Booking Terms and Conditions & Code of Conduct

We endevour to make our Booking Terms and Conditions and Code of Conduct as transparent and fair as is reasonable. 

  1. If you book for another person or persons you are confirming that you have the authority to accept these booking conditions on their behalf.
  2. When you book with Blue Water Sailing School in Australia at bluewatersail.com.au you are making a contract with Blue Water Sailing School be construed under the laws of Victoria.
  3. Information given by you in a booking form online and by Blue Water Sailing School in an acceptance email forms part of our contract.
  4. Blue Water Sailing School will make its best endeavour to provide an environment where safety comes first, and follow its Safety Management System. Participants are required to follow safety directions from their instructor, and to bring appropriate clothing and wet weather gear as instructed. This shall include fully covered shoes, gloves and a hat with retainer. A PFD (personal flotation device) will be provided and must be worn at all times unless instructed otherwise. Sunscreen will be provided.
  5. Blue Water Sailing School reserves the right to make such changes to the advertised program as are necessary due to unavoidable circumstances.
  6. To secure a booking you need to make a payment in full via our website.
  7. All payments are inclusive of GST.
  8. When you book with Blue Water Sailing School we commit resources to your event and incur costs and business risks in servicing your order. A cancelation leaves an empty seat, which costs us in lost revenue.  In the event of your cancellation the following charges apply:
    1. If you cancel with more than 30 days’ notice we will retain $50 or 15% of the fee, whichever is greater, and refund the balance.  
    2. If you cancel with 7-30 days’ notice for any reason, including illness or family issues, we will retain $70 in the case of sailing experiences, $120 for non-livaboard weekends and $400 for all other courses and adventures, and provide a voucher for the balance. However, if we are able to fill your place then the ‘more than 30 days’ notice’ cancelation will apply. 
    3. If you cancel with less than 7 days’ notice for any reason, including illness or family issues, 50% of the fee will be forfeited and provide a voucher for the balance.
    4. A voucher may be used towards any Blue Water Sailing School course and expire after 12 months.
  1. Many courses require a minimum of three participants to operate the yacht safely. It is recommended that you confirm that the minimum number has been reached before incurring costs that cannot be refunded, such as flights or accommodation.
  2. In the case of inclement weather you should still arrive for the lesson. The Instructor will decide for the reasons of safety if the lesson will continue. If for reasons of safety the practical sail/lesson cannot go ahead the instructor may conduct in-marina training, move to a shore-based theory lesson or rescheduled to a date convenient to the student.
  3. In the unlikely event of a cancellation of the entirety of a course by Blue Water Sailing School a full refund will be made and Blue Water Sailing School will not be liable for any consequential loss or damage.
  4. In the event your course or event is cancelled or curtailed as a result of a ‘Force Majeure’, including a pandemic, Blue Water Sailing School will provide you with equivalent credit to the unconsumed part of the contract valid for use up to 24 months from the date of cancellation or a cash refund at the sole discretion of Blue Water Sailing School.
  5. You are recommended to take out insurance to cover cancellation due to medical or other unavoidable causes.
  6. You are required to hold medical insurance for the period of your course or event unless your activity is wholly within your country of residence, and you are entitled to unlimited medical treatment by virtue of your residency status.
  7. The Code of Conduct is set out below. A breach of the code will usually be met with a request to modify your behaviour. If you are required to leave a course due to a breach of the Code of Conduct, you will not be entitled to, nor will Blue Water Sailing School be liable for a refund for any part of the course fee, other costs including costs associated with your attendence at the course, consequential or any other damages. 
  8. If you are booking accommodation with Blue Water Sailing School you agree to accept the accommodation allocated and agree that this is on a twin share basis unless otherwise stated.
  9. Blue Water Sailing School instructors will use their best endeavours to ensure you achieve the advertised qualifications, but no guarantee is offered in this respect.
  10. The passages and mileages listed for yachting courses are advertised in good faith but as they are weather dependent they cannot be guaranteed.
  11. You agree to comply with Blue Water Sailing School operating procedures issued for your course or event.
  12. Blue Water Sailing School excludes liability for death or physical or mental injury to the customer howsoever caused arising from or in connection with the delivery of services under this agreement.
  13. The customer indemnifies Blue Water Sailing School against all claims and liabilities arising from the death or physical or mental injury to the customer howsoever caused arising from or in connection with the delivery of services under this agreement.
  14. The customer acknowledges and accepts that boating activities carry inherent risks such as those arising from physical exertion, slips and falls, adverse weather conditions, equipment failure, remoteness from medical services.
  15. You can read the Blue Water Sailing School Privacy Policy for information on how we handle your personal data.
CODE OF CONDUCT

In order to support a respectful, inclusive and positive training environment, all instructors and participants must:

  1. Support a safe and inclusive environment in which every person is protected and free from discrimination, harassment and abuse, including but not limited to race, gender, religion, age, or ability;
  2. Not engage in inappropriate conduct including the use of inappropriate language, and gestures that are demeaning to others;
  3. Prioritise the safety of yourself, others, and the equipment always, by following established safety protocols, including wearing appropriate safety gear;
  4. Respect the decisions of instructors.
Updated 4 April, 2024