Booking Terms and Conditions

Blyth Tall Ship – Booking Terms and Conditions

(Effective October 2025)

1. Definitions

In these Terms and Conditions:

“The Company” means Blyth Tall Ship, a charitable company registered in England and Wales.
“Customer” means any individual, group, or organisation that books or participates in a sailing voyage operated by the Company.
“The Vessel” means Williams II, the sailing vessel owned and operated by the Company.
“Voyage” means any paid sailing experience, whether a day sail, overnight, or longer expedition, operated by the Company.

2. Our Obligations

The Company will:

Ensure the Vessel is under the command of a suitably qualified Skipper and supported by competent crew.
Maintain all statutory fire-fighting, lifesaving, and safety equipment onboard the Vessel.
Keep all risk assessments, operational policies, and safety procedures up to date and regularly reviewed.
Provide embarkation and disembarkation details (date, time, and place) at least two weeks prior to departure, where practicable. These details may be amended at short notice due to operational or weather-related factors.
Reserve the right to cancel or amend a voyage where necessary for reasons beyond the Company’s control, including but not limited to severe weather, mechanical failure, or other safety concerns. In such cases, a credit voucher will be issued for use on a future voyage. No further liability will be accepted.

3. Booking and Payment

Bookings may be made directly or via a valid gift voucher. By booking, the Customer confirms acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.
Day sails must be paid in full at the time of booking.
Overnight and extended voyages require a deposit to secure the berth, with the balance payable no later than 90 days before departure.
Payments are processed via Square or by direct bank transfer. The Company does not retain card details.

4. Cancellations and Amendments

Cancellations made more than two months before departure of an overnight voyage incur a charge of 50% of the full voyage fee.
Cancellations made within two months of departure will be charged 100% of the voyage fee.
Cancellations made within 14 days of booking are fully refundable. Deposits become non-refundable after 14 days.
Customers are strongly advised to obtain travel insurance covering cancellation, medical, and personal accident risks (see Clause 10).
Requests to transfer or amend bookings must be made as early as possible and are subject to availability and the Company’s discretion.
For day sails, no refunds are available. The Company will make reasonable efforts to resell cancelled places; if successful, the Customer may transfer to another available voyage.
In the event that the Company must cancel a voyage due to unforeseen circumstances or mechanical failure, a credit voucher equal to the amount paid will be issued. The Company’s liability is limited strictly to the value of the booking and excludes all consequential or economic losses, including travel or accommodation costs.

5. Participation, Health and Fitness

All Customers must complete and return a Health and Medical Declaration Form at least one week before departure. Failure to do so may result in the booking being cancelled without refund.
Participation is conditional on the Skipper being satisfied that all Customers are physically fit and have been adequately briefed prior to departure.

6. Safety and Conduct

All Customers will receive a safety briefing before or upon embarkation.
Customers must at all times comply with the lawful instructions of the Skipper and crew.
The Company operates a Zero Tolerance Policy towards bullying, harassment, or abusive behaviour.
The Skipper reserves the right to disembark any person whose conduct is, in their reasonable opinion, unsafe or detrimental to the voyage. No refund will be provided in such cases.

7. Age Requirements

Passengers under 15 years of age cannot participate in commercial voyages.
Those aged 16–18 years may join day sails unaccompanied with a signed parental consent form, or overnight voyages when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

8. Accommodation and Catering

Bunks will be allocated by the Company on a per-voyage basis. Customers with special requirements should notify the Company at the time of booking.
All meals are freshly prepared onboard. While dietary preferences will be accommodated where possible, the galley’s facilities are limited, and strict allergy management cannot be guaranteed.

9. Accessibility

The Vessel is not wheelchair accessible. Access to and from the ship involves a 2-metre ladder and steep internal stairways.
Customers with mobility concerns should contact the Company before booking.
There is no requirement to go aloft. Optional activities such as climbing onto the bowsprit net are at the Skipper’s discretion.

10. Media Release

Customers may be asked to sign a media release permitting the use of photographs or video footage for the Company’s promotional purposes, including on social media and the website. No imagery will be sold to third parties.

11. Insurance

The Company maintains appropriate insurance, including third-party liability cover.
This does not extend to the Customer’s personal belongings or to cancellation, travel, or medical expenses.
Customers undertaking voyages of more than three days must provide evidence of suitable personal travel insurance covering offshore sailing (over 12 nautical miles).
The Company recommends Topsail Insurance for suitable cover: https://topsailinsurance.com/travel-insurance

12. Liability and Risk

Sailing is an inherently hazardous activity and conditions may vary, including exposure to severe weather.
Participation is at the Customer’s own risk. The Company shall not be liable for any loss, damage, injury, or expense, whether direct, indirect, or consequential, arising from or connected to the voyage, except where caused by the proven negligence of the Company.
The Skipper’s decision on all matters relating to the safety and operation of the Vessel shall be final.

13. Force Majeure

The Company shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance of its obligations caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to adverse weather, war, natural disasters, or government restrictions.

14. Amendments and Updates

The Company may amend these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The updated version will be published with a revised date and will take effect upon publication. Customers are encouraged to review these Terms before each voyage.

15. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions and any dispute arising from them shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales, and the parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.