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Looking at the Stars
   
  Frequently Asked Questions  
     
   
   
    What qualifications do I need to charter a bareboat sailing yacht in Greece?  
 
To charter a sailing yacht in Greece, it is necessary, at least one of the crew members, (skipper) to have a sailing certificate proving his/her competence. This certificate can be any kind of "licence" issued by a "yachting" authority such as sailing clubs, sailing schools, yachting/sailing associations, established charter companies, etc.

Due to the fact that in many countries no certificates are compulsory for sailing, the license of the skipper can be exceptionally replaced by a self-declaration form, where the skipper declares he has sailing experience and will undertake responsibility of yacht and crew. In such case, you may also be required to submit a sailing resume that will enable us to assess your ability to sail in safety. Alia Yachting reserves the right to insist that charterers hire a professional skipper if their sailing skills are not judged sufficient.

- Official Statement that the skipper must sign in case he doesn’t have a sailing certificate.
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    What qualifications do I need to charter a motor boat in Greece?  
 
For bareboat motor yachts, both qualified crewmembers (skipper and co-skipper) must present a license for motor yachts. In this case self-declaration forms are not acceptable.
 
   
    Do I need to hire a professional skiper?  
 
Alia yachting is in the position to select, recommend and hire on your behalf a professional skipper for as many days as you wish. Even if you are an experienced sailor, you may still require the services of a professional skipper to make your cruise more relaxing and benefit from the skippers' local knowledge. There is a set daily fee (140 Euro per day) for the professional skipper, regardless of the number of people on board. Please remember that the professional skipper needs to be provided with his own cabin, as he is obliged to sleep on board. Furthermore, Alia Yachting could provide you, upon request, with a hostess (at a set daily fee of 120 Euro per day).
 
   
    Which days of the week can I begin and end my charter?  
 
Weekly charters usually begin and end on Saturdays for multiples of seven days. However,we will try to accommodate your wishes for different days of the week and uneven periods of time, such as a ten or twelve-day charter.
 
   
    What is the charters'schedule?  
 
All charters begin at 17:00 on the day of departure and typically end at 09:00 on the day of arrival. However, you will be required to return to base on the last evening of your charter, since this time is necessary between charters to ensure that yachts are always delivered to the next charter in perfect working order.
 
   
    What does the charter fee include?  
 
Yacht prices are in EURO, per yacht, per week, depending on time of the year, regardless of the number of people aboard (subject to the maximum number of berths). Charter fees include the rental cost of the yacht, final cleaning, dock fees of the first and last day of charter, insurance and VAT (all taxes).
 
   
    Are there any additional charges?  
 

The following additional charges may apply:

Deposit - Refundable Security Deposit 
Fuel - The yacht should be delivered topped up with fuel.
Port or Marina fees - This is a daily-base fee, which applies to almost all ports in Greece with varied costs.

Optionals - Any optional extras that you might have specifically requested:  

One way Fees         EURO 150 + EURO 3.50 Per NM + marina fees / Corinth canal fee
Windsurf                 EURO 180 Per week + € 260 Damage refundable deposit
Spinnaker               EURO 200 Per week + € 260 Damage refundable deposit
Autopilot                 EURO 150 Per week (when not included into the standard  equipment)
Local Skipper          EURO 140 Per day + Food (tips not included)
Hostess/Steward   EURO 120 Per day Per  day + Food (tips not included)
Port fees in Greece  cost EURO 0-15 per day in Public ports & marinas /  depending on yacht’s size
                                           EURO 18-50 per day in private marinas / depending on yacht’s size 
Provisions / Food / Drinks
 
   
    Should I have a travel insurance?  
 
In your own interest, you are strongly advised to buy suitable travel insurance before leaving home, including cancellation insurance to protect your booking deposit.
 
   
    What is the security deposit?  
 
Each Alia Yachting vessel is comprehensively insured, including third Party cover, beyond a deductible "excess" figure. This amount is published in the price list for every yacht in the fleet, under "Refundable Security Deposit".
 
The Refundable Security Deposit is held against the yacht's insurance excess and, if there is no damage or loss to the yacht or her equipment, this figure is returned to you. (Exception: for any loss or damage caused by gross negligence or wanton or wilful misuse by the charterer or by any of his party, to a value in excess of the Security Deposit amount, the charterer will be held liable for the total amount of loss or damage.)

Alia Yachting will refund the Security Deposit immediately at the end of the charter. However, if any damage and/or loss is extensive, the deposit or appropriate proportion will be returned, if applicable, as soon as possible after full assessment of rectifying such damage or loss has been made.

The Refundable Security Deposit covers:

Loss of or damage to the yacht or it's tender or to third parties.
 
Loss of or damage to the equipment listed in the inventory and given to the charterer at check-in.
Costs incurred if the yacht is returned in an extremely dirty condition.

Cost of returning the yacht to the prearranged harbour if the charterer fails to do so by the scheduled date and time.
 
Cost of re-fuelling if the boat is returned without refilled tanks.

The payment of the Refundable Security Deposit is designed to cover only one incident of a substantial nature at any one time, viz: in case of loss or damage to equipment of significant value such as outboard engine or dinghy, the charterer will have the right to a replacement whilst on charter, provided that the charterer pays a new Refundable Security Deposit immediately upon receipt of replacement or repair.

The Refundable Security Deposit is payable at the yacht's base before embarkation usually by a credit card Visa or MasterCard or in cash.
 
   
  What should I bring with me?  
 

Every vessel of Alia yachting fleet is fully equipped for charter. Except for provisioning, stowing your personal possessions, you could step aboard and leave the dock without a further thought. However, there are certain personal items you may find useful to have on your chartered yacht: 

a. Light clothing (cotton shorts, T-shirts etc)
b. An extra sweater and long pants for cool nights
c. Light full-weather gear for the occasional rainy day
d. Rubber-sole shoes to move easily on slippery decks, to prevent foot injury and to protect the boat's surface
e. Easy-to-stow bags instead of space consuming suitcases
f. Sun block, sunglasses and a hat for sun protectiong.
g. Long skirt to cover women, if you wish to visit Greek churches or monasteries.
 
   
    In case I want to cancel my charter?  
 
Alia yachting calculates cancellation fees based on the period of time between the date of cancellation and the departure date as follows: 

a) For bookings cancelled 99 days or more before departure then 3% (dossier's expenses) are retained
b) For bookings cancelled 98-60 days before departure then 30% of the yacht fees are retained
c) For bookings cancelled 59-30 days before departure then 50% of the yacht fees are retained.
d) For bookings cancelled 29-0 days before departure then 100% of the yacht fees are retained.

Alia Yachting will return the cancellation fee, less the administration fee, if the cancelled yacht is re-chartered for the same period under the same conditions.
 
   
    Do you provide boat briefings?  
 
The charterer and his/her party will be given a general briefing covering the local cruising grounds. Questions about navigation, anchorages, prevailing conditions, or any part of the desired itinerary can be answered. A more specific boat briefing aboard the yacht will then be given, covering all the operating systems, including rigging, electrical system, water system, windlass, stove, dinghy, outboard and emergency systems. The same detailed list of the entire inventory of the yacht will be the basis of delivery and redelivery of the boat. Charterers should pay special attention to this procedure and make sure they have examined all parts of the yacht and handling manner of the entire equipment. Signing of the "acceptance statement" or hand-over form justifies the formal, actual and absolute acceptance of the vessel by the charterer.
 
   
    Terms of the contract (Charter Party) of bareboat charter  
 

Validity

1. The signature of this Agreement by the Owner and/or his Agents becomes valid and binds the Owner to his obligations hereinafter mentioned only on condition that the owner will actually receive the sums of the payments as indicated in Charter conditions in front page, in time.

Delivery

2. The owner agrees:

a. To fit out the Yacht and to hand her to the Charterer, without crew, clean, ready for sea, with all the gear and the agreed equipment and in proper running and seaworthy condition at the agreed on the first page place.

Insurance

b. To insure the Yacht and her equipment as per the Greek law and against fire, marine and collision risks and third party damage and against any and all loss or damage and the Charterer shall therefore be relieved of any and all liability which is covered by the said Policy, provided that such loss or damage is not caused or contributed to by any act of gross negligence or willful default on his part. The owner shall not be under any liability for the loss or damage to the personal property of or for any injury to the Charterer or any person on board with his permission.

Delayed Delivery

c. To employ every reasonable effort to ensure delivery of the Yacht on the agreed date and place mentioned in front page, but if for any cause whatsoever the yacht shall not be available, the Charterer shall have the right of choice of one of following possibilities:
I. Provided that the following charter commitment of the Yacht allows it and that the Owner agrees, to prolong the period of charter by the same length of time by which the delivery has been delayed.
II. To leave the date of termination unchanged and to be refunded by the Owner with an amount proportional to the time by which delivery was delayed at the rate corresponding to the agreed total charter fees.

Excess Delay

III. If the delay of delivery exceeds one fourth (1/4) of the total charter time, to cancel this Agreement and be refunded by the Owner with the total amount paid for this charter. In any of the events mentioned in this Clause, neither party shall be liable to pay to the other any other compensation for any loss or damage resulting from the curtailment or the cancellation of this Agreement.
IV. To accept a similar yacht suggested by the owner.

Redelivery (Return of the Yacht and Delays)

3. The Charterer agrees:

a. To redeliver the Yacht to the Owner at the agreed date, time and place, together with all her equipment, in the same good condition as she was at take-over. If he shall for any reason, weather conditions included, fail to deliver the Yacht at the aforesaid date and time, to pay to the Owner demurrage at the rate of the charter price per day of this Agreement increased by fifty percent (50%), for every day of fractional part of a day thereafter until delivery has been effected. If he leaves the Yacht at any place other than the place designated in this Clause, to pay to the Owner all expenses involved in transferring the yacht to the place of redelivery and pro-data demurrage as above for the number of days required for this transfer, as well as for any loss or damage which may occur on or to the Yacht until she has been taken over again by the Owner.


Refundable Security Deposit

To leave on deposit and as guaranty with the Owner on taking over the Yacht the amount indicated in the published price list, to meet in whole or in part any claim by the Owner in respect of any loss or damage to the Yacht and/or her equipment and for any claim by the Owner in respect of the provisions of Clause 3 (a) above. The aforesaid deposit shall be refunded to the Charterer, subject to the provisions above, after inspection of the Yacht, her gear and her inventory by the Owner.

 

Restrictions in the use of the Yacht Composition of Charterer's Party and Cruise Limits

Observance (c) of Customs and Diving Laws (d) & Agreement for Towing the Yacht (e)

c. Not to use the Yacht for racing unless different is agreed and described on the front page Charter Conditions and a Racing Risk insurance is paid, or the towing other craft, except in emergency or generally for any purpose other than that of private pleasure of the Charterer and his party which should include not less than one (1) qualified skipper and one (1) experienced crew member, but not more than the mentioned in the Charter conditions in front page number, in all at sea, or to accommodate aboard any person other than those shown on the crew/passenger manifest nor to take the Yacht or permit her to be taken outside the area of the Greek seas nor to sublet the Yacht without the written consent of the owner.
d. Not to allow any person on board to commit any act contrary to the customs laws of Greece or of any country or contrary to the laws pertaining to fishing or under water fishing nor to seek and/or take possession of objects or archaeological nature or value and that in case any such act is committed this Agreement shall thereupon terminate, but without prejudice to any rights of the Owner and that the Charterer shall carry alone any resulting responsibilities and he shall answer alone to the appropriate Authorities.
e. To take every possible preventive measure and precaution to avoid to bring the Yacht in any condition in which the Yacht will need to be towed to any point by another vessel, but Towing the Yacht should such a necessity arise, in spite of the Charterer's efforts, to notify immediately the owner and if such a contact is impossible to negotiate and agree with the captain of the other vessel on the price to be paid, before allowing the yacht to be towed.

Restrictions In Leaving Port (f), Navigation (g), Yacht Log (h)

f. Not to leave a port or anchorage if the harbor Authorities have imposed a prohibition of sailing or while the yacht has unrepaired damage or without sufficient reserves of fuel or in general, when weather conditions or the state of the Yacht or its crew or a combination of them concerning the safety of the Yacht and her crew is doubtful.
g. Not to sail the Yacht in any area not sufficiently covered by the charts at his disposal or without having previously studied the charts of the area and other printed aids on board thoroughly, not to sail the Yacht at night without all navigation lights functioning.
h. To keep the Yacht's Log Book up to date, noting each day the port of call, the state of the Yacht and its equipment, any change in the composition of the crew when at sea, regularity, the times position, weather conditions, sail plan and hours of engine operation.

Itinerary

i. To plan and to carry out the yacht's itinerary in such a manner as to reach the port of call farthest away from the point at which the Yacht must be returned to the Owner (Turn-Around Point) within the first one third (1/3) of the charter period and that two days prior to .the termination of the charter the yacht's port of call shall lie at a distance not greater than forty (40) N.M. from the point at which the Yacht is to be returned to the Owner.

Reports of yachts' state & position (j), Information (k)

j. To report by telephone or cable to the Owner at reasonable intervals the position and state of the yacht and of her passengers, as well as in the event of any damage to the Yacht.
k. To study and acquire a working knowledge of any printed matter pertaining the proper handling of the yacht and to the conditions in the cruising area which may be made available to him by the Owner.

Charterer's Sailing Qualifications

IT IS HEREBY FURTHER AGREED by and between the parties hereto:
4. This agreement is entered into on the bases of the Charterer's competence in sailing, seamanship and navigation stated by him in writing and in the event of any error, omission or misinterpretation in this respect being subsequently discovered, the Owner shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement forthwith and to retain the Charter fees.

Test of Sailing Competence of Charterer and his Crew

5. The Owner (or his representatives) may require the Charterer and his crew to demonstrate their competence in handling and navigating the yacht safely by actually operating the yacht at sea with the Owner (or his representative) aboard and should the Charterer and/or his crew fail to satisfy the Owner in this respect, the Owner may terminate this Agreement as stated in Clause (4) above or place aboard the yacht a skipper, if one acceptable by both the Owner and the Charterer is available, at the expense of the Charterer, for as many days as the Owner will consider necessary for the safety of the yacht and her passengers and any time required for this test of the Charterer's competence and seamanship will be part of the agreed Charter period.

Take-Over of the Yacht & Time required for it

6. The delivery of the Yacht to the Charterer will be made at the commencement of the charter period as agreed. The time required to demonstrate the yacht to the Charterer and to familiarize him with her should be part of the agreed charter time. The free use of the Yacht will be granted to the Charterer after he has signed the Take-Over form.
7. Before signing the aforesaid form, the Charterer shall have the right to inspect the yacht, her gear and her inventory thoroughly to ascertain that all are available and in good working condition, except as may be noted thereon, but the signature of the Take-Over form by the Charterer shall be deemed to imply acceptance of the yacht which thereafter will be in the Charterer's full responsibility and the Charterer shall have no right to claim for any loss of time or expense occasioned by any accident or breakdown or failure of any part of the Yacht.

Acceptance of the Yacht Charterer's Responsibility during Charter Time

8. After take-over, expenditures for port-dues, water, fuels, oils and any other stores required, as well as the repair of any damage or failure that may occur while the yacht is in the Charterer's responsibility and which are not the result of normal and natural wear shall be made by the Charterer at his expense, provided that he previously obtained the consent of the Owner for the technical suitability of the repair to be made. In the case of repairs of damages or failures resulting clearly from normal and natural wear, the Charterer shall previously obtain the Owner's consent with regard to the cost and technical suitability of these repairs and the Charterer shall collect the pertinent receipts against which he shall be refunded by the Owner at the end of the charter.

Running Expenses Ascertainment of Damages (9), Cancellation or Premature Termination (10)

9. If any accident or damage is caused by the Yacht, the Charterer shall request from the nearest Port Authority to ascertain the damage or accident and the circumstances in which it has been caused and to make a written record and statement about it and he shall notify the Owner at the same time.
10. In the event of cancellation of the charter by the Charterer, for any reason, except as mentioned in Clause 2 (c) (III), after signing this Agreement, the following cancellation policy will apply depending on the time-interval between the booking confirmation and the cancellation date:
a. Policy of "Dossier's expenses" (3% of the booking price or minimum 150 EUR) will be applied for bookings cancelled after signing the contract and in time period up to 90 days prior to boat embarkation.
b. Cancellation fee of 30% of the total charter fee, for bookings cancelled within a period of 90-60 days prior to boat embarkation
c. Cancellation fee of 50% of the total charter fee, for bookings cancelled within a period of 60-30 days prior to boat embarkation.
d. Cancellation fee of 100% of the total fee, for bookings cancelled in a period less than 30 days prior to boat embarkation.In case that the yacht under cancellation is re-chartered to another Charterer for the same period and under the same conditions only the dossier expenses will be charged.

In the event that the Charterer should elect to terminate the charter and deliver the yacht prior to the date designated in this Agreement, the Owner shall not be liable to the return of any proportional part of the hire money.

Total Loss of Yacht

11. Should the Yacht become an actual or constructive total loss before or during the Charter period, this Agreement shall be deemed to be at an end and the Charterer shallrecover from the Owner all charter monies paid in advance to the Owner only in case the loss has occurred before the charter period, or during the charter period, provided that the Charterer or his crew were not responsible for the loss.

Special Provisions Brokers

12. The special provisions if any, set out in the Schedule hereto are fully accepted and form part of this Agreement.
13. The Brokers act in good faith on behalf of both Owner and Charterer but contract as Brokers only and in no way incur any liability for any acts, matters or things done, committed, omitted or suffered by either party, except for the responsibilities provided by the pertinent legislation of Greece.

Arbitration of Disputes

14. In the event of any dispute arising between the parties hereto with respect to this Agreement or anything herein contained the same shall be referred to two Arbitrators in Greece one to be appointed by each party, whose decision shall be final or to an Umpire to be appointed by such Arbitrators, if and when they shall disagree, the decision in such event of the Umpire to be final.
 
   
    Preparation of Arrival  
 

Two weeks before charter starts we shall send you final BOARDING INSTRUCTIONS (name of the boat, pier of marina), and we will reconfirm you the meeting point, Alia Yachting’s representative name and his/her mobile telephone number so you can be assisted accordingly. At this time we should have received from you:

-Flight number, arrival time, final number of passengers
-Crew list (passport numbers, full addresses, emergency phone numbers)
-Copies of skipper’s and co-skipper’s licences or sailing resumes
-Provisioning list completed

Provisioning

Supermarkets or smaller grocery stores are available in all bases and departure points at a walking distance. In many bases, a transportation service from a local supermarket is provided free of charge. Provisions can be delivered by us directly to the yacht and can be paid on the spot.

Transportation

Transportation from the airport to the marina and from the marina to the airport can be arranged in advance. We can provide you a minibus (or bus), limousine or taxi, all at an extra charge, payable in Greece directly to Alia Yachting upon embarkation.