The Yacht Law Podcast

Michael Moore & Diane Byrne
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Bimonthly

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.

  1. 3d ago

    IMO Rules & the Future of Superyachts

    Text us your ideas and feedback! 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 adopt and enforce. We connect the dots to the frameworks that rarely get explained clearly: SOLAS for safety, STCW for crew training and watchkeeping, and MARPOL for pollution prevention. Once you see how these rules shape everything from certification to minimum manning, it becomes obvious why “I’ll sort compliance later” is not a viable project plan. From there, we move into the emissions roadmap that is pushing owners, builders, and designers to think in advance of upcoming decades. We discuss the industry’s shift toward greenhouse gas reduction targets, the drive toward net zero by 2050, and the 2030 reality that zero-emission or near-zero-emission solutions are no longer theoretical. Fuel cells, hydrogen readiness, hybrid propulsion, solar support, hydrogeneration, wind-assist concepts, and even nuclear solutions are on the table. But, we also get honest about the constraints, especially global infrastructure and the risk of greenwashing. We also explain why the Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss) having a seat at IMO meetings matters, because if yachting is not represented when shipping-first rules are written, yachts can end up paying for it. Subscribe for more practical yacht-law and yacht-compliance breakdowns, share this with an owner or project team, and leave a review if it helped. What part of the IMO environmental rules do you want us to unpack next? Have a yacht law question? Email it to info@megayachtnews.com or michael@moore-and-co.com for your chance to have it answered on our podcast. All requests for confidentiality and/or anonymity are respected. Hiring a lawyer is a big decision. Visit Moore & Company for the legal team's qualifications and experience.  And, to learn the latest about superyacht launches, shipyards, designs, and destinations, visit Megayacht News.

  2. Jun 25

    Why the U.S. Still Has No Large Yacht Code

    Text us your ideas and feedback! 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 under Cayman, Marshall Islands, or other offshore registries instead of the US flag? We unpack the real-world consequences of treating a mobile industry like it is fixed in place. When governments add yacht taxes, duties, or tariffs, yachts do what yachts have always done: they move. That movement does not just affect billionaires, it hits marinas, boatyards, fuel docks, restaurants, shops, and the seasonal “mom and pop” businesses that depend on visiting vessels. We also connect the dots between US flag rules, the Jones Act, and the national-interest logic that drives maritime policy, even when the outcome is messy for modern superyachts. Then we get into the surprise 2018 turning point, when Congress attached large-yacht language to the National Defense Authorization Act and tasked the Coast Guard with creating a pathway for certain large yachts to fly the US flag while staying non-commercial. We talk about why implementation has lagged, why so few owners choose the option, and how costs like 1.5% duty and potential double-digit tariffs can wipe out the perceived benefits instantly. Along the way, we explore legal workarounds such as bareboat charter structures and why the only message every legislator consistently hears is economic impact backed by real numbers. If you found this helpful, subscribe, share the episode with someone in yachting or maritime law, and leave a review. What policy change would actually convince more owners to choose the US flag? Have a yacht law question? Email it to info@megayachtnews.com or michael@moore-and-co.com for your chance to have it answered on our podcast. All requests for confidentiality and/or anonymity are respected. Hiring a lawyer is a big decision. Visit Moore & Company for the legal team's qualifications and experience.  And, to learn the latest about superyacht launches, shipyards, designs, and destinations, visit Megayacht News.

  3. May 27

    How Yacht Brokers, Managers, & Crew Are Getting Caught in a Wider Sanctions Net

    Text us your ideas and feedback! 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 vessels globally and how designations link back to individuals  • why U.S. Treasury attention is expanding beyond yachts to service providers  • how KYC expectations collide with reputational triggers around superyachts  • what “irregular yacht movements” can look like in practice and why previously innocuous measures are becoming a tripwire  • AIS as a compliance signal, when switching it off is justified, and how satellites fill the gaps  • how investigations can build from a yacht’s visibility to allegations like money laundering  • the real-world damage of frozen yachts, from maintenance decay to environmental risk.  Have a yacht law question? Email it to info@megayachtnews.com or michael@moore-and-co.com for your chance to have it answered on our podcast. All requests for confidentiality and/or anonymity are respected. Hiring a lawyer is a big decision. Visit Moore & Company for the legal team's qualifications and experience.  And, to learn the latest about superyacht launches, shipyards, designs, and destinations, visit Megayacht News.

  4. Apr 3

    Unjust Enrichment in Yachting: How Courts Fix Unfair Deals

    Text us your ideas and feedback! 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 unfair and the contract language doesn’t neatly solve it. We unpack how admiralty courts and maritime judges think about equity and restitution, and why unjust enrichment is often treated like a quasi-contract remedy. Using real yachting scenarios, we walk through parts supplied but not paid for, repairs performed without time for a work order, broker introductions that lead to a sale and then a commission fight, and the headaches that follow mistaken payments and missing funds. We also dig into change orders and scope creep, including why unsigned amendments are “playing with fire” for yards and managers when speed targets, delivery dates, or cost caps shift mid-project. Then we get into the defenses, especially unclean hands. If the claimant’s own misconduct helped create the problem, courts may bar recovery, but the standard is high and the conduct has to relate to the dispute. We close with a vivid story about emergency help at sea in hurricane-force winds, the question of what a fair award looks like, and the practical reminder that collectability and time can matter as much as being right. If you found this useful, subscribe so you don’t miss the next yacht law conversation, share the episode with someone headed into refit season, and leave a review to help other owners, brokers, and yards find it. Have a yacht law question? Email it to info@megayachtnews.com or michael@moore-and-co.com for your chance to have it answered on our podcast. All requests for confidentiality and/or anonymity are respected. Hiring a lawyer is a big decision. Visit Moore & Company for the legal team's qualifications and experience.  And, to learn the latest about superyacht launches, shipyards, designs, and destinations, visit Megayacht News.

  5. Feb 23

    How Worldwide Asset Freezing Orders Are Reshaping Yacht Deals

    Text us your ideas and feedback! 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 connect the dots between private remedies, public sanctions, and the new reality facing owners, buyers, banks, and brokers. We break down the legal tests courts use—good arguable case, real risk of dissipation, and proportionality—and why most freezes are granted ex parte to prevent “hit send” asset flight. Then we turn to the real‑world fallout: yacht sales paused at the dock, liens colliding with clean‑looking titles, and the buyer’s nightmare where a $75M vessel becomes an “unlawfully dissipated asset.” Along the way, we examine sanctions lists across the U.S., U.K., and EU, how mismatches create compliance traps, and why service providers risk contempt if they facilitate transfers after notice. We also tackle due process head‑on, contrasting constitutional concerns about pre‑judgment takings with maritime exceptions designed for assets that can simply sail away. The Phi yacht saga highlights how geopolitics and perception can shape enforcement even without a formal sanctions designation. Throughout, we share practical safeguards: multi‑jurisdiction sanctions checks at signing and pre‑funding, robust KYC and UBO verification, independent title reviews and flag‑state searches, escrow structures with clawbacks, and covenants that permit rapid exit if freezes hit mid‑deal. If you navigate high‑value transactions—especially movable assets like yachts—this conversation offers clarity and concrete steps to reduce risk while the legal landscape evolves. Subscribe, share with a colleague who handles complex closings, and leave a review with the one question you want us to tackle next. Have a yacht law question? Email it to info@megayachtnews.com or michael@moore-and-co.com for your chance to have it answered on our podcast. All requests for confidentiality and/or anonymity are respected. Hiring a lawyer is a big decision. Visit Moore & Company for the legal team's qualifications and experience.  And, to learn the latest about superyacht launches, shipyards, designs, and destinations, visit Megayacht News.

  6. Jan 27

    Untangling Pay-First, Pay-If-Paid, & Other Clauses In Yacht Deals

    Text us your ideas and feedback! 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 stalls, and how to keep your project moving when one party hits a cash wall. We go deep on insurance structure too: deductibles, primary layers, and the often-invisible reinsurance towers that can trigger pay-as-paid delays. You’ll hear how enforcement differs across jurisdictions—why Florida and England often honor these clauses, why France rejects them, and why a quiet New York governing law provision in a yacht policy can wreck a claim even when a breach didn’t cause the loss. Along the way, we share hard lessons from real cases: unpaid subs, insolvent yards with heavy mortgages, charterers arriving to unseaworthy yachts, and banks blindsided by misdirected funds. The takeaway is practical and immediate. Read for conditional words like if, when, and as. Verify solvency as liquidity, not just net worth. Demand third-party guarantees from entities with real, provable assets. Check recorded liens on yard property, use escrow that protects deposits, and align broker fee splits with clear payment conditions. Above all, plan for collectability before you sign; a courtroom win without a pocket to recover from is no win at all. If this helped you spot risks in your own contracts, subscribe, share the show with a fellow owner or broker, and leave a review with the clause you’re most worried about. Your question might shape a future episode. Have a yacht law question? Email it to info@megayachtnews.com or michael@moore-and-co.com for your chance to have it answered on our podcast. All requests for confidentiality and/or anonymity are respected. Hiring a lawyer is a big decision. Visit Moore & Company for the legal team's qualifications and experience.  And, to learn the latest about superyacht launches, shipyards, designs, and destinations, visit Megayacht News.

  7. 12/18/2025

    Inside Judicial Sales: How Yacht Auctions Really Work

    Text us your ideas and feedback! 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. We explain why the U.S. Marshal process is considered the gold standard under the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty and Maritime Claims, including publication, bidding requirements, deposits, and post‑sale confirmation. You’ll hear how foreign courts assess fairness and why cases like Blue Star in Malta matter for cross‑border recognition. We also dig into the uncomfortable stuff, especially how courts judge “prudent” buyers who ignore red flags and chase a bargain. If you’ve ever wondered how KYC, sanctions lists, and source‑of‑funds checks shape who gets to bid, we’ve got stories and specifics. Finally, being able to conduct a sea trial or survey before bidding is likely impossible, so we share practical due diligence tactics: interviewing crew and former managers, tracing ownership records, and more. We also confront the reality of zombie yachts—uncrewed, uninsured, and decaying fast—and what happens when they result from a judicial sale order. Finally, we outline bidder responsibilities at the courthouse steps, why misrepresenting a principal is a fast track to trouble, and how to make sure the yacht you buy stays yours to enjoy. If this helped you navigate the world of yacht auctions, follow the show, share it with a friend in the industry, and leave a quick review telling us your biggest auction question. Have a yacht law question? Email it to info@megayachtnews.com or michael@moore-and-co.com for your chance to have it answered on our podcast. All requests for confidentiality and/or anonymity are respected. Hiring a lawyer is a big decision. Visit Moore & Company for the legal team's qualifications and experience.  And, to learn the latest about superyacht launches, shipyards, designs, and destinations, visit Megayacht News.

  8. 11/25/2025

    Yacht Yard Red Flags: What Buyers Should Check Before Signing

    Text us your ideas and feedback! 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 mortgage reality • firm delivery dates and delay damages as leverage • verifying guarantees and avoiding sham instruments • reading yard-wide delays as systemic risk • using credit searches and lien checks for clarity • avoiding non-refundable deposits with strong LOIs. Have a yacht law question? Email it to info@megayachtnews.com or michael@moore-and-co.com for your chance to have it answered on our podcast. All requests for confidentiality and/or anonymity are respected. Hiring a lawyer is a big decision. Visit Moore & Company for the legal team's qualifications and experience.  And, to learn the latest about superyacht launches, shipyards, designs, and destinations, visit Megayacht News.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Moore & Diane Byrne
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Yacht Law Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Yacht Law Podcast