Terms and Conditions of Hire:

 BOOKINGS

A provisional booking may be made by phone, fax or email. This will be held for seven days to enable a booking deposit to be paid. A barge is booked when the signed booking form and either a deposit of 25% of the hire charges or the full hire charge has been received and a confirmation of booking issued by Barrowline Cruisers Ltd.

BALANCE OF HIRE CHARGES

Once a booking has been made, the hirer is responsible for the balance of the hire charges which must be paid four weeks before the start of the holiday.

CANCELLATION

If the hirer has to cancel the holiday he/she must inform the company immediately. Every effort will be made to rehire the barge, if successful, any monies paid will be refunded less a fee of 10% of the hire charges. If unsuccessful the hirer must pay the balance of the hire charges when they become due.

INSURANCE/SECURITY DEPOSIT

An insurance/security deposit of 500 euro must be paid before departure, which is refundable within one week of completion of the holiday, provided that no loss or damage for which the hirer is liable occurred to the barge, its equipment or other parties and the barge has not been involved in an accident.

FUEL CHARGE

Fuel is included in the hire price.

COLLECTION OF BARGES

Our barges will normally be available for collection between 2 PM and 4 PM on the first day of hire. Before accepting the barge, the hirer should check the inventory of the barge. The hirer will be given instruction in boat handling by a representative of the company. It is the responsibility of the hirer to request any further information or instruction he/she feels are required, as he/she will then be deemed to have accepted responsibility for the barge and its equipment for the hire period.

RETURN OF BARGES

Barges must be returned to our base at Vicarstown in a clean condition and vacated before 10 AM on the final day of hire. Failure to comply, will involve an extra charge equal to twice the daily hire rate and compensation to the company for any loss sustained.

SAFE NAVIGATION

The hirer must nominate a Captain of the barge, all navigation equipment must be carried out by him or under his direct supervision. Under no circumstances should minors be left in charge of a barge. Members of the party should not exceed those in the booking form. To be able to understand the waterways guides provided and to ensure the safety of all on board the Captain must be able to read and comprehend English. The Captain should make himself aware of all current navigational regulations and by-laws and ensure they are enforced. The hirer must ensure that there are adequate crew to operate the barge (minimum of two adults). The hirer and Captain must be aged 21 years or over. The hirer and Captain must ensure that the barge is not operated by anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Cruising after dark is not permitted.

INSURANCE

The company provide full insurance cover against accidental damage to the barge and its equipment. It also provides third party cover up. The hirer is however responsible for the first 500 euro of all claims other than those occasioned by negligence on the part of the company. The company are not responsible for the loss or damage to the personal effects of the hirer. The hirer must inform the company if he/she has, (1) suffered any accident or loss in the last five years in connection with any vessel, used or owned, (2) had any insurance on any vessel cancelled or refused or had any special terms imposed.

ACCIDENTS

In the unfortunate event of an accident, the hirer must immediately inform the company giving full details of the accident, together with the names and addresses of witnesses and the names of the owner, hirer and craft, if any other craft were involved. Do not admit liability.

CRUISING DELAYS AND RESTRICTIONS

The company cannot be held responsible for any loss of time and expense caused by their barges, the waterways system or natural causes. In the case of a breakdown the hirer should contact the company were immediate attempts will be made to effect repairs. The hirer must not have repairs carried out by third parties without the consent of the company. The company reserves the right to restrict cruising if in their opinion unusual or hazardous conditions prevail. e.g. if the river Barrow level is too high. Barges must not be taken beyond the limits of the navigation as shown in the guide books, e.g. never south of the sea lock at St Mullins, east of the 12th lock at Lucan, north of Athlone or south of Portumna.

EXPERIENCE

The whole of the non-tidal waters of the river Barrow, the Grand Canal and a section of the river Shannon are open to hirers, subject to the limitations of clause 12 above. The company reserves the right to restrict the cruising range of a hired barge if in their opinion the hirer has insufficient experience.

DESCRIPTIONS

Every effort is made to ensure that descriptions in brochures and written material is accurate, but the company cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies which may exist. Plans are not necessarily to scale.

COMPANY RESERVATIONS

The company reserves the right to (1) refuse to hand over a barge to anyone who in their opinion is unfit to take charge. In this event, all money paid will be refunded and the hirer will have no further claim on the company. (2) If owning to circumstances beyond the company's control they cannot provide the barge booked or provide a replacement, all monies paid will be refunded and the hirer will have no further claim on the company.

BICYCLE AND DINGHY HIRE

Both are hired at the hirers risk, the company will accept no responsibility for loss or injury sustained by their use.

BUOYANCY AIDS

Buoyancy aids and life jackets are supplied, and must be worn at all times. It is the law.