Boat Hire ~ Terms & Conditions

When you request a booking via our website or our boat station, you are making an offer to hire a boat under these terms and conditions. You must be at least 18 years of age for motorboat hire and at least 16 years of age for rowing boats, punts and canoe hire at the time of booking. We also require your driving licence on arrival, which will be kept in our safe until your safe return & the safe return of our boats.

Collection of the Boat: The Boat will be available at the time of your booking from King Johns Island Moorings, Tewkesbury. Priority is given to online bookings; please make yourself known to the staff once your here. Please note that as we may be waiting for boats to be returned by other customers, we cannot absolutely gurantee that your boat will be ready for you at the time you booked.

Note that boats will not be hired to single sex groups without prior consultation & agreement.

Instruction: Before you take over the boat, we will give you suitable instruction, demonstrations, and information on safety, how to operate the vessel and rules of the river. Please Note, the use of the river locks is prohibited.

Navigation: You, the hirer, are in charge of the vessel and all those on board and agree to comply at all times during the hire with the Rules of Navigation as explained to you by our staff and contained within the information provided onboard the boat.

Security Deposit:

Before embarking, you will be asked to pay a security deposit for your boat in cash or card, plus any outstanding balance of the hire charge.

Returning the Boat: The boat must be returned to the same location from which it was hired, and it is your responsibility to allow sufficient time to ensure timely return. If you return the boat late then you will be liable to pay 25% of the hourly hire charge for for every 10mins of the delay in returning the boat. Should the boat be returned in a dirty and/or an untidy state, a cleaning charge of 50% of the deposit shall be levied. This is so the boat is ready for the next hirers so they can also enjoy the rivers on a tidy boat.

Rights Reserved: We reserve the right to cancel the hire and refuse to hand the boat over to you if, in our reasonable opinion, you are unsuitable to take charge of the boat for any reason that may adversely affect the safety of any person, persons, or property. In this event, provided that you have fully complied with your obligations under this agreement, We will refund the deposit and any other monies which you have paid to the company, and the contract shall be discharged without further liability on either party. We reserve the right to immediately cancel and refuse to hand the boat over to you if you or any member of your party is or appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In such a case we shall be entitled to retain the hire charge already paid.

We reserve the right to immediately cancel and refuse to hand the boat over to any single sex party who have not disclosed the fact to us at the time of booking. In such a case we shall be entitled to retain the hire charge already paid. The river needs a competent mind to navigate the river safely for yourself & other users. A safe place for all..........

Termination of Hire: We reserve the right to terminate the hire at any time and repossess the boat if we have reason to believe that you are carrying more people than the boat is licensed to carry, or if the person in charge of the vessel appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, if you are not navigating safely, if you are not behaving responsibly, or if you have contravened any of the bylaws of the Navigation, or the terms of this contract. All monies paid, including the security deposit, shall be forfeited and no further claim shall be entertained by the company.

Breakdown: In the event of a breakdown of a motor boat hired by you, contact us immediately for assistance or use oars & paddles provided. You must not interfere with, adjust, or attempt to repair any part of the boat’s engine or controls.

Accidents & Responsibilities: You are in charge of the boat and are responsible for it, its equipment, and its safe navigation. In the event of any accident or damage involving you or any other people or any property you must inform us immediately and obtain then record the name of any other boats with their names & addresses of any other people involved.

Loss: Although the boat and its equipment are insured against many risks by the company you remain responsible for any damage or loss arising from your breach of the agreement, your deliberate acts, or from your negligence. You will be responsible for the cost of rectifying damage to the boat, or repairs to or replacing any items on the inventory which are missing or damaged at the end of the hire.

Liability: The company insures the boat against loss and public liability, but it will not be responsible to any loss, or damage, or injury to the hire party or possessions, howsoever caused.

Prices: The Company’s advertised prices are in pounds sterling and include any Value Added Tax. The hire charge is payable to secure and confirm a booking. The balance of the hire charge, including Security Deposit may be payable on the day of hire. The Company reserves the right to correct errors in advertised or quoted prices at the time of booking confirmation.

Payments: Full payment for small boat hire is made at point of booking, either in person or through online booking. An increase in numbers can be made through the online booking system or in person on the day if additional boats are available. Reduction in numbers must be requested by direct contact from the customer, and any refunds will be processed only on final agreement.

Priority is given to online bookings where we can. During periods of high demand, we cannot guarantee the boat will be available immediately. During these periods the next available boat will be provided as soon as possible. Self-drive motorboats are only available for online booking during the week, but not at weekends or Bank Holidays. Self-drive motorboats are only available on a first come basis during these periods. Any delay in arrival of online bookings may result in your hire being shorter, particularly during peak periods, though we will try to provide your full hire wherever possible.

Cancellations or Changes to the Booking: If you need to cancel or change your booking you should advise the company by telephone. Changes in the date of your booking, or cancelations, more than seven days before the date of hire can be made free of charge. Changes in the date of your booking made seven days or less before the date of hire may be charged 25% of the hire for your booking. Cancelations made on the date of hire will be charged 50% of the hire for your booking.

Cancelation by Us: In the event that the boat is not available, or navigation impossible on the day of hire due to circumstance outside our control (for example, adverse river conditions, navigational interruptions, damage, mechanical breakdown) we may cancel the agreement at any time and shall immediately refund you the hire charge and any other payments you have made.

Legal Matters: This Agreement shall be governed by the law of England and Wales. Any dispute arising under this Agreement shall be first submitted to mediation or failing that to arbitration under the British Marine Federation’s Dispute Resolution Scheme, which is approved by the Royal Yachting Association.

Passenger Boat ~ Terms & Conditions

When you request a booking via our website or board a passenger boat, you are making an offer to hire a seat under these terms and conditions.

Payments: Full payment for online reservations for public cruises is made at point of booking. Amendments can only be made to numbers if additional tickets are available and made through the online reservation system. Reduction in numbers must be requested by direct contact from the customer, and any refunds will be processed only on final agreement.

Provisional bookings for Private Charters can be accepted by telephone and email, however a £80.00 deposit is required in advance to confirm the booking and reserve your preferred date and time. Non-payment of deposit within Eight (8) days of the booking may result in its cancellation. Payment can be made by cash, cheque or card, or by bank transfer. The balance of your booking must be paid on the day, unless you are a corporate client paying on invoice.

Public Cruises: Public cruises booked online are for departures that leave on the hour. Boarding starts 20 minutes before departure. We recommend you arrive early during periods of high demand as we may not be able to guarantee a suitable seat. Extra boats are provided at peak periods, and if you miss your booked departure, we will honour you booking on the next cruise.

Changes to the date or time of your booking, or cancellations made more than 24hrs in advance are free of charge.

Private Charter: Private Cruises are due to depart at the time booked. Please arrive in advance of the departure time times as any delay may shorten your cruise.

If you want to cancel or change the date of your booking you should advise us by telephone. Changes in the date or cancelations more than seven days before the date of hire can be made free of charge. Changes in the date of your booking made seven days or less before the date of hire may be charged 50% of the deposit. Cancelations made on the date of hire will be charged 100% of the deposit.

Cancellations: We make every effort to ensure that departures and arrivals are on time but cannot be liable for any expenses incurred by the hirer caused by delays beyond our control. There may be occasions when the vessels are restricted in their operation due to the speed & or flow of the river. On occasions when a cruise has to be shortened or cancelled, either an appropriate proportion of the fee will be charged or refunded in total.

Liability for Loss or Damage: Hirers may be liable for any loss or damage to the vessel or its equipment caused by them or persons in their party. The Merchants of Venice are not responsible for any damage or loss of personal possessions. All passengers using any vessel, gangplank, steps, pontoons, landing stages etc do so at their own risk.

Food and Drink: You are welcome to bring your own food and drink onboard any Private Charter, though responsibility for setting up, clearing away, waste and disposal remains solely with the hirer.

Wheelchairs: Unfortunately, the design of our heritage fleet of vessels prevents them from accommodating wheelchairs onboard.

Passenger Safety: Passengers whose behaviour, in the opinion of our staff, is likely to cause disturbance will not be allowed to board the vessel. Any person who is considered to be jeopardising the safety of the boat or passengers, or who causes offence or distress to any member of crew or other passengers will immediately be put ashore.

Images and Personal Data: On occasions photographs or video may be taken of our boats for publicity purposes. If you prefer not to be photographed, please make us aware. Any information taken about you will only be used in the purposes of administration and where it is required by law and will be held with subject to GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations).