Terms and Conditions

Dartmouth Boat Hire Centre (‘DBHS’)

Definitions: ‘We’ ‘Us’ or ‘Our’ means DBHS
‘Hirer’ or ‘You’ or ‘Your’ means the person contracting to take the hire and where the contexts so admits includes all persons in the Hirer’s Party

1. Booking
A contract of hire comes into being only after our booking form has been completed and the requested deposit paid or a booking is made through our website and accepted by us. We do not hire boats to anyone under the age of 18.

2. Payment
The balance of the hire fee will be due at the commencement of the hire period

3. Cancellation
In the event of cancellation of a booking You must immediately notify us. All money paid in advance will be forfeited unless cancellation is by us for reasons beyond our control such as breakdown or damage to the boat, severe weather, or river in flood. In such cases all hire money paid will be refunded but no liability will be accepted for any other expenses or consequential damage or loss, howsoever incurred by the Hirer.
We reserve the right to decline any booking or to refuse to hand over any boat to any person who, in our opinion is not suitable to take charge. In such cases the hire fees paid shall be refunded in full and there will be no liability on either party. You have the responsibility of controlling the behaviour of those in their charge in relation to other river users and making sure all behave in a safe and responsible manner at all times. . We reserve the right to terminate any booking at any time where a serious accident or damage has occurred or in our opinion is likely to occur because of the unsuitability or misbehaviour of the Hirer. In such cases we shall not be liable to make a refund.

4. Passengers
Boats are strictly limited to the maximum declared for each boat and stated on the boats as required by the Harbour Authority – at no time is it permitted to carry more than the licensed number. Children of whatever age count as a passenger.

5. Familiarisation and Hand Over
The Skipper is the person nominated by the user group and deemed by us as responsible for the operation and safety of the boat and its passengers. This includes the behaviour of all group members where this is likely to impact on the safety of the boat any or all group members or the river and its users. The skipper is not necessarily the group leader. If the role is to be undertaken by more than one person during the hire period each must attend the familiarisation session and it must be clear who is acting as skipper at any one time. A hirer must satisfy our requirements regarding the appropriate training or experience of the Skipper prior to the start of the hire – failing which we shall be entitled to cancel the hire.
Our appropriately trained representative will provide your skipper with all necessary information to enable you to enjoy a safe trip. Our representative will also assess that the boat’s hirer’s boat handling skills reach an acceptable level before handling over the boat.

6. Return of Boat
The boat must be returned at the end of the hire period at the agree time and in the condition it was at the commencement of the hire. You are responsible for allowing sufficient time for contingencies. In fairness to all concerned we cannot allow any boat to return later than the agreed time for any reason. We reserve the right to claim from you any expenses incurred as a result of a late or unsatisfactory return.
You are responsible for leaving the boat in a tidy condition and for the disposal of any rubbish accumulated during the hire period.

7. Accidents and Insurance
a) You are responsible for the boat during the period of hire and must report to us full details of any accident, injury or damage as soon as possible after its occurrence and to assist us in completing the necessary report to the Harbour Authority. Under no circumstances should you attempt to undertake any repairs or replacement whether personally or through any third party.
b) Insurance of the boat and its contents and against our liability to other parties is included in the hire charge, but you are responsible for the first £300 of any claim. Your personal effects are not covered by this insurance.
c) We are fully insured for damage to the boat and for public liability.
d) We reserve the right at our sole discretion to require reimbursement from you of any uninsured repair or other costs however arising caused by the actions or inactions of the Hirer.
e) We will not be responsible for any death or personal injury unless it results from proven negligence by us. You are recommended to take out appropriate personal insurance.
f) No liability is accepted for any hirer whist on our property including pontoons and steps.

8. General
a) Smoking is not allowed inside or outside the boat
b) You and all other users of the boat must behave at all times with due consideration for other river users and observe the 1998 byelaws issued by the Dart Harbour Navigation Authority (a copy of which is provided with each hire).
c) Life Jackets are provided. You are responsible for any cylinder replacement/recharging costs brought about by inappropriate use.
d) Pets who are kept under proper control will be allowed on board with our specific approval
e) The prices for the fares is calculated at 1st February 2011 and includes VAT at the rate then current and the cost of petrol at that date. We reserve the right to increase our costs if in our view the cost of petrol has escalated.