Choosing a Yacht Delivery Company
Choosing a Yacht Delivery Company is not always straightforward. There are probably hundreds of delivery captains around the world that claim to be capable of delivering your yacht, but there are only a few dozen that will be truly competent. How do you find the best? Not to find the best can be a disaster for your yacht.
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Delivery Company or Individual Captain
It is reasonable to assume that a good captains are busy and in demand. They can choose the delivery contracts they wish to take and the majority will use a delivery company to undertake the support and management required. A delivery captain can be the best in the world to take care of your yacht but administration, issuing contracts, handling payments, reporting and so much more needs to be handled by the delivery company.
A delivery company will source the best captain available for your yacht and the intended voyage. They will issue contracts and handle funds. They will also be a point of contact for questions and updates whilst your yacht is at sea. Using a delivery company will be no more expensive that doing a deal direct with the captain and in many cases could save you money and headaches.
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Location of yacht and delivery company
The offices of the delivery company in relation to the location or destination of your yacht is somewhat irrelevant. It would be ideal if the captain and crew were local to the boat or its intended destination in terms of keeping travel costs to a minimum, but the location of the company’s offices should not be a factor to influence your decision.
We have Captains and crew based in different parts of the world that are able to respond quickly to clients wishes. We have Captains on East and West coast USA, UK, France, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Greece, Turkey, South Africa, Australia, Thailand and more.
With sufficient notice and flexibility it also often possible to use a delivery crew for an onward or return voyage. A crew arriving in the Caribbean from Europe can be used to bring a yacht back, thus saving costs.
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Cost
Cost is a factor to consider but not the most impoirtant. It is important to know exactly what you get for your money. What is included in the price and what is not? You do not want any surprises in the final bill.
You need to expect to pay a reasonable rate for a good captain and management company. The captains will be (should be ) highly qualified and experienced. This is their profession and how they make a living. They are not amateurs with the attitude of helping a friend. There will also be some people that will offer to deliver your yacht cheaply or for free. Be suspicious of them. Contracting a captain or delivery company based solely on cost can be a false economy. You need to know that the yacht is in good hands and will be delivered safely, efficiently and in good order.
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Clients and References
Contacting the company’s clients and learning first hand of their yacht delivery experience is an important aid to make a judgement. Testimonials published on their website is good, but it is so much better if you were able to discuss directly with other owners, fleet managers and brokers that have used the delivery company and get their feedback.
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Relevant Experience
There is no point engaging a captain, or the delivery company assigning someone without relevant experience. If you have a 58ft catamaran to deliver across the Atlantic, you do not want someone who has only sailed 35ft monohulls around the Greek islands.
We have captains with a range of experiences and expertise. We are able to find the best that suits your needs. Catamarans, motor yachts, superyachts, racing boats all require specialist skills and relevant experience.
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Liability and Legal considerations
A contract written clearly is a benefit to both the client and delivery company. It should identify the role and responsibilities of both parties. You need to be comfortable with the terms and discuss with the delivery company any questions and concerns you have, regardless of how trivial you may think they are.
You need to know what happens if things go wrong. As the Owner you will need to have the yacht insured against loss for the intend voyage. We always offer insurers and clients the opportunity to approve the captains and crew. This is standard for the US captains. Others carry 5 million Euros of professional liability. Details are available on request.
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Support and Communication
With the Captain at sea, your line of communications will be with the delivery company. They should appoint a dedicated person responsible for all the shore side support to the boat and communications to the yacht owner. They need to be accessible 24/7.
You have entrusted your yacht and considerable funds to the delivery company, and the captain has sailed off with it all. We are able to provide regular updates by email on the progress of the delivery. Increasingly now it is becoming standard to install a tracking device and though a secure webpage follow the delivery live as it happens.
To Conclude
It is essential that you feel comfortable with your decision when appointing a delivery company. And this comes down to communication and knowledge. The delivery company needs to know exactly what you want, what are your concerns, what are your priorities, what are your questions. You need to know about the captain, the support, the service, the costs. Talk to the delivery company and their recent clients.
Contacts
Nick Irving
Email; nick@reliance-yachts.com
Tel; +44 (0)1252 378239
Mob; +44 (0)7802 716722
Skype; nickatreliance