Boat shipping and yacht transportation is the shipping of a boat or yacht to a destination instead of sailing or motoring it. Boat Shipping is an alternative to the traditional passaging required to reach desired destinations around the globe; transport is cost effective, safer and improves availability. Boat shipping is the preferred method of transport when destination is more important than the passaging.
Small boats being transported short distances are often moved using private or commercial trailers. As the boat size and the over-land distances increase, commercial trailer services are typically employed by boat owners to move vessels. Insurance coverage, transport permits, trailer safety and proper preparation and loading of the vessel and contents are aspects commercial boat/yacht services provide.
Boat shipping can reduce cost, save time and preclude dangerous difficult ocean crossings. One approach to boat transport is container cruising. It is significantly less expensive than passaging and has greater flexibility of timing and destination. Container shipping can be arranged through boat movers. Costs include the cost of preparation, cradles, documentation, customs and other government fees. The drawback to container cruising is that there are a limited number of yachts that have the necessary 7.5 ft beam (2.3 m) to fit in the 8-foot-wide (2.4 m) standard container.
Boats can also be shipped as deck cargo. In this instance, the boat is loaded directly from the water or from shore; they can be loaded by ship or by shore cranes in cradles either supplied by the boat movers or the owner. For conventional deck cargo shipping, the rigging is left intact. Deck cargo shipping is normally arranged directly with the shipping lines or with brokers who specialize in yacht deck cargo shipping.
Semi-submersible ships are yet another means of boat shipping. Although semi-submersible ships were originally developed to move large cargoes, they have been adapted to move boats and yachts of different sizes. A semi-submersible ship is a ship that can submerge its cargo holds by ballasting. The boat motors under its own power into the flooded cargo holds to load. Once all the boats are in position and secured, divers weld hull supports into place. The semi-submersible ship de-ballasts and sails away. At discharge port arrival, the process is reversed, with the ship ballasting, allowing the yachts to exit.
There are a number of factors one should consider when transporting a boat. Security is one such factor. A locked and sealed container is a good way to provide security. Since the semi-submersible ships are dedicated to yacht transport, they also offer a secure environment. Another problem is the risk of partial or total loss at sea. However, it is important to remember that probability of losses is low; this fact is reflected in the low cost of insurance.
When one is thinking of getting a boat from one place to another, one should consider boat shipping. The increasing cost of fuel, the convenience, and the ability to go anywhere make boat transport an attractive alternative. Fortunately, the market contains a great many boat mover who offer great service for a fair price.
For more information on boat movers and boat shipping please see Boat Shipping.