The following are the terms and conditions you agree to abide by when you book a voyage on board Irene.

  1. These terms and conditions constitute a legal contract between yourself and Irene Partnership Limited.  Spindrift Sail Ltd act as the agents for Irene Partnership Limited and will administer the booking process, payment handling and communication with you, in relation to your voyage.
  2. Signing in writing or online digitally medical declaration forms or booking forms confirms your agreement to all our terms and conditions.
  3. All bookings are for “trainee voyage crew” whatever the level of your sailing experience. The voyages are for the purpose of learning traditional sailing skills under current statutory marine legislation.
  4. You agree to be the “trainee voyage crew” for the selected voyage and to abide by the instructions of the Master (Captain or Skipper) or duly delegated representative in all matters.
  5. Sailing – The intention on all voyages is to sail as much as possible. This will take account of the weather, tides, the aptitude of the crew, the capabilities of the vessel, the waters being sailed in and at all times the safety of the whole crew and that the Masters decision in all this is final.
  6. Communications – All written communications are by email – postal communications may incur an extra charge.
  7. Irene Partnerships Limited undertake to:
    1. To ensure that Irene and her skipper are approved to the standards required by the country of the vessels registration.
    2. That all firefighting, safety and lifesaving equipment onboard conforms to statutory requirements is in date, inspected and serviceable.
    3. That statutory vessel Commercial License(s), Insurance, Registry and other required documents are valid and in date and that the vessel is seaworthy and mechanically sound.
  8. Safety and Well Being
    1. Customers agree to completing the booking and medical forms providing complete and accurate information regarding existing health conditions, risks and medications prescribed.
    2. Customers agree:
      1. That the skipper is authorised to consent on their behalf to any emergency medical treatment deemed necessary without recourse to next of kin.
      2. To reimburse Irene Partnership Limited for any expenses that are incurred in providing emergency medical treatment deemed necessary.
    3. Irene Partnerships Limited reserves the right to refuse any applicant considered unsuitable without giving an explanation.
    4. Danger – You understand that sailing can be a dangerous activity, particularly in rough weather, which can be encountered at any time of year on any voyage.
  9. International Ship and Port Facility Code of July 2004
    1. To comply with this code for the vessels and ports that Irene works with “trainee voyage crew” must agree as follows.
    2. Trainee voyage crew shall not bring on board the vessels any goods or articles of an inflammable or dangerous nature, nor any controlled or prohibited substance, nor any animals. The Master (Captain or Skipper) or any duly delegated person shall be entitled at all times to search a trainee voyage crew member, and/or their personal luggage and goods if the Master reasonably believes they may be in breach of this clause of the terms and conditions. Trainee voyage crew may be requested to produce photo ID or be subject to searches as per the individual port security plan.
  10. Privacy Policy – Irene Partnerships Limited do not pass personal details to other organisations except that you give permission to pass your details to partner organisations and agents for the sole purpose of providing the voyage you are booked on.
  11. What is included in the price?
    1. The full voyage from beginning to end as advertised subject to the Voyage Itinerary clause.
    2. The majority of meals and all accommodation are included on board. Some meals may be taken ashore, this will depend on the style of the voyage.
    3. Included are instruction, life jackets and safety harness and all safety equipment.
  12. What is excluded from the price?
    1. Travel insurance is excluded, but required.
    2. Travel to and from all voyages or courses are excluded.
    3. Meals, trips or activities ashore are at the guests own expense.
  13. Voyage Approval
    1. Please DO NOT Book any associated travel until we have approved your voyage. 
You will be notified of approval once your completed booking and medical forms are reviewed by Irene Partnerships Limited.
    2. We cannot be held responsible for any loss of travel expenses in the event that you are unable to sail with us; for whatever reaso See travel insurance below.
  14. Travel Insurance
    1. Travel insurance is required for all ‘Trainee Voyage Crew’
    2. Proof of suitable travel insurance may be required on or before joining the voyage. If no proof is provided, you could be asked to either acquire suitable travel insurance or leave the vessel.
    3. Your travel insurance should provide you financial protection if you have to cancel or curtail your voyage, cover loss or damage to baggage, incur any additional medical or transport costs or if the voyage is cancelled by Irene Partnerships Limited.
    4. Suitable travel Insurance. Please check your travel insurance policy carefully to make sure it covers tall ship sailing / sailing / cruising / yachting in the appropriate sailing areas and if sailing more than 12 miles offshore. Your cover should start as close as possible to the date you purchased the policy, not when your voyage or course starts.
    5. Specialist sailing travel Insurance is available from Topsail Insurance on line at http://www.topsailinsurance.co.uk/tall_ships/other/index.html Both single trip and annual policies are available. The annual policies cover you both when sailing and for your general holidays, with some policies including cover for both winter sports and business travel.
  15. Customer Responsibility
    1. Customers agree to accept the authority and decisions of Irene Partnerships Limited or its agents whilst on a voyage booked with us. If in the opinion of the Masters (Captain – Skipper) the health, level of fitness or conduct of a customer at any time before or during a tour is endangering or appears likely to endanger the health or well being of the customer or any third party (including any other Customers of Irene Partnerships Limited or its agents) or the safe, comfortable or happy progress of the tour, the customer may be may be excluded by being put ashore for all or part of the voyage, as soon as practical without refund or recompense. Where a customer is excluded, Irene Partnerships Limited or its agents will have no further responsibility towards them (including any return travel arrangements) and we will not meet any expenses or costs incurred as a result of the exclusion. In the case of ill health, Irene Partnerships Limited or its agents may make such arrangements as it sees fit and recover the costs thereof from the customer. If a customer commits an illegal act (including, for example, causing any damage) the customer may be excluded by being put ashore for all or part of the voyage, as soon as practical and Irene Partnerships Limited or its agents shall cease to have responsibility to/for them as above. No refund will be given for any unused services. When you book with us, you accept responsibility for any malicious damage or malicious loss caused by you or any member of your party. Full payment for any such malicious damage or malicious loss (reasonably estimated if not precisely known) must be made direct to Irene Partnerships Limited or its agents as soon as possible. If the actual cost of the loss or damage exceeds the amount paid where estimated, you must pay the difference once known. If the actual cost is less than the amount paid, the difference will be refunded. You will also be responsible for meeting any claims subsequently made against us and all costs incurred by us (including our own and the other party’s full legal costs) as a result of your actions. You should ensure you have appropriate travel insurance to protect you if this situation arises.
  16. Irene Partnership Limited Cancellation – Irene Partnership Limited will refund voyage fees paid for voyages cancelled by us prior to voyage commencement unless;
    1. The voyage has been cancelled for the following reasons: –
      1. In the case of a ‘force majeure’ i.e. acts of terrorism, earthquake, pandemics and government decree terminating the voyage
      2. Any other cause beyond the reasonable control of Irene Partnerships Limited.
    2. Irene Partnerships Limited will refund 60% of the voyage fees for voyages cancelled for bad weather as follows;
      1. Day sails – In the two days before the voyage commences if the forecast for the day sail is Force 5 or greater.
      2. Overnight voyages – In the two days before the voyage commences if the forecast for the majority of voyage is Force 
7 or greater.
  17. Voyage Itinerary – Due to the vagaries of weather or mechanical problems Irene Partnerships Limited can make no guarantee of the
itinerary of the voyage, including, joining ports, destinations to visit and leaving ports.
  18. Irene Partnerships Limited Insurance – Irene is covered by third party liability insurance for serious injury or loss of life. 
 Accidents or injuries directly attributable to the ship or permanent crew are covered by vessel’s liability insurance including repatriation if necessary.
  19. Visa’s, Passports and Vaccinations
    1. Please check very carefully for any Visa and vaccination requirements for any ports you will be visiting. Visa’s and vaccinations are the trainee voyage crew’s responsibility and you will not be able to join the voyage without the appropriate documents.
    2. You can find Visa and Vaccination information for the countries you will be visiting at the Embassies London web site, or your own capital city if different.
    3. Passports are required on all non UK vessels and for UK vessels sailing outside UK waters
  20. Alcohol – Consumption of alcohol is at the Masters (Captain – Skipper) discretion for safety reasons.
  21. When ashore – Irene Partnerships Limited is not responsible for “trainee voyage crew” when they are ashore.
  22. Prices
    1. Prices include VAT if applicable
    2. Irene Partnerships Limited reserves the right to alter the price of any voyage without notice up or down. Special offers are for new bookings only. Errors and omissions are accepted. Bookings will be processed at our published prices for the time of booking and adhered to; otherwise, in the case of any unexpected upward change in price, you will be informed and asked if you wish to reconsider your booking before proceeding.
  23. Customer Payments, Cancellations and Refunds
    1. Confirmation not made due to health reasons. Irene Partnerships Limited will refund any voyage fees paid for voyages that cannot be confirmed for health and fitness reasons.
    2. Cancelations
      1. Once a booking has been confirmed a £50.00 administration fee will be made for all voyages cancelled or transferred by the trainee voyage crew.
      2. If a trainee voyage crew cancels a voyage more than 12 weeks before departure you will receive a refund of all monies paid less the £50 administration fee.
      3. If a trainee voyage crew cancels a voyage 12 weeks or less before departure, there will be no refund.
    3. Full payments and balances are due as advertised per voyage, normally 84 days before departure. In the case of non- payment of the balance by the due date Irene Partnerships Limited reserves the right to treat your booking as cancelled and cancellation charges will apply.
  24. Voyage Notes – Irene Partnerships Limited will ensure you are sent information on how to join and leave your voyage in good time for your voyage.
  25. Age – Applicants under 16 years must have written consent from their parents or legal guardian. Some voyages are restricted 
to certain age ranges that you must comply with.
  26. Customers agree to accept the berthing accommodation assigned by the Master. Where possible cabin allocation will be made on a same gender basis.
  27. Gift Vouchers can be used at any time within two years of date of purchase. There is no cash alternative but they can be transferred.
  28.  Goods
    1. Any goods, books and products ordered will be dispatched within 28 days of ordering for stock items, personalised and handmade items may take longer, we will notify you of the likely dispatch date.
    2. Any book or souvenir retuned in original condition will be fully refunded for the price of the goods, made to order items and personalised items cannot be refunded.
  29. Complaints – If we should receive a complaint about any part of our service, by phone, e-mail or letter, then it will be dealt with promptly (we will reply within 5 working days). It will then be dealt with confidentially, and effectively to the best of our ability.
  30. Law – Any unresolved dispute shall be the subject to the jurisdiction of English courts where applicable and whose decision shall be final and binding on all parties. The Athens Convention limiting a carriers liability for death or personal injury or loss or damage to luggage shall be determined to trainee voyage crew. With regard to luggage the Convention applies time limits for claims.
  31. Amendments – Irene Partnerships Limited reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions without notice.