On booking, the Hirer must inform the Company of all persons to be included in the boat hire period, where there is more than one Hirer, they shall be individually responsible and liable under the agreement of 'the conditions' set out below.

2. Hire Period, Collection & Return of Boat

4 day hire: collect at 10am, return by 4pm on the fourth day. 5 day hire: collect at 10am, return by 4pm on the fifth day, 7 day hire: collect at 13.30hrs, return by 09.30hrs on the seventh day. The boat must be returned in a clean and tidy condition and vacated no later than 10.00hrs.

3. Deposit and Payment

Deposit to be paid at time of booking, balance to be paid 6 weeks prior to hire date.

4. Insurance and Damage

The Company insures the boat and equipment against public liability risks. The policy does not cover personal accident or the Hirer's and crews personal belongings. The Hirer and crew are advised to take out their own personal insurance cover. The Company's policy does not cover the first £500 of any claim. The Hirer will indemnify the Company from and against all costs, damage, expenses, liability and claims, howsoever arising from the negligence, neglect or default of the Hirer to the extent that they are not covered by the Company's policy.
£50 non refundable damage waiver fee is payable with your holiday hire payment. This excludes damage caused from negligence such as contact with lock cill resulting in damage to rudder, skeg, prop or any other stern equipment and any damage caused generally by negligence including third party claims to property, lock equipment, lock gates, other boats and authorities. £100 bond will be retained during your holiday and refunded to you on your return, providing no damage is caused through negligence. Should you return the boat late, the appropriate fee will be deducted from the refund of bond.

5. Cancellations

No refunds/deposits given for cancellations of 45 days or less prior to hire date.

6. Safety and Other Rules

All safety rules as laid down in 'JP Business Services Health & Safety Policy' must be adhered to at all times. The Hirer and crew must also agree to comply with the following rules for the health and safety of the persons on the boat and other persons and for safeguarding the boat and property:

1. Any persons in charge of the tiller must have undergone the Company’s hire tuition or Taster Day
2. No cruising in hours of darkness
3. No inflatables/dinghies, portable heaters, electrical appliances, inflammable liquids or substances, gas cylinders (other than provided), firearms or any other items which might create danger or hazards to be brought on to the boat at any time
4. The boat to be used only on The Chesterfield Canal
5. To allow the boat to be occupied only by the persons named at the time of booking
6. At all times to observe all byelaws, navigational limits or instructions and advice of British Waterways

7. Maintenance, Repairs, Damage and Breakdown

The Hirer shall take reasonable care of the boat and its equipment and contents, carry out daily checks prior to cruising as instructed by the Company and shall return the same at the end of the hire period in accordance with the Company's instructions. The Hirer must not undertake or have undertaken, any repairs, adjustments or service without the Company's prior approval. Any repairs/replacements without the Company’s approval will not be accepted.
In the event of a breakdown, do not attempt any mechanical repairs. Notify the Company immediately by telephone on 07774 666751/07771 795397, the Company will take immediate action to rectify the problem. Do not carry out any repairs or authorise repairs to be undertaken.
The Company will not accept liability for loss, damage or expense which occurs as the result of any defect or breakdown occurring during the hire period unless this is caused by proven reason of the Company’s failure to adequately maintain the boat in a fit state and condition or is caused by the acts or defaults of the joint proprietors of the Company The boat and its contents are insured, however, the Hirer will be primarily liable to indemnify the Company in respect of any damage or loss arising from failure of the Hirer to comply with his/her obligations under the Conditions or from carelessness or negligence.
The Hirer shall be responsible for getting the boat off mud banks or other grounding and for removal of weed, rope or other matter from propellers. The Hirer must notify the Company if any of these operations cannot be carried out without risk of accident or damage and shall comply with the Company’s instructions. Otherwise the Hirer shall be liable for any loss/damage incurred.

8. Fuel

The boat is handed over ready fuelled and the price includes the cost of fuel consumed.

9. Pets

Pets are allowed on the boat with the Company's permission. Pets must be house trained and the Hirer must provide their own pet blankets/cage. Pets are not covered on the Company's insurance policy, therefore any damage caused by pets or extra cleaning required must be paid for by the Hirer. Permission must be given by the Company to allow pets on board prior to booking. Pets are not allowed on seating, chairs or beds.

10. Complaints

The Hirer must check the boat and its contents and equipment fully on arrival at the boat and notify the Company of any alleged deficiencies or shortcomings before the boat leaves the mooring. The Hirer must read and sign the Boat Handover Form upon taking the boat over and thereafter the Hirer will be responsible for the boat, its equipment and its operation until it is handed back to the Company. Any shortcomings subsequently discovered, must be notified to the Company by telephone immediately, in order to give the Company the opportunity to take any necessary remedial action. The Company shall not be liable in respect of any matter which is notified after the end of the hire period.

11. Exemption

The Company shall not be liable for any matters arising from any cause beyond the Company’s reasonable control or not due to the Company’s negligence or wilful default including (without limitation) death or personal injury of Hirers, their crew or passengers ,pets, loss of or damage to property. Non-fulfilment or interruption of the booking or delays, breakdowns, mechanical problems, defects, damage, restrictions on cruising, obstructions, repairs or damage to waterways, non availability of routes, navigational work, floods, storms, acts of God, shortage of water or other weather conditions or in respect of any consequential loss, damage, expense, injury or claim

12. Third Parties

No person who is not a party to this Agreement may enforce any term of this Agreement. The parties agree that the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 shall not apply to this Agreement or to any agreement or document entered into pursuant to this Agreement.

13. Hirer's Property

Vehicles are left entirely at the owners risk at the property of the Company, gates are closed and locked at all times. The Company cannot be held responsible for loss of or damage to any vehicle or contents whilst parked at the Company’s property.

14. Unforeseen Circumstances

We cannot be held responsible nor can any claim be made against the boat owner for any interruption to your holiday due to circumstances beyond our control, i.e. navigational works, shortage of water on the canal, floods. We will keep you informed prior to your holiday should any circumstances arise which we are notified of by the relevant bodies/authority.

Download a Printable version of these Hire Conditions. Click here.