Yacht Safety Protocols
Every Feeling Yachty charter runs on the same yacht safety protocols: a licensed captain with the final say, a limit of 13 guests on most private boats, a life jacket for every guest, a weather check and a six-point check before the lines come off. This page sets out what the crew does, what guests are asked to do, and what happens in an emergency.
Who is in charge on board
The captain. Every charter has a licensed captain at the helm, and on the water the captain has the final say on the route, the weather, the swim stop and when the boat comes back. Feeling Yachty was founded by a licensed captain and yacht broker, Fernando Yemail, with his father, a veteran yacht captain; how the company runs its charters is on who we are at Feeling Yachty.
Captains are reviewed for operating experience and hold the credentials the vessel and the charter require. Deckhands handle lines, fenders, boarding, anchoring and the swim setup; hosts look after service and guest comfort. Instructions are kept calm and simple, and any member of the crew may pause or stop something unsafe.
The check before every charter
- Guest count checked against the vessel’s limit. Infants and children count.
- Life jacket locations checked and shown to the group.
- Weather and route reviewed.
- Boarding, docking and moving-around rules explained.
- Swimming, toy and ladder rules explained.
- Emergency basics covered in plain language.
Life jackets
A wearable life jacket is on board for every guest, as U.S. Coast Guard rules require, with a throwable device where the vessel calls for one. Children and non-swimmers are fitted before departure and wear theirs on deck and around the water. Ask the crew for the right size rather than guessing.
Why the limit is 13 guests
Most private charters in Miami carry up to 13 guests. The number comes from U.S. Coast Guard passenger rules, the captain’s licence and the vessel’s certification, not from the length of the boat, so a large yacht can have the same limit as a smaller one. The crew counts heads at the dock, and a group over the limit cannot board, however much room the deck seems to have.
Groups above 13 book a larger inspected vessel certified for more passengers, through large group yacht charters in Miami.
While the boat is moving, stay seated or hold on, keep off rails, gunwales and the swim platform, and stay away from the helm unless the captain invites you. Follow the crew during docking, anchoring and swim stops.
Weather
Conditions are reviewed before departure and watched during the charter: wind, rain, lightning, visibility, sea state and current. The captain can delay the start, change the route or the swim stop, come back early, or hold the charter when it is not safe to go. A weather hold is rescheduled, not lost.
Swimming and water toys
Swimming happens only where the captain approves it. The engines are off, the ladder is down and the crew is watching before anyone enters the water. No diving unless the captain says the depth is safe, stay close to the boat inside the swim area, and no swimming after dark. Floats, mats and every other water toy follow the same rules.
Alcohol, conduct and what not to bring
Drink in moderation, bring cans and plastic rather than glass, and bring no illegal substances; smoking is allowed only where the captain says. Unsafe intoxication can end the charter early. Leave fireworks, weapons, hazardous chemicals, glitter, confetti and red wine or other staining drinks at home, keep hard coolers off the upholstery, and do not jump over the rails or fly a drone unless the captain says it is safe. The crew can stop unsafe behaviour at any time.
Emergencies
Person overboard: shout, point, throw flotation if the crew tells you to, and follow the crew. Medical: tell the crew at once; first-aid supplies are on board and the captain has VHF radio, phone and marina contacts. Fire: move away, keep exits clear and follow the captain.
Tell the team before the day about allergies, pregnancy, limited mobility, recent surgery, non-swimmers, young children or anyone who needs a hand boarding. The team in Miami and Panama answers in English and Spanish: contact Feeling Yachty.
Official boating safety resources
These are for planning, not a substitute for the captain on the day: U.S. Coast Guard boating safety, Florida FWC boating and the NOAA Miami marine forecast. Other questions about booking, prices and boarding are answered in the Miami yacht rental FAQ.
Questions about yacht safety
Do I need a boating licence to charter a yacht?
How many people can come on a private yacht charter?
What happens if the weather is bad?
Is swimming always allowed?
Plan a charter with the team
Tell the team the date, the group size and anyone who needs extra care on board, or browse the boats and book one yourself.