1 BOOKING PROVISIONAL: Either verbal or by telephone, will be held for 3 days only. It will not be deemed binding upon the Academy until confirmed. If a completed Booking Form and Deposit/Balance is not received within 3 days the school shall reserve the right to sell the vacancy to another Student and no liability shall attach itself to the Academy whatsoever, beyond a refund.
2 FIRM BOOKINGS: Will be deemed firm once the Booking Form is received,
completed in full and signed, with one per Student with the minimum Deposit/Balance.
3 CONFIRMATION: The Academywill confirmthe booking, by email, within 5 days of receiving the Booking Form.
4 DEPOSIT: A 50% deposit isrequired ifthe booking is over 14 days fromthe date of the course.
a) The balance of payment is due 14 days prior to the date ofthe course.
b) If within 14 days of the date of the course full fee isrequired.
c) If within 14 days prior to the course the Student has not paid the balance of the fee, on the 14th day a reminder email will be sent to the student. If 10 daysfrom the date of the course the balance has not been received the Academy reservesthe right to sell the Student’s berth, namedoverleaf.
d) If the Academyis successful in sellingthis berth andmitigating its costs the student overleaf will only forfeit the deposit.
e) If the Academyfails to sell the berth, the Student will be liable for the full fee. If the Student fails to remit the balance due, it is agreed that 2% per month can be added to the outstanding amount, on compound interestrates, fromthe 14th day, prior to the course untilpaid.
5 DELAY/NON-ARRIVAL/CANCELLATION:
a) If you are likely to be delayed beyond the start of your course, please inform us as early as possible.
b) A student who cannot attend their course through illness or commitments elsewhere is requested to contact the academy as soon as possible. If it is necessary to cancel the course within fourteen days of commencement of the
course every possible attempt will be made to mitigate the Student’s costs. If successful, the Student will onlyforfeitthe deposit. If unsuccessful the Student will be expected to pay the full fee. Travel and cancellation insurance are strongly recommended.
c) Any Student who fails to arrive, for any reason whatsoever including illness
and has not notified the Academy, will automatically forfeit the total monies paid
and no liability by doing so shall attach to the Academywhatsoever.
6 LATE RETURN OF SAILING VESSEL: For whatever reason beyond the date of the course. The Students can stay onboard at the company’s expense or return home if they wish at their own expense. No liability shall extend beyond this.
7 UNDER 18’S: Under 18’s accepted when sailing with parent or guardian. All Booking Forms for under 18’s to be signed by parent or guardian, stating this fact after the signature.
8 SEA SICKNESS: We advise students to consider purchasing Stugeron (or similar product). It is advisable to check with your G.P. that you can take these. Students with special medical problems should also check that their G.P. considers them safe to sail and advise the Academy of the condition when booking, and both the Principal and Skipper when reporting for the course. Bring any personal medication necessary.
9 SKIPPER’S/PRINCIPAL’S DECISIONS: The Principal’s decision is always final, on any of the Academy’s property and the Academy’s vessels, until the Skipper takes over.
a) Skipper’s Decisions: From the moment the Skipper steps onboard the instruction vessel in accordance withmarine practice, the Skipper’s decisions are final always.
b) All crew/students will accept all orders and decisions given to them by the Skipper at all times whilst onboard the School’s vessel or ashore, forthe duration of the course until the course is complete and the Skipper is no longer onboard the
vessel. The Skipper’s authority is total day and night in accordance with Marine Law.
c) If for any reason whatsoever a Student does not accept an order from the Skipper or Instructor, whether the student considers it to be reasonable or not, the student shall be in breach of his Articles of sailing. The Skipper shall take any action or decision he considers fit for the wellbeing of the vessel and crew. If the Student is placed ashore at the nearest port no liability whatsoever shall attach itself to the Academy and neither shall the student have claims for any expenses or unused portion of the fee.
Neither any redress against the Skipper or Academy because of actions taken by the Skipper.
10 SEA TIME: Every attempt will be made to give pupils maximum sea time. However, if in the Skipper’s opinion weather conditions, safety or any other consideration renders it imprudent, the Skipper’s decision is final.
11. VESSEL CHANGE: If the Academy changes vessels, due to any vessel becoming unsuitable, for any reason whatsoever, or delay in this in no way affects the validity of the booking of the Terms and Conditions stated herein they remain good.
12. ACADEMY CANCELLATION: If, for any reason, the Academy is unable to fulfill a booking for any reason whatsoever, the Academy will inform the student immediately the knowledge is available. No liability shall attach itself to the Academy beyond the refund of the full fee paid by the student(s) or unused portions thereof. This may also occur should a vessel becomes unseaworthy.
13 ACADEMY INSURANCE: The Academy is insured for Instruction. However, Student’s needs vary. The Academy strongly advises that the student obtain their own insurance for Sickness, Illness, Academy Fees, Illness or Accident onboard, or any other reason the student considers prudent for his personal lifestyle or wellbeing. The student agrees the Academy’s Insurance Policies are adequate and available, on request, from the Academy office.
14 DISCLAIMER: The Academy shall not be responsible and/or liable for any personal injury to Students. All Students are responsible for advising the Academy of any potential ailments, food allergies or medical treatment, including psychological treatment at the time of booking. The student acknowledges that the activities he/she is about to undertake involve a certain degree of risk and although the Academy uses all reasonable measures to mitigate such risk, the student agrees that he/she is responsible for his/her own safety. In this regard, the student indemnifies the Academy from any claims of any sort whatsoever. Although the Academy shall endeavor to provide services of a high quality and standard, the Academy provides no guarantees concerning the success of its courses and the student agrees that its own involvement and input shall determine the success and enjoyment of the courses. No liability is accepted for any Student’s vehicles parked in the V&A grounds, or Student’s Possessions in the vehicle, on the pontoons or in the Academy’s vessels or accommodation. No liability is accepted for Students whilst on Academy grounds, in any of the school properties, on ladders, pontoons or vessels and all Students participate in any aspect of any course at their own risk.
15 ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES, CRIMINAL RECORDS AND FIREARMS:
a) Any student bringing illegal substances, weapons or firearms onto the premises will be asked to leave the premises and may be liable for prosecution. The Academy reserves the right to search through students’ personal baggage and belongings if any student is suspected of harboring such items.
b) Candidates testing positive for illegal substances will be unable to proceed with admission until a valid, clean Seafarer Medical Certificate is submitted. No refund will be granted for uncompleted courses. Please refer to point (5) regarding RESCHEDULING OF COURSES DUE TO DELAY/NON-ARRIVAL/ILLNESS/POSITIVE DRUG TEST RESULTS (*)
c) There is a concern regarding future employ-ability for candidates with a criminal record. Many employers conduct background and substance screening checks, and the presence of a criminal record – particularly one that is drug-related – together with a recent positive test result, may adversely affect a candidate’s prospects of securing employment.
d) By signing this agreement, students grant permission for the Academy to administer random drug testing while on the Academy’s premises.
(*) RESCHEDULING OF COURSES DUE TO DELAY/NON-ARRIVAL/ILLNESS can be changed to RESCHEDULING OF COURSES DUE TO DELAY/NON-ARRIVAL/ILLNESS/POSITIVE DRUG TEST RESULTS
16 BREAKAGES, DAMAGES OR THEFT: Howsoever caused must be immediately notified to the Skipper or Principal. Students shall be liable for any loss or damage to Academy equipment, vessel’s equipment, up to and including the first R1000 per item, whether deliberate or through negligence. Any student found removing any of the Academy’s property will be asked to leave the academy and will forfeit their entire course fee and may be liable for prosecution.
17 CERTIFICATES: The Academy’s standards of instruction are high, and certificates will only be issued at the end of a course if, in the opinion of the Academy’s Instructors and Principal, the Student has reached the necessary standard. The Academy’s Principal and Instructor’s decision shall be final and accepted by all Students.
18 GENERAL DUTIES: All Students will be expected to participate in cooking, cleaning and routine maintenance as required by the instructor, on board or at the training facilities. At the end of each session and on conclusion of the course all Students will be expected to clean all vessels, vehicles, and facilities.
19 DISPUTE: In the event of a dispute not being settled by mutual agreement, it is agreed that an Arbitrator whose decision shall be final will be agreed upon in accordance with South African laws. It is further agreed all agreements between customers, clients and Students and staff of the Academy shall be governed by South African Law, even when the dispute occurs outside South African territorial waters.
Cancellation policy
Greater than 4 weeks’ notice – full refund. 2-4 weeks’ notice: 50% refund. Under 2 weeks: No refund.
Ocean Star Sailing Academy reserves the right to cancel any course. Our liability is limited to the course fee. Bank transfers require a proof of payment with your unique booking reference included PRIOR to the commencement of your courses.
Credit card payments are only accepted in-office. Please return this form by email to courses@oceanstarsailing.com to get the booking process started..