TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF HIRE
1. The Company (Salter's Steamers
Ltd) will do all it reasonably can to ensure that vessels run to the times shown
in the timetables or to times agreed in the case of privately hired vessels.
However, all times are approximate and circumstances such as force majeure,
strikes, lock-outs, breakdowns, delays at locks and other causes beyond the
Company's control may prevent vessels from operating punctually or indeed at
all. The Company will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from delay,
the failure of any vessel to operate, unfavourable weather, strong stream conditions
or the failure of any passenger to board a scheduled vessel.
2. Passenger Boat charters are subject to the river and weather conditions being
satisfactory at the time of sailing. If strong stream, wind, drought or any
other adverse conditions beyond the company’s control prevent a sailing
taking place, the vessel would remain moored for the duration of the charter.
If adverse conditions prevent a vessel from collecting passengers from a venue,
the company’s liability to the client shall be no greater than the amount
paid by the client to the company in respect of the function.
3. Descriptions of Passenger Vessels. Most Passenger Vessels in our fleet are
similar to those shown in our current brochure. Please note all our passenger
boats are diesel powered. The Company reserves the right to withdraw vessels
from service and to operate alternative vessels or trips.
4. Bookings of vessels and catering shall not be final until a deposit equal
to one half of the price has been paid and the balance must be paid at least
two weeks before the date the trip is to be made; otherwise the booking may
at the option of the Company be deemed cancelled. If it is wished to make a
cancellation the cancellation shall not be effective until written notice thereof
has been delivered to the Company. In the event of cancellation for whatever
reason the deposit will be forfeited. For cancellation up to 28 days before
the trip only 50% of the deposit will be forfeited and the person in whose name
the booking is made shall be responsible for any further expenses incurred by
the Company.
5. A vessel privately hired by reference to passenger capacity may at the option
of the Company be substituted by another similar vessel of equivalent capacity.
The Company shall also have the option to substitute another similar vessel
of equivalent capacity for a specific vessel privately hired in the event of
that vessel being withdrawn from service or prevented from operating as required
or at all for any reason. In the event of no similar vessel of equivalent capacity
being available for all or part of the period of a hiring the Company shall
refund the appropriate portion (equivalent to the period of the hiring for which
no such vessel is available) of the hire fee.
6. (a) The hirer has had the opportunity to inspect a typical vessel (e.g. as
illustrated in the Company's Passenger Boat brochure). The Company gives no
warranty that a vessel hired is suitable for the hirer's purpose.
(b) The Company bases its charges upon private use of its vessels by hirers
and does not carry insurance against loss of profits on the part of the hirer
in the event of unforeseen delay, cancellation or unavailability of a suitable
vessel.
(c) In the event that a hiring does not take place as a result of non-performance
by the Company, the Company’s liability is expressly limited to the return
to the hirer of the deposit and other monies actually paid to the company in
respect of the hiring. Any loss of other costs, or claims, damages or expense
arising from such non-performance are in all respects at the hirer’s risk
and the hirer is recommended to insure against such risk.
7. No claim of whatever nature shall be enforceable against the Company unless
written notice thereof has been given within fourteen days of termination of
the trip from which it arises.
8. The Company cannot guarantee the reservation of a particular seat on the
vessel.
9. The Company reserves the right to refuse to book or to cancel any bookings
taken or to carry any person/persons without giving any reason; but in the event
of cancellation of the booking by the Company, the Company will be liable to
refund any monies taken in respect of the booking. The Company will not be liable
for any loss or damages arising from the cancellation.
10. The person in whose name a private hire reservation is made shall be responsible
for all payment of account and for the conduct of passengers during the booking
and on disembarking. The hirer shall make good and/or pay for all losses damage
or breakages to any fixture, fittings, machinery or equipment resulting form
the conduct of passengers. Unless previously agreed by the Company no passengers
are allowed to bring alcoholic drinks on board the Company's vessels.
11. In the case of privately hired vessels tickets must not be put on general
sale to members of the public unless written permission has been obtained by
the Company.
12. Dogs are welcome aboard our vessels as long as they are on a lead and are
accepted at the discretion of the purser.
13. All catering, bar, music, and sailing direction details should be clearly
stated when completing the booking form. Instructions thereafter will only be
accepted in writing from one organiser or representative. Written confirmation
of the final number of persons to be catered for must be received and paid for
in full not later than seven days prior to the date reserved. No alterations
are accepted within the seven days prior to the event. We reserve the right to reclaim outstanding balances from credit or debit cards held on file in relation to your booking.
14. Salters Steamers Ltd have been granted a premises licence from Oxford City
Council under the Licencing Act 2003. The vessels are permitted to serve alcohol
from 9am until 12 midnight. Salter’s Steamers Ltd operate a zero tolerance
policy towards underage drinking, the taking and possession of illegal substances
and drunken aggressive behaviour towards passengers or crew. If a cruise has
to be abandoned due to breaches of our Premises Licence conditions, no refund
shall be given. Details of our Premises Licence are available on request.