Rental Terms and Conditions.

1. BOOKING.
The booking of either of our boats can not be considered complete and secure until the 25% deposit is paid and the details have been confirmed by email. At the onset of your holiday we ask that you bring two forms of identification with you, preferably your passport/driving licence and a recent household bill. These are for identification purposes only and are required by law by our insurance providers. This information will not be retained. Should you wish to book one of our boats during the Christmas period 24th December to the 31st please be aware that an additional £100 will be added to your payable total.

2. BALANCE OF HIRE FEE  
The hirer is responsible for whole of the hire fee and the balance must be paid 28 days before the start of the cruise.
If it has been agreed you can pay for your adventure in installments please be aware that full payment must have been received 28 days prior to boarding. Payment terms will be agreed between yourself and Drifting Wood Canal Breaks, we are not using any 3rd party agencies.
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2.1. DAMAGE DEPOSIT
A damage deposit of £100 is payable at the same time as the remaining balance, this will be added on your invoice. This will be held until the boat has been fully cleaned upon her return and the inventory checked, this will be the same inventory you sign on boarding. Should anything be found to be missing or any damage found an appropriate charge will be made and then the remaining balance of the deposit returned, in the event of no damage then of course the whole deposit is refunded.

2.2 CANCELLATION POLICY
Should the hirer cancel the booking with less than six weeks’ notice before the booked start of the holiday we will make every effort to re-let your boat, if this is unsuccessful the deposit will be retained and the hirer will remain responsible for 50% of the due balance. Should the boat be rebooked for the full period of the cancellation then a full refund of the deposit will be made.
If this is not the case we are happy to offer you the chance to use it against a future booking, which retain the hire charges at the time of the original booking
Should you cancel within the last 7 days before before the start of your holiday no refund will be made.
No further charges will be made.
PLEASE NOTE WE ADVISE HIRERS TO TAKE OUT HOLIDAY CANCELLATION INSURANCE WHICH WILL COVER THE HIRE FEE SHOULD THEY NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE THEIR HOLIDAY DUE TO ILLNESS OF MEMBERS OF THE PARTY OR OF CLOSE RELATIVES, OR BE CALLED FOR JURY SERVICE.

3. INSURANCE
Our boats do carry full hire insurance, however this does not cover the personal effects of the hirer and we would advise you to take out your own personal property insurance should you feel the need to. There is a refundable deposit of £100.00 which is payable at the same time as your final balance . When you return from your holiday and the inventory has been checked you will be refunded this deposit minus any losses or damage has taken place during your trip. (Please note; we are aware that Narrowboating does come with it's own risks, ie, navigation of locks and the likes of. All hirers are expected to be respectful of their boat and the waterways at all times, but we are very aware that contact with locks does happen and this is not considered damage by the hirers, knocks and scrapes of the blacking do happen even to the most experienced of handlers and is not held against the hirer as an act of damage, as long as the structural integritory of Acorn remains intact - if this were not the case it would be clear the hirer would not have been acting in a manner  conducive the to safe and proper handling of the boat). Any damage to the contents of your boat, ie, breaking of fixtures or fittings will be chargable on a 'pro rata' basis but the hirers liability stops and ceases at the maximum amount of £100.00, as is being held for security deposit.  This is as long as there are no obvious signs that our property has not been misused.   
         
4. HIRER'S PROPERTY
We regret that we cannot accept any liability for loss or damage to hirers or passengers, property baggage, motor cars, etc however caused. Both our boats do however carry Public Liability Insurance.

5. BREAKDOWN
In the unlikely event of any breakdown whilst on board, including that of hot water and/or heating, 24/7 rescue is in place to a Gold Level Standard and these details will be provided on the start of your holiday, however the first port of all is to call Laura directly on 07821 313093

6. REPAIRS
Repairs are the responsibility of Drifting Wood. We must be notified immediately any repairs are necessary and they must not be put in the hands of others without our authority. The hirer shall be responsible for any costs arising from damage or breakdown caused by the hirers fault or negligence.

7. RETURN OF BOAT
Your boat must be returned to Grindley Brook at the agreed time. If there is any reason you fail to do this a charge could be made dependent on circumstances. All attempts must be made to contact us in the event of a possibly late return.
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8. ACCIDENTS
The hirer is in complete charge of the boat and at all times is responsible for its safe navigation. In the event of an accident the hirer must notify Drifting Wood immediately with full particulars and names and addresses of any witnesses.

9. NAVIGATION AND BYLAWS
The hirer may only navigate inland waterways and must observe all bylaws and regulations, including temporary restrictions, governing the use of the particular canal being navigated. Copies of the relevant regulations may be obtained on application to British Waterways. No craft may navigate the waterway after sunset or before sunrise. Acorns cannot be used on any rivers or ship canals. Please be aware that if this is not adhered to the insurance in place will not be valid and any resulting damages or claim will be charged to the hirer.

10. CLEANLINESS OF BOAT
At the end of the holiday your boat must be returned to Grindley Brook Wharf in a clean and tidy condition. If the hirer fails to do so we will be at liberty to retain 50% of the deposit to cover the extra cost incurred in cleaning the boat. Retention of 50% of the deposit will only occur should the boat have obviously not been 'respected'. As a courtesy to all who travel on our boats you are asked to only smoke in the outside areas please. 

11. PETS
1 Pets are allowed on our boats at no extra charge, however we do ask that your dog is kept on a lead at all times whilst at Grindley Brook Wharf and kept off any seating and bedding – please feel free to bring their beds along!