Liability and assumption of risk

1. The risks of a week at sea

Sailing and life aboard carry risks such as sudden changes in the weather and the sea; a deck that moves and gets slippery; ropes, sails, the boom and other moving parts; swimming, jumping in and snorkelling in open water; dinghy rides between the yacht and the shore; sun, heat and dehydration; seasickness; and anchorages that can be far from a doctor or a hospital.

Alcohol, tiredness and too much sun make each of these risks greater.

2. What we ask of you

Follow the skipper's instructions, the safety briefing and the water safety rules in our booking conditions.

Tell us before you book, and the skipper before you sail, about any health condition, medication, allergy or pregnancy that could affect your safety at sea. Tell the skipper if you are not a strong swimmer.

Hold travel insurance that covers sailing, as our insurance page describes.

3. Your own choices

You choose which activities to take part in, such as swimming, jumping in, snorkelling, water sports and nights out ashore, and you take part in them at your own risk. The skipper may stop or refuse any activity that is unsafe.

By law, you are not owed compensation where a problem is caused by you, for example by ignoring the skipper's instructions or the safety rules, or by your own use of alcohol or drugs. [to be confirmed by our lawyer: how far this goes.]

4. What we are responsible for

As the organiser of your package, we are responsible for every service in it, whoever provides it, and for helping you promptly if you are in difficulty during the trip.

Nothing in our conditions limits our liability for death or personal injury, or for damage we cause intentionally or through negligence. For other damage, our liability is limited as our booking conditions set out, and by law never to less than three times the total price of the booking.

Activities and services you book yourself with others during the week, such as a water sports centre, a restaurant or a club ashore, are not part of your package, and those who provide them are responsible for them.

5. What nobody controls

The weather, the sea and space in the marinas can change the route, the timing and which anchorages and harbours you visit. The skipper decides these on the day, and such changes are part of sailing. Where unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances significantly affect your trip, the rules in our booking conditions apply.

6. Your belongings

Look after your money, phone, passport and other valuables, and keep them dry and out of sight. Your travel insurance should cover your belongings. [to be set: whether, and up to what amount, we are responsible for guests' belongings.]