As a result, locals seldom have any sense of job security and can be dismissed at the whim of their employers. In contrast to hotels, yacht dwellers spend money at locally- owned restaurants and bars. They make purchases at local markets and stores. And they purchase fuel, food, repair parts, water and many other sailing necessities from local merchants. The typical cruising boat has a crew of two people, usually a retired couple or people taking a couple of years to get away from it all.
Charter yachts contribute even more, but exact figures are difficult to obtain.
While the money may sound good to local communities, there are also a number of negative factors involved in running a yacht-based economy. For instance, wilderness disappears and spectacular, remote anchorages suddenly become crowded. Engines, jet skis, outboard motors all contribute to the din and often scare away native wildlife. Yachts can disrupt commercial fishing, their crews and passengers create markets for local flora and fauna that may already be in short supply. They encourage locals to take lobsters out of season to sell.