We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Boating

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Bareboat Charter?

By Lori Kilchermann
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 7,702
Share

A bareboat charter is the renting of a boat or ship without the crew or captain. The transaction is for the boat only. The renter must provide the captain and crew to operate the boat. The boat owner gives up ownership of the boat for the duration of the bareboat charter and this is the defining characteristic of the bareboat charter. This has become a rising trend in the charter of yachts since 2000.

With the economic difficulties worldwide, it has become less and less practical for an individual to own a personal yacht. The bareboat charter offers the feeling of owning a yacht without the maintenance and on-call crew expenses associated with ownership. There are companies worldwide that specialize in brokering bareboat charter agreements and excel in finding the correct boats at the right expense levels for their clientele.

The main difference between a common yacht rental and a bareboat charter is the inclusion of captain and crew. On a typical rental or lease, the yacht is complete with a qualified crew as well as a captain, all of whom are hired and paid by the boat's owner. The owner also has a say in where the boat will travel and which route it will take. In a bareboat charter, the owner has no say in where the boat will travel or the route taken to reach the destination.

In the United States, there are several laws relating to the bareboat charter, which are unique to agreements made by boat owners and potential charterers. In the case of several people going together on a charter, with one of the individuals assuming the duties of captain, in the unfortunate occurrence of a tragedy or disaster, this person could be held liable in the role of captain. By being liable, the individual could be fined or even jailed under certain circumstance.

When making plans to charter a yacht or boat, the individuals planning the charter must decide if a qualified captain and crew is to be hired or if this duty is to be fulfilled by those making the charter. There are also laws and regulations governing the qualifications of a captain, and these laws require licensing according to the size and travels of the vessel. This requirement can also extend to certain members of the crew such as mechanic and radio operator. When making a bareboat charter, it is wise to have all of the information well before hand.

Share
WikiMotors is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wikimotors.org/what-is-a-bareboat-charter.htm
Copy this link
WikiMotors, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WikiMotors, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.