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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.

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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.

Text us your ideas and feedback!

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 cascade into seven-figure losses. From purpose-built float-on carriers to NVOCCs, we map the key differences between owning the ships and brokering space on them, and what that means when timetables slip or one with your precious yacht aboard chases higher-paying freight.

True stories underline the stakes: original bills of lading stolen, a port agent missing bookings that triggered massive demurrage, and a multi-million-dollar yacht loss gutted by limitations under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act. You’ll hear why custody of documents determines release, and how to plan for on-deck cargo risks on routes that don’t run on yachting schedules. We also talk through emergency playbooks—posting bonds, racing into court for fast relief, and coordinating with insurers—so you can save your yacht when the window is measured in hours.

If you’re lining up a seasonal migration, this conversation emphasizes how crucial it is to vet freight forwarders, verify bills, and secure end-to-end insurance coverage. The core lesson is brutally simple: contract terms and insurance decide your recovery, not replacement value or intentions. And there’s a hard deadline you cannot miss—the one-year time bar for cargo claims from delivery or scheduled delivery.

Enjoy the episode, then help another captain, broker, or owner avoid a costly mistake: follow the show, share this with your team, and leave a quick review telling us the one detail you’ll handle differently next time.

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.