Charter Terms & Conditions

Terms and Conditions of Business

Bookings are accepted subject to the Boat, Skipper and Crew being available.
A booking deposit of £300 of is required to confirm the booking.
Payment of the balance of the charter fee must be made 30 days prior to the commencement of the charter.
Any deposits and charter fees paid are not refundable in the event of the hirer not being able to proceed with their charter, and once the deposit is paid the charterer is responsible for the entire charter fee which is due 30 days before the start of the charter. In the event of bad weather (winds exceeding F6, moderate to rough sea state) we will endeavour to find alternative dates free of charge or if an alternative date cannot be found a full refund will be given. Our skippers plan our trips to ensure your safely, however in the unlikely event the weather is unsuitable to return into Chichester Harbour, we would be delighted to have your company onboard until it is safe to return. If this does not suit you, we will happily take you to Portsmouth where you can make your own arrangement to get home.
No liability or responsibility is accepted for any loss or additional expenses incurred by accident, sickness, strikes, stoppages, lockouts of workmen or of transport personnel not in the direct employment of the company.
Your charter will include a commercially endorsed skipper and Crew.
The skipper is in charge of the Boat, and everybody onboard and he will give you a pre departure safely briefing before the start of your trip. The skipper has the authority to make any decision to ensure the safety of the boat and all on board. That may result in boat returning to a safe Port and we are unable to offer a full refund or compensation.
You will be fitted with a lifejacket before the safety briefing, it is not compulsory to wear a life jacket however the skipper will decide on the day having considered the conditions. The life jackets are stored in the lifejacket locker which will be pointed out in the safety briefing. Our lifejackets should auto inflate when they come into contact with the water, however there is a manual inflation handle which will also be covered in the safety briefing. If a lifejacket is inflated outside of the skipper’s instruction or during non-emergency situations at £100 charge will be payable to have it sent off and re gasses.
You will need to wear suitable clothing for the passage, even though we have a warm dry cabin, it can still get cold and wet. You are very welcome to bring high heels, but they can’t be worn on board, so please bring a pair of flat shoes.
We will not tolerate any form of abusive behaviour towards our skipper or crew members. Any such behaviour will result in the immediate abandonment of your charter day without a refund. You will be disembarked at the nearest port we consider safe, and the remainder of your charter day will be forfeited without a refund.
Any suspected drug use on board will result in the action stated above with no exceptions. We will not tolerate drugs being consumed or transported on our charters.
Chichester Boat Club does not provide alcohol but it can be purchased as part of a picnic from The Boathouse Café. We have responsibility for the safety of the vessel and all passengers onboard. Alcoholic drinks are subject to fair use and sensible limits policy. It is very dangerous being drunk on board (and you will want to remember your special day) so your charter skipper does reserve the right to withhold alcoholic drinks should he deem it necessary. If any passenger’s behaviour is deemed to put the vessel, other passengers, or crew at risk the charter will be abandoned, and you will be disembarked at the nearest port we deem is safe to do so and no refund will be given. Water and hot drinks will be available throughout your charter day.
You are fully liable for any damage you or your fellow guests cause to the boat. There will be a pre departure briefing covering all the relevant boats systems and if you have any questions please ask. To avoid doubt this does includes damage from putting foreign objects into any of the toilets. The toilets onboard are full size, but they are still choosy about what they digest without causing issues.
Chichester Boat Club will exercise all reasonable care to see that the boat and equipment when chartered is in every respect in good order. If the boat does suffer a mechanical failure and the Charter needs to be cancelled, Chichester Boat Club will either reschedule or offer a refund.
No animals or pets of any sort may be taken on board.
No firearms may be taken on board.
Smoking is not permitted on the boat at any time.
Only those persons nominated on the booking form are permitted aboard whilst the boat is under way unless permission has been given by Chichester Boat Club.