Terms & Conditions

Definitions
In these Terms and Conditions, "you" and "your" refer to the lead name on the booking (including anyone added or substituted at a later date). "We", "us", and "our" refer to Ocean Escapes Ltd.

• "Scheduled Trip": A trip we publish for the general public to view and book via our website.

• "Private Charter": A trip booked exclusively by you, where you have paid for the entire vessel. A private charter will not be published on our website.
   

General
Once you (the lead booker) have received a booking confirmation from us, you accept full responsibility for sharing these Terms & Conditions with your fellow adventurers. 

Accessibility
If you require accessibility accommodations, please notify us during the booking process. We will do our best to assist with boarding and seating arrangements, but safety remains paramount. You must still meet the physical capability requirements needed for the trip.

Physical Assistance
If you require assistance due to a disability, you must be accompanied by at least one capable helper (aged 18 or over) who can assist you in case of an emergency or evacuation. Our crew will help where they can, but your safety is ultimately your responsibility.

Health
Boats move. Sometimes unpredictably. This could aggravate existing medical conditions. Therefore:

• You must be in good general health and confident that this activity is within your abilities.

• You must inform us in writing at the time of booking (or at any point before your trip) of any injuries, illnesses, or medical conditions that might affect your safety.

• Without exception, we cannot take passengers onboard who have back, neck, or heart conditions.
   

Pregnancy
We love new life, but for safety reasons, we cannot take you onboard if you are pregnant.

Acceptance of Risk
By booking with us, you acknowledge that life is inherently risky-and so is going out to sea. You undertake our trips at your own risk, and we do not accept liability for personal injury, injury to others, or loss/damage to belongings. Adventure, after all, comes with a disclaimer.

Ocean Escapes takes all reasonable care to ensure your comfort and safety. However, boating is an outdoor adventure activity, and movement on board, as well as changing sea conditions, may present risks. Consequently, we do not accept any liability whatsoever for injuries sustained while on board. Use of our boats and facilities is entirely at the passenger’s own risk.

Additionally, Ocean Escapes is not responsible for any incidents, injuries, or damages that occur before boarding or after disembarking from our vessels. Once you leave the boat, you accept full responsibility for your own safety and well-being, including while on docks, piers, or at any locations visited during the trip. Any activities undertaken off the vessel are entirely at your own risk.  

Injury or Incidents
If you suffer an injury or are involved in an incident onboard, you must inform a skipper immediately. We will log it in an incident report form and email you a copy.

Failure to report an incident immediately **voids any potential claim - **because if we don’t know about it, we can’t substantiate it.

For your safety, we have conducted a full risk assessment and implemented a Safety Management System. Extracts are available upon request.

Booking Details

• You must be at least 18 years old to make a booking. Bookings can be made via our website, email, or telephone.

• You must provide a valid mobile number and email so we can contact you in case of changes.

• If you enter incorrect details and miss your trip, **we are not liable - **double-check before confirming.

• Your booking is only confirmed once you receive a confirmation email from us. If you do not receive one, you are not booked in.
   

Payment & Deposits

• All trips must be paid in full prior to or on the day of departure.

• Private charters must be paid in full before or on the day of the charter.

• A deposit is generally required to hold your booking.

• If you cancel more than 30 days before your trip, your deposit is fully refundable.

• If you cancel within 30 days of your trip, we will be happy to reschedule to an alternate date.
   

Cancellation by Us
We reserve the right to cancel or alter a trip if:

• Weather conditions are unfavourable.

• Minimum passenger numbers are not reached.

• Our vessel(s) have sustained electrical, mechanical, or structural failure.

• We have encountered logistical or technical issues.

• We have been confronted with circumstances beyond our control.
   

We will endeavour to contact you as quickly as possible once a decision has been made.
You will be offered a suitable alternative date, an alternative trip, credit (valid for 18 months), or a full refund.

Right of Refusal
We reserve the right to refuse passage to any person who, in the opinion of the vessel's skipper, is unfit or unable to travel or deemed to risk the safety protocols or operational feasibility of the vessel.
You are expected to comply with all reasonable requests made by the skipper or crew. If you fail to do so, we reserve the right to prevent you from boarding.

If you have been refused passage, you are entirely responsible for finding accommodation and/or alternative travel. A refund will not be provided. In such cases, company management and the coastguard will be informed.
Our skippers have absolute discretion in determining whether you can board.

Photography
Occasionally, we or other authorised parties will take photographs or video recordings during trips, which may feature customers.

By accepting these terms, you agree that we or any authorised party may use such images for promotional, advertising, or publicity purposes. If you do not wish to be photographed, please inform us during booking.
We are not responsible for damage or loss to personal photographic equipment used onboard.

Clothing & Safety Equipment

• Dress appropriately for the weather - open boats are exposed to the elements!

• We can offer waterproof jackets if needed.

• Life jackets must be worn at all times onboard.

• Any life jacket that is intentionally inflated or damaged without an emergency will incur a €50 replacement fee.

• Any safety equipment provided must be returned at the end of the trip. Missing items will be charged.

• We are not responsible for personal belongings lost or damaged during the trip.
   

Late Arrivals

• You must arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.

• If you miss your scheduled trip, you will not be eligible for a later booking or refund.

• We cannot delay departures for late arrivals.
   

Data Protection
To book a trip, we collect basic personal details for booking purposes. We do not share your data except where necessary to complete your transaction. If you do not want us to contact you about future offers, let us know.

Insurance
You are covered by our public liability insurance while onboard. Once ashore, you are no longer covered.
We strongly recommend travel insurance as a prerequisite to booking.

Managing Agent
For large group bookings, we may act as an agent with boats supplied by other companies. In such cases, you will be covered by their insurance and terms, and we are not liable for third-party bookings.

Complaints & Feedback
If you have a complaint, inform the skipper on the day of your trip. Any further complaints must be made in writing within seven days via email.
Positive feedback and compliments are always welcome on our social media or via email.

Force Majeure
We are not liable for trip cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, including but not limited to weather, pandemics, technical issues, or civil unrest.