When you book your holiday with us you are entering into a contract which binds you and us in various ways. It is understood that "The Company" is the firm which lets the boat and "The Hirer" is the person who signs the booking contract and/or any member of his crew and "The Boat" is the boat rented by the Hirer.

1. Making a booking

A boat cannot be hired before the Company has received a booking form correctly filled in and signed and accompanied by a 40% non returnable deposit followed by a payment of the balance at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the holiday. The Company does not offer cancellation insurance and recommends that the Hirer arranges this separately.

2. Minors

No booking can be accepted from hirers under 18 years of age.

3. Place and time of holiday start/finish

Except by prior permission in writing by the company, all rentals start and finish at our base at Le Somail, 11120 Ginestas, France. Unless otherwise agreed, rentals start at 4 p.m. on the first day and finish at 9 a.m. on the last day of rental.

4. Boat availability

If due to circumstances beyond the control of the company it is unable to provide a boat of the type rented to the hirer or a boat which the company considers to be a reasonable equivalent, the company will reimburse the client with all monies paid to it. The hirer shall then have no other or further claim against the company for whatever reason.

5. Damage Waiver

A non-returnable Damage Waiver of 75 euros (Narrow Boats) or 94 euros (Wide Beam Boats) payable on making your booking. For cruises of more than 7 days the rate is 113 euros (Narrow Boats) or 140 euros (Wide Beam Boats) payable on making your booking. 

6. Insurance

The company holds a full comprehensive insurance policy for all its boats. The company's insurance does not cover the hirer's and his crew's personal effects. The company will not accept responsibility for loss or damage to hirer's goods and personal effects howsoever caused whether on board the boat or at the company's premises unless due to the negligence of the company or its personnel.

7. Company's rights

The company reserves the right to refuse to handover a boat to any person who in the opinion of the company or its personnel is not suitable to take charge. In such cases all hire charges will be repaid in full and all liability of the hirer and the company shall thereupon cease.

8. Limits of Navigation

Boats may only navigate within the limits set by the company - normally as far as Agde, Port La Nouvelle or Toulouse. A free demonstration is given at the time of take-over. No minor may control the boat without the supervision of an experienced adult. Cruising after sunset or before dawn is not allowed and all speed limits and all waterways rules and regulations must be observed.

No responsibility will be accepted by the company for loss of time or expenses occasioned through accidental damage to the boat while in the hirer's charge. No liability can be accepted for loss or damage or expense which occurs as the result of any defect or breakdown occuring during the cruise unless this is caused by proven reason of the company's failure to adequately maintain the boat. Any defect, breakdown or accident must be reported immediately to the company by the hirer during the cruise so that steps can be taken to repair the boat or remedy the service. The company shall not be responsible for any delays or restrictions or their consequences arising from obstructions, repairs or damage to waterways or locks or those resulting from "force majeure" ("force majeure" means any event which the company could not even with all due care have foreseen or avoided such as:- war, threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial action, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions and all similar
conditions outside the company's control).

10. Accidents and losses

The hirer has charge of the boat and is responsible for its safe navigation. In the event of an accident the hirer must immediately notify the company by telephone, fill in a claim form supplied by the company, obtain the names and addresses of the hirers and/or owners of any other craft involved and those of any independent witnesses; The hirer is not authorised to carry out or have carried out any repairs to the boat or its equipment. At the end of the holiday the hirer must notify the company of any losses, breakages or other damage.

11. Breakdown Service

The company operates a 7 days per week service during normal working hours, subject to the availability of staff and spare parts, a telephone call to base is all that is required. No compensation claims will be considered for any breakdown of less than 24 consecutive hours. No claim whatsoever will be considered following grounding or stranding of the boat or any boat failure mechanical or otherwise caused by the negligence of the hirer in which case the company reserves the right to reclaim from the hirer all costs incurred in rectifying that problem.

12. Return of boat at the end of holiday

The boat and its equipment must be returned by 9 a.m. on the final day of hire. Late arrivals are charged at twice the daily rate plus any costs or damages due to the following hirer.
 

E. & O.E. 09.09.03