As licensed yacht charter operators were forced to close during the COVID-19 restrictions of 2020 and 2021, there has been a significant increase in individuals using personal vessels for charter without adequate insurance or safety measures. This poses a serious risk to public safety.

How to safeguard your loved ones from becoming a victim of an unlicensed yacht charter company :

You stumble upon an enticing offer for a well-priced yacht advertised on Google and decide to book it for a memorable trip. Excitement builds as you put down a deposit via eTransfer, eagerly anticipating your upcoming adventure. However, as the trip draws near, frustration mounts when the provider fails to provide clear details about the pick-up location, leaving you in the dark until the last minute.

On the day of the trip, confusion reigns as the third-party agent instructs you to rendezvous at Ontario Place, Coronation Park, or another public area ill-suited for passenger pick-up. As you arrive, a dubious figure greets you with a boat, exhibiting signs of intoxication and a rushed demeanour. Sensing something amiss, you board the vessel hesitantly, feeling like an unwelcome guest in someone else’s domain.

The unease escalates as the owner, doubling as the captain, and his girlfriend join your party, partaking in drinks and steering the boat recklessly. Disaster strikes when one of your friends falls overboard, prompting a frantic rescue attempt by the owner, narrowly averting a potentially tragic accident. Yet, the ordeal is far from over as you are unceremoniously dropped off at another random park, your injured friend in tow.

In the aftermath, you reach out to the booking website, only to be met with a disappointing response claiming they merely serve as a marketplace, absolving themselves of any responsibility. Sadly, this harrowing experience is not an isolated incident but a recurring pattern in Toronto Harbour, highlighting the need for greater accountability and safety measures in the industry.

Stay Safe on the Water: How to Avoid Unlicensed Yacht Charter Scams

It is imperative to request and review the operator’s Transport Canada-issued Safety Inspection Certificate and commercial insurance before making a payment. Do not trust a website with fake 5-star google reviews or an Instagram account with well-put photos and videos that these imposters are mainly using. You can access a comprehensive list of licensed operators on the Passenger and Commercial Vessel Association’s website.

Ensuring the legitimacy of your charter provider is paramount for a safe and enjoyable experience. The last thing you want is to find yourself stranded in the middle of the water on an unlicensed boat, without any reliable accountability to rely on.

Global News coverage:

For further information, please consult the press release issued by Toronto Yachts and the Passenger and Commercial Vessel Association, as featured on Global News.