THE ‘QUICK READ’ VERSION
- We love running boat tours. You’d like a boat tour and love to see beautiful sights. Book online or call us then ..Hooray – we can all go a boat tour!
- We respect the weather and sea at all times. We sail at the edge of the North Sea which generally has waves and wind. It’s Blue and occasionally Wild – so prepare to go to sea! Please wear suitable clothes and footwear. Birds might poop on you. This is not sailing on a boating pond.
- Some harbours and jetties might be slippy. We’ll alert you where we can, but it’s your responsibility to take care for yourself. We’ll try to help you board and disembark as much as we can.
- Please arrive at least 20 minutes before sailing time. If you’re late, we can’t wait for you and we may re-sell your ticket 15 minutes before sailing time.
- If we need to change plans due to weather or for safety reasons, we’ll try our best to tell you in advance and to run a tour for you.
- If you need to change plans, then please contact us to reschedule or cancel. (See Cancellation terms)
- If you have COVID or display symptoms, then you can’t sail with us. You have a responsibility to avoid infecting other passengers and our crew. If we catch COVID from you, our crew cannot work for at least a week. Please be considerate.
- When things go wrong and it’s our responsibility, we’ll apologise and make it up to you. On the other hand, we can’t be held responsible for your errors. We’re reasonable, so look to find a suitable solution.
- BlueWild runs happy, relaxed boats so we have zero tolerance for anti-social or offensive behaviour.
- Everything else is just common sense with an emphasis on your safety and having a fantastic experience. We hope that sounds fair.
THE FORMAL VERSION
Booking and payment
- By making a booking with us you therefore agree to all of our terms and conditions.
- All bookings are made online in advance at www.bluewild.co.uk or by advance contact with BlueWild.
- Occasionally tickets may be available for sale at short notice. Payment will be through the booking system or electronic means. No cash is exchanged where possible.
- Full payment is made at the time of booking unless alternative arrangements or invoicing have been agreed.
- Tickets are not transferable and are valid only for the date and time on the ticket.
- When booking, please provide contact details that can be reached whilst you are in the UK – a contact mobile phone number and an email address -so that we can contact passengers to advise of any changes, delays or cancellations.
- It is the passenger’s responsibility to refer to the BlueWild website or contact BlueWild to ensure that their trip is running as scheduled.
- Minimum passenger numbers apply to scheduled tours. We reserve the right to cancel any sailing if minimum numbers are not achieved. We will refund the full cost of your ticket should this occur.
- Fixed pricing applies to private charter tours. There is no minimum number of passengers for a private charter.
- Sailing times may alter from published times. Passengers will be contacted in advance of sailing to advise of changes.
- Our boats will sail in inclement weather, providing it is safe to do so. The sea is a constantly changing environment and therefore all marine activities carry an element of risk. Our operations are risk-assessed and follow carefully managed conduct however BlueWild does not accept any responsibility for any events or incidents occurring outside our control.
- BlueWild holds suitable Vessel and Public Liability insurance meeting all statutory requirements, however we strongly recommend that passengers hold comprehensive and suitable travel, medical and cancellation insurance. This is especially relevant where COVID affects passenger travel.
- Services run in partnership with the Scottish Seabird Centre are subject to SSC Terms & Conditions for booking and BlueWild Terms & Conditions for sailing.
Restrictions
- On all voyages, passengers board and travel at their own risk.
- BlueWild Limited has zero tolerance for anti-social, racist, abusive or offensive behaviour to crew or passengers. Anyone judged by the Skipper to conduct themselves in this manner will be removed from the boat at the nearest harbour and may be reported to Police.
- Passengers must be sufficiently agile to board our vessels unaided and be able to negotiate harbour steps and/ or ladders where required.
- Our boats include RIBs (rigid inflatable boats) which we advise may be unsuitable for anyone with known spinal, neck or bone conditions or who is in mid to later stages of pregnancy. It is the passenger’s decision to assess their own risk and suitability to sail – however the Skipper has final authority and may not permit boarding.
- Children under 16 years of age must be booked by or accompanied by a responsible adult.
- Until further notice, we are unable to carry passengers in wheelchairs on any vessel. We can accommodate passengers who are able to board and disembark with minimal assistance and who use a wheel whilst on land.
- No dogs are allowed on board. Guide dogs may be permitted subject to prior approval being given by BlueWild at time of booking.
- Where passengers are in transit, then bags, suitcases and luggage may be carried on board for the duration of the tour at the Skipper’s discretion.
- BlueWild reserves the right to take photographs on our tours for our selective and considerate use.
Boarding
- Please allow sufficient time for travel to the departure point including rail travel and car parking in public places – which can be congested at peak times.
- Passengers must arrive at least 20 minutes prior to departure time and at the correct location.
- BlueWild reserves the right to re-sell pre-paid tickets for passengers who have not arrived by 10 minutes prior to the sailing time. No refund will be given to any passenger who misses the boat. Any vouchers or gift cards associated with the booking will become invalid.
- No refund is due to any passenger who fails to board on time or misses the boat.
- A safety briefing will be given to all passengers prior to boarding. All safety instructions issued by the Skipper, Guides or Crew must be observed.
- Lifejackets are provided and must be worn on all voyages. Different sizes of lifejackets are available for juniors and toddlers.
- For safety reasons, passengers must have a reasonable level of mobility to embark and disembark at historic harbour steps, jetties, pontoons or other arrangements at various locations. Passengers refusing to board will not be eligible for a refund.
- Boarding involves steps in the historic harbours, which some people may find steep – so passengers must be comfortable knowing of this before booking.
Conduct when on board
- Under Maritime Law, a Skipper is in command of a vessel and is the ultimate decision maker. The Skipper may not be the cox.
- A Skipper may refuse permission to board for any passengers who, in the Skipper’s judgement, appear unfit or unsuited to travel. Passengers under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other substances, or displaying behaviour judged to be offensive, will be refused permission to board and will be ineligible for a refund.
- Any passenger taking medication should disclose this to the Skipper where appropriate.
- Glass bottles are not permitted. We recommend bringing a recyclable container.
- Smoking is not permitted on board.
- The consumption of alcohol on board is prohibited unless part of a pre-arranged private charter when strict limits will be observed.
- In the event that a lifejacket is inflated by a passenger without the Skipper or Crew instruction, this will incur a charge of £50 for loss of use, servicing and re-certification of the life-jacket.
Appropriate Dress
- BlueWild tours sail at the edge of the North Sea. Passengers are advised that conditions at sea can be very different from on land.
- BlueWild tours sail in conditions suitable for passenger vessels and well within the design capability of our boats, however passengers are advised that weather might offer waves and windy conditions.
- Passengers are advised to bring suitable clothing for a tour at sea. Even when weather conditions are warm or hot on land, conditions at seas can be significantly colder.
- Weather conditions can change very quickly at sea and may result in passengers getting wet from rain and/or sea spray. Passengers should bring suitable protective clothing which can be carried with you or stored on board. Appropriate footwear should be worn (e.g. flip flops and high-heel shoes are not suitable).
- BlueWild is not responsible for personal belongings on land or on board.
- BlueWild cannot be held responsible for any water damage that could occur to any equipment, electronic devices, cameras, clothing or personal items. We suggest that any such equipment is kept in a secure and water-tight bag.
Departure and facilities
- Passengers must follow all instructions and safety announcements from the Skipper or crew.
- Most tours are accompanied by an experienced Guide.
- Any passenger ignoring reasonable instructions from the crew, causing disturbance or being a safety risk to other passengers will be taken ashore and will not be eligible for refund.
- Passengers should remain seated at all times unless the crew advise of periods when careful movement around the vessel is permitted.
- Passengers must exercise due care and attention to avoid slips and falls.
Tour conditions
- Sightings of any particular species of wildlife cannot be guaranteed.
- On all BlueWild tours, there must be no disturbance to wildlife.
- All litter must be retained by passengers and disposed of responsibly on board or on return to the mainland.
- Weather and sea conditions can change rapidly therefore, trip routes and duration time may need to be altered, without notice, at the Skipper’s discretion. Refunds will not be payable in the case of a tour being substantially delivered with an early return to shore. BlueWild will however endeavour to fulfil the tour or a suitable alternative subject to ensuring safe passage for all passengers.
Isle of May landing tours
- The Isle of May is managed by NatureScot and all visitors are subject to instructions issued by NatureScot and their staff.
- Appropriate clothing should be worn for your time ashore as it can be cold and damp, with a wind chill. Bring sturdy footwear, sun lotion, drinking water and any refreshments you require.
- For safety reasons, passengers must have a reasonable level of fitness and mobility to embark and disembark at harbours and at the island’s landing jetty.
- There are toilets and a shelter at the Isle of May Visitor hub. There are no shops on the Isle.
- Should a landing be deemed unsafe for any reason, then the boat will cruise around the Island if possible and the trip classed as a non -landing experience. An appropriate partial refund is given in these circumstances.
Photography tours
- These are specialist tours designed for photographers, naturalists and artists and are not recommended for general tourists or young children.
- Passengers are responsible for their photography equipment and any electronic devices. We recommend ensuring that all equipment is carried in secure waterproof covering or cases. BlueWild accepts no responsibility for passengers’ equipment.
- Landing tours are carefully escorted by a Guide to avoid disturbance to the wildlife or any of the important research studies underway on islands.
- Tours that stay on board may circle in specific areas of sea for long periods to satisfy the needs of the specialist group or individual photographers.
- Gannet Photo Feast tours – these tours include throwing ‘chum’ or whole fish into the sea to encourage Gannets to dive near the boats. We have carefully assessed this practice to ensure that it does not create unnatural bird feeding behaviour.
Bass Rock landing tours
- Bass Rock landings depart from either Dunbar or North Berwick harbours.
- All passengers must complete a Waiver of Liability Form prior to sailing and will not be permitted to board unless signed and handed to the BlueWild crew.
- There are no toilet facilities on the Bass Rock.
- Appropriate protective clothing, walking boots and a hot drink or drinking water is important. Sandals or trainers are unsuitable.
- We recommend that you bring sun cream, a hat and sunglasses, as well as a waterproof bag to protect electronic or photographic equipment.
- For reasons of safety, passengers must have a reasonable level of fitness and mobility to embark and disembark at both the harbour and the landing steps on the Bass Rock. The Guide and / or Skipper may refuse to take anyone considered unable to meet these criteria.
- All safety instructions issued by the Guide must be observed to keep passengers safely back from unfenced and slippery cliff edges.
- Should a landing be deemed unsafe for any reason, then the boat will cruise around the Bass Rock as a non-landing tour.