Terms & Conditions - Ilfracombe Sea Safari

By making a booking with Ilfracombe Sea Safari Ltd (ISS) you acknowledge that you have read, understand and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions during your time with us. Where the booking is made as a group then the person making the booking must ensure that all passengers have read and agree with these terms and conditions

Ilfracombe Sea Safari Ltd (ISS) are also a booking agent for other boat operators.

These terms and conditions are governed by and shall be construed in accordance with English Law, and any claim brought under these conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Law.

The Ilfracombe harbour and pier is owned and maintained by North Devon District Council (NDDC). ISS shall not be liable to any passenger whilst on the Pier, its landings or surrounding areas.

NDDC shall not be liable to any passenger on ISS, for any loss or damage which arises out of or in connection with or as a consequence of the operation of ISS including, but not being limited to, loss of profit, damage to or loss of property or items belonging to the passenger and any personal injury to the passenger.

Tickets may be purchased either individually or a vessel may be hired exclusively (referred to as a 'Private Charter'). The maximum number of persons allowed per boat is twelve or 12 (babies, toddlers and third party tour guides do count towards this final and maximum passenger number & will have to be paid for in full).

All persons cruising on the vessel must pay for admission prior to boarding the vessel. Tickets must be retained at all times and submitted for inspection if required by any employee or agent of ISS. Any person attempting to gain admission to the vessel without a valid ticket may be ejected from the vessel and its vicinity.

ISS operates between February & November subject to sea conditions & numbers.

Bookings and cancellations
1. Payment is due at the time of booking. Due to the nature of the business when bookings are confirmed ISS immediately incur expenses and costs directly relating to your booking whilst we prepare for your arrival.
2. All bookings are non transferable, Only in extenuating circumstances will bookings be considered for transfer and where at least a minimum of 24 hours notice of request is given via email or telephone, please note an administrative fee will apply of up to 50%.
3. If you cancel your booking or part booking and require a refund/part refund we require a minimum of 14 days notice, less then 14 days will be deemed as short notice. For short notice cancellations we will only issue a refund or move you to a alternative date if we can resell your spaces.
4. A minimum of six passengers is permitted for each sailing, except at the absolute discretion of ISS. Vessels that are not filled by the minimum number will be rescheduled. Passengers will be contacted to arrange an alternate date and/or time to travel. A minimum of 8 passegners are required for our Lundy Island Sailings.
5. ISS reserve the right to move your booking time or day due to operational needs or due to other company commitments. Sometimes governing boards involvement may result in changes becoming necessary.
6. We will use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that ISS operates. However, we reserve the right, in our absolute discretion, whether for safety reasons or otherwise, and with or without prior notice, to cancel any cruise. In the event of such cancellation, ISS will fully refund any visitor whose ride is cancelled, the cost of his or her prepaid ticket, but otherwise shall have no liability whatever, including liability for travel expenses or any other out of pocket expenses, in respect of the cancellation.
7. In the unlikely event that the vessel has to make an emergency return to Ilfracombe Pier (or any other landing point along the route) ISS will not be liable for replacement tickets and/or refunds.
8. All prices are in pounds sterling, no VAT is added to any booking.
9. ISS reserve the right, where necessary to deviate from a vessel's planned route. Please be aware, the weather and tides will on occasion dictate delays or alterations to the publicised route, where possible customers will be advised of any changes prior to sailing.
10. Due to the nature of the business sailing times cannot be guaranteed, however, every effort will be made to keep on schedule.
11. Speed restrictions apply at certain points along the tour, ISS work closely with Ilfracombe harbour master and the Maritime Coastal Agency 'MCA' to ensure we maintain high levels of customer comfort and safety.
12. All passengers should arrive at our ticket kiosk on Ilfracombe Pier no less than 20 minutes prior to the cruise time to check in but during peek dates (July-August) please allow 45 minutes as car parks are extremly busy.
13. Please be aware if you miss your scheduled departure you will NOT be eligible for a later booking or refund. If you are not present upon check-in for your pre-booked departure time our boarding team will endeavour to contact you, please ensure you provide us with a mobile telephone number that your lead passenger will have with them on the booking day.
14. ISS will prioritise all customers against their booking times and never allow late running customers to have an impact on later departure times. ISS are not responsible for factors out of our control, for example; late running commuter services, traffic or parking difficulties (this is not an exhaustive list).
15. From time to time ISS reserve the right to change the vessel your party are booked on, this will not affect passenger numbers or experience/transfer times.
16. On occasion ISS may act as a managing agent for larger group bookings where boats maybe supplied by alternate companies. In this instance you will be covered by their insurance, duty of care and terms and conditions. ISS will not be liable for third party bookings.
Medical Conditions & Pregnancy
1. The decision to sail and the consequences of doing so are entirely at the passenger's own risk. ISS does not accept any liability for personal injury, or injury to others and/or loss or damage.
2. Expectant mothers must call for advise on best days to travel and do so at there own risk.
3. ISS advises you NOT to travel if you have any historical or current backbone conditions or complaints. Be advised the open sea is an ever changing environment and the vessel may be subject to unpredictable movements. We are not medical experts so are unable to assess every situation individually; we simply advise you do not travel with us.
4. All boats can experience unpredictable movements that could aggravate existing medical conditions. You must inform us of any material fact, including medical conditions or disabilities, which may affect the skipper's decision to carry you as a passenger, especially epilepsy, dizzy spells, diabetes, angina or any other heart conditions, back/bone conditions and pregnancy (this is not an exhaustive list).
Clothing and safety equipment
1. ISS recommend your party to 'dress for the weather' bearing in mind it is usually cooler out at sea compared to the on the land. All passengers should arrive in suitable attire which will not be damaged by exposure to sea water or sunlight and in extreme circumstances hail or snow.
2. Life jackets are provided and must be worn at all times. Your guide will give a full safety briefing which will include full instruction on the inflation of life jackets in the event of an emergency.
3. Please note if life jackets are manually inflated and/or damaged with intent and where no emergency has taken place, as lead name on this booking you will be charged £45.00 per jacket.
4. All Life jackets must be returned to ISS at the end of your experience with us. ISS will consider any items removed from the boarding area or vessel as stolen and issue a payment request to the lead passenger as a direct result.
5. ISS accepts no responsibility if any personal belongings are damaged, lost or stolen at any time whilst on the pier or our vessels.
6. Any equipment which we provide as part of a trip and is either lost or damaged is charged at cost price. By using our equipment you accept liability for loss or damage and agree to cover the costs incurred.
Comfort and Well-being
1. Passengers will not be permitted to board if ISS find that individual has:
  1. Been convicted of a criminal offence which, in the opinion of ISS, is likely to affect the safety or enjoyment of other visitors
  2. Behaved in a manner which, in the opinion of ISS has, or is likely to affect the safety or enjoyment of other visitors
  3. Used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or in any way provokes or behaves in a manner which may provoke a breach of the peace.
  4. Shown signs of discourtesy, abuse or aggression to staff or crew.
2. ISS present offensive weapons or dangerous articles from being taken onto the vessel, visitors are admitted subject to a condition that, if requested to do so, they will allow themselves and/or their belongings to be searched.
3. It is prohibited to take onto the vessel any weapons including fireworks, smoke bombs, glass bottles, flammable liquids or other articles, which may cause injury. The throwing of any article from vessels is strictly prohibited.
4. Smoking is strictly prohibited on the vessel itself and on the boarding platform leading to the vessels.
5. Pets or animals of any nature are expressly prohibited on the vessel itself and the boarding platform leading to the vessel (except for dogs, which are more than welcombe) without the express permission of ISS.
6. Unnecessary noise, (such as that from the use of radio sets and other electrical equipment), or any behaviour likely to cause annoyance to other visitors or confusion of any kind is not permitted on or in the vicinity of the vessel.
7. ISS request you are respectful of our staff, other passengers and neighbours. Whilst onboard please refrain from offering obscurities, profanities or any indecent hand/body gestures to members of the public or other harbour users.
8. Food or beverages may be consumed on the boat itself or on the boarding platform leading to the boat with express permission of ISS.
9. Other than liability for death or personal injury resulting from ISS's negligence, ISS, its employees or agents shall not be liable for any loss or damage, direct or indirect, howsoever arising, including without limitation any distress, inconvenience or anxiety caused during the course of any cruise undertaken and/or during evacuation from the vessel in the event of breakdown or accident.
10. ISS cannot be held responsible for weather conditions during your experience. Without exception poor weather will not be deemed a valid reason to authorise relocation of any booking.
11. Children are deemed to be 12 years and young,any person with a child ticket must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
12. Passengers must remain seated at all times during their experience except when directly instructed by a representative of ISS that it is safe to embark/disembark.
13. The Lundy Shuttle transfer: Being part of the Bristol Channel we experience a huge tidal range, therefore passengers are more than likely required to use the secure ladder at Lundy Island to embark and disembark. If any quieries before booking please call the office. Booking online you're confirming your party is aware and capable of managing themselves to climb up/down a ladder.
14. Swimming with the Seals: Customers must be able to swim and be confident in the water & also be able to climb the dive ladder to re-enter the boat. Swimmers must also respect the Seals at all times and listen to saftey breif on arrival at the Island from ISS skippers & crew.
15. We highly recommend 10 years of age and over and confident swimmers.
Private Transfers and Charters
1. All vessels will be hired on a 'Private Charter' basis. The maximum number of passengers allowed per boat is twelve or 12.
2. A vessel may only be privately chartered by persons aged 18 years or over.
3. No ticket/booking may be resold without the previous written consent of ISS. If ISS reasonably believes that a ticket has been resold without such consent, the holder may be refused entry to or ejected from the vessel without payment of compensation.
4. ISS are able to suggest approximate timings based on the logistics of your booking, however, where there are elements out of our control we kindly recommend you contact all other event organisers and transport providers to check your specific timings independently prior to confirming your booking with ISS.ISS will be held responsible for their own service only.
5. Whist engaging in swimming with seal ISS accepts no responsibilty for loss or damage to equipment or persons as a result of poor maintenance, accidental damage, equipment failure or malfunction. ISS has no control over swimmers actions whilst in the water and as a result can not be held liable for loss, damage or injury to persons.
Stowage
1. Hand Luggage (up to rucksack).
  There is sufficient room underneath seats to store luggage onboard the vessel.
2. Large luggage (suitcases).
  Please contact the office at least 24 hours prior to your trip date in order to make prior arrangements.
3. Buggies/Wheelchairs
  Please contact the office at least 24 hours prior to your trip date to arrange storage of items.
4. ISS will not be responsible for any belongings left behind and advise passengers to take all valuables with them.
5. From time to time ISS or other authorised parties will carry out photography and/or video recording and/or other monitoring on or in the vicinity of the vessel which may feature visitors. By accepting these terms and conditions, you agree that ISS or any authorised party may use such images in perpetuity in any promotional, advertising or publicity material in any format whatsoever. You further agree that copyright in these materials rests with ISS or such authorised party (as the case may be).
6. ISS allow customers to take their own photography from their seats. We are not liable for any damage to equipment during this operation. Where customers request our employee to use their camera/recording equipment ISS will not be liable for any damage incurred as a result.
Vouchers
1. Gift vouchers can be purchased on an individual or charter basis online.
2. Ensure to pre-book by telephone or online to avoid disappointment.
3. All vouchers are valid for a full twelve months from the date of issue, booked and sailing date within this period.
4. No extensions of vouchers are permitted.
5. Reseller/Third party/Agent vouchers will expire as per their booking terms and conditions.
6. All vouchers are non refundable.
7. Vouchers will only be valid for the price paid and will not protect you from future price increases.
Complaints and Feedback
1. Any passenger complaints should be brought to the attention of the crew on the day of your booking.
2. Following this, any further complaint should be put in to writing no less than seven days following your experience to info@ilfracombeseasafari.co.uk
3. Compliments and general feedback will be gratefully accepted to the same email address.
4. ISS endeavours to respond to your correspondence within 72 hours, however, on occasion and where an internal investigation is necessary this can take longer.
Business Customers Only
1. Unless a credit account has been agreed, all orders must be accompanied by payment in full. We reserve the right to clear cheques before releasing vouchers/confirming bookings. Where payment is to be made by cheque, make payable to 'Ilfracombe Sea Safari Limited'.
2. For credit account holders, payment should be made within 15 days of receipt of invoice. Late payment of invoices will result in the removal of any discount/credit offered. Vouchers are not sold on a sale or return basis.
3. For amended bookings your commission should be added to the total quoted and/or invoiced amount prior to quoting your clients.
4. No ticket may be resold without the previous written consent of ISS. If ISS reasonably believes that a ticket has been resold without such consent, the holder may be refused entry to or ejected from the vessel without payment of compensation.
5. Prices shown are in pounds sterling, no VAT is applicable. Where overseas transactions are being processed you should ensure the amount received covers the invoice in its entirety, taking into account current exchange rates.
6. You will be responsible at all times for the behaviour and conduct of your clients and/or guests. It is your duty to ensure they have received and understood the terms and conditions prior to sailing.
7. You may not use or adopt any of our trading names, trademarks, promotional images or other intellectual property rights (or those of any of our businesses) without having first obtained our written consent.
  1. You may not produce, distribute or otherwise use any such materials without our prior written approval.
  2. You will not use any such marks in combination with any other mark, name, word, device, symbol or logo without our prior written approval
  3. You will use such marks (including as respects colour, printing, style, typeface and proportion) only in the form directed by us.
  4. You will not do anything that in our absolute opinion could bring any such mark, us or our shareholders into disrepute or damage the goodwill attaching to any such mark or us.
Fishing Charters
1. Whilst engaging in fishing ISS accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to equipment or injury to persons.
2. Any equipment owned by ISS that is lost or damaged by passengers must be paid for in full on arrival back at Ilfracombe harbour.