Seahaven Maritime Academy
Terms and Conditions
1. Booking deposit
Confirmation of booking will be provided upon receipt of a completed booking form and receipt of a 50% non-refundable deposit. The booking deposit is 50% of the course fees. If a booking is made within one month of the course commencement date, the full course fees are payable upon booking. Course fees must be paid in full prior to course commencement.
2. Payment
Payment can be made in cash, by bank transfer or with a credit or debit card. Payments made with a credit or debit card are subject to an additional 2% (subject to increase without prior notice) to cover bank charges incurred. Bank transfers must be sent in sterling currency and bank charges are for the account of the student. A payment advice note will be issued upon booking. An invoice will be issued upon full payment.
3. Cancellation by the customer
If more than eight weeks’ notice of cancellation is provided, the non-refundable booking deposit may be transferred to a later course or transferred to another student. If a booking is cancelled less than eight weeks prior to the course commencement date, the deposit is non-refundable but may be applied to a future course at the discretion of Seahaven Maritime and if the future course is within two months of the cancellation.
If a booking is cancelled within four weeks of the course start date, and Seahaven Maritime is unable to re-sell the place on the course, the deposit is both non-refundable and non-transferable. Course fees shall not be refunded for any reason once the course has started. Please note, we recommend you take holiday cancellation or personal travel insurance.
4. Cancellation by Seahaven Maritime
Any course fees you have paid, including your deposit, will be refunded in full. No liability shall be attached to Seahaven Maritime beyond refunding the course fee paid for the cancelled course or unused portion if the course has been started. No payments shall be made for incidental costs. As above, we recommend you take holiday cancellation or personal travel insurance.
5. Refunds
Seahaven Maritime shall not be responsible for any unused air tickets or unused portions of air tickets or unused services of any kind.
6. Delay or failure to arrive
If a student is likely to be delayed beyond the start time of the course, Seahaven Maritime must be informed as soon as possible. It is at the discretion of Seahaven Maritime if the fees paid can be transferred to a future course. If a student fails to arrive, for any reason whatsoever including illness, and Seahaven Maritime has not been notified, the course fees will be forfeit.
7. Health policy
We ask you to inform the school upon booking of any health issues that may affect your suitability for participating in a practical course. A signed medical declaration must be completed at the time of booking. If there are any changes between completing the medical declaration and starting the course, the student must inform Seahaven Maritime in writing.
Seahaven Maritime accepts no responsibility for the decision of the physical fitness of the customer to participate in a course. If a student has any medical problems, it is their responsibility to check with their GP that it is acceptable for them to join the course. Students must ensure that any personal medication is brought to the course.
8. Risk disclaimer
No liability is accepted for student's personal possessions left in Seahaven Maritime premises; this includes vessels used by Seahaven Maritime No liability is accepted for students whilst in, or on, any Seahaven Maritime property or property used by Seahaven Maritime or whilst embarking or disembarking any vessel used by Seahaven Maritime. All students take part in any course at their own risk.
The act of signing for a training course implies that the student has understood and accepted the terms and conditions of Seahaven Maritime herein, including the risk disclaimer above and liability as explained in this document.
9. Weather
Your instructor/examiner will make decisions re: heavy weather training with the safety of crew and vessel as first priority. The instructor/examiner's decision is final.
10. Force Majeure
Seahaven Maritime shall not be liable for any expenses incurred due to Force Majeure, including Act of God, weather conditions, strikes, and acts of Government, war or any other occurrence beyond our control.
11. Meals and Lunches
Lunch is not provided during shore-based courses.
12. Alcohol
Seahaven Maritime shall not be liable for any accidents that occur whilst a student is under the influence of alcohol.
13. Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in any interior space on board any training vessel or in any building used by Seahaven Maritime. A smoking area is provided
14. Drugs
Recreational drugs of any kind are strictly forbidden onboard any training vessel or in any property used by Seahaven Maritime. If found, or suspected, the student will immediately leave the course and no monies will be refunded, nor any additional travel expenses reimbursed.
15. Training vessels
Seahaven Maritime uses training vessels that are well maintained, however, if breakages or mechanical failures occur we ask for your patience and understanding that this can be part of boating. Every effort will be made to ensure the vessel is repaired at the earliest opportunity. If this is not possible, an alternative vessel will be made available Seahaven Maritime shall not be held responsible for any time the customer feels has been lost, whilst every attempt is made to address any problems that may occur.
16. Own boat tuition
The owner is considered to be the 'skipper' of the vessel at all times and is responsible for the vessel, the provisioning and fuel and for ensuring the vessel is fully insured, sea worthy, with all boat papers in date and safety equipment onboard to satisfy the local port authority and maritime law of the country in which the training is taking place.
If any accidents occur onboard during training the claim is to be made against the insurance of the boat. Seahaven Maritime and its instructors, shall not be liable for any incidents or accidents onboard.
17. Student negligence
If irresponsible or negligent behaviour of a student leads to damage or loss of any item of Academy or boat property, the student is responsible for replacement or repair. Students are requested to act with a duty of care and respect for Academy property and the training vessel. Damages and breakages, howsoever caused, must immediately be notified to the skipper/instructor.
18. Duties onboard
All students are expected to participate in cleaning the vessel and ensuring the vessel is kept clean and tidy at all times. At the end of a course/exam, all students are expected to clean the vessel thoroughly, remove any rubbish, refill the water tanks, secure the yacht, attach shore power, turn off gas supply and leave in a good state.
19. Complaints
Notice of any complaint should be made to your instructor/examiner at the time of the complaint arising. If the complaint cannot be resolved onboard, then the complaint should be made in writing to Seahaven Maritime and will be dealt with as a matter of importance.
20. Instructor/examiner's decision
The instructor/examiner's decision is final. All students will accept all orders and decisions given by the instructor/examiner whilst onboard or onshore during any training provided by Seahaven Maritime The instructor/examiner’s authority is total, day and night, in accordance with Maritime Law.
If for any reason a student does not accept an order from the instructor/examiner, or a designated substitute, the student shall be considered to be in breach of the terms and conditions of Seahaven Maritime.If the student is placed ashore at the nearest port, no liability whatsoever shall attach itself to Seahaven Maritime and neither shall the student have any redress for any expenses, nor any redress against the instructor/examiner as a result of any action or decision by the instructor/examiner.
21. International Certificate of Competence
The RYA International Certificate of Competence (ICC) is available to British subjects, bona fide British residents or persons born outside the UNECE.Seahaven Maritime can provide full eligibility details on request.
22. Mooring fees
Mooring fees away from the vessel's home berth are a shared responsibility of the crew and are to be paid locally. Your instructor will provide a suggested plan of harbours and inform the crew of expected costs. Mooring fees at base are included.
23. Personal insurance
It is strongly advised for students to obtain their own insurance for sickness, illness, loss of course fees, loss of personal effects, breakages or damages to the boat, cancellation or curtailment, travel disruption or delay, accident onboard or any other reason the student considers appropriate for their activity and well-being.
24. Examinations
If an examination has to be cancelled or postponed for whatever reason, the candidate may ask to be reimbursed the examination fee or to be offered a future examination date. If the examination has to be cancelled due to adverse weather, the student contribution towards examiner's expenses is forfeit according to the costs already paid for travel expenses. Examiner travel expenses for the re-arranged examination date must be shared between the exam candidates.
25. Certificates
Certificates will only be issued at the end of a course if, in the opinion of the instructor/examiner, the student has reached the standard required. The decision is final and to be accepted by all students. Many certificates are issued in the UK by an external authority; please allow time for receipt, processing and return delivery. As a general rule all certificates are returned to Seahaven Maritime unless the student has expressly requested otherwise.
Seahaven Maritime provides a mail/courier forwarding service and will advise the relevant cost to the student. Seahaven Maritime will not be held responsible for any delays in receipt, nor any loss if delivery has been requested to an address other than that of Seahaven Maritime. Lost certificates will incur a re-issue charge to cover costs of replacement, administration and postage.
26. Insurance
Whilst Seahaven Maritime carries full public liability insurance you should satisfy yourself that you are covered for personal injury and cancellation.
27. Under 18s
All booking forms for under 18’s to be signed by parent or guardian, stating this fact after the signature.
28. Disputes
Any dispute should be brought to the attention of Seahaven Maritime at the earliest opportunity to be resolved. In the event of a dispute not being settled by mutual agreement, it is agreed that this agreement (contract) shall be governed by the laws of England.
It is further agreed that all agreements between customers, clients and students and staff of Seahaven Maritime shall be governed by English Law, even when the dispute occurs outside UK territorial waters.