Booking Conditions
- All bookings must be made by emailing: info@brownesthamesestuaryboattrips.co.uk without this confirmation no action will be taken.
- A 50% non refundable deposit must be paid to secure booking. Payments must be made by BACS transfer to the bank details provided by Brownes Thames Estuary Boat Trips (BTEBT). No booking is confirmed until the deposit is received. If you need an invoice please inform us.
- Upon receipt of deposit, bookings will be confirmed to passengers via email within 24 hours.
- The remaining deposit will be due 7 days before the date of your booking.
- Once your booking is confirmed, we will provide a boat itinerary for your trip.
Cancellation By Us
- If we have to cancel/postpone your booking due to bad weather or wind we will arrange to re-book your trip for an alternative date at no extra cost to you.
- If we have to cancel your trip due to illness, mechanical breakdown or other unforeseen circumstances the booking will be moved to an alternative date at no extra cost to you or we will send out a gift voucher.
- If we are forced to return early or late due to tides or bad weather, we cannot be held responsible for any missed plans or extra costs incurred and we cannot offer a refund.
- Our decision is final with regards to the weather & wind, but we will try to get out if possible with due regard to health & safety and common sense.
- We reserve the right to alter the planned trip with regards to weather or fishing conditions. The skippers’ decision is final.
Cancellation By You
Once confirmed, dates cannot be changed. If you need to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances which are out of your control, such as illness, we will arrange to re-book your trip for an alternative date or offer a gift voucher for the same amount you paid for your trip.
Location/Timing
- Our trips depart from Leigh On Sea (Leigh Marina or the cockle beach) or on Southend Pier slipway unless stated otherwise. Please arrive at the time stated on your boat itinerary which will be provided prior to your trip. Please leave yourself plenty of time to park and make your way to the meeting point that has been given to you.
- If you are late for your meet time we will wait for you but this will shorten your trip as we are guided by the tides. If you know you are running late and will not make your meet time, please advise us as soon as possible. Call: 07590637233 or email: info@brownesthamesestuaryboattrips.co.uk
Health
- The Medical declaration form along with the passenger form must be completed and returned 7 days prior to departure by email or handed to the skipper on the day of your boat trip.
- Please do not board the boat if you are feeling unwell. Once we are out at sea it could be a long while before we get back to shore so please ensure you are feeling fit and healthy.
Behaviour On Board
- Unreasonable behaviour- the company (Brownes Ventures Ltd) can refuse to continue with the trip if your behaviour will cause harm or offence to the captain/skipper, passengers or if we believe that your behaviour can cause damage or loss to the boat, its services or facilities.
- Consuming alcohol onboard is permitted, but in moderation. If you become drunk or show any aggressive behaviour towards any member of staff or passengers, your trip will be terminated and we will return back to Leigh On Sea immediately.
- Any injury or loss on board must be immediately reported to the skipper.
- The use of illegal drugs on board is strictly prohibited. Drug abuse or excessive alcohol consumption will cause an immediate return to Leigh On Sea and Brownes Thames Estuary Boat trips may alert the relevant authorities if deemed necessary.
- The skipper will take no responsibility for personal possessions which are lost or damaged whilst on board, or for possessions that are left behind.
Prices
- Prices are agreed at time of enquiry/booking. A quote will be given upon email receipt. We do sometimes have offers where the price will vary up or down.
- There is no charge for a baby in arms under 1 years old. There is no minimum age limit but all children must be supervised by a responsible adult.
- Prices can vary due to the duration of the trip but these will be confirmed prior to confirmation of booking.
Miscellaneous
- Although Seals are often seen on our trips, these sightings are not guaranteed by us. This is mother nature.
- All passengers must adhere to our safety demonstration and procedures before we set off which is given by the skipper or crew.
- Our Vessel Starfish is licensed for a maximum of 10 passengers, 1 crew & 1 skipper. (10 + 2)
- Our vessels and skippers are licensed to operate as required by the MCA, Maritime and Coastguard Agency & have a pleasure boat license issued by the local authority of Southend Borough Council Pier & Foreshore.
Refunds
Refunds will not be given in the following circumstances –
- Refunds will not be given in the following circumstances-
- A person becomes unwell during a trip and requests to be returned back to shore
- A person decides they don’t like being at sea and requests to be returned back to shore
- Late arrival and subsequently missing the trip
- If you are abusive or violent towards the skipper, crew or other passengers and your trip has to be terminated early
- Should you not be successful in catching any fish
- Should you not be successful in sighting seals
- If the vessel breaks down or we have mechanical/technical problems & we have successfully completed over 75% of the trip’s duration.
Sea Fishing Trips
- We advertise all of our trips based on what we would seasonally expect to catch in the areas that we fish. Fishing for a certain type depends on a number of things, species, the time of the year, the water temperature, currents, barometric pressure etc.
- Our skipper will work their hardest to get you to fish. Unfortunately we cannot guarantee that you will catch any fish. No refunds or discounts will be issued for trips where fish are not caught.
- Rods are available to hire at a price of £25 per trip. You will be charged for any damage caused if the rod is lost or damaged.
- Anything you catch you can keep if above legal minimum landing size and not subject to a landing ban. (2 fish per person)
- It is illegal to sell any fish caught on board.
Gift Vouchers
- Vouchers expire after 1 year of purchase.
- Vouchers are non refundable but we would agree to transfer into another name, by prior notice.
- Minimum gift voucher price is £60.00. The voucher can be redeemed for a more expensive trip, however the difference must be paid for 7 days prior to the departure date.
Marketing & Promotion
- Throughout the boat trip, we will take photos, videos & instagram stories for our social media. By accepting these terms and conditions, you agree that Brownes Thames Estuary Boat Trips may use these images in perpetuity in any promotional, advertising or publicity material in any format whatsoever.
- If you do not wish to have your photographs taken, please notify us at the time of booking or before you come on board.
Other Information (can be supplied on request)
- Public/employees liability insurance
- Risk Assessments
- Coding certificates
- Boat Licences
- Qualifications
- DBS certified
- Fully First Aid Trained (including defibrillator training)