FAQ
Our most commonly asked questions, answered
Frequently Asked Questions
No matter how frequently questions are asked, we are always more than happy to answer them.
Here are many of the questions owners have requested information about previously:
This method is precisely what the boat is designed for. The stress put upon a vessel during deck or road delivery can create problems. During sea delivery, the yacht is cleaned en-route and thoroughly before hand-over, meaning she can be presented to the customer in excellent order with no transport dirt and grime to remove.
Tony Agar Yacht Deliveries are able to identify and report any problems, which can be rectified before the yacht leaves the manufacturer, distributor or broker.
Unlike road transport Sea Delivery avoids any dismantling of the Yacht. By delivering a fully assembled boat, the cost, time delay and disruption of dismantling and re-assembly are avoided, as is the risk of damage to sensitive electronic equipment or damage to components in transit.
Sea Delivery eliminates lifting in and out of the water - which in the wrong hands has caused severe damage to Yachts in transit.
A Sea Delivery can be used to transfer our extensive knowledge of the vessel to the Owner or the Owner's Crew – who will be operating the vessel after the delivery is complete.
Other benefits include not having to wait on other people's schedules.
Delivery by sea is not appropriate in every case. We will always discuss with Clients the most appropriate method of transporting their Yacht.
Tony Agar Yacht Deliveries are licensed to deliver a variety of yachts and small commercial vessels up to 80 tons or 24m in length: mono-hull, multi-hull, power or sail. Most of the vessels we deliver are within the 40 - 80ft range. They may be privately owned, commercial or charter vessels. An important part of our workload is the delivery of yachts for yacht brokers and new owners.
Tony Agar Yacht Deliveries is able to arrange a delivery of a yacht by whatever means you require. We are asked regularly to organise multi-module deliveries, liaising with Shipping and Trucking companies worldwide.
I will...along with my selected crew
I do not run a yacht delivery clearing house nor do I have numerous delivery captains "on staff". I do not broker out deliveries to the lowest bidder; I personally deliver all vessels myself.
Depending upon the type and needs of each delivery, I choose my crew from a core group of very experienced individuals whom I have worked with in the past. Shorter deliveries on smaller yachts may only require one other individual. My requirement for longer offshore deliveries is to have enough experienced hands to be safe in all conditions.
At least one other crew member will also be a RYA qualified skipper. We will be happy to supply details of the proposed crew to you and/or your insurers for their approval.
We will provide an initial passage plan giving details of our planned ports of call and ETA’s. After the delivery has commenced we will update you of our position twice a day via email through the Globalstar satellite tracking service called Spot, so clients and others can follow the delivery of their yacht on the internet.
If your yacht is equipped with AIS, we can be followed on Marinetraffic.com
We operate under UK law, whereby most owners will already carry insurance on their vessels, so this is typically not an issue, but Comprehensive Insurance for the Delivery Passage and the Skipper and Crew is required.
Many marine insurance companies already have provisions for licensed professional delivery crews in their policies, but a check with your agent can clarify this for you.
So please inform your insurance company that I shall be delivering your yacht on your behalf and make sure that they issue an endorsement or otherwise confirm that the cover you have ( including but not limited to both Hull and Public Liability) is extended to cover me and my crew for the duration of the trip.
Such an endorsement might read:
It is hereby noted and agreed that, for the purposes of the delivery trip from ...................... to ...................................that the yacht ...........................this policy affords Anthony Agar and his crew the same cover as if he were the owner aboard for the duration of the delivery trip.
A copy of your policy showing effective dates, boat identification, and the P&I section showing coverage for the delivery is required to be onboard prior to departure.
Your boat should be seaworthy and suitable for the intended voyage. Upon arrival we will do a complete inspection of your boat. Any issues that affect the departure will be addressed at your expense. All safety equipment required by maritime law should be on board and in date.
In order to schedule a delivery we require an initial deposit of 10% along with a signed Letter of Authority, which effectively is our Contract. Then 50% of the delivery fee plus any outward traveling costs and an expenses budget to cover fuel is required before the proposed delivery date.
The balance of the delivery fee plus any return travelling costs and outstanding expenses is due immediately on completion of the delivery subject to the production of satisfactory invoices and receipts.
The safety of the yacht and crew is always paramount. While Tony Agar Deliveries always prepares a thorough pre-delivery analysis of the weather, if conditions deteriorate, we will always err on the side of caution in delivering your yacht. Most owners prefer a slight delay in the schedule rather than unwelcome boat yard bills.
The majority of the time, short delays fall within the scope of our contract and there is no additional charge for the first 24 hours in harbour.
If the delay is likely to be protracted, we would discuss this with the owner, whether it is better to fly the crew home or for them to remain on the boat to see out the delay.
Absolutely, owners are always welcome to come along. If it’s a new yacht to you, then it could be a good time to learn about your new vessel. Many of the crew we use are Yachtmaster Instructors, so what better opportunity to fine tune your skills.
It is however important to remember that the Skipper is the person legally responsible for the safety of the yacht and those on board. In our experience, owners who are willing to be part of the crew, to 'muck-in' and embrace the delivery, get the most out of it. Indeed some of our crew are previous clients and we have seen good friendships develop in this way.
Normally we sail 24 hours a day. The aim being to get from A to B as safely and as efficiently as possible. With motor yachts and certain coastlines notorious for the amount of fishing pots we may advise day passages only.
Victualing for the voyage is paid for out of the Delivery Fee.
We would expect the boat to have full water and fuel tanks. If this is not possible then it can be arranged with the skipper prior to joining the boat.
Prior to departure, a float will be required to cover any anticipated outward travelling expenses, fuel or marina costs. All receipts are kept to show where the float money has been spent. The level of the float will depend on the delivery.
With motor yachts we normally agree a series of staged payments for fuel.
On a delivery, for the sake of our own health, we maintain that cleanliness is next to godliness. Whilst we do not provide a full valet of your yacht at the end of the delivery, at the very least we would leave the boat as we found it; as standard we would wash and clean all the toilets out, sweep floors, clean out any refrigeration units and rinse the decks with fresh water at every opportunity.
This often depends upon on whether water is available at the destination and cleaning materials aboard.
We are well versed in the protection of the boats that we deliver. As new boat delivery forms the bulk of our work, we are used to working to the standard whereby the boat arrives 'as new'. We employ a variety of methods on deck to ensure that sails and lines do not chafe or wear. Below decks, exposed wood is covered, cushions are usually stowed, sinks are lined and mattresses are covered.
We will always sail where possible. However, it is inevitable that batteries will need charging and the wind will not always be helpful. This is part and parcel of an 'own keel' delivery.
It is difficult to estimate likely fuel costs as this is so dependent upon sea and weather conditions. Upon completion of the delivery we will present copies of all fuel receipts. This can of course be tallied against logged engine hours to give an idea of consumption rates. Owners may give advice on how to run the engine most economically and skippers will work within rpm guidelines.
Required safety equipment may vary according to the area being sailed. However, as standard we require:
- An in-service life-raft
- Life jackets and harnesses
- Adequate fire extinguishers for size / layout of boat
- An offshore flare pack
- A working VHF Radio
- Galley equipment as necessary
- Tools and spare parts as necessary
- Full Gas bottles
- First Aid Kit
We are technically proficient and will make repairs underway within our capability. These will be logged and reported to you. Work outside the capabilities of our crew will be assessed, we will get quotations, and finally your approval before it is begun. This will be charged at cost and according to receipts.
The skipper will immediately go to the nearest port and we will contact you.
Firstly, give as much notice as you can. This will reduce travel costs and ensure the most suitable crew. Secondly, provide us with as much information as you can about the boat and your requirements. Lastly, we will send you our terms and contract. Please sign and return these promptly.
Of course we can and we will be proud to do so. We receive many letters of thanks and are continually recommended - when we know more about your requirements we'll provide references for similar deliveries we have undertaken.
Service
Here is what you can expect:
- A Professional skipper with at least the RYA Oceanmaster Certificate of Competence commercially endorsed.
- 2 other crew who are often Yachtmaster themselves.
- We handle all arrangements required for crew travel.
- A pre-departure inspection of the vessel and its systems.
- Victualing the vessel for the delivery, fill all fuel and water tanks, and secure all loose equipment for sea.
- Provide all paper navigational charts and pilots for you if they are not already on board.
- Provide all navigation equipment and instruments.
- Complete all relevant customs and immigration paperwork for vessels going foreign.
- Provide the owner with a position and progress report daily where communications capability exists.
- Maintain a log of the voyage for your records.
- Keep an accurate accounting and provide receipts that detail all expenses incurred during the delivery.
- Your yacht or boat delivered to its port of destination clean and ready for you to use.
- Professionalism, Experience, and Safety