IS YOUR BROKER QUALIFIED?


To answer this long-standing question, the UK Marine Industry has developed a new certification program.


anyone can set themselves up and these days they can do so from their own home with a website very easily. So how do you know you will get the best, professional advice? How will you know if the broker has just lifted the photographs and boat details off someone else’s website? (It happens!) Will they know what documentation you need to ensure you get legal title, proper VAT evidence and appropriate Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) certification? Can they pro- vide you with a tried and tested contract for the sale and purchase of a boat? Do they have a Client Account? The Association of Brokers and Yacht Agents (the


W


professional association for boat sales professionals) and the British Marine Federation’s “Boat Retailers and Brokers Association” (the UK marine industry trade Federation) recently got together to help customers and have developed


hen you are buying a boat it is difficult to know whether the brokers and dealers you approach are qualified or not. There is no official licence required to sell boats (new or second-hand) so


Look for these logos on the Yacht Brokers


Village, and on broker websites.


the “Boat Sales Qualification”. The requirements to achieve this industry qualification are to pass the ABYA Practical Yacht Brokerage course and attend the BMF’s Law Relating to Brokerage course, together with an RYA or equivalent boat handling certificate appropriate to the type of boats being sold, 2 professional references and experience of selling boats. This can be achieved via “Grandfather Rights” for one year only from the Southampton Boat Show 2010 when it was launched to September 2011. This is for those who have been working in boat sales for 10 or more years. For those newer to boat sales there is additionally a logbook which charts the applicant’s progress and is signed off by their Manager. Documents are submitted to a joint panel of ABYA and BMF for assessment before a Certificate is issued, and the ability to call for interview if there are any queries is available. ABYA and BMF are also planning to introduce a senior


level in due course. Of course, not all professional boat sales personnel will have this qualification, and there are many who offer an excellent service, but as more people take up the Boat Sales Qualification you can expect to see their certificates displayed on the wall. Always ask them about their background and satisfy yourself they are able to provide you with the best possible service. Professional boat sales people will be an individual member of ABYA or a corporate member of BMF so look for the logos on their website or other material.


JANUARY 2011 YACHTWORLD.COM 5


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