yacht charter nanaimo

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Cruising Into Consciousness

Our passion is people and creating memorable experiences that will last a lifetime. Equanimity Luxury Charters offers luxury custom packages, sunset cruises, and multi-day wellness retreats to nourish your mind, body and spirit.  We do our best to make sure your every need is cared for so that you have a smooth sailing while on board as we guide you to explore the beautiful gulf islands.

Our Homeport | Virtual Tour  | Frequently Asked Questions

Our Homeport

Our homeport is easy to access and located in the heart of downtown, Nanaimo, British Columbia at the W.E Mills Landing & Marina / Cameron Island Dock.  Use our google maps widget to get directions directly to our homeport via your smart device. Thank you for visiting our website. 

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Sacred Plant

Our team offers various retreats that focus solely on your overall health using sacred plant remedies.

Charters With Dean

Dip your toe into a world of  possibilities. Charters with Dean are customizable so that you can plan your own trip.

West Coast Luxury Wellness Packages

From healthy menus to extraordinary results, wellness retreats will help you focus on loving yourself.

Virtual Tour Of Equanimity

Equanimity is a luxury yacht that has world class options to offer. We invite you to learn more about our retreats and charters. Equanimity offers a  360 degree of  beautiful   scenery .

Take a moment and dive into Equanimity's virtual tour while planning your dream experience.

Learn more about the destinations that we visit

Pender Island

Pender Island is one of the Southern Gulf Islands located in the Gulf of Georgia, British Columbia, Canada.

Salt Spring

Surrounded by the Salish Sea, between Vancouver Island and BC's Lower Mainland, sits the vibrant rural island community.

Mayne Island

Mayne Island is small and friendly, positioned about halfway between the lower mainland of British Columbia.

Saturna Island

Saturna Island is a mountainous island, about 31 square kilometres (12 sq mi) in size, in the Southern Gulf Islands chain of BC.

Custom Charters

We offer custom charters for our guests that have a special place in mind. We offer various packages that you can customize.

Desolation Sound

Desolation Sound Marine Park is a boater's paradise! With over 6,350 acres of shoreline and water, it is the largest Marine Park in B.C.

• Does Barbara offer custom workshops? Yes! Please contact us via the contact form at the bottom of this page or on our contact page to craft a custom experience with Barbara.
• What's involved in a workshop with Barbara? Barbara offers an experience.
• How many days is a wellness retreat? A wellness retreat can last up to 5 days, please view our booking page to craft your custom charter experience.
• What type of food can guests expect on board? We accommodate each client and their needs, each meal aligns with our sacred remedies.
• How many people are allowed on a retreat? Day trips allow a maximum of 6 people, and overnight charters allow up to 4 people.
• Do you offer vegan meals on board? Yes, we do!
• How do i contact Barbara? Use the form at the bottom of the page

Frequently Asked Questions

Book your first  charter or retreat with equanimity charters, our partners, the nanaimo tour guide.

Yacht Charter Nanaimo

The Yacht Engine is the leading boat rental and yacht charter marketplace worldwide with over 45,000 boat listings across 65 + countries worldwide, with boats of all types available for rental and including peer-to-peer boat listings.

• Build year : 1988
• Length : 92 ft
• Boat type : Motor Yacht

• Build year : 1994
• Guests : 12
• Berths : 12
• Length : 112 ft

TABULA RASA

• Build year : 2001
• Length : 57 ft

SUMMERTIME II

• Build year : 1997
• Length : 116 ft

• Build year : 1973
• Length : 65 ft

• Build year : 2002
• Guests : 10
• Berths : 10
• Length : 132 ft

Build your own unique trip!

• Build year : 1967
• Length : 90 ft

pacific yellowfin

• Build year : 1943
• Length : 114 ft

• Build year : 1998
• Length : 103 ft

northern light

• Build year : 1987
• Length : 74 ft

• Build year : 2016
• Length : 78 ft
• Boat type : Catamaran

At The Yacht Engine we're on a mission to make boating more accessible and to make it easier for you to get on the water. We believe boating should be available to everyone, and we can help the boating industry, boat owners, marinas, and everyone who wants to go boating by providing a 21st-century boating marketplace. The Yacht Engine is the best place to find and rent boats of all sorts, from a canal and riverboat across Europe to a sailing boat, motor boat, catamaran across North America, the Mediterranean, Caribbean and further afield, along with some of the world's most impressive superyachts and luxury yacht charters.

Boats or Yachts Available For Rent Or Charter In Nanaimo

Where it comes to chartering or renting boats in Nanaimo below is a list of the typical types of boats that you can hire on The Yacht Engine with a description of the boat type. If you can't find the individual boat charter you are looking for when you do a search in Nanaimo it's worthwhile searching nearby locations as your chosen boat type might be available nearby.

When searching a geographical area on The Yacht Engine you can filter by the below boat types. There is also the option to further filter your searches by price, the number of guests, cabins or bathrooms, what year the boat or sailing yacht was launched, the boat length and the boat manufacturer.

Sailing Yacht (Sailboat): From €120/£100/$135 a day up to whatever you can afford, monohull sailing yachts are fun to sail at all points of the wind and an affordable way to get around if your island hopping or finding your own secluded coves or sandy beaches along with longer cruises. Sizes range from those for a couple or small family to a full sized luxury charter yacht.

Catamaran: Luxury catamarans are stable and spacious, with quick sailing performance, and and have been gaining in popularity in recent years. Better for larger groups, they have lots of room for water toys, and are big enough for a little privacy. A catamaran charter is easy and comfortable for novices not used to heeling and are loved by families due to their extra space when compared to a monohull. Typically far more luxurious than a sailboat the larger catamarans have en suite toilets and showers in the staterooms as well as ample entertaining space in the saloon and on deck.

Power Catamaran: These types of boats are relatively new but have also been gaining in popularity as the two hulls keep the boat more stable when compared to a monohull. The wider beam also means more deck space and as they don't have sails or a mast, they have a lot more space on deck than a sailing catamaran rental or monohull. For a luxury catamaran charter, consider taking a crewed catamaran charter sailing vacation with an experienced skipper.

Luxury Yacht: Luxury yacht charters are available for either a sailing yacht (sailboat), catamaran or motorboat and will have a crew and host/hostess on hand to cater for whatever your needs are along with a skipper who will have a detailed knowledge of your cruising area. On a crewed yacht charter of this kind you get to create your own personal itinerary and will have far greater range than on other boats which allows for lots of variety in how you travel and what you do.

Superyacht: A superyacht or sometimes called mega yacht are boats which are least 24 metres (79 feet) in length up to 180 metres (590 feet) and can either be sailing yachts (sailboats) or motorboats. These types of boats are most frequently found in the Med of Caribbean and due to their size they will have a large chartering area and can typically pick you up from whatever location you require rather than you being required to get to a set marina to start your charter. They are fully crewed with professional staff who will cater for your every need along with a skipper who will have extensive knowledge of your chosen cruising areas.

Motorboat: This covers a wide variety of boats from a motor yacht with cabins to a private boat trip for a fishing trip but all of the these are comfortable seagoing boats with a kick of speed should you want to cover a bigger distance on the day.​

RIB: Very much day boats for fishing and day cruising, RIBs are a lot of fun for a day afloat. They can be very quick and are great should you be in a town on holiday and fancy seeing the coast or finding secluded sandy beaches to get away from it all.

Skippered Yacht Charter or Bareboat

When it comes to boat hire or yacht charter in Nanaimo you typically have two choices - bareboat yacht hire or skippered yacht charter.

When using The Yacht Engine you can filter all boat searches to be with or without skipper depending on what you are looking for and below we cover some of the main points to consider for your boat hire.

Skippered Charter: A skippered yacht charter gives you the advantage of being able to get afloat without having to invest in getting sailing qualifications before hand. For a monohull sailing yacht you will pay €120/£100/$135 plus a day extra for the skipper, as well as their food and a tip at the end.

When you get to a luxury yacht or superyacht charter with crew these prices will increase and costs also depend on where you plan to sail to along with the size and type of boat rental on your sailing holiday.

In some cases skippers will also be the yacht or boat owners (typically day trips) which means they will know all the best secluded beaches to show you the best that the area has to offer with their local knowledge.

For day trips you will often be able to use a skipper as well and prices will vary depending on the type of boat.

Bareboat Yacht Charter: For skilled sailors, a bareboat charter is cheaper and gives more privacy for you and your charter guests. Many sailors prefer to be helming the boat while choosing their own course, and provided you have the knowledge and relevant qualifications you can skipper these boats (typically up to 54 feet/16.5 metres in length) yourself.

Do You Need A Licence To Charter A Yacht In Nanaimo

If you are on a gulet or skippered yacht charter you do not need a license to sail a yacht out of Nanaimo. This is also the case where you are renting a small motorboat without a cabin for a day trip around the local islands or beaches.

You do need a license if you are on a bareboat yacht charter, here are some examples of sailing qualifications:

International Certificate of Competence: This is issued on request by your European sailing authority and you should automatically qualify with certain national sailing qualifications.

RYA Qualifications: If you have the following qualifications you will be able to take a bareboat charter out of Nanaimo, these include Day Skipper (sail or motor endorsement), Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster.

American Sailing Association (ASA): The ASA 104 Bareboat certificate is commonly accepted.

US Sailing: The International Proficiency Certificate is widely accepted and The Bareboat Cruising Certificate is also accepted in many cases.

Frequently asked questions

The main points to consider are what is your budget, have you got the necessary sailing experience and qualifications to manage the boat if it's not going to have a skipper, whom you are taking sailing, where exactly you wish to go and what will the weather be like on the proposed dates of your trip.

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Yacht charters in Nanaimo, Canada

• Townsite Marina
• Port McNeil
• Powell River

Sailing in Nanaimo offers a unique experience with its stunning coastal scenery, abundant marine life, and excellent sailing conditions. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced sailor, Nanaimo has something to offer for everyone.

• Explore the famous Gulf Islands, known for their pristine beaches and secluded coves.
• Visit Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park and anchor in its calm waters while enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding nature.
• Experience thrilling sailing adventures in the Nanaimo Harbour and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of this bustling waterfront city.
• Encounter a diverse range of marine wildlife including seals, sea lions, otters, and even whales while sailing around the Nanaimo area.
• Discover interesting dive sites with opportunities for scuba diving around Nanaimo's many underwater wrecks.
• Enjoy the relatively calm and sheltered waters, making it an ideal destination for sailors of all skill levels.
• Take advantage of the well-maintained marinas and yacht clubs, providing excellent facilities and services for sailors.
• Indulge in delightful seafood cuisine at waterfront restaurants after a day of sailing.
• Immerse yourself in the local culture and visit the Nanaimo Museum and other historical attractions in the area.
• Experience breathtaking sunsets and tranquil anchorages that make for unforgettable evenings on the water.

Catamaran Charter Nanaimo - Catamaran Rentals

Top-rated yacht charters in nanaimo - preselected yacht rentals:.

Catamaran Lagoon 42 for rent in Nanaimo

• Lagoon 42 [Yacht Price incl. Taxes]
• Yacht Insurance
• Final cleaning
• Damage waiver

• Barbeque Grill
• Cockpit cushion

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Vancouver Island / Nanaimo

Yacht charter vancouver island / nanaimo.

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Boat Charters in this list provide services to multiple postal codes in and around Nanaimo (i.e V5N 2M4, V9R 2N3, V9R 5M2). For specific service areas, kindly reach out to the individual businesses.

Boat Charters in Nanaimo, BC

Equanimity Yacht Charters Inc

Equanimity Yacht Charters Inc. offers customized yacht charter tours & vacation packages, sunset cruises, a venue for special occasions, corporate events as well as short term dockside accommodation - all while discovering the beauty of Nanaimo, the Gulf Islands & Vancouver Isla…

Island Marine Adventures

Island Marine Adventures Catamaran Cruising Sailing Rides Tours Customized Adventures Special Events Funeral Ash Dispersal Nanaimo B.C.

Little Boat Charters

Visit beautiful Nanaimo, British Columbia. A vibrant harbour city just 90 minutes from Victoria and only 3 hours from Tofino on beautiful Vancouver Island.

Boat Charters near Nanaimo, BC

Beachcomber Charters

We offer wildlife tours from our base in Ucluelet. Our 3-hour tours showcase whales, bears and coastal wildlife in Barkley Sound.

Big Bear Salmon Charters Ltd

Big Bear Salmon Charters Ltd from Ucluelet, BC. Company specialized in: Boat Charters. Please call us for more information - (250) 726-7263

Boonie Charters

Fully guided salmon fishing in Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada. We also arrange trips to Nootka Sound and Desolation Sound.

Browning Pass Charters

Browning Pass Charters. Tofino Boat Charters: Bear Watching, Wildlife Watching, Weddings, Sunset Cruises, Freedom Cove Tours... Call 250.725.3342

Codfather Charters

Codfather Charters from Port Hardy, BC. Company specialized in: Boat Charters. Please call us for more information - (250) 949-6696

Cooper Boating

Cooper Boating from Sidney, BC. Company specialized in: Boat Charters. Please call us for more information - (250) 655-4979

Cougar Island Water Taxi

Cougar Island Water Taxi services the Ahousaht people to Tofino (vice versa). Whale watching: 2-3 hours private tour for you and your family and friends. Hiking: private water taxi will drive you and your family and friends to your hiking destination, and pick you up when you…

Desolation Sound Yacht Charters Ltd

Desolation Sound Yacht Charters Ltd. offers a full range of bareboat and yacht charter services in British Columbia's most spectacular cruising area.

Discovery Launch Water Taxi Service

Discovery Launch Water Taxi Service from Campbell River, BC. Company specialized in: Boat Charters. Please call us for more information - (250) 287-7577

G Cook's Tours

G Cook'S Tours from Alert Bay, BC. Company specialized in: Boat Charters. Please call us for more information - (250) 974-5055

Inter Island Excursions

Inter Island Excursions from Tofino, BC. Company specialized in: Boat Charters. Please call us for more information - (250) 725-3163

Mackay Whale Watching Ltd Port McNeill

Join the Mackay family, pioneers in killer whale watching in BC with over 40 years of experience for a cruise aboard the most innovative certified passenger vessel on the British Columbia coast. The Naiad Explorer will whisk you from Port McNeill to a whale watching experience l…

Nootka Sound Sports Fishing Charters

Nootka Sound Sports Fishing Charters from Gold River, BC. Company specialized in: Boat Charters. Please call us for more information - (250) 283-7194

Ocean Outfitters Ltd

We offer Whale Watching and Bear Watching tours based out of Tofino, BC. We also take guests to Hot Springs Cove, Meares Island Big Tree Trail, and Fishing.

Port Boat House Port Alberni

Your Island Boat Dealer With local roots dating back more than thirty-nine years, Port Boat House has become your Vancouver Island Boat Dealer of choice

Subtidal Adventures

40 years offering quality Marine Wildlife viewing and Bear watching from Ucluelet on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

Way West Coastal Ventures

Our scheduled water taxi & marine transportation services connect Campbell River and North Central Vancouver Island to areas such as Stuart Island, Dent Island, East and West Thurlow Islands and Sonora Island.

Search results hints

We identified leading Boat Charters in Nanaimo, BC. Need more choices? Try widening your search to cover Vancouver Island.

This compilation contains solely Boat Charters and similar businesses. Every business listed includes at least one way to contact them, be it via phone, website, or email.

You will notice that some businesses are marked with a "certified" badge. It indicates that they claimed their profile and were certified by Names and Numbers.

Morgan Stanley Chief Jonathan Bloomer Also On Sunken Bayesian Yacht With Michael Lynch

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The chairman of Morgan Stanley International was reportedly among the six missing people—including UK tech mogul Michael Lynch— after the 184-foot luxury sailing yacht Bayesian sank in rough seas near Sicily early Monday morning, according to new reports.

Italian emergency services headed out to sea towards the area off the Sicilian coast on Tuesday, ... [+] Aug. 20, 2024.

Lynch , a British tech entrepreneur and one-time billionaire, and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah Lynch are confirmed to be among those still missing after the ship sank (his wife, Angela Bacares, was rescued).

Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of the Morgan Stanley International bank and insurance company Hiscox, is also reportedly among the missing along with his wife, Judy.

Authorities on Monday told the BBC the missing people are presumed to still be inside the boat, and rescue operations resumed Tuesday morning.

The vessel had 22 people on board — 10 crew and 12 passengers — including people from the United States, Britain and Canada, when it overturned at around 5 a.m. Monday, according to the Italian coast guard.

Fifteen people were rescued from the vessel (including a 1-year-old girl), one person was found dead and six, including two Americans , remain missing, according to multiple reports.

Local media reported the person who died was a member of the crew, thought to be the yacht’s chef .

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Who Are The Missing People Aboard The Bayesian Yacht?

Lynch, 59, and his daughter were the first to be reported as among the missing. Lynch's lawyer Chris Morvillo, a former assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, has also not been found, nor has his wife and jewelry designer Neda Morvillo. Bloomer, 70, a close friend of Lynch's, is also missing along with his wife, Judy.

Key Background

The Bayesian was anchored near the port of Porticello overnight Sunday when a harsh storm hit the coast that included a " waterspout ," a tornado-like swirling column of air and water. The ship tipped over and quickly was drug underwater by its massive mast —it had the tallest aluminum mast in the world at 246 feet. Of the 15 people rescued in the aftermath, eight were treated at a local hospital.

Lynch was acquitted in a fraud trial in June after he was accused by Hewlett-Packard of artificially inflating the value of Autonomy before HP bought it for more than $11 billion in 2011. HP wrote off $8.8 million of Autonomy's value within a year of buying the company. Today, The Times estimates Lynch has a net worth of £500 million. He "had a lot of pride" in his yacht, a member of his staff told the U.K. paper, and business filings show the boat is legally owned by his wife, Bacares.

Surprising Fact: Lynch's Co-Defendant Stephen Chamberlain Died The Same Weekend

Stephen Chamberlain, who was acquitted in the same trial as Lynch in June, died hours after news broke of Lynch's disappearance. Chamberlain was hit by a car while jogging in England on Saturday morning and was put on life support before his death was announced late Monday, the Guardian reported . Lynch and Chamberlain were both indicted for conspiracy and wire fraud in the sale of Autonomy to HP before being acquitted.

What To Watch For

An ongoing search operation includes divers attempting to search the vessel, now sitting 160 feet below sea level, as well as rescue boats and helicopters, according to CNN .

$215,000. That's the cost to charter the Bayesian, a single-mast sailing vessel, for one week .

Crucial Quote

“She told me that while they were sleeping, at a certain point the yacht overturned due to the tornado, and they found themselves in the water,” Dr. Domenico Cipolla, head of the emergency room at the pediatric hospital in Palermo, Italy, told The Times . “Some of them immediately managed to get onto the lifeboat. And some, evidently, didn’t make it.”

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Five bodies found inside superyacht that sank off Sicily

PORTICELLO, Sicily — Divers recovered four bodies Wednesday from inside a superyacht that sank in a sudden storm off Sicily , Salvatore Cocina, director of the island's Civil Protection Agency, confirmed to NBC News.

Cocina later confirmed to Sky News that a fifth body had been found and was being brought to shore. One passenger remains missing.

The identities of the bodies were not immediately released. Their recovery follows a dayslong search in the deep waters off Italy where British tech tycoon Mike Lynch  and several others were believed to be trapped in the hull. Fifteen of the 22 people aboard survived.

The rest had been missing since early Monday, when the Bayesian was caught in the storm anchored off the coast of Porticello, a village near the Sicilian capital city, Palermo.

The body of the ship’s cook, identified as Recaldo Thomas, a Canadian Antiguan national, was recovered Monday. 

On Wednesday, NBC News witnessed what appeared to be at least three body bags being lifted from fire department boats after they pulled into port at Porticello. It was unclear whose bodies they were. Some were later transferred to ambulances and driven away from the dock.

Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter, Hannah; Morgan Stanley International Chairman Jonathan Bloomer and his wife, Judy; and Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife, Neda, are also missing. 

The Bayesian is owned by a firm linked to Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, who was among the survivors rescued by a nearby vessel after they got into a lifeboat.

Built by the Italian shipbuilder Perini Navi in 2008, the U.K.-registered yacht could carry 12 guests and a crew of up to 10, according to online specialist boating sites. Its nearly 250-foot mast is the tallest aluminum sailing mast in the world, according to CharterWorld Luxury Yacht Charters.  

Regularly described in U.K. media as “Britain’s Bill Gates,” Lynch was  acquitted of fraud by a San Francisco jury this year, stemming from the sale of his software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion in 2011.

The Mediterranean sailing vacation was designed to be a celebration for Lynch, who brought Bloomer, who testified in his defense, and Morvillo, one of his U.S. lawyers, on the trip.

Lynch's co-defendant Stephen Chamberlain was not aboard the Bayesian, but in what appears to be a tragic coincidence, a  car struck and killed  him Saturday as he was jogging in a village about 68 miles north of London, local police said.

Claudio Lavanga and Claudia Rizzo reported from Porticello. Henry Austin reported from London.

Claudio Lavanga is Rome-based foreign correspondent for NBC News.

Claudia Rizzo is an Italy based journalist.

Henry Austin is a senior editor for NBC News Digital based in London.

A superyacht captain shares 3 things people who want to charter a luxury vessel should know

• Vacationing on a superyacht may sound like it's all Champagne and sunbathing.
• But before boarding a luxury vessel, superyacht captain Kelly Gordon advises keeping certain things in mind.
• Yachting is a summer pastime with risks and nuances for clients and crew.

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez soaking up the sun. Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian's wedding . Beyoncé's carefree jump into the ocean.

One of these images is likely what comes to mind when you hear the word "superyacht," a phrase generally used to describe a yacht over 80 feet in length.

While ultra-luxurious vessels are associated with all things carefree, tragic events such as the sinking of the Bayesian superyacht off the coast of Sicily on Monday is a reminder that yachting is a pastime with unique risks and nuances. It's unclear what the protocols were on the Bayesian.

For those keen on the idea of chartering a superyacht, captain Kelly Gordon, 42, told Business Insider there are a number of important factors to consider before hopping on board.

Gordon fell in love with yachting after she stepped aboard a yacht for the first time in her mid-20s.

Hellbent on reaching captain level, Gordon quickly worked her way up the chain of command. She's spent most of her time sailing the Bahamas and the Caribbean and is now based in Florida, where she works as a captain on a 108-foot-long privately owned vessel.

Gordon, who has over 12,600 followers on Instagram , shares three factors to keep in mind before boarding a chartered superyacht.

Think of the process of chartering a superyacht as buying a house

One of the most important things to do when chartering a superyacht is to work with a charter broker, Gordon says.

"The charter manager's job is to No. 1: find you a safe boat," Gordon said, adding that in her experience, "Not all programs put safety as high up on the list as it should be."

She also likes to equate charter brokers to Realtors in that they take on the role of finding you the best option for your taste.

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"You find one that you gel with really well and has a good reputation, and then you discuss with them what your budget is, where you want to go, what your activity levels are, what your personalities are like," Gordon said.

Pairing clients with a crew that aligns with their characteristics is a huge part of a charter broker's job, Gordon said.

"If you think about it, you're living with that crew for 24/7, around the clock," she said. "You're not going put someone that just wants to sit and read books all day with a crew that's extremely active."

Find a crew that is competent and prioritizes safety

Charter brokers also help match clients with a competent crew that prioritizes safety.

"I don't know that many people realize just how much their life is in our hands when we cast those lines and we go to sea," Gordon said.

Part of that is having a safety briefing, which Gordon carries out every time she welcomes clients onto a chartered vessel before leaving a dock.

A thorough safety briefing includes informing clients about the location of safety equipment and lifejackets and the procedures for events such as a fire, a person falling overboard, or the boat sinking.

"You should have a safety briefing, and if you don't get one, you should ask for one," Gordon said.

The process, she added, can be different on privately owned yachts, where passengers may be familiar with the vessel.

The Bayesian is a private yacht owned by tech tycoon Mike Lynch; it's not yet known what kind of safety protocols staff and guests were trained on.

Make sure there's a member of the crew on watch 24/7

"A lot of charter guests think when they go to sleep, the crew goes to sleep," Gordon said.

But that shouldn't be the case, she added. "You want to be on a boat knowing that someone's up, because if the weather changes or the anchor starts to drag, you need somebody that's up and ready to go and get everybody else to handle it."

Among the biggest weather risks are tornados, which can be extremely difficult to predict and prepare for whether you're on land or at sea.

"I'm from the Midwest, where tornados pop up," Gordon said. "It's hard to see a tornado coming, and if you do see it coming, the tornado goes where it wants to go."

Most often, that leaves people near the weather event with just minutes to ready themselves, which is even trickier "in the middle of the night."

While rapid changes in weather are tough to contend with, Gordon recommends researching the areas you are sailing in beforehand, like you would when visiting a new country.

"It's no different than if you're going on vacation on land," she said. "You want to know where you're going. Don't put that just all on the crew."

While the research doesn't have to be as extensive as the crew should be doing, it's important to still be "responsible for your own self as well as your family and your guests."

Watch: Why it costs $1 million a day to run one of the world's biggest cruise ships

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Our management team delivers memorable charter holidays on a fleet of well maintained sail and power yachts. We are the only Charter Company in BC with a full-service yacht repair / yacht-maintenance division, boatyard with an 85 ton Travelift, and Marine Store on site.  For more information about our Yacht Services, Stones Boatyard, and The Marine Store at Stones Boatyard, visit: www.nanaimoboatyard.ca .

WHO ARE WE?

In April 2023, long time owners Ian and Shari MacPherson sold Nanaimo Yacht Charters to Tony and Mike Harris, Ken Schley, and Andrew Babuin.

The Harris’s are known for their history in the auto and cellular phone businesses. Mike oversees the Harris Auto Group and Tom Harris Cellular. Their Auto Group has eight dealerships that represent 11 OEM brands. Tom Harris Cellular is Canada’s largest Telus Authorized Dealer, with 51 locations in B.C. and Alberta. Mike also owns OK Tire (Parksville), Parksville Qualicum Self Storage, and Oceanside RV Sales and Consignment. Tony has also expanded into real estate development.

Ken Schley’s experience and success with Quality Foods is well known, and he continues to run Kelland Ventures. Kelland Ventures is a large property holding, management, and development company. It also includes a hospitality division featuring the Qualicum Beach Inn.

Ken owns the meticulously restored S.S. Minnow , the original vessel from the iconic TV series Gilligan’s Island. Ken also holds the Canadian distribution rights to Sealegs amphibious boats through Vancouver Island Marine Sales & Service.

Andrew Babuin was a Major Account Manager with Finning Canada, and a long-time family friend of the Harris brothers. He has a vast experience in serving customers and he aims to provide our clients with the best services that we can offer.

We have recently been asked to work with Transport Canada in promoting safe boating in the rental boat fleet:

Launch Course

Below is just a snippet of some of the world’s best cruising ground along the Sunshine Coast and through Desolation Sound onboard the Beneteau 40 – ‘Baraka Too’.

• Cruising Area
• Our Vessels
• Charter Rates
• Cookie Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Data Request
• Sailing School
• Yacht Management
• Job Opportunities
• Instructor Intranet

Nanaimo Yacht Charters & Sailing School Ltd. 1690 Stewart Ave Nanaimo BC, Canada V9S 4E1 Email: [email protected]

© 2007-2024 Nanaimo Yacht Charters.

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