Chartered Passenger Vessels Terms and Conditions

To be read in conjunction with our General Terms of Business.

1. VAT: Boat Hire rates are zero rated at present. All other prices shown exclude VAT at the current standard rate, except otherwise stated.
2. All prices including staffing rates are based on cruises starting and finishing at Hobbs Boatyard, Station Road, Henley. Longer sailing times or alternative pick up/drop off points will incur extra charges. Catering prices are based on minimum numbers stated. For lower numbers, please enquire. All catering and entertainment prices are based on a four hour charter, (6 hour charter during Henley Royal Regatta).
3. A completed booking form and a booking deposit of 50% of the full charter fee is required to secure the booking (£250 for group bookings). Full payment is required for The Consuta. The balance of the hire fee is payable two weeks before the date reserved. If the booking is made within four weeks of the date reserved, the total hire fee is required. A deposit will only be refunded by the company when twelve weeks written notice is given. The hirer is liable for the balance of the hire fee and the cost of any goods or services reserved on the hirer’s behalf should cancellation, for any reason, take place during the twelve weeks prior to the date reserved. Any cancellation will be subject to a £50 cancellation fee.
4. Henley Royal Regatta Terms – £1,000 holding deposit is required upon booking. The balance of the charter is due 24 weeks prior. Remaining standard terms apply. 20 weeks written notice is required to cancel a booking for Henley Royal Regatta.
5. All catering, bar, music and sailing direction details should be clearly stated when completing the reservation form. Instructions thereafter will only be accepted in writing from one organiser or representative. Written confirmation of the final number of persons to be catered for must be received and paid for in full no later than fourteen days prior to the date reserved. No alterations are accepted within the fourteen days prior to the event. We reserve the right to replace menu items according to availability. Vegetarian and special dietary requirements can be provided for all menus, except in cases of severe allergies – please contact the caterer directly. We cannot 100% guarantee there will not be any trace allergens on board our vessels. If an account bar is requested, any outstanding amounts must be settled at the end of the charter.
6. The number of guests confirmed for catering purposes will be the number of guests permitted on the vessel for the charter.
7. The New Orleans, The Waterman and Hibernia are not available for charter without catering, and are not available for 18th or 21st birthday celebrations. The Consuta is available for hire without catering.
8. Hirers are not allowed to supply their own catering, beverages or entertainment on board the Hobbs of Henley vessels – The New Orleans, The Waterman and Hibernia, but can on The Consuta.
9. Passengers are permitted to board no earlier than 15 minutes prior to departure. The return time for evening cruises is no later than 11.45pm. The return time for afternoon cruises is no later than 5pm, unless agreed by prior arrangement.
10. During the hire period the vessel shall remain under the complete control of the captain and crew. The hirer shall be responsible for the conduct of the passengers on board and on disembarking from Hobbs of Henley vessels at night.
11. The company may at the discretion of the captain vary the course of the cruise should circumstances make this necessary. The company does not guarantee that any vessel will commence or complete any journey or part thereof in any given time if conditions are beyond the control of the company.
12. Passenger boat charters are subject to the river and weather conditions being satisfactory at the time of sailing. Sailings are also subject to forced business closures due to regional or national restrictions or any condition beyond the company’s control.
    1. If strong stream and/or wind conditions prevent a sailing taking place, the vessel would remain moored at Hobbs of Henley Boatyard, Henley-on-Thames for the duration of the charter. If adverse river conditions prevent a vessel from collecting passengers from a venue other than Hobbs of Henley Ltd, Henley on-Thames, no refund will be given.
    2. If forced business closure due to regional or national restriction prevents sailing taking place no refund will be given but a credit for a future booking may be available.
13. All persons using any part of the premises, boats or facilities, for whatever purpose and whether by invitation or otherwise, do so at their own risk, unless injury or damage to person or property sustained within the premises, boats or facilities was caused by, or resulted from our negligence or deliberate act or that of those for whom we are responsible.
14. We do not accept liability for any loss resulting from our failure to provide an advertised service, or where delay occurs to those services, for any other reason. We may, however, at our discretion, consider a refund as a direct result of a failure on our part to provide the advertised service.
15. Our vessels have not been designed or adapted for passengers in wheelchairs. We recommend that you satisfy yourself as to its suitability for wheelchair access before booking.
    1. If you are a wheelchair user we recommend that you ensure that you have enough helpers to aid you to embark and disembark the vessel safely. Our crew are not permitted to lift wheelchairs on and off the vessel.
    2. For health and safety reasons wheelchairs are not permitted to obstruct any access to safety and life saving equipment, gangways, stairs or passageways on board the vessels.
16. In accordance with The Environment Agency (Thames Region) By-laws, all music must be stopped when approaching and passing through a lock. Hirers are requested to control their parties from making undue noise when passing through a lock, and particularly late at night when disembarking from Hobbs of Henley vessels.
17. The hirer shall make good/and or pay for all losses, damage or breakages to any fixture, fittings machinery or equipment. The hirer will be liable for any costs incurred by Hobbs of Henley in respect of specialist cleaning required following a charter.
18. It is the responsibility of the hirer to acquaint each member of his party with the above conditions of hire as laid down by the company.
19. Hobbs of Henley Ltd have been granted a Premises Licence from South Oxfordshire District Council under the Licensing Act 2003. The vessels are permitted to serve alcohol from 10am to 12midnight. Hobbs of Henley Ltd operate a zero tolerance policy towards underage drinking, the taking and possession of illegal substances and drunken aggressive behaviour towards passengers or crew. If a cruise has to be abandoned due to breaches of our Premises Licence conditions, no refund shall be given. Details of our Premises Licence are available on request.
20. Information is correct at the time of publication and maybe subject to change. Please refer to the website or contact Hobbs of Henley for any updates.