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Terms and conditions

Terms of Hire

 

The following conditions of hire have been produced by the Association of Pleasure Craft Operators, sponsored by the British Marine Federation and approved by the Royal Yachting Association. Please read these conditions carefully. They are all part of the hire agreement and describe the rights and duties of both you and the Company.

 

1 DEFINITIONS

In these conditions and the Agreement the following words have the following meanings:-

“Agreement” means the Hire Agreement between You and the Company which is evidenced by your booking request and the Booking Confirmation and is made on the basis of these Conditions.

 

“Booking Confirmation” means the written confirmation issued to You by the Company confirming the hire period, price, place of delivery and other key particulars of the booking.

 

"Company" means Lazy Daze Cruises Limited, Trading as Lazy Daze Cruises of Sydney Wharf, Bathwick Hill, Bath, BA2 4EL.

 

"You" means the person or persons named in the Booking Confirmation. If there is more than one of You each of You shall be individually responsible for complying with the Agreement.

 

"Conditions" means these Boat Hire Conditions.

 

"Price" means the price in the Booking Confirmation.

 

"Start Date" means the start date in the Booking Confirmation. "End Date" means the end date in the Booking Confirmation.

 

“Hire Period” means the hire period in the Booking Confirmation.

 

“Written” means that the item has been printed, typed, written out by hand or sent or displayed by email or other electronic means.

 

2 AGREEMENT TO HIRE

2.1 When You request a booking you are making an offer to hire a boat on these Conditions. The Hire Agreement itself only comes into existence when the Company sends out the Booking Confirmation. A provisional or conditional booking is not binding and You may cancel it at any time before the Booking Confirmation is sent out to You by the Company. Similarly the Company may hire the boat to another party in place of you at any time before a Booking Confirmation has been sent to You. The entire Agreement between You and the Company is contained in these Conditions, the booking request and the Booking Confirmation.

 

2.2 Nothing in these Conditions affects Your statutory rights.

 

3 PRICES AND PAYMENT

3.1 The Company’s advertised Prices are in pounds sterling and include where applicable, Insurance Premium Tax.

 

3.2 The Company reserves the right to correct errors in advertised or quoted prices at the time of booking Confirmation.

 

3.3 Payment is deemed to have been made when cleared funds are received in the Company’s bank account.

 

3.4 The Deposit is payable at the time of the booking request.

 

3.5 The balance of the price, including the Damage Waiver is due not less than 12 weeks before the start date. Time of payment shall be of the essence of the Agreement.

 

3.6 For bookings made less than 12 weeks before the start date You must pay the full price including any Damage Waiver at the time of the booking request.

 

3.7 The Company may charge interest at 3% pa over Bank of England base rate on any money which is overdue from the due date until the actual date of full payment.

 

4 YOUR PARTY - Personal agreement and obligations

4.1 The Hire Agreement is a personal one between You and the Company and Your identity is a material factor in the Company’s decision to enter into the Agreement. You must be at least 18 years of age at the time of booking. You must be authorised by all other members of Your party to enter into the Agreement on their behalf. The full names, ages and permanent addresses of all members of Your party must be provided to the Company at the time of takeover. All changes in Your party (the addition, substitution or removal of any member of the party) which take place during the hire period must be communicated in writing and approved by the Company (such approval is not to be unreasonably withheld). You are responsible for making all members of Your party aware of the terms of the Agreement. School parties, youth groups, Private use, business purposes .

 

4.2 The Company’s general policy is that it will not enter into Hire Agreements for school parties, youth groups or for any commercial purpose without more information about the members of the party and the purpose and nature of the hire occasion. You will be charged additional damage deposits on arrival as shown on your booking confirmation (see item 8). If the Company later becomes aware that Your party actually falls within this policy but that You have not disclosed it to the Company then the Company may terminate Your booking. In this event the deposit and any other part of the Price which you have paid will be retained by the Company and you will remain liable to pay the balance of the Price. The use of alcohol and controlled drugs; Company’s right of immediate cancellation

 

4.3 The boat shall not be navigated while anyone on board is, or appears to be, under the influence of alcohol or drugs and the Company may cancel your booking and refuse to hand the boat over to you or repossess it if you or any member of your party is or appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In such a case the Company shall be entitled to recover any loss, damage and expense from the monies already paid by You and if this is insufficient to cover its loss it shall be entitled to bring a claim against you for the balance of such claim. Company’s right to decline handover for safety reasons

 

4.4 The Company may at its discretion cancel the booking and refuse to hand over the boat to any person or group who in its opinion is not suitable to take charge on the grounds of age, ill health, disability, inexperience, suspected influence of alcohol or drugs or any other reason. The Company may repossess the boat at any time if in the opinion of the Company the Hirer is unsuitable for the reasons given above or if the Hirer is not behaving responsibly or if the boat or any persons are at risk. In this event the Hirer shall remain liable to pay the hire price and no refund shall be due. The Company reserves the right to repossess the boat or disallow embarkation onto the boat in the event of adverse weather or river conditions. This is to ensure the safety of the boat and all persons. In this event Hirer shall remain liable to pay the hire price and no refund shall be due. We recommend Hirers take out their own travel insurance for this reason.

 

4.5 The Company may cancel your booking and refuse to hand the boat over to you if, in its reasonable opinion, You are unsuitable to take charge of the boat for any reason that may adversely affect the safety of any person or property. In this event (and provided that You have fully complied with your obligations under this Agreement) the Company will refund the Deposit and any other monies which You have paid to the Company and the contract shall be discharged without further liability on either party.

 

4.6 Company’s right to repossess during the hire: The Company may repossess the boat at any time after commencement of the Hire Period if in the reasonable opinion of the Company You are unsuitable to be in charge of the boat for any reason affecting the safety of any person or property including in particular if You or any member of your party is or appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs or if You are not behaving responsibly or if there has been a material breach of the terms of this Agreement.

 

5 CANCELLATIONS AND CHANGES REQUESTED BY YOU

5.1 The Agreement is a legally binding contract and may only be cancelled in accordance with these Conditions.

 

5.2 If You want to cancel or change Your booking you must give the Company written notice. The date of receipt of the written notice shall be the effective cancellation date but in order to increase the prospects of re-letting the boat You should pre-advise the Company of the impending cancellation by telephone.

 

5.3 The Company shall make the following charges for cancellation, depending on the date on which the Cancellation Notice is received:

 

Days before Start Date when Cancellation Notice received - Cancellation Charge

 

More than 56 - Loss of Deposit (including any part of the deposit which has not yet been paid)

43 -56 - 50% of Total Price

29 -42 - 70% of Total Price

8 -28 - 85% of Total Price

7 or less - 100% of Total Price

 

5.4 Insurance premia and credit card charges are non-refundable whatever the date of cancellation.

 

5.5 If the Company re-lets the boat to a new customer for the Hire Period or part of it the Company will return the cancellation charge which You have paid in respect of any days for which it has re-let the boat after deducting an administration fee of £50 in total together with any insurance and credit card charges which the Company has incurred.

 

6 CANCELLATION BY THE COMPANY

6.1 The Company may cancel the Agreement by written notice in the following circumstances:

 

6.1.1 For any of the reasons described in Conditions 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 or 4.5.

6.1.2 In the event of an accident affecting the safety or navigability of the Boat.

6.1.3 For breach of any of the rules set out under Condition 9.1.

6.1.4 For non-payment of any sum due under the booking. 6.2 The Company is entitled to recover from You any loss which it suffers as a result of cancellation under any of the provisions of Conditions 4.2, 4.3 or 4.5 or for breach of Condition 9.1 and it may retain all or part of any payments which you have made as security for such claims. Subject to this if the Company is able to re-let the Boat for all or part of the Hire Period it will give credit for the net sums received as a result of such re-letting and shall prepare and submit to You an account of its claim and of any payment which may be due to You or to the Company within 7 days of the End Date.

 

7 HIRE PERIOD, COLLECTION AND RETURN OF BOAT

7.1 The Boat will normally be available from 3pm on the start date or as otherwise shown in the Booking Confirmation, subject to the provisions of Condition 7.7

 

7.2 You must notify the Company as soon as possible if Your estimated arrival time is delayed or disrupted as this may lead to difficulties and delays in making the boat available to You. There will be no rebate of the Price for late arrival nor will the Company accept responsibility for any overnight costs which You may incur if you fail to reach the boat during normal working hours.

 

7.3 Before You take the boat over the Company will give You such instructions, demonstrations and trials as are appropriate and You and a fellow member of the crew will then be required to check and sign the hand over sheet.

 

7.4 In the event that the boat is not available on the Start Date due to any circumstance for which the Company is not responsible (for example adverse weather or navigation conditions, damage, mechanical breakdown, late return by previous hirer) the Company may find you alternative accommodation but if none is available the Company shall immediately refund You with the Deposit and any other payments You have made.

 

7.5 The boat must be returned to Bath Marina, Bath or as otherwise shown on the Booking Confirmation or notified under Condition 7.7 and vacated by You by 10am on the end date and it is Your responsibility to allow sufficient time to ensure timely return.

 

7.6 If you return the Boat late or to the wrong place because of poor planning on Your part or for another reason which is your responsibility then you will be liable to pay £50 for every hour or part hour of the delay in returning the boat or giving possession and the cost of recovering the boat to the return point and any other expenses and losses which the Company may incur as a result of the delay including the loss or cancellation of a subsequent booking.

 

7.7 The Company reserves the right to change the places of handover and return for operational reasons. In such event the Company shall be obliged to give You notice of the change in sufficient time to allow any necessary re-planning of your itinerary and to organise any transport which is reasonably necessary for You and your party as a result of such change.

 

8 INSURANCE AND SECURITY DAMAGE WAIVER

8.1 The Company insures the boat and its equipment against physical loss and damage and against public liability risks. You are entitled to any protection that may be afforded by the Company’s insurance policy (subject to your paying any applicable policy excess) but you and members of your party may become legally liable to the Company or to third parties for loss or damage caused or contributed to by your acts, omissions or negligence.

 

8.2 The Company’s insurance policy does not cover personal accidents or Your personal belongings. You and your party are advised to take out your own personal insurance cover.

 

8.3 You shall pay a compulsory minimum refundable deposit of £500 for cruising and £300 for a static hire to cover damage arising from speeding, contact with a lock sill causing damage to the rudder, skeg or stern gear, TV aerials, malicious or intentional damage to the boat. Also for malicious or intentional damage to other boats and property, incorrect use of Locks resulting in lifted lock gates (minimum charge made by National Trust is £250), the late return of the boat and return of the boat in an unclean condition.

 

8.4 This is intended to cover the Company’s policy excess and any uninsured risks or other sums due to the Company under the Hire Agreement. It is not the limit of your potential liability to the Company.

 

8.5 The Company may apply the whole or any part of the security deposit to payment of any claim which the Company may have against you. Otherwise the Company shall promptly refund the security deposit as soon as the Company is satisfied that no loss, damage or accident has occurred and that no other sums are due to the Company from You.

 

8.6 In addition to this, all male, all female or all young crews under 25 must pay an additional security deposit of £25 per head in cash on arrival. We do not hire to stag or hen parties. We are predominantly a family holiday provider.

 

9 SAFETY AND OTHER RULES

9.1 You agree to comply with the following rules at all times during the Hire Period;

9.1.1 To ensure that at all times while the boat is being navigated or is transiting locks the minimum age of the operator onboard and in charge is 18 years+.

9.1.2 Not to tow or be towed other than in exceptional circumstances.

9.1.3 To moor the boat securely.

9.1.4 Not to navigate after sunset or before sunrise.

9.1.5 To observe all speed limits (4mph on Kennet & Avon), and not to navigate at a speed which creates a breaking wash or disturbs or inconveniences other waterway users.

9.1.6 Not to race the boat.

9.1.7 Not to bring onto the boat any portable heaters, cooking appliances, inflammable liquids or substances, gas cylinders, car batteries, fire arms, Bbq’s, bicycles, vehicles, lighting equipment, TV sets, electric tools or any other items which might create dangers or hazards without the Company’s prior written permission.

9.1.8 Not to use the boat for any commercial purpose.

9.1.9 To allow the boat to be occupied only by the persons named on the Crew List or Booking Confirmation.

9.1.10 Not to allow to be on the boat at any time more than maximum number of berths stated in the boat description.

9.1.11 To give way to laden or unladen cargo boats, sailing craft, rowing boats and other human propelled craft.

9.1.12 Not to take the boat on to sea or downstream of Bath Marina on tidal waters without the written consent of the Company. To cruise only on canals and rivers approved by the Company.

9.1.13 Not to have or carry any live bait on the boat.

9.1.14 At all times to observe all bye-laws and navigational limits and abide by the instructions and advice of the relevant Navigational Authorities and the Company and their respective officers and employees.

 

9.2 The Company reserves the right at its reasonable discretion and without liability to restrict cruising areas or routes in the light of prevailing weather and navigation conditions.

 

9.3 If You are reported for improper navigation during the Hire Period or if You are in breach of any of the rules in condition 9.1 and if the Company has good reason to believe that it will be involved in any expense or penalty as a consequence then at the End Date the Company may retain the security deposit against prospective future liabilities. If no action has been taken after a maximum period of 6 months from the End Date, the Company shall return the Security Deposit to you.

 

10 ACCIDENTS

10.1 You are in charge of the boat and are responsible for its safe navigation.

In the event of any accident or damage involving You or any other people or any property You must:-

10.1.1 Obtain and record the name of any other boats and the names and addresses of any other people involved.

10.1.2 Notify the Company as soon as practically possible with full details of the accident and any damage sustained.

10.1.3 Proceed in accordance with and follow the Company’s reasonable instructions.

10.1.4 NEVER admit liability after an accident.

 

11 LOOKING AFTER THE BOAT

11.1 You are responsible for and will keep the boat and its equipment and contents in clean and tidy order during the Hire Period.

 

11.2 You must notify and provide full details to the Company of any breakdown, damage, theft or loss involving the boat as soon as practically possible. You must not undertake or commission any repairs, adjustment or service without the Company’s prior approval.

 

11.3 Although the boat and its equipment are insured against many risks by the Company You remain responsible to the Company for any damage or loss arising from Your breach of the Agreement, Your deliberate acts or from Your negligence.

 

11.4 You shall be responsible for getting the boat off mud banks or other grounding and for removal of weeds, rope or other matter from propellers and steering gear and for keeping the Company informed of any incidents of this nature.

 

12 HIRER’S PROPERTY

12.1 Vehicles may be left entirely at their owner’s risk. The Company will be under no liability for any loss or damage to vehicles or their contents or for Your property on the boat, unless caused by the Company’s negligence.

 

12.2 The Company may take such reasonable action as it shall consider necessary to silence car alarms and to recover the costs from You. This is inclusive of any requirements and obligations under the Noise and Statutory Nuisance Act 1993.

 

12.3 The Company will return property which it finds which has been accidentally left on the Boat provided that it is claimed promptly and that You either arrange for its collection or agree to pre-pay for any postage and packing. Property not claimed within two months from the End Date may be disposed of by the Company.

 

13 FUEL

The boat is handed over ready fuelled, but the cost of hire includes fuel.

 

 

14 PETS

14.1 You shall give notice of any pets You wish to bring at the time of making the booking. Acceptance is at the Companies discretion.

14.2 There will be blankets provided for pets..

14.3 All pets, must never be left unattended, and shall not be allowed on bedding or chairs.

14.4 Pets and pet damage are not covered under the Company’s insurance policy and You will be liable for any damage or loss caused by them.

14.5 Pets with be charged at £25 a stay for the first pet and £10 a stay for any subsequent pet to cover extra cleaning.

 

15 INVENTORY

Any shortcomings discovered during the Hire Period must be notified to the Company as soon as practically possible so as to afford the Company the opportunity to rectify the matter.

 

16 EXCLUSION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

16.1 The Company shall not be liable to pay any compensation, damages, costs or expenses for any claim arising from any cause beyond the Company’s reasonable control which could not have been mitigated or avoided by the Company including but not limited to: a) Loss of or damage to any person’s property (including the Boat); b) non-fulfilment, interruption or delay to the booking; c)breakdowns, mechanical problems, latent defects, damage to the Boat; d) restrictions on cruising, obstructions, repairs, damage or closure of waterways, non availability of routes, navigational works, storms, floods, droughts, ice, shortage of water or other weather or climactic conditions; e) rationing, shortage or non availability of fuel; f) consequential loss, damage or expense which You incur including the cost of alternative transport, accommodation or other holiday provision.

16.2 The Company’s total liability to You and any person claiming through You in respect of all claims which may arise under the Agreement (other than in respect of claims for personal injury or death due to negligence on the part of the Company) shall be limited in aggregate to the Total price actually paid by You to the Company in respect of the Agreement in question.

 

17 BROCHURE

The specifications of boat, its accommodation, facilities and equipment in the brochure and on the website are intended as a general guide and the Company shall not be liable in the event of any insubstantial differences in the boat supplied and reserves the right to make modifications. In particular alterations may occur during rebuilding or refitting, boats within classes may differ, colours may vary, layout plans are for guidance only and are not to scale and boats may have steps which are not shown. If Your party includes any infirm or disabled persons You should make relevant enquiries at the time of booking.

 

18 LAW AND JURISDICTION

18.1 This Agreement shall be governed by the law of England and Wales.

18.2 Any dispute arising under this Agreement shall be submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales

 

19 DISPUTE RESOLUTION

19.1 The British Marine Federation and the Royal Yachting Association recommend that disputes arising under this form of Agreement which cannot be resolved by negotiation, should, with the written agreement of the Parties, be submitted to mediation or failing that to arbitration under the British Marine Federation’s Dispute Resolution Scheme, which is approved by the Royal Yachting Association.

19.2 Details of the mediation scheme operated by the British Marine Federation are available at www.britishmarine.co.uk/mediation.

19.3 Matters suitable for arbitration shall be submitted to a single Arbitrator in accordance with the British Marine Federation’s Dispute Resolution Scheme. The provisions of the Arbitration Act 1996 shall apply.

 

 

20 THIRD PARTIES

Only the named parties to the Agreement (as shown on the booking form) may enforce the terms of the Agreement. The parties agree that the Contracts (Rights of third Parties) Act 1999 shall not apply to this Agreement. Lazy Daze Cruises Ltd trading as Lazy Daze Cruises. Registered office: Sydney Wharf, Bathwick Hill, Bath, BA2 4EL. Registered in England No: 8593056