THis guy responded to my boat for sale ad. He first wanted me to give him my boat (over $100,000 invested) for his "non profit" for tax savings. I declined, even though I explained him several times this was nt possible for me he still pressed me to give it to him. He later proposed an offer to partner with him on his hostle and on his boat charters. I began asking questions about his background and no answers were forthcoming. He refused to answer ANY questions about his captain licence, his charter/sailing experience, about miantianing the boat. The way he charges tourists, his previous insurances, etc.instead his wife responded a month later (after I had very nearly bought tickets to visit him in Panama to discuss the partnership) saying they terminated the proposal as I "asked too many questions". Later Herve said "I wanted things to remain easy" as if a global business arrangement with tourists lives on the line is a very easy thing to arrange with a handshake. "easy" i apprently French shorthand for a con. Hand over your boat, your time, and your money easy and good luck getting anything in return.
Review of his business shows that he finds free labor "volunteers" to run tourist charters using boats that he gets for free and probably fails to maintain them. He takes people on trips to the islands and from Panama to COlombia so as to maximize profits not to clean the world's oceans. There is ZERO evidence of his non-profit doign anything to help the environment. His wife who he lists as a crew member does not even live in Panama! THis is clear abuse of what a non profit is supposed to be. It also takes advantage of tourists who fall prey to the false charity aspect. Lastly it is a con to any boat owners who unknowingly give away ther boat to this con artist. God help any tourists who get hurt on his charters. I highly doubt the boat is even his, that he is an actual captain, and he has any insurance. He likes to do things "easy", meaning CHEAP and highly profitable, never mind safety nor legality.
Stick with a charter with captan and Panamanian corporate documentation and a maintained vessel. Get a contract before you get onboard. If you do anything with this company expect to get exploited or conned or worse.
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