FAQs
If you require any further information, please do not
hesitate to contact us.
How do we book a yacht?
You should choose your sailing location and the type of
yacht you’d like. Then check availability via our
booking form. If the boat you would like is available
and the price is good for you, then you submit an OFFER.
This is limited to a defined period of time. Once you
have made an offer, you will receive an email with the
contract and yacht details for you to read.
Having confirmed availability, SEAMAJOR will give you an
OPTION TO HOLD –which means that boat will be held for
you – or a BOOKING, which is a fixed and binding
reservation. The option will be cancelled of you do not
confirm within the agreed period.
You should not consider the boat booked until you have
returned the signed AGREEMENT and have transferred the
deposit to our nominated account along with the BOOKING
option.
How and when do we pay for
the charter?
The payment of the first installment (usually 30-50%) of
the charter price is due within three days of conclusion
of the charter party, unless otherwise stated. The
balance is due six weeks before the charter begins.
Payment must be received before the stated deadlines.
If you book less than 45 days ahead of the charter’s
commencement, then the full amount of the charter fee
must be transferred along with the signed CPA.
A charter fee payment can be made via wire transfer.
What happens if we have to
cancel the charter?
In emergencies the charter company may withdraw within
four days of conclusion of the charter party. In such a
case the charter company undertakes to repay to the
charterer without delay any monies already paid (if need
be, through the agent).
Shall the charterer be unable to effect payments within
the periods stated in the contract, the charter company
is entitled to withdraw from the contract, provided that
the charterer does not effect a payment within the
appropriate additional respite, set by the charter
company. Possible effected rates shall be refunded less
service charge only in case, if a substituted charter
takes place. Calculating the service charge, the charter
company is entitled to consider the additional
expenditure incurred through a charter elsewhere and to
include possible required discounts. The charterer is at
liberty to substantiate to the charter company that
there is no damage, resulting to the charter company, or
less than asserted. Furthermore, in case of miscarriage
of a substituted charter, the charterer is at liberty to
substantiate to the charter company that it has saved
expenditures and has therefore at least a partial
obligation of repayment.
How do we qualify to
charter a bareboat sailing/motor yacht?
Normally you will require at least two members of the
crew who hold licenses or certificates of competence
issued by maritime authorities and accepted by the local
coast guard. Skipper and co-skipper should have the same
certifications and need to send their sailing resumés so
that their capabilities can be checked for sailing the
motor yacht according to the safety rules and
regulations. If it is decided by local maritime staff
that the nominated charterers are capable of sailing
safely, then, whatever the certificates say, a
professional skipper will be suggested.
What is a skippered
charter?
For a skippered charter, we will provide you with a
professional skipper who has full knowledge of local
waters, marinas and bays. You will find it more relaxing
to sail with a professional skipper and not have to
worry about navigation or the operation of sailing.
When you search for a yacht, you will find the skipper’s
fee as an additional option if required. He will sleep
on board in a separate cabin, and has responsibility for
the yacht and the safety of everyone on board. You must
follow the safety rules and the skipper’s instructions
at all times.
When can we start and end
the charter in the week?
During high season the charter period is usually seven
days, with a start day of Saturday and an end day of
Friday. However, it is possible to hire a boat for any
period of more than two days.
What are the charters'
schedules?
The start time for most charters is 15:00 on a Saturday,
with a finish time of 16:00 on a Friday, although
overnight boarding is permissible until Saturday
morning, 08:00. Time is needed to make the boat ready
for the next charter on the Saturday afternoon. If you
are going to arrive after 15:00 for embarkation, please
contact us to make suitable arrangements.
Are we able to embark and
disembark at a different base?
Such an arrangement is possible, but you expect to pay a
delivery/redelivery fee to your requested destination,
the price naturally being calculated according to the
distance and fuel consumption.
What is included in the
charter fee?
The charter fee normally includes the yacht, clean
linen, towels, a yacht berth for the first and last day
in the marina, and VAT.
What is excluded from the
charter fee?
Not included in the charter fee are other marina fees,
provisioning, transfers, the skipper, hostess, fuel,
water and the refundable security deposit. There may
also be compulsory extras, like cleaning, gas bottles,
etc, and you should check your contract for those.
What is the Refundable
Security Deposit?
Also shortened to RSD, this deposit is payable at the
base check-in. It is held against the yacht’s insurance
excess.
The RSD is refundable if there is no damage to the yacht
or its equipment, or any losses. In the case where there
is any damage or loss, the RSD, or an appropriate
proportion will be returned only after a full assessment
of the costs involved (i.e. from damage or loss) have
been carried out by the nominated person.
The RSD covers:
• Loss or damage to the vessel, tender and third
parties.
• Loss or damage to any equipment listed in the
inventory which is given to the charterer at check-in
time.
• Costs incurred if the boat is brought back in an
unacceptable condition.
• Costs of returning the vessel to the base, if, for any
reason, the charterer does not do so by the specified
date and time.
• Costs of refueling the boat if the tanks have not been
refilled.
The RSD is designed to cover only a single incident of a
significant nature at any one time. In a situation where
there is a significant loss or damage to key equipment
like and outboard engine or dingy, the charterer will be
entitled to an immediate replacement during the charter,
but this is provided the charterer pays a new RSD upon
receipt of the relevant replacement or repair.
Please note that the charterer will be liable for the
full amount of any loss or damage caused by gross
negligence or wanton or willful misuse of any equipment
by the charterer of any of his/her party which exceeds
the RSD amount.
Gross negligence may include, but is not limited to:
• Damage resulting from not following instructions given
during the briefing.
• Damage resulting from failure to take appropriate
measures during adverse weather conditions.
• Sailing at night without a full set of navigation
lights functioning, or without sufficient watch on deck.
• Not having a competent person at the helm or
supervising the helmsman while the boat is sailing.
• Failure to take correct seamanlike measures to avoid
danger to both crew and yacht.
Do we need yacht insurance?
Most yachts are covered for Third Party Liability, and
the amount insured is equal to or greater than that
obligatory by local legislation. The yacht insurance is
in excess of the RSD the client chooses to pay.
The conditions of the insurance, which we will gladly
provide on request, are an integral part of the
contract. The deductible excess for each loss is to be
borne by the charterer and may differ from the deposit
paid. The deposit will be repaid without delay on the
return of the yacht and equipment in good condition.
Loss and damage will be off-set against the deposit.
Loss and damage not covered by the deposit or the
insurance shall be paid without delay by the charterer.
Conclusion of an extended “Skipper’s liability
insurance” (which covers crew’s liability amongst
themselves and recovery of losses to the chartered yacht
in the event of substantiated gross negligence) and a
consequential loss insurance is strongly recommended.
SeaMajor will be pleased to send all necessary
documentation.
Do we need travel
insurance?
As with all vacations it is advisable to arrange your
own travel insurance before you leave home. It should
include cancellation insurance that will protect your
booking deposit.
What are the safety
standards of the yachts?
All the safety equipment of the yachts meets the safety
standards as set by the local maritime authority.
What equipment is standard
on all yachts?
Most yachts have the following equipment as standard:
• Fractional rig with battened mainsail
• Roller mainsail
• Roller genoa
• Bimini top
• Sprayhood
• Electric windlass
• Inflatable dingy with outboard engine
• Autopilot, GPS, wind instruments, speedometer and
depth sounder
• Radio CD with cockpit speakers
• Cockpit shower
What do we need to bring
with us?
It is recommended that you only take with you what is
absolutely necessary, but this will probably include
beach towels, deck shoes, sun cap, sun lotion and
personal effects. If not offered, you can bring some
water toys if you wish.
Where can we get sailing
information regarding the local waters?
Nautical charts will be available on board yachts
chartered with us.
