More than once here at our tourist marina in Genoa we have been asked how to find a
reliable skipper for one’s yacht, in preparation for a Mediterranean cruise. Indeed, choosing
a skipper to entrust with one’s boat – or a chartered boat – as well as the success of
one’s sailing vacation is not something to take lightly.
But in which cases can it actually be advisable or even mandatory to use the
services of a professional skipper? And how do you identify the right person? Here is a brief
introductory guide.

When is it necessary to find a skipper?

There are many different scenarios in which choosing to use a professional skipper can be a
more than appropriate decision. First of all, obviously, one thinks of those who have a
boat available – owned, chartered, or borrowed – but do not have the necessary skills to operate it.
For example, there are those who have no nautical skills, those who have basics but do not possess a
boating license, as well as those who realize they are not experienced or capable enough to
safely operate a boat of significant size, perhaps on routes that are not entirely straightforward
or simply unknown.
However, it’s not just about lack of skills. Sometimes one might use a
skipper for assistance, or rather, a change at the helm; other times, even having the
ability to operate the boat, one desires a yacht to completely abandon oneself to relaxation, knowing that
managing a vessel can be demanding. And again, think of those who use the boat
to organize business-oriented events: having a skipper available, in addition to providing
an excellent first impression to potential clients or partners, is valuable for having more time to
dedicate to business discussions.
It should also be remembered that choosing a skipper experienced in a particular area will allow you to
find the most hidden bays, sleep in the most sublime anchorages, choose the most suitable tourist ports,
and so on, to have a more complete and exciting boat trip.

How to choose a skipper

In short, there are many excellent reasons to want a skipper, and it should therefore not be surprising
that many boats and yachts moored in our Genoa marina can count on the
presence of professional skippers. But how do you choose the perfect skipper? Here are the elements to
consider:

Must have all the proper credentials, from the boating license to registration in the
Seafarers’ Registry;

Must have specific technical skills to operate that particular type of
vessel, in terms of both type and size: it is therefore worth ensuring they have
already handled similar tasks;

Must perfectly know the navigation rules of the countries that will be encountered along
the route (for those not limiting themselves to Italian waters);

Must have solid safety training to effectively manage
any incidents;

A good skipper should have good foundations in maintenance and repair of
onboard systems, to be able to perform emergency interventions when necessary and
possible;

It would be good to choose a skipper who knows the intended route well, to have
useful advice for making the most of the cruise;

Finally, it’s worth emphasizing that the skipper is not just a “technician”: they must also be able
to communicate effectively with all people on board, without hindering relaxation and
enjoyment.