Frequently
Asked Questions

This will largely depend on the type, use and value of the vessel. If you are looking for advice and guidance on vessel sale & purchase contracts, vessel ownership and title checks, or legal compliance issue such as VAT and the Recreational Craft Directive (CE marking) get in touch.

Perhaps you’re looking for advice on what documents you need to produce or receive for boat sale and purchase. Maybe you are looking to guard against losing your deposit or minimising any risk to your sale proceeds or purchase funds. In these circumstances we would recommend using a lawyer.

Please get in touch to see how we can be of help.

This will largely depend on the type of mooring arrangement. Is it a leasehold mooring or licence? If you’re not sure, or you want to know the difference, just get in touch as we would be happy to help.

Perhaps you are looking for advice on the terms of a mooring licence or berth holders agreement? How is it sold, transferred or assigned? Do you know all the costs involved? Have the terms and conditions of the marina or mooring operated been made clear to you?

Whatever the circumstances, we have specialist lawyers that can guide you through the mooring process.

We are a specialist law firm, regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, operating a solicitors client account (audited) using qualified solicitors to advise on all legal aspects of buying, selling, owning and operating vessels and moorings.

A yacht broker is in the business of selling boats, and typically instructed to act on behalf of a seller.

Peace of mind, protection of your asset, security of your investment, risk management, advantage of expert legal advice from qualified solicitors. We operate a solicitors client account which is regulated and audited and used for escrow or stakeholder arrangements for our clients giving you flexibility and protection.

We work on a fixed fee basis for our clients which creates cost certainty and helps with budget planning from the outset. We don’t charge by the email or phone call.

Unlike yacht brokers, our fees are not based on the value of a vessel, but calculated on a time spent basis from extensive experience in this specialist area. Once we know more about a specific transaction, we will firm up a fixed fee offer with you.

We are not able to offer marine finance directly, however we can put you in touch with our marine finance contacts who can advise on marine mortgages and marine finance packages to suit your needs.

We aren’t able to offer marine insurance, however we can facilitate introductions to our trusted marine insurance contacts who can assist and advise you on all types of marine insurance tailored to your specific requirements.

Contact us today and we can advise you.

Depending on when the last survey was carried out and the type of survey (such as an in-water or hull survey) we would always recommend enlisting the help of a marine surveyor when purchasing a vessel.

It is important to check the condition of a vessel, get advice on any repair, maintenance and service records. Ask to see previous survey reports so your surveyor can advise on the vessel history as this will be important when obtaining marine insurance for the vessel. Perhaps you are unsure of the difference between a post constructive survey and hull thickness report.

Whatever your survey query, get in touch and we can facilitate introductions to our network of reputable marine surveyors.

Presently, houseboat registration in the UK isn’t compulsory for UK owners. It is compulsory if you’re travelling outside of the UK. 

If you have a houseboat or canal boat and want to keep it or use it on UK inland waterways, rivers and canals, you may have to contact the local navigation authority (such as Canal and River Trust www.canalrivertrust.org.uk or Environment Agency www.gov.uk). 

If you are travelling to Europe, you will need registration for your houseboat. 

We can help guide you through the entire process. Contact us for more guidance. 

The UK Ship Register is part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) which is an executive agency of the UK Government’s Department for Transport (www.ukshipregister.co.uk). It is a world renowned quality flag and shipping register for vessels.

Contact us to find out more about whether or not you need to register your vessel. 

The main difference between the two types of vessel registration is the eligibility requirements and evidence required. Part 1 is a title register, it shows the vessel’s history and is used to establish ownership. It can also record details of any mortgages on the vessel.

The SSR provides a simple form of non-title registration for eligible UK residents that own pleasure vessels less than 24 metres in length. The procedure for SSR registration is more informal in respect of eligibility requirements and evidence.

Contact us to get advice on which type of registration you need for your vessel. 

The concept of ownership is linked to registration and registration confers the flag state of a boat. This means vessel registration creates the national identity or flag state of a boat so that rights and obligations can be identified and regulated.

By registering your boat, you are bound by your flag state’s rules and regulations regarding liability, safety and training.

Contact us for help. We can advise on lost, missing or destroyed paperwork. Find out how you can access expert legal help to help sell your boat in the absence of title paperwork.

Buying a boat can be complicated and complex, but it doesn’t have to be. Let us guide you through the process. We carry out searches and title checks on your behalf. We also work with agencies to protect our clients and minimise risk.

Buying a boat should be a pleasurable experience. Let us do the hard work for you.