Terms and Conditions of Hire:

  1. ASTRA II may be booked in advance on payment of a £50 deposit. The balance of the hire charge payable on day of hire. The charge is fully inclusive of licence, gas and diesel. A £10 supplement is charged for dogs.

  2. A security deposit of £50 (CASH) is also payable on the day of hire. The hirer is responsible for the safety of the boat and equipment and for observing the canal bye-laws, including speed limit (4mph). Any loss or damage that arise must be paid for and these will be deducted from the security deposit. The deposit is returned at the end of the hire period after a check on the boat and its contents.

  3. Whilst the boat and its contents are insured including third party cover of up to £1,000,000 the hirer is responsible for the first £100 of any claim.

  4. We reserve the right to claim the full cost of repairs, replacement or compensation for any malicious, careless or intentional damage to the boat, its equipment, the waterways, and other boats or structures.

  5. A demonstration run and explanation of the operating procedures and rules for navigating the canal will be given at the start of the hire.

  6. In the event that ASTRA II is not available on the day of hire (eg late return by previous hirers, damage, mechanical breakdown or canal closure or for any other reason beyond our control) we will return any payment made prior to this and the hirer shall have no further claim.

  7. ASTRA II is not licensed for use of locks.

  8. At least 10 days notice must be given before cancelling the booked day.

  9. No deposit will be returned if cancelling within 10 days of your date. No transfer of day can be made within 10 days of your date.

  10. We reserve the right to refuse to hand over the boat to any person who, in our opinion, is not suitable to take charge. We also reserve the right to reclaim the boat from any hirer misusing the boat or whom we consider to be unfit through drugs or alcohol to be in charge. In any case where staff have to attend and recover the boat, no refund will be paid.

  11. ASTRA II may not be hired by any person under 20 years of age.

  12. The hirer is only authorised by the company to carry 8 adults including the steerer. This is in line with marine regulatory safety requirements concerning craft of this type.

  13. The Hirer and one other adult will be required to sign a handover document confirming that these conditions of hire have been read and that the required instruction has been given satisfactorily.