Milebuilding and RYA Courses – Booking Terms & Conditions (the “Conditions”)
These Conditions form part of any booking with ‘Sail Squad Limited (“Sail Squad”) for all milebuilding or RYA courses (“Course(s)”). Information given by the person making the booking (the “Client”) via emails, our online booking form, deposit, or online, forms the basis of any booking and the Client will be deemed as accepting these Conditions for themselves and other members of their party listed as attending a Course on the same booking.
Booking & Payment
To book a place or places on a Course, the Client shall pay to Sail Squad a deposit that will be calculated as 25% (the “Deposit”) of the overall cost of the Course (the “Course Fee”). The 75% balance of the Course Fee is due on or before 6 weeks prior to the commencement date of the Course (“Start Date”). For a booking made within 6 weeks of the Start Date full payment of the Course Fee is required.
The Client who signed the booking form shall be liable for all those to whom the booking applies and in respect of whom the Client was sent an invoice.
Sail Squad will send an invoice to the Client specifying the number of attendees, the courses booked, and the dates of the Course. This invoice will specify the bank account to which the Deposit and/or Full Payment is to be made. If the Client has booked using our online booking system an invoice will be sent by email immediately after the booking form is completed and the Deposit or Full Payment made via our ecommerce payment facilitator. It is the Client’s responsibility to check the details on the invoice and inform us of any discrepancies immediately.
The balance of the Course Fee must be paid at least 6 weeks prior to the Start Date. If the balance is not paid in time we may cancel the booking and apply the cancellation charges set out in the paragraph “Cancellation & Amendment” below.
Cancellation & Amendment
In the event of a Client cancelling the booking more than 6 weeks prior to the Start Date, Sail Squad will be entitled to keep the Deposit. If a Client cancels the booking less than 6 weeks prior to the Start Date Sail Squad will be entitled to keep the Course Fee.
If the Client has paid the full Course Fee and cancels more than 6 weeks before the Start Date, Sail Squad will refund 75% of the Course Fee less reasonable bank charges and a £35 administration fee.
Cancellation or amendment requests must be made in writing to 26 Satchell Lane, Hamble, Hampshire SO31 4HH or by email to info@sailsquad.co.uk. Sail Squad may cancel the booking at any time upon repayment to the Client of all sums already paid.
If a Client requests an amendment to the Course dates more than 6 weeks before the Start Date Sail Squad will use reasonable endeavours to agree to the change of dates and subject to the availability of its yachts and/or the instructor.
If a yacht and the instructor are available for the proposed alternative dates, the Client shall pay the additional amount, if any, reflecting the difference between the Course Fee and the seasonal rate that would have applied to the alternative dates at the time of the Booking.
If a yacht is available but the instructor is not, the dates can be amended subject to the Client also agreeing in advance to pay the costs of an alternative available instructor.
Sail Squad is under no obligation to amend course dates for any amendment request made within 6 weeks of the Start Date. If it does so it does so in its own absolute discretion.
Any amended dates must be within three months of the original course dates.
Obligations of the Client
It is the responsibility of the Client to ensure that the details provided on the booking form are complete and accurate and to check these to the invoice.
The Client should make their own arrangements for travel to and from the Course. If a Client fails to arrive at the departure point of the Course in time, further travel arrangements will be at the clients’ own responsibility and will not be compensated by Sail Squad.
It is the responsibility of the Client to ensure that all travel documents, visas, inoculations and vaccinations, if any, are in place and in date.
It is the responsibility of the Client to ensure that they meet any prerequisite sailing experience and theory knowledge levels and qualifications, if any, before booking a Course. If the Client is unsure they should speak with the Principal or chief Instructor of Sail Squad prior to booking a course.
It is the responsibility of the Client to be in compliance with all laws, regulations and customs of all countries visited.
The Client must ensure they do not take any action that may jeopardise the safety of fellow clients, staff, or vessels.
The Client must undertake to comply with all sea-going rules and regulations currently in force and to obey the reasonable requests of the Instructor. The Client agrees to accept the authority, decisions and instructions of Sail Squad’s instructors, employees, agents and representatives during the Course. At all times, the decision of the Instructor is final on all matters.
The Client must observe standards of personal conduct that will not be considered offensive by the instructor, fellow crew members or neighbouring vessels.
Smoking is not permitted below deck or while handling sails.
The Client must not bring aboard any restricted or illegal goods such as drugs, firearms or explosives. The Instructor (or any member of professional staff delegated for the purpose) shall be entitled at all times to search a Client and/or their personal luggage if the Instructor reasonably believes they may be in breach of this clause.
Clients must not be under the influence of alcohol or any other substance while sailing.
In the event of behaviour deemed unacceptable by Sail Squad, its employees, agents or instructors, Sail Squad reserves the right to terminate the offending Client’s Course. Under such circumstances, Course Fees will not be refunded and Sail Squad shall not be liable for any incidental or repatriation costs and expenses incurred by the Client, including (but not limited to) flights and hotel accommodation.
Sail Squad reserves the right to hold any Client liable for any/all losses or damages resulting from their negligence or misconduct.
English is the working language on our Courses. For safety reasons the Client is expected to have a good working knowledge of the English language. Sail Squad reserves the right to decline passage at any time, without liability, to anyone considered not to have adequate English language skills.
The nature of sailing Courses means that Clients agree to show a flexible approach at all times. For example, plans may change due to weather conditions, local circumstances, and for a variety of other reasons. On occasion it may be necessary to change the route of a Course, the timing of a Course or the length of a Course, sometimes at short notice, sometimes before departure and sometimes after the Course has already commenced. Wherever possible, Sail Squad will provide the Client with advance notice of any changes to the Course but reserves the right to do so without giving prior notice. If the itinerary of a Course is changed due to local circumstances or events outside of the Sail Squad’s control, Sail Squad is not responsible for any costs that a Client may incur as a result of the change.
We recommend that the Client has adequate travel insurance to cover cancellation or curtailment of any Course.
The Client accepts that sailing carries an element of personal risk. Sail Squad endeavours to minimise risks wherever possible by implementing safety measures and procedures, however the Client accepts that in deciding to travel on a yacht that they do so in the knowledge that there are personal risks involved.
Obligations of Sail Squad
Sail Squad will deliver the Course on a yacht that is in good and seaworthy condition, complete with all items stated in the yacht’s inventory and fully compliant with MCA/RYA regulations.
We will provide an appropriately qualified instructor.
The yacht will be insured against fire and all usual marine and collision risks including third party risks to such an extent Sail Squad in its absolute discretion shall deem appropriate.
Age Limits
Clients must be aged 18 or over, or accompanied by a paying parent or guardian.
Insurance
Our yacht is fully insured against accident, third party liability and personal injury arising from negligence by Sail Squad. We accept no liability for personal accident or loss or damage to the property of the Client. We strongly recommend clients take out their own appropriate holiday insurance to cover against cancellation, accident, injury or loss of personal possessions.
Health
Sailing is an activity sport and it is the responsibility of the Client to ensure they are healthy and fit to take part including checking with their GP if they are in any doubt. If for whatever reason the Instructor determines that he has to deny the Client access to the Course on health grounds, or to put the Client ashore on health grounds, or administer medical aid, neither Sail Squad nor its instructors or employees accept any liabilities. If a health condition arises that prevents a Client from taking part, this will be regarded as a cancellation by the Client and the cancellation policy above will apply.
Swimmers
It is strongly recommended that all those participating in the sport of Sailing should be able to swim. It is essential the Client informs the Instructor if they are non or poor swimmers.
Force Majeure
No additional liability shall accrue to either party if the other is prevented from fulfilling any of its obligations here under by any incidence of Force Majeure, including Acts of God, strikes, lock out, Act of Government or Authority or any other occurrence whether similar or dissimilar wholly beyond the control of either party.
Law & Disputes
Bookings with Sail Squad are subject to English Law. In the event of a dispute arising under this Agreement, the parties agree to use reasonable endeavours to resolve such a dispute by negotiation. If such negotiation fails, any dispute arising under any booking shall be submitted to the jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales.
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