The Yacht Law Podcast

Text us your ideas and feedback! One outdated number has quietly shaped the entire superyacht landscape in the United States: 300 gross tons. Once yachts started exceeding that limit, the law effectively pushed them toward a commercial-style regulatory world that does not match how most private owners actually operate. So why does the US still lack a clear, modern large yacht code and why do so ma...

Text us your ideas and feedback! Sanctions enforcement in yachting spreads far beyond Russia-Ukraine headlines. In this episode, we talk through why the U.S. is casting a wider net across superyachts and the people who service them. We dig into how AI-driven pattern spotting turns routine yacht behavior into red flags, and what that means for owners, captains, managers, brokers, and insurers:  • t...

Text us your ideas and feedback! A lot of yacht disputes don’t start with bad intent. They start with a rushed boatyard job, a handshake promise at a boat show, a wire sent to the wrong vendor, or an owner who accepts a benefit and later decides the bill “wasn’t in the scope.” That’s where unjust enrichment comes in, and it’s one of the most useful concepts in maritime law when the facts feel unfa...

Text us your ideas and feedback! Money now moves at the speed of a click, but the law is racing to catch up. We dive into the rise of worldwide freezing orders—born from the English Mareva injunction—and explore how a judge in one country can halt assets across borders, reshaping how major deals get done. From the chaotic rush of Russian privatization to Bill Browder’s campaign and the Magnitsky f...

Text us your ideas and feedback! One tiny word in a marine contract can decide who gets paid and who gets stranded. We unpack the real meaning of pay-first, pay-if-paid, and pay-when-paid in yacht builds, refits, and charters, and trace how P&I club traditions shaped today’s clauses. From owners to shipyards, subcontractors, brokers, and charterers, we map the entire payment chain so you can s...

Text us your ideas and feedback! Thinking about bidding on a seized superyacht? We walk through the real mechanics of judicial sales—what triggers them, how courts run them, and why a properly executed auction can deliver title that holds up worldwide. From sanctions stories like Amadea to bread‑and‑butter arrests for unpaid crew wages, we separate media myths from the rules that actually govern t...

Text us your ideas and feedback! We map the financial traps that sink yacht dreams: overcrowded yards, unsecured payments, "trust me" agreements, and deposits that erase leverage. Practical fixes follow—credit checks, real performance guarantees, firm delivery dates, and overall strategies that protect yacht and superyacht owners. • why crowded yards can signal cash stress • unsecured pa...

Text us your ideas and feedback! Paper beats steel when a superyacht rides a transport ship. We break down how a gleaming vessel turns into “cargo,” why the bill of lading is the most powerful page in the journey, and how small oversights in cradles, insurance, and scheduling cascade into seven-figure losses. From purpose-built float-on carriers to NVOCCs, we map the key differences between owning...

Text us your ideas and feedback! A game-changing tax opportunity has emerged for yacht owners and prospective buyers with the recent passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The restoration of 100% bonus depreciation in 2025 offers an extraordinary financial advantage that could transform the economics of yacht ownership. Michael Moore, a maritime attorney and co-host of The Yacht Law Podcast, b...

Text us your ideas and feedback! The luxury yachting world stands at the threshold of an exciting new frontier as Japan emerges as a premium cruising destination. While most yacht owners gravitate toward the Mediterranean's familiar shores, our latest conversation reveals why Japan deserves serious consideration for your next maritime adventure. Sailing through Japanese waters offers an unexp...

Text us your ideas and feedback! Artificial intelligence isn't coming to the yachting industry—it's already here, transforming operations, creating opportunities, and raising critical legal questions that owners, crew, designers, and builders need to understand now. Maritime attorney Michael Moore and journalist Diane Byrne unpack the complex realities of AI in the luxury yacht sector, r...

Text us your ideas and feedback! Yacht deposit disputes are heating up in an industry already feeling the pressure of tariff uncertainties. Michael Moore and Diane Byrne dive into the complex world of deposit recovery, exploring why more buyers are suddenly concerned about getting their money back when yacht deals fall through. The conversation reveals a stark contrast between two industry-standar...

Text us your ideas and feedback! The high-stakes drama of seized superyachts unfolds as landmark legal rulings reshape our understanding of who truly owns these floating palaces. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, vessels like the $225 million Amadea and Alpha Nero became battlegrounds where constitutional rights, maritime law, and international sanctions collide. Judge Ho's...

Text us your ideas and feedback! Are you eager for extraordinary superyacht cruising experiences in Alaska? This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of the essential regulations, documentation requirements, and environmental considerations that yacht owners must be aware of before navigating these stunning waters. We uncover the increasing popularity of Alaskan cruising, highlighting why th...

Text us your ideas and feedback! Yacht salvage is a complex field that intertwines legal, environmental, and practical challenges. While the subject was a topic for a podcast in our first season, that episode led to more in-depth questions--as did the subsequent sinking iof the superyacht Bayesian. Therefore, in this episode, we explore notable incidents, including that of the Bayesian, and the la...

Text us your ideas and feedback! Embark on a riveting journey as Michael, a veteran maritime lawyer, sheds light on the complexities of maritime law sparked by the collision of the container ship Dali with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The first chapter of our discussion steers through the legal presumptions and navigational rules that govern the seas, revealing how these centuries-ol...

Text us your ideas and feedback! Navigate the seas of high-stakes litigation with us as maritime attorney Michael Moore and journalist Diane M. Byrne dissect a  recently filed class action lawsuit that's a topic of conversation throughout the yachting industry. Discover the allegations of price-fixing among the elite brokerage firms and listing platforms. Michael's expertise illuminates...

Text us your ideas and feedback! From the humble beginnings of window cleaning to navigating the complex high seas of yacht brokerage, David Seal, the host and creator of the famous YouTube channel Yachts for Sale, plus a broker with Northrop & Johnson, joins us to share his remarkable journey. Discover the serendipitous path that led a young man from Wolverhampton, England to become a pivotal...

Text us your ideas and feedback! Set sail with us as we celebrate the first anniversary of The Yacht Law Podcast, with over 600 downloads from 44 different countries! We couldn't be prouder of our enlightening nine-episode journey, and we're thrilled to share insights that have resonated deeply with the yachting community. For this new episode, maritime attorney Michael Moore and yachtin...

Text us your ideas and feedback! Ever wondered why yacht insurance premiums have hit the roof? Does the frequency of named storms have everything to do with it, or is there more to the story? Here's a promise: By the end of this episode, you'll become well-versed in the complex world of marine insurance and the important role of an experienced insurance broker. It's a crucial educat...

Text us your ideas and feedback! Do you understand the vital role that classification societies have in securing safety in the construction of superyachts?  If you're an owner, chances are you don't, and that's a mistake. Even with smart advisors around you, it's crucial that you educate yourself and therefore avoid making expensive mistakes by opting out of classification soci...

Text us your ideas and feedback! Are you ready to navigate the intricate waters of the yachting industry's recent merger and acquisition wave? We dissect the angles of this fascinating development, starting with the superyacht industry's consolidation and its implications. We discuss the big deals rocking the boat, like MarineMax's acquisition of IGY Marinas, Northrop & Johnson,...

Text us your ideas and feedback! Have you ever wondered how to navigate the complex world of sanctions, and what it means for you as a yacht owner or yachting professional? Join us as we shed light on the implications of US, EU, and UK sanctions against Russia and Russian citizens. With Michael Moore's deep knowledge in maritime law, we discuss the importance of staying informed about sanctio...

Text us your ideas and feedback! Superyacht arrests—which are more accurately called maritime arrests—are under an extra-strong spotlight due to the sanctions against Russian owners purported to have close ties to the Russian government. The arrests have led to a number of people, including one particular listener, to want to better understand why arrests in general occur. In this episode of The Y...

Text us your ideas and feedback! Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the United States, the UK, and the European Union have gone after the assets of those suspected to be close to the Kremlin. Trying to sort facts from rumors when it comes to the superyacht arrests involving Russian owners, though, can be challenging. In this episode of The Yacht Law Podcast, maritime attorney Michael Moore...