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Term and Conditions
A guide to yacht charter
1. DELIVERY OF YACHT
1.1 The Owner/Operator/Agent shall deliver the chartered yacht to the Charterer at the start of the agreed charter period in a clean and seaworthy condition.
1.2 Should the Owner/Operator/Agent be unable to deliver the chartered yacht or a similar yacht for the charter period, the Charterer is entitled to reschedule (subjected to availability) or cancel this Agreement. In the event of cancellation, refund of the full charter fee is payable and there will be no further rights or claims for compensation.
2. SKIPPER AND CREW
2.1 The Owner/Operator/Agent will provide one qualified skipper and crewman, in accordance with the yacht’s licensing requirements.
2.2 The Skipper has absolute authority and his instructions must be adhered to at all times. The Skipper will comply with all reasonable requests of the Charterer but the Skipper will be the sole judge of all matters concerning seamanship and safety of the yacht.
3 CANCELLATION POLICY
3.1 No cancellations upon confirmation of booking.
3.2 Charters may be rescheduled should there be extenuating circumstances on a case by case basis.
3.3 All F&B orders, services such as decoration are non-refundable should the event be rescheduled.
4 CURTAILMENT OF CHARTER
4.1 In the event that the charter is curtailed due to mechanical reasons, and the Owner/Operator/Agent is unable to provide a similar yacht, the Owner/Operator/Agent is obliged to reimburse a pro-rata sum of the charter fee to the Charterer. In this event there will be no further rights or claims for damages or compensation from the Charterer.
4.2 In the event of severe weather conditions forecast for the duration of the charter period, the Owner/Operator/Agent reserves the right to reschedule the charter. No refund will be given should severe weather occur and no refund will be given should the rescheduled charter take place during a less expensive charter period.
4.3 Charter may not be cancelled due to adverse weather and sea conditions, unless otherwise determined by the Skipper. If the Skipper deems the weather conditions unsafe to sail, he will make the decision to postpone or curtail the charter. The Skipper’s decision is final and no refunds will be made.
5 INSURANCE AND LIABILITY
5.1 The Charterer should carry independent insurance for Personal Effects whilst on board or ashore and for any Medical or Accident expenses (including emergency transport evacuation) incurred.
5.2 The Charterer acknowledges that participation in this charter is purely voluntary and agrees to accept and assume all risks involved in this charter. The Charterer also agrees and to indemnify and hold harmless the Owner/Operator, her employees, suppliers and vendors against all injury, accidents, damages, claims, loss and any other liabilities arising in any way in the participation of this charter.
5.3 The Owner/Operator does not accept any liability whatsoever for any death, injury, damage or loss of personal items while the Charterer or their party is on board the yacht.
6 USE OF YACHT AND EQUIPMENT
6.1 The Charterer agrees to ensure the yacht returns in the same condition as it was prior to the charter. Standard cleaning after the charter is included in the charter price, however any additional cleaning that is required over and above the standard time of 1 hour is chargeable at S$200 per hour. The Owner/Operator/Agent will provide an invoice detailing any extra cleaning required.
6.2 The Charterer agrees to handle the yacht and yacht’s equipment as if it were his own property, with proper care and handling, and to respect and act according to the rules and regulations of the marine and harbor authorities.
6.3 The Owner/Operator reserves the right to refuse or cancel a charter that may deem to involve inappropriate behaviour and/or excessive alcohol consumption, or any activities that may jeopardise the safety of the yacht, crew and passengers.
6.4 The Charterer is liable for all damage to the yacht or equipment, as well as for personal injury to third parties and hired staff, plus any resulting damage or loss, which is caused by him or his party with or without intent or through negligence.
6.5 The Charterer is liable for any items removed from the boat such as, but not limited to, towels, glasses, cutlery, beverages not purchased by the charterer.
6.6 The Charterer understands the risks involved in water activities such as, but not limited to, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle-boarding, riding on the dinghy and its towing inflatables, contact with marine fauna, and that any participation in such activities by the Charterer or their party is entirely at their own risk.
6.7 The Charterer agrees that all children on the yacht should be accompanied by a responsible adult. The Charterer understands that children are the parents/adults responsibility, and that the Skipper or Crewman will be unable to look after the children.
6.8 Minors under the age of 21 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who will be responsible for the minors. 6.9 The Charterer agrees herewith:
• To abide by any instructions given by the Skipper. The Skipper is responsible for the safety of the guests and care of the yacht and its equipment and will issue instructions accordingly.
• To abide by and inform all guests of the safety and general information provided at the end of this agreement. • To allow no pets on board.
• To take responsibility for personal belongings and any loss or damage will not be burdened by the owner/operator and crew
7 ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND DRUGS CONSUMPTION
7.1 The Charterer agrees that there will be NO SMOKING on the yacht unless it is permitted by the skippers. If this regulation is not abided by, the skipper has the right to refuse entry to the yacht and/or immediately curtail the charter. No refunds will be given and the Charterer will be liable for all repair costs should damage be caused on the yacht.
7.2 The Charterer will ensure that any guests who consume alcohol on board are above the legal drinking age and will behave in a responsible manner. If the Skipper deems that the Charterer or guests are intoxicated and/or are behaving in a manner that compromises the safety of the guests and crew, and/or is causing damage to the yacht, its fittings, fixtures or equipment, the Skipper will immediately curtail the charter and return to the dock. In this event, there will be no refunds given.
7.3 Any person taking drugs while on board the yacht will be reported and handed over to the authorities.
8 DISEMBARKATION FROM THE YACHT
8.1 The Charterer agrees to ensure their guests disembark promptly from the yacht on arrival back at port, or within the agreed charter duration.
8.2 The Charterer and guests agree to abide by the marina regulations upon disembarkation and will be dressed appropriately and behave in an acceptable manner.
8.3 A charter may be extended, subject to availability, and upon agreement with the Skipper and the Owner/Operator/Agent. Extensions will be based on an hourly rate calculated at the published rack rate.
Charterer should read and agree all the terms above before making payment, once the payment is done, the Charterer on behalf of him/herself and his/her charter party agrees to participate in this charter and declare that he/she has read, fully understood and agrees to be bound by its terms.
1. Decide when you want to charter
The first step of how to charter a yacht is to consider when you want to plan your trip. Do you have a specific window for your charter, or are you open to different dates depending on what is available? As you may imagine, being flexible gives you many more options.
How far in advance should you arrange your charter?
The process of preparing to charter a yacht can take anywhere from a few days to a few months. You ideally want to leave as much time as you can for planning, as this will allow you to think properly about your holiday and design it exactly the way you want. This will also mean that you can have your pick of a wider choice of available yachts. However, yacht charter brokers are known for pulling off miracles and are able to organise charters in very limited time frames if required.
2. Decide what you want for your charter
Before you approach a broker, you will likely already have an idea of what you want out of your yachting holiday and what your budget is. You may have decided on a region you want to cruise in (e.g the West Med or the Bahamas), the type and size of vessel you would like (e.g motor yacht or sailing yacht), and the amenities you want onboard (e.g a Jacuzzi, a cinema room or an array of water toys).
Start by considering your preferred yacht for charter and decide whether you are happy with its cruising region, or pick your preferred cruising region and browse the charter yachts that are available in that yachting destination. Remember that charter yachts ins some destinations may have different summer and winter cruising destinations, so it will not always be possible to find your ideal yacht in your preferred destination for your dates. However, High Fun can match you to charter yachts that are not listed on our website, so don’t be put off if you can’t find what you are looking for at first glance.
3. Decide on the experiences and/or amenities
Once you have your preferred yacht or destination, the next step in our yacht charter guide is to get a bit more specific with your research. Would you like to visit a certain city or landmark on your charter, or experience something special, such as wine tasting or diving? You could also explore the unexplored and venture to some of the top off-the-beaten track yacht charter destinations.
Or perhaps you would simply like to spend your time onboard your charter yacht relaxing, in which case you may want to pick a yacht with a great array of water toys, or arrange some lessons in watersports, cooking, or fitness classes such as yoga. Remember, it’s your holiday and your yacht broker will do everything in their power to make your dreams come true, so don’t assume anything is impossible.
4. Contact one of HighFun’s yacht charter specialists to arrange your charter
Now you have a clearer vision of what you want from your trip, contact a yacht charter specialist to guide you through how to charter a yacht. Then the real fun starts – talking through options for your holiday with a dedicated expert. Having visited many yachts in person, your broker will be able to tell you the exact experience you can have onboard a specific yacht, and find a luxury yacht charter that perfectly meets your requirements. This includes making sure the crew is a good fit with your charter party, whether you are searching for a young, enthusiastic crew, or a highly experienced seven-star team.
Your broker will ensure that whichever payment method you choose, your transaction is completely secure.
5. Paying for your charter
6. Enjoy your charter
The last step of how to charter a yacht is enjoying your holiday! A yacht charter is a luxury vacation unlike any other, allowing you the opportunity to discover new countries and cultures from your own floating private villa. Get ready to make memories that last a lifetime.
To find out more about chartering a yacht, please enquire below and one of our yacht charter specialists will be in touch. You can also browse a selection of yachts for charter on our website.