Most charter companies accept licenses issued by the IYT, RYA, ISSA as well as national rights to operate a yacht. However, almost every year there is a catch in the form of new decrees or regulations from the Ministry of Tourism of a particular country. In 2019, for example, just a month before the start of the recreational navigation season, the Greek Ministry of Tourism issued a decree restricting IYT Bareboat Skipper and RYA Day Skipper licenses for yacht charters. The situation seemed, truly, critical as April and May charters were jeopardized. Nevertheless, in close collaboration with our charter company colleagues, we found a solution.
To avoid potential misunderstandings. When signing each new lease agreement, we send our clients' rights to the charter company for approval.

It is critical to realize that you are renting someone else's boat, and it is quite expensive. Even though you have paid for the charter and paid a security deposit, you must treat the yacht with the utmost care and realize that you have a serious responsibility for it. We have repeatedly talked to our colleagues from charter companies and most of them confirm that they are often faced with absolutely negligent and careless attitude to the vessel according to the principle "after us, even the flood". Accordingly, to avoid problems with the return of the deposit, treat the yacht as your home on the water for the coming week of the charter. Keep it clean, do "cosmetic" cleaning, wash dishes, return the yacht in the same condition in which you received it. The captain is responsible for the safety of all crew members. He is responsible for organizing the living arrangements on board, giving a pre-trip briefing to the crew, making key decisions during the charter.

The charter company asks for a refundable security deposit for the yacht (similar to the deposit you pay when you rent a car or apartment).
In essence, the security deposit is the deductible on the insurance for the yacht, which is paid annually by the owner or charter company. The security deposit is calculated taking into account the possible risks and damages that may be caused by the renter during the charter. The amount of the deposit varies depending on the charter company, the insurance company whose services it uses, the size and type of the boat. The amount of the deposit varies from 900 euros and above. The deposit is made by bank card, on which its amount is pre-authorized. The funds are unblocked after the return of the yacht. If there was damage during the charter, the charter company calculates the amount and deducts it from the amount of the deposit. The balance is returned to the client's account. In most cases, the money is returned to the card within 20 days or a month. Sometimes, the charter company "releases" the funds, but they are held by the client's own bank. In this case, it is recommended to call the bank.
In some cases, by agreement, the company may accept a cash deposit from you. But, nowadays, this is more of an exception to the rules than a common practice.
In addition, blocking on a bank card gives you the opportunity to challenge the charter company's decision on the amount of damages, if any.

Most clients have heard of charter companies being unscrupulous in terms of falsely attributing damage and not returning deposits in full. As we know, staffing is everything. Sometimes, with clear and loyal office management, the base employees can be dishonest and attribute damage that was not done by you (but this is a question, rather, to the process of acceptance). So, how do you minimize potential risks?
Charter companies offer the following options:
Additional insurance (damage waiver) + reduced deposit
You purchase additional insurance, which, on average, is 10% of the full deposit and pay a reduced security deposit. For example, the full deposit amount is 3000 euros. You purchase additional insurance for €300 and pay a reduced refundable deposit of €600, thus limiting your liability to €600.
2. Additional insurance (damage waiver) + 0 deposit
You buy additional insurance and pay no refundable deposit at all.
We call this a non-refundable deposit. For example, the full deposit for a yacht is 3000 euros. You buy additional insurance for 400 euros and pay no deposit.
Not all companies offer such options.
In case the company cannot offer you damage waiver, you can insure the deposit with a specialized insurance company, however, in this case, you will have to pay the full amount of insurance and the full amount of the deposit. In case of damage, you collect a set of documents and about

Depending on the format of the trip cruise, regatta, ocean crossing, crew members can choose the appropriate option of personal travel insurance - active or extreme vacations. Our company can issue such insurance for your crew members.

Before departure it is important to prepare all the necessary documents: passport, original copy of your skipper's license (if you will drive the yacht yourself), rental contract or voucher, base-info (information about the base with on-site contacts, diagram, how to get there, etc.), bank card with which you will make the deposit.
Double-check in advance what extras you have to pay for, how much money should be deposited on site. As a proactive person in the team, it is mandatory for the client to check the documents of all team members for visas, entry permits, passport expiration dates, etc. Ask all the remaining questions to the agent before departure to avoid awkward situations on the spot.
From what age can children be taken? Procedure of behavior on board if there are children.

Every child on board must be supervised by an adult (parent, nanny, etc.), so it is necessary to take care of the child in advance. Children from the age of six months are accepted on board. It will not be easy with children from one and a half to three or four years old. They do not feel the danger, can not sit still, they must be constantly monitored. The charter company can provide special life jackets for children, taking into account their age and weight. You can also buy automatic life jackets, they are thinner, lighter and do not interfere so much with the child. It is desirable that the vest should be combined with a harness. Children on the boat must be buckled up. Do not forget about sunscreen, preferably with sun protection not lower than 50.

You can buy groceries for the yacht upon arrival at the nearest supermarket. The provisions can also be ordered in advance by marking the necessary items in the provision-list, which will be sent to you before the start of the trip. Sometimes, the company charges from 5 to 15% for this service from the amount of purchases. In some destinations (Seychelles, some Caribbean islands and other destinations) such a service is in demand, as it is not possible to buy on arrival.