Whether your interest in yachts and superyachts is personal or professional, get on board with us. We are passionate about yachts, and speak the language of yachting.
You, Yachts & Superyachts
& Ince, in any case
Yachts and superyachts are luxury assets which are subject to changing laws and regulations. It is essential that you have the right advisers at your side to help protect your interests.
We are passionate about what we do, and our approach is measured and calm. We regulate relationships, building stronger partnerships within which our clients’ interests are protected and nurtured.
Our dedicated specialist yachts and superyachts team can help you with all aspects of buying and selling, registering, managing, remaining compliant and we are on hand for support in case of emergencies.
Sale and purchase
It is tempting to rely on standard form contracts alone, but doing so may leave you exposed. Our experienced yachting lawyers know when to negotiate and re-draft, with the goal of getting the deal over the line.
Finance
Financing can let you make better use of your own resources. We advise lenders and borrowers on all aspects, including drafting, coordinating and reviewing loan and security documentation relating to superyacht purchase and construction.
Constructionand refit
Bespoke products need bespoke contracts. Not only should these protect your interests, they should also form a roadmap which you can refer to for guidance to keep your project on track.
Registration
Selecting the right flag is an important choice. Registration affects not only yacht operation, finance, insurance, and crew employment, but also the attitude of port inspectors. Our team can provide you with clear and straightforward guidance.
Taxation
Even within the EU, tax laws and interpretations vary wildly. It is a complex and constantly evolving area. Our trusted experts provide guidance on the VAT and customs implications of yacht ownership and use, as well as managing customs formalities and investigations.
Ownership
How to structure your ownership will depend on your circumstances. Our experienced lawyers will guide you through this process, asking the right questions to ensure we provide you with the right structure.
They have a very good knowledge of the market and are respected within the yacht market.
Compliance and sanctions
Breaches of sanctions and regulations can present significant risk for individuals and organisations alike. Effective sanctions advice and compliance programmes can optimise risk management and limit the consequences of any violations.
Insurance
Given the complexities of insurance law, it is best to understand the risks that insurers will and will not cover at the outset. As your trusted partner, we will make you aware of your duties and help you avoid surprises when making a claim.
Management
A shoreside manager may be a luxury or a necessity depending on yacht size or preference, but clear responsibilities are a must. We can help you prepare management contracts which form the foundation of resilient relationships.
Employment
Crew employment is highly regulated and more complicated than engaging staff ashore. We have a team of expert employment lawyers who can advise on specialist employment contracts, policies, and disputes.
Casualty/incident and litigation assistance
When an accident or injury occurs we are on hand to rapidly deploy, guide and advise you. The first few hours following an incident are critical. We have the expertise to identify and preserve key evidence and help you understand your rights and dutiesboth in the immediate aftermath and beyond should the accident or injury result in a claim.We can also steer you through the process of liaising with the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA), and Police where necessary.
Business/private jets and helicopters
Our aviation practice is fully integrated with the Yachts & Superyachts team. We provide our clients with advice on purchase, registration, operation, taxation, finance and insurance of all types of aircraft.
We have found Ince to be very proactive in their dealings with clients and they are certainly an outfit that find solutions to complexities that might arise to suit all parties.
Key contacts
Daniel Crockford / Partner, Head of Bristol Office, Head of Insurance (Bristol) / Bristol
M +44 7442 492058
D +44 117 472 7374
danielcrockford@incegd.com
William Chetwood / Partner / London
M +44 (0)7973 228 076
D +44 (0)20 7759 1597
WilliamChetwood@incegd.com
Alex Penberthy / Partner, Maritime Law and Marine Insurance / Bristol
M +44 (0) 7442 496 529
D +44 (0) 117 472 7373
alexpenberthy@incegd.com
Clarissa Dumolo / Managing Associate / Bristol
M +44 7583 678 642
D +44 117 472 7372
ClarissaDumolo@incegd.com
News & insights on Yachts & Superyachts
News / Court considers scope of charterparty provision restricting deductions from hire
30-01-2023 / Maritime, Yachts & Superyachts
The Court recently considered the following question: “Where a charterparty clause provides that no deductions from hire (including for off-hire or alleged off-hire) may be made without the shipowner’s consent: is non-payment of hire a ‘deduction’ if the Vessel is off hire at the instalment date?”
News / Fire at the Ferretti Shipyard – the destruction of a yacht under construction
10-02-2022 / Yachts & Superyachts
On 11 January 2022, a fire broke out at Ferretti Shipyard in Cattolica, Italy, reportedly causing the total loss of a 30-metre yacht under construction, which was close to completion. Fortunately, it is understood that no one was injured.
News / Mutual benefit: A focus on superyacht crew welfare - Interview with SuperyachtNews
07-10-2021 / Maritime, Yachts & Superyachts
“I am regularly instructed on behalf of yacht owners and their liability underwriters to defend crew mental health claims made against them, a trend which had been increasing for several years now,” starts Rachel Butlin, partner at Ince. “Within the yacht industry, I have been involved in many cases in which there have been not just physical injuries to yacht crew but increasingly psychiatric ones, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders, as well as depression and the emotional consequences of bullying/assault.”
Events / Monaco Yacht Show
21-09-2021 / Yachts & Superyachts
Join the team at the Monaco Yacht Show.
Insights / Bulletin 9: Covid-19 & Impact of the Environment on the Superyacht Industry
23-07-2020 / Yachts & Superyachts
The COVID-19 pandemic has evidenced the inextricable and delicate connection between the environment, our health and the economy. This is of paramount importance to the superyacht industry, as the enjoyment of clean seas and of unspoilt nature is the essence of the yachting experience.
Insights / Yacht & Superyacht Bulletins
30-06-2020 / Yachts & Superyachts
Our Yacht & Superyacht team have produced a number of informative bulletins providing updates within their sector following recent Covid-19 developments.
News / Bulletin 8: Crew welfare in times of pandemic
11-06-2020 / Yachts & Superyachts
As my colleagues have said in previous yacht bulletins, we are seeing the impact of the Covid-19 virus pandemic in all aspects of our lives. Seafarers / yacht crew have been, and continue to be, significantly affected, often feeling powerless and faced with months on board or in hotel rooms miles from home.
Insights / Bulletin 7 - When and how European countries are opening up to yachting
20-05-2020 / Yachts & Superyachts
This week, as countries start to ease restrictions and open ‘for business’, we take a look at what guidelines are in place in key European yachting centres. With information changing almost daily and each country approaching it differently it has not been easy to stay abreast!
News / Bulletin 6: Notaries
12-05-2020 / Yachts & Superyachts
In this week’s bulletin we look at the situation in various jurisdictions in relation to notary services.
News / Bulletin 5: Yachting events in times of Covid 19, lock down and social distancing
06-05-2020 / Yachts & Superyachts
As the whole world has been hit by the Coronavirus, the disease and the resulting world-wide endeavours to keep the population safe and healthy through lockdowns, social distancing, travel bans and quarantines, the yachting world of yacht shows and yacht racing has not been spared. Both yacht shows and yacht racing primarily involves moving large pieces of equipment and a large number of people around the world to the respective venues and this is even before the event properly starts.
News / Bulletin 4: Sale and Purchase of Superyachts
23-04-2020 / Yachts & Superyachts
In this latest briefing from the Ince Yachts & Superyachts team, we look at some of the obstacles to the sale and purchase of superyachts during the lockdown, and some potential legal solutions.
News / Bulletin 3: Covid-19 and Force Majeure
14-04-2020 / Yachts & Superyachts
Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, we have increasingly been asked by our clients to advise on whether the pandemic itself or events arising out of COVID-19 amount to force majeure events, excusing one or both parties from performing all or part of their obligations under a contract. In this bulletin, we will consider how force majeure events are defined and how this is relevant to the yacht industry in the context of COVID-19, with a particular focus on yacht-building contracts and yacht charters.
News / Bulletin 2: Covid-19 and its impact on crews
07-04-2020 / Yachts & Superyachts
The global Covid-19 pandemic has and will continue to have significant impact on yacht crews around the globe. This bulletin shall briefly address the challenges that crews and their employers face in these times and demonstrate an insight into the legal framework into which solutions must fit.
News / Bulletin 1: Yacht chartering & the Coronavirus (Covid-19)
01-04-2020 / Yachts & Superyachts
On 11 March the World Health Organisation declared the “global COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic”. Almost 754,948 cases have now been reported to WHO from 203 countries [1].
Events / Superyacht Investor London - 16 to 17 May 2022
27-03-2023 / Yachts & Superyachts
Our Yachts & Superyachts team are pleased to be attending Superyacht Investor London from 16 to 17 May 2022.
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