BOOKING. A boat is deemed booked when the completed and signed booking form, together with the designated deposit, is received at the company's office and its official booking confirmation issued. The company reserves the right to refuse a booking without disclosing the reason for to doing.

CONTRACT. Once a hooking is made, the Hirer is responsible for payment of the whole hire charge. The balance as shown on the confirmation plus the stipulated security deposit is payable not less than 30 days before the holiday start.

CANCELLATION. Should a hirer wish to cancel a booking for any reason they should contact the company's office by phone or fax and then confirm in writing as soon as possible. Every effort will be made to re-let the boat. If successful all monies paid will be refunded less a £100 administration fee. If the company cannot re-let the boat then the hirer remains responsible for the whole fee. Because of this we strongly advise all customers to consider our Cancellation Protection Scheme - details are given on this page.

YOUNG PERSONS. Bookings cannot be accepted from persons under 18 years. Young persons must not be allowed to steer the boat unless under the close supervision of an adult.

INSURANCE. The company's boats are insured for all normal risks including £2,000,000 third party cover. The security deposit is sufficient to cover the excess in the event of a claim.

ACCIDENT. In the event of any accident, however small, the company should be advised by telephone immediately. Details should be recorded together with the names and addresses of witnesses and other parties to the accident. No liability should be admitted. Insurance cover does not include damage caused by negligence, such as lock cill damage to rudder or prop. or failure to heed instruments or warning devices. Costs for such negligence are the responsibility of the hirer.

BREAKDOWN. The company makes every effort to prevent breakdowns. Should it be necessary to effect repairs to a boat on hire, the company will do so with all despatch and at no cost to the hirer. Repairs must not be placed with any other person without the permission of the company. The hirer shall have no claim on the company for any loss or delay caused by any breakdown and will make all reasonable efforts to return the boat to the company's base at the agreed time. The company reserves the right to make a reasonable charge for any unnecessary call-out or for the repair of damage caused by the hirer.

SECURITY DEPOSIT. A security deposit is payable with the balance of hire fees. This will be refunded in full by cheque posted during the week following the holiday if the boat is returned on time, in good order, clean and in possession of its full inventory. Any charges for damage, losses, extra cleaning or late return will be deducted from this deposit.

HIRERS PROPERTY. The company cannot accept any responsibility for loss of or damage to customers’ property, including cars, buses etc. howsoever caused.

HIRE PERIODS. Weekly hire starts at 3.00pm Friday or Saturday and ends at 9.00am the following Friday or Saturday. Short Break Hire starts 2.30pm Friday or Monday and ends 9.00am the following Monday or Friday. Boats should be vacated by 9.30am at the latest. Hirers will be held liable for late return at the rate of twice the daily rate with a minimum of half a day.

NAVIGATION. Boats must be navigated considerately and in accordance with the General Canal Byelaws. They must not cruise or use locks between sunset and sunrise. They may not tow another craft.

UNSUITABLE PERSONS. The company can refuse to hand over a boat to any party considered to be unsuitable by reason of age, disability, inexperience, suspected influence of drink or drugs or any other reason .In this event the company will refund all monies paid and all liability of the company and the hirer will cease.

AVAILABILITY. The company cannot accept any liability for the non-availability of a boat due to breakdown or other unforeseen cause. If no suitable alternative boat can be provided then the company will refund all monies paid and the hirer shall have no further claim on the company.

WATER RESTRICTIONS. The company cannot be held responsible for any restriction to, or curtailment of navigation caused by drought, flood, engineering works or any other cause beyond the company's control.

CREWS. Boat crews must contain at least two able bodied crew members over 18 years of age. All crew should wear soft soled shoes at all times when aboard.

FISHING. On NO ACCOUNT may live bait be taken aboard the boat.

FIREARMS. Under no circumstances may firearms be carried on the boat.

INJURY. The company cannot be held responsible for injury sustained to any person whilst aboard the boat for whatever reason.

BICYCLES. We regret that bicycles are not allowed on board except in special circumstances. Please ask us.

CANCELLATION PROTECTION SCHEME.

Once a booking has been made and accepted, the hirer is responsible for the payment of the WHOLE hire fee unless we can re-let the boat. For this reason we strongly advise all our customers to subscribe to our Holiday Cancellation Scheme. Details of the premiums payable, which are given per boat per weeks' hire, are given on the booking form. If you are booking more than one boat a separate booking form should be used for each boat to be covered. With this scheme we will waive all right to the balance of holiday charges and refund all monies paid in excess of £100 per boat week should you need to cancel your holiday because of;

1. Death, illness, injury, pregnancy (commencing after the booking date), certified by a Registered General Practitioner in all cases, jury service, witness call or redundancy (qualifying under the Redundancy Payments Act 1965) or unexpected Forces or other occupational posting, of you or any other named member of your party.

2. Fire, storm, flood, subsidence or malicious damage, rendering your home uninhabitable, or Police requiring your presence following burglary or incident at your home, place of work or business.

3. Death, serious injury or serious illness of a close relative.

4. Death of a business associate, partner or co-director.

To claim you should notify us by phone and then in writing, with documentary evidence to support the reason for cancellation. In the case of bookings for more than one boat, cover extends to one boat only, or to boats booked by close relatives. If your reason for cancellation is not listed above and your written notice is received by us less than 42 days before the holiday start date, your responsibility for the balance of hire will be reduced by any hire fees received by us on re-letting the boat.