Preparing for yacht transport and shipping

With thanks to Seven Seas Yacht Transport, United Yacht Transport, Global Boat Shipping and Weshipboats.com

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Unsurprisingly, yacht transport is no easy task. There are plenty of logistics involved when moving a yacht from A to B, so preparation is key—particularly when strict time deadlines need to be met. With this in mind, we spoke to a number of yacht transport experts to find out what needs to be done before a yacht begins its journey, and what questions an owner or captain needs to ask before preparations can be made.

Why use a yacht transport provider to ship a yacht?

When discussing superyacht transport, many ask why yachts are transported around the world aboard a carrier, when those with captain and crew in place could just sail from A to B? Dimitry Farber, managing partner of Seven Seas Yacht Transport, told us that there are in fact many fundamental reasons as to why getting a yacht transported professionally might be the better option:

1. Crew get time to rest

During a busy season, a superyacht and its crew rarely get time to recuperate, which can take all the enjoyment out of the yachting experience. Continued use also results in unwanted wear and tear to the vessel.

“Having a yacht transported by professionals means that owners can rest and concentrate on what is most enjoyable about owning yachts: the lifestyle," Farber noted. In simple terms, leaving yacht transport to professional providers means owners can relax and not worry about the potential damage that long-distance travel can cause to the yacht. It also gives tired crew the time to rest and recuperate, which is also very important.

2. Yacht transportation costs ultimately trump cruising costs

When it comes to transporting an operational superyacht, it can be easy to think that you’ll save some money by just cruising from A to B with the help of your crew. Recent research, however, has shown that this isn't the case.

Seven Seas Yacht Transport recently carried out a study that looked at the total clients pay to have their yachts shipped compared to the amount spent by an owner paying his/her crew to sail/cruise the yacht to its end destination. Its research and practical experiments showed that the costs were actually virtually the same—but, when risks of high seas and piracy were factored in, as well as the decrease in value that additional hours of travel have on the yacht, using trusted transport professionals becomes the logical choice.

3. Safety

Established yacht transport professionals have a wealth of knowledge and expertise to ensure that every component of the transport operation is carried out to the highest of standards, which ensures that the yacht arrives in better condition than if it had cruised the entire distance.

But unfortunately, not everyone in the industry is trustworthy and reliable. Some providers use a haphazard do-it-yourself approach that underestimates the work that goes into lifting, hauling and shipping a superyacht. Consequently, things can go disastrously wrong, especially if the yachts are not properly latched down and are in an ill-fitting cradle. The best companies use adjustable or custom-made cradles, using expert knowledge to distribute weight and pressure evenly.

Many yacht transport companies provide full insurance with their service, so it's always important to properly look into a company and only choose a trusted expert.

Important factors to consider when transporting a superyacht

1. Time

It’s crucial that transportation companies know when the yacht needs to reach its end destination. It goes without saying that the earlier the transportation is arranged, the more likely an owner's scheduling requirements can be met. Established yacht transporters are seasoned pros at working to tight deadlines, with most yachts shipped within two weeks or sooner of initial contact.

Often, time is of the essence and there is no margin for error. Farber recalled one such recent example. “A client confirmed that the yacht would be ready less than a week before the ocean freight departure date, so we had a lot to do in a short time. We had to make sure that the custom cradle was completed in record time, as well as ensuring the mast was unstepped, plans were in place for loading at the marina, the haul out and loading to our truck was ready, the delivery over the road scheduled, receiving at the terminal was all fully coordinated and that all plans for customs and insurance were put into place.” A truly mind-boggling number of things to arrange, which emphasises the importance of making contact with a provider as soon as possible.

The more time you give a company, the better. However, the very best in the business can resolve just about any problem they are faced with, allowing clients to save money and have peace of mind.

2. End destination

Of course, the final destination is just as significant as deadlines. As you might expect, these things can can greatly affect timings and routes. Obscure pick-up and drop-off points are often required, meaning the entire operation begins to get very complex, but many yacht transportation companies can adjust their routes to accommodate client needs.

The two factors of when and where are inexplicably linked, as timetables have to be absolutely flawless in order to keep costs down and ensure the entire operation runs smoothly.

With so many links in the chain, a complex array of timings and destinations, and a huge network of ships, carriers, and trucks to synchronise, one small fault could lead to disaster, both logistically and financially. “If any one of the links failed, we would have to completely re-arrange the timetable and work to align everything all over again," Farber noted.

Arrangements to make before shipping a superyacht

Before any yacht is ready for transport, Global Boat Shipping and United Yacht Transport explained that there are a few crucial aspects to think about for smooth transit. 

1. Customs clearance

When transporting a yacht, it's important that arrangements are made as early as possible. Bear in mind that yachts cannot be loaded or discharged for transport without customs clearance.

Most of the time, agents in the load or discharge port can assist you with customs matters. The following documents are typically required:

• The yacht's certificate of registry
• A passport
• A copy of the commercial invoice

2. Yacht transport insurance

Even with the best transport company and perfect preparation, there's always the risk that multi-million pound superyachts will be damaged in transport, even if it's just a small scratch. Make sure your yacht is covered by an All Risks Transport Insurance type policy.

A separate cargo insurance policy is normally required when transporting a yacht on board an ocean-going vessel. This policy is separate from the typical navigational insurance policy and will cover the exposure for loading, discharge and ocean transit. Rates of this type of insurance will fluctuate depending on the port of loading, discharge and the intended route of the ship.

Of course, when transporting such expensive cargo, there can still be cases of damage from accidents and/or negligence. United Yacht Transport commented, “Before loading your yacht, it's highly recommended that you take pictures of the interior and exterior, so that in the event of damage, you will have document of the condition prior to loading.”

3. Additional operational charges

When comparing rates from different transport companies, it's important to confirm that the booking is on a water-to-water basis. This means that all labour for loading and discharge, as well as any necessary lifting and cradling equipment is included in the freight rate.

4. Delivery times and cancellation dates

Even when shipping a superyacht on a scheduled service, the date of loading and delivery can vary. Most yacht transport companies will provide predicted departure and delivery windows rather than a particular set date of arrival. This is due to the many variables that may come into play, such as bad weather, customs hold-ups, customer delays, etc…

Although departure and arrival dates cannot always be accurately predicted, there should be a period of time outside which the service is considered unreasonable. For example, a delay of 30 days would be considered unreasonable by most yacht transport companies. A cancellation date will be clearly defined in contracts when choosing any yacht transportation provider. Remember, never enter into a contact without this information being clearly stated.

5. Arrival in port

Each port authority is authorised to admit or deny sailing into the port and the captain is exclusively authorised to admit entry to the vessel. If you want to be on the vessel during loading or discharging, make sure that your transport company is informed so they can arrange authorisation.

6. Make sure measurements and weights are correct

Information about the length, beam, height and weight of your yacht has to be declared correctly in the booking note for three reasons:

1. If your yacht is bigger than declared, the vessel may not be able to load it. Cranes may not be able to lift it and it may be too large to fit through the hatch cover.
2. Your boat will be measured in case of doubt, and shipment of your yacht can be refused when an offer has been made for a smaller yacht.
3. If your boat heavier than declared, it may be a danger to the vessel, crew or stevedores.

Preparing a superyacht for shipping

Finally, the boat itself must be fully prepared to avoid any problems and delays. Weshipboats.com has been in the yacht transport industry for over 25 years and has provided the following points to bear in mind when preparing the yacht for its impending transport:

• Secure all items inside the yacht, such as galley utensils, plates, cutlery etc…
• All ports, hatches and windows should be locked shut and locking device taped over.
• Top and side curtains should be removed prior to shipment, which will prevent water damage to cloth or canvas.
• All electrical circuits should be closed and batteries disconnected.
• Personal belongings and equipment must be itemised and verified prior to shipment. Transport companies will not assume responsibility for missing items not fully accounted for in writing. Major high cost removable items should be pointed out to the driver at the time of pick up.
• If you are planning to ship your boat on a cradle, some precautions must be taken. Even though your cradle may serve adequately for storage it may fall short of what’s needed for shipping. A cradle should fit the exact contour of your hull and be in good condition for sea voyage.
• All fuel and water should be removed from the holding tanks for safety reasons.
• Cabinet doors, drawers and all lockers inside the boat should be secured shut.
• Remove and store plastic or plexiglass fly bridge windshields inside the boat.
• Additional requirements for sailboats: Standing rigging, turnbuckles, mastheads, antennas, spreaders, wind indicators, wires and mast winches should be removed from the mast, after it is unstepped, and prior to shipment.