Booking Conditions
In these booking conditions, ‘you’ and ‘your’ means all people named
on the booking (including anyone who is added or replaced at a later
date). ‘We’, ‘us’ ‘our’ and ‘the oatyard’ means Richardsons Leisure
Limited of The Staithe, Stalham Norfolk NR12 9BX.
The following conditons, together with the general information in
our brochures and on our website, form the basis of your agreement
with us and the other people and organisations which provide
the services which make up your holiday. Please read them carefully
as they set out the rights and responsibilities of everyone concerned.
Nothing in these booking conditions affects the normal rights you
have by law. When we refer to these booking conditions we also
include the boat rental conditions (which means all information
shown in any specific conditions or restrictions set out in the
brochure or website description of your chosen boat and the
information sections of the brochure or website of which we
otherwise tell you about).
1. Terms: All terms are per week, for the boat as equipped and
described. Saturday dates are shown. For boats starting Sunday,
Monday or Tuesday, the previous Saturday charges apply; for Wednesday,
Thursday and Friday starts, the following Saturday charges apply.
Prices include VAT (where applicable) at the rate applicable at the
time of printing and are subject to change if the rate or application
of the VAT changes. In the event of a change in the rate of VAT
during the course of the year, your holiday will be invoiced at the
new amount of VAT unless you have already taken your holiday or
paid the balance in full prior to the date of change. Our Hire Invoice
and Booking Acceptance is not a VAT invoice.
• We reserve the right to correct errors in advertised prices
including our website. We will advise you of any error at the time
of booking.
• We also reserve the right to correct errors in confirmed prices. In
this case, we will contact you as soon as we become aware of the
error. If the correct price is higher and you do not wish to pay this,
you will be entitled to cancel and receive a full refund of all monies
you have paid to us providing you notify us within 14 days of our
advising you of the error. We promise we will not seek to correct
any error in a confirmed price within 8 weeks of the start of your
holiday or more than 7 days after you make your booking.
• The time of take-over (subject to unavoidable delays) is normally
4.00pm or as shown on your Hire Invoice.
• You must advise the Boatyard using the telephone number on your
Hire Invoice if, due to unavoidable delays in your journey, your
arrival time is likely to be outside normal working hours (ie 5pm)
on the start date of your boat rental. If you fail to do so you may
not be able to gain access to the boat. If you fail to arrive by 12
noon on the day after the start date of your boat rental and you do
not notify the Boatyard that you will be arriving late, we may treat
your booking as having been cancelled by you. In this situation, we
will not make a refund.
• Unless otherwise shown on your Hire Invoice your boat must be
returned and handed back not later than 9.00am to the boatyard
from which you started your cruise. You are always welcome
to moor at the boatyard on the evening before you hand back
your boat. You are obliged to leave everything in a clean and tidy
condition.
• Loss of any deck gear may be subject to a charge by the Boatyard.
• Where the price of a boat is inclusive of fuel, then should the
rate of duty of that fuel change or be amended we may in those
circumstances have to pass on the charges to you.
2. Making your booking: All bookings depend on the boat and
services being available. You as the person in charge of the party (the
party leader) must be at least 18 years old at the time of booking. By
making the booking, you confirm that you are authorised to make
the booking and that all other memebrs of the party agree that the
booking will be governed by these conditons. You are responsible for
making all payments due to us.
As long as the boat and services are available and we have received
the relevant payments, we will give you written confirmation (see
below) as soon as reasonably possible. The booking confirmation
will show your booking details and the amount you still owe for the
booking. The binding contract will apply from the date we give you
the written confirmation. For bookings made within 14 days of the
departure date, you will have a binding contract with us when we
give spoken or email confirmation of your booking to you and you
have made the appropriate payments to us. If we pay the deposit into
our bank account, it will not mean we have accepted your booking.
We will give you written confirmation by post. If you book with us
online, we will acknowledge that we have received your booking and
then send you confirmation by email. If you book by phone we will
send your confirmation to you by post. It is your responsibility to
check your emails regularly and to let us know about any change to
your email address.
We have the right to refuse any booking before we send you your
written confirmation. If we do this, we will contact you via phone
or email and promtly refund any money you have paid to us. In this
case we will not have any legal responsibilty to you. As soon as you
receive your confirmation, you must check the details carefully. If
anything is not correct, you should tell us immediately.
3. Number in your party: No boat may normally carry more
persons than advertised by us. It is forbidden for unauthorised or
undeclared visitors to stay on your boat, as this nullifies the
insurance in the case of an accident.
4. Payment When you book: You must pay the applicable deposit
requested by debit or credit card (we only accept pounds sterling).
Price per week or short break = Deposit per boat
Up to £300 = £105
£301-£500 = £125
£501-£750 = £150
£751-£900 = £170
Over £900 = £180
• Your balance-of-hire money (together with your Fuel Deposit and
Security Deposit or Damage Waiver) is due and payable by you 8
weeks before the start of your holiday. Your Hire Invoice gives you
full details.
• For bookings made within 8 weeks of the holiday start-date you
must pay the full monies at the time of booking.
• If the deposit and/or balance is not paid by the appropriate date
we are entitled to cancel your booking and keep all deposits paid.
• We reserve the right to pass on to you any bank charges and other
costs we incur if we have to represent a cheque or process late
payments. Where you choose to pay by credit card we will make a
charge of 1.5% in respect of each payment by credit card. There is
currently no charge for debit cards.
Additional Deposit: Group and Party bookings All male, female or young crews
will be asked for a security deposit of £50pp on arrival at the
Boatyard. This deposit will be returned at the end of your boat
rental (less any costs for breakages, damage and so on if this applies)
5. Changes by you: Once a booking has been confirmed to us,
should you require us to amend it or re-invoice you for any reason
then a fee of £20 will be charged (unless this is before 20th January
2013 when one change can be made without charge). Up to 8 weeks
before the holiday start date you may change your boat to another
one in the same fleet within the same calendar year, subject to
availability and the payment of the above fee and any difference in
the price. You may transfer your booking to someone else / another
party (introduced by you) at any time providing you notify us in
writing and pay the admin charge of £20 and then any outstanding
balance.
There are strictly no holiday date changes or downgrades within 8
weeks of your holiday start date.
You must check your Hire Invoice and Booking Acceptance as well
as other documents we send you carefully as soon as you receive
them. If any information appearing on any documents appears to
be inaccurate in any way you must let us know straight away. We
regret we cannot accept any liability to make changes if we are not
notified of any inaccuracy in any documents within 10 days of our
sending it out.
Note: Bookings may not be transferred to other parties after we
have received notification of cancellation.
6. Cancellation by You: Telephone us immediately if you have
to cancel your holiday. Then on the same day send us by first class
mail your Hire Invoice or take this action through your travel agent.
Your cancellation is effective from the date we receive your written
notification. Your cancellation will be acknowledged by us in writing.
If you cancel up to 8 weeks before your holiday start date you will
lose any monies paid. If you cancel within 8 weeks of your holiday
start date you will lose any monies paid and are liable for the full
balance of your holiday.
All or part of your liabilities as stated above may be covered by our
Cancellation Protection if your reason for cancellation is one of
those covered.
For early bookings we guarantee you an unconditional full refund
of the money you have paid if before 20th January 2013 you have
to cancel your holiday booked to be taken from 4th March 2013
onwards (one cancellation is permitted with full refund, thereafter
normal cancellation terms apply).
7. Cancellation for a Qualifying Reason: When you book you are responsible for the full hire terms even if
you cannot take your holiday as planned. We have on your instructions
reserved the boat exclusively for you.
Our Cancellation Protection cover has very few small print
exclusions, there are no pre-existing medical exclusions under
this section. It provides the following benefits if it is necessary and
unavoidable for you to cancel or curtail your holiday because any
of the Qualifying Reasons have occurred since your booking was
accepted:
1) If you cancel before the balance -of-hire is due and payable, we will:
• Relieve you of the responsibility for payment of your balance of
hire.
• Refund your initial payment less an administration charge of £20.
2) If you cancel after the balance-of-hire is due or has been paid,
we will:
• Refund your balance-of-hire (or relieve you of the responsibility for
payment of your balance-of-hire if it has not been paid).
• Refund your initial payment less the £20 administration charge.
3) If you curtail your holiday and return home, (provided that
everyone in your entire party cancels or curtails the holiday and the
holiday boat is left vacant) we will give you a proportionate refund of
the balance-of-hire paid less £20 administration charge. In the case
of multiple or party bookings where more than one boat is booked
at the same time, cover is assessed on each boat individually.
Your cover starts as soon as your booking has been accepted.
Qualifying Reasons: Death, accidental bodily injury, illness or admission
to hospital (including events caused by pregnancy or childbirth)
• of you or any member of your party.
• of any close relative, fiancé(e) or close business associate of you or
any member of your party.
• Compulsory quarantine of you or any member of your party or
your travel being prevented by Government restriction following
an epidemic.
• Redundancy qualifying for payment under the terms of the
Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 of you or any
member of your party
• Unforeseen occupational posting in your present employment or
withdrawal of annual leave because of an unforeseen business
emergency of you or any member of your party
• Hi-jack of you or any member of your party
• You or any member of your party being required for jury or
witness service in a court of law
• Police advising you not to travel due to adverse weather conditions
• Police requiring you or any member of your party to attend
following theft at your home or place of business
• Damage rendering your home, or that of any member of your
party uninhabitable.
Exclusions:
1. Disinclination to travel
2. Claims as a result of any accident to or illness of your family pets
3. Any consequences of war and radioactive contamination and
similar risks
4. Changes in your financial circumstances or unemployment, other
than redundancy as described above.
5. The administration charge of £20
The administration charge is to cover our costs and charges
incurred in the process.
6. Amendment and credit card charges are non-refundable.
The conditions on making a refund only apply if the cancellation
applies to all members of your party.
How to Claim:
Notify us in writing immediately the circumstances arise and supply
documentary evidence including medical certificates where appropriate,
to support your claim.
Please note: This is not an Insurance Contract. This is Richardson’s
own Cancellation Protection agreement with you.
NB. The operational risks of the vessel and insurance of the vessel
itself are protected by a Group policy. Each vessel has a full information
pack which will be detailed to you on handover, detailing what
you need to know in the unlikely event that you need any assistance.
8. Cancellation for a Non-Qualifying Reason:
If you cancel for a reason other than one of those listed in
Section 7, a charge will be payable by you to cover our costs.
These charges are set out below:
+Please note: The cancellation charge applicable will be equal to
the loss of deposit or the percentages shown, whichever is higher.
9. Cancellation by us: We can cancel your holiday and any
other holiday we operate. On rare occasions, we may need to
cancel your holiday. If we have to cancel a holiday for any reason, we
will tell you as soon as reasonably possible. In these circumstances,
we will, if we are able to do so, offer you an alternative holiday of
equivalent or closely similar standard and price at no extra cost, or
a less expensive holiday, in which case we will refund the difference
in price. If you do not wish to take the alternative we offer you,
you can choose another holiday from us and pay, or receive a full
refund of, any price difference. Or, if you prefer, you can receive a
full refund of any money you have paid to us, except for any amendment
charges. However, we will not cancel your holiday within 8
weeks of departure except if we are forced to do so because of
unusual circumstances we could not have foreseen, where we could
not avoid the results of those circumstances even after taking all reasonable care. No compensation will be payable in these circumstances,
whenever they happen, and we will only have to offer you
the above choices. We can also cancel if you fail to make payment for your holiday on time.
Period before scheduled arrival date within which written cancellation notification is received |
Cancellation charges as a % of total Costs (excluding amendment and credit card charges which are non-refundable) |
|---|---|
| More than 56 days | Loss of Standard Deposit |
| 43-56 days | 50% plus |
| 29-42 days | 70% plus |
| 8-28 days | 90% plus |
| 7 days or under | 100% plus |
10. Boat Trial: A free demonstration run is given to you at the
time of take-over. Whenever possible the person responsible for the
booking must be present.
11. Damage, breakdown & defects: No responsibility will
be accepted by us for loss of time or expenses occasioned through
accidental damage to the boat while in your charge. No liability can
be accepted for loss or damage or expense which occurs as the
result of any defect or breakdown occurring during your cruise
unless this is caused by proven reason of our failure to adequately
maintain the boat in a fit state and condition or is caused by the acts
or defaults of ourselves or our employees.
Any defect or breakdown must be reported immediately to the
Boatyard during your cruise so that steps can be taken to repair
the boat or remedy the service. (It is unlikely that trouble of this
nature will arise as every boat is carefully checked before the start
of each cruise).
12. Accidents: Your boat is insured but you have charge of the
boat and are responsible for its safe navigation and for the safety
of all on board. Buoyancy Aids for all members of your party are
provided as is appropriate and it is your responsibility to ensure
that they are carried on board at all times and worn where necessary.
This is especially important for children, who you must fully
supervise at all times. A fee is included in the hire charge for the
provision of insurance relating to the boat. In the unlikely event of
structural or mechanical damage, however caused, no responsibility
can be accepted by us for the loss of time or the cost of any alternative
accommodation or any other damages or expenses. In the case
of any accident or damage to the boat, to other craft, to waterway
property, or to any person, it is your responsibility to:
(a) find out the name and registration number of any other boat
involved together with details of the owner or hirer concerned
(b) to report these facts, together with the extent of the damage
to your Richardson’s boatyard as soon as possible
13. Your Fuel & Security Deposit: We operate one of two
fuel and security schemes. Details will be shown on your Hire
Invoice. You must pay your waiver or deposit with your balanceof-
hire ahead of your holiday. (See Condition No.4.) Any deposit
refund will normally be made to you by a cash payment.
Option 1: Security Waiver Scheme: You make a one off
non-refundable Damage Waiver payment of £46 (£56 on some
craft). This gives you full cover in the event of loss of or damage
to your craft, it’s equipment and / or third party liability in lieu of
the Security Deposit described below except in the event that we
consider that the loss or damage has been caused deliberately or
by negligence or carelessness when we reserve the right to make a
charge for such deliberate, careless or negligent loss. You will also be
asked to pay a fuel deposit from which only the cost of any fuel used
will be deducted.
Option 2: Fuel and Security Deposit Scheme: You pay
a refundable Fuel and Security Deposit of £300. This deposit, less
charges for fuel, will be returned to you when you have finished your
holiday, providing you return the boat and its equipment on time,
undamaged, clean and tidy, and without Third Party claim against you.
Any damage, loss and/or breakages to your boat or its equipment
will be deducted from your deposit up to the full amount of your
deposit. If any damage, loss and/or breakages are caused in excess
of the deposit you will not be asked to pay more (although you
will have to pay for your fuel on top) except where caused by the
deliberate or negligent act or omission of you or any member of
your party (including where the person concerned is under the
influence of alcohol, drugs or any similar substance) or any failure to
comply with these Conditions of Hire. In this case, we are entitled
to make an additional charge.
You are responsible for any charges made by waterway authorities
if you cause loss of water or damage to their property. You must
pay any such charges in full. They are not covered by your Damage
Waiver Payment and are payable in addition to any other deductions
from your deposit (regardless of how they were caused) even if the
amount of your deposit is exceeded as a result.
If you fail to return your boat on time and/or in a clean and tidy
condition you are liable to an extra charge at the discretion of the
Boatyard. This will be deducted from your deposit.
14. Linen/Towels: Towels are not supplied with the boat linen
except for overseas visitors.
15. Layout: Plans of boats in this brochure and on our website
are for general guidance. They are not to scale and alteration to
accommodation during building or refitting may occur. Some boats
within classes may have variations. Some boats have steps which may
not be shown on the plan.
16. Disabilities and medical problems: If you have infirm
or disabled members in your party you should enquire as to the
suitability of your boat when booking. Although many boats may be
suitable, some have steps (often steep and narrow), and it may not
be easy for you to board a boat from the bank or towpath. We cannot
provide any form of boarding assistance (ie box, gangplank, step).
If we reasonably feel unable to properly accommodate the particular
needs of the person concerned we reserve the right to decline or
cancel the reservation.
17. Production Boats: Photos of standard production boats are
sometimes used for a class group of boats. As production boats are
not always finished in identical colour schemes, this means your boat
may be different in colour from the photograph. in the brochure, the
web or any other literature we provide.
18. Obeying the Waterway Rules:
You must observe the
Navigation Authority’s byelaws, including in particular, the rule that
you must not navigate after sunset, or before dawn and your speed
must not be such as would or may inconvenience or endanger other
users of the waterway.
On no account may you tow or be towed by other craft, unless you
have professional assistance as towing can be a hazardous operation
if incorrectly undertaken. Under no circumstances may your boat
be taken out to sea. Boats may not be entered in races or used for
business purposes.
No Minor may control your boat without the supervision of an
experienced adult.
No portable heaters, cookers or barbeques of any type, bicycles,
lighting equipment, TV sets or electrical/gas appliances (other than an
electric razor) may be taken or used aboard your boat without the
express prior permission of the Boatyard.
19. Availability: Your booking is accepted on the basis that your
confirmed boat will be available for your use in accordance with
these Conditions of Hire on your agreed start date. Unfortunately,
this is occasionally not possible. If your confirmed boat is not
available as agreed, this will almost always be due to events beyond
our control (see Condition
21 below). If your booking has to be
cancelled (which we have the right to do) we will offer you the
choice of an alternative boat in the same boating area for the same
holiday period (at no extra cost) if available, or a credit note for
the full value of your original booking. Providing the cancellation is
not due to events beyond our control, we will also offer you a full
refund of all monies you have paid to us for your booking if none
of these options is acceptable to you.We regret that we cannot pay
any compensation or meet any expenses or costs you may incur as a
result of any such cancellation charge.
20. Unreasonable behaviour: We have the right to refuse to
hand over a boat to any person who in our reasonable opinion is
not suitable to take charge. In such cases all hire charges paid to us
will be refunded in full but we will not have any further liability. In
addition, we have the right to repossess a boat at any time if in our
reasonable opinion you or any member of your party is unsuitable
to remain in charge because of their age, ill health, inexperience, suspected
or actual influence of alcohol or drugs or any other reason,
or because of irresponsible behaviour which is causing or likely to
cause danger to you or any other person(s) or damage to any property.
In this situation we will have no further responsibility or liability
and no refunds, costs or expenses will be made or met.
21. Events beyond our control: Unfortunately, events beyond our control occasionally affect
bookings. When references are made to such events in these
Conditions of Hire, this means any event(s) or circumstance(s)
which we could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such
events include:
• Destruction or damage of your boat (which cannot reasonably
be remedied to a satisfactory standard before the start of your
holiday) due to fire, flood, explosion, storm or other weather
damage, accident, break-in, criminal damage or any similar cause.
• Mechanical breakdown or other defect which develops during the
holiday.
• Flooding, shortage of water, obstruction, repairs, damage or similar
event affecting any waterway, waterway structure or facility such
as a lock or bridge or navigational equipment which prevents or
affects you taking your confirmed holiday.
• A dverse weather conditions and tides (which may restrict
navigation and passage through bridges/locks).
• Shortage or non-availability of fuel for the boat.
• Late return by previous hirers.
• Industrial action, riots, civil strife, natural or nuclear disaster, fire,
war, threat of war, actual or threatened terrorist activity and all
similar situations.
We cannot be held responsible for noise or disturbance which
comes from outside the boat or which is beyond our control.
We regret that we cannot accept responsibility or pay any compensation,
cost or expenses where the performance of your contract
is prevented or affected, or otherwise suffer any loss or damage as
a result of events beyond our control. This includes any delays to
and or restrictions in cruising to which you may be subject (we or
the waterways authority are entitled to impose restrictions in the
situations mentioned above). However if your booking has to be
cancelled as a result, we will of course offer you an alternative boat/
date or if this is unacceptable a full refund of monies paid.
22. Your Pet: You are normally allowed to bring your cat or dog
with you. The charge is £35 per pet per week or part week (plus £25 deposit per pet at Acle). You must tell us that you are bringing
your pet when you make your booking.
• You must bring your pet-blanket or pet-basket as pets are allowed
only on the clear understanding that in no circumstances may they
lie on the bedding or on chairs.
• Your pet must not be left unattended in your boat or elsewhere.
• If subsequent to making your booking you decide you wish to take
a pet with you (or you want to bring more than one pet), then you
must contact the Boatyard and get Permission for this.
• If extra cleaning of your boat is required after your holiday because
of your pet, a charge may be made.
• In the interest of visitor’s safety, and following government legislation,
we are sorry we are unable to accept any dogs named under
the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 as amended from time to time even
where these types of dogs are muzzled as required by government
legislation.
• Assistance Dogs - Registered assistance dogs will be accepted
free of charge subject to availability of suitable accommodation.
Registered guide and support dogs are allowed in all boats featured
in this brochure or on the web even if the boat description says
that pets are not allowed. If you or any member of the party have
an allergy, we cannot guarantee that a registerd guide or support
dog has not stayed in your chosen boat nor can we accept any
legal responsibility for any suffering as a result of animals having been there.
23. Comments or concerns: You must notify any shortcomings
with your boat to the Boatyard immediately so that remedial action,
if appropriate, can be taken.
We cannot accept any liability in relation to any shortcomings or
claim of whatever nature if you fail to notify the Boatyard of any
complaint or claim during your holiday and write to us within 28
days of the end of your holiday.
In the case of multiple bookings and one craft encountering
problems which inhibit the enjoyment of the cruise, no claim
can be made against us in respect of the accompanying craft.
24. Your Vehicles: A charge is made for parking your car at the
boatyards.Your vehicle and its accessories and contents are left entirely
at your risk. We will not be responsible for any loss or damage
from or to any vehicle from any cause whatsoever other than, in the
case of negligence of ourselves or our employees or agents.
25. Liability: We cannot accept liability for any damage, expense,
injury, death or loss of any nature whatsoever suffered by any
person(s) from any cause whatsoever other than, in the case of the
proven negligence of ourselves, or employees or agents.
Your boating holiday should be a fun and relaxing break. Whilst
every effort is made by us to ensure your safety, participants should
be aware that boating and associated activities involving the water
involve a certain amount of assumed risk. You and your party should
accept the inherent risks and ensure that your party has sufficient
knowledge, skill and fitness for such activities.
26. Personal Insurance: You are strongly recommended to take
out Travel Insurance for your holiday.
27. Data Protection policy: In order to process your booking
and to ensure that your travel arrangements run smoothly and meet
your requirements we will need to collect and process personal
information you provide.
We may from time to time record phone calls to our contact centre.
We do this for training purposes and to improve the overall qualilty
of our service.
We take full responsibility for ensuring that proper security measures
are in place to protect your information. We must pass the
information on to the relevant suppliers of your accommodation
and travel arrangements. The information may also be provided to
security or credit checking companies, public authorities such as
customs/immigration if required by them, or as required by law.
We will not however, pass any information on to any person not
responsible for part of your accommodation and travel arrangements.
This applies to any sensitive information that you give us
such as details of any disabilities, or dietary/religious requirements.
(If we cannot pass this information to the relevant suppliers, we
cannot provide your booking. In making this booking, you consent
to this information being passed on to the relevant person).
Your data controller is: Richardsons Leisure Limited. You are entitled
to a copy of your information held by us. If you would like to see this
please contact us. We will hold your information, where collected by
us, and may use it to inform you of offers in the future or to send
you brochures. If you do not wish to receive such approaches in the
future, please write to us.
28. Brochure & Website Details: We have taken care
to ensure accuracy at the time of publication of our brochure
literature and material and continuously with our website.
However, information and prices may have changed by the time
you book. There may be small differences between the actual
boat or other services and their description as we are always
trying to improve services and facilities. We will endeavour to
notify you of any material change or inaccuracy of which we are
aware as soon as reasonably practical.
© The Richardsons Group (2013). Cancels all previous issues.
The Staithe Stalham Norwich NR12 9BX
Richardsons Leisure Ltd is an Appointed Representative of
Insurance Risk & Claims Management Ltd FSA FRN 304632.