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Topsail Insurance Ltd offer Yachtsman’s Travel Policies with security provided by Canopius Managing Agents Limited, including a fully comprehensive Yachtsman’s Annual Multi-trip policy.

This policy covers yachting, sailing & powerboating within and outside territorial waters, SCUBA diving to 30 meters and other watersports. Gold and Silver policies also cover Wintersports (up to 21 oor 17 days) including ski equipment as well as piste closure. The policy includes:

  • Cover for cancellation or delay of 24 hours or more of your flight due to volcanic ash or adverse weather, such as snow, making it impossible to travel.
  • Cancellation due to the death, injury or serious illness of any person with whom you had arranged to travel or of their close family relative (provided any pre-existing medical conditions have been disclosed). So if the qualified skipper cannot travel, other crew members will be covered if they cannot continue the sailing trip without him.

It is a condition of your booking that you obtain adequate holiday insurance. If you make your own travel insurance arrangements you should check with your insurer whether there are restrictions on sailing holidays and whether there is cover in the event that the qualified skipper cannot travel.

Buy Annual Multi Trip travel Insurance

If you have any queries regarding this policy, you should contact Topsail Insurance for information on 01273 573 727.

"Just to say thank you for a brilliant holiday. The flotilla lead crew were excellent and could not have been more helpful and friendly. Bobby, who was our instructor for 3 days, was also excellent and we are already recommending Nautilus to other friends. We are looking forward to our next trip with you."

Ionian flotilla 2016 - S.R.
Trustpilot

Sailing Qualifications

To skipper a bareboat charter or flotilla yacht, you need to hold a practical sailing certificate equivalent to RYA Day Skipper Practical qualification or RYA International Certificate of Competence (ICC). For charters in Greece, you must now have the ICC certificate. You must also be assisted by at least one competent crew member over the age of 18.

The port authorities in Greece are now insisting on one of the following practical certificates: RYA ICC (International Certificate of Competence), RYA Coastal, RYA Yachtmaster, ASA IPC (International Proficiency Certificate) or the IYT (International Yacht Training) Passport. If you hold an RYA Day Skipper or ASA104 it will no longer be accepted and you need to obtain either an ICC or IPC from the corresponding issuing body (RYA or ASA). If your RYA Coastal/Yachtmaster or ASA105/106 certificate is more than 12 years old and does not have a photo ID, then we would also strongly advise applying for an ICC or IPC. If you are a member of the RYA or ASA, you may qualify for a discount or free certificate, otherwise, you will have to pay. The approximate cost is £50. Please use this link - RYA application for the ICC or ASA application for the IPC.

For charters in Croatia, Malta and the Canaries, at least one member of the crew or the skipper will also need a VHF licence.

RYA qualifications can be obtained by RYA sailing schools in the UK or alternatively choose from one of our overseas centres in Gibraltar, Greece or Turkey.

For Seychelles, the local authorities require an ICC for the skipper of a bareboat or flotilla yacht charter.

For Caribbean and Tropical charters, formal qualifications are not compulsory, however, you should be Day Skipper standard and be assisted by at least one competent crew. A brief sailing resume should be provided to outline your experience.

If you don't hold the relevant qualifications then why not add a skipper?

Sailing Levels

Level 1

Winds force 2-3 (4-11 Knots)combined with generally shorter distances. Good for beginner or intermediate sailors. Line-of-sight navigation but basic knowledge of charts and ability to plot your position required.

Level 2

Winds force 3-5 (7-21 Knots) with approximately 15-20nm per day. Intermediate experience required. Predominately line of sight navigation but an understanding of how to sail in open water.

Level 3

Winds force 4-6 (11-27 Knots) with mileage of approximately 20nm+ per day. Ideal for experienced skippers looking to venture out to new destinations. Day skipper standard but with experienced crew would be recommended.