Terms and Conditions – Weymouth Shellfish Charters
By booking or participating in any trip operated by Weymouth Shellfish Charters (“the Operator”), you agree to the following Terms and Conditions.
1. Participation and Assumption of Risk
Participation in activities aboard a commercial fishing vessel involves inherent risks, including but not limited to changing weather and sea conditions, movement of the vessel, slipping hazards, and interaction with fishing equipment and marine wildlife.
By participating in our activities, you acknowledge and accept these inherent risks.
Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or limits the Operator’s liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability which cannot legally be excluded or limited under English law.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Operator shall not be liable for:
• Loss of or damage to personal belongings
• Minor injuries or discomfort arising from the normal operation of the trip
• Delays, alterations, or interruptions caused by weather, sea conditions, mechanical issues, or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control
2. Responsibility for Other Participants
If you book on behalf of other passengers, you confirm that all members of your party agree to these Terms and Conditions.
These Terms and Conditions shall also apply to your successors, executors, administrators, and next of kin where applicable.
3. Fitness to Participate and Medical Conditions
You confirm that you are physically fit to participate and do not suffer from any medical condition that may be aggravated by sea travel or participation in the activity.
You must inform the skipper before departure of any relevant medical condition, injury, disability, pregnancy, or other circumstance that may affect your safety or the safety of others aboard the vessel.
4. Emergency Medical Assistance
You consent to receiving reasonable first aid or emergency medical assistance if required during the trip.
5. Safety Instructions and Conduct
All passengers must follow the instructions given by the skipper or crew at all times.
Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring that children in their care comply with all safety instructions.
The Operator reserves the right to refuse boarding to, or remove from the vessel, any person whose behaviour: • Is unsafe
• Is abusive or disruptive
• Appears to be affected by drugs or alcohol
• Places themselves, other passengers, crew, or the vessel at risk
No refund will be issued in these circumstances.
6. Children
All passengers under the age of 16 must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult throughout the trip.
7. Tickets and Bookings
Tickets are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.
Bookings are refundable only in accordance with the cancellation policy below.
8. Cancellation and Refund Policy
Cancellation by the Operator
The Operator reserves the right to cancel, delay, shorten, or alter any trip where necessary due to: • Weather or sea conditions
• Safety concerns
• Mechanical issues
• Insufficient passenger numbers
• Any other unforeseen operational circumstance
If a trip is cancelled by the Operator, customers will be offered: • An alternative date, or
• A full refund if an alternative date cannot be agreed
Refunds are processed via our booking provider and may take up to 10 days to appear.
The Operator’s liability for cancellations or alterations is limited to the amount paid for the affected booking. We are not responsible for any indirect or consequential losses, including travel, accommodation, parking, or other expenses.
Cancellation by Customers
Customers may cancel or amend a booking up to 48 hours before the scheduled departure time and receive a full refund.
Bookings cancelled less than 48 hours before departure are non-refundable.
Customers can manage bookings via the “View Booking” link in their confirmation email.
9. Discretionary Exceptions
Any exception to these Terms and Conditions or cancellation policy shall be entirely at the discretion of the Operator.
10. Wildlife and Catch Expectations
We cannot guarantee the sighting or catching of any particular species of shellfish, fish, or marine wildlife during any excursion, although every reasonable effort will be made to provide the best possible experience.
11. Accessibility and Boarding Requirements
We will make reasonable adjustments where possible to accommodate passengers.
However, due to the design and operational nature of a working fishing vessel, passengers must be able to board and move around the vessel safely with minimal assistance.
If you are unsure whether the trip is suitable for you, please contact us before booking.
12. Drugs and Alcohol
Any person considered unfit to travel due to the use of drugs or alcohol will not be permitted aboard the vessel.
13. Catch and Release Policy
Any shellfish caught during the crab potting experience will be returned to the sea at the end of the trip as part of our catch-and-release policy.
Customers wishing to purchase shellfish may do so separately through our shop, subject to availability.
14. Weather and Trip Variations
Due to the sheltered location of our fishing grounds, we are able to operate in a wide range of weather conditions.
However, if the skipper determines that conditions are unsuitable for the trip to proceed safely or comfortably, the trip will be cancelled with as much notice as reasonably possible.
Trips will generally proceed in wet weather, so passengers are advised to bring suitable clothing and footwear.
In some weather conditions, the crab potting experience may still operate while sightseeing elements, including
trips towards Durdle Door, may not be possible. Customers will be informed accordingly where relevant.
Passenger safety and comfort remain our top priority at all times.
15. Personal Property
Passengers bring personal belongings aboard the vessel at their own risk. The Operator accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal property unless caused by our negligence.
16. Photography and Media
From time to time, photographs or videos may be taken during trips for promotional or social media purposes.
If you do not wish to appear in any photographs or videos, please inform the crew before departure.
17. Privacy
Any personal information collected during the booking process will be handled in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation and our Privacy Policy.
18. Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
Any disputes arising in connection with these Terms and Conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
19. Food, Allergies and Dietary Requirements
Some trips may include food or seafood tasting platters prepared onboard or supplied by third-party providers. All trips including seafood tasting platters must be booked at least 48 hours in advance.
Customers must inform the Operator of any food allergies, intolerances, dietary requirements, or medical conditions at the time of booking, or as soon as reasonably possible before departure.
While we take reasonable care when preparing and serving food, we operate in an environment where shellfish,
fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and other allergens are handled regularly. We therefore cannot guarantee that any food served onboard will be completely free from allergens or cross-contamination.
Passengers with severe allergies, including shellfish allergies, should carefully consider whether participation is suitable for them and should carry any required medication, including adrenaline auto-injectors where prescribed.
Menu items, ingredients, and suppliers may occasionally vary due to availability, weather, or operational circumstances.
The Operator reserves the right to substitute food items where necessary.
20. Cruise Ship Passenger Bookings and Shore Excursions
The following additional terms apply to bookings made by passengers arriving via cruise ship or through cruise ship shore excursion arrangements.
Except where varied by this section, all other Terms and Conditions remain applicable.
a. Cruise Ship Schedule Changes and Delays
The Operator will make every reasonable effort to accommodate cruise ship passengers in the event of minor schedule changes or delays.
However, the Operator accepts no responsibility for: • Changes to cruise ship itineraries
• Delayed arrivals or departures
• Port cancellations
• Tendering delays
• Immigration, customs, or security delays
• Failure of passengers to disembark in sufficient time to attend the excursion
It remains the passenger’s responsibility to ensure they arrive at the agreed meeting point at the specified time.
b. Cruise Ship Cancellation Charges
Where a cruise ship operator, excursion provider, travel agent, or passenger cancels a confirmed booking less than 24 hours before the scheduled departure time, the Operator reserves the right to charge a cancellation fee of up to £100 per booking to cover staffing, provisioning, reserved vessel space, and operational costs.
This charge may be waived entirely at the Operator’s discretion where exceptional circumstances apply.
c. Shore Escort and Transfer Responsibilities
Where the Operator provides guidance or escort services between the cruise terminal and the vessel, these services are provided solely as a convenience to passengers.
Passengers remain responsible for:
• Their own personal safety
• Following public highway and pedestrian regulations • Their own belongings and valuables
• Any mobility or medical requirements during transit
The Operator shall not be liable for:
• Accidents or injuries occurring outside the vessel, except where caused by the Operator’s proven negligence • Delays caused by traffic, port operations, weather, or third parties
• Loss or damage to personal belongings during transit between the cruise terminal and the vessel
Passengers must follow all instructions given by the Operator, crew, port staff, and local authorities during embarkation and disembarkation.
d. Timing and Return to Ship
While every reasonable effort will be made to ensure timely return to the cruise terminal, the Operator cannot guarantee return times where delays occur due to weather, sea conditions, harbour traffic, emergencies, or other circumstances beyond reasonable control.
Passengers are responsible for allowing adequate time to return to their cruise ship and for complying with their
cruise operator’s boarding requirements.
The Operator shall not be liable for any costs, losses, or expenses arising from a passenger missing their cruise ship departure except where caused directly by the Operator’s negligence.
e. Mobility and Accessibility
Passengers with reduced mobility or accessibility requirements should contact the Operator before booking to discuss suitability.
Due to the nature of working harbours, pontoons, and commercial fishing vessels, some areas used during embarkation may involve uneven surfaces, steps, tidal movement, or slippery conditions.