Yacht Guide



             


Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Yacht Charter in the Southern Cyclades

The areas prevailing wind during the summer months is the infamous Meltemi blowing from the N-NW. It is first felt in June and becomes stronger through July, August and September when it can reach force 8. It dies down in October. In the spring and autumn gales are common from the N and the SE. The summer months are hot, average temperatures are 25 deg C and temperatures often reach 35 deg C.

Milos is the southwesternmost of the Cyclades. A large bay, Ormos Milou, was scooped out when an ancient volcano erupted and hot sulphur springs still exist today. Adhamas is the island's port Go bow or stern to the E side of the ferry pier or bow to the smaller pier to the E. It is also possible to anchor off to the SE of the short pier. The bottom is mud rocks and weed and poor holding in places. There is good shelter from the Meltemi but winds from the south can produce dangerous conditions. There is water on the ferry pier and fuel can be delivered. Most provisions can be obtained in the village and there are some tavernas. Climb the hill to the Chora at Milos for breathtaking views across the bay. There are several other anchorages in the bay that are exposed to the north. There are no facilities at any of them. Apollonia is in the NE of Milos. Go bow or stern to the pier or anchor of the beach. Holding is good on a sandy bottom. There are tavernas and a mini market ashore. Ormos Voudhia lies one mile to the south of Apollonia. There is good shelter from the Meltemi but the surroundings are unattractive with open cast mines and a wharf and ore carrier all in view.

Kimilos lies to the NE of Milos. There are two anchorages in Ormos Sikia in the SW of the island. They are exposed to the N - NW and unsuitable when the Meltemi is blowing. Pirgonisi is a long sandy beach on the south coast and yachts can anchor almost anywhere along it in attractive surroundings. Good holding on sand and weed. Psathi lies further along the coast to the east. Go bows to the quay or anchor off. There is little shelter from the Meltemi and yachts are advised to use this anchorage only in calm weather. There are a couple of tavernas ashore and limited provisions can be obtained in the village. Just to the north is Semina Creek and yachts can anchor in the bay. Like Psathi, there is little shelter from the Meltemi and Psathi should be used only in calm weather.

The in the NW of island of Poliagos there is a lovely secluded anchorage just to the south of the tiny island of Moanolsi. There is shelter from the Meltemi and good holding on the sandy bottom. On the south side of the island there are several coves that yachts can anchor in when conditions are calm.

Folegandros is another barren, rocky island with exception of the small Chora in the NE that lies among green trees and shrubs. The island?s ferry port is Karavostasi. Go bow or stern to the mole on the south side of the arm extending westward. There is poor holding in places on sand and rock. There is reasonable shelter from the Meltemi. There are several tavernas but provisions can be difficult to obtain and the island is totally reliant on deliveries by ferry. On the W side of Folegandros is the large bay, Ormos Vathi. It can only be used in calm weather and there is poor holding in places on sand and weed.

Sikinos lies to the E of Folegandros. Ormos Skala is the only harbour on the island. Yachts can go alongside the quay or anchor off. There are tavernas ashore and some provisions can be obtained. The setting is attractive and popular with Greek tourists.

3.5 miles to the east of Sikinos lies Ios. It is claimed Homer is buried here. He died aboard a ship on passage from Samos to Athens and his body was thrown overboard and later washed up on Ios. Go bow or stern to in the harbour of Port Ios. There is excellent holding in mud. A mini tanker can deliver fuel and water is available from a public fountain in the square. There are tavernas all around the harbour and most provisions can be obtained. The resort is popular with the young and most of the bars play loud music in the evenings/night. Ormos Milopotamou lies to the S of Port Ios. In the north of the bay there are 4 coves where yachts can anchor, the easterly two provide the best shelter. Holding is good on sand. There are tavernas and hotels on the beach. Ormos Manganari is a large bay on the south coast of Ios, it is possible to anchor throughout the bay with good holding on sand. There are tavernas ashore.

Thira is similar to Milos in as much as it is a volcano and when it erupted in 1440 ? 1450 BC it created the bay as it is today. The close lying islands of Thirasia, Nea Kammeni and Palaia Kammeni are also part of this huge volcanic structure. Around the basin, on cliffs 300m high you will see white Cycladic houses with blue painted windows hanging from black volcanic rocks which rise sheer from the sea all group together to make Thira is one of the most popular destinations in Greece.

Finikia lies in the N of Thira. Anchor to the W of the mole in 10 ?20m with a trip line because the bottom is rocky. Limited shelter from the Meltemi and completely open to the S. Skala Thira is the harbour of the island?s capital on the steep slopes above. Go bow or stern to the quay with a line to the large mooring buoy. Departing is difficult with the confusion of the many lines attached to the buoy and it is recommended that yachts are not left unattended. There is water on the quay and several tavernas in the harbour.
On the coast south of Ak Akrotiri there are a number of anchorages that provide good shelter from the Meltemi. The bottom is good holding in sand but there is often some ground swell that causes yachts to roll badly. Monolithos is a small harbour on the E coast. Go bows to the breakwater near its extremity with a long line. There is a taverna and showers ashore.

Thirasia is the westernmost island and the only anchorage is Ayios Nikolaos. Yachts can anchor off but the small pier is reserved for local boats. There are tavernas ashore and some provisions are available in the village atop the cliffs.

Nea Kammeni has a number of small inlets where a yacht can anchor. A trip line should be used as the bottom is strewn with rocks that are likely to snag an anchor. Nea Kammeni is known for it?s problem with large rats and there are many reports of the getting aboard yachts.

Anafi is the southernmost of the Cyclades. It has one anchorage on the S coast that is exposed. The island is barren and parched and you will not miss a lot if you choose not to visit.

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Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Where Can You Travel With Yacht Charters? ? Greece Is Waiting For You To Explore

In the world of yacht charters, Greece is one of the most exotic destinations you can choose. Enjoy bareboat sailing on the Ionian Sea along the west coast of Greece where the islands are bound together by a unique culture. Another yacht charter that Greece offers is a chance to see the varied landscape of the islands in the Saronic Gulf. Take trip back to the place where civilization began when you choose one of these yacht charters. Greece has so much to offer that you will hardly know where to begin.

The Saronic Gulf offers exciting ports of call for yacht charters. You have the opportunity for you to charter a yacht on your own and enjoy bareboat sailing. Greece also offers luxury yachts with a full crew to pamper you as you sail along. Whatever your penchant for yacht charters, Greece will meet or beat your expectations giving you a vacation like none other. In addition to the Ionian Sea and the Saronic Gulf, with yacht charters along the coast of Greece, you can sail to the Cyclades Group of islands, the Dodecanese, the Sporades and the Samos area.

For those interested in bareboat sailing, Greece has many types of yachts available, such as sailing yachts and motor yachts. In order to book one of these yacht charters, Greece requires that there be two qualified skippers on board. This is because if one should have an accident, the other can handle the yacht. Greece also requires that skippers be licensed for sailing and you have to mail a copy of your sailing license to the yacht charter company when you make your booking. Don?t forget to bring your original contract for the yacht charter. Greece regulations require this for departure clearance.

Yacht charters in Greece begin on Saturday afternoon and end on Friday evening. The yacht charter company that you choose will also arrange for transfer for you from the airport to the yacht and provide the same service when the charter is complete. With a yacht charter in Greece, you will have to choose an itinerary from a list provided. It is unlikely that you will be able to change the schedule of ports of call.

When you book yacht charters, Greece regulations require that the yacht be full of fuel and water you will need for the trip. There are refuelling stations in the various ports and you must return the yacht in the same way you receive it. The charter company can advise you on what type of clothing to bring with you for yacht charters. Greece can get cold when you are on the water and at night. This is why it is recommended that you bring heavy clothes.

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Monday, March 3, 2008

Choose A Caribbean Charter Yacht ? Three Varieties To Choose From

When choosing a Caribbean charter yacht, there are three categories of yachts. They are power yachts, sailing yachts and multihull sailing yachts, such as catamarans and trimarans. You can also have a special Caribbean charter to learn about the art of sailing a yacht. This will give you the knowledge and training you need to charter a yacht all on your own without the need of a captain and crew. When you book a Caribbean charter yacht, you can browse the yacht catalog to choose the yacht that best meets your needs.

You can choose a Caribbean yacht charter that specializes in bringing passengers to the best scuba diving locations. This type of yacht has all the space you need for storing your equipment as well as staterooms and a dining room. If you are new to scuba diving, you can take lessons from the skilled crew of the Carribean yacht charter and get the instruction that you need. There are times when you can just relax on the deck of the Caribbean charter yacht or enjoy trips onshore to experience the true Caribbean culture.

The company you choose to deal with for your Caribbean yacht charter will supply you with a sample itinerary for a week long vacation. However, you don?t have to stick to this schedule and you can make different decisions where you want to travel on the Caribbean charter yacht. The Carribean islands you choose do have to be navigable and have appropriate anchorages and the captain will be able to give you advice about this aspect of the charter. You do charter the yacht yourself, so you won?t have to share your Caribbean yacht charter with another group.

There are occasions when you can book a Caribbean charter yacht where you do not know the other passengers. An example of this could be a singles only charter or a ladies only charter. Of course, you will know this when you make the booking for a Carribean yacht charter, but it is helpful to know that you can enjoy a yacht charter without having a group of your own lined up. While you might think that a Caribbean yacht charter is very expensive, but when you compare it with the cost of a vacation at a tropical resort, there is very little difference between the prices.

Fly to the island of St. Thomas to meet the Caribbean charter yacht. From there you can sail to the island of St. John and have a leisurely lunch on board the yacht. Spend some time swimming, walk along the beach and drink in the Caribbean sunset. When you arrive back at the yacht, there will be a scrumptious meal waiting for you. If this sounds like an idyllic vacation, there is a Caribbean charter yacht waiting for you to make your booking.

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Friday, February 8, 2008

Getting a job as a crew member on a luxury mega-yacht.

Larry Ellison, Paul Allen and Tiger Woods all have them.

I'm talking about mega-yachts - privately owned floating palaces. In case you aren't already aware, a mega-yacht is any motor or sail powered yacht over 24m in length. They have award winning interiors, the very best navigation equipment available and a permanent compliment of crew who live on board and travel with the yacht where ever it goes.

And the jobs are open to anyone.

The crews are comprised mostly of Australians, Kiwis, South Africans, Canadians, Europeans, South Americans and the odd US citizen. The industry is dominated by hard working travelers, eager for tax free US dollars and the lifestyle.

The lifestyle of being a 'yachtie' and chasing the sun is very hard to beat. Being surrounded by opulence is a lot of fun, not to mention berthing downtown at some of the finest cities in the world.

Most of the work is spent keeping the yacht looking pristine and when the guests are aboard, long hours ensue, but here are some of the benefits:

* Great tax free salary
* All expenses paid including free food, wine, beer
* At least one paid trip home each year
* Travel to some of the best places on earth
* Meeting VIPs, Captains of industry and celebrity types
* Use of the tenders and jet skis

Most of the yachts will move between the US, the Med and the Caribbean, but 99% of them are registered in offshore tax havens such as the Cayman Islands. This allows people of all nationalities to work on yachts located in the US or anywhere else in the world for that matter. The yachts themselves tend to travel together and frequent the best parts of the world at the best times to be there.

The real work only exists when the owners and guests are on board and then it is all about service. The yachts are used exclusively by the owner or chartered out. The number of guests will vary, but it is not uncommon for the owners and several guests to be on board at the same time.

Below are some brief descriptions of jobs available on mega-yachts:

Captain - responsible for the running of the yacht and yearly running budget
Mate - link between captain and crew members from all departments
Bosun - responsible for deck staff
Deckhand - responsible for upkeep of yacht.

Engineer - reports directly to the Captain. Responsible for the myriad systems on board the yacht
2nd Engineer - assists the engineer with engineering tasks and keeping the engine room immaculate.

Head Chef - works with owners/Captain to set menus
Assistant Chef - assists the Head Chef as required.

Chief Stewardess - responsible for entire interior and uniforms for all crew. Like a cruise director in many ways
Stewardess - responsible for keeping interior looking immaculate.

The smallest yachts will have 3 or 4 multi-tasking crew members while the largest have over 50. On some occasions, staff will assist the other departments.

Even though the Yachts are mostly registered in offshore tax havens, as vessels, they still need to comply with the standards set down by the MCA (Maritime and Coast Guard agency - UK).

One of the recent changes is the requirement for all crew members to be STCW95 certified. This course covers survival at sea, fire fighting, first aid and occupational health and safety. Most yachts will require crew members to already have this, although there are still some yachts that will pay for their crew to complete the course.

A word on pay.

Crew on privately owned yachts receive straight salary, but crew on charter yachts - which cost anywhere from $50,000 and up per week to charter - offer tips as well. Usually 10-15% of the total cost, they are usually divided amongst the crew. Charter yachts are hard work, but the money to be made is exceptional.

For the itinerant, hard working traveler, mega-yachts offer a very lucrative way to live in luxury and see the world. As more and more people become wealthy and get into the mega-yacht industry, the demand for crew members will only increase.

Do you want to be out there with them?

Matt Canham has worked on mega-yachts in Seattle, San Diego and Ft Lauderdale. He has a resource site at: http://mega-yacht-jobs.marinerblue.com

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Monday, January 28, 2008

EXPLORE THE WONDERS OF ALASKA WITH YACHT CHARTER

INTRODUCTION:

People explore the wonders of Alaska in their voyages with Yacht charters for fishing, glacier viewing, whale watching and exploration into remarkable places of Alaska such as Prince William Sound and Kenai Fjords. Yacht charter groups are created with the idea of allowing people to truly experience the indescribable beauty, magnificent wildlife and fishing activities of Alaska's wonders with the comfort of a yacht built exclusively for such purposes.

Yacht charters help you to relax with comfort and make you enjoy the local entertainment including humpback whales, porpoises and sea otters and breath-taking vistas, awful tide water glaciers, etc. Yacht charters help you to spend your carefree days with friends and family with fishing experiences and other joys.

CRUISING AREAS WITH YACHT CHARTERS:

Alaska is one of the few places filled with miles and miles of untamed wilderness. Prince William Sound is one of the crown jewels of Alaska. This place is an expansive area of spectacular features with rugged shorelines and comprises the Pacific and North American plates in the famous "ring of fire" and has a long history sixty million years ago. A journey into the sound is almost like exploring a veritable labyrinth of deep-water fjords, islands, bays, passageways, estuaries decorated with cascading waterfalls and dazzling wildlife .

A journey to this place with the yacht charter energizes and enchants the visitors with its unique features and call people back to marvel the beauty and bounty again and again. Kenai Fjords National Park is another place in Alaska where voyagers should never miss to enjoy glacier carved valleys filled with ice glaciers and earth's most powerful natural forces has worked to create truly magnificent national treasure.

One of the striking features of this place is the Harding Ice field, which is the source of over 30 named glaciers. It has awe-inspiring landscapes with the beauty to enjoy the wildlife.

Seward is the other striking area of exploration. It's extremely charming and picturesque and is most well known for its outstanding small boat harbor and its location in the head of resurrection bay with abundant wildlife viewing and magnanimous fishing opportunism for the voyagers to enjoy this very special marine paradise.

YACHT:

Yacht charters design the yacht with a sharp bow to cut the water for a stable ride. The interior of the Yacht is designed with space and enables the voyagers to fulfill their satisfaction with family and friends. The heavy-duty generator in the yacht also allows full galley with household appliances to fulfill the needs of day-to-day life. Experienced owners chartering in Alaska designed such exclusive yachts especially to the voyagers to feel comfort throughout their voyage.

YACHT CHARTER INFORMATION:

This helps us know about the information regarding the Yacht charter groups. This gives the knowledge about Yacht, Fishing licenses and crew gratitude's. Reservation, Insurance and Yacht costs are the other aspects to be considered.

YACHTING:

Yachting towards a small iceberg makes the voyagers to open their mouth wide to enjoy the reality of yachting. The gently rocking and floating on the placid looking blue waters captures the hearts of the travelers to fantasies. Gorgeous water waves lined with the beauty of Alaska's wonder anchors deeper in the hearts of the voyagers. Yachting helps us to have a better look at lounging harbor seals and a pod of humpback whales that stayed busy feeding for hours together. Such different experiences make the voyagers freeze and enjoy the adventures, which make them, feel enriched with new joy through sealift.

START TO EXPLORE NOW:

Its fortunate to have yacht charters to help the voyagers to enjoy the wonders of Alaska through Yachting. The voyagers are respected with their thoughts to spend their holidays in a different way with the chartering crew. The yacht charters guide their voyagers throughout their journey with all kinds of information's and entertainments to make them feel a different world.

Yacht charters also bring the voyagers with true comfort and safety and fulfill your dreams that will last for a lifetime to be passed to the future generation to enjoy and explore the wonders of Alaska.


Reena Madhu is a SEO copywriter for internationalyachtchartergroup.com,She has written many articles in various topics.For more information visit http://www.internationalyachtchartergroup.com.
She can be reached at reenaamadhu@gmail.com

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Monday, January 14, 2008

The Bottom Line On Yacht

Whether you are considering your first yacht charter vacation or simply looking to live the experience again there is a lot of vital information you need before planning and embarking on your voyage. Firstly, you need to consider the type of yacht charter that is suitable for you. There are crewed or unscrewed yacht charters, bareboat or even a motorised yacht. Each have their advantages and personal preference will dictate the chosen charter for you.

One thing for certain, though, whatever type of vessel you go on, there are many destinations to choose from each of them offering beautiful islands and shimmering seas by day and exciting or romantic night life. As with any vacation you need to plan carefully, but when chartering a yacht it is absolutely imperative that you take the essentials and spares. Once you're out to sea there will be few opportunities to stock up and an emergency is much of an emergency when you're hundreds of miles from the nearest chemist or shop.

Many who are chartering for the first time do so for a little quality time with family, friends and loved one because chartering a yacht is one of the most tranquil and peaceful vacations you can decide on.

What experience is required for charters.

The experience you need is dependant on the type of charter you are looking for. A bareboat charter means you and a group of family or friends charter the boat with no crew to assist. For a bareboat charter, you are always required to have some former sailing experience and usually need to submit a sailing resume to the charter company. Many will require that you have experience on a similar sized boat and with similar displacement and rig. A number of chartering companies may request that you go on a short sail around the harbour to make sure that your actual skills match your resume.

If you or a member of your group does not have this experience then you should consider chartering a crewed yacht. Chartering a boat and crew requires little or no experience. You may decide that your sailing skills are a little rusty, in which case you can take a captain or small crew for the first few hours of your trip to help you get your sea legs' back. Alternatively, if you have no experience whatsoever with yachting then you can take an entire crew and spend your vacation safe in the knowledge that your boat and your vacation are in safe hands.

What insurance do I require, and what is available?

As well as the usual travel insurance, you may want to consider further insurance for your yacht charter vacation. In fact, some charter companies will demand it. Accidents happen in everyday life and this is no different when chartering a yacht, however, there are some vital differences; the cost of a yacht and any parts of the yacht can be very pricey. The charterer is responsible for loss or damage to any of these parts. While many charter companies offer insurance that will cover a certain amount of damage, you should consider taking extra Charterer's liability insurance, usually costing approximately $250 for $1m cover. This figure can change depending on the terms of the agreement and the time of year you intend to charter the boat.

Additional health insurance is advised but not essential, although you should especially consider this for foreign travel of any kind not just charter vacations.

Another good idea is to take cancellation or curtailment insurance because many charter companies require a deposit of up to 50%. If you any of your party cancel or need to finish the vacation early, this insurance will become invaluable.

Charter vacation destinations.

But where should you go? There are many places you can charter a yacht, so you should consider exactly what you are looking for in your vacation.

The Galapagos is an archipelago that consists of 13 volcanic islands as well as 40 small islands. It is a haven of beautiful plants and exotic animals including marine iguanas and sea lions, the weather is very good, and there are many coves and incredibly picturesque beaches to relax on and around.

The Bahamas is a popular destination consisting of more than 700 islands. There are countless cays and beaches to explore as well as some incredible nightlife and beautiful settings. The reef and shallow waters make this a safe place for families to charter a yacht.

And then there's the Greek Islands. One of the world's most enchanting cruising grounds, with ancient history and culture at every turn. Islands such as Lesvos, Mykonos and Paros offer a combination of breathtaking scenery and history.

Still in the Mediterranean - at the western end - there are the Balearic islands off the coast of Spain. There's Majorca, it's smaller sibling Menorca, and the hedonistic playground of Ibiza. You'll find it a little busier than the Greek islands, but on the plus side the back up and support is first class.

On to the Caribbean: It has it all. Many different cultures and nationalities, hundreds and hundreds of islands to explore, and clear blue waters. Yachting at it's best.

The choice of destinations is amazing, and the beauty of chartering a yacht is that you are free to explore at your own pace. Alternatively, drop anchor, pour a stiff drink and soak up the sun!
John Thompson is webmaster for http://www.yacht-and-boat-charters.com , an online information resource for yacht and boat chartering. - http://www.yacht-and-boat-charters.com

 

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Saturday, December 29, 2007

Yacht Management Made Simple

Yacht Management is a relatively new branch to the Yachting Industry. It has emerged through the ongoing popularity of sailing vacations, or chartering. Boat owners are opting out for the opportunity of placing their yacht in a charter fleet.

Yacht Management alleviates many of the activities that support the operations of a yacht. The responsibilities that are associated with the care of your yacht are made as pleasurable as possible, and less of a hassle. The role of yacht management is to bridge the gap between recreational and professional yachting. A “newbie”, intending to relieve their stress would benefit greatly from this. Yacht Management can make the difference of keeping a dream from becoming a nightmare.

Yacht Management & Chartering

Yacht Management is crucial when it comes to chartering a boat. Generating income with a boat isn't easy, but in almost all cases, success depends on treating a vessel as a business. Yes, of course a boat owner will attach only recreational purposes to their boat. This is normal, most of time that is the intention. Purchasing Yachts and immediately placing them into a charter program is a growing trend, though. According to many boat owners, one of the easiest ways to slip into chartering is to get the help of a yacht management company. The Catamaran Company has a division dedicated to these kinds of services.

These services include listing the vessel with yacht brokers nationwide or internationally, so the yacht owner does not have to spend their time on advertising and marketing. The most sophisticated services take care of everything from booking the yacht, collecting payments and coordinating maintenance and repairs. In return, the management company collects a percentage of the charter income. The boat owner collects on the larger percentage of course. The Catamaran Company client profits are in the higher side of the spectrum, when considering industry standards.

Allowing, a firm take care of the management of your boat will help you offset some of the costs of buying and maintaining a boat. One of yacht managements many functions are to protect the buyer’s investment. A team of professionals will have a greater chance of prolonging the life of the investment.

Typical Catamaran Company Maintenance Services

The Catamaran Company is dedicated to making every aspect of boat ownership and use pleasurable for you, your family and your guests. Our service department can help preserve and even enhance the long-term value of one of your most important investments. We will make sure that your yacht is ready to go whenever you are.. and all in top operational condition!

Typical services include:

• Complete Yacht Services

• Varnish & Bright Work

• System inspection on a regular basis with a written report of findings & recommendations to owner

• Administer an applicable Preventative Maintenance program

• Scheduled systems operation to ensure the preventative maintenance program is effective

• Structural repairs

• Fiberglass

• Engine Overhauling, re-powering

• Hardware & hand-hold restoration or replacement

Yacht Deliveries – Satellite Tracking

The Catamaran Company can help you arrange a delivery anywhere in the world. We have partnered with industry specialists who have excellent credentials in safely delivering your yacht to a number of international destinations.

Yacht owners can now log into our special satellite system to chart the position of their yacht anywhere in the world. The system is powerful - it allows you to zoom in on the boat via special illustrative charts. Not only does this give you piece of mind knowing exactly where your yacht is in the delivery stage, but its fun.

The system functions through two main components: they are the terminal, and satellites. The terminal is the only physical element that is needed to install on the boat. It contains modern GPS and sophisticated software to achieve bi-directional communication with Inmarsat geostationary satellites.

The satellites work through the Inmarsat Network (International Maritime Satellite). This system offers world-wide coverage excluding the world’s remote regions like the North and South Poles. The four geostationary satellites are located on top of the Ecuador at around 35,500 kilometers.

If you would like to view a short clip on the delivery of a Lagoon 44 go to

http://www.catamarans.com/catamaranco/video/lp_44_Delivery.asp?bhcp=1

Private Management in British Virgin Islands, Tortola

The British Virgin Islands and the Island of Tortola exists in one of the most beautiful, quite and well preserved natural environments rivaling just about anyplace in the world to visit. Over the course of the last few years this area has proved to be one of the most fertile grounds anywhere in the world relative to the generation of income for the charter industry.

In order for these services to be optimal quality control must be implemented. Control in the quality of service must be handled by both owners and customers in the preparation of each charter as well as understanding and maintaining the yachts in our care and custody.

For more details please visit http://www.catamarans.com/

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Monday, December 3, 2007

Nautical Holidays - Croatia Yacht Charter - I

Croatian waters are part of Adriatic Sea, witch extends northwest between 40° and 45° 45' and is part of a Mediterranean sea. Adriatic is surrounded by Mediterranean countries Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro and Albania.

The most beautiful part of Adriatic coastline for yacht charter is in Croatia. There are 5,835 kilometers of coastline, of which 1,777 kilometers are mainland and over 4,000 kilometers of coastline belongs to hundreds of beautiful islands, which are a perfect scene for enjoying your nautical holidays. Croatia yacht charter agencies offers a wide range of boats (sailboats, powerboats, luxury boats, gullets, super yachts) and many options of charter: bareboat charter, crewed charter, skippered charter.

The charter fee includes charter of a yacht with its equipment and full insurance for the yacht and crew. Fuel expenses, skipper or/and hostess and other extra services are not included in the charter fee. The chartered yacht with complete equipment can be used only after the payment was regularly settled:

  • 30-50% of the charter fee (down payment) upon booking.
  • 50-70% of the charter fee four weeks before commencement of the charter.

You also have to make a security deposit, when you are taking over the yacht. Security deposit can be made in cash or credit cards. The security deposit shall be refunded in its full amount, unless there is damage or a defect on the yacht or the equipment, and unless there are no claims filed or announced regarding you by third persons, which are connected to the usage of the yacht.

Charter agency is obligated to hand-over at yours disposal completely equipped, faultless, with full fuel and water tanks in the agreed time and place. If there is any reason that chartering company didn't fulfill above-mentioned conditions you have a right to ask for money refund, for the days he has not been using the yacht. Also if the charter agency cannot place the yacht at disposal at the agreed place 4 hours after the expiry of the time period for the takeover, or provide another, at least identical or better characteristics, you have a right to give up the contract and demand the total amount of the charter fee or demand the amount for as many days as he could have not disposed of the yacht.

After taking possession of the yacht, you shall bear all coast of the daily berth in the port, or in marina, coast of fuel, oil, water, cleaning and all other necessities. You are obliged to sail within the Croatian territorial waters. For leaving Croatian territorial waters you are obligated to ask charter company's special permission and certificate.

You undertake to respect custom and other regulations and rules, to take care of the yacht and its equipment and navigate it carefully and according to the rules of a good navigator. Number of persons aboard must correspond to the crew list. The keeping of pets (dogs, cats, birds and similar) on the yacht is not allowed, unless a previous agreement was reached in that regard.

The insurance is determined by the terms defined by the insurer with which yacht is insured. The yacht is insured against third person damages and fully insured for all the damages resulting from force majored up to the registered amount of the value of the yachts for the risks according to the insurance policy. The yacht crew is insured.

Insurance covers all the damages by franchise caused by weather or from the other natural disasters, but not the damages made on purpose. Charges for purpose made damages are not limited by deposit; in that case you must pay all expenses caused by damage made on purpose. The personal belongings are not covered by the insurance.

You have to take over the yacht in agreed time and place. When taking over the yacht, you are obliged to check and carefully examine the condition of the yacht and its equipment according to the inventory list. The chartering company reserves the right not to hand you over the yacht if in the judgment of their representatives you are not competent for any reason to operate the yacht.

I've got my navigating license and VHF station certificate at age of 16. Since than I've spend all of my holidays at sea with my friends. I also began working as a skipper during my holidays in 2001. So far I’ve skippered several sailboats and power boats. The biggest was a Ferretti 530. Because of my good experiences I decided to share some of my adventures with you on my website.

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