Trans-Ocean Crossing [Yacht Transport Guide]

Transport Ship or “Own Bottom” Crossing?

St. Tropez and St. Maarten: two beautiful yachting destinations separated by thousands of miles of ocean. The largest yachts are more than capable of making the trip between them easily, with good planning and professional mariners at the helm. Many yacht owners, however, choose to use one of the shipping companies to transport their yacht. This is the sixth in a series of articles provided for the yachting community by the team at Denison and will review what is involved in the decision to use a transport ship or make the crossing on a yacht’s “own bottom”. 

Fuel Range + Other Cruising Limitations

For many smaller yachts, the decision is easy; if the yacht does not have the fuel range to make the journey, even with stops on the way at available bunker fuel locations, then the only option is to use a transport ship. Some yachts may have other cruising limitations which are stated on the Classification Certificate, or International Load Line Certificate, likely stated as “no more than 60nm (nautical miles) from a safe haven”. 

For the yacht which has the range and for which the operational limitations do not apply, owners and their advisors will want to consider other factors.

Learn More About:

• • Commercial Use Restrictions
• • Safe Havens

Cost

The price of shipping is not cheap but can be looked at against not only the fuel cost for the crossing, but also the cost of the running hours on equipment such as generators, stabilizers, water makers, and the like.

Crew Implications

While a yacht is on a transport ship, the crew can take vacation, thus avoiding impact on the yacht’s operation in other parts of the year. Some owners sending their yacht on its own bottom will hire delivery crew for the crossing, allowing their own crew to get their vacation time in. 

Learn More About:

• • Hiring Delivery Crew
• • Crew Riding With Cargo

Insurance Considerations

Terms of insurance are different for the yacht as “cargo” rather than “in navigation,” so owners placing their yachts with transport carriers should check with their yacht insurance broker and ensure that they are protected.

Transport Companies

There are numerous companies that specialize in shipping yachts. An important distinction that anyone shopping for this service should keep in mind is whether the transport company is acting as a broker or as an owner-operator of the transport ships. Another piece to consider with the choice of shipping companies is how they are loading the yachts onto the transport ship. 

Other than the shipping contract, owners and their crew/staff should be prepared for a good amount of paperwork associated with the shipment of the yacht; the shipping companies will work with customs brokers to ensure that the proper formalities are carried out.

Learn More About:

• • Broker vs. Owner Operator of Transport Ships
• • Float On/Float Off Transport
• • Methods of Loading + Transporting

Looking for more details?

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• • Yacht Transport Insurance
• • Charter Yacht Transport
• • + More

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This should not be considered a complete purchase guide. For a more accurate estimate, contact Ben Farnborough.¹