Yacht charter Croatia

Before planning a sailing trip to Croatia there are few- The boat is in a satisfactory mechanical state with
things everyone should know in order to have nicefull fuel and water tanks
and stress less vacation. Otherwise you can- The inventory has been checked and found
encounter some serious problems that could affectsatisfactory.
your holidays.The Company reserves the right to decline a booking
There are two main charter types - bareboat charteror to refuse to hand-over a boat to any person
and crewed charter. For bareboat charter at leastwho, in their opinion, is not suitable to take charge on
one person on the board must have a boat leader'sthe grounds of ill-health, age, disability, inexperience or
license. The license must me issued by a stateany other reason which, in their opinion, would lead to
institution. If a license is certified by a foreign statea serious risk of accident or damage. In such cases,
institution the Croatian law accepts it in most cases.Charter company will provide a competent skipper at
The license must be related to the sea and openCharterer's expense. If the Charterer does not
waters and not to the rivers and channels. Law inaccept a skipper, the Charter Fee will be refunded in
Croatia does not accept any Sailing Club Certifications.full and the Contract terminated without further
Also at least one person on the board must have aliability on either party.
VHF license. Usually boat leader's license exam covers4. DISEMBARKATION
the VHF part as well. In case none of the guest hasThe boat must be returned to the originating Base of
such a qualifications then a skipper must be hired. ForEmbarkation at the time and date agreed, with full
crewed charter no license is required. Depending onfuel and water tanks.
the yacht size, the crew usually consists of captain,The hirer should plan a great enough margin for the
hand man, cook, hostess...return time to be respected.
In every way the usual charter week in CroatiaTherefore, it is recommended to return the boat in
starts on Saturday afternoon ( 3 pm to 5 pm ) andthe marina at 17.00 hours the day before the charter
ends on Saturday morning ( 8 am to 10 am ). Someends.
of the charter companies require to have the boatIt is the responsibility of the Charterer to make
back from the charter to base marina on Fridayallowance for bad weather.
afternoon. In this case guests are able to stay onFailure to return the boat on the due date will incur a
board until Saturday morning. On Saturday can becharge of double daily rate plus any other charges
very crowded in marinas since all charter companiesofincidental losses incurred by the Company.
have takeover of all their yachts on that day. GuestsThe fuel tank and the water tanks have to be filled
should be prepared and very patient keeping in mindup before the check-out.
that marina staff is doing their best. When taking the5. INSURANCE
yacht ,it is not advised to get in marina much inThe following insurance will be in full force during the
advanced. There is just a slight chance that yourterm of the charter:a) Hull Insurance is provided for
boat will be ready and cleaned among the first boatstotal loss or damage to the cruiser and its equipment.
that were in charter previous week. In case you areBareboat charterersshall be responsible for the
already early , it would be much better that youamount of protection provided from the security
leave your luggage in marina and take a swim on adeposit. The Charterer, however, is responsible for
nearest beach.any loss or damage or any other liabilities arising out
Every yacht for charter in Croatia has Cascoof deliberate acts or negligent conduct by charterer,
insurance. The charter companies ask for deposit tohis or her family, guests and agents, in which event
be left in base marina in amount of insurancethe sole responsibility for the entire amount of the
franchise. Depending on the size of the yacht andloss or damage would fall on the charterer.
insurance contract deposit goes from 500 EUR toDamages on the sails are not covered by insurance.b)
2500 EUR and can be paid in cash or by credit card.Third Party Liability Insurancec) Personal Accident
Credit card will be just slipped and not charged yet.Insurance - this insurance does not cover loss,
In case the yacht is damaged the charter companydamage or theft of personal luggage or belongings,
will cover the damage from the deposit left by guestincluding any motor vehicles parked at the marina.
and the rest from the insurance company.The charterer is advised to take out personal travel
All charter companies in Croatia ask 30%-50% ofinsurance before departing.
rental payment at the moment of the booking and6. SECURITY DEPOSIT
the rest at least 4 weeks prior to embarkation. InA refundable security deposit, which amount depends
case of booking cancellation , in most cases theon the class of the boat, has to be paid before
complete amount will be returned if the booking wasembarkation (cash, credit cards - Visa, Diners, MC,
canceled more than a month before charter. This is aAC). The deposit has to be paid even when a skipper
part of general charter terms and conditions used byhas been employed to captain the boat.
all charter companies in very similar form. Although,This deposit can be applied to the repair of damages
there are some differences between one charteror loss of equipment caused by charterer or by any
company and another. So, it would be good to readof his party. It will be refunded provided that no
the conditions at the moment of booking veryreason exists for its retention.
carefully.Charterers returning or leaving a boat at a Marina
There are over 100 yacht charter companies anddifferent from the one from which they started -
over 3000 yachts in Croatia and each one of themexcept by prior arrangement made with the
has its own price and terms. To find an ideal yachtCompany - will lose their deposit.
for yourself one should contact every charter7. ACCIDENTS, BREAKDOWNS AND REPAIRS
company asking for availability and prices. Huge list ofIn the event of any accident or mishap the Charterer
companies can be found in Croatian tourism officialmust immediately provide the Base Manager with full
web site <a href=" . Much easier way is to contactdetails together with the names and addresses of
the agency ( like <a href="Yacht'> charter Croatiawitnesses and the name of owners or charterers if
YACHT-RENT</a> ) to do it instead of you.another vessel is involved. The Base Manager will
There are some agencies having a completeindicate the next steps to be taken. The Charterer is
database of all the yachts in Croatia ( <arequired to complete the accident report form and to
href="STAR'> Charter yacht Croatia</a> ,<ahave it completed and countersigned by the third
href="Yacht'> charter & rent-a-boat</a>)party. In particular, lost dinghies and outboard engines
and they can make you very quick offer. The pricemust be reported immediately. Failure to notify the
will be the same as you contact the charterBase Manager of any loss, mishap or accident may
company directly because the agency gets the rabatinvalidate the insurance.
from the charter company. In some cases theThe Base Manager must be notified immediately if
agency price can even beat the charter companyany repairs or service are required and they may not
price because of the bigger rabat.be placed in the hands of other repair shops without
Here follows a very common example of Generalthe Base Manager's specific approval.
Charter Terms and Conditions in Croatia:If you have a breakdown of the equipment which is
All bookings made with Charter Company are subjectconsidered essential to the operation of the yacht
to the following Charter Terms and Conditions . Noand which occurs inside the 30 mile radius of the
Agent or Employee of the Company is entitled toCompany base, we will complete repairs within 24
vary or amend it.hour of receiving your call. If we fail to correct the
1. PAYMENT CONDITIONSproblem within 24 hours, you will be refunded on a
A boat has been booked only when the Bookingrate pro-rata to the lost charter time or you will
Form and the agreed deposit have reached Charterreceive a sailing credit toward your next charter.
company or one of its affiliates and when an InvoiceAll other breakdowns will be serviced, but
stating the terms of the balance payment has beencompensation will not be provided if repairs take
dispatched.more than 24 hours.
Payment of balance of the charter amount will8. CHARTERER'S LIABILITY AND OBLIGATION
become due 30 days before the charter start date,The Charterer shall pay any additional running
withoutreminder on the part of the charter operator.expenses not included in the charter price: fuel
For all bookings made less than 30 days before theexpenses, tourist taxes and a mooring place outside
start date the charter fee must be paid in full onthe marina.
booking.The Charterer shall use the boat for pleasure only.
All bank charges will be payable by the Charterer.Charterer shall not assign this agreement or
Bookings made through Travel Agents are subject tosubcharterwithout prior written consent of The
agreed travel agency procedures regarding bookingsCompany. The boat shall not transport merchandise
and cancellations and to all the following Charteror carry passengers.
Conditions.Passengers, other than those notified on the crew
2. CANCELLATIONlist, must not be carried on the boat.
A. Cancellation by the ChartererThe Charterer is explicitly liable for the boat in case
Should the hirer be unable to take-over the boat heany official authority confiscates it, due to
must notify the Company immediately, when everyinappropriate and illegal actions undertaken during the
effort will be made to re-let the boat. If successful,usage of the boat.
the Company will refund the deposit less a re-bookingAll passengers with the exception of any skipper or
charge of 100 € .cook provided by the Company are considered
If the company is unable to re-let, the followingguests from the Charterer. Charterer is responsible
cancellation policy applies:for the safety and well-being of chartrer and all
- Cancellation more than 60 days before the start ofguests.
charter: 30% of the charter fee is retained by theCharterer shall avoid sailing area designated hazardous
companyand should refrain from night sailing.
- Cancellation between 31 and 59 days before theCharterer shall comply with all laws and regulations of
start of charter: 50% of the rental charge is retainedthe Croatia or of any other government within
by the companythejurisdiction in which the boat may be at the time.
- Cancellation within 30 days of the start of charter:By signing the agreement, the Charterer certifies that
the full amount has to be paid.he/she is competent to handle the boat and that the
B. Cancellation by the CompanyCharterer has sufficient practical knowledge of
Every precaution will be taken to ensure that theseamanship, unless a Company approved skipper has
booked boat is available in a fully seaworthy condition.beenemployed to captain the boat for the entire
If owing to conditions and circumstances beyond thecharter period.
reasonable control of the Company this is notIn accordance with the laws of the Republic of
possible, then every effort will be made to supply aCroatia, the Charterer has to possess a valid license
similar or suitable boat. Should this not be possible thenecessary for the navigation (Boat Leaders
Charter Fee paid by the Hirer will be returned in fullCertificate) and a radiophone certificate.
but the Charterer will have no claim on any account9. DISPUTES
against the Company.The Charaterer is required to notify the Base
3. EMBARKATIONManager of any alleged shortcomings or problems
The time of taking possession will normally bewith the boat immediately as they occur. No claim
Saturday between 17.00 hrs and 21.00 hrs.can be considered in respect of such alleged
The Charterer will take charge of the boat aftershortcomings if not notified as aforesaid.
completion of certain formalities (security deposit,Furthermore the Company will not investigate nor
inventorycheck), receipt of administrative documentsdeal with complaints received later than one week
and instructions in operation of the boat.after the termination of the Charter.
The Charterer will be required to sign the Check List.In the event of dispute, The Tribunal of Commerce
Signing implies that:of the port of embarkation is the only competent
- The boat was handed over in a clean and tidy stateauthority.
- The instruction was adequate