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Charter Agreement

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Charter Agreement for Boat (E.G., Sailboat or Motor Yacht)

Charter Agreement made on the day of , 20, between

of , referred to herein as Charterer, and , Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of , with its principal office located at , referred to herein as Owner.

Owner hereby leases to Charterer the , , registration no. (the Vessel), subject to the following terms, conditions, and agreements:

I. Condition on Delivery

A. The Vessel is a -year-old , valued at $, with an overall length of feet, a beam of feet, and a mean draft of feet, inches, with accommodations for persons total. The Vessel was overhauled and inspected by Owner on , and at that time was found or made to be seaworthy and otherwise in good condition.

B. Charterer, at the expense of Charterer, may obtain a survey of the Vessel by a qualified marine surveyor prior to acceptance. If the report of this survey is that the Vessel is not seaworthy and in good condition, then this Agreement shall terminate and Owner shall reimburse Charterer for all of expenses incurred by Charterer in connection with this Agreement, including those of the survey.

III. Term and Rent

The initial term of this Agreement is months at a rate of $ per month payable in advance at the office of Owner at . Receipt of the first month's rent is acknowledged by Owner. After the expiration of the initial term, this Agreement shall continue on a month-to-month basis subject to termination by either party by written notice at least days prior to the end of any month.

IV. Security Deposit

Owner acknowledges that Charterer has deposited with Owner as security $ and Charterer agrees that this deposit shall be security for performance of Charterer's obligations under this Agreement. At Owner's option, this sum may be applied to satisfy any obligation of Charterer that may be in default, but neither the making of this deposit nor its use by Owner shall excuse Charterer from performance of any such obligation.

V. Location of Use

The vessel will be permanently berthed at at . Charterer shall give Owner days' written notice of any change in permanent berthing of the Vessel.

Charterer shall not remove the Vessel from the following defined geographic area without the prior written permission of Owner:

VI. Limitation on Use

The Vessel shall be used only for general pleasure cruising and recreation, and Charterer shall not carry passengers or cargo for hire.

VII. Liability for Loss or Damage

Charterer assumes all risk of loss of and damage to the Vessel from any cause. In the event of loss of or damage to the Vessel, Charterer at the option of Owner shall:

A. Place the vessel in good repair;

B. Surrender the Vessel to Owner and pay the lowest of three shipyard repair estimates obtained by Owner, and this Agreement shall terminate upon such payment; or

C. If the Vessel is lost, pay Owner in cash the value of the Vessel as set forth in Section I, and this Agreement shall terminate upon such payment.

Obligations of Charterer established in this Section shall be abated to the extent of insurance payments received by Owner.

VIII. Return of Vessel

On expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement, Charterer shall return Vessel to Owner by delivering it to the harbor at which Charterer accepted it, or at such other location within miles of the harbor as Owner shall direct, free of all liens and encumbrances and in good repair, ordinary wear and tear resulting from proper use alone excepted.

IX. Insurance

Charterer shall purchase from an insurance company acceptable to Owner, and subsequently maintain in full force and effect, insurance policies made payable to Owner in the following amounts:

A. Standard yacht hull insurance providing full marine coverage of $.

B. Protection and indemnity insurance of $.

X. Inventories of Fuel and Stores

The Vessel shall be delivered to Charterer with fuel and potable water tanks topped off, and with the following provisions and stores:

Charterer shall return the Vessel to Owner at the expiration of this Agreement with the same stores and fuel on board, or pay Owner for any shortages at retail prices.

XI. Alterations

Charterer shall make no alterations in or to the Vessel without the prior written permission of Owner. Any such alterations permitted by Owner shall be at the sole expense of Charterer and shall be the property of Owner.

XII. Defaults

The difficulty of securing an owner's interest in a chartered vessel requires Owner to reserve the right of summary repossession. Accordingly, Charterer agrees that any failure to pay rent as required by this Agreement within days of the due date or any failure to perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall constitute an immediate default, and Owner shall have the right to seize Vessel wherever it may be found, summarily and without notice.

In the event of such default and consequent repossession by Owner, this Agreement shall terminate after Charterer has paid all rent due and any other amounts payable pursuant to this Agreement.

XIII. Maritime Liens

Charterer shall not incur any maritime liens or other encumbrances on the vessel other than for salvage, and shall not remove or deface any notice that may be posted on Vessel by owner as evidence of Owner's interest.

XIV. Indemnity

This Agreement is a demise charter, and Owner maintains no control over Charterer's use of Vessel except as set forth in this Agreement. Therefore, Charterer shall indemnify and hold harmless Owner from and against all claims, actions, proceedings, damages, and liabilities, arising from or connected with Charterer's possession, use, and return of Vessel.

XV. Assignment

Charterer shall not assign or sublet Charterer's interest in Vessel without the prior written consent of Owner. Owner may assign Owner's right to payments under this Agreement by written notice to Charterer.

XVI. Attorney’s Fees

If any action is filed in relation to this Agreement, the unsuccessful party in the action shall pay to the successful party, in addition to all other sums that either party may be called upon to pay, a reasonable sum for the successful party's attorney's fees.

XVI. Operation of Vessel

Charterer certifies that Charterer is at least years old and that he/she understands fully, and is experienced in, the navigation of the class of vessel chartered and is experienced in the use of the equipment provided.

Charterer further certifies that he/she will not operate the Vessel while under the influence of alcohol or narcotics or permit any other person to operate it in such condition, and that Charterer will neither use it nor permit it to be used for any illegal purpose.

XVII. Limitation of Warranty

Owner has not made and does not make any representation, warranty, or covenant, express or implied, with respect to the condition, quality, durability, or suitability for Charterer's intended use of the Vessel excepting only that the Vessel was seaworthy and in good condition when last inspected on . Owner will not be liable to Charterer for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the Vessel, by any inadequacy of, or defect in, or any incident in connection with, the Vessel.

XVII. Mandatory Arbitration

Notwithstanding the foregoing, and anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, any dispute under this Agreement shall be required to be resolved by binding arbitration of the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, each party shall select one arbitrator and both arbitrators shall then select a third. The third arbitrator so selected shall arbitrate said dispute. The arbitration shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in force and effect.

WITNESS our signatures as of the day and date first above stated.

By

(Name of Charterer)

Enter text✕

What a Charter Agreement Covers and When it’s Used

A Charter Agreement is a legally binding contract that grants temporary use or possession of an asset (for example an aircraft, vessel, vehicle, or specialized equipment) from an owner or lessor to a charterer or lessee for defined purposes, duration, and compensation. The agreement defines responsibilities for operation, maintenance, insurance, damage allocation, termination, and return condition. It can include attachments such as schedules, insurance certificates, voyage or route details, and payment terms. Parties often use charter agreements for short-term rentals, time- or voyage-charter arrangements, or project-based equipment deployments.

Why a Clear Charter Agreement Reduces Risk

A well-drafted Charter Agreement clarifies responsibilities, limits exposure to loss or liability, and documents commercial terms and insurance requirements. Clear allocation of costs and return conditions prevents disputes and supports enforceability under ESIGN and UETA where executed electronically.

Why a Clear Charter Agreement Reduces Risk

Who Typically Prepares and Signs a Charter Agreement

Different organizations need Charter Agreements for short-term asset use, project deployments, or commercial transport; the sections below summarize common users.

  • Commercial operators and lessors — asset owners who lease vessels, aircraft, or equipment for income and require insurance and maintenance clauses.
  • Charterers and project managers — companies hiring assets for operations, construction sites, or logistics with strict return and liability conditions.
  • Legal and compliance teams — counsel and contracts teams that ensure regulatory, tax, and insurance language is present and enforceable.

Roles vary by industry; ensure the person completing the form has authority to bind the party named in the agreement.

Primary Signatory Roles

Owner / Lessor

Company officer or authorized representative who holds title to the asset. Must have authority to lease and provide required insurance certificates and warranties; signing binds the owner to maintenance and availability obligations.

Charterer / Lessee

Named entity or individual contracting for use of the asset; signs to accept payment, indemnity, and return conditions. The signer should be authorized to incur financial obligations and accept risk allocation on behalf of the chartering party.

Core Elements to Include in a Professional Charter Agreement

A robust Charter Agreement groups commercial, operational, and legal provisions so parties can quickly verify obligations. Include a concise header and attach exhibits for detailed schedules or insurance documents.

Parties

Full legal names and entity types for owner and charterer, including registered addresses and contact details for notices and operations.

Asset Description

Precise identification of the asset (make, model, registration, serial number) and any excluded equipment or alterations.

Term and Use

Start and end dates, permitted use, geographic restrictions, and permitted operators or crews.

Payment and Fees

Charter rate, security deposit, invoicing schedule, late fees, and any fuel or usage charge methodology.

Liability and Insurance

Minimum insurance limits, required certificates, indemnity clauses, and responsibility for damage during the charter period.

Return Condition and Termination

Standards for return, damage assessment process, early termination rights, and post-termination obligations.

Required Compliance and Security Notes

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3; AES-256 at rest
Audit Trail: Complete timestamps and signer attribution
HIPAA: BAA required for protected health data
ESIGN / UETA: Meets ESIGN and UETA standards
21 CFR Part 11: Supported for regulated records
Certifications: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001

Step-by-Step: Completing and Executing a Charter Agreement

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, approve, and record a Charter Agreement efficiently and consistently.

  • 01
    Prepare Draft: Populate parties, asset, term, rates, and exhibits.
  • 02
    Internal Review: Legal and operations confirm insurance and safety clauses.
  • 03
    Signatures: Execute with authorized signers; collect dates and titles.
  • 04
    Record and Distribute: Provide final copies to all parties and attach certificates.

Typical Digital Execution Flow

A digital workflow reduces turnaround time and preserves an auditable trail for later disputes or regulatory review.

  • Upload Document: Import PDF or DOCX of the charter form into the eSignature platform.
  • Place Fields: Add signature, date, and conditional fields where needed.
  • Assign Signers: Set signing order and authentication level for each signer.
  • Complete Audit: Platform captures IP, timestamps, and completion certificate.

Suggested Digital Workflow Settings for Charter Agreements

Configure the eSignature workflow to balance signer convenience with authentication appropriate to the asset’s risk profile.

Field Configuration
Authentication Level Email + SMS code for external charterers
Signing Order Owner first, then charterer, then witness if required
Document Retention Retain signed copy and audit trail for required period
Conditional Fields Show insurance upload only if charterer is operating the asset

Platform Capabilities to Support Charter Agreement Workflows

Use a platform that supports strong encryption, audit trails, conditional fields, and the integrations you rely on.

  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace and others
  • File Types: PDF and DOCX with embedded fields
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, KBA, or advanced methods

Confirm the platform supports HIPAA, ESIGN/UETA, SOC 2, and optional RON or notarization workflows if your jurisdiction requires them.

Common Timelines and Deadlines in Charter Agreements

Charter Agreements frequently contain delivery, payment, and notice timelines; track these closely to avoid default or liquidated damages.

Payment Due Date:

Typically Net 15–Net 30 from invoice date

Security Deposit Return:

Often released within 30 days after return inspection

Insurance Certificate Delivery:

Due before commencement of charter period

Termination Notice:

Commonly 30–90 days depending on charter type

Damage Claim Window:

Claims usually asserted within 14–60 days post-return

Key Milestones from Negotiation to Close

Track these numbered stages to coordinate operations, billing, and compliance checks from draft to handback.

01

Negotiation and Drafting

Finalize terms, insurance, and exhibits with stakeholders.

02

Internal Approvals

Obtain sign-off from legal, operations, and finance teams.

03

Execution

Collect signatures, dates, and required attachments.

04

Commencement and Handover

Deliver asset and confirm condition and documents.

Common Preparation Errors to Avoid

  • Using ambiguous return condition language that creates disagreement over acceptable wear or damage.
  • Omitting insurance certificate requirements or minimum limits, which can shift uninsured exposure between parties.
  • Failing to confirm signer authority, resulting in unsigned or unratified contracts that may be unenforceable.
  • Neglecting to attach exhibits (schedules, manifests, operational limits) that are referenced by the body of the agreement.

Potential Penalties and Risks from Incorrect Agreements

Contract Voidance: Risk of unenforceability
Damage Liability: Uninsured repair costs
Regulatory Fines: Noncompliance with transportation rules
Tax Treatment: Misclassified lease vs service income
Insurance Lapse: Coverage denial for claims
Late-File Penalties: Statutory filing fines may apply

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Charter Agreement Execution

Compare common platform criteria to choose an eSignature provider for Charter Agreements. Prices shown reflect typical starting plans; confirm vendor pages for plan specifics and trial details.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No envelope cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Real-World Examples of Digital Agreement Use

These customer snippets show how digital document workflows support contract execution across industries.

Martin Properties

Tim Martin used online signing to process remote leases and charters efficiently

  • The platform allowed mobile and offline completion
  • "I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security. Whether on mobile or working offline, I can get forms back to their necessary parties efficiently."

Fertility Centers of Illinois

John Butler emphasized responsive support and API utility

  • Integration eased operational workflows
  • "The airSlate SignNow team has been exceptional, responsive, the API has been great, and we're extremely happy that we chose airSlate SignNow as a company."

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Answers to common questions about electronic execution, notarization, corrections, and recordkeeping for Charter Agreements.


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