| |
| What do you mean
by vessel delivery? |
American Boat Captains, LLC offers
several services to both the recreational and commercial
boating communities. Vessel delivery is one of those
services. If mutually agreed, we will contract with
you to move your boat from its current on the water
location (departure port) to another on the water
port (arrival port) under the control of a fully
qualified United States Coast Guard licensed captain.
|
| Do you transport
boats over the road as well as on the water? |
No. We only perform on the water
deliveries.
|
| What types of
boats do you deliver? |
We provide on the water deliveries
of both recreational & commercial power vessels.
Unfortunately, we no longer deliver sail vessels
of any length. Some vessels may be more easily delivered
by road. Should we determine that a road delivery
would be more suited to your needs, we can help
you locate a reputable trucking service.
|
| Why should I
choose American Boat Captains, LLC to deliver my
boat? |
Our Mission Statement: American
Boat Captains, LLC, is a corporate organization
dedicated to delivering superior service and exceptional
performance with an un-wavering commitment to maritime
safety. In providing our services to both private
and commercial boating communities, we will diligently
adhere to all federal, state, and local regulations
pertaining to navigation, safety, and conduct while
aboard any vessel or facility. Our presence and
actions will reflect only those of professional,
prudent mariners who are highly respectful of the
vessel and her owner. Our dedication to safety and
maritime responsibility will override any time commitment
in order to protect the owner's investment in his
vessel and the well being of her crew.
back to top
|
| What is a "shade
tree" captain? |
A term given to most part-time
captains who offer their limited experience as a
delivery captain in order to take a paid boat ride
for a little adventure. Shade tree captains will
offer little or no commitment to you as a boat owner.
They are rarely available if weather or circumstances
postpone a departure. They seldom offer a contract,
have the necessary charts or redundant equipment
for the voyage, nor do they fully understand the
changing tides and currents in all the traveled
areas. Their mechanical abilities are usually limited
to the amount of duct tape they carry and you can
almost guarantee, they carry no insurance of their
own. They are however, sometimes less expensive
but, in this business…you get what you pay
for. Please, hire a reputable captain’s service
to accomplish your delivery objectives.
|
| What are the
qualifications of your captains and crew? |
Each delivery captain is a fully
licensed United States Coast Guard Master or Captain.
Each Captain has extensive experience operating
recreational and uninspected vessels ranging up
to 65 feet and our Masters are fully qualified inspected
vessel operators with extensive experience up to
100 tons. Each delivery captain and crewmember is
completely familiar with all types of vessel configurations
and power plant designs. They have widespread knowledge
of all on board systems, mechanical and electrical
problem diagnosis and repair along with exceptional
navigational and professional skills. Dedication
to safety, maritime accountability, and the owner’s
investment remain their primary responsibilities
throughout the delivery.
|
| Why do you insist
on providing both a captain and crew? |
It is our policy not to deliver
any vessel without a licensed captain and at least
one additional crewmember. Federal law requires
each vessel to maintain a proper lookout. Under
the USCG Navigational Rules, Rule #5 specifically
states that "Every vessel shall at all times
maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing
as well as by all available means appropriate in
the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as
to make a full appraisal of the situation and the
risk of collision." A proper lookout is a
crewmember other than the captain. Our captains
and crew work extremely well as a team, each knowing
and understanding the others abilities and requirements.
Our primary responsibility is to deliver your vessel
as safely and efficiently as possible. We will do
so using our own crew.
back to top
|
| What is your
normal delivery range? |
We normally accept deliveries
to and from most ports along the eastern seaboard,
western rivers and the Gulf of Mexico. We also provide
delivery service to many islands in the Caribbean
Sea.
|
| What are the
costs involved to deliver my boat? |
| Delivery costs and explanations
are as follows: |
Professional fees:
(captain and crew) Each delivery requires
a captain and at least one crewmember. The
daily fees are $300.00 and $150.00 respectively.
The number of crew is left to the captain's
discretion. Recreational vessels less than
65' foot in length usually only require a
captain and one crewmember.
Provisioning: The cost associated with
the purchase of minor provisions such as bottled
water, packaged foods and sundry items.
Food Allowance: A fee of $25.00 per
person per day is charged to cover the meals
of the captain and crew while in port.
Travel
Expense: The cost associated with the
travel expense necessary to transport the
captain and crew to the original departure
port as well as to return the captain and
crew to our office located in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
at the completion of the delivery. Travel
expenses vary depending on the distance and
mode of transportation. We diligently try
to find the least expensive method of travel
in order to control overall costs.
Fuel
Expense: Based on the performance of the
vessel, we attempt to calculate the cost of
fuel necessary to complete the delivery. Should
the owner or his representative be on board,
they normally pay for all fuel expenses at
the time of refueling. If the owner or his
representative does not accompany the delivery,
we will include fuel expense in our formal
estimate.
Transient slip fees:
Based on the ports chosen for overnight docking,
we attempt to calculate the cost of each transient
slip rental and the use of shore power. Should
the boat owner or the owner’s representative
be on board, they normally pay for these costs
at the time. If the owner or his representative
does not accompany the delivery, we will include
transient slip fees in our formal estimate.
Fluids and Supplies: Unless already
equipped, this cost is associated with the
purchase of a small supply of engine oil and
various other fluids in the event of low levels
throughout the delivery. These products are
bought as needed and remain with the vessel.
|
|
| What paperwork
do I need to complete to have you deliver my boat?
|
Initially, we will send you a
preliminary delivery package that will include our
Vessel Delivery Questionnaire. Once we receive your
completed questionnaire and initial deposit, we
will schedule your delivery dates, prepare the course
itinerary and develop your formal estimate. If satisfied
with our estimate, we will forward our Vessel Delivery
Agreement for your review and signature. We will
require that your insurance carrier add both the
captain and crew to your existing policy as additional
insured for the duration of the delivery and a copy
of the policy amendment sent to our office prior
to departure.
back to top
|
| Why am I required
to pre-pay a deposit? |
To accurately develop a cost
estimate for each delivery, we must create and plot
a charted route of the delivery to include a waypoint
itinerary, overnight ports, fuel stops and transportation
to and from the vessel. In addition, we prepare
a secondary route to be used in the event of emergencies
such as unexpected weather or mechanical failure.
This requires time and effort and too often we are
asked to provide such an estimate by individuals
who are only shopping and not yet prepared for a
delivery. We require a modest non-refundable deposit
of $250.00 to accompany the initial paperwork, which
helps to offset our planning costs and to demonstrate
the client’s commitment to the delivery.
|
| Will you provide
a detailed estimate of the delivery? |
Yes. Once we receive the initial
paperwork and deposit, we will create our charted
route and based on vessel performance, we will calculate
all the expenses necessary to fulfill your delivery
requirements. We will forward the estimate to you
for your review and approval.
|
| What detail
is included in the estimate? |
- The number of days required under normal conditions
and the associated professional fees;
- The cost of food and provisions for the captain
and crew;
- The cost and method of transportation to
deliver the captain and crew to the departure
port and to return them to our office from the
arrival port;
- The estimated fuel cost based on a given
fuel calculation;
- The estimated transient overnight fees based
on our docking ports;
- The estimated fluid and supplies cost;
- And any other fees necessary for the completion
of the delivery.
|
| Do you have
a delivery contract? |
Yes. Our Vessel Delivery Agreement
will be sent to you after your approval of the formal
estimate.
back to top
|
| May I have a
copy of your contract before going any further?
|
No. We will provide you with
our contract only after receiving your initial deposit
and you have agreed with and signed our formal estimate.
|
| When is the
balance due? |
The entire balance is due five
business days prior to the scheduled departure date.
|
| Are there any
hidden costs? |
No. We are extremely honest in
our preparation, in our negotiations and in our
accounting. Any costs incurred by the captain and
crew above and beyond those in the original estimate
and in our agreement deemed necessary to fulfill
the delivery contract will be billed and sent to
the you along with copies of all pertinent receipts.
|
| What payment
methods do you accept? |
We accept cash or personal checks
made payable to American Boat Captains, LLC. We
also accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American
Express.
|
| What
about insurance? |
We require delivery clients to
contact their boat/yacht insurance carrier to inform
them of the scheduled delivery and contractual agreement
with American Boat Captains, LLC. The boat owner
will request the agent to add the captain and crew
to the policy as "additional insured"
for the duration of the scheduled delivery. A copy
of the amendment is then to sent to our office prior
the scheduled delivery date. We will provide additional
information to your agent upon request.
back to top
|
| How soon should
I contact you to begin the delivery process? |
We prefer a 30-day window to
properly prepare for the delivery, process the necessary
paperwork, and to arrange travel arrangements. We
understand circumstances vary. We will certainly
try to accommodate your delivery in less time.
|
| I have not purchased
my boat yet, should I contact you to begin the process? |
Yes, however we will not prepare
a formal estimate or process any necessary paperwork
until the sale is finalized.
|
| My boat is in
need of repair; will you still perform the delivery? |
It all depends on the nature
of the repairs. We perform a pre-departure inspection
of each vessel prior to delivery. If your vessel
fails the inspection we will postpone the departure
until the necessary repairs have been completed.
|
| What do you
mean by a pre-departure inspection? |
Prior to departure, our captain
and crew will inspect the entire vessel to determine
if the vessel is properly equipped with all necessary
safety equipment according to USCG regulations,
and if the vessel is seaworthy and not in need of
repairs which could jeopardize the completion of
the delivery or compromise the safety of her passengers
and crew.
|
| What happens
if my boat fails the pre-departure inspection? |
If your vessel fails the inspection
we will postpone the departure until the necessary
repairs have been completed and/or the proper equipment
is on board.
back to top
|
| May I go along
on the delivery? |
Yes. The owner or the owner’s
representative is certainly welcome to accompany
the delivery. We will not however, allow the owner
or his representative to act as crew.
|
| If I go along
on the delivery, will the captain and crew provide
any training? |
Yes. Your delivery captain will
work with you on many aspects of your vessel at
no additional cost.
|
| Do you plan
only one delivery route? |
No. We plan a primary and secondary
route to use in the event of sudden weather or mechanical
failure.
|
| Will you create
and file a float plan? |
Yes. We will complete a comprehensive
float plan, which will include a daily itinerary.
Copies of the float plan will be given to the owner
and/or the owner’s representative. Additional
copies are on file at our office and remain active
until the completion of the delivery and confirmation
by her captain. The delivery captain will make every
effort to contact the owner by telephone sometime
during each day of the delivery.
|
| Will you be
underway during bad weather or at night? |
No. We will not continue with
the delivery should weather cause the captain to
raise concern for the safety of the vessel, her
passengers or crew. We will make for the nearest
port until the weather clears and the captain is
satisfied. We will make port each day around sunset
to assure that the vessel can be secured for the
night. We do not run after dark due to the increased
risk of collision with other vessels, navigational
aids, and floating debris.
back to top
|
| What happens
if you complete the delivery in more or less time
than anticipated? |
For example, let us assume that
in order to complete your delivery, we estimated
and billed you for 8 days, which includes the time
to transport our crew to and from your vessel. The
delivery in fact, took 9 days to complete due to
weather delays. We would bill you the additional
day for the professional fees, food stipend and
any costs associated with travel expenses. Should
we deliver your vessel in 7 days, we would return
one full day of professional fees and food stipend.
A full accounting will be prepared and sent to you
within 72 hours of the captain’s return to
our office.
|
| How will you
leave my boat once you have completed the delivery? |
Our crew will wash down the entire
vessel if fresh water is available. All trash, garbage,
equipment, and items brought on board by the crew
will be removed. The vessel interior will be found
as it was by our crew when they arrived. Her lines
and fenders will be secured and shore power connected.
Any conditions regarding the delivery of paperwork,
keys or cargo will be met in accordance to our contract.
|
| What do you
mean by the final accounting? |
The delivery captain will complete
a final accounting of all expenses incurred resulting
from the completion of the delivery contract within
72 hours of his return to our office. A detailed
statement will be sent to you to include a copy
of all receipts. Any monies paid in excess of the
actual incurred expenses will be returned, any additional
expenses due American Boat Captains, LLC will be
billed and included in the final accounting statement.
|
| How do I start
the process? |
Simply go back to our home page
and click on the on-line
form. Fill out the first two sections and the
section pertaining to vessel delivery, and then
submit the form. We will be in contact with you
usually within 24 hours. Thank you for allowing
American Boat Captains, LLC to be your boating professionals.
back to top
|
