Hiring a Coast Guard‑Licensed Captain to Deliver Your Boat

There may be occasions when you need to hire someone to move or deliver your boat. While no law requires you to use a Coast Guard‑licensed captain, your insurance company or lender may require it. Asking an unlicensed friend to handle delivery can put both the relationship and your liability at risk, especially if an accident causes significant damage. For that reason, many owners choose a captain who holds a Merchant Mariner’s Credential (MMC).

Finding a professional captain is usually not difficult: there are generally more credentialed mariners than delivery assignments. That said, locating the right captain—one who matches your requirements, experience level and comfort zone—takes time and careful vetting. Owners of larger yachts often rely on management firms to find and screen captains; if you don’t have that option, the guidance below will help.

When do people hire a captain?

Owners hire captains for several common reasons. Many are simply too busy to move their boat themselves, particularly when weather events like hurricanes force relocations. Others have purchased a larger or more complex vessel and do not feel comfortable operating it. Captains are also frequently hired to conduct sea trials, oversee deliveries after purchase, or reposition a boat between marinas or seasonal locations.

How to locate a qualified, Coast Guard‑licensed captain

The most reliable referrals often come from friends or fellow boat owners who have used a captain successfully. If a personal referral isn’t available, reputable directories and professional associations can help you identify candidates and request resumes. Keep in mind that listing services typically do not guarantee a captain’s competence; those assessments are up to you.

• Chesapeake Area Professional Captains Association — many captains maintain profiles and you can post requirements.
• BoatUS professional captains listing — searchable listings to help you find local captains.
• Call a Captain — directories that allow you to review captains and crew available for hire.
• Boat Captains Online — a directory for captains available for deliveries and other services.

What qualifications should I check?

Holding an MMC requires passing written exams and documenting sea service. Depending on the credential level, the minimum documented time at sea can be as low as 360 sea days since age 14, with at least 90 of those days occurring in the most recent three‑year period. Beyond the MMC itself, ask specific questions about the captain’s experience:

• How many days at sea and on what types and sizes of vessels?
• Where have they primarily operated (inland, near coastal, or oceans)?
• What kinds of passages, weather conditions and navigational challenges have they handled?
• Do they have recent experience delivering boats similar in length, systems and complexity to yours?

Pay attention to the MMC endorsement: Inland, Near Coastal and Oceans limits affect where the captain is legally authorized to operate. A captain who normally works in Florida may not be the best choice to deliver a boat to Maine unless they hold appropriate endorsements and recent experience in those waters.

How much does hiring a captain cost?

Rates vary widely. A very low hourly quote (for example, something like $25 an hour) should raise concerns; professional rates will be substantially higher and will often reflect the captain’s experience, the vessel’s complexity and the length of the trip. Some captains charge by the hour, others by the day, and some offer flat fees for specific delivery routes. Clarify in advance what is included in the rate—fuel, docking fees, provisioning, crew wages—and what expenses you will be expected to cover separately. Make sure you understand the payment schedule, cancellation policy and any penalties for rescheduling.

Contracts and maritime law

Hiring a captain should be governed by a written agreement. Maritime and admiralty law differ from standard civil contracts, so have a maritime‑savvy attorney draft or review the contract. No two delivery agreements are identical; avoid signing boilerplate documents without ensuring terms are clear on scope of work, liability, insurance, indemnification, payment and dispute resolution. Both your interests and the captain’s benefit from a clear, tailored contract.

Who pays for delivery expenses?

Owners should plan to provide the captain with access to funds for necessary expenses. A common practice is to supply a credit or debit card and a limited power of attorney for “necessaries,” plus a petty cash amount to be accounted for at the trip’s end. Two practical reasons make this important: first, if the vessel has a mortgage, the bank may prohibit pledging the vessel as security for unpaid expenses, which can limit what the captain can be owed beyond wages; second, mechanical problems and remote boatyards sometimes require immediate payment in cash. In some remote locations, yards may insist on cash before releasing a vessel, and in rare cases they may hold the boat until payment is received.

Taking these steps—thorough vetting, a clear contract, and agreed procedures for expenses—will help ensure a smooth, professional delivery and reduce surprises for both owner and captain.

July 2013 issue