14 answers covering compliance, charter finance, crew management, and operations.
What is the ISM Code and does it apply to my yacht?
The ISM Code (International Safety Management Code) is an IMO standard requiring commercial vessels over 500 GT to implement a documented Safety Management System. Private yachts under 500 GT are typically exempt, but flag states may apply national equivalents.
What happens during a Port State Control inspection?
A PSC inspection is an examination by port country maritime authorities verifying compliance with SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC, and STCW. Inspectors check vessel certificates, safety equipment, crew qualifications, and living conditions. Serious deficiencies result in detention.
What is MLC 2006 and what rights does it give yacht crew?
The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC 2006) establishes minimum working and living standards for seafarers including hours of rest limits, minimum leave entitlements, repatriation rights, and medical care. Commercial vessels over 500 GT must comply; PSC inspectors specifically check MLC records.
Will a flag state or class surveyor reject my PMS because the software isn't certified?
Usually no. Surveyors normally care whether maintenance records are complete, consistent, and auditable, not whether the software itself is certified. The exception is where your management company or class policy specifically requires type-approved software.
What is APA in yacht charter and how is it calculated?
APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance) is a pre-paid fund from charter clients — typically 30-35% of the base charter fee — covering running expenses including fuel, provisioning, marina fees, and port taxes. Unused APA is returned; overruns are billed additionally.
What are typical monthly operating costs for a charter yacht?
Monthly operating costs for a 25-30m charter motor yacht typically range from €25,000-50,000, covering crew salaries (largest cost at 40-50%), fuel, marina berth, insurance, maintenance, and provisioning.
How much does yacht insurance cost?
Yacht insurance typically costs 1-2% of the vessel's agreed value annually for private pleasure use. Charter and commercial use increases premiums to 1.5-3.5%. A €1M motor yacht used for charters might cost €15,000-35,000 per year.
What STCW certificates does a yacht captain need?
A yacht captain needs at minimum a flag state officer of the watch (OOW) or Yacht Master certificate, STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) comprising firefighting, first aid, personal survival, and personal safety courses, a medical certificate, and GMDSS radio operator certificate for offshore routes.
How do professional yacht captains manage crew documents and certificates?
Professional captains typically manage crew documents through a combination of cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive) for scanned certificates and manual calendar reminders for expiry dates. Dedicated maritime platforms track expiry dates automatically and alert before certificates lapse.
What is the best yacht management software for captains in 2026?
The best yacht management software for working captains depends on fleet size and workflow. Mobile-first platforms with offline capability (HelmOps, Voly, Yotha) suit individual captains and small operators. Enterprise platforms (Dockmaster, Argo Navis) serve larger fleets with dedicated admin staff.
Does yacht management software need DNV type approval?
No. A general maintenance, expense, or compliance record application does not normally require type approval. Type approval is mandatory under SOLAS for specific navigation, recording, alarm, and monitoring equipment categories.
What is a Lloyd's Register Software Conformity Assessment and does it apply to yacht software?
A Software Conformity Assessment is a class society review of a software product's architecture, testing process, documentation, and development practices. It is not a mandatory requirement for an ISM audit.
Does ISO 27001 mean my yacht data is safe?
ISO 27001 certifies a vendor's information security management process, not the exact security features of a specific product. You should still ask about encryption, access control, data residency, backups, tenant isolation, and audit logs.