1. All bookings will only be confirmed for your charter when your deposit, of 30% of the total price payable plus the £35 Damage Waver Fee, has been received. The remaining 70% of your charter price will then fall payable 6 weeks prior to the commencement of your charter. If your charter is within six weeks of booking then full payment is required with your booking form and agreed to terms and conditions.

2. Provisional bookings can be made by either telephone or e-mail.

Booking forms can be downloaded from our web site.

3. All bookings must be made by person’s aged 21 and over.

4. We reserve the right to refuse to allow access to the boat to any person who, in our opinion, is not suitable to take responsibility for the vessel. In the event of this happening, all payments will be refunded to you. You will then have no further claim against us.

5. We reserve the right to curtail the charter at any time if, in our opinion, the boat is being mishandled, misused illegally or if the crew's behaviour is considered detrimental to other waterway users. In the event of this happening, no portion of the hire fee will be refunded.

6. The payment of your non-refundable Damage Waiver Payment provides you with protection from any liability for loss, damage or accident to the boat or its equipment during the time of your holiday period. The amount of this payment will be shown on your final booking confirmation.

The Damage Waiver Payment Excludes losses arising from:-

Malicious Damage, Negligent or Intentional Damage to the boat, its equipment, the waterway, other boats or structures.

Departing whilst the boat is in an untidy condition.

Departure from the boat past the expiry time of the hire agreement.

We shall claim the full cost of repairs, replacement or compensation, should we receive a report of any of the above.

7. The period of hire will be confirmed once your booking form & deposit have been processed.

Daily or short break charter hire period terms are flexible and should be discussed with BES Ltd at least six weeks prior to the date of the charter’s commencement and have been accepted by BES Ltd in writing.

8. Parking is provided for a maximum of 2 cars in a secure parking area at the Marina. However, we accept NO liability for losses or damage to your vehicles, whilst they are parked.

We also advise that you DO NOT leave any valuables in your car whilst left parked and unattended.

BES Ltd advise clients to unpack their suitcases aboard and then return their suitcases to their vehicle as storage space aboard is limited.

9. Should you cancel your booking, we will try to re-let the boat at the full price.

Providing that we are fully successful, all monies paid, less your original deposit will be refunded to you. However, if we are not able to re-let the boat, you will be legally responsible for payment of any outstanding fees for the duration of the original hire agreement. Therefore, we recommend that you obtain your own Travel Insurance.

10. At the beginning of your charter, previous experience will not be required. A full demonstration, will be provided at the start of your holiday, including practice of opening and closing locks, if required.

11. Smoking is NOT ALLOWED inside the main cabin areas.

12. Hirers are responsible for refuse disposal before vacating the boat.

13. Hirers must leave the vessel as they received it, in a clean and tidy condition and having checked that all items on the inventory are still on board by no later than 10.00 a.m. on the last day of your charter. Please remember that the end of your holiday may well be the start of someone else's and that they deserve to receive the boat in the same condition as yourselves.

14. All damages and breakages must be reported as soon as is safely possible to the Skipper of the vessel.

15. You may only carry those named on the Reservation Form unless arrangement with BES Ltd has been granted in writing.

16. Vehicles are left at the hire base car park at the hirer's risk. The Company will be under no liability for any loss or damage to vehicle(s) or content's of the Hirer's or other people's property on the boat or elsewhere or howsoever caused except by the Company's negligence. Hirers are particularly advised not to leave any valuable or portable items in their vehicle(s).

17. The Company may return Hirer's property left behind if claimed and following receipt of payment for postage and packing (minimum charge £10). The Company will dispose of property not claimed within two months from the end date.

18. Bicycles are allowed on the boat, but only with prior agreement.

19. Fishing can take place from the boat providing that you hold a full Rod Licence for at least the period of your holiday and that the boat is moored. The client must ensure that this is not in a private fishing area.

20. Live-bait is NOT ALLOWED on the boat at any time and at no point can any fishing bait be stored in the fridge.

21. You must NEVER stand on the roof of the boat

22. You must NOT carry portable heaters or toasters, which have not been provided by us

23. You must NOT carry inflammable substances or other hazardous items.

24. You MUST comply with all British Waterways and Environment Agency byelaws, which specifically include leaving lock paddles in the correct position, and being considerate to other waterway users and property.

25. It is illegal to be drunk in charge of any vessel on British Waterways.

26. We shall not be liable for matters arising beyond our reasonable control due to negligence or wilful default including without limitation, death or personal injury of yourselves, your crew and/or passengers, loss or damage to property, non-fulfilment or interruption of the reservation, delays, breakdowns, mechanical problems, defects, damage, restrictions on cruising, obstructions, repairs to waterways, non-availability of routes, storms, floods, drought, ice shortage of water and other weather conditions, non-availability of fuel, or in respect of any loss, damage, expense, injury or claim.

31. You are recommended to take out your own Travel Insurance prior to the commencement of your holiday. Should you require any information regarding this, please do not hesitate to contact us.

32. No liability can be accepted by us for any delays or non-completion of planned cruising caused by restrictions, obstructions, or repair to the waterways system or any unforeseen cause. The company reserve the right to restrict the cruising area without prior notice should any unusual or hazardous conditions prevail.

33. The Skipper is in complete charge of the boat and is responsible for its safe navigation. Due to the nature of the vessels and the dangers posed if the navigation is incorrectly used, the Skipper’s instructions MUST be followed if the client is in any way involved in passage making. 

Failure to comply with specific commands of the Skipper will be viewed as a deliberate breach of Health & Safety / Operating Procedures and the Skipper has the power to curtail the charter if he / she sees fit.

34. We take great care to make sure that the boat is fully serviced at regular intervals and in good working order. In case of breakdown or repairs being required appropriate action will be taken by initially the Skipper and then by persons appointed by BES Ltd. All repairs are OUR responsibility ONLY and MUST NOT be put into the hands of others without our agreement.

36. If you are involved in an accident the following procedure should take place if the Skipper is unable to do so personally:

Contact us IMMEDIATELY giving the following information: Full details of the boats involved Location by Canal, Bridge number and closest road name / village / town if possible. Index numbers, names and persons Persons involved and name and address of any witnesses. Under no circumstances must the hirer admit any liability.