Terms and conditions

Bookings
Telephone bookings will be held for a maximum of one week and no booking will be considered final until the company has received a completed booking form together with a deposit of 25%. In the event of booking within a 30 day period of the commencement of the course, then the full fee shall be payable. If 21 days prior to the commencement of the course the balance of the course fees remain outstanding then the Company reserves the right to sell the berth elsewhere without further recourse to the student. If the Company is successful the student will forfeit only the deposit but if it is unsuccessful students will be liable for the full fee.
All courses require you to reach a certain standard at which the relevant certificate can be awarded. In the event that the required standard is not met then we will try and help you reach the required standard. We reserve the right to charge additionally for the time required to achieve the standard.

Cancellation
Cancellation must be made in writing by the person who completed the booking and must be sent to the Company at their UK address. Cancellation will be effective on the date it is received by the Company. Every effort will be made to resell the student’s berth to a third party and if successful then only the deposit will be forfeited. Clients are strongly advised to take out their own insurance to cover cancellation, damage or loss to person or possessions, death and personal injury.

Instructor’s/ Skipper’s Decisions
When a Company Skipper or Instructor is in charge of any course, either onshore or afloat, his/her decision shall be binding. If a student disagrees then the Skipper or Instructor may take whatever action he/she may reasonably feel suitable with regard to the well-being of the vessel and its crew. If this includes setting the student ashore at the nearest port then the company shall be in no way responsible for any expenses or inconvenience incurred by the student as a result.

Own Boat Tuition
The Company offers a facility for teaching students on their own boat which must be equipped to the minimum standard laid down by the R.Y.A. The students are responsible for the Instructor’s food for the duration of the course and reasonable travelling expenses for the Instructor from the company’s base to wherever the student’s vessel is moored. The vessel must also be insured by the owner for loss, damage and legal liability to third parties. The owner remains the skipper and legally responsible for the safe management of the vessel at all times (including while under tuition) and does not hold the instructor or Five Star Marine Ltd responsible for any loss or damage. The owner shall undertake to advise their insurance company of this agreement. The owner shall be totally responsible for the vessel being in a sea worthy and in a sound mechanical condition to undertake the course/delivery. Should the course/ delivery not be completed due to any mechanical issues then the owner/students will be liable for the full courses fees no refund will be given and full fees will be charged on rebooking.

Weather Conditions
Whilst every effort will be made by the Instructor to give the students a maximum time at sea, weather conditions may be such that, in the opinion of the Instructor, the vessel or crew may be in danger and in such circumstances the vessel will remain in a place of safety.

Minimum Age
The minimum age, unless accompanied by an adult, is 16.

Transfer/Cancellation By 5 Star Marine Ltd
The Company reserves the right at its discretion to transfer the course from one vessel to another and this action will in no way waive the terms and conditions stated herein. If 5 Star Marine has to cancel because of circumstances beyond its control including sickness, accidents, travel delays, weather, strikes, war or civil disturbance, then alternative dates will be offered or a full refund of course fees already paid will be made. No liability will be accepted by 5 Star Marine Ltd for incidental expenses incurred - we recommend that your travel insurance covers holiday cancellation.

Medical
The client agrees to advise the Company in writing of any medical disability or illness, which may adversely affect the ability to participate in the course or trip that they have chosen. It shall be at the discretion of the Company to refuse to accept a booking of a client where there is an unacceptable risk to the party and the Company in so doing.
Hygiene and Maintenance
Clients undertake to keep the vessel and its equipment in a clean and tidy condition and shall undertake routine maintenance tasks as directed for the duration of the course and further undertake to assist in the cleaning of the vessel on completion thereof.

Disclaimer
Whilst the Company at all times take every reasonable step to ensure the comfort and safety of all course participants it shall not be held liable for death, personal injury or loss or damage to property unless it is cause by the Company’s negligence or wilful default.

Equipment
Water based courses include the provision of waterproofs and life jackets. Students provided with such equipment are responsible for their safe return and in the same condition as they were supplied. In the event that equipment is returned damaged the company reserves the right to charge in full for the item or to pay an amount as compensation as deemed by the company.

Complaint Procedure
In the event of any complaints matters should bought to the attention of the skipper/instructor at the earliest opportunity. If the skipper cannot resolve the issue the complaint should be passed to the Principal of the school and if he is unable to resolve the matter it should be forwarded to the RYA.