Terms & Conditions

1. Introduction

These Terms and Conditions govern the hire and operation of all self-drive hire boats operated by B Boating (Bristol Boating) ("B Boating", "we", "our" or "us").

By making a booking, paying for a hire or boarding one of our vessels, the Hirer confirms that they have read, understood and agree to these Terms and Conditions together with the B Boating Safety Rules.

The person making the booking ("the Hirer") is responsible for ensuring that every member of their party complies with these Terms throughout the hire.

The hirer is responsible for following these terms and conditions set out but more importantly the harbour rules and any instructions from the Bristol Harbour Authority on the day of the hire.

Failure to comply may result in the immediate termination of the hire without refund.

2. The Hire Agreement

The hire begins when the vessel leaves the B Boating pontoon and ends when the vessel has safely returned and been accepted by a member of B Boating staff.

The Hirer accepts responsibility for:

the safe operation of the vessel;
the conduct of all passengers;
ensuring these Terms and Conditions are followed at all times.

3. Eligibility

The Hirer must:

Be at least 18 years old.
Be physically and mentally capable of operating the vessel.
Remain onboard throughout the hire.
Follow all instructions given by B Boating staff.

Children under 16 years of age must remain supervised by a responsible adult.

4. Safety Briefing

Before departure all customers must:

Watch the B Boating Safety Video.
Receive a practical demonstration of the controls.
Receive a harbour operating briefing.
Understand the permitted cruising area.
Follow all instructions from B Boating staff.

B Boating reserves the right to refuse departure if the safety briefing has not been completed or where any person is considered unable or unwilling to operate the vessel safely.

5. Passenger Capacity

The maximum passenger capacity of 6 people on the vessel must never be exceeded.

B Boating reserves the right to refuse departure where the permitted capacity is exceeded.

6. Lifejackets & Safety Equipment

Lifejackets and safety equipment remain the property of B Boating.

Lifejackets must be worn.

Safety equipment must not be removed, tampered with or deliberately misused.

7. Alcohol & Drugs

The skipper must not operate the vessel whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

If B Boating staff reasonably believe the skipper is impaired, the hire may be refused or terminated immediately.

No refund will be given.

Alcohol

8. Permitted Operating Area

The vessel may only be operated within the designated cruising area explained during the safety briefing and shown on the B Boating operating map.

Customers must not enter any prohibited or restricted area.

Unless specifically authorised by B Boating or the Harbour Authority, customers must not enter:

Lock approaches.
Lock chambers.
Swing bridge operating areas.
Stop gate operating areas.
Commercial working areas.
Ferry berths.
Passenger landing stages.
Harbour Authority operational areas.
Areas marked "No Entry", "Keep Clear" or other restricted navigation zones.

Customers must obey all harbour signage and any instructions given by:

B Boating staff
Bristol Harbour staff
Harbour Authority Officers
Emergency Services

Failure to remain within the designated operating area may result in immediate termination of the hire.

9. Safe Navigation & Other Harbour Users

Bristol Harbour is a busy shared waterway used by:

Passenger ferries
Tourist boats
Commercial workboats
Rowing clubs
Paddleboarders
Kayakers
Canoeists
Sailing craft
Private leisure boats

The skipper must maintain a continuous lookout throughout the hire.

The skipper agrees to:

Navigate safely and responsibly.
Travel at a safe speed.
Stay on the correct side of the navigation channel where appropriate.
Give plenty of room to larger vessels.
Slow down when passing smaller craft.
Give way/keep clear of non-motorised vessels such as paddleboards, rowers and sailing boats
Avoid creating excessive wash.
Keep well clear of ferries and commercial vessels.
Exercise particular caution near bridges and blind corners.
Never assume another vessel has seen you.
Take early action to avoid collisions.

Avoiding collisions is the responsibility of every skipper.

10. Harbour Regulations

In addition to these Terms and Conditions, customers must comply with all Bristol Harbour regulations, navigation notices and directions issued by:

The Bristol Harbour Master.
Harbour Authority Officers.
Authorised Harbour Staff.
Emergency Services.

Where any instruction given by the Harbour Authority differs from general guidance provided by B Boating, the Harbour Authority's instructions shall take precedence.

11. Prohibited Activities

The following are prohibited:

Swimming from the vessel.
Jumping into the harbour.
Towing people or equipment.
Racing.
Dangerous manoeuvres.
Standing whilst underway.
Deliberately creating excessive wash.
Entering restricted areas.
Operating after dark unless authorised.
Allowing unauthorised persons to operate the vessel.
Interfering with safety equipment.

12. Behaviour

All customers must behave responsibly.

The following may result in immediate termination:

Dangerous behaviour.
Aggressive behaviour.
Abusive language.
Excessive speed.
Loud music causing nuisance.
Damage to harbour property.
Littering.
Harassment of staff or other harbour users.

13. Security Deposit

A £200 security deposit is required before every hire.

The deposit will be refunded provided:

these Terms and Conditions have been followed;
the Safety Rules have been followed;
there is no damage to the vessel;
all equipment has been returned;
all equipment is unused where applicable;
all equipment remains in good working order.

B Boating reserves the right to retain all or part of the security deposit to cover:

Damage to the vessel.
Damage to engines or propellers.
Missing equipment.
Excessive cleaning.
Recovery costs.
Towing costs.
Damage to harbour infrastructure.
Damage to third-party property.
Breaches of these Terms and Conditions.
Breaches of the Safety Rules.

14. Lifejackets

All lifejackets remain the property of B Boating.

Lost or damaged lifejackets will incur a charge of £80 per lifejacket.

The lifejackets supplied are automatic inflatable lifejackets with a manual pull cord.

The pull cord must only be used in a genuine emergency.

If a lifejacket inflates (either automatically or manually), a £30 recharge fee per lifejacket will be deducted from the security deposit to cover replacement gas cylinders, firing mechanisms and mandatory inspection before the lifejacket can be returned to service.

If a lifejacket is damaged beyond repair, the full replacement cost may be charged.

15. Mechanical Problems

Should a fault occur:

Stop safely.
Contact B Boating immediately.
Do not attempt repairs.
Follow instructions from B Boating staff.

16. Incident Reporting

The Hirer must report immediately to B Boating any:

Collision.
Contact with another vessel.
Accidental contact with a pontoon.
Accidental contact with a bridge.
Accidental contact with lock structures.
Accidental contact with harbour infrastructure.
Damage to the vessel.
Damage to third-party property.
Personal injury.
Person overboard.
Mechanical fault affecting safe navigation.
Significant near miss.
Attendance by emergency services.

Where safe to do so, customers should remain at the location until advised otherwise by B Boating, the Harbour Authority or the emergency services. If an incident or near miss happens B Boating will require you to assist in filling out a short form at the end of the hire.

Failure to report an incident may itself be treated as a breach of these Terms and Conditions.

17. Customer Cancellations

More than 7 days before hire – Full refund.
Between 2 and 7 days – 50% refund.
Less than 48 hours before departure or failure to attend – No refund.

Booking amendments remain at the discretion of B Boating.

18. Refusal or Termination of Hire

B Boating reserves the absolute right to refuse, suspend or terminate any hire immediately where, in the reasonable opinion of B Boating staff or management:

the skipper is under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
these Terms and Conditions or the Safety Rules are breached;
staff instructions are ignored;
the vessel is operated dangerously;
passengers are placed at risk;
the vessel enters restricted areas;
behaviour becomes abusive, threatening or aggressive.

Where a hire is terminated:

the hire ends immediately;
no refund will be given;
the £200 security deposit may be retained, in whole or in part, at the sole discretion of B Boating management.

19. Remote Engine Immobilisation & Recovery

For safety and security, all B Boating vessels are fitted with remote monitoring and engine control systems.

Where continued operation presents a risk to passengers, other harbour users, harbour infrastructure or the vessel itself, B Boating may remotely reduce engine power or immobilise the vessel without prior notice.

Customers must remain calm, stay onboard unless instructed otherwise and follow all instructions provided.

Where necessary, B Boating may recover the vessel by towing it back to shore.

Recovery, towing and associated costs resulting from a breach of these Terms may be charged to the Hirer.

20. Recovery of Costs

The £200 security deposit is not a limit of liability. It is held as an initial security against damage, losses and breaches of these Terms and Conditions.

Where the cost of repairing damage, replacing equipment, recovering the vessel, cleaning the vessel, compensating third parties or addressing any loss caused by the Hirer exceeds the value of the security deposit, the Hirer agrees to reimburse B Boating for the full amount of those additional costs upon demand.

This includes, but is not limited to:

Repairs to the vessel.
Engine or propeller repairs.
Replacement of lost or damaged equipment.
Replacement of lifejackets or other safety equipment.
Harbour Authority charges.
Recovery and towing costs.
Emergency call-out costs.
Damage to pontoons, moorings or harbour infrastructure.
Damage to third-party vessels or property.
Reasonable legal and debt recovery costs incurred in recovering unpaid sums, where permitted by law.

B Boating reserves all legal rights to recover outstanding amounts through the appropriate civil courts where necessary.

21. Weather

B Boating may postpone or cancel a booking due to adverse weather, unsafe operating conditions or mechanical failure.

Where appropriate, customers will be offered an alternative booking or refund.

22. Personal Property

Personal belongings are carried entirely at the owner's risk.

B Boating accepts no responsibility for loss or damage unless caused by our negligence.

23. Photography

B Boating may take photographs or video footage for promotional purposes.

Customers who do not wish to appear should notify a member of staff before departure.

24. Assumption of Risk, Customer Declaration and Liability

Boating is an outdoor recreational activity that carries inherent risks. By proceeding with a hire, the Hirer acknowledges and accepts that participation involves risks which cannot be completely eliminated, including, but not limited to, slips, trips, falls, changing weather conditions, collisions, contact with other vessels or harbour structures, entering the water, and injury resulting from the actions of participants or other harbour users.

The Hirer confirms that:

they have watched and understood the B Boating Safety Briefing;
they have received and understood the practical safety briefing provided by B Boating staff;
they understand how to safely operate the vessel;
they are physically and mentally capable of safely operating and travelling on the vessel;
they will ensure that every member of their party follows the B Boating Safety Rules and these Terms and Conditions
they will immediately follow any instructions given by B Boating staff or the Harbour Authority;
they understand that failure to comply with the Safety Rules or these Terms and Conditions may result in the immediate termination of the hire without refund.

The Hirer accepts responsibility for their own actions and the actions of members of their party during the hire and agrees to exercise reasonable care at all times.

Except where liability cannot legally be excluded or limited, B Boating shall not be responsible for injury, loss or damage arising from:

the Hirer's or passengers' failure to follow the Safety Rules or these Terms and Conditions;
reckless, negligent or unsafe behaviour by the Hirer or any member of their party;
misuse of the vessel or its equipment;
failure to wear or correctly use safety equipment provided;
failure to follow instructions given by B Boating staff;
the actions of third parties or other harbour users;
weather conditions, water conditions or other natural hazards that are outside the reasonable control of B Boating.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or limits B Boating's liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability which cannot lawfully be excluded or limited under the laws of England and Wales.

By making a booking and boarding a B Boating vessel, the Hirer confirms that they have read, understood and accepted these Terms and Conditions and agree to be legally bound by them.

25. Limitation of Liability

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation or any liability that cannot legally be excluded under the laws of England and Wales.

Subject to the above, B Boating's liability shall not exceed the amount paid for the hire.

26. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

Any dispute arising from these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

Your have now completed reading the terms & conditions. You are now ready to hire a self-drive electric hire boat.

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