Terms & Conditions of Training
1. Booking deposit:
Confirmation of booking will be provided upon receipt of a completed booking form and receipt of a deposit paid. Places on a course may be held provisionally for a student but there is no confirmation of a place on the course until the student has paid a deposit. If the course is more than three months in advance, a booking deposit of 25% of the course fees is payable. If the course is less than three months in advance the booking deposit is 50% of the course fees. If booking is made within one month of the course commencement date, the full course fees are payable upon booking.
2. Payment:
Payment can be made in cash, by bank transfer or with a credit or debit card. 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 six weeks notice is provided, 50% of the deposit will be forfeit. If a booking is cancelled less than six Weeks prior to the course commencement date, the deposit becomes non-refundable; however it may be applied to a future course if the future course has a start date within three months of the cancellation date. If a booking is cancelled within two weeks of the course start date, and the school is unable to re-sell the place on the course, the deposit is both non-refundable and non-transferable. A course fee 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 the school:
Any course fees you have paid, including your deposit, will be refunded in full. No liability shall be attached to Aigua Sea School beyond refunding full 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. 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 beginning of the course. Aigua Sea School 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.
6. Delay or failure to arrive:
If a student is likely to be delayed beyond the start time of the course, Aigua Sea School must be informed as soon as possible. If a student fails to arrive, for any reason whatsoever including illness, and Aigua Sea School has not been notified, the course fees will be forfeit.
7. Risk disclaimer:
No liability is accepted for student’s personal possessions left in Aigua Sea School premises; this includes on the marina and onboard vessels used by Aigua Sea School. No liability is accepted for students whilst in, or on, any Aigua Sea School property or property used by Aigua Sea School or whilst boarding yachts. All students take part in any course at their own risk.
8. Refunds:
Aigua Sea School shall not be responsible for any unused air tickets or unused portions of air tickets or unused services of any kind.
9. Weather:
Your instructor will make decisions re: heavy weather training with the safety of crew and vessel as first priority. The instructor’s decision is final.
10. Force Majeure:
Aigua Sea School 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. Provisioning:
During practical training for sail and motor courses, meals are provided during training onboard. Meals and drinks onshore are not included. During powerboat courses, access to shore will be provided, or bring a packed lunch with you. Lunch is not included during shorebased courses. Provisioning is not included during private courses or own boat tuition.
12. Alcohol:
Aigua Sea School shall not be liable for any accidents that occur whilst a student is under the influence of alcohol. The consumption of alcohol is not permitted whilst underway.
13. Smoking:
Smoking is not permitted in any interior space on board any training vessel. Please respect the school rule that no cigarette butts be thrown into the sea. Aigua Sea School is located in a non-smoking building.
14. Drugs:
Recreational drugs of any kind are strictly forbidden onboard any training vessel or in any property used by Aigua Sea School. If found, or suspected, the customer will immediately leave the course and no monies will be refunded, nor any additional travel expenses reimbursed.
15. Training vessels:
Aigua Sea School uses training vessels that are maintained to the highest standards, 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. Aigua Sea School 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 and is responsible for the vessel, the provisioning and fuel and for ensuring the vessel is fully insured, sea worthy and with all boat papers in date and on board. If any accidents occur onboard during training the claim is to be made against the insurance of the boat. Aigua Sea School shall not be liable for any incidents onboard.
17. Student negligence:
If irresponsible or negligent behaviour of a student leads to damage or loss of any item of school or boat property, the student is responsible for replacement or repair. Every student is requested to act with a duty of care and respect for school property and the training vessel.
18. Duties onboard:
All students will be 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, 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 at the time of the complaint arising. If the complaint cannot be resolved onboard, then the complaint should be made in writing to the principal of Aigua Sea School and will be dealt with as a matter of importance.
20. Instructor’s decision:
The instructor’s decision is final. All students will accept all orders and decisions given by the instructor whilst onboard or onshore during any training provided by Aigua Sea School. The instructor’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, or a designated substitute, the student shall be considered to be in breach of the terms and conditions of Aigua Sea School. If the student is placed ashore at the nearest port, no liability whatsoever shall attach itself to Aigua Sea School and neither shall the student have any redress for any expenses, nor any redress against the instructor as a result of any action or decision by the instructor.
21. International Certificate of Competence:
The ICC is available to British subjects, bona fide British residents or persons born outside the European Union. Aigua Sea School 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 student consider 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.
25. Certificates:
Certificates will only be issued at the end of a course if, in the opinion of the instructor, 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. Aigua Sea School 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 the school. Lost certificates will incur a re-issue charge to cover costs of replacement, administration and postage.
26. Accommodation onboard:
If a student has been invited to use a school boat for accommodation during training with Aigua Sea School, the arrangement is offered as a complimentary gesture and rules apply. The accommodation offered is based on the understanding that the vessel be kept clean, tidy and secure at all times. Gas must be turned off at the main gas supply when not in use. It is strictly forbidden to move the boat without authorisation from a director of Aigua Charter SL. It is not permitted for any other person to be onboard unless permission is gained in advance from the school principal. The student is required to act with duty of care towards the vessel and any school property. Full rules available on request. Aigua Sea School, a recognised training centre of the Royal Yachting Association
