Zen Boat Hire: HIRER TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Our goal is to provide safe, fun and reliable boating for everyone, with fair pricing  and excellent service. 

Our Self-drive boats are operated within the Code for the Design, Construction and Operation of Hire Boats provided by the British Marine Federation, Association of Inland Navigation Authorities and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. 
We are fully insured to meet the recommended statutes of Maritime law.
A copy of our insurance cover and risk assessments are available on genuine request.  

HIRER TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Ody Ventures Ltd T/A Zen Boat Hire- Hirer Terms and Conditions for Electric Power Driven Day Hire Craft on the River Thames Hire

1. Before Hiring

• The Hirer Party Leader must complete the online “Hirer Agreement Form” before using our Motor Boats on prior to or on the day of Hire.
• Each Hirer will have a designated Party Leader who will be over the age of 25 years.
• The Party Leader is responsible for filling out the form correctly and fully and will sign on each participants’ behalf.
• All Hirer participants must be accounted for on the Hire Agreement and each must affirm:
• Their acceptance of the terms of the “Hire Agreement” and the “Hirer’s Obligations” (Section 5, below);
• The ages of each Hirer Participant
• That they have disclosed any medical conditions from which they suffer in respect of asthma, diabetes, epilepsy and heart disease; That any person over the age of 16 can swim at least 25 metres.
• That the hazards and safety rules have been explained to them by Zen Boat Hire, and that they are clearly understood from the Safety Briefing given by a representative from Zen Boat Hire.

2. General

2.1 The ‘Company’ is Ody Ventures Ltd – T/A Zen Boat Hire and Boat Rental Thames.

2.2 The ’Hirer’ is any person or company who hires or has agreed to hire

2.3 ‘Party Leader’ Lead Hirer responsible for the group

2.4 ‘Participant’ is any person on board our boats and using the Company’s Equipment

2.5 ‘Equipment’ means the boats and its contents and any items provided by the Company detailed on the “Hire Agreement” or provided at the time of Hire, upon the Terms and Conditions set out in the agreement.

2.6 ‘Adult’ is able person 25 years or over. The Company reserves the right to ask for proof of age before going on the water, and can refuse access at their sole discretion should the age limit be in doubt – and the Hirer will forfeit their booking fee in such an event.

3. Acceptance of Hirer Terms and Conditions

The Hirer’s paid booking by Telephone, Online, Bank Transfer or Cash, will be acceptance that the Hirer and Participants have read and accepted these Hirer Terms and Conditions outlined above and below. The Terms and Conditions of Hire are on Ody Venture Ltd’s websites and will be made clear and available at point of booking and emailed to the Party Leader immediate after booking:

4. Hire Operator’s Obligations

4.1 There must be a minimum of one adult over 25 years on board a boat and another person 18 years or over.

4.1.1 The youngest age Participant is 2 years.

4.2 Adults and children participate subject to a correctly fitted buoyancy aid.

4.3 The Company will licence and insure the boats and ensure their fit and safe for purpose according to the Operation of Hire Boats Code.

5. The Hirer Agrees To:

5.1. Keep the Equipment in their possession and under their control at all times and use the Equipment only within the area of, and for the purposes of, their trip as previously agreed with the Company.

5.2 Allow a Company representative access to the Equipment at all reasonable times, for the purpose of inspecting, repairing or removing the Equipment.

5.3 Be responsible for losses of, or damage to, the Equipment caused by their own fault and will be charged in full for any such loss or damage at the end of their hire period.

5.4 Not sell, sub-let, or dispose of the Equipment, and will indemnify the Company against all losses, costs, claims, damage and expenses howsoever occasioned by their breach of these conditions.

5.5 Alcohol can only be carried in moderation. Excessive consumption of alcohol in our boats is prohibited and any Hirer caught intoxicated Participants within their boat will be in breach of the hire agreement. Anyone who appears under the influence of drink or drugs will not be allowed on our boats. The final decision is at the discretion of a representative of the Company.

5.6 The Company operates a ‘No Smoking’ policy both on our site and on our Boats.

5.7 Hirer’s and Participants should act in a reasonable manner and respect other river users and our staff. Any unruly behaviour may result in the Hirer’s Agreement being terminated, any damage caused by unruly behaviour will be charged for in full.

5.6 All Participants must wear a buoyancy aid or life jacket at all times whilst on the river.

5.8 No Fishing allowed unless with the appropriate licence from the bank and never from our Boats.

5.9 Participants should never beach our Boats unless in an emergency and should moor and picnic at suitable permissive areas.

5.10 The Hirer or Participants must not tamper with the controls, batteries, motors or any of the Equipment.

5.11 The Company will ask to take a picture of you when possible on the water with the Hirer’s consent. When consent is agreed, the Company reserves the ownership rights to the photo and may use the image for marketing purposes on and offline.

6. Maintenance

The Company confirms that all Equipment hired will be in a full working and clean condition, provided that the Hirer has abided by all their obligations outlined above and below.

7. Loss or Damage

The Hirer assumes complete responsibility for loss of or damage to the Hire Equipment (other than fair wear or tear) from the time the Hirer takes possession of the equipment.

The Company has up to 48 hours to register a dispute with the Hirer.

The Company can request a deposit for the Equipment at their sole discretion and this will be returned either by a refund on the Hirer’s card or by bank transfer, cash or cheque – normally by the same route it was received.

8. Cleaning

The Company reserves the right to charge the Hirer for cleaning the Equipment if it is returned in an unacceptable condition of cleanliness. The Company will provide photos and a final price to clean and will charge the amount to the Hirers bank card or issue an invoice with a demand for payment.

9. Breach

Any breach of this agreement on the Hirer’s part may result in the termination of the Agreement without any refund and the continued possession of the Equipment will be without the consent of the Company and authorities may be contacted.

10. Bookings

Cost of Hire must be paid for in full at time of booking. Bookings are made and boats secured only once full payment has been received.
Prices are displayed inclusive of 20% VAT.

11. Travel

Hirer and Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for own parking and travel arrangements. Parking on our Bisham Site is free for our customers.

12. In The Event of Breakdown

12.1 The Hirer should find a safe place to secure the Boat and contact the Company to come to fix.

12.2 The Hirer and Company will come to an agreement on whether any refunds should be due to the Hirer given the circumstances at the time.

12.3 The Company will do their best to help the Hirer in the given circumstances, but will not compensate the Hirer beyond a possible full refund and any possible travel costs back to the Company’s Base at Bisham

13. Cancellations

13.1 Hire on the day is subject to safe river and weather conditions. For strict insurance reasons Zen Boat Hire is unable to allow customers to use their craft when the River Thames is on ‘Red boards’ as determined by the Environment Agency. It is fully at our discretion if we allow a boat out in ‘Yellow increasing’ or ‘Yellow Decreasing’ conditions. If a postponement of your Hire is deemed necessary by Zen Boat Hire, the Company will give you as much notice as possible and we will offer you alternative dates. Under these circumstances only, and if no convenient alternative date can be agreed, any monies paid will be fully refunded. The Company is not liable for any losses incurred to clients due to cancellation of trips.

13.2 Cancellations made by the Hirer within 14 days of the first day of hire will be charged 50% of the hire charge. If cancellation is made by the Hirer within 48 hours of the start of the booking then the Hire Costs will be charged in full.

Cancellations made by the Hirer outside 14 days of the first day of hire will be refunded in full less a £20 administration fee per booking.

13.3 For Cancellations due to Covid 19 – please see our COVID 19 Policy – https://zenboathire.com/covid-19-policy/

14. Disputes

Any disputes between the Hirer and the Company that cannot be settled amicably will be passed to British Marine for arbitration.

15. Disclaimer

15.1 The Company will not be liable whatsoever for any death, personal injury, or loss of or damage to goods arising out of the hire of any items by them.

15.2 The Company will not be liable whatsoever for loss or damage to your personal belongings both when on our site or whilst in our boats. You should be aware that any water-resistant containers or bags supplied by us are not guaranteed to be waterproof and the Hirers and Participants accept that they are parking their vehicles at our site and taking their personal property on to the river at their own risk.

16. Changes

The Company reserves the right to make amendments to these Hirer Terms and Conditions without notice. The full and latest version of our Hirer Terms and Conditions are on our website.

© Ody Ventures Ltd

updated February 19 2021