Marine risks are different to land-based risks. Whether you own a vessel, operate a marine business, manage a marina or run a boat club, exposure can arise from vessels, watercraft operations, property over water, environmental factors and public interaction. Marine Insurance is designed to address these specialised risks.

At Rivergum Insurance Brokers, we arrange marine insurance solutions that reflect how vessels are used, where risks sit contractually, and how marine operations actually function.

Understanding Marine Risk

Marine exposures can involve:

• Vessels in motion and at rest

• Third-party property and injury risks on or near water

• Environmental damage

• Weather and navigational hazards

• Shared facilities such as jetties, pontoons and slipways

Insurance must be structured around use, activity and responsibility, not just asset value.

Pleasurecraft Insurance

What Is Pleasurecraft Insurance?

Pleasurecraft Insurance is designed for privately owned vessels used for recreational purposes, including:

• Power boats

• Sailing yachts

• Personal watercraft (jet skis)

• Trailer boats

Cover can apply while the vessel is:

• On water

• Moored

• In transit

• Stored ashore

What Does Pleasurecraft Insurance Typically Cover?

Depending on the policy, cover may include:

• Hull & Machinery – loss or damage to the vessel

• Third-Party Liability – injury or property damage caused by the vessel

• Salvage & Wreck Removal

• Fire, theft and accidental damage

• Personal effects (limited)

Navigation limits, mooring conditions and usage restrictions are critical policy considerations.

Marine Businesses & Marine Trades

Marine businesses face layered risks that often fall outside standard business insurance.

Common Marine Trades & Operators

• Boat builders and repairers

• Shipwrights and marine engineers

• Chandlers and marine suppliers

• Charter operators

• Commercial fishing operators

• Marine surveyors

• Transport and logistics operators

Marine Business Insurance Typically Includes

Depending on activities, cover may involve:

Marine Liability

Protection against third-party injury or property damage arising from marine operations, including incidents involving vessels, docks or work areas.

Vessels & Craft

Cover for owned, leased or operated vessels used for commercial purposes.

Property & Equipment

Cover for workshops, tools, machinery, slipways and marine-specific plant.

Care, Custody & Control

Critical for businesses working on customer vessels — covering damage to vessels under your control.

Professional Indemnity (where relevant)

Important for surveyors, consultants or businesses providing advice or certification.

Jetty, Marina & Wharf Liability

Jetties, pontoons, wharves and marina infrastructure present unique liability risks, particularly where the public or members have access.

Jetty & Marina Liability Covers May Include:

• Injury to visitors, members or contractors

• Damage to third-party vessels while berthing or moored

• Structural failure or maintenance-related incidents

• Liability arising from accessways and shared facilities

Ownership and maintenance responsibility are key factors in determining where liability sits.

Boat Clubs & Marine Associations

Boat clubs and marine associations often operate across multiple risk areas at once.

Common Exposures for Boat Clubs

• Club-owned vessels

• Jetties, ramps and pontoons

• Clubhouses and facilities

• Member activities and events

• Volunteers and committee members

Insurance for Boat Clubs Typically Includes

• Public & Products Liability

• Management Liability / D&O (for committee members)

• Property Insurance for club buildings and contents

• Marine Liability for water-based activities

• Volunteer Personal Accident (where required)

Clear definitions of member vs guest activities and permitted vessel use are essential.

Environmental & Pollution Considerations

Marine incidents can involve:

• Fuel or oil spills

• Environmental damage

• Clean-up costs

Standard liability policies may limit or exclude pollution-related events unless specifically addressed.

Key Issues That Affect Marine Insurance

When arranging marine insurance, insurers consider:

• Vessel type, age and construction

• Navigation limits and usage

• Operator experience

• Mooring and storage arrangements

• Maintenance and survey requirements

• Contractual obligations and indemnities

Disclosure is particularly important in marine insurance to avoid claim disputes.

What’s Not Automatically Covered

Marine policies often exclude or limit:

• Wear and tear or corrosion

• Lack of maintenance

• Undisclosed commercial use

• Operation outside navigation limits

• Certain environmental liabilities

Understanding these limitations is critical before relying on cover.

Why Arrange Marine Insurance Through Rivergum?

Marine insurance is highly specialised. As brokers, we:

• Review vessel usage and operations

• Assess contractual and liability exposures

• Structure cover across vessels, property and liability

• Ensure policies align with how assets are actually used

• Assist with claims involving marine insurers and surveyors

Our approach is practical and risk-focused — aimed at ensuring cover responds on water and off.

Speak With Us

If you own a vessel, operate a marine business, manage a marina or are involved with a boat club, we can help ensure your insurance reflects your real exposures.

Contact Rivergum Insurance Brokers to discuss your marine activities and insurance needs.