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Terms and Conditions of Charter
- These conditions govern the chartering of
the Steam Launch ‘Alaska’ from Thames Steamers Limited on the date and
for the period and function specified at the time of booking.
- A provisional reservation will be held for
a period of 14 days pending the receipt of a completed and signed copy
of the booking form indicating the charterer’s acceptance of these Terms
and Conditions, together with the booking deposit. If this is not
received within this period, the reservation will be automatically
released.
- Any person named on the booking form shall
be considered the charterer. Where two or more persons are named, they
shall each be considered to be the hirer and shall be jointly and
severally liable under these Terms and Conditions.
- The hirer is required to pay a deposit of
25% of the charter fee in order to confirm the booking. The balance of
monies due, including a deposit against the wine order if appropriate,
is due 28 days prior to the date of the function after which time Thames
Steamers Limited reserve the right to charge interest on the balance due
at the rate of 1% per month pro rata.
- All food, beverages and other services such
as music and flowers will be provided by prior arrangement with Thames
Steamers Limited. Where appropriate, preferred suppliers can be
recommended.
- The final number of guests attending the
event will be confirmed to Thames Steamers Limited 14 days before the
function and will be used to calculate the minimum charge. Please note
that additional persons such as catering staff and musicians must be
included in the 36 passenger limit which is imposed by law; the Captain
and Engineer are not included in this number.
- In the interests of safety, an adult must
accompany children of 16 and under at all times.
- Assistance for reduced
mobility passengers:
Reduced Mobility means
those people with physical disabilities, speech, hearing or sight
limitations and those with mental health problems. It also includes the
elderly and parents with young children.
The
Company supports access and assistance for reduced mobility passengers
to Alaska. However, Alaska was built in 1883 and was never designed
specifically to accommodate such passengers. Furthermore the design and
provenance of the vessel does not lend itself to adaptation.
Alaska has the following limitations for people with reduced
mobility:
-
A
high freeboard at the passenger entrance
-
Small toilet
facilities at the bottom of steep stairs in the saloon
-
Narrow
stairs into the well deck at the forward end of the vessel
Passengers with any
special needs must be accompanied by a personal carer. The Captain and
Crew, where possible,
will make every effort to assist reduced mobility and special
needs passengers. Where the Captain considers
that any such passengers may be at risk in an
emergency situation then the Captain has the right to refuse passage.
The hirer should make it known to Thames Steamers
Limited at the time of booking or as far in advance of boarding as
possible, if any person intending to come on a trip might be considered
as being of reduced mobility in order that suitable provision may be
discussed and agreed. If Thames Steamers is not advised in advance of
boarding then it reserves the right to refuse boarding if it is felt
that the particular individual cannot be accommodated on board safely.
- Dogs (except for guide dogs and registered
assistance dogs) are not allowed on board. Any dog permitted on board
must be kept on a lead or harness at all times; adequate provision must
be made by the owner to take care of the animal’s food, water and toilet
requirements during the trip.
Smoking is not permitted within
the cabin or toilets at any time and is only allowed on deck if it does
not cause a nuisance to other passengers or any of the crew. The
Captain's decision in this matter is final and binding. Under new
legislation which comes into force on 1st July 2007
and which Thames Steamers Limited will adopt as its policy from 1st
January 2007, the area under the
canopy at the forward part of the vessel can only be used for smoking
when the sidescreens are in the rolled up or open position. If any of
the sidescreens are lowered during inclement weather smoking may only be
permitted provided that less than half of the side area of the canopied
area is enclosed. The Captain will advise if smoking in this area is not
allowed at any time. Occasionally, the wind relative to the vessel’s
motion may prevent smoke from dispersing or may blow smoke into enclosed
areas; in such circumstances smoking may be
temporarily prohibited until conditions
change, or smokers may be asked to move to a different part of the
vessel.
- If the charterer has cause to cancel the
event, the deposit is not refundable unless a prior agreement has been
made with Thames Steamers Limited. If the cancellation occurs within 42
days of the function, then the charterer will be liable for the balance
of the charter fee unless the vessel can be re-chartered. Cancellation
within 7 days of the function will incur the additional liability of any
catering costs.
- In extreme
circumstances, including but not limited to adverse weather or river
conditions, crew illness or mechanical failure, Thames Steamers Limited
reserves the right to cancel the reservation. Any decision made by the
Captain regarding the safety of the vessel prior to or during the
charter is final and binding. Where possible, an alternative date for
the function will be offered at no extra cost to the charterer or a
refund of monies received will be made.
- Where a trip is cancelled or curtailed due
to safety concerns arising from the improper behaviour of the charterer
or their guests, Thames Steamers Limited reserves the right not to offer
an alternative trip and to retain all monies received from the charterer.
- The exact
nature of the proposed function is to be advised to Thames Steamers
Limited at the time of making the initial reservation. Any change should
also be advised. Thames Steamers Limited reserves the right to cancel a
booking or to refuse to accept a booking if the nature of the function
is not considered suitable for any reason.
- Wine, spirits and other beverages consumed
on board will be charged as taken at fixed prices. Accounts must be
settled on the day, either by cheque or cash.
- The charterer and their guests shall not
board the vessel before the agreed departure time except by the
expressed permission of the Captain or crew.
- If the charterer has any comments, concerns
or questions regarding any aspect of the services provided by Thames
Steamers Limited during the trip these should be addressed to the
Captain or crew without delay in order that any such issues may be
addressed to the satisfaction of both parties.
- During the charter the Captain remains in
sole charge of the vessel and has the right to disembark anyone who
behaves in a manner prejudicial to the safety of the vessel or anyone
else on board.
- The Captain may vary the agreed itinerary
at any point if it is considered necessary for the safety of the vessel
or any other reason.
- The Captain will endeavour to bring the
vessel alongside punctually in order to effect timely embarkation and
disembarkation of the charterer and their guests but Thames Steamers
Limited cannot be held liable for any delays which may be caused by
weather or river conditions or lock congestion or breakdown. In cases of
extreme delay, the Captain will use his best endeavours to assist any
passengers who feel they have good reason to leave the vessel to find a
suitable disembarkation point.
- The charterer and their guests shall not
affix any object to the fabric of the vessel without the prior consent
of Thames Steamers Limited.
- The charterer will be liable for any damage
caused by any member of their party to the fabric of the vessel, its
fixtures and fittings. Any items removed from the vessel will be charged
at cost. Thames Steamers Limited reserves the right to call in the
Police if theft or malicious damage is suspected. Thames Steamers
Limited also reserves the right to require charterers to pay a
refundable security/damage deposit prior to boarding.
- Extra hours beyond the agreed duration of
the trip may be arranged with the Captain at his discretion. Additional
hours will be charged as per the published charter tariff.
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