Standing Rules

The Standing Rules of the Charter Yacht Brokers Association (the “CYBA”) provide information on the operational side of the organization. These rules can be amended by the Board of Directors and do not require a membership vote.

MEMBERSHIP:

CYBA Members: Individual CYBA Active, Associate, Affiliate or Honorary designations (collectively, “Members”).

Membership application to the Charter Yacht Brokers Association is made on an individual basis.
Application for membership shall be made by completing the online Membership Application Form once fulfilling all Requirements/Criteria; submitting proof of 2 Approved Boat Show attendances within 12 months, sponsorship letters from two or more Active Members in good standing, references from three Central Agents that the Membership Committee can contact for a reference (2020), and proof of current Professional Liability / Errors and Omissions insurance (2025).

The Membership Chair will bulletin the applicant’s name to the membership via the CYBA Message Board after the Membership Committee vetting process. Any member who has an objection to the applicant shall notify the Board of Directors in writing.

The Board of Directors, after reviewing any such objections must elect or reject the applicant. Election to membership shall be by a “yes” vote by the majority of the Board of Directors.
The use of the CYBA logo is limited to Active Member individuals. They may display the logo under their signature or on the profile page of their Brokerage website. If a member elects to display the CYBA logo on all of their Brokerage website pages, the individual Member’s name must be written beneath the logo in a standard manner i.e. individual Active Member first and last name. (2025)
Candidates for Honorary Membership will be evaluated based primarily on their contributions to the CYBA organization and secondly on their years of dedication to the charter industry as a whole. Honorary Members may be retired or semi-retired from the yacht charter industry or are recipients of Hall of Fame status. Approved Honorary Members who are semi-retired may not use the “Honorary” designation in marketing efforts to display unfair advantage over Active or Associate Members. Candidates for Honorary Member may be submitted by any member of the Association. (2026)
All applicants, other than Honorary Members, must pay a one-time non-refundable application fee of $40.00. (2019) Membership dues will not be collected until time of acceptance. (2013)
Membership renewal is required annually. Failure to renew for two consecutive years will necessitate reapplying with all relevant documents and a $40 application fee.
Owners, current crew members, part time crew members and rotational crew members are not eligible for membership as an Active, Associate or Affiliate Member of CYBA.

This is recognized as a conflict of interest for the industry. When any current Member of CYBA assumes a position of Yacht Owner or yacht crew, whether full time, part time or rotational, they should notify the CYBA Board of Directors and their membership will be subject to termination. In these circumstances, the Board of Directors will evaluate the circumstances on a case-by-case basis. (2026)

Active, Associate, Affiliate and Honorary Members must meet or adhere to the following: (2015)

All Active and Associate Members must endeavor to make use of the Charter Yacht Brokers Association Escrow Account or any other recognized trust account, whenever possible. This is in lieu of any unsecured, individual account. (2003)
All Active, Associate, Affiliate and Honorary Members must agree to abide by CYBA Bylaws, Rules of Order, Special Rules, Standing Rules, and Code of Ethics. (2015)
All Active and Associate Members must attend at least two (2) recognized shows per year to maintain their membership. Charter shows recognized and accepted by the Association shall be determined by the Board of Directors. The currently recognized shows include: MYBA, MEDYS Greece, EMMYS Greece, CROYA, TYBA Turkey, Newport Rhode Island, VIPCA St. Thomas Fall Show, CYS BVI, Thailand, Antigua and IYBA Open House/Charter Seminar. (2026). Other shows can be submitted as an exemption and considered on a case-by-case basis by the Board of Directors for meeting eligibility requirements. (2026)
If Members do not meet boat show requirements each year, they must complete and submit the Exception to Boat Show Requirements Form to the Membership Chair.

The Chair will request a vote of the Membership Committee, and their vote will be final as to whether the exception is granted. If they do not grant the exception, the vote will be brought to the Board of Directors whose vote will be final.
All Members agree to actively serve on Committees determined by the Board of Directors, when requested. It is at the discretion of the Committee Chair to determine how many Members should be assigned to a Committee. (2026)
Resignation. Any Member in good standing may withdraw from membership, surrendering their membership and its benefits and paying all dues and charges then due, if any. Such membership shall terminate as of the date of the acceptance of the resignation by the Board of Directors. Any Member may resign their membership by informing any member of the Board of Directors. If a Member that has resigned wants to become a Member again, he or she will need to re-apply for membership.
The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, deny membership to any applicant who does not meet the requirements outlined in the bylaws, or for any other reason deemed by the Board to be detrimental to the organization’s best interests.
CYBA has the right to revoke access, at any time, based upon the applicant having affiliations with persons or entities that are contrary to CYBA standards and regulations as the same may be in effect from time-to-time at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Furthermore, CYBA maintains and preserves the right to protect its reputation, brand, and image. (2026)

E-Contract Subscribers: Non-Member individuals who have been issued a current subscription to use the CYBA Inclusive Charter Agreement E-Contract (the “E-Contract,” which replaces the Yacht Charter Party Agreement) but are not a CYBA Member.

Code of Ethics

CYBA Members: Active, Associate, Affiliate, Honorary and CYBA E-Contract Subscribers must meet or adhere to the following and acknowledge the following duties and responsibilities:

Help protect the public against fraud, misrepresentation, or unethical practices within the yacht chartering profession. Members should endeavor to eliminate any practices that could be damaging to the public or to the dignity and integrity of the yacht chartering profession.
Engage only in the business of booking, managing or clearing of charter yachts. Current crew whether part-time, rotational or full-time are not eligible for any type of CYBA membership or E-Contract subscription service. Former crew who have worked on a crewed charter yacht in the past 24 months must attest they will not solicit business from past charter clients for a period of 2-years from date of charter in order to be eligible for membership or subscription to the E-Contract. (2025)
Protect a yacht charterer’s interests. This obligation of absolute fidelity to the client’s interest is paramount, but it does not relieve the Member from the obligation of dealing fairly with all parties related to the E-Contract.
Ensure that all financial obligations and commitments are in writing and express the understanding of all parties. Copies of the E-Contract must be delivered to all parties involved at the time the E-Contract is executed, or as soon thereafter as practicable.
Make every effort possible to ensure that all parties involved in the E-Contract adhere to accepted safety, legal and financial standards, as accepted by the yachting industry and this association.
Be well informed on current market conditions when advising clients.
Be as knowledgeable as possible about the yachts and crews, he/she represents to a client, and the geographic areas under consideration.
Be well informed regarding the legal ramifications of the yachting industry for each geographic area under consideration.
If not a lawyer, a Member must not engage in activities that constitute the practice of law. Members should recommend that legal counsel be obtained when tax liability or legal interest of either party to a contract requires it.
To not disparage the business practice of a competitor, nor volunteer an opinion of a competitor’s transaction.
To not to seek unfair advantage over his fellow Members, and to willingly share the lessons of their experience and study. Unfair advantage includes but is not limited to: Social Media and Email marketing offering undercuts of charter pricing or preferential pricing. Use of the word “exclusive” when referring to yachts that are available through a shared database that other Members have access (2025)
Conduct their business so as to avoid controversy with fellow Members. In the event of a dispute between Members of the CYBA it shall be referred to the Ethics Committee and Board of Directors for a decision.
When a Member is charged with an unethical practice, all pertinent facts gathered from all parties involved in the complaint should be placed before the Ethics Committee for investigation and judgment.
When an E-Contract Subscriber is charged with an unethical practice, all pertinent facts should be placed before the Contracts Committee for investigation and judgment by the Ethics Committee with final review by the Board of Directors. Penalties will be determined on a case by case basis. (2025)
When a dispute involves Members and non-Members, the CYBA may conduct an independent investigation at the request of any interested party, although the CYBA has no disciplinary authority over any non-Member.

It is in the best interests of society, of his/her associates, and of his/her own business and the yacht charter industry, that Members will be loyal to the Charter Yacht Brokers Association and will be active in its work.
Complaints of ethical misconduct include failure to abide by the Bylaws , these Standing Rules or the conduct of a Member has been prejudicial to the Association or the yacht charter brokerage profession. These complaints can be submitted either directly to the Ethics Committee Chair or through the CYBA website which offers a Contact Us submission. (2026) These submissions will be reviewed by the Ethics Committee members and an investigation of all parties involved in the complaint will be conducted. The Ethics Committee will submit recommendations to the Board of Directors for action if required. Disciplinary action will be at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors and may include Suspension or Expulsion. The Board shall have full power to suspend for a period of not more than one year, or expel said Member, and he/she shall be and is expelled after being so declared. Any Member suspended or expelled shall have the right, after six months from the date of suspension or expulsion, to apply for reinstatement. It shall be the duty of the President of the Board of Directors to notify in writing each Member of such suspension or expulsion. (2026)

Condolences

When notified of a Member’s death, or that of a member’s immediate family, CYBA will make a donation to a designated charitable organization in the person’s name or send a card to the family.
When notified of a Member’s debilitating illness or hospitalization, CYBA will send a gift and/or card. All donation amounts will be subject to approval of the Board of Directors and evaluated on a case by case basis.

Donations

CYBA may make annual charitable contributions to organizations that align with its mission of supporting the charter yacht and marine industry.
CYBA shall not make donations to political campaigns, individual candidates, or organizations that practice discrimination. (2026)

Dues

CYBA annual dues cover the period from January 1 to December 31 of each year. Dues are due and payable on January 1. A late fee will be charged to Members whose dues are not paid in full by February 1. Any communications concerning membership renewal and dues are sent via email and the CYBA Website message board. If dues and required renewal forms and information are not received by January 31st, the Member will be placed on inactive status and will lose all rights of membership until their dues, including late fees,are paid in full. (2020). Annual Dues for New Members will be prorated according to month of acceptance. (2013)The annual dues for Active, Associate and Affiliate Members will be $175.00 and a late fee of $50 if paid after January 31st. (2026) If a Member does not pay their dues for an entire year, he or she will need to re-apply for membership.
There will be no dues for Honorary Members.

Hall Of Fame Awards

Any Member may nominate an individual for induction into the CYBA Hall of Fame. Each January a notice for nominations will be announced to the CYBA Membership.

Submissions should be made to the President of CYBA who will then forward to the full Board of Directors for evaluation. Preference for induction is given to individuals who have noteworthy contributions to either CYBA organization or the overall charter or marine industry.

The Board of Directors may determine the number of individuals to be inducted on a yearly basis. Specific Criteria for induction will be identified on the nomination form as developed by the Board of Directors. (2026)

Special Board Meetings

CYBA Special Board Meetings may be held by phone or by video conferencing.

Voting

Votes for officers and directors, amendments, rules of order, special rules, standing rules, and membership will be taken electronically as directed by the Board of Directors. (07/22/25)

CYBA E-Contract

CYBA will review applications of non-Members to the E-Contract platform on an individual basis. Owners, current crew, part time crew, rotational crew and any individuals who do not meet the application requirements are not eligible for access unless granted an exemption from the Board of Directors. CYBA should encourage those individuals not meeting the requirements to co-broker with a CYBA Member broker or request access via the clearinghouse listing the yacht. The CYBA Board of Directors has authority to deny access for any reason to any entity. (2025)

If a non-Member E-Contract Subscriber is found to be in violation of the organization’s Bylaws or these Standing Rules, the subscription will be evaluated by the Board of Directors following a joint investigation by the Ethics and Contracts Committee members. Disciplinary action is at the discretion of the Board of Directors and submitted on a case by case basis. (2026)