Imagine if there is a situation where you, as a boat owner, are in need of proper maritime transport for your vessel. Be it from the anchorage at a marina to a dry dock, to repair service, for maintenance or after the maintenance back to the sea. Or if you just bought a vessel and need proper transport to where your yacht will be moored.
If it’s a charter boat, usually, a yacht charter company will take care of the maintenance, and the manufacturer will provide transport to your desired location. And that’s all. Your role in this is to ensure that your vessel is adequately transferred and appropriately insured during that process. As accidents do happen, you should protect yourself in advance from all sides with maritime transport insurance.
Boat transport insurance typically covers vessels while they are being transported by land or sea, or during extraction from and launching back into the sea. It’s not always customarily a part of yacht hull insurance, and it needs to be additionally contracted, i.e. protect the vessel during transport.
But at Yacht-Pool you are fully covered. Still, it’s much more extensive and deserves a more detailed explanation than: “you are covered during transport”.
This simple explanation usually involves many details which are essential for protecting your investment as the vessel owner. Insurance for maritime transport mainly minimises potential financial loss in case of accidents or damages during transport.
Insuring your vessel for different types of transportation situations
To insure a vessel during transport, you can get marine cargo insurance or hull insurance.
Marine cargo insurance covers the cargo being transported, including the vessel itself; as it has to be transferred from the manufacturer to the marina or some other mooring spot at some point.
When insuring a vessel for transport, the insurance policy usually includes coverage for all stages of maritime transport; extraction, loading and unloading, as well as any temporary storage or layovers during the transport process. The policy also specifies the value of the vessel and the level of coverage provided in case of damage or loss.
It’s essential to make sure that the insurance policy covers all potential risks during the extraction process, including damage caused by weather, other vessels, or equipment failures.
Does maritime transport insurance cover the boat trailer?
Yacht-Pool transport insurance (as a part of hull insurance) covers the boat trailer as well as the vessel itself. The coverage for the trailer typically includes protection from risks and damages caused due to any mishap, such as fire, lightning strikes, explosions or theft.
This means that if the trailer is involved in an accident or is damaged in any way, the insurance policy will provide financial compensation to cover the cost of repairs or replacement.
But there is a catch, so to speak. A registered company must provide the extraction or transport of any kind. If it’s a smaller vessel, the trailer must be both adequate and registered for that type of vessel.
By must, we really do mean – must. Even if your vessel is insured, insurance will not be valid if extraction or towing is done by someone who does not have the proper experience, towing company or trade. Or as we mentioned before, the trailer is not adequate of not properly registered.
For example, the insurance policy generally specifies that the trailer must be properly registered and compliant with all relevant laws and regulations. Some policies may even go into more detail and require that the trailer be adequately maintained and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
You must know that insurance that covers your vessel during transport and provides comprehensive protection for both the vessel and the trailer, minimises the risk of financial loss in case of accidents or damages during transport.
Does the insurance include road transport?
Yacht transport insurance as a part of hull insurance includes coverage for road transport of the vessel by a motor vehicle and its trailer within Europe.
The coverage for road transport typically includes coverage from traffic accidents, theft of the vessel or any of its parts. Suppose the vessel or its parts are damaged or stolen during transportation. In that case, the insurance policy will provide financial compensation to cover the cost of repairs or replacement.
Coverage for road transport may be subject to certain conditions or limitations. For example, the vessel must be properly secured and transported in accordance with all relevant laws and regulations.
Yacht extraction – from the sea and back to the sea
Yacht extraction from the sea and back to the sea must be done using specialised equipment and procedures to ensure the safety of the vessel and everyone involved. And it must be done by experienced people.
The specific method used may depend on a variety of factors, such as the size and type of the vessel, the location of the extraction site, and the weather conditions.
Common methods of yacht extraction from the sea are using a crane or boat lift, which involves lifting the vessel out of the water and transporting it to a storage or maintenance area on the land. The crane or a boat lift may be located at a marina or boatyard. It can be used to extract the vessel for various reasons, such as maintenance, repairs, or storage.
Another method of yacht extraction is using a trailer, which involves pulling the vessel out of the water onto a specialised trailer and transporting it elsewhere. This method may be used for smaller vessels or locations where a crane or lift is unavailable.
Regarding maritime insurance coverage for yacht extraction, most insurance policies will cover damages or losses that occur during the process. This may include coverage for damages to the vessel itself, equipment, or property caused by accidents during the extraction.
But only if the specialised personnel do the extraction properly, and carefully. And it’s also vital to ensure that all safety protocols and procedures are followed during the extraction process to minimise the risk of accidents or damages.
Who is specialised for transportation and vessel extraction?
Vessel extraction is a specialised process that requires experience, expertise, and the right equipment. Depending on the type and size of the vessel, the extraction process may involve a team of professionals with different skills and responsibilities. Some of the people who may be involved in vessel extraction include:
- Crane operators – if a crane is used for vessel extraction, an experienced crane operator is required to operate the crane safely and efficiently.
- Dockhands – are responsible for securing the vessel to the crane or travel lift and ensuring it’s properly balanced and aligned before lifting it out of the water.
- Riggers – rigging specialists are responsible for attaching the lifting slings or straps to the vessel and ensuring it is properly positioned for safe lifting.
- Proper personnel – if the vessel is being extracted for maintenance or repair, boatyard, marina or charter staff, such as mechanics or technicians may be involved in the extraction process to ensure that the vessel is adequately prepared for service. And, of course, all under the supervision of the base manager.
- Transport drivers – if the vessel is transported on a trailer, a qualified driver with experience is required to safely transport the vessel to its destination.
In short, make sure your policy includes all the details regarding maritime transport, because you can never predict some situations, and accidents do happen – and not just to others.
It is also important to carefully review the terms and conditions of the insurance policy to ensure that the transport cover meets all your requirements and the needs of your vessel.
If you need more information or have additional questions, you can always request our quote online.
