The Yacht Law Podcast
Superyacht ownership and operation come with extraordinary rewards—and complicated legal questions. The Yacht Law Podcast helps owners, buyers, sellers, captains, crew, and industry professionals better understand the issues that shape life on the water, from yacht purchases and sales to onboard employment, ownership structures, disputes, regulations, and more.
Hosted by maritime attorney Michael Moore and yachting journalist Diane M. Byrne, each episode brings practical insight and real-world perspective to the legal side of the luxury yachting lifestyle.
The discussions are educational in nature and address common legal issues, but they are not intended as legal advice or as a substitute for guidance from your own attorney. Consider The Yacht Law Podcast a starting point for becoming better informed, asking better questions, and navigating the superyacht world with greater confidence.
Episodes
28 episodes
Why the U.S. Still Has No Large Yacht Code
One outdated number has quietly shaped the entire superyacht landscape in the United States: 300 gross tons.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 matc...
How Yacht Brokers, Managers, & Crew Are Getting Caught in a Wider Sanctions Net
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 t...
Unjust Enrichment in Yachting: How Courts Fix Unfair Deals
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.”...
How Worldwide Asset Freezing Orders Are Reshaping Yacht Deals
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, reshap...
Untangling Pay-First, Pay-If-Paid, & Other Clauses In Yacht Deals
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...
Inside Judicial Sales: How Yacht Auctions Really Work
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 l...
Yacht Yard Red Flags: What Buyers Should Check Before Signing
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 overa...
Superyacht Transport and the Fine Print That Decides Everything
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 ...
100% Bonus Depreciation: The New Tax Advantage for Yacht Buyers
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 c...
Cruising Japan: An Eastern Paradise Opens to Yachting
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 ...
Deep Fakes & Yacht Wakes: The AI Dilemma
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.Mar...
Who Keeps Your Money? Understanding MYBA vs. IYBA Yacht Contracts
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 get...
The Legal Battles of Amadea and Alpha Nero: Constitutional Rights, Maritime Law, and Political Fallout
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 Ner...
Superyacht Cruising in Alaska: Navigating the Legal Waters
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 awar...
Yacht Salvage: A Salvor's Tale of Saving the Sunken
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 th...
Yacht Collisions at Sea: Navigating Responsibilities
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 dis...
A Deep Dive Into the Yachting Industry's Class Action Controversy
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 t...
David Seal: Anchoring Trust & Ethics in the World of High-End Yacht Sales
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 h...
Yacht Charter Regulations: Unlocking the Intricacies for Yacht Owners
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 hav...
Navigating the Stormy Waters of Yacht Insurance: A Comprehensive Guide
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 comple...
The Impact of Classification Societies on Superyachts
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 ...
How Consolidation Is Reshaping the Yachting World
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 ...
Navigating Sanctions in Yachting: A Guide for Superyacht Owners and Professionals
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 citi...
Superyacht Arrests Part 2: Why They Happen
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 peo...
Superyacht Arrests Part 1: The Russians
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 invo...