The yacht owner's delivery checklist
Before you hand over the keys to a stranger and a six-figure boat, run through this. 24 items across five categories. Print it, tick the boxes, sleep easy.
Captain credentials
- Valid Yachtmaster or USCG Master licence, sized for the vessel and route
- Commercial endorsement (if you're paying for the passage)
- STCW Basic Safety Training, current, not expired
- ENG1 or equivalent seafarer medical, valid through the delivery dates
- VHF / SRC operator certificate
- First aid certification, advanced for offshore work
- Passport with at least 12 months validity at both arrival and departure
Insurance & liability
- Your hull insurance policy permits paid delivery captains
- Policy lists the captain's required minimum experience (often 'Yachtmaster Ocean + 25,000NM')
- Captain holds personal liability coverage (Professional Indemnity)
- Crew coverage in place (separate from hull policy)
- Geographic limits cover the planned route + a weather buffer
Contract & terms
- Written agreement signed before departure, never verbal
- Clear scope: route, vessel, expected duration, crew count
- Itemised costs: captain fee, crew fees, travel, fuel, dockage, provisioning
- Cancellation terms with cause + force majeure clauses
- Liability for damage during the delivery clearly assigned
Vessel handover
- Photos of every system at handover (engine, rigging, electronics, hull)
- Inventory of everything onboard with serial numbers for valuable gear
- Engine hours, fuel level, and water level logged at start and finish
- Spare keys + emergency contact list onboard
- Captain has tested every critical system before slipping lines
Comms during passage
- Daily check-in via satellite (Iridium GO, Starlink, or PredictWind tracking)
- Pre-agreed escalation path for emergencies
Ready to find your captain?
Post your delivery free on Boat Gigs. You get an indicative price right away, and captains who sail your route can apply.
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