These terms apply to all
trips, voucher purchases and hire agreements - In accepting your booking you
agree to our terms and conditions.
All
trips leave from St kilda Pier Melways Reference Page 57 J10
-
at Kiosk located at the end of St Kilda Pier next to our sign. Arrive
15 minutes prior to departure. We don't wait for late customers (unless
the boat is privately booked).
All customers will receive a text message between 4:30
- 6:00pm the night before to confirm the trip is going ahead after the
weather forecast has been issued
Duty of Care / Safety Statement
All customers will be given a safety brief prior to departure including
a life jacket drill. We have full public liability insurance. All customers
are required to sign a passenger manifest prior to departure and sign a declaration
that all pre-existing conditions and medication have been declared.
All Customers must declare any pre-existing medical condition or any medication
prior to booking or departure. Some customers are deemed to be at increased
risk and therefore may require special attention. We have the right to ask any
customer to wear a life jacket through out our fishing trip, and the right
to refuse a booking or refuse boarding if you are deemed to be high risk. Pregnant
women, or blind people for example are high risk. Our vessel are not suitable
for wheel chairs or physically handicapped people, as access at various
tides is poor, and climbing a ladder may be required. Children under 7 years
are not permitted aboard our vessels. All children are required to wear
a life jacket.
WEATHER CONDITIONS
All trips are subject to
suitable weather conditions. Melbourne Fishing Charters will not cancel unless
we are absolutely confident the current weather forecast issued by the BOM is
accurate. MELBOURNE FISHING CHARTERS AND ITS AGENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CANCEL
A FISHING TRIP BECAUSE OF WEATHER. We will text all customers the night before
between 4 and 6pm to confirm the weather. On occasions trips will be placed
on standby until 5am on the day and the client will be updated at approx 5.05am.
For group charters we recommend having an alternative activity planned incase
weather changes are outside our control. From time to time the weather can change
quickly and a reschedule may be necessary at short notice. All twilight trips
are at increased risk of cancellation because of the prevailing sea breezed
each evening. The skipper, after consultation with the client dock side, has
the right to cancel if deemed unsafe for ship, crew and customers. WE don't
cancel unless we are absolutely confident we have all information regarding
eh weather. REMEMBER - IT IS OUR AIM TO MAINTAIN A SAFE AND COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT
FOR OUR CUSTOMERS. IT IS NOT OUR INTENTION TO SPOIL YOUR DAY.
BOOKINGS
We are available everyday of the year to go fishing excluding Christmas Day.
All bookings require a credit card or 50% deposit as confirmation of booking.
We
require a minimum of 12 persons to run a trip.This can be made up from individuals
or a group. If Melbourne Fishing Charters does not get the
required number of people we have the right to reschedule the trip. We will
contact the customer before the day if we cannot honor
the agreed time. All trips are refundable if we cancel and reschedule date is
not suitable. Vouchers bookings are not refundable. We only
reschedule voucher bookings. Private charter require 50% deposit or
$400 and security of a credit card.
WEATHER
All trips are
subject to suitable weather conditions. We will contact the customer within
12-24 hours notice if the weather is unsuitable. From time to time the weather
can change quickly. and a reschedule may be necessary at short notice.
PRIVACY
All details obtained from clients i.e. telephone numbers, email address, postal
address, facsimile number, credit card and bank account details, are only utilized
for the express purpose of the operations of Melbourne Fishing Charters. These
details are never sold, distributed or released to any other parties or bodies.
In the instance of dishonored cheques or unauthorized credit cards these details
will be forwarded to legal or recovery professionals.
PAYMENTS
All Payments are to be made prior to the vessel departing. The person making
the booking is responsible for the payment of the entire amount. Bookings made
must be paid for i.e. If a booking is for 6 persons and only 5 arrive for the
trip, the full booking for 6 must be paid unless the space can be filled. All
bookings over 5 persons are required to complete a hire agreement and security
of either a credit card number or 50% of the charter fee, payable by cash, bank
cheque or money order - choice of deposit by the client. We prefer mastercard,
visa or bankcard. Amex cards incur a 3% surcharge.
GIFT
VOUCHERS
Any client holding a Gift Voucher must produce the gift voucher at time of boarding
or new fare must be paid. Clients who miss the boat by arriving too late will
forfeit their voucher. Clients who hold Gift Vouchers, book on and do not attend
for their chosen trip will forfeit their Gift Voucher. Issued Gift Vouchers
are not transferable for either Cash or Credit and money will not be refunded
under any circumstances, replacement vouchers cannot be issued if the issued
voucher/s is/are lost or misplaced. Vouchers cannot be used for part payment
of and Private Charter. We also cannot subsidize lost misplaced or destroyed
vouchers. Cash refunds or credit cards reimbursements are not available for
issued vouchers.
CANCELLATION
OR RESCHEDULE
1. Private
Charter - We refund tariff only if the cancellation is within 14 clear days
before departure. Other wise a 50% of tariff fee is charged. A cancellation
in less than 7 days will lose 100% of tariff or tariff collected. This applies
to a trip that has been rescheduled due to a cancellation.
2. Group
Cancel >5 persons - We refund tariff only if the cancellation is within 7
clear days before departure. Other wise a 50% of tariff fee is charged. A cancellation
in less than 7 days will lose 100% of tariff or tariff collected. This applies
to a trip that has been rescheduled due to cancellation, at the discretion of
Melbourne Fishing Charters.
3. Individual (less than 5 Persons) We refund tariff only if the cancellation
is within 48 hours before departure. Other wise a 100% of tariff fee is charged.
At the discretion of Melbourne Fishing Charters.
4. A no show on day or cancel in less than 24 hours is charged at 100% of tariff.(Not
Negotiable)
RECREATIONAL
FISHING LICENCE (RFL)
AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE ONLINE
RFL are required in all Victorian waters. Melbourne Fishing Charters has made
complete disclosure of this requirement by web site, printed information, booking
confirmation, pre-departure briefing and signs on board our vessels. RFL
are not available for purchase on board. Should Department of Primary Industries
Fisheries Officers board our vessel during a trip, any passenger without
a RFL is solely responsible for his/her RFL and any ramifications from
such inspection.
TREATMENT
OF STAFF
Our Staff have all been selected for their expertise in their field. As workers
they are not to be insulted, sworn at, abused or defamed. The Skipper
reserves the right to cancel any trip or return to any Port any individual
(without refund) where staff are being harassed and or abused.
REFUNDS ON
CHARTER DAY
Melbourne Fishing Charters has a strict no refund policy once the trip has departed.
Should an individual become unwell and request to be returned to port, the Skipper
of the trip will make a decision relating to a termination of a charter or returning
to port to drop a customer off. Melbourne Fishing Charters will use their discretion
as to the issuing of a refund. On the occasion where the advice of Melbourne
Fishing Charters and the crew of the trip is ignored by the client, there is
no refund available.
ALCOHOL
MANAGEMENT
- WE ARE A LICENSED PREMISES
On a shared charter, having consideration to other passengers a couple of cans
per person may be consumed. We are a little more lenient with Private
Charters as they have the boat to themselves, but all policies must be adhered
to. It is permissive for a small amount of alcohol ( beer or premixed
,still wine) to be brought aboard for personal consumption - a small amount
is considered no more than 3-4 cans per person. It is always requested
that any alcohol brought onto the boat be in cans. STRICKTLY NO HARD SPIRIT
POLICY APPLIES. The skipper has the right to refuse to allow alcohol to be brought
ont the vessel. If a group arrives for their charter clearly under
the influence of alcohol and the skipper is of the opinion that the group is
not in a suitable condition to take part in the charter, the trip
will be cancelled and the full amount of charter will be forfeited. The sKipper
reserves the right to refuse boarding to any person he or she believes
is intoxicated prior to the commencement of the trip. During a trip, should
the consumption of alcohol result in unruly behavior, the skipper reserves
the right to terminate the trip without refund, The Skipper reserves the
right to notify Police of the imminent return to the closest Port of Drunk
& Disorderly customers. Any equipment lost due to negligence will
be charged up to $110 per rod and reel unit and or cost's incurred in damage
repair to boat.
GENERAL BEHAVIOUR
It is a requirement that
all Customers behave in a respectful manner whether that be prior to, during
or after the charter, having full consideration for all other users of the Pier
and it's immediate vicinity. Obscenities and unruly behavior will not be tolerated
under any circumstances and may result in your booking being cancelled and payment
forfeited.
DRUGS
Drugs are not tolerated in any form. If a
customer attempts to smoke or consume an illegal substance the skipper will
immediately report this to the Marine Police and the trip will be immediately
cancelled. No refund will be paid and the matter will be handed to the police.
RISK ASSESMENT AND DUTY OF CARE
All customers will be given a full safety and security brief prior to the vessel
leaving port as part of our duty of care. Customer's will be asked about pre-existing
medical conditions and declaration about any medication. These details are entered
into the ships log. Customers are asked to complete a liability release and
assumption of risk form prior to departure if a pre-existing condition is present.
A non declaration of a pre-existing medical condition is considered negligent
and Melbourne Fishing takes no responsibility for an incident arising.
FISH GUARANTEE
It is our mission to optimize everyone's opportunity to catch a fish. Melbourne
Fishing Charters does not guarantee every customer catches a fish. Fishing is
a sport of chance and many variables outside our control determine the catch
rate. The crew of Melbourne Fishing Charters will offer customers a discount
voucher invitation to retry, to a maximum value of 50% of tariff paid. Customers
behavior found to be outside the spirit of fishing and good sportsmanship will
not be invited back or offered a discount. A dispute arising from the voucher
will result in the voucher being invalid.
CUSOMER CHARTER
We promise to do our best to make your day run as smoothly as possible from
your initial reservation through to your day on the water. Our team promise
to do their very best to make your day safe and comfortable given the varying
conditions at sea. Customers are reminded that our vessels are fishing
vessels not 5 star luxury liners. We guarantee our food service to be fresh
and hygienically prepared. Vegetarians, Halal and Kosher available. We don't
guarantee a fish lunch as this depends on the daily catch.
Our Toilet facilities are
private and clean. The toilets are marine style and good for liquid waste only
(no. 1's). We recommend using a toilet before departure at public facilities
in St Kilda for no.2's. Vessels are confined space. Smoking is allowed
in designated area as directed by the crew.
CHILDREN ON BOARD
7 - 12 years and under, is considered a child. Children
must be able to fit a child life jacket and it is our policy that a life jacket
provided by us is to be worn throughout the charters. We request that each child
is supervised by a paying adult, on a 1: 1 ratio, other wise a full fare is
applied to the additional children as we have limited positions on board. As
a consideration to other fisherman, large family groups may be asked to hire
a boat privately. Max 6 children per charter on mixed charter at the discretion
of Melbourne Fishing Charters reservation staff. If our crew believe a child
is over the age of 12 and refuses to wear a life jacket a full fair will
be requested. Limited children's life jackets are available on board. Children
under 7 years are at additional risk in the event that the ship be abandoned.
We do not allow children under 7 years.
Children under 15 must be accompanied by full paying adult.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Melbourne Fishing Charters has the
right of refusal to any booking deemed to be at increased risk of safety with
out prejudice. This includes any customer with a pre-existing condition or any
medication that puts the charter and customers at additional risk.
SPIRIT OF FISHING
Our team love fishing and we genuinely want to show our customers
a good time. We do not tolerate negative or poor-spirited fisher people.
Come prepared to only have fun!
