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One tiny word in a marine contract can decide who gets paid and who gets stranded. We unpack the real meaning of pay-first, pay-if-paid, and pay-when-paid in yacht builds, refits, and charters, and trace how P&I club traditions shaped today’s clauses. From owners to shipyards, subcontractors, brokers, and charterers, we map the entire payment chain so you can see where money stalls, why it stalls, and how to keep your project moving when one party hits a cash wall.

We go deep on insurance structure too: deductibles, primary layers, and the often-invisible reinsurance towers that can trigger pay-as-paid delays. You’ll hear how enforcement differs across jurisdictions—why Florida and England often honor these clauses, why France rejects them, and why a quiet New York governing law provision in a yacht policy can wreck a claim even when a breach didn’t cause the loss. Along the way, we share hard lessons from real cases: unpaid subs, insolvent yards with heavy mortgages, charterers arriving to unseaworthy yachts, and banks blindsided by misdirected funds.

The takeaway is practical and immediate. Read for conditional words like if, when, and as. Verify solvency as liquidity, not just net worth. Demand third-party guarantees from entities with real, provable assets. Check recorded liens on yard property, use escrow that protects deposits, and align broker fee splits with clear payment conditions. Above all, plan for collectability before you sign; a courtroom win without a pocket to recover from is no win at all.

If this helped you spot risks in your own contracts, subscribe, share the show with a fellow owner or broker, and leave a review with the clause you’re most worried about. Your question might shape a future episode.

Have a yacht law question? Email it to info@megayachtnews.com or michael@moore-and-co.com for your chance to have it answered on our podcast. All requests for confidentiality and/or anonymity are respected.

Hiring a lawyer is a big decision. Visit Moore & Company for the legal team's qualifications and experience. And, to learn the latest about superyacht launches, shipyards, designs, and destinations, visit Megayacht News.

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Thinking about bidding on a seized superyacht? We walk through the real mechanics of judicial sales—what triggers them, how courts run them, and why a properly executed auction can deliver title that holds up worldwide. From sanctions stories like Amadea to bread‑and‑butter arrests for unpaid crew wages, we separate media myths from the rules that actually govern these high‑stakes transactions.

We explain why the U.S. Marshal process is considered the gold standard under the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty and Maritime Claims, including publication, bidding requirements, deposits, and post‑sale confirmation. You’ll hear how foreign courts assess fairness and why cases like Blue Star in Malta matter for cross‑border recognition. We also dig into the uncomfortable stuff, especially how courts judge “prudent” buyers who ignore red flags and chase a bargain. If you’ve ever wondered how KYC, sanctions lists, and source‑of‑funds checks shape who gets to bid, we’ve got stories and specifics.

Finally, being able to conduct a sea trial or survey before bidding is likely impossible, so we share practical due diligence tactics: interviewing crew and former managers, tracing ownership records, and more. We also confront the reality of zombie yachts—uncrewed, uninsured, and decaying fast—and what happens when they result from a judicial sale order. Finally, we outline bidder responsibilities at the courthouse steps, why misrepresenting a principal is a fast track to trouble, and how to make sure the yacht you buy stays yours to enjoy.

If this helped you navigate the world of yacht auctions, follow the show, share it with a friend in the industry, and leave a quick review telling us your biggest auction question.

Have a yacht law question? Email it to info@megayachtnews.com or michael@moore-and-co.com for your chance to have it answered on our podcast. All requests for confidentiality and/or anonymity are respected.

Hiring a lawyer is a big decision. Visit Moore & Company for the legal team's qualifications and experience. And, to learn the latest about superyacht launches, shipyards, designs, and destinations, visit Megayacht News.

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We map the financial traps that sink yacht dreams: overcrowded yards, unsecured payments, "trust me" agreements, and deposits that erase leverage. Practical fixes follow—credit checks, real performance guarantees, firm delivery dates, and overall strategies that protect yacht and superyacht owners.

• why crowded yards can signal cash stress
• unsecured payments vs first preferred ship mortgage reality
• firm delivery dates and delay damages as leverage
• verifying guarantees and avoiding sham instruments
• reading yard-wide delays as systemic risk
• using credit searches and lien checks for clarity
• avoiding non-refundable deposits with strong LOIs.

Have a yacht law question? Email it to info@megayachtnews.com or michael@moore-and-co.com for your chance to have it answered on our podcast. All requests for confidentiality and/or anonymity are respected.

Hiring a lawyer is a big decision. Visit Moore & Company for the legal team's qualifications and experience. And, to learn the latest about superyacht launches, shipyards, designs, and destinations, visit Megayacht News.

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Paper beats steel when a superyacht rides a transport ship. We break down how a gleaming vessel turns into “cargo,” why the bill of lading is the most powerful page in the journey, and how small oversights in cradles, insurance, and scheduling cascade into seven-figure losses. From purpose-built float-on carriers to NVOCCs, we map the key differences between owning the ships and brokering space on them, and what that means when timetables slip or one with your precious yacht aboard chases higher-paying freight.

True stories underline the stakes: original bills of lading stolen, a port agent missing bookings that triggered massive demurrage, and a multi-million-dollar yacht loss gutted by limitations under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act. You’ll hear why custody of documents determines release, and how to plan for on-deck cargo risks on routes that don’t run on yachting schedules. We also talk through emergency playbooks—posting bonds, racing into court for fast relief, and coordinating with insurers—so you can save your yacht when the window is measured in hours.

If you’re lining up a seasonal migration, this conversation emphasizes how crucial it is to vet freight forwarders, verify bills, and secure end-to-end insurance coverage. The core lesson is brutally simple: contract terms and insurance decide your recovery, not replacement value or intentions. And there’s a hard deadline you cannot miss—the one-year time bar for cargo claims from delivery or scheduled delivery.

Enjoy the episode, then help another captain, broker, or owner avoid a costly mistake: follow the show, share this with your team, and leave a quick review telling us the one detail you’ll handle differently next time.

Have a yacht law question? Email it to info@megayachtnews.com or michael@moore-and-co.com for your chance to have it answered on our podcast. All requests for confidentiality and/or anonymity are respected.

Hiring a lawyer is a big decision. Visit Moore & Company for the legal team's qualifications and experience. And, to learn the latest about superyacht launches, shipyards, designs, and destinations, visit Megayacht News.

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A game-changing tax opportunity has emerged for yacht owners and prospective buyers with the recent passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The restoration of 100% bonus depreciation in 2025 offers an extraordinary financial advantage that could transform the economics of yacht ownership.

Michael Moore, a maritime attorney and co-host of The Yacht Law Podcast, breaks down this complex tax provision into practical, actionable insights. The concept is straightforward: rather than depreciating a yacht's value over its typical 10-year useful life, qualified owners can deduct the entire cost in a single tax year. For individuals with significant tax liabilities, this represents a substantial and immediate benefit.

Qualifying isn't complicated, but it does require attention to specific details. The yacht must be owned through a pass-through entity like an S-corporation, operated predominantly in US waters (including territories like Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands), and function as a legitimate charter business. While personal use should be avoided during the qualification year, professional yacht management companies can establish and operate compliant charter programs that satisfy IRS requirements.

The bareboat charter option provides a pathway to operate legally in domestic waters. Though this arrangement requires transferring operational control to the charterer, qualified captains approved by marine insurers can maintain professional standards while satisfying regulatory requirements.

With only the remainder of 2025 to capitalize on this opportunity, potential buyers might consider accelerating purchase decisions. As Moore notes, "You're getting such a gift here" – but it's essential to structure everything properly with qualified tax advisors who understand both maritime operations and tax regulations.

Whether you're considering your first yacht purchase or looking to upgrade an existing vessel, this podcast provides critical information that could save you millions in taxes while stimulating the broader maritime economy. Listen now to learn how to navigate the advantages.

Have a yacht law question? Email it to info@megayachtnews.com or michael@moore-and-co.com for your chance to have it answered on our podcast. All requests for confidentiality and/or anonymity are respected.

Hiring a lawyer is a big decision. Visit Moore & Company for the legal team's qualifications and experience. And, to learn the latest about superyacht launches, shipyards, designs, and destinations, visit Megayacht News.

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The luxury yachting world stands at the threshold of an exciting new frontier as Japan emerges as a premium cruising destination. While most yacht owners gravitate toward the Mediterranean's familiar shores, our latest conversation reveals why Japan deserves serious consideration for your next maritime adventure.

Sailing through Japanese waters offers an unexpected blend of familiar Western yachting comforts with distinctive Eastern hospitality. The country's approach to welcoming private vessels proves remarkably straightforward thanks to the Neko-san permit system, allowing indefinite stays without repeated customs clearances. Crew members receive generous 90-day visas, creating the perfect environment for extended exploration of Japan's 3,000 islands and breathtaking 18,000-mile coastline.

Japan's maritime infrastructure stands ready to accommodate the most discerning yacht owners. Well-appointed marinas staffed by attentive personnel, sophisticated mooring systems designed to withstand typhoons, and pristine waters protected by strict environmental regulations create an experience that rivals or exceeds traditional yachting destinations. The Japanese government clearly recognizes yachting's potential, evidenced by their inaugural delegation heading to the Monaco Boat Show this year.

Perhaps most compelling is what Japan represents for the future of global yachting. With McKinsey research indicating that only 4% of ultra-wealthy individuals currently participate in yachting, destinations like Japan offer the perfect combination of novelty, safety, and luxury that could expand the industry's horizons. Whether you're a seasoned yachtsman seeking fresh cruising grounds or considering your first yacht charter, Japan's welcoming waters, stunning archipelago, and sophisticated maritime culture deserve a prominent place on your nautical bucket list.

Ready to explore beyond the familiar Mediterranean and Caribbean routes? Join the pioneering yacht owners discovering Japan's maritime treasures. Follow us for more insights into emerging yachting destinations and share your own cruising experiences in previously unexplored waters.

Have a yacht law question? Email it to info@megayachtnews.com or michael@moore-and-co.com for your chance to have it answered on our podcast. All requests for confidentiality and/or anonymity are respected.

Hiring a lawyer is a big decision. Visit Moore & Company for the legal team's qualifications and experience. And, to learn the latest about superyacht launches, shipyards, designs, and destinations, visit Megayacht News.

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Artificial intelligence isn't coming to the yachting industry—it's already here, transforming operations, creating opportunities, and raising critical legal questions that owners, crew, designers, and builders need to understand now.

Maritime attorney Michael Moore and journalist Diane Byrne unpack the complex realities of AI in the luxury yacht sector, revealing how the absence of comprehensive federal regulations has created a Wild West atmosphere where innovation and exploitation exist side by side. "There is no comprehensive federal law in the United States of America concerning AI," Moore explains, highlighting how state-by-state approaches are creating a regulatory patchwork that poses challenges for an inherently global industry.

The conversation delves into disturbing trends including deepfake videos showing fictional yacht collisions and sinkings—content that generates clicks and revenue while potentially damaging vessel brands and spreading misinformation. AI-related false creations extend beyond social media to serious contexts, with Moore describing how attorneys have already been reprimanded for "hallucinations," citing non-existent legal precedents generated by AI systems.

Yet amidst these concerns lie remarkable opportunities. AI promises to revolutionize yacht operations through advanced fire detection systems that identify both smoke and heat before human perception, streamlined supply chain management to address construction delays, and data analytics that enable predictive maintenance. These innovations represent the positive potential of thoughtfully implemented artificial intelligence in the yachting ecosystem.

For yacht owners concerned about privacy and information security, the discussion offers valuable insights into data protection regulations and potential vulnerabilities. As Moore notes with characteristic clarity, "If you're not paying for the product, you are the product," a reminder that personal data has become a valuable commodity requiring vigilant protection, especially in the privacy-conscious world of luxury yachting.

Ready to navigate the complex intersection of artificial intelligence and yachting? Contact Michael Moore or Diane Byrne through the information in our show notes with your questions and suggestions for future episodes exploring more of this rapidly evolving technological frontier.

Have a yacht law question? Email it to info@megayachtnews.com or michael@moore-and-co.com for your chance to have it answered on our podcast. All requests for confidentiality and/or anonymity are respected.

Hiring a lawyer is a big decision. Visit Moore & Company for the legal team's qualifications and experience. And, to learn the latest about superyacht launches, shipyards, designs, and destinations, visit Megayacht News.

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Yacht deposit disputes are heating up in an industry already feeling the pressure of tariff uncertainties. Michael Moore and Diane Byrne dive into the complex world of deposit recovery, exploring why more buyers are suddenly concerned about getting their money back when yacht deals fall through.

The conversation reveals a stark contrast between two industry-standard contracts: the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association (MYBA) and International Yacht Brokers Association (IYBA). While IYBA offers what Moore calls an "easy in, easy out" approach, allowing buyers to reclaim deposits relatively painlessly, the MYBA contract creates significant hurdles through ambiguous terminology like "operational integrity" – a phrase that has launched expensive legal battles, with no clear definition in maritime law.

Perhaps most eyebrow-raising is the standard practice of having selling brokers hold substantial deposits while maintaining a direct financial interest in the transaction's outcome. Unlike other industries that employ neutral third-party escrow agents, yacht brokers face inherent conflicts when disputes arise. As Moore warns: "You're sending a million dollars to someone that you've never met, that are in another country... and you're playing with fire if you don't really have an understanding of who's going to be holding these soft and substantial funds."

For anyone considering a yacht purchase, especially during uncertain economic times, understanding these contract nuances becomes essential protection. Whether dealing with a $200,000 boat or a $20-million superyacht, the fundamental principles remain the same: The devil truly is in the details, and those details can either safeguard or jeopardize your deposit when yacht dreams hit rough waters.

Have a yacht law question? Email it to info@megayachtnews.com or michael@moore-and-co.com for your chance to have it answered on our podcast. All requests for confidentiality and/or anonymity are respected.

Hiring a lawyer is a big decision. Visit Moore & Company for the legal team's qualifications and experience. And, to learn the latest about superyacht launches, shipyards, designs, and destinations, visit Megayacht News.