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Procedure
Once you have discussed with us the various types of yacht, locations and terms under which the yachts operate, we will be ready to confirm your booking.
Charter agreement
First we will prepare a written contract or Charter Agreement. The widely accepted MYBA agreement set a standard. This charter agreement was written by the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association (MYBA) and is recognised by the American Yacht Charter Association. While at first glance, this charter agreement appears daunting, it is not as difficult as it would seem. It details the yacht, your chosen dates, the location, the cruising area and the cost. There will be 4 copies of the contract, to be signed by each party. Feel free to contact us for further explanations on this document.
The Agreements are then sent by us to the Owners for their countersignature and a completed copy is returned to you for your files.
Non MYBA Agreements
Due to U.S. Coastguard requirements some U.S. flag yachts operate under the demise charter agreement.
Payment
Upon signing this Agreement, you will be asked for a down payment, normally 50%,to be transferred to the account shown on the Agreement.
The Preference form
You will also receive a detailed questionnaire to complete. This questionnaire relates to your travel arrangements, guest list, likes and dislikes and eventual special requirements. This information might be discussed with you in some details to ensure we gather as much information as possible. This is then sent to the Captain, as to allow him to pre-book any berths, order the right provisions and arrange the chef and crew to prepare that special birthday treat or other celebration.
Final Payment and Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA)
The balance of your payment is normally due one month prior to the charter. You will also be asked to send funds to cover the APA, if that is requested by the terms of your agreement. This APA is immediately sent to the Captain, in cash, in order that the yacht can purchase provisions in advance ready for your arrival. All costs incurred by the yacht which are accountable to the charterer will be deducted during the cruise and full accounts produced at the end. The Captain will, at the end of the charter, return any unused funds. Occasionally the APA is not sufficient and the Captain will keep you advised if further funds are required. All charter costs must be reconciled before you disembark from the yacht.
Insurances
A cancellation insurance covers the loss of Charter Fee if a charter has to be cancelled by the charterer for genuine reasons. We will always include a quotation in our offer and we highly recommend that our charter clients consider subscribing to such an insurance.
A personal insurance (of the type of Europe Assistance) is also essential, whenever one travels abroad. You should inquire with your insurance broker for this matter.
Captain's Responsibility: A charter yacht captain will always try to comply with your wishes, but his primary responsibility is to guarantee the safety of the yacht and passengers. Should an scenario arise where a request conflicts with this responsibility, your captain will discuss all possible alternatives with you. However, when relating to the yacht and safety of those onboard, the captain's decision is final.
Gratuities: Tipping is customary and discretionary. Remember that your crew has worked long, hard hours to make your holiday a success. If you feel the crew has been excellent, a gratuity of 5 to 10% of the charter fee may be fair. The tip is handed to the captain towards the end of the charter, to distribute fairly between all members of the crew.
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Charter Terms explained
It is important, in order to budget correctly for a charter, to understand the terms under which the yachts operate. Terms are very much bounded to the geographical area where the yacht operates.
WMT - Western Mediterranean Terms
The Charter Fee includes the charter of the yacht with all its equipment in working order, tools, stores, cleaning material and basic consumable stores for engine-room, deck and cabins, etc., the crew's wages, food and the insurance of the yacht for marine risk and third party claims and the crew for employer's liability insurance. (If the yacht is not on MYBA terms then crew food may be charged extra)
The Charterer will be charged extra, at cost to the yacht, for all other expenses. These include fuel for the yacht, fuel for the ski-boats or other tenders, food for the charterers, wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks for the Charterers, other consumable stores, berthing dues and other harbour charges away from the yacht's own berth, including pilotage fees and charges for water and/or electricity taken from the shore, laundry, telephone, fax or telex via Satcom, Radio Telephone or telex costs, hire costs of special equipment placed on board at the request of the Charterer. These are the terms generally used in a MYBA agreement.
EMT - Eastern Mediterranean Terms
The Charter Fee includes the charter of the yacht with all its equipment in working order, tools, stores, spares, etc., the crew's wages and the insurance of the yacht for marine risk and third party claims and the crew for employer's liability insurance.
The Charter Fee also includes fuel for up to five hours cruising per day (averaged throughout the charter), food for the crew, berthing dues and other harbour charges (except Corinthian Canal dues), including water and/or electricity taken from the shore. The arrangements about fuel charges sometimes vary.
The Charterer will be charged extra, at cost to the yacht, for all other expenses, These include fuel for the ski-boats or other tenders, food, wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks for the Charterers, other consumable stores, berthing and harbour expenses outside the yacht's normal cruising area, laundry, telephone, fax or telex via Satcom, Radio Telephone costs, hire costs of special equipment placed on board at the request of the Charterer.
Some yachts offer more inclusive terms.
GRK - Greek Terms
The rate quoted includes the hire of the yacht, the crew's salaries, the insurance of the yacht, the crew's food, sufficient fuel and lubricants for 4 (four) hours cruising per twenty four hours, harbour dues and pilotage within Greek waters, water & ship's laundry. Extra to the charterer's account are guests food and drink, bar, Corinth Canal dues where applicable and port taxes & harbour dues outside Greek waters.
SCT - Standard Caribbean
Terms The Charter Fee includes all expenses listed under WMT and SEMT plus all food. Some yachts also include wine and bar, excluding vintage wines and champagne.
In the Caribbean this is normally referred to as 'All inclusive' but excluding bar, communications and cruising taxes, if any. The Charterer will be charged extra for communications (use of the yacht's satellite or mobile phone), marina-type berthing, rendezvous diving, shore excursions, cruising tax, etc.
Other elements of cost
VAT
Legislation now exists in the European Union requiring all yachts operating in the national waters of the Union (in this narrow context we are interested in France, Italy, Spain and Greece) to collect Value Added Tax (VAT/TVA/IVA, etc.) on all charters at rates which vary between 4% (Greece) to 16% and 20.6% of the Charter Fee. Under EU Law this is payable by the Charterer. However, there are various interpretations from country to country.
Commercially registered yachts generally are not required to collect the tax on the charter fee and are allowed to buy tax free provisioning, if available. This of course makes out a difference when buying fuel.
Other taxes
Local taxes may also apply in certain areas outside the EC. We can provide you with the most recent information for your cruising area.
Operating expenses
These vary depending on the area you cruise and the yacht you choose. If fuel economy is important, discuss this with your us at the beginning of your selection process. There also may be some positioning or repositioning charges if your charter involves meeting or leaving the yacht in a location different from the usual operation basis of the yacht.
Harbour fees
Harbour fees usually remain a small item in the charter budget. They are higher in the Western Mediterranean than in the Eastern Mediterranean and very low in the Caribbean or Pacific Northwest. |
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