Yachts & Superyachts

We represent every aspect of the yachting industry and community, from everyday pleasure yachts, to racing yachts, to many of the world’s most exclusive and exotic superyachts and megayachts. We have a long history in representing distinctive individuals, industry and internet leaders, and sports figures through the legal process associated with acquisition, ownership, insurance, offshore registry, management, chartering and sale of yachts, superyachts and megayachts. The range of services we provide in these areas includes:

• Negotiating and documenting the construction, sale, purchase and secured financing of yachts, superyachts and megayachts for owners.
• Negotiating and documenting charters of superyachts and megayachts.
• Insurance and regulatory advice.
• Offshore registration and flag of convenience advice and documentation.
• Crew Employment Agreements and Manuals.
• Negotiating and drafting of vessel management agreements.
• Non-Disclosure Agreements for crew.
• Advice regarding lawful avoidance of yacht use tax, property tax, and VAT.
• Representation of yacht manufacturers and ship builders.
• Representation of shipyards and repair yards servicing yachts, superyachts and megayachts.

Representative Matters

• Represented seller in sale of revolutionary superyacht to financial industry celebrity. We closed the deal on a Saturday at Cayman Island Ship Registry, in the middle of a named-hurricane.
• Represented sports team owner in the sale of his superyacht to a golfing icon.
• Represented owner of world-famous $30MM sailing yacht in management, crewing agreements, and chartering agreements.
• Represent the owner of a 50 Million Euro sailing vessel with regard to post-construction management, crewing, and legalization issues.
• Represent owner of $200MM yacht with regard to management company negotiations and contracts, chartering company negotiations and contracts, crew contracts, crew manuals, and confidentiality agreements.
• Represent owner of modern-day $50MM J-Boat racing yacht.
• Represent a leading U.S. West Coast yacht and superyacht repair facility.
• Provide complete legal services to owners of some of the world’s largest and most exotic yachts.
• Obtain U.S. Customs Cruising Licenses for foreign yachts and superyachts.
• Represented owner of superyacht destroyed by fire in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and obtained prompt and full insurance recovery.
• Counseled owners of yachts and superyachts in lawful avoidance of sales and use tax, as well as VAT - resulting in a collective savings to date for owner clients of over $75MM.
• Successfully assisted owner of superyacht in lawful avoidance of $250,000 California property tax assessment.
• Represented charterer of a superyacht in a $1 MM one-month charter
• Provide complete legal services to owners of some of the world’s largest and most exotic yachts.