Can bad weather cancel a yacht charter?

Answer

Severe weather can affect or prevent a charter from operating as originally planned, but the contractual consequences depend on the circumstances and the terms of the charter agreement.

In many situations, the captain will adapt the itinerary rather than cancel the charter. If a port becomes inaccessible or conditions make departure unsafe, alternative arrangements may need to be considered.

The applicable charter contract and governing law are important when determining rights and obligations.

Analysis

It is important to distinguish between an itinerary being changed because of weather and a charter being formally cancelled.

These are different situations and can have different contractual consequences.

Broker’s advice

This is one reason we recommend understanding the charter contract before signing it. If weather is a concern for your particular destination or dates, we can explain the relevant provisions before you commit.