Trust & Safety
Yacht booking scams are real and increasing. Here is exactly what to check before you transfer any money.
Safety & Protection
How soon are you planning to book?
Licensing
A legitimate charter company operates under a commercial license issued by the flag state of the yacht (typically Malta, British Virgin Islands, or the Cayman Islands for international charters, or local maritime authority for domestic operations). The yacht itself must hold a Passenger Ship Safety Certificate or equivalent. The captain must hold an appropriate STCW certificate. Ask for these documents. A legitimate operator will provide them without hesitation.
Commercial
License type
STCW
Captain cert
PSSC or equiv.
Yacht cert
Insurance
A properly insured charter yacht carries: hull and machinery insurance (covers the vessel), P&I (Protection & Indemnity) insurance covering third-party liability up to €3–10 million, and crew personal accident coverage. As a guest, your personal travel insurance should cover charter holidays — check that your policy explicitly includes sailing and watersports. Many standard travel policies exclude marine activities.
Pro tip
Ask the broker: 'Can you provide the yacht's insurance certificate?' If they cannot, or the policy does not cover commercial charter, walk away.
Contract Protection
A MYBA (Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association) standard charter agreement is the industry benchmark. It should specify: the exact vessel (not 'or similar'), the charter period and delivery/redelivery points, the base charter fee, APA estimate, cancellation and payment terms, damage deposit process, and force majeure provisions. Never sign a non-standard contract that omits cancellation terms. Never pay directly to the yacht owner — always through a licensed broker or escrow.
Watch out
Red flag: any request to pay in cash, cryptocurrency, or direct bank transfer to a personal account — especially before seeing a signed contract.
Scam Patterns
Pattern 1: A yacht is listed at an unusually low price, requires a deposit before viewing the contract, and then disappears. Pattern 2: A yacht is described as 'available' but is never confirmed, and the broker avoids providing verifiable documentation. Pattern 3: Extra fees are added after arrival that were not in the contract — often fuel, marina fees, or 'local taxes'. All three patterns are preventable with one rule: never pay without a signed MYBA-standard contract and verifiable yacht documentation.
Pro tip
Search the yacht's IMO (vessel identification) number on the maritime registry before you book. Any legitimate vessel is traceable.
Still Exploring?
Use our decision guides to get clear on what you want. The more you know, the better we match.
