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CONTRACT

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• A Contract is made between Academy Sailing Limited (Academy Sailing) and any person or persons (the Client) when a) the Client makes a Booking with Academy Sailing to take part in any event or training (the Programme), and b) Academy Sailing confirms the Booking.

• All Bookings are subject to these Terms and Conditions and it is agreed between the Client and Academy Sailing that all contracts are constructed and subject to English Law.

• Bookings can be made by telephone, in writing (including email and website).

• Information given by the Client forms the basis of a Contract and the Client will be accepting the booking Terms and Conditions in respect of all persons included in the Booking.

• Confirmation of the Contract and Booking is made once Academy Sailing send the Client confirmation of booking.

• The Client must ensure that all details provided are accurate.

• Where a Client provides misleading information (whether intentionally or unintentionally) about qualifications or experience, Academy Sailing reserves the right to terminate the Contract without notice.

• Where it becomes apparent that a Client does not have the required level of sailing experience for a particular course, Academy Sailing reserves the right to terminate the Contract without notice.

 

PAYMENT

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• To confirm any Booking a non-refundable deposit is required.

• The Client making the Booking shall be liable for all those to whom the Booking applies.

• The Client must make full payment of the Programme fee no later than 7 weeks prior to the start of the Programme.

• Where any Booking is made less than 7 weeks prior to the Programme start date, full payment of the Programme fee is required to secure the Booking.

• Failure to make full payment by the due date will mean loss of the Booking and the non-refundable deposit.

• Cash payments are not accepted.

 

CANCELLATION & REFUNDS

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• Any Cancellation made by the Client must be made in writing (including any digital format (email, text, etc.)) and is effective once received by Academy Sailing.

• A Cancellation is written information from the Client that they will not be attending the the course / event that they booked, regardless of any linked request to re-book alternative dates.

• Clients are advised that there are significant business costs linked to Cancellations made by Clients. This is why it is necessary to have a set of fair and robust Terms and Conditions linked to Cancellations. Accordingly, it is the Client's responsiblity to take out personal insurance cover (see below section covering insurance).

• Refunds to the Client of any money paid to Academy Sailing for a Booking are made in accordance with the following periods of notice given by the Client of the Cancellation:-

  • MORE than 7 weeks – full refund of the Programme fee paid LESS the non-refundable deposit amount shown against the service and LESS any card processing fees or bank fees.

  • 7 weeks or less, but MORE than 4 weeks – 50% of the Programme fee, LESS any card processing or bank fees. Where the Client has not made full payment, the balance between the deposit and 50% of the Programme fee, plus card and/or bank charges remain owed by the Client to Academy Sailing.

  • 4 weeks and less – no refund of the Programme fee. Where the Client has not made full payment, the balance between the deposit and the full programme fee remain owed by the Client to Academy Sailing.

COURSE CHANGES BY ACADEMY SAILING

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• Academy Sailing will not normally Cancel any Booking less than 6 weeks prior to the start of the Programme. Where because of unusual or unforeseen circumstances beyond its control Academy Sailing does Cancel a Booking, the Client will normally be given the choice of an alternative Programme where possible. If the Client does not wish to choose an alternative Programme then Academy Sailing will provide a refund in full.

• In the unlikely event that changes to the advertised Programme occur, Academy Sailing reserves the right to make such changes as required. No liability is accepted by Academy Sailing for any costs or expenses incurred by the Client in the event of changes to the Programme or Cancellation by Academy Sailing.

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SLEEPING BUNK ALLOCATION

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• Sleeping bunks are allocated at the discretion of Academy Sailing.

• All Clients are allocated their own sleeping bunk - this may be on a same gender shared cabin basis.

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FITNESS, INSURANCE & TRAVEL

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• The Client or Clients must be physically fit and healthy to undertake the physical activity involved in sailing a yacht.

• Clients are advised that there are significant costs linked to Client's making Cancellations. This is why it is necessary to have a fair and robust set of terms and conditions linked to Cancellations. Accordingly, it is the Client’s responsibility to take out a personal insurance package that covers Cancellation, injury and medical expenses. Any such insurance policy should include cover for sailing including offshore passages for the length of the programme. Academy Sailing strongly recommends that all Clients take out appropriate insurance cover.

• The Client is responsible for all travel arrangements to and from the vessel.

• The Client must ensure they are in possession of passports and visas (where applicable) where all or part of the programme is overseas.

 

CONDUCT

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• In making a Booking, the Client agrees:-

  • to respect Academy Sailing's Equality Policy where discriminatory behaviour of any kind will not be tolerated and where it occurs the person deemed responsible may be removed from the Programme or vessel;

  • to abide by the operating and safety procedures laid down by Academy Sailing in its Standard Operating Procedures;

  • to accept the authority, decisions and instructions of Academy Sailing, including their Skippers (Captains), employees, agents and representatives during the Programme;

  • that at all times the decision of the Skipper is final on all matters;

  • that should the Client interfere with the well-being of the Skipper or other Clients, or the safety of the vessel during the Programme through difficult or disruptive behaviour, the Skipper has full authority to dismiss the Client or Clients from the Programme or vessel;

  • to ensure that they are in possession of and wear appropriate clean non-marking footwear as stipulated in joining instructions - this means deck shoes, non-marking trainers, or sailing boots;

  • that dirty footwear, walking boots, wellies and other shoes with marking soles will not be permitted on board as appropriate footwear;

  • that not having appropriate footwear will mean the Client renders themselves unable to participate in their Programme;

  • where a Client is dismissed from a Programme due to behaviour, there will be no recourse to any refund;

  • that the Skipper has full authority to decide when and where to sail, with regard to weather conditions and the well-being of the crew and vessel, or to return to port after the commencement of a passage;

  • that a decision to terminate a passage due to defects to the yacht or the state of the crew may be made at any time and the Skipper’s decision will be final;

  • that smoking (incuding vaping) is not permitted on training vessels at any time (either below or above deck).

OWN BOAT TUITION

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• For `Own Boat Tuition’, the Client agrees that the vessel must be:-

  • be insured by the owner for loss, damage and legal liability to third parties;

  • sound and fit for purpose (including provision of in-date life-raft and flares unless specifically agreed otherwise);

  • adequately equipped and provisioned (there must be sufficient life-jackets on board for all persons (excluding Academy Sailing skipper who will have their own unless specifically agreed otherwise).

• The owner remains the Skipper and is legally responsible for the safe management and operation of the vessel at all times (including when under tuition) and will not hold the instructor or Academy Sailing responsible for any loss or damage.

 

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Read our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.