Narrow Boat Holiday Hire
Please read these terms and conditions and our Privacy Policy carefully before making
a booking.
They are part of the hire agreement and contain legal obligations and liabilities
of the Hirer. You will be asked to agree to them as part of the booking process.
Any contract to hire a canal boat incorporates Conditions 1 – 6 below and is between Canal Boat Cruising and you as the hirer.
The contract does not take effect until written confirmation of your booking is sent to you. This contract is made in England and is governed by English Law.
1. Reservations
The confirmation of a narrow boat booking will be given once the fully completed booking form along with a deposit of 25% of the total price has been received by Canal Boat Cruising.
The hirer will then be responsible for paying the full balance at least 6 weeks prior to the start date of their narrow boat holiday.
Deposit
A refundable security deposit of £250 (cash, or cheque payable to Canal Boat Cruising) must be lodged on arrival. Cheques will only be encashed in the event of damage or loss to the boat, failure to return the boat (except by prior arrangement) , damage arising from speeding, contact with a lock sill causing damage to the rudder, skeg or stern gear, TV aerials, chimneys, malicious or intentional damage to the boat. Also excluded is malicious or intentional damage to other boats and property and the late return of the boat and return of the boat in unclean condition. The Hirer will indemnify the Canal Boat Cruising against all costs, damage, expenses, liability and claims howsoever arising from the negligence, neglect or default of the Hirer to the extent that they are not covered by Canal Boat Cruising’s policy, and we shall claim from the hirer the full cost of repairs, replacement or compensation.or notice of a third party claim. The security deposit is normally returned to the hirer at the end of the holiday, less any charge for damage or loss to the boat, or third party claim notified to us, but may be retained in its entirety pending further investigation of damage or a third party claim.
Hire Period – Collection and Return of canal boat
The weekly hire period commences at 2.00pm on Sunday and ends at 9.00am on the following Sunday. Failure to return the narrow boat by this time will result in a charge of £15.00 per half hour overdue.
Cancellation
Should the hirer cancel the booking, Canal Boat Cruising will attempt to re-let the narrow boat at the full price. If this is successful, all monies less the deposit will be refunded. However if Canal Boat Cruising does not succeed in re-letting the boat, the proposed hirer is legally responsible for promptly paying the balance of the hire fees. The hirer is advised to make their own cancellation insurance arrangements.
2. Conditions of Use
On boarding
Free tuition will be given by a Canal Boat Cruising representative to the hirer who will ensure that the canal boat is in good working order. Where the hirer is not familiar with the working locks, they will be taken through the first lock.
Minors
Bookings from persons under the age of 21 cannot be accepted. No person under the age of 18 may control the canal boat, unless under the direct supervision of a responsible adult member of the party.
Cycles/ Canoes
There is limited space in the cockpits for cycles. They may however be stored on the roof however it is the hirer’s responsibility to provide matting or other protection to prevent damage to the boat or its paintwork.
Pets
Pets are allowed on the boat but must be put on the booking form. Hirers must provide their own pet baskets or blankets. All pets must be properly house trained or caged as appropriate, must not be left unattended, and must not be allowed on bedding or chairs. Pets are not covered under the company’s insurance policy and the Hirer shall be liable for the cost of any damage or extra cleaning required. A maximum of two pets are allowed on the boat.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted on board the boat.
Fishing
Fishing may be carried out from the foredeck of the boat with normal licensing applying (the hirer is requested to provide evidence of licenses before commencing their cruise.) Live fish bait must not be taken inside the boat or stored in the vessels fridge or larder areas.
Cruising Limits
The boat may be taken on canals. Experienced hirers will need to agree with Canal Boat Cruising any cruising on rivers, prior to the start of their holiday. Disregard of this hiring condition leaves the hirer responsible for all damages, recovery and third party claims not covered by insurance.
3. Safety Rules, Common Sense and Navigation Bye Laws
The hirer agrees to the following:
Travel no more than 4 mph
Never create a wash that breaks on the bank (this may mean cruising at much slower speeds than 4mph on some canals)
Slow right down past moored boats
No cruising between sunset and sunrise
No smoking inside the boat
Only carry those named on the Reservation Form
Do not carry portable heaters, toasters and other electrical appliances not agreed by the Company, inflammable substances or other hazardous items.
Comply with BW/Environment Agency bye-laws: these specifically include leaving lock paddles in the correct position, and being considerate to other waterway users and property
Although we want you to enjoy yourselves may we draw attention to the fact it is illegal to be drunk in charge of any vessel on British Waterways.
4. Hire Business Regulations
We reserve the right to refuse to hand over a narrow boat to any person who, in our opinion, is not suitable to take charge of the vessel. In the event of this happening, all payments will be refunded to the proposed hirer, who will then have no further claim against Canal Boat Cruising. We reserve the right to repossess the boat at any time if, in our opinion, the boat is being mishandled, misused illegally or if the crew’s behaviour is considered detrimental to other waterway users. In the event of this happening, no portion of the hire fee will be refunded.
5. Exemptions
Canal Boat Cruising shall not be liable for matters arising beyond Canal Boat Cruising’s reasonable control, or not due to the Canal Boat Cruising’s negligence or wilful default including without limitation: death or personal injury of Hirers, their crew and passengers; loss or damage to property; non-fulfilment or interruption of the reservation; delays; breakdowns; mechanical problems; defects; damage; restrictions on cruising; obstructions; repairs to waterways; non-availability of routes; storms, floods, drought, ice shortage of water and other weather conditions; non-availability of fuel; or in respect of any loss, damage, expense, injury or claim.
Insurance
Canal Boat Cruising insures the boat and its equipment and inventory against public liability risks. Canal Boat Cruising’s insurance does not cover personal accidents or loss or damage to personal effects. Hirers and their crews are advised to take out their own personal insurance cover. The price does not include a compulsory accidental damage waiver per booking.
Hirers are recommended to take out personal insurance cover against injury/ loss of belongings.
Delays and Restriction
No liability can be accepted by Canal Boat Cruising for any delays or non-completion of planned cruising caused by restrictions, obstructions, or repair to the waterways system or any unforeseen cause. Canal Boat Cruising reserve the right to restrict the cruising area without prior notice should any unusual or hazardous conditions prevail.
In the event that the boat is not available because of circumstances beyond Canal Boat Cruising’s control Canal Boat Cruising shall refund any payments made but shall not otherwise be liable and the contract shall be discharged.
Breakdown and Repairs
We take great care to ensure our boat is serviced at regular intervals and in good working order. In case of breakdown or repairs needed contact Canal Boat Cruising immediately where upon appropriate action will be taken. All repairs are the responsibility of Canal Boat Cruising and should not be put into the hands of others without our authority. The Hirer shall take all reasonable care of the boat its equipment and contents and shall return them at the end of the hire period in accordance with Canal Boat Cruising’s instructions and in good clean and tidy order and condition. The Hirer shall notify the company in the event of breakdown, damage, theft or loss and shall provide full details and comply with Canal Boat Cruising’s instructions. The Hirer must not undertake or have undertaken any repairs, adjustment or service without Canal Boat Cruising’s prior approval. Any repairs or replacements by the Hirer without Canal Boat Cruising’s approval will not be accepted. The Hirer shall be responsible for getting the boat off mud banks or other grounding and for removal of weeds, rope and other matter from propellers. The Hirer shall notify Canal Boat Cruising if any of these operations cannot be carried out without risk of accident or damage. The Hirer shall have no claim on Canal Boat Cruising as a result of breakdown or failures of the boat and its equipment or for any delays caused by repairs to the boat. The Hirer shall comply with Canal Boat Cruising’s instructions; otherwise the Hirer shall be liable for any loss or damage incurred.
You must not tow or be allowed a tow by any other vessel without the Canal Boat Cruising’s permission.
Accidental Damage
If the hirer is involved in an accident the following procedure should take place:
Contact Canal Boat Cruising immediately giving the following information
Full details of the boats involved: index numbers, names and person/ persons involved and name and address of any witnesses.
Complete a British Waterways Visitor Incident Report Form
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE MUST THE HIRER ADMIT ANY LIABILITY.
6. Hirer’s Motor Cars and Property
Free parking is provided for the convenience of our customers, but we accept no liability for loss or damage to customers’ vehicles. You are advised not to leave valuables in your vehicles.
