G'day Cruisers I'm looking into setting up a Yacht Charter in the NW and am finding it difficult to get a list of what the legal requirements would be. I've tried the DOT/Marine/Commercial and it fels like you need a lawyer to be able to understand those guys
So far I have:
- Yacht to be surveyed to 2B preferably (<12 pax to 200nm) but 2C (<12 pax to 60nm) would be enough for daytrips - Life Raft to be in survey - Certificate of Operation for a Domestic Commercial Vessel - Yacht Insurance - Public Liability Insurance
I expect there must be some kind of skipper's qualification but I can't get a straght answer from DOTM whether a Yachtmaster or a Masters 5 is the way to go. I don't have either but want to be sure I jump in the right direction, my preference would be the RYA Yachtmaster.
Q. Are there any charter owning or knowledgables on this forum who can help me? I really need to know if there is anything else I need to put on that list and answer the quals question so I can correctly scope up the project
You will need either RYA OFFSHORE Yachtmaster or Master V. I would go Master V as you will then not be restricted to sailing vessels.
Both tickets require a lot of logged commercial sea time before you qualify to sit the exam.
More importantly you need to do extensive market research and have a practical business plan. Consulting a psychiatrist could be advisable too. I was in a charter yacht business for 4 years and could not make a quid out of it.
May also need a permit for the area you wish to operate in. This is the case in the Whitsunday Islands. I think the deckie needs to have some a nautical qualification as well like coxswain. First aid Certificate.
I agree the Master class V is the way to go. Getting enough hours logged is difficult. One way years ago was to get a job on a Sydney Harbour ferry as a deckhand. With a class V you will have something to fall back on. There are always jobs for holders of a class V.
