Trip Terms and Conditions

The term you or your refers to the Participant of the trip. The term us or we or our refers to Bluewater Miles, the trip organizer.

1. Bookings

By booking a trip with us, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.

2. Confirmation

We will confirm the booking via email within 7 days of booking.

3. Payment

a) A 50% non-refundable deposit is required within one week of booking.

b) The balance of payment is due 35 days before the start date of the trip.

c) If the booking is within 35 days of the start date of the trip the full fee is required.

d) If within 35 days prior to the trip, you have not paid the balance of the fee, on the 35th day a remainder email will be sent. If 35 days from the date of the trip the balance has not been received, we reserve the right to transfer the berth to someone else.

e) If we are successful in giving the space to someone else and mitigating its costs you will only forfeit the deposit.

f) If we fail to give the space to someone else, you will be liable for the full fee.

4. Cancellation / Delay / Non-arrival

a) You have 7 days from your booking date to cancel the trip and your deposit will be returned in full.

b) If you are likely to be delayed beyond the start of your trip, please inform us as early as possible.

c) If you cannot attend the trip through illness or commitments elsewhere, you are requested to contact us as soon as possible. If you need to cancel the trip within 35 days of commencement of the trip every possible attempt will be made to mitigate your costs, to let the space elsewhere. If successful you will only forfeit the deposit. Otherwise, you will be expected to pay the full fee.

d) Any Participant who fails to arrive, for any reason whatsoever including illness and has not notified us, will automatically forfeit the total paid and no liability by doing so shall attach to us whatsoever. We recommend arriving at least one day earlier on the point of embarkation to avoid issues.

5. Late return of the vessel

We will make every attempt to arrive on time at the intended point of disembarkation. In the unlikely scenario of a later return, no liability shall be attached to us whatsoever. We strongly recommend that return flights are one day after the planned arrival and be fully flexible to allow for missed connections due to bad weather, mechanical breakdown and any other reason whatsoever.

6. Under 18’S

Under 18’s accepted when sailing with a parent or guardian. For Participants under 18, these Terms and Conditions must be accepted by the parent or guardian.

7. Foreign ports

Please take your passport on any trip in the event of calling into any foreign country, whether intended or not. You must seek permission from the Skipper for anything you bring on the vessel whilst in a foreign port. You shall indemnify us against any actions that may result from a breach of this rule.

8. The general command of the ship

The skipper is the commander of the ship. He gives the assurance that he has the necessary experience, knowledge and qualifications to safely sail the yacht mentioned under sail and engine. He instructs the participating sailors in the operation of the yacht and carries out a thorough safety briefing before departure.

9. Skipper’s decisions

The Skipper’s decision is final at all times, on any of our property and vessels, until the Skipper takes over.

a) Skipper’s decisions: From the moment the Skipper steps onboard in accordance with marine practice, Skipper’s decisions are always final.

b) All crew will accept all orders and decisions given to them by the Skipper at all times whilst onboard the vessel or ashore, for the duration of the trip until the trip is complete, and the Skipper is no longer onboard the vessel. The Skipper’s authority is total day and night in accordance with Marine Law.

c) The Skipper shall take any action or decision he/she considers fit for the well-being of the vessel and crew. If you are placed ashore at the nearest port no liability whatsoever shall attach itself to us and neither shall you have redress for any expenses or unused portion of the fee. Neither any redress against the Skipper nor us as a result of actions taken by the Skipper.

10. Sea time

Every attempt will be made to give you maximum sea time, and we will make our best efforts to stick to the itinerary. However, if in Skipper’s opinion on weather conditions, limitations of a sailing vessel, safety or any other consideration render it imprudent, Skipper’s decision is final.

11. Vessel change

If we change a vessel, due to the vessel becoming unsuitable, for any reason whatsoever, or a vessel is delayed, this in no way affects the validity of the booking of the Terms and Conditions stated herein they remain good.

12. Trip cancellation

If, for any reason, we are unable to fulfil a booking or a vessel becomes unseaworthy for any reason whatsoever, we will inform you immediately after the knowledge is available. No liability shall attach itself to us beyond the refund of the full fee paid by you or unused portions thereof.

13. Insurance

Our Skippers are insured. The boats on which the trips are run are fully insured against total loss, fire and collision damage and third-party liability. However, we strongly advise that you obtain your own insurance that is adequate for the sailing area. You can find some recommendations in the FAQ section.

You must be satisfied that your travel or other appropriate insurance fully covers all your requirements including pre-existing medical conditions and medicines, medical expenses, evacuation with use of aircraft and repatriation in the event of accident or illness, loss or damage to personal belongings, cancellation and personal accidents. If you choose to travel without adequate insurance cover, we will not be liable for any losses howsoever arising, in respect of which insurance cover would otherwise have been available. If for any reason an incident is not covered by your travel insurance the responsibility remains with you, and we specifically decline any responsibility whatsoever.

14. Breakages or damages

Howsoever caused must be immediately notified to the Skipper. All crew shall be liable for any loss or damage to our equipment, the vessel’s equipment which does not fall under its standard insurance.

Principles of social behaviour apply for damages which means you do not have to worry about it unless you break something on the boat intentionally or thoughtlessly (e.g. put out a cigarette on the wooden deck and make a hole because you do not care), or by using your own faulty device on board. In that case, you will have to cover any expenses incurred.

15. Duties onboard

All Participants will be expected to participate in watches (e.g. cooking, navigation, helming, cleaning vessel and routine maintenance) as required by the Skipper. There is no steward / hostess or dedicated cook on board. Keeping a cruising boat in safe condition requires work on repairs and maintenance, and this is an obligation to be shared by all aboard. A good crew looks for ways to help, and taking part will make you feel involved.

In the course of the trips we will sail for several hours a day or more, maintain a watch system and may sail during the night. Therefore, there is no fixed lights-off time and your sleeping rhythm will likely be different than at home.

You participate in the sailing trip at your own risk, and you are fully responsible for your personal safety and the measures which thus have to be taken for your own safety. You should wear as necessary and/or on the instructions of the skipper the life jacket assigned to you including a safety harness. By booking the trip you also confirm that you can swim. If this is not the case, you must notify the skipper before departure and take suitable safety measures themselves without needing to be asked to do so. If you need to take medication regularly, you are obliged to inform the skipper of this at the start of the trip, so that the skipper can react accordingly in case of an emergency. This also applies to chronic diseases or other limitations. Each sailor is aware that life on board in a cramped space can also give rise to tension and strain between the participants and should strive to contribute to a harmonious and successful trip.

16. Trips itinerary

We try to follow the anticipated routes as stated in the trip description. However, on the sea, we need to remain flexible as we cannot plan and anticipate everything. Therefore, your expectations might be different than what you experience, subject to weather, boat and crew conditions at the time, and what the majority of the crew wants.

17. Medical details

Boats used for sailing trips are well-equipped with medical kit, and a powerful radio with which emergency help may be obtained. However, you must take full responsibility for any current or past medical conditions that may recur, or any medical or health problems that may occur during or as a result of the trip. Make sure that you have ample medication for at least twice as long as the expected passage. You must inform the skipper of any potentially serious conditions that could affect safety at sea.

Apart from spoiling your trip and making it harder for others aboard, seasickness can be dangerous, even fatal. Unless you know, from extensive experience, that you will not be affected, you must have, and be willing to use, reputable seasickness treatment. This is your responsibility.

18. Passport, Visas and Reparation

When you enter another country you may need to have a passport, visa, and be able to prove you can get yourself out of the country (other than by yacht) to another country to which you have full right of entry. The simplest way is to have an air ticket or to carry sufficient cash to cover one. Credit cards are of no use in some remote countries. You are responsible for this, and you understand that you may be asked to provide proof to the skipper during embarkation and deposit with him your passport, air ticket or cash in lieu.

19. Trip interruption

You understand that should you leave the yacht, for whatever reason, at a port other than that to which you had agreed in this agreement, you will be responsible for all your own travel and related costs. Furthermore, you also understand and agree that if you are asked to leave the yacht for reasons of inappropriate behaviour, crew incompatibility, illness, or the inability to carry out required tasks, which, in the skipper’s opinion, is endangering the safe operation of the yacht, you will also be responsible for all your own repatriation costs. However, in this event, the Skipper will take all reasonable measures to disembark you at a suitable port along the intended route, from which you can arrange your travel home.

20. Alcohol and Drug Consumption Policy Onboard

We run all trips as a ‘dry ship’ when at sea and possibly at some anchorages when there is a real possibility of having to ‘up anchor’ and move off. This is at the Skipper’s discretion. In port, reasonable amounts of alcohol can be consumed but excessive alcohol consumption that leads to situations putting people at risk, or where the harmony of life on board is disturbed to an extent that other crew members are made uncomfortable will not be tolerated. If this situation arises, the Skipper reserves the right to return to port and to disembark any Participant at an intermediary port.

The embarking of weapons, drugs or any other toxic or hazardous substances are completely forbidden on board. Any use or storage of these items will result in returning to port and disembarkation of any Participant at an intermediary port.

21. Disputes

Any dispute should be brought to the attention of the Skipper at the earliest opportunity to be resolved. All disputes should be settled by mutual agreement and by working out an amicable solution. If the parties cannot agree, the claim or other matter which arises will be dealt with by the courts of Germany only.

22. Crew list

Prior to all voyages, you will be required to send us some personal details for the crew list including medical conditions and known allergies. The personal details are solely required for the crew list and provisioning and are kept strictly confidential.

23. Data protection

We will not pass or sell any of your personal details to any third party. By making a booking with us, you will be added to our mailing list to receive the latest news. You will have the opportunity to opt-out if you wish via these mailings. We will hold your personal details on a secure server in order to keep information regarding your past and future bookings.

24. Bluewater Miles status

Bluewater Miles is an interest group and not a registered business venture. As such all trips and on board trainings are non-commercial and run in a friends-sailing manner. Passages organized by Bluewater Miles can be used to prove sea time for certificates, but we do not associate ourselves with any registered sailing organizations. The Participant’s contribution is used to cover expenses for running and maintaining the vessel(s). We are not seeking financial benefits.