The Yacht Law Podcast

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Some superyacht owners, especially first-time buyers, assume the rulebook stops at one country’s border. That belief is exactly where expensive surprises begin, especially as operational and sustainability expectations collide with hard law.

We talk through the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN body that sets global maritime standards through treaties that flag states ado...

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One outdated number has quietly shaped the entire superyacht landscape in the United States: 300 gross tons.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 many American-owned yachts end up unde...

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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: 
• the surge in sanctioned vesse...

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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...

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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 framework, we conne...

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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 see where money stalls, why it ...

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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 these high‑stakes transactions....

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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 payments vs first preferred ship...

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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 the ships and brokering...

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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, breaks down this complex tax p...

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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 unexpected blend of familiar Western ya...

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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, revealing how the absence of compr...

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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-standard contracts: the Mediterranean Yacht ...

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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 recent 80-page ruling on Amadea delive...

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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 this destination has become a sought-a...

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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 layers of responsibility and coordinat...

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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-old principles still profoundly impact...

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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 the parallels with real estate commission...

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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 figure in the luxurious world of ya...