to charter a boat and embark on one port and leave the boat in a different port. One-way charter requires an additional fee for the relocation of the boat.

 

Advance payment is the amount of money that needs to be paid upon making a reservation and signing the contract. The amount of advance payment is 50% of the total charter fee.

 

Balance payment is the remaining amount of money that needs to be paid the latest one month before the charter start date. The amount of balance payment is 50%.

 

Check-in is required before departure and usually lasts one hour at most. A professional skipper goes through check-in and provides advice and instructions for guests on each detail regarding the navigation and equipment of the chartered boat.

 

Check-out is required after disembarkation. The boat must be checked for possible damages. If no damage occurs, the safety deposit will be refunded to the client.

 

Operating expenses vary depending on the area you cruise in and the yacht you choose. If fuel economy is important, discuss this with Your broker at the beginning of your selection process. There also may be some harbor fees and positioning (delivery) charges if your charter involves meeting or leaving the yacht in a place other than it's home port.

 

Harbor fees are often called dues in Europe, and they vary from port to port depending on the boat's length and period in which you are visiting.

 

Western Mediterranean Terms (WMT) mean that the charter fee includes the use of the yacht and equipment, the crew's wages and insurance. The charterer will be charged at cost for all other expenses including fuel, food, and beverages for the charter party, berthing charges, and port taxes, charges for water and electricity taken from shore, laundry, telephone and SatCom costs. Many large yachts use WMT while operating in the Adriatic.

 

APA (Advanced Provisioning Allowance) is paid by the client to cover extra expenses while onboard, including food, fuel, communications, onshore arrangements, etc. APA is usually 25% of the charter fee. Any funds not used will be returned to the client at the end of the charter. In case the expenses exceed the APA, the client is expected to reimburse those expenses.

 

Safety deposit has to be left before embarkation in case of damage to the boat during the sailing trip. It covers any loss or damage which is not covered by the insurance of the boat. The safety deposit is completely refundable if no damage occurs.