Richardson's

Boating on the Norfolk Broads

Choose from hundreds of boats in Britain’s finest boating locations.

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Richardsons Boating Holidays

Conditions of Break

FAIR TRADING TERMS Please read this carefully. When you book your holiday with us you are entering into a contract which binds you and us in various ways. You’ll see we have clearly set out the booking conditions with a list of responsibilities and commitments we and you have towards each other.

  1. TERMS All terms are per week, for the boat as equipped and described. Saturday dates are shown. For boats starting Sunday, Monday or Tuesday, the previous Saturday charges apply; for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday starts, the following Saturday charges apply. Prices include VAT (where applicable) and insurance premiums include Insurance Premium Tax - both taxes are at the rate applicable at the time of printing and are subject to change if the rate or application of the tax changes. In the event of a change in the rate of VAT during the course of the year, your holiday will be invoiced at the new amount of VAT unless you have already taken your holiday or paid the balance in full prior to the date of change. Our hire invoice and booking acceptance is not a VAT invoice. In the event of a change in the rate of I.P.T. during the course of the year, you will be invoiced at the rate applying on the date you purchased the insurance.
    • We reserve the right to correct errors in advertised prices. We will advise you of any error at the time of booking.
    • We also reserve the right to correct errors in confirmed prices. In this case, we will contact you as soon as we become aware of the error. If the correct price is higher and you do not wish to pay this, you will be entitled to cancel and receive a full refund of all monies you have paid to us providing you notify us within 14 days of our advising you of the error. We promise we will not seek to correct any error in a confirmed price within 8 weeks of the start of your holiday or more than 7 days after you make your booking.
    • The time of take-over (subject to unavoidable delays) is normally 4.00pm or as shown on your Hire Invoice.
    • You must advise your boat operator using the telephone number on your hire invoice if, due to unavoidable delays in your journey, your arrival time is likely to be outside normal working hours.
    • Unless otherwise shown on your hire invoice your boat must be returned and handed back not later than 9.00am to the boatyard from which you started your cruise. You are always welcome to moor at your boat operator’s boatyard on the evening before you hand back your boat.You are obliged to leave everything in a clean and tidy condition.
    • If you fail to return your boat on time and/or in a clean and tidy condition you are liable to an extra charge at the discretion of the operator.
  2. BOOKING CONFIRMATION The submission of the completed booking form (or telephone agreement) shall constitute an offer by the client and a contract shall come into existence if and when New Horizon issue a hire invoice and booking confirmation. The contract shall be deemed to have been made at New Horizon offices at Stalham and be subject to English Law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts. In all cases these conditions of Hire form the basis of your contract with us.
  3. NUMBER IN YOUR PARTY No boat may normally carry more persons than advertised in our brochure.
  4. BOOKING MONIES When you book, you must pay the applicable Initial Payment shown in this brochure. This Initial Payment includes your subscription to New Horizon Cancellation Protection Plan and your Personal Holiday Insurance together with your Booking Deposit as part-payment towards the cost of your holiday. If you do not wish to take out our Personal Holiday Insurance you must indicate this on your booking form.
    • For bookings from overseas we require 50 per cent of the hire charge as your Initial Payment.
    • Your balance-of-hire money (together with your Fuel Deposit and Security Deposit or Damage Waiver) is due and payable by you 8 weeks before the start of your holiday. Your Hire Invoice gives you full details.
    • For bookings made within 8-weeks of the holiday start-date you pay the full monies at the time of booking.
    • We reserve the right to pass on to you any bank charges and other costs we incur if payment is made in foreign currency or by any other method not normally accepted by us or if we have to represent a cheque or process late payments. The prices shown in the brochure are cash prices only. Where you choose to pay by credit card we will make a charge of 1% in respect of each payment by credit card. There is no charge for debit cards.
  5. CHANGES BY YOU Once a booking has been confirmed by us, should you subsequently require us to amend your booking or to re-invoice you for any reason (including for example accidental loss of your original invoice) a fee of £20 will be charged.
    • Up to 8 weeks before the holiday start date you may change your boat to another one within the same operator’s fleet as your original booking, subject to availability and payment of the above fee. You may transfer your booking to someone else/another party (introduced by you) at any time providing you notify us and pay the administration fee of £20 and any then outstanding balance.
  6. CANCELLATION BY YOU Telephone us immediately if you have to cancel your holiday. Then on the same day send us by first class mail your hire invoice or take this action through your travel agent. Please tell us if you have already paid your balance-of-hire. Your cancellation is effective from the date we receive your written notification.
    • Your cancellation will be acknowledged by us in writing.
    • If you cancel you are still liable for the payment of your balance of hire money, we will endeavour to relet your holiday. If we are able to do so before you pay your balance of hire money, you will only lose your booking deposit and cancellation premium. If we are able to relet after you have paid your balance of hire money, we will refund the whole or part of that money (so that you only lose your booking deposit and cancellation premium) up to a maximum of the hire charges we receive on reletting.
    • All or part of your liabilities as stated above may be covered by the Cancellation Protection if your reason for cancellation is one of those covered (see details).
    • For early bookings we GUARANTEE you an unconditional refund of the money you have paid if, before 20 January 2007 you have to cancel any holiday booked to be taken from 1st March 2007 onwards.
  7. MINORS Bookings from persons under the age of 18 cannot be accepted.
  8. BOAT TRIAL A free demonstration run is given to you at the time of takeover.
    9. Whenever possible the person responsible for the booking must be present.
  9. DAMAGE, BREAKDOWN & DEFECTS No responsibility will be accepted by us or the boat operator for loss of time or expenses occasioned through accidental damage to the boat while in your charge. No liability can be accepted for loss or damage or expense which occurs as the result of any defect or breakdown occurring during your cruise unless this is caused by proven reason of the boat operator’s failure to adequately maintain the boat in a fit state and condition or is caused by the acts or defaults of ourselves or the boat operator or its employees. Any defect or breakdown must be reported immediately to the boat operator during your cruise so that steps can be taken to repair the boat or remedy the service. (It is unlikely that trouble of this nature will arise as every boat is carefully checked before the start of each cruise).
  10. ACCIDENTS You have charge of the boat and are responsible for its safe navigation and for the safety of all on board. Buoyancy Aids or lifejackets for all members of your party are provided as is appropriate and it is your responsibility to ensure that they are carried on board at all times and worn where necessary. A fee is included in the hire charge for the provision of insurance relating to the boat. In the unlikely event of structural or mechanical damage, however caused, no responsibility can be accepted by New Horizon for the loss of time or the cost of any alternative accommodation or any other damages or expenses. In the case of any accident or damage to the boat, to other craft, to waterway property, or to any person, it is your responsibility to:
    (a) find out the name and number of any other boat involved together with details of the owner or hirer concerned
    (b) to report these facts, together with the extent of the damage to your New Horizon boatyard as soon as possible
    Whilst you are responsible for the costs of clearance of sterngear (propellers, shafts and rudders) if fouled by ropes or other obstructions you will be offered the option of a diver’s propeller clearance service for a small charge upon taking over your craft.
  11. YOUR FUEL & SECURITY DEPOSIT New Horizon operate one of two fuel and security schemes. Details will be shown on your Hire Invoice. You must pay your waiver or deposit with your balance-of-hire ahead of your holiday. (See Condition No.4.) Any deposit refund will normally be made to you by a cheque payment.
    Option 1: Security Waiver Scheme: You make a one off non-refundable Damage Waiver payment of £30 (£50 on some craft). This gives you full cover in the event of loss of or damage to your craft, it’s equipment and / or third party liability in lieu of the Security Deposit described below except in the event that we consider that the loss or damage has been caused deliberately or by negligence or carelessness when we reserve the right to make a charge for such deliberate, careless or negligent loss. You will also be asked to pay a fuel deposit from which only the cost of any fuel used will be deducted.
    Option2: Fuel and Security Deposit Scheme: You pay a refundable Fuel and Security Deposit of £125. This deposit, less charges for fuel, will be returned to you when you have finished your holiday, providing you return the boat and its equipment on time, undamaged, clean and tidy, and without Third Party claim against you. Any damage, loss and/or breakages to your boat or its equipment will be deducted from your deposit up to the full amount of your deposit. If any damage, loss and/or breakages are caused in excess of the deposit you will not be asked to pay more (although you will have to pay for your fuel on top) except where caused by the deliberate or negligent act or omission of you or any member of your party (including where the person concerned is under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any similar substance) or any failure to comply with these Conditions of Hire. In this case, the boat operator is entitled to make an additional charge. You are responsible for any charges made by waterway authorities if you cause loss of water or damage to their property. You must pay any such charges in full. They are not covered by your Damage Waiver Payment and are payable in addition to any other deductions from your deposit (regardless of how they were caused) even if the amount of your deposit is exceeded as a result. Additional Deposits: You may be asked for an additional deposit (of up to £50 per head) at the discretion of the boat owner for certain parties or for very large and/ or valuable boats. This is payable on your arrival at the boatyard. If additional cleaning of your boat is required on its return, an extra charge will be made, and deducted from your deposit.
  12. LINEN/TOWELS Towels are not supplied with the boat linen except for overseas visitors.
  13. LAYOUT PLANS of boats in this Brochure are for general guidance. They are not to scale and alteration to accommodation during building or refitting may occur. Some boats within classes have minor variations. Some boats have steps which may not be shown on the plan. If you have infirm or disabled members in your party you should enquire as to the suitability of your boat when booking.
  14. PRODUCTION BOATS Photos of standard production boats are sometimes used for a class group of boats. As production boats are not always finished in identical colour schemes, this means your boat may be different in colour from the photograph.
  15. OBEYING THE WATERWAY RULES You must observe the Navigation Authorities byelaws, including in particular, the rule that you must not navigate after sunset, or before dawn and your speed must not be such as would or may inconvenience or endanger other users of the waterway. On no account may you tow or be towed by other craft, unless you have professional assistance as towing can be a hazardous operation if incorrectly undertaken. Under no circumstances may your boat be taken out to sea. Boats may not be entered in races or used for business purposes. No minor may control your boat without the supervision of an experienced adult. No portable heaters, cookers or barbeques of any type, bicycles, lighting equipment, TV sets or electrical/gas appliances (other than an electric razor) may be taken or used aboard your boat without the express prior permission of the boat operator.
  16. AVAILABILITY Your booking is accepted on the basis that your confirmed boat will be available for your use in accordance with these Conditions of Hire on your agreed start date. Unfortunately, this is occasionally not possible. If your confirmed boat is not available as agreed, this will almost always be due to events beyond the companys control (see Condition 17 below). If your booking has to be cancelled (which the boat operator has the right to do) we, on behalf of the boat operator, will offer you the choice of an alternative boat in the same boating area for the same holiday period (at no extra cost) if available, or a credit note for the full value of your original booking. Providing the cancellation is not due to events beyond the boat operator’s control, we will also offer you, on behalf of the boat operator, a full refund of all monies you have paid to us for your booking if none of these options is acceptable to you. The boat operators have the right to refuse to hand over a boat to any person who, in the reasonable opinion of the boat operator, is not suitable to take charge. In such cases all hire charges paid to us will be refunded in full but the boat operator will not have any further liability. In addition, the boat operator has the right to repossess a boat at any time if in the reasonable opinion the boat operator, you or any member of your party is unsuitable to remain in charge because of their age, ill health, inexperience, suspected or actual influence of alcohol or drugs or any other reason, or because of irresponsible behaviour which is causing or likely to cause danger to you or any other person(s) or damage to any property. In this situation we and the boat operator will have no further responsibility or liability and no refunds, costs or expenses will be made or met.
  17. EVENTS BEYOND THE BOAT OPERATORS CONTROL Unfortunately, events beyond New Horizon control occasionally affect bookings. When references made to such events in these Conditions of Hire, this means any event(s) or circumstance(s) which New Horizon could not, even with all due care, forsee or avoid. Such events include:
    • Destruction or damage of your boat (which cannot reasonably be remedied to a satisfactory standard before the start of your holiday) due to fire, flood, explosion, storm or other weather damage, accident, break-in, criminal damage or any similar cause.
    • Mechanical breakdown or other mechanical or technical problems affecting your boat (which cannot reasonably be remedied to a satisfactory standard before the start of you holiday).
    • Flooding, shortage of water, obstruction, repairs, damage or similar event affecting any waterway, waterway structure or facility such as a lock or bridge or navigational equipment which prevents or affects you taking your confirmed holiday.
    • Adverse weather conditions and tides (which may restrict navigation and passage through bridges/locks).
    • Shortage or non-availability of fuel for the boat.
    • Late return by previous hirers.
    • Industrial action, riots, civil strife, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, war, threat of war, actual or threatened terrorist activity and all similar situations. We regret that New Horizon cannot accept responsibility or pay any compensation, cost or expenses where the performance of your contract is prevented or affected, or otherwise suffer any loss or damage as a result of events beyond New Horizon’s control. This includes any delays to and or restrictions in cruising to which you may be subject (New Horizon or the waterways authority are entitled to impose restrictions in the situations mentioned above). However if your booking has to be cancelled as a result, we will of course offer you an alternative boat/date or if this is unacceptable a full refund of monies paid.
  18. YOUR PET You are normally allowed to bring your cat or dog with you. The charge is £30 per pet per week (plus £25 deposit per pet at Acle). You must tell us that you are bringing your pet when you make your booking.
    • You must bring your pet-blanket or pet-basket as pets are allowed only on the clear understanding that in no circumstances may they lie on the bedding or on chairs.
    • Your pet must not be left unattended in your boat or elsewhere.
    • If subsequent to making your booking you decide you wish to take a pet with you (or you want to bring more than one pet), then you must contact the boat operator and get permission for this.
    • If extra cleaning of your boat is required after your holiday because of your pet, a charge may be made.
    • In the interest of visitor’s safety, and following recent government legislation, we are sorry we are unable to accept the following types of dog: American Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Fila Barsileiro and Dogo Argentino even where these types of dogs are muzzled as required by government legislation.
  19. ANY SHORTCOMINGS You must notify any shortcomings with your boat to the operator of your boat immediately so that remedial action, if appropriate, can be taken. Neither New Horizon nor the operator of your boat can accept any liability in relation to any shortcomings or claim of whatever nature if you fail to notify the operator of the boat of any complaint or claim during your holiday and write to us within 28 days of the end of your holiday.
  20. YOUR VEHICLES A charge is made for parking your car at the boatyards.Your vehicle and its accessories and contents are left entirely at your risk. We and the boat operators will not be responsible for any loss or damage from or to any vehicle from any cause whatsoever other than, in the case of negligence of ourselves or our employees or agents.
  21. LIABILITY Neither New Horizon, as agents, nor the Boat Owners and Operators can accept liability for any damage, expense, injury, death or loss of any nature whatsoever suffered by any person(s) from any cause whatsoever other than, in the case of the Owner(s) and/or the Operator(s) the proven negligence of him/herself or his/her employees or agents or, in our case, the proven negligence of ourselves or our employees or agents.
  22. PERSONAL INSURANCE You are strongly recommended to take our Personal Holiday Insurance for your holiday. Full details of the cover provided will be sent with your booking acknowledgement.
  23. DATA PROTECTION POLICY In order to process your booking and to ensure that your travel arrangements run smoothly and meet your requirements we and your travel agents need to use the information you provide such as name, address, any special needs etc.
    24. We take full responsibility for ensuring that proper security measures are in place to protect your information. We must pass the information on to the relevant suppliers of your accommodation and travel arrangements. The information may also be provided to security or credit checking companies, public authorities such as customs/immigration if required by them, or as required by law. We will not however, pass any information onto any person not responsible for part of your accommodation and travel arrangements. This applies to any sensitive information that you give us such as details of any disabilities, or dietary/religious requirements. (If we cannot pass this information to the relevant suppliers, we cannot provide your booking. In making this booking, you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant person). Your data controller is: New Horizon Holidays. You are entitled to a copy of your information held by us. If you would like to see this please contact us. We will hold your information, where collected by us, and may use it to inform you of offers in the future or to send you brochures. If you do not wish to receive such approaches in the future, please write to us.