Journal

Hamburg-based insurance broker Pantaenius celebrates 125 years, a foundation upon which Harald Baum and his family continue to build Europe's leading yacht insurance experts.

Clean, effective and easy to use - for cooking, heating or cooling. Gas-powered systems can now be found on almost every yacht. However, this popular energy source also has a high risk potential.

While many yacht owners devote themselves to polishing hulls, greasing winches and repainting bulkheads during winter, they often completely overlook one of the most critical parts of their yacht: the rig.

The best-known way to protect one's deposit or total trip cost against the bankruptcy of a provider is the security certificate. But this also has pitfalls. The experts at Pantaenius explain why security certificates are not automatically safe and which alternatives provide greater flexibility.

Hectic manoeuvres, onlookers at the jetty and a narrow berth - even experienced sailors can feel hot under the collar in such a situation. Once safely in a berth, a sense of relief follows, however it is also important to be careful when tie-ing up. Michael de Boer from Pantaenius recalls some important practical tips.

Pantaenius employees regularly take part in offshore safety training. Mid-March, Ole Pietschke and Mario Wodrich went through the motions of an emergency situation and their conclusion was that despite being an extreme experience, the training is a must for every responsible cruising and offshore sailor.

It is no longer collisions, but grounding that has become the most common cause of damage on recreational boats. In most cases though, these incidents could be avoided says Holger Flindt of yacht insurance expert Pantaenius.

A collision with a sea container is any sailor’s nightmare. Holger Flindt from Pantaenius clarifies the matter - the damage expert and enthusiastic sailor used to sail at sea and knows the risks posed by floating containers.

If the engine goes on strike, sailors are dependent on towing assistance. The Pantaenius experts will explain how to tow properly or have your vessel towed without the spontaneous help having a more negative effect.

A holiday trip in calm waters, what could happen there? Many crews ignore the "man overboard" scenario and are completely taken by surprise in an emergency.

Whether on the slip ramp or on the road - anyone who is dependent on regularly hauling their boat knows about the many small pitfalls and subtleties involved in dealing with a bulky trailer.

Navigation systems are a great invention. In road traffic, they have contributed significantly to road safety by allowing the driver to concentrate on the traffic, rather than turning the pages of an unwieldy road map while at the same time trying to steer the car, keep an eye on the traffic, interpret the road layout and read the signs…