The Arksen co-ownership programme works so that Members combine to buy the vessel, which is then managed by a professional crew and made available to Members in proportion to their share of ownership.

Each co-ownership is set up by Arksen as a company, whose business purpose is to own and operate an Arksen vessel. Each co-ownership is a member in two senses of the word: a shareholder in the company and part of a community of like-minded souls.

The co-ownership is operated for the benefit of the members and is managed by a professional company director who is accountable to the members. The Director will manage the day-to-day operations and finances of the co-ownership, convene member meetings, agree usage allocations and the cruising itinerary for the following 12 months and appoint and oversee the Captain of the vessel.

The offer is currently only available on our Arksen 85 but this will be expanded across the range in the future. The Arksen range has been developed to provide the ultimate mix of sea-going capability and comfort with systems engineered for long periods of time cruising off the grid. These vessels are designed and rated for continual use and are designed for global cruising.

The Arksen 85 co-ownership edition accommodates up to 8 guests with up to 2 crew.

Each vessel is specified to a very high level and to our “Explorer’s Specification” which includes almost all of the adventure equipment that you should ever need; diving, snorkelling pack including wet suits, climbing harnesses, carabiners and ropes, kayaks, paddleboards and rib tender.

Arksen Adventures can create itineraries for Arksen owners, including the co-ownership programme, and can provide logistical, administrative and operational support. See a sample itinerary here: https://www.arksen.com/products/ultimate-lofoten-islands-adventure

Yes. Different co-owner programmes will own boats that operate in certain regions. However, as a member of a programme, your adventure opportunities are not limited to the location of the boat that you co-own. Instead, subject to availability, Arksen Adventures will enable Members of a European programme, for example, to undertake the adventures that can be enjoyed from a boat in the Americas.To accommodate the widest community of members we offer four programme types;

• European / Arctic cruising programme The itinerary includes the Mediterranean, UK and Ireland, Baltic, Norway, Iceland, Faeroes, Greenland.
• Americas / Arctic cruising programme The itinerary includes the Caribbean, Central America, South America, North America, New Foundland, Greenland.
• Asia / South Pacific The itinerary includes Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, Indonesia, East Asia, Japan, Kamchatka.
• Global Roving itinerary with a 5-year cruising programme.

(Note that there may be differences in operating cost and member contributions between the Syndicate types. These differences will reflect, for example, the increased fuel consumption of a Global itinerary vs. a European itinerary. Certain assumptions have been made in our high-level calculations.)

The cruising itinerary will be decided based on the geographic operation area of the vessel. Each vessel will be deployed throughout the operational area during the co-ownership period, providing opportunities for members to explore a variety of cruising grounds. The preferences of all members will be considered, and the itinerary structured to cater to as many preferences as practicable. The director will be responsible for the final decision on the itinerary.

We estimate that thirty-five weeks per year will be allocated to members. This means that, if you want seven weeks per year as a priority, you will subscribe for a 20% ownership interest. This doesn't include relocations.

In addition to the estimated 40 weeks allocated to members, five weeks are allocated to commercial charter (to be decided between owners) and seven weeks for maintenance. While the relocation time is not included the co-ownership programme is designed to be experiential, and so for many people the relocation trips are part of the experience. The co-owners agree a cruising programme a year in advance and map their usage to that.

To view a range of options for ownership please get in touch to receive our interactive cost calculation tool.

Yes. The weeks of commercial charter are included to try and maximise usage of the vessel, something we are very passionate about, and to offset operating costs for the members. The co-ownership members can decide if they would rather offset costs through charter or collectively cover more of the operating costs in return for more usage.

If you are fortunate enough to have access to one of our vessels, we think you have a responsibility to use it to help better protect and understand our oceans. All Arksen owners are encouraged to sign up for the Sea Time Pledge, whereby they donate a portion of their vessels’ annual sea time to scientific or educational projects. Through our scientific network, 10% for the ocean, owners have access to a wealth of opportunities to turn their deliveries, transits or downtime into vital exploration and sea time for researchers, explorers, thought leaders and filmmakers to run their projects. The projects can be run when the vessel is not in use by the owners or can be conducted as a unique and educational experience for family and friends. Providing the chance to be actively involved in furthering our knowledge of the complexity and fragility of the ocean ecosystem.

If the wider co-ownership group decides to allow a dedicated research team to run a program from the vessel it will either be deducted from a single owner if there is no group support, or from the collective if it's a mutual commitment.

No. However, we may offer events that multiple members wish to attend together, and some Members may want to share weeks. It’s up to you.

Members can swap time between annual allocations with other members. Members can also offer allocated but unused weeks for commercial charter and use the charter profit to offset their costs for the year. How many unused weeks are sold for commercial charter will depend on market demand.

Members can swap time between annual allocations with other members. Members can also purchase additional time from the pool of time available for commercial charter.

The year is divided into Peak, Mid and Low season. The dates for each are dependent upon the agreed cruising itinerary. Each Member is allocated a number of weeks in each period based on their percentage share. Members then request their preferred weeks within each period. Where Members have requested the same week, priority will be given to each Member’s request on rotation. In addition to allocated weeks, Members may be able to request additional time on-board during relocation/delivery periods.

Members may also choose to share time on-board, by agreement, thereby increasing the total amount of time on-board each year.

Yes, it is. For five weeks each year, the vessel is made available for charter to third parties. The revenue from this activity is used to offset the operating costs for Members. Members have priority over the allocation of time. Charter availability is confirmed only after member usage has been agreed. The actual charter revenue achieved will depend on the amount of time the members allocate to charter and on market demand.

Each Arksen 85 has two crew; a Captain and Mate/Engineer.

The vessel is continuously maintained by the full-time crew, with support from specialist contractors and the Arksen support team when required. A comprehensive planned maintenance schedule minimises the chances of unexpected failures, reduces operating costs and maximises safety on-board.

Yes. Provisioning can be arranged so that the vessel is fully stocked with foods of your choice or requirement for your arrival. Subject to availability.

The costs of fuel and of regular berthing costs when in use by members or not on charter is included within the operating contribution.

Normal berthing costs are included in the operating contribution. If a member wishes to stay in a port or marina with unusually high fees, then the additional costs will be payable by that member.

The Arksen 85 has four cabins that can accommodate up to 8 people. A general arrangement plan is available upon request.

This will depend on the itinerary, and will be decided for maximum convenience to members, taking into account flight schedules, local logistics, expected passage times between changeover ports, etc.

The permanent crew will operate the vessel and keep the interior and exterior clean. On the Arksen 85, the chef will prepare meals on board.

Yes, additional service staff can be provided at the member’s cost. If the total number of crew exceeds the number of crew berths available, this will reduce by one the number of available guest cabins.

No, the crew’s salary is structured such that tips are not expected.

Yes. We encourage all members to become captains and believe that learning to operate the vessel at sea can be a hugely rewarding experience. If you have the required commercial qualifications, medical certification and recent operating experience, then you may captain the vessel yourself, and if not we can suggest a range of courses. To ensure that all ongoing maintenance is completed correctly, as this requires specific training and familiarity with the systems, at least one staff crew member needs to be on-board when the vessel is in use.

The vessel has an insurance policy in place. For damage sustained while the vessel is under the command of the appointed Captain, the insurance excess will be added to the general operating costs. For damage sustained while under the command of a member, the insurance excess will be paid for by that member.

Every effort is made to undertake maintenance during allocated periods and minimise time out of service during allocated member's time. If the vessel is unexpectedly out of service, every effort will be made to provide an alternative allocation as close to the original dates as possible.

Yes. You will be expected to make annual contributions to cover the shortfall where charter revenue is not enough to cover costs.

Each programme is set up as an independent company, with shares in the company owned by the programme members.

The company will be run according to bespoke articles of association.

The company will have a sole Director, appointed by Arksen. This person will be responsible for overseeing all corporate and financial matters of the company and will be the primary point of contact for the Members. The Director will appoint a Captain, who will be responsible for the day-to-day operational running of the vessel – the company’s primary asset – with the support of the shoreside Arksen team.

Regular management accounts will be provided to all Members.

Each co-ownership programme is designed to operate for a 10-year duration from delivery of the vessel to the programme. Members can transfer out of their membership before the end of this period.

Shares in each co-ownership company can be sold by the member at any time, including during the vessel construction period. The value realised will be subject to market demand, and could exceed the original investment if sold to a buyer wishing to ‘jump the queue’. If a Member wishes to sell their shares, the other co-ownership members have the right of first refusal. If no other member wishes to buy out the leaving member, Arksen will market the share to potential buyers who have registered interest. To fund the marketing of the shares and simulate market demand Arksen charges a 6% commission on the value of the sale to the new buyer and the retiring member. The member is also free to market their share directly.

The amount will depend on which vessel is bought by the programme, but the minimum investment level represents a 10% share. 40 weeks per year of usage are allocated to members, to be split between them according to the membership size. This means that 10% membership will get you 5 weeks per year of member usage. Above 10%, further investment will be accepted in increments of 5%.

Yes, as long as the member is a single legal person, managed by a single individual who can underwrite the group.

This will depend on your proportion of the co-ownership member. If you own 20% of a programme, you will be entitled to seven weeks of usage of the vessel owned by the programme.

Potential investors should seek their own advice but the company into which members will invest should be considered a qualifying company for the purposes of the Enterprise Investment Scheme. For the avoidance of doubt, no representations or warranties are made to this effect by Arksen and no reliance should be placed on Arksen in respect of the availability to an investor of income tax relief under the Enterprise Investment Scheme.

The vessels are purpose-built for each programme and so the initial payments are structured to coincide with the major milestones of the build period as outlined below. The following is meant as a guide and will be subject to variation:

Month 1 - Deposit 5%

Month 3 - Start Build 20%

Month 6 - Stage One 20%

Month 9 - Stage Two 20%

Month 12 - Stage Three 20%

Month 15 - Stage Four 10%

Month 18 - Stage Five 5%

The members pay contributions quarterly (in advance) to cover for the running costs of the vessel, including maintenance, insurance, staff costs, fuel, berthing, provisions, agency fees, and administrative and legal costs. If the Syndicate has taken on asset finance, members’ contributions will also include debt service. These costs are offset by any income generated from the commercial charter.

Yes. Subject to availability, loan support may be available. Loans can take two forms:

1) Asset Finance Arksen can offer an asset finance programme, designed to smooth the cash obligations on Syndicate Members.These loans would be non-recourse to the Members but would include stringent requirements for Members to ensure the company is funded to make debt service obligations. More detailed information is provided in the section below called ‘Debt Finance’.

2) Personal Lending Members are of course free to secure personal loans from lenders of their choice in order to fund costs of entry and ongoing commitments in the Syndicate.Arksen would be happy to make introductions to potential lenders but these arrangements are for your own personal accounts and independent of Arksen.

If you choose to become a member of a co-ownership programme that has Asset Finance, you will not be personally liable beyond the amount of your contributions into the company to date (the co-ownership membership investment and annual contributions).

After a default of more than 60 days, the defaulting Member will forfeit their shares in the company (and therefore all investment to date). The remaining members will have the right to purchase these shares and step into the defaulting member’s shoes. If no other Member steps into the defaulting Member’s shoes, Arksen will seek to introduce a new member.

The default position is that the vessel will be sold by the co-ownership programme operating company and the proceeds distributed to the members. Arksen will broker the sale of the vessel on an arms-length basis to the programme or may offer to acquire the vessel from the programme. In the event that Arksen sells the vessel its then brokerage fees will apply. Alternative arrangements, such as continuing the co-ownership, can be accommodated upon agreement between the members.

The vessel will be sold by the company on an arms-length basis to realise maximum returns to all members. Any individual member may offer to purchase the vessel.