Charter with Confidence: How Goolets & MYBA Contracts Protect You

With today’s global uncertainties, one question comes up often: “What happens if something completely out of our control disrupts our yacht charter?” The answer lies in a clause designed for moments just like these: force majeure.

At Goolets, every single yacht charter is governed by the MYBA contract — the most trusted and widely recognized standard in the industry. That means your rights, options, and protections are clearly defined from the start. No guesswork, no surprises.

This post isn’t about raising alarm bells — it’s here to give you clarity, confidence, and peace of mind. Because even when the unexpected happens, you're protected.

Understanding the “What Ifs”

Force majeure — meaning “superior force” — covers events like war, natural disasters, strikes, pandemics, government restrictions, or port closures. These are things no one can predict or prevent. If something truly outside of anyone’s control happens, the clause steps in to protect both parties. It’s not about finding fault. It’s about handling the situation fairly and safely.

Your Protection Starts Before You Even Step Aboard

If a force majeure event happens before your trip begins, the contract has clear terms to protect you:

Short delay? The owner gets up to 48 extra hours (or 10% of your charter period) to deliver the yacht.

Still no yacht? You can cancel with a full refund — no penalties — or choose to reschedule.

No valid reason for delay? You’re entitled to a full refund plus 50% in damages.

What Happens If Trouble Arises Mid-Trip?

Force majeure isn’t just about the start of the trip — it also applies while you're on the water:

Yacht becomes unusable (like a major breakdown or grounding)? If it’s out of commission for more than 48 hours, you’re eligible for a partial refund, or an early end to the charter and a refund for the unused time.

Need to get home? The owner pays for your return to the agreed disembarkation point.

When Bigger Global Events Get Involved

If war, sanctions, or other serious geopolitical events make it impossible to travel or transfer payments:

• The contract allows for immediate cancellation — no penalties, no fees.
• Any money held is frozen until it’s legally safe to release or return it.

Why This Clause Is a Good Thing

Force majeure isn’t an excuse — it’s a safety net. Especially in MYBA contracts (the gold standard in yacht chartering), every scenario is thought through:

• What counts as force majeure
• What happens next
• Who takes responsibility, and how are your rights protected

So even if something major happens, the contract ensures you’re never left in the dark.

More Certainty, Even in Uncertain Times

Our guests return year after year, not just for the yachts or the destinations, but because they know we’ve got their backs. We don’t avoid the tough topics. We’re ready for them. Because when things don’t go to plan, you want a team and a contract that already has one.