Berth Rental · 2026-10-19 · 5 min read

Nightmare: you keep the deposit but cannot prove the repair bill

Composite scenario inspired by public tribunal reporting where operators quoted a shop but could not show payment at the claimed amount.

Dock kiss on return · $1,700 quote vs $800 allowed

Without chronological receipts

You withhold the full deposit based on a yard quote screenshot. Return photos live in a staff group chat. The tribunal keeps only the amount you proved you spent, and orders a partial refund plus fees.

With onboard → hand back → compare

Hand back photos on the receipt, compare tags on the rub rail, attach paid invoice PDF to the same booking folder before you notify the guest. Quote and payment stay on one chronology.

Read the linked rental deposit tribunal brief for the real reporting citation.

Bareboat and multi-vessel operators: onboard baseline → hand back → compare packet.

Run dock demo · Example packet · Operator blog