Boat hire terms — draft for approval

Important: These draft terms must be checked against your insurer’s hire conditions, operating area, boat certifications and final commercial terms before publication or accepting paid bookings. They do not replace a signed hire agreement.

1. Enquiries and bookings

An enquiry does not create a booking. Hire, prices and handover arrangements are agreed only after we confirm availability, vessel suitability, permitted operation, total charges and written acceptance.

2. Eligibility and suitability

Hire is conditional on an operator competence assessment, age and identification checks where applicable, compliance with insurance requirements, and an appropriate safety briefing. The operator may decline a hire where safety or insurance requirements are not met. No statement on this website waives any qualification or competence requirements.

3. Trailering, delivery and collection

All vessels are kept on trailers. Customers may request to collect and return a boat with its trailer, subject to suitable towing vehicle, insurance, licence, equipment and agreed arrangements. Alternatively, delivery to and collection from an agreed launch or other location may be arranged for an additional quoted charge. Unless expressly agreed, advertised hire prices do not include delivery, recovery, launching, mooring, fuel, parking, navigation or harbour fees.

4. Handover and permitted use

Before departure we will agree the operating area, route restrictions, departure and return times, passenger limits, condition report, emergency arrangements and required safety equipment. Hirers must follow all applicable navigation rules, local restrictions, weather and tidal limitations. No unlawful, reckless or dangerous operation is permitted.

5. Safety

Safety equipment appropriate to the particular boat is included, as confirmed during handover. The hirer is responsible for following the briefing and ensuring passengers use equipment as instructed. The hire may be postponed or cancelled by the operator where conditions or safety issues make use unsuitable.

6. Charges, deposit, fuel and damage

Any security deposit, excess, fuel arrangements, late-return charges, damage liability and extra services will be set out in the written quotation and hire agreement before payment. No automatic charge is made by this website.

7. Cancellation and changes

Specific cancellation and refund rights and any weather-related postponement provisions will be provided with the quotation and agreement, consistent with applicable consumer law. The website alone does not create a binding cancellation fee.

8. Liability

Nothing in these terms limits liability where doing so is unlawful, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence or any applicable statutory consumer rights.

9. Special vessels

Performance or racing boats may require additional experience, supervision, specific operating areas or specialist insurance. Their inclusion in the fleet does not guarantee availability for ordinary self-drive hire.

10. Contact

For any questions about a proposed hire, submit an enquiry through the website. Full business contact and legal entity details should be added before launch.