Sailing licence, experience and skipper requirements

Whether you need a professional skipper depends on the flag of the yacht and the documentation you hold.

You'll need a professional skipper if: - You do not hold a current sailing licence (RYA, ICC, IYT or equivalent recognised in the country of registration). - Your licence is held but you have not skippered a yacht of comparable size in open water in the last 24 months. - The yacht is over 24 metres (most jurisdictions require commercial endorsements above this length).

Bareboat charter (no skipper) is possible when at least one guest holds a valid licence and demonstrable recent experience. The charter partner will request copies of documents during booking confirmation.

If in doubt, your concierge can quietly request a skipper for the first 24 hours only — a useful option for guests returning to sailing after a long break.