There is a big hurdle for large families and groups. These people seek to enjoy a private yacht charter vacation in Malta. The hurdle is partially lifted by the yachting registration authorities in Malta.
Specifically, late December, 2016, Transport Malta made a change. They are the administrative authority that oversees regulations for yachts flying the flag of Malta. They introduced new guidelines for private yachts. In addition, the rule applies to yachts carrying more than 12 guests.
This issue is long a stumbling block to the charter industry. Most private charter vessels are restricted to carrying no more than 12 passengers. Moreover, even if enough cabins were available to accommodate more than 12 guests. Yacht owners who wanted to bypass this restriction had problems. They were forced to build their vessels to standards established for commercial ships and cruise liners. This added enormous costs to the project. Most yacht owners elected to avoid the extra costs and burdensome regulations. They build luxury charter vessels for 12 or fewer guests.
Maltese authorities saw an opportunity to reduce restrictions on private yachts built to high safety standards, and to allow these safe, well-built and professionally-operated vessels to carry more than 12 passengers. Ivan Sammut, registrar general for the Maltese flag, explain how Malta saw a gap in the market. “You have to evolve to stay relevant in this marketplace,” states Sammut. “Malta hopes to be more than just a European flagging alternative; we have a holistic view of the superyacht market and want to become a turnkey destination for private and commercial superyachts alike.”
The new certification summary is in the “Guidelines for Pleasure Yachts Carriage Capacities.” It is part of an ongoing Maltese initiative to introduce contemporary standards. Specifically, in the area of private yachting. To qualify, a superyacht seeking to register in Malta and fly the Maltese flag.
Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters, views the new regulations as long overdue. “It’s discouraging to turn away a large, extended families of 13 or more from their dream of enjoying the superyacht experience together on one yacht. We anticipate many superyacht owners with vessels that feature cabins and capacity for more than 12 guests to register their yachts in Malta. This is one more contemporary component in the growth of our private luxury yacht charter industry, and we hope other flagging authorities will follow Malta’s lead.”
This entry was posted in Yacht Charter News Educational and tagged yacht charter Mediterranean, family yacht charter, 12 passenger yachts, rules, yacht charter malta, large family yacht charter, yacht construction, large group yacht charter, Jana Sheeder, yacht charter large group, Laws, yacht charter for 12, Education, Superyacht, Malta
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You would think Delivering The Superyacht Experience™ to boating clients would be pretty straightforward: A client expresses interest in a yacht for a family vacation. The charter broker presents several options. The client makes a selection.
In reality, it’s not nearly so clean and to the point. At least not for the handful of super-brokers who handle the world’s elite travelers.
Just ask luxury yacht charter maven Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters.
According to Sheeder, matching a yacht to the client’s budget is just the starting point.
“While our clients are most interested in a yacht’s layout, amenities, and price, we dig deeper – into the yacht’s registration, the nationalities of the crew, and any governmental regulations and laws that might impact the success of the charter and comfort and respect of our clients.”
In addition, Sheeder mentions the rules affecting yachts for hire in Spanish waters. “We’ve seen a significant increase in interest in Spain, particularly Balearic Islands yacht charter vacations,” says Sheeder. “Many yachts based in the South of France and Monaco are willing to deliver to the Balearics to accept theses charters. However, yachts not in possession of a Spanish charter license are at a significant disadvantage, and face restrictions as to where the charter can begin and end, and what nationalities are permitted in the crew. Something as simple as bringing on a Spanish resident to offer therapeutic massages to the charter guests could be a problem if the yacht is not licensed for charter in Spain.”
Sheeder and her staff monitor other licensing and legality issues. For instance:
“Not understating these regulations and laws can result in a negative experience for the charterer and guests, and in some cases increase the overall cost of the charter by 10% or more – a significant sum considering many charters are priced in the €500,000 to €1,000,000 per week range.”
Currently, Sheeder is monitoring the possible impact of French social security tax responsibilities on yacht crews. In March 2017, a decree was passed to require crewmembers and their non-French employers (the yacht owners) to make contributions to ENIM – the French mariners’ social security agency. Any yachts and crews spending more than 90 consecutive days in France or French waters are subject to the tax. The decree was suspended Sept 13, following a disastrous summer tourist season that saw France luxury yacht charter revenues plummet by 40%.
Sheeder is waiting to see if the decree is actually overturned in 2018, or if it will come back in a modified form. “These increased costs associated with crew wages end up being are passed on to the charterer, in the form of higher rates for yacht rentals,” says Sheeder. If the decree is reinstated, Sheeder plans to either offer her clients yachts with French crew, or to convince them to bypass French waters and charter elsewhere in the region.
Do affluent charter clients realize the level of detail involved in orchestrating a vacation on a superyacht? Sheeder chuckles at the question: “Probably not, but that’s fine with us. It’s like an attorney getting your traffic ticket dismissed in court. You don’t care how he or she does it – as long as you don’t have to pay the ticket! It’s a similar scenario for us – we obsess over the small details in order to deliver a memorable vacation experience to our clients. A pat on the back is nice, but a satisfied charterer who becomes a repeat customer is even better!”
This entry was posted in Educational News and tagged Personal Watercraft (PWC), rules, superbrokers, Superyacht Trends, VAT, super-broker, motoryacht charter, superyacht crew, maritime law, Jana Sheeder, social security, Monaco yacht charter, yacht crew, Laws, president of 1-800 Yacht Charters, the superyacht experience, sustainability, 1-800 Yacht Charters, yacht charter Balearics, The Superyac
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Rules are inevitable. They are for your safety. Kayaks, skis, towable wakeboards, and bananas are great toys to have on a mega yacht charter. The most requested aquasport equipment is the personal watercraft (PWC). Jetskis and waverunners are fashionable on yachts for hire, particularly the newest yachts available for charter.
Firstly, charter clients can end up frustrated and disappointed if they are not aware of the rules regarding the use of PWC’s in certain cruising grounds. Waverunners not allowed in certain protected bays and coves, some governments require the operator of the PWC to have a license – and please note: an automobile driver’s license is NOT sufficient.
Secondly, before you sign your rental yacht agreement, look for a very standard clause similar to this:
“Use of personal water craft is only permitted subject to the operator having the appropriate license and meeting with local operating regulations. Any liability arising from noncompliance is entirely at the operator’s risk.”
Bottom line, just because your yacht carries waverunners onboard does not mean you can legally use them.
Thirdly, get a license! One way to obtain a PWC license is via one of many online boating safety courses. Courses may vary from state to state and from country to country. Fortunately, many PWC licenses are recognized and accepted in major charter destinations like the Western Med.
For students who prefer hands-on training, there are many accredited boating safety training centers and schools around the world, such as:
Once you obtain your PWC license, be sure to discuss with your crew your desire to use the yacht’s personal watercraft. You might be surprised to find your cruising ground does not permit the use of PWC’s – license or not!
This is especially true in areas with sensitive eco systems. British Virgin Islands yacht charters, for example, are not allowed to use PWC’s anywhere in the island chain.
In conclusion, knowing the rules for operating personal watercraft before your charter will help make your vacation safer and memorable for all the right reasons!
This entry was posted in Gadgets Yacht Charter Educational and tagged know the rules on a yacht, legality on yacht charter, banana, noncompliance, rules, watersports safety, waverunners, jetskis, towable toys, yacht charter vacation, Personal Watercraft (PWC), yacht charter safety, yacht charter, what are the rules for using watertoys on a yacht
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