Hi all! . I have given up work to sail around the med. I would like to host experiences in different places around the med. I am getting close to buying a 38 ft Beneteau (tax paid in eu) with a view to getting it coded at least 60 miles from safe haven. I am working to get my yachtmaster coastal then offshore. Once that's in place is there anything stopping me taking paid trips anywhere in Europe? I will have my own Web page to get the business and get paid directly. I will obviously look to get insured commercially after I have the personal and boat certification. What are the other considerations???
Running small scale commercial trips
- Thread starter Jon123456
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I'm sure laws are different for every country, in the USA you are required to have at minimum a "6 pack" license, Coast Guard inspection and insurance.
You might want to check visa requirements and work permits. There are likely some limitations if you are not a citizen of an EU nation.
While most of the laws in EU countries are harmonized, there may be some exceptions, so you'll need to look into those regulations. And then there is this whole business with Turkey, no telling where that is going and how that will affect sailing in the Aegean Sea and Adriatic.
And you might want to talk to @capta about the joys of being a charter captain.
While most of the laws in EU countries are harmonized, there may be some exceptions, so you'll need to look into those regulations. And then there is this whole business with Turkey, no telling where that is going and how that will affect sailing in the Aegean Sea and Adriatic.
And you might want to talk to @capta about the joys of being a charter captain.
Actually Dave, you are not required to have a CG inspection. What we call a six pack is actually an OUPV or Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels. It's always a good idea to have the USCG Auxiliary inspect your vessel as it let's you objectively go over all required items and the sticker they give you which is placed on the Port side of the vessel, is looked for by all authorities.
I can imagine. Probably 95% of the guests are great, but I'd hate to be catering to an AH for a week or even a few days. And all it takes is one bad online review to have a serious impact on the business.
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If you are trying to work as a passenger carrying charter boat there are a great many hoops to jump through, especially if you are not a citizen of the country you are intending to work in. Everything from work permits, boat registration as a commercial vessel, a captain's license recognized in that country (usually not a USCG license), safety equipment and some way for the local government to collect taxes on your business. Next comes insurance, advertising and dockage, none of which are cheap these days. Also, one of the most important things a charter boat must supply is outstanding dining. Good old "home cooking' will not do. And that costs money, in both the provisions and a professional cook.
If caught chartering illegally, you face losing your vessel, incarceration, fines and/or expulsion.
My suggestion, as a professional charter boat skipper for many years, is to buy your boat and go sailing for yourself and forget the idea of going into business outside your home country.
If caught chartering illegally, you face losing your vessel, incarceration, fines and/or expulsion.
My suggestion, as a professional charter boat skipper for many years, is to buy your boat and go sailing for yourself and forget the idea of going into business outside your home country.
If you have your YachtMaster you can work (take pax) within the limits of your Certification (coastal, offshore, unlimited) under UK law, and it helps if you also pass the MCA Master requirements. The trick is going to be your base of operations. Normally some comity exists but you'll have to look at your particular situation.
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Thanks everyone. Lucky living in the eu we are covered work wise. I have slowly worked out how to do this. Yes yachtmaster is needed. Insurance for skipper charter (which I have found covering all of the med) and properly coded boat are essential. Now where the game is changing are sites like boarrowabout and airbnb experiences which is the key to this. Mooring fees and repairs etc etc i would have to take the hit but if I can pick up a little skipper chartering on the way it makes it a bit more fun/interesring.
I see you are in Dover... which means that sadly you're not in the EU for much longer. Borrowaboat is interesting; like AirBnB but of course with the additional complexities (mostly glossed over on their web site) of operator (either charterer or paid skipped) certification. It also says boats in the 'fleet' are coded for operation, but when I reg'ed my boat (5 minute process) it asked for none of that.
AirBnB mostly avoids this by not letting boats move off their mooring.
I have a dual nationality but yes I still need to be carefull of my country of residence and tax permits if uk leaves as I am currently centred in UK for tax proposes. I believe airbnb you can set up a new experience for where you are based that month. I already have a Superhost status on airbnb so no them pretty well. Not ideal but its an option. The borrowabout model was more where I was heading and what they ask for isnt really the key. I want to be fully insured/fully coded and certified for my own personal and any crew protection. No way am I taking any of those risks. The good thing is you can dip your toe in as opposed to handing your boat over to a charter company for a year. If it doesn't work the only extra expense is the cost of coding a boat and slightly higher insurance. Actually having a coded boat gives more personal protection so not a lot to lose. I am sure there are a few more hurdles and that's why I posted here and great to hear from capta