Do I need a certification to Charter in the Carib?

[redcobra]

Thinking of chartering a boat in the Carib in the near future.
I have no ASA or US or other certification.
However, I have been sailing for 45 yrs on the US East Coast (mainly the Chesapeake) and have owned 5 boats ( CD Typhoon, CD25, Cal29, Alberg 30, Pearson 39Y)

Is the Charter Company going to insist I have some form of certification?

[Privleoplag]

No, not required.

[cal40john]

I haven't chartered in years but the other threads here about chartering seem to indicate most companies still will take a resume. Call a couple businesses that you're interested in chartering with and ask.

[Vasco]

Credit card and your sailing resume should do. Especially if you own or have owned a boat.

[boatman61]

You may need to be accompanied by a skipper for the first morning/day to verify your abilities with some companies..

[Tim R.]

I have chartered in the Bahamas, BVIs and the Grenadines and only showed sailing experience(40 years) as qualification. Never asked to take a skipper for a day. But I have heard of some companies suggesting one for first timers. If you are thinking BVI, you should be fine.

[redcobra]

Thanks all!

[OldFrog75]

Originally Posted by redcobra

Thanks all!

I would email the Charter Company you are considering and ask them.

[SearenitySail]

Sailing resume should suffice.

My first charter was a Tobago 35 catamaran with TMM in the BVI in 1997.

I had completed a Barboat Charter certificate program with Colgate's Offshore Sailing School the year before. Though I had large monohull offshore experience, I never owned a larger sailboat or sailed a larger catamaran before, and I only owned a Hobie Cat at the time.

Someone from TMM had me take him out under power, put up the sails, and tack twice. Then he called the base and someone came out and picked him up in an inflatable. The boat was ours for the rest of the week. No problems.

Four more BVI charters since the first, and I haven't been asked again.

Marshall

[de0xyrib0se]

I've not seen anyone require certifications, doesn't mean there aren't places that do. Most places do require however that you have substantial anchoring experience, and rightfully so.

[jackdale]

On my first charter in the BVIs I had submitted my resume, but was not asked to show my certifications. I asked the base manger how he knew I was not lying. He responded, "Just the way you approach the boat."

They get a feel for the clients.