sailing issues - charter guide

Sailing issues terms conditions plus a useful guide about sailboat charter in Greece

To charter a bareboat sailing boat, according to the Greek sailing laws, it is necessary for two members of your crew (skipper and co-skipper) to have sailing certificates which prove their competence. If no such certificates are issued in your home country, two members of your crew will be required to sign affidavits stating their experience to sail the chartered yacht plus the experience of a deck hand. Hellenic Charters as representatives of the yacht's owner or the owner of the chartered yacht reserves the right that the charterers hire a professional skipper if their sailing skills are not judged sufficient.
Even if you are an experienced sailor, you may still require the services of a professional skipper to make your cruise more relaxing and benefit from the skippers’ local knowledge.
The contract contains the rights and obligations of each party as well as the special conditions. In this contract you will see that you have to leave a deposit, that varies according to the size of the yacht. Every yacht is comprehensively insured (against damage to the hull, machinery and/or equipment), including third Party cover, beyond a deductible excess figure. The refundable Security Deposit is held against the yachts insurance excess and in the event of damage to the yacht or loss of equipment, the estimated value for repairs and replacement with original is withheld from your security deposit and the balance is returned to you.
For skippered bareboat charters the charterer will be held responsible only for damages caused by him/her and their party.
Exception: for any loss or damage caused by gross negligence or wanton or wilful misuse by the charterer, or by any of his/her party, to a value in excess of the Security Deposit amount, the charterer will be held liable for the total amount of loss or damage.
The Refundable Security Deposit covers:
• Loss of or damage to the yacht or it's tender or to third parties.
• Loss of or damage to the equipment listed in the inventory
• Costs incurred if the yacht is returned in an extremely dirty condition.
• Cost of returning the yacht to the prearranged harbour if the charterer fails to do so by the scheduled date and time.
Personal accidents while on board are not covered and client has to arrange extra for this kind of coverage.
Payments:
1. A 50 % down payment is required to reserve the yacht of your choice
2. The balance (50% of the charter fee) is due and payable upon embarkation
3. Payments upon embarkation can be made by:
- Euro cheques with a limit of 132.06 EUR per check
- Certified bank check or banker's draft made out to Hellenic Charters
- Traveler's cheques
- Cash in your own currency
- Credit Card / Visa or Master Card (3.8% commission)
Weekly charters usually begin and end on Saturdays and last for 7, 14, 21 days or multiples.
Embarkation starts at 17:00 on the first day of your charter and disembarkation is at 09:00 on the last day of your charterl. During this interval, the inspection and the cleaning of the boat take place, in order for her to be in a proper and seaworthy condition for the next charter. You will be given a general briefing covering the local cruising grounds, navigation, anchorages, prevailing conditions, itinerary etc. as well as a more specific briefing aboard the yacht, covering all the operating systems, including rigging, electrical system, water system, windlass, stove, dinghy, outboard and emergency systems.
We suggest you carry your possessions in flexible bags (no hard suitcases) as you will face the problem of where to put them! In addition, bring with you sports wear which are fittest for sailing. Apart from your personal belongings, you will need nothing else as our yachts are fully equipped with linen, cutlery and full charter yacht inventory!
We strongly advise you to arrange a travel insurance before leaving home, including cancellation insurance to protect your booking deposit.
In case you want to cancel your charter: Hellenic Charters reserves the right to calculate a cancellation fee.
The 50% down payment will not be refunded if cancellation is announced 4 weeks prior to departure. In case the cancelled yacht is being re-chartered for the same period Hellenic Charters will return the cancellation fee (less administration fees).

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