Before Loading
How do I know my yacht will be loaded?
Laycan or Loading Window: This is referenced as “TIME OF LOADING” on your contract. This is the time when DYT must load your yacht. This is NOT the loading date and subsequent arrival time in the port of unloading. Updates are sent to decrease the laycan as we get closer to our planned loading date.
We provide scheduled updates for loading operations.
2 months before loading, we will give a 7-day laycan.
1 month before loading, we will provide a 3-day laycan.
2 weeks before loading, we will provide a 2-day laycan.
The final schedule is provided about 5 days before loading.
When do I book my travel?
It’s strongly recommended to avoid making any travel arrangements until after a final notice is issued by DYT. These can be expected about 5 days before our operations. In all cases, it’s strongly recommended to book a ticket that allows changes without penalty as we do experience unexpected delays on occasion due to weather or berth congestion that could impact loading times.
What if I show up late?
If you are not floating close to our carrier at your assigned time, you run the risk of not being loaded, and forfeiting your freight in full. DYT will make efforts to wait a reasonable amount of time but will not risk delaying the other yachts standing by to load.
Demurrage: This is referenced in BOX 11 of the Yacht Contract. Demurrage is included in all shipping contracts. This refers to a charge payable to the carrier by the yacht owner in respect of failing to load or discharge within the agreed time. DYT provides a time for loading. If you run late, we will wait within a reasonable amount of time. Due to the nature of our operations with a semi-submersible ship, we cannot make changes to loading sequences or positions as everything is built and now “underwater.” In this respect, we would be forced to proceed without loading your yacht and the full freight would be forfeited. Demurrage (40,000usd/per day) would only be enforced in the event we are delaying offloading or loading operations or departure of the vessel for reasons attributed to your yacht.
My responsibility to DYT to provide correct yacht specifications:
It’s essential to provide the yacht’s technical details as early as possible. This includes drawings, pictures, etc that may be deemed beneficial. We are looking for the overall length that will account for all protrusions. If you arrive on the day of loading larger than declared, the risk of not be able to load your yacht increases exponentially. Freight is fully forfeited in this case.
We are unable to make any modifications to your ‘cribbing’ at the time of loading. If something is present on your yacht that would prevent us from loading the yacht without causing damage, we cannot adjust and cannot load your yacht. Freight is fully forfeited in this case.
My responsibilities for exporting and importing my yacht:
It is the yacht owner’s responsibility to file with local customs authorities for both the EXPORT and IMPORT of your yacht. In other words, 2 filings will be necessary, one at the port of loading and the second at the port of unloading. DYT provides references for a local customs broker at every port we service, however, you can utilize the broker of your own choice.
It’s recommended to contact the broker for both filings a minimum of one week before loading to ensure all formalities are in place and to eliminate any risk of fines or arrest.
Loading
What is my yacht’s position on board the carrier?
We will send you your position on board our carrier before loading with instructions on line placement and fender placement. These are only issued 24 hours before loading.
What should I expect and be prepared for on the day of loading?
A minimum of 2 people should be on board for loading to assist with line handling and fender placement. You may have other yachts coming alongside your position, so we do ask that you stay on the yacht to help tie up/fender them. Our crew will advise if needed.
You will be given a standby time to be present, floating alongside the carrier, monitoring VHF channel 17. This does not mean you are loading at that very time so there is a waiting period. We load in groups without any sequential order advised. Every operation is different and may take longer than expected to secure each yacht once inside.
In some ports, we may have to stop operations for other carriers to pass by, which can also cause your waiting time to be extended.
We recommend having water and snacks for all persons on board in case of unexpected wait times.
Bitter ends should be presented to our line handlers at loading. Have a minimum of 4 lines ready and available.
Our carriers are commercial vessels with narrow walkways and lots of obstacles to move around. DO NOT wear flip flops on board. DO NOT come with rolling luggage or large bags to carry up and down the catwalks. It’s dangerous. DO NOT come on board with pets or children under the age of 10.
You may have to climb over other yachts to get to the catwalks. If you have trouble with mobility, it’s not recommended to come on board.
Can I leave immediately after loading?
Once you have loaded your yacht you will need to turn off all power, engines etc and secure the yacht for ocean transport. You are free to leave the carrier after meeting with the DYT Representative on board to turn over your keys and documentation.
If I am eligible to receive power, when will that happen?
If you are eligible for receiving power and water connections, please be aware that this will take anywhere from 8 to 14 hours to receive, depending on the number of yachts receiving the same. It can not be made available until our deck is completely dry.
Does the ship depart the same day as loading?
Port stays can vary but we typically stay in port for 24 – 36 hours after loading to secure yachts for the trip. You are welcome to visit the ship anytime during the port stay.
When will I know the ships expected time of arrival at the port of unloading?
After your yacht has departed the loading port, we will be sending an updated laycan of 3 days regarding arrival to the port of unloading. This is a target date for the ship to arrive, not necessarily to offload.
Unloading
When will I know the schedule for unloading?
We will provide a final schedule for unloading about 5 days before arrival.
What should I expect on the day of unloading?
In most cases, when you are asked to arrive at the ship for operations, the ship is already submerged.
We recommend having water and snacks for all persons on board in case of unexpected wait times.
You may have to climb over other yachts to get to the catwalks. If you have trouble with mobility, it’s not recommended to come on board.
DO NOT wear flip-flops on board.
DO NOT come with rolling luggage or large bags to carry up and down the catwalks. It’s dangerous.
DO NOT come on board with pets or children under the age of 10.
When can I start the engines?
You will not be permitted to turn on any generators or engines until the Loading Master on board advises you to as there will be divers in the water. For their safety, nothing can be turned on until they are all out of the water.
Please monitor VHF Channel 17 to receive instructions from our Loading Master.
After all divers are out of the water and you have been instructed to turn the power on, the Loading Master will give instructions on the sequence for sail out.
Thank you for taking the time to review these helpful tips.
We encourage you to contact us for any questions that aren’t covered here. All of us at DYT, both ashore and at sea, look forward to welcoming you on board one of our unique carriers soon.