Yacht Brokerage

Who is This Course Suitable For?

Whether you’re already an experienced broker or you’re looking to make the transition to this vibrant industry in a junior capacity, the Diploma in Yacht Brokerage is applicable to anyone working within a yacht or charter brokerage environment.

Duration:

12 – 18 months

Duration:

12 – 18 months

Modules:

12 in total

Cost:

Diploma: £2,950

Certificate: £2,150

Recognised by:

University of Portsmouth

Course Structure

About the Course

Over the years this course has been updated to reflect all aspects of the constantly evolving yacht brokerage industry. Module subjects include essential matters such as registration, title rules and regulations, yacht brokers and the law, business management and valuation along with other challenging subjects such as insurance, finance, sea trials and chartering.

The course consists of 12 modules. All students are required to successfully complete and pass the module assignments. Diploma students will also be required to sit and pass a final examination.

1. An Introduction to the Yacht Brokerage Industry

Yachting safety

The purchase of a yacht

The law and yachts

Health and safety for the yacht broker

Customer relations & common courtesy

Brokerage companies and organisations

The essential resources for a yacht broker

Course Structure

The course consists of 12 modules. All students are required to successfully complete and pass the module assignments. Diploma students will also be required to sit and pass a final examination.

1. An Introduction to the Yacht Brokerage Industry

2. Types of Vessels & Technical Descriptions

Basics of design

Definitions of the principal dimension

Multihulls

The shape of hulls

Types of vessels

Sailing boats

Sails and rigging

Motorsailers

Powerboats

Inland waterways vessels

Mechanical propulsion devices

Materials & their construction

Internal equipment

Electronic & navigation equipment

Technical standards

Basic operational knowledge

Weather and tides

3. Registration, Title Rules and Regulations

The role and function of registration

Registration and the certification of registry

Admiralty law and jurisdiction

International maritime law

Documentation

National and international standards

The Royal Yachting Association Training & Qualifications

Schedules

4. Boat Brokers and the Law

Legal concepts

English Law and the National Legal System

The law of contract

The law of tort (negligence)

Liability in contract and tort

Sale of goods

UK legislation

Trade descriptions

Business practice

Value Added Tax (VAT)

Recreational Craft Directive (RCD)

Title & registration

Marine insurance

5. Business Management

Starting a boat brokerage business

Chosen product

Money

Risks

Advice

Mechanics

Obtaining listings, photography, advertising and publicity

Go and see the vessel and crawl over it yourself

Responsibilities of the different brokerages (listings and selling)

Getting the vessel on your books

Marketing and selling

The sale process

Communications, ethics and client relations

The five big thoughts

6. The Surveyor in Practice

The surveyor

Organising and completing the survey

Types of surveyors

What makes a good surveyor?

Types of surveys

The role of the surveyor and the sale process

The broker/surveyor relationship

7. Sea Trials

Sea trial and the broker

The purpose of the sea trial

Engine tests

Steering tests

Other system trials

Information recording and reporting

8. Valuation

Valuations

Valuation methodology

9. Insurance

The legal side of marine insurance

The practical side of marine insurance

The marine trades policy

10. Finance

Sources of finance available to the broker and the decision criteria

Title registration and the influence on options for finance

Liens and encumbrances

Value Added Tax (VAT)

Corporate ownership and the rationale

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

Client funds, trust, deposits and escrow accounts

Miscellaneous finance topics

11. Charter Yacht Brokerage

Why get into the charter yacht industry

Different types of charter

Structure of the yachting industry

Getting started

Finding yachts for your clients

Different types of charter yachts, toys, amenities and crew members

International chartering areas and their respective seasons

Itineraries

Finding clients

Sales training & closing the deal

Contracts

Financial transactions

Preference sheets

Clients & customer care

Niche marketing

Charter yacht booking

12. Yacht Sales

Sales and brokerage

Franchise / dealership

Introduction to superyacht brokerage

Role of the broker

Campaign – be prepared

Location

Purchasers profile & preferences