Untitled

Bareboat Chartering Guide
welcomes you to sail the Greek Seas with our yachts. As self sail yacht charter (bareboat), our yachts are available to qualified crews who have experience and competence in the handling and operation of the vessel type and size chartered. A sailing license recognized by your state is required and must be brought with you during your charter.
Check in procedure
In case of emergencies
Check list for sailing/going ashore
Safe handling tips
During your sailing trip
Meltemi winds
In case of accidents
Weather forecasts
Check in procedure
boat over to you. Expect 1-2 hours for us to review the yacht handling procedures, location of safety and navigational equipment and other yacht essentials (Inventory List). Protocol for checking in periodically and your itinerary will be discussed. Carefully inspect the yacht for damages including the deck, hull, sails and equipment prior to signing the form for taking over the yacht. Ask for the location of the yacht manuals and review them if needed. Check list for sailing/going ashore
Carefully plan your sailing itinerary and review charts before departing. Mark the areas you intend to sail. All navigational equipment, charts and pencils are provided to you. Make use of the Greek Water Pilot manual for information about the islands and the Greek Seas. It can prove invaluable. Monitor the weather forecast before departure. Perform routine checks of the bilges, water and fuel tanks and battery charge. Always let the engine warm up while charging before departure. Check engine controls for properly engaging forward and reverse and for any ropes around the prop. Demonstration to your crew is essential in proper procedure and use of fire fighting and life saving equipment. Location of the first aid kit and how to operate the VHF unit. Be aware of proper protocol for distress/normal communication. Wear harnesses and life jackets at all times while on deck during rough weather. This is routine procedure and must be followed. Never allow children on deck without life jackets at any time. Following proper safety precautions will ensure your safety while sailing. It is your responsibility to follow the basic rules of sailing. When arriving at port, make sure the yacht is safely secured or safe at anchor. Check to make sure navigational lights are turned off in case of night arrival. Check and clean the bilge pump. Before going ashore, carefully place fenders to protect the vessel from swells of passing boats and other incoming yachts. The gangway should be placed on the dock while you are away and stored on the yacht while asleep. Make sure the main gas switch has been turned off, lock the yacht leaving small portholes open for ventilation. It is recommended that you carry all personal identification papers and currency with you while ashore. When refueling at port, avoid spills into the sea at all times. Garbage disposal is available at all ports. At no time shall non-biodegradable materials be thrown into the sea. Helpful reminders:
Perform routine checks of the yacht functioning daily before sailing. Check coolant, fuel and water levels. Check the fuel/water separator for water inside the glass. Drain if needed. Visually check the engine area for signs of coolant, fuel or engine oil leaks, broken or loose belts. Keep engine oil level above the 2 markson the dipstick, never below Avoid letting the engine with a nearly empty fuel tank. Water condensation will accumulate at the bottom of the tank. Follow the 2/3 rule before setting sail for your next destination. When starting the engine, look for water emerging at the exhaust outlet. If water is not emerging, stop the engine immediately and locate the cause. Use the engine manual for troubleshooting. Charge your batteries daily and as needed at approx. 1200 rpm (most important with use of electric refrigerator). Pay special attention that the electric refrigerator does not run on full power while the engine is not running. Doing so will drain your battery completely. During your sailing trip.
Maintain a daily log of your sailing. Plan your sailing times and destinations carefully to give yourself ample time for the return journey. Refer to the material given by the owner for nautical miles/hours. Observe the conditions of the charter agreement set forth upon your departure between destinations. If at any time you believe you will have difficulty reaching your destination/port because of inclement weather or other reasons, notify the owner/representative immediately for advisement. You will be responsible for handing over the yacht at the designated port and date as agreed. In the worst of circumstances, if you are unable to safely return the yacht for any reason, notify us immediately for advisement. Inform the owner/representative immediately if you have or suspect any problems or incidents. We welcome your honest reports. Doing so will protect you in the long run and will avoid unnecessary delays or discovery by the next charterer or during your check out time. Take special caution that any archeological artifacts or items of antiquity are prohibited from being taken from their location or out of the country. Also, the possession of illegal drugs carry strong penalties. strongly adheres to the fact that consumption of alcoholic beverages while sailing is a dangerous and unsafe practice. Loss of control over the yacht can place your own crew as well as other vessels and their crew in danger. You will be responsible for all liabilities and damages if such occur while found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The coast guard performs also alcohol-tests on the spot, in harbors or open sea. In case of accidents.
You must inform us immediately but latest 24 hours after the incident. You must inform the nearest Port Police Office, or if
at sea, the Port Police at your next port of entry. They will log the incident and give you a copy of the entry. Make sure you
receive these copies. You will be instructed to prepare a statement for the insurers called the "Master's Report". This
statement should be endorsed with the stamp of the Port Police Office. It should include names of all passengers and crew
list with addresses and phone numbers. All those formalities are necessary because the Insurers require them.
In case of emergency.
If at all possible do not abandon your vessel as the possibility can arise where it can cause accidents to other navigators. It
is clearly understood that abandoning the vessel may be appropriate and prudent at times when the lives of the crew are in
real or imminent danger. Always transmit "MAYDAY" from VHF Channel 16, state your position and nature of your
emergency. Do not switch to another channel before receiving a response. International distress calls need to be
transmitted three times in succession. Transmission of "PAN MEDICO" is the appropriate distress signal for serious
sickness or injury.
ALWAYS attempt to contact us for any emergency. Do not accept salvage assistance from any vessel other than the Port Authorities without our prior knowledge or consent. Safe handling tips.
Avoid accidents by following safe road rules and observing the other yachts navigation. In the case of the islands, there
are many passenger ferries and large ships arriving frequently. Sea traffic may be heavy at times and many mooring
places for yachts are near the ones used by these vessels. Avoid the swell caused by the final approach as they can
create such a wave that a yacht close by can easily be pushed against the quay, causing serious injury to both crew and
yacht. Known harbor areas where such accidents have occurred are: Meriha in Kythnos, Kamares in Sifnos, main harbors
of Naxos and Mykonos. The main Port of Syros, Poros and Tinos are also trouble areas to watch.
Meltemi winds
Great consideration needs to be taken in regards to the Meltemi winds, which is at its maximum wind speed between 20th
July and 20th August every year. The Meltemi blows from Northwest up to Northeast with varying directions of 90 degrees
depending on your location. The best time to sail during the Meltemi is a few hours before sunrise. The wind velocity is at
its lowest during this time and would be the best time to set sails. Even at these early hours, if the winds are heavy, then it
is advisable to stay in the harbor. A rule of thumb to follow is that if the wind velocity blows the same at sunrise and sunset
as it does during the day then you can expect it to blow the same velocity the next day. Alternately, if the wind velocity
drops during sunrise or sunset, then it would be expected to blow much less the next day. Always prepare for the worst
and expect the best. Make sure to get a good night's rest and eat a mild breakfast of dry toast/tea. Avoid caffeine and
dress warmly. Set sail as early as 0430 to 0530 when the winds are at their mildest.
Some seafaring hints: A red sky during sunset = wind the next day. A small cloud atop the highest island mountain peak
= wind
Weather forecasts VHF: Radio Channel 16 may be used for verbal weather reports. Weather & shipping forecast
times (LT summer): · 0900· 1300· 1900· 0100
Weather is announced at these times and then you are required to go to your appropriate VHF channel for your region:
METEOROLOGICAL BROADCASTS FOR SHIPPING
VHF OLYMPIA RADIO BROADCASTS
MF (RT) OLYMPIA RADIO WX BROADCASTS
Chan. WX Bulletin ( UTC )
WX Bulletin ( UTC )
HF (SITOR) OLYMPIA RADIO WX BROADCASTS
NAVTEX BROADCASTS

Source: http://www.yachtingpower.gr/bareboatguide.pdf