 Initial
payment
The confirmation of a narrow boat booking will be given once the fully
completed booking form along with a deposit of 20% of the total price
has been received by Aqua Narrowboat Hire. The hirer will then be
responsible for paying the full balance at least 6 weeks prior to the
start date of their narrow boat holiday.
Damage
waiver payment
This compulsory scheme ensures that for a single, non-refundable premium
of £30.00 you will be protected from any liability for damage/loss or
accident to your boat or its inventory during your holiday period. The
premium will be shown on your booking confirmation along with the final
balance of hire.
Special
exclusions to Damage Waiver
Speeding (reported or witnessed)
Malicious, negligent or intentional damage to the boat, its equipment,
the waterway, other boats or structures.
Late return of narrow boat
Return of narrow boat in unclean condition.
In the event of any of the above being reported, we shall claim the full
cost of repairs, replacement or compensation.
Hire
Period – Collection and Return of narrow boat
The hire period commences at 3.00pm on Saturday and ends at 9.30am on
the following Saturday. Failure to return the narrow boat by this time will
result in a charge of £15.00 per half hour overdue.
Cancellation
Should the hirer cancel the booking, the Company will attempt to re-let
the narrow boat at the full price. If this is successful, all monies less the
deposit will be refunded. However if the Company does not succeed in
re-letting the boat, the proposed hirer is legally responsible for
promptly paying the balance of the hire fees. The hirer is advised to
make their own cancellation insurance arrangements.2. Conditions of Use
Embarkment
Free tuition will be given by a member of the Company to the hirer who
will ensure that the narrow boat is in good working order. Where the hirer is
not familiar with the working locks, they will be taken through the
first lock.
Minors
Bookings from persons under the age of 21 cannot be accepted. No person
under the age of 18 may control the narrow boat, unless under the direct
supervision of a responsible adult member of the party.
Cycles/ Canoes
Unfortunately, due to the high value of our narrow boat and its’ equipment, we
are unable to allow cycles or canoes on board. However, this is at
the Company’s discretion and may be admitted under certain
circumstances.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted on board the boat.
Fishing
Fishing may be carried out from the foredeck of the boat with normal
licensing applying (the hirer is requested to provide evidence of
licenses before commencing their cruise.) Live fish bait must not be
taken inside the boat or stored in the vessels fridge or larder areas.
Cruising
Limits
The boat may be taken on canals. Experienced hirers will need to agree
with the Company any cruising on rivers, prior to the start of their
holiday. Disregard of this hiring condition leaves the hirer responsible
for all damages, recovery and third party claims not covered by
insurance.
3. Safety Rules,
Common Sense and Navigation Bye Laws
The hirer agrees to the following:
Travel
no more than 4 mph
Never
create a wash that breaks on the bank (even at 4mph this is possible)
Slow
right down past moored boats
No
cruising between sunset and sunrise
No
smoking inside the boat
Only
carry those named on the Reservation Form
Do
not carry portable heaters, toasters and other electrical appliances not
agreed by the Company, inflammable substances
or other hazardous items.
Comply
with BW/Environment Agency bye-laws: these specifically include leaving
lock paddles in the correct position, and being considerate to other
waterway users and property
Although
we want you to enjoy yourselves may we draw attention to the fact it is
illegal to be drunk in charge of any vessel on British Waterways.
4. Company
Regulations
We
reserve the right to refuse to hand over a narrow boat to any person who, in
our opinion, is not suitable to take charge of the vessel. In the event
of this happening, all payments will be refunded to the proposed hirer,
who will then have no further claim against Aqua Narrowboat Hire.
Aqua
Narrowboat Hire reserve the right to repossess the boat at any time if,
in our opinion, the boat is being mishandled, misused illegally or if
the crew’s behaviour is considered detrimental to other waterway users.
In the event of this happening, no portion of the hire fee will be
refunded.
5. Exemptions
The company shall not be liable for matters arising beyond the Company’s
reasonable control, or not due to the Company’s negligence or wilful
default including without limitation: death or personal injury of
Hirers, their crew and passengers; loss or damage to property;
non-fulfilment or interruption of the reservation; delays; breakdowns;
mechanical problems; defects; damage; restrictions on cruising;
obstructions; repairs to waterways; non-availability of routes; storms,
floods, drought, ice shortage of water and other weather conditions;
non-availability of fuel; or in respect of any loss, damage, expense,
injury or claim.
Insurance
Hires are recommended to take out personal insurance cover against
injury/ loss of belongings.
Delays
and Restriction
No liability can be accepted by the company for any delays or
non-completion of planned cruising caused by restrictions, obstructions,
or repair to the waterways system or any unforeseen cause. The company
reserve the right to restrict the cruising area without prior notice
should any unusual or hazardous conditions prevail.
Breakdown
and Repairs
We take great care to ensure our boat is serviced at regular intervals
and in good working order. In case of breakdown or repairs needed
contact the Company immediately where upon appropriate action will be
taken. All repairs are the responsibility of the Company and should not
be put into the hands of others without our authority.
You must not tow or be allowed to tow any other vessel without the
Company’s permission.
Accidents
If the hirer is involved in an accident the following procedure should
take place:
Contact the Company immediately giving the following information
Full details of the boats involved: index numbers, names and person/
persons involved and name and address of any witnesses.
Under no circumstances must the hirer admit any liability.
6. Hirer’s Motor
Cars and Property
Free parking is provided for the convenience of our customers, but we
accept no liability for loss or damage to customers’ vehicles. You are
advised not to leave valuables in your vehicles. |
