Chartering in Thailand: which papers and which season will the base want?

Chartering in Thailand usually means the Andaman Sea: out of Phuket into Phang Nga Bay with its limestone towers, across to the islands off Krabi and further south. Most bases are on the west coast around Phuket. The yacht, its registration and its insurance are arranged by the charter company. Your side is the skipper's certificate, the VHF licence, passports and entry for the crew. Entry rules are set by the Thai authorities, so check them with the embassy or the Foreign Office travel advice before you go.

Bases normally want a sea qualification that suits the yacht and the area, often RYA Day Skipper or Yachtmaster, the ICC or an equivalent national certificate, together with a VHF licence and evidence of skippering experience, sometimes a logbook. If you lack the experience, most bases can provide a skipper. The season matters: on the west coast the north east monsoon, from roughly November to April, is the usual charter season with calmer weather. From about May the south west monsoon brings more wind, swell and rain, and some bases restrict the cruising area. Get the cruising area and the paperwork confirmed in writing before you book.

Once there, it comes down to national parks, reefs and the dark. Many islands lie within marine national parks with moorings, no anchoring zones and fees, and the base will tell you the current rules. Fishing boats and nets are hard to see at night, which is why many bases do not allow night passages. Tidal streams are noticeable in the Andaman Sea, so plan anchorages and passages around them. You are personally liable for damage you cause to others with the charter yacht, so check that your own skipper liability insurance applies in Asia.

Worth remembering

In Thailand the season shapes the cruising area; get papers and area in writing before you book.