WORLDWIDE YACHT CHARTERS INC
Yacht Sailing Holidays 

                              Greece, Turkey, Croatia, Caribbean, Italy, France and Malta

 

The EXAS FAMILY welcomes You to Sailing in Greece

 

 Thalea and Nikos

 

 

 

 

Booking Information and Procedure
Bareboat Sailing *license required for anyone sailing in European countries and soon to be mandatory for US citizens to sail bareboat in the USA..  A sailing resume is adequate for charter in the Caribbean.
Safety At Sea            A Safety Briefing

 

Booking Your Yacht
If you decide that you are interested in sailing and you wish to acquire any additional information, Exas Yachts will be more than pleased to offer available and recommended yachts. Inform us about the chartering period you are interested in and the size of the boat you want. We, in turn, will advise you about the availabilities and hold an option on the boat you prefer. The final booking of the boat takes place when we received the you send us the pre-agreed first payment for the charter

The price that you will pay for the charter is stated on a contract approved by the Hellenic Ministry of Merchant Marine. No extra charges will arise at the end of your charter. The charterer has to pay  for yacht expenses such as fuel, water and gas and marina port fees, cleaning fee and crew fees which is apart from the yacht rental fee and/or as agreed according to the contract details.
Optional extras:: yacht provisions. marina or other land transfers, hostess or cook. Any special requests not included with yacht fee.
The Refundable Security Deposit varies according to the size of the yacht. This insures that you are responsible only for that amount of money for any loss or damage you may cause. Every yacht is insured against any damage that exceeds that amount. At the end of your charter the Security Deposit will be refunded back to you.  A complete inspection of the vessel will be made by the boat owner or company representative in your presence at the time of departure and your return.  Bareboat as well as charters with a skipper require full security deposit.   

Standard check in and check out procedures
The standard procedure for the take over of a bare boat is the following:
The check in takes place at 17.00 o'clock (5 pm) approximately on the first day of your charter. The check out is arranged at about 09.00 o'clock (9 am) in the morning of the last day of the charter period.     During this interval, the inspection and the cleaning of the boat take place, in order for her to be in a proper and seaworthy condition for the next charter. Usually the charters start and end on Saturdays and last for 7, 14, 21 days or more. .However, we can make any special arrangements in order to fit your schedule if it is necessary. This means that we can arrange the location and the time of your check in and check out according to your wish, if possible, and according to your schedule.

 

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Check In Procedures

Allow at least 1-2 hours for complete check in procedure.   The time will be spent reviewing your itinerary, suggesting alternative destinations and the latest weather report.  For skippered charters, this is the time to become familiar with your captain who will go over the basic functioning's of the yacht with you. For bareboat charters, expect a complete inspection of the yacht and its inventory. Upon completion of the check in and inventory of systems, you will be asked to sign a copy of the inventory list and that you agree to its contents, equipment and yacht condition.  You will then give your refundable security deposit to the owner or representative and receive a receipt for monies exchanged.  Cash or credit cards accepted.  Check Out Procedure

Upon your return, the owner or representative will inspect the yacht and its equipment against loss or damage.  You will receive your full security deposit provided no loss, damage or late return. The yacht should be returned with full fuel and water tanks. Refueling may be done upon your return to port.. 

Discounts  and Cancellations

5% to all repeat customers

5% for 2 weeks and 10% for 3 weeks;  15% for 3 weeks
early booking discount varies /  other discounts may apply 20-30% total discount

In accordance with the terms of the Yacht Charter Agreement, the charterer is liable for the full charter fee on signing of the agreement/remittance of deposit. In the event of cancellation at any time prior to the charter there will be no refund of pre paid charter fees other than at the sole discretion of the charter company. We strongly recommend that cancellation insurance is taken out at the time of booking. click here to purchase insurance. Exas Yachts reserves the right to substitute a yacht of equal or greater value in the event of damage to your contacted yacht from a previous charter.

Yacht Payments
Payment Options Policy for Exas Worldwide Yacht Charters Inc. Effective January 12, 2012.
The following methods of payment will be accepted for charter services/fees.
50% yacht fee to confirm booking /  50% yacht fee 30 days prior to sailing or as cash upon check in (select yachts)

1. Payment by personal or business check for US and Canadian clients
2. Payment by bank transfer of funds for all clients
3. Payment using your credit card or bank account through PayPal   www.paypal.com
4. Payment as cash only upon check in for yacht balances (some yachts only)

Skippered Charters

Our skippers for hire are English speaking, licensed and familiar with the Greek Seas and its many islands.  It is their job to ensure safe handling of the yacht while ensuring the safety and enjoyment of the passengers.   They will help plan your itinerary, recommend the best places to shop, eat and help with arrangements for sightseeing, car and moped rentals.  Please see our insert for skippered charters and meet some of our skippers. Click here to see photos and past client comments.

Bareboat Guide for Self Sail ChartersQlification standards.
Exas Worldwide yacht Charters Inc welcomes you to sail the Greek Seas. As a self sail yacht charter, our yachts are available to  qualified crew who have experience and competence in the handling and  operation of the vessel type and size chartered. The charterer is required to demonstrate that he/she has sufficient practical knowledge of seamanship,  navigation and Rules of the Road Knowledge. According to Mediterranean  maritime laws you need at least one sailing license (s) in order to take over a bare boat (without a skipper). Any official paper that will state your capability is acceptable if it recognized as a sailing certificate. You must bring your original sailing license with you!

If you do not have any such documentation and have adequate sailing experience, try the online boating courses below to obtain certification . If you do not have sailing qualifications, a professional skipper may be hired.

Documentation may include a sailing certificate or license. 
US and Canada Online course and certification: www.Boaterexam.com

Official Boating Safety Courses and Online Tests for Your Boat License or Boater Safety Certification
To qualify for a Boating Safety Course Certificate and to refresh your navigational skills click here to take the Boat/ U.S. Foundation's Online Boating Safety Course. (passing the test does not necessarily assume capability to safely handle a sailing or motor vessel without prior  experience)
United States U.S. Coast Guard course for personal watercraft sailors and power boaters: http://www.americasboatingcourse.com/front/splash.htm
The New Jersey Boating Safety Course   www.shoreboating.com
The US Sailing Certificate Site   www.sailingcertification.com
Online Sailing Certifications: www.sailingcourse.com

The American Sailing Association (ASA) web page is www.american-sailing.com  
They offer the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) or International Proficiency Certificate for ASA license holders
The Canadian Yachting Association  (CYA) web page is www.sailing.ca
The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) web page is  www.rya.org.uk
Yachting Australia     www.yachting.org.au

If you are an experienced sailor you can "challenge" for the certification so you don't have to pay for the whole course, i.e. just take the written exam and on the water test; costs about $100. If you have little experience then the course fills in any gaps and it is a great confidence builder.

Here is also another site on Boat Safety and online courses: www.boatsafe.com .
Training for Mariners. www.seasources.net
RYA Interactive Training Course : www.teachmetosail.com
VHF Licensure site:    http://www.ab.gr/index.php

The owner of the yacht or a representative shall reserve the right to verify competence at the time of check in. We reserve the right to include at the charterer's expense, the services of a skipper, if boating experience is thought to be insufficient to safely operate the vessel. The charterer shall agree not to delegate duties to any person not equally qualified.

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. VHF on Channel 16 Radio Hellas and by using the Navtex. Perform routine check 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. Garbage disposal is available at all ports. 

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 marks on 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 aprox. 1000-1200 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 between destinations.  Observe the conditions of the charter agreement set forth upon your departure.  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.  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. Exas Worldwide Yacht Charters Inc strongly adheres to the fact that consumption abuse  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 may be responsible for all liabilities and damages if such occur while found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

In case of accidents

You must inform the owner/representative immediately but at least 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.

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 the owner/representative for any emergency.  Do not accept salvage assistance from any vessel other than the Port Authorities without our prior knowledge or consent.

Release of Liability

I, the charterer consent to charter a sailing yacht with a hired skipper/bareboat. 
I am aware that ordinary common occurrences can be reasonably associated with this activity:  Possible risks undertaken by sailing offshore: sea sickness, weather conditions, failure of equipment, rough waves, man overboard, collisions and unintentional injury. It is understood that the crew and I are in good health and not under any medication, or drug, that could affect balance and ability to function on board the vessel.  

 

Crew Safety Briefing: Prepared and provided by Bill Graham.

 1.   FIRE
Fire is one of the most dangerous occurrences which we can encounter. This is because we have nowhere to run. Our approach must be to avoid fire at all costs and, if a fire occurs to extinguish it as quickly as possible. Most of the materials used in the building of our boat are inflammable; many will also give off highly toxic fumes.

       The potential causes of fire on our boat come from our use of gas, fuel and lectricity. Fumes from the gas and fuel are heavier than air and, in a catamaran, these fumes will fall into the bilges and will lurk there waiting for a spark or ignition source, which will produce a significant and devastating explosion. Electricity is not, on its own, a significant risk, but it is a potential ignition source. Some boats are equipped with barbeques, attached to the guard rails. I have always had reservations about lighting a fire on the guard rails and, if we want a barbeque, we will have it ashore. The remaining possible source of fire is my cigarettes. I will not, therefore, be smoking below decks and will not be coming in from the decks to answer queries, sort out problems or deal with lovers tiffs whilst I am having a fag! 
The boat may be fitted with smoke alarms or gas detectors. These are not nuisance alarms and should never be ignored, switched off or have their batteries removed. If you hear an unusual noise, smell something strange, have a feeling of something not right or receive a divine vision, INVESTIGATE. 

Should a fire occur, our immediate objective is to extinguish it. Small fires are much easier to extinguish than big fires and, caught early a fire should not present any great problem. Fires need fuel and oxygen. Deprive a fire of one of those elements and the fire cannot exist. Taking away the fuel will leave the fire with nothing to burn whilst depriving the fire of oxygen by smothering it will extinguish it quickly. 
Fire extinguishers are provided and we need to be aware of their locations and methods of operation, including any fire blankets. However, all fire extinguishers have a limited effectiveness and a 2.0 Kg fire extinguisher will be exhausted very quickly. In addition to fire extinguishers we have “first aid” fire fighting equipment, such as buckets of water (not on fat or diesel fires) and wet towels (for smothering).
Obviously our own safety is of paramount importance. In the event of fire it is essential that we remain safe and out of risk. Once that is achieved we must consider attacking the fire by whatever means falls quickly available. Firstly raise the alarm, make sure others are aware of what is happening so that back up can be provided. Attack the fire with whatever you have chosen as the most appropriate equipment. Hopefully our initial attempts will be successful and we will not have to consider other, more drastic, scenarios.

2.      SINKING

3.       Man Overboard

Despite the warmth of the water and the proximity of land, Man Overboard remains a very serious situation. Statistically, we have a less than 50% chance of safely recovering a man overboard. To reduce the risks of Man Overboard everyone is encouraged to wear safety harnesses and clip on to the jackstays and/or hard points whenever they feel vunerable. You will definitely wear harnesses and clip on whenever working on deck in rough conditions, whenever working on deck in darkness or when I say so. Remember that leaving a vessel without the skipper’s permission is an offence under maritime law!

There are many systems for recovering a Man Overboard, but to simplify all the options and too ensure that we have a clear and unambiguous approach we are going to adopt a single approach in all situations. 
a)      Raise the alarm
b)      Delegate someone to keep the casualty in sight (no distractions at all)
c)       Deploy the life ring and dan bouy
d)      Hit the M.O.B. key on the GPS
e)      Stop the boat (point the boat directly into wind if sailing, stop engines if motoring)
f)        Hand control to an experienced helmsman
g)      Drop all sails.
h)      Start engines
i)        Motor back to the casualty.
j)        If we have not recovered the casualty within 5 minutes we must call in a MAYDAY.
 WE WILL PRACTICE.  

4.      Distress Call – (Mayday)
The use of the radio telephone is restricted to the holders of V.H.F. operators’ licences. However, everybody should know how to call in a Mayday message. Mayday is used to call for assistance where the vessel or a member(s) of the crew is in grave and imminent danger.
To make a Mayday call:
a)      Ensure that the radio set is switched on
b)      Ensure that the channel selector is switched to Channel 16
c)       Remember that to talk over the V.H.F. you must press the “PRESS TO TALK” key. To listen you must release the “PRESS TO TALK” key.
d)      Prior to sending a Distress Call you should know what you are going to say. You must give some basic info rmation that will allow other shipping, Coast Radio Stations and the Coast Guard to assess the situation and respond accordingly. The message must contain the fact that it is a Mayday call, the name of our boat, where we are, the nature of our distress, the assistance we require, other useful info rmation. 
e)      The basic distress call always follows the same pattern: MAYDAY - MAYDAY – MAYDAY, This is Yacht Tethys – Yacht Tethys – Yacht Tethys. The distress message follows immediately without pause and without expecting a response. EXAMPLE: Mayday, Yacht Tethys, Position (in Lat. & Long. Taken directly from the GPS read out). The nature of our distress (“Fire out of control, abandoning yacht”), require immediate assistance, total crew of eight.

5.       Flares
Part of any distress situation will be the use of flares, either to attract attention or, more importantly, to pinpoint our position for incoming assistance, following a successful distress call. The first thing to remember about flares is that they fall quite squarely into the most dangerous category of this brief, i.e. they create fire. There are 3 main types of flares Red Parachute flares, Red pinpoint flares and Orange Smoke Flares. We are going to look at what the owner has provided, how they are operated and when we would use each type.

6.       Other Radio Traffic

The constant chatter on the radio may appear inconsequential and may, in fact, seem obtrusive at times, however, there are times when the traffic is useful and when we need to listen, take note or respond. The main things that I or another experienced sailor needs to be notified of (if we do not appear to be monitoring the radio) are “All Stations”, “Mayday”, “Pan-Pan” or “Securite” messages. If you hear any message with these words included, and I, Duncan, Stuart or Martin do not appear to be taking any notice, please advise us. If you hear a “Mayday” message, in addition to calling one of us, please make sure you grab a pen and something (anything) to write on and write down as much info rmation as you can, (lives may depend on it). There are a number of Coastguard stations within our sailing area and details can be found in the Greek Waters Pilot, at the start  of the chapter for the Cyclades .

7.       Safety First

The is a whole raft of other safety info rmation that we need to discuss and, whilst I don’t want to talk for hours, I do think it is important to mention and, where necessary, to lay down safety rules. 
*  Boat handling – handling ropes (halyards, sheets, warps), sails, anchors, winches, cleats, jammers, etc. is inherently dangerous. Take extra care, use common sense, never push things, if in doubt – ask. Keep safe above everything else. I would advise everyone to use gloves whenever handling the boat. I insist on people wearing gloves when handing the anchors and chains.
*  Tender – this is a small boat and should be used with caution. If you do not feel happy in the tender, wear your life jacket. Never use the tender without 2 forms of propulsion. Always attach the tender to the yacht, dock, beach, etc. securely! 
*Cooking, etc. Cooking in the galley is not like cooking at home. Space is restricted, the galley is usually moving and the cooking fuel is potentially hazardous. Take extra care with sharp implements and hot liquids. Wear some protection when using hot fat, etc. Light the match before the gas. Always ensure that the gas taps are fully turned off after use. Place cups in the bowl before pouring hot liquid into them. ¾ fill cups for drinks on deck when under way. Depending on the location of gas taps and valves we will probably turn off the gas at the valve or bottle when leaving the boat and retiring for the night. We need to keep the perishable food chilled which requires the fridge to be kept cold. Remember engines on – fridge on, engines off – fridge off. 
*  Security. We have no idea on the criminality of this area, be safe. Do not leave valuables or money immediately available. Carry these items with you or find a secure or inaccessible hiding place. We will secure the doors and hatches whenever we leave the boat and retiring for the night (particularly when we are along side). 
*  Health and Well Being. Whilst I am advised that Greek water is safe to drink I do not feel inclined to risk it. We will be buying bottled water and I feel that we should use this for normal consumption. 1 large bottle will be provided for each head (teeth cleaning, etc.) plus other bottles in the galley for washing vegetables, salads, drinking, etc. An upset tummy is always a risk and is very easily spread without good hygiene arrangements. I am likely to have, at least, 1 tummy upset, for some reason I always do. Whilst no one wants to know the details of other peoples’ toilet tantrums, if you do have a tummy upset, restrict yourself to the use of 1 set of heads and do not get involved with preparing food. If your tummy upset lasts more than 24 hours please let someone know so that we can ensure that you do not become seriously ill through de-hydration, etc. Sunshine is good, sunburn, sun stroke and heat exhaustion are not good. Please take care of yourself and look out for others. Let’s ensure that we keep ourselves and everyone else safe. Swimming and Snorkelling (doving) should be safe. The following is a list of sea creatures that we should be aware of:
a)      Sharks – an overstated threat, if we see one it will be an extremely rare occurrence.
b)      Moray eels live in these waters. Their habitat is crevices and holes in rocks. Normally shy and non-aggressive unless injured or sorely provoked.
c)       Octopus again very shy and very unlikely to attack.
d)      Stingrays live, partially buried, in shallow water. They will lash out with their tail if trodden on.
e)      Weeverfish have venomous spines on the fins. They will attach if annoyed  or disturbed. Can be serious so watch out.
f)        Jellyfish are the creatures we are most likely to encounter. All Jellyfish have can sting. Be aware.
g)      Bristleworms are black and can measure up to 25 cms. Can produce a “nettle sting” like irritation.
h)      Sea Urchins are non venomous but the spines can break off and embed themselves in the skin. Risk of this injury becoming infected is high.
We can protect ourselves from these risks by swimming sensibly, not taking risks with sea creatures we might encounter, wearing beach shoes or similar while paddling, wearing gloves when handling anything that has been in the water. 

8.       Good House-keeping  The boats engines are our passport to manouvering, it is important that they are used correctly, it is also important that we charge the batteries at least once per day. Whenever the engines are run we need to ensure that cooling water is being ejected from the exhausts. It is important that the boat is kept “ship-shape”. We will be completing routine checks of engines, bilges and other systems. We need to keep the decks and living spaces clean and tidy particularly in terms of tailing lines, trip hazards, winch handles, etc. We have also developed a rather untidy approach to personal items like books, cameras, purses, wallets, etc. There is limited space, so lets try and keep the inside and the outside of the boat tidy. Use of sea toilets is something we are all experienced in. If anyone wants a reminder of the correct use please ask. Apart from toilet paper, please do not put anything down the heads which has not been eaten first. Fresh water for washing, bathing, etc. is not unlimited. There is a possibility that water from Quay sides, marinas, etc. may be rationed, particularly as it is nearing the end of the season. We may need to limit the number of showers we take on board. We will definitely avail ourselves of every occasion when we can shower ashore. Keep an eye out for hostelries advertising showers as part of their services.

9.       Greek Law
There is only one Greek Law mentioned in the pilot which is of relevance to us. Antiquities, no matter where they are found, are the property of the Greek Government. Removing them from the country is prohibited and any yacht found carrying any artefact can be impounded. Please do not pick up anything of this type, and if buying anything of this nature please check that it would not infringe this law.

Exas Worldwide Yacht Charters Inc
           Tel: (919) 237-1607    eFax: (919) 287-2390           
 Email: info@exasyachts.com    Skype: exasyachts
  
 Athens: Greece Tel: (011 30 213) 036 4948      Mobile: (011 30)  6949 839910