Terms of Purchase & Passenger Safety Agreement
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PURCHASER & PASSENGERS:
Please read this document carefully. By purchasing a ticket, completing a booking, or boarding a vessel operated by Great Island Boat Tours, you (the “Purchaser” and “Passenger”) unconditionally agree to all terms, conditions, policies, and releases of liability set forth below.
If you are purchasing tickets on behalf of other passengers, you confirm that you have the authority to act as their agent and that you accept these terms on behalf of all members of your group (including minors).
1. Inherent Maritime Risks & Liability Waiver
By completing this purchase and boarding the vessel, you acknowledge that marine boat tours involve inherent risks, dangers, and hazards. These include, but are not limited to:
- Environmental & Sea Conditions: Sudden changes in weather, high winds, rough or choppy seas, strong currents, cold water temperatures, heavy fog, and ocean waves.
- Vessel Movement: Slipping, tripping, or falling due to the motion of the boat, wet or slippery decks, and sudden acceleration, deceleration, or maneuvering.
- Wildlife & Coastline Features: Unpredictable behavior of marine wildlife (including whales and seabirds) and risks associated with navigating near rugged rock formations, sea caves, and icebergs.
Release of Liability: In consideration of being permitted to board the vessel, you agree to waive any and all future claims against Great Island Boat Tours, its owners, operators, captains, crew, and representatives (collectively referred to as “the Releasees”). You hereby release and hold harmless the Releasees from any and all liability for personal injury, illness, death, property damage, financial loss, or expense resulting from your participation in the tour, including any such loss caused by negligence, breach of contract, or breach of statutory duty of care.
2. Passenger Safety, Conduct, & Health
- Captain’s Absolute Authority: Passengers must strictly follow all instructions, safety briefings, and commands given by the Captain and crew at all times. The Captain reserves the right to deny boarding or remove any passenger behaving in a disruptive, unsafe, or non-compliant manner.
- Physical Fitness & Health: You declare that all passengers in your booking are in appropriate physical health for an open-water boat tour. This excursion involves motion and physical shifts that may not be suitable for individuals with severe back, neck, or heart conditions, or those in advanced stages of pregnancy.
- Strict Sobriety Policy: The consumption or possession of alcohol or illicit drugs on board is strictly prohibited. The crew reserves the right to deny boarding to any passenger deemed to be under the influence or impaired, with no refund issued.
- Required Safety Gear: All passengers agree to properly wear life jackets (personal flotation devices) or safety equipment whenever instructed by the crew.
3. Cancellations, Weather, and Refund Policy
- Operator Cancellations (Weather & Safety): Marine operations are strictly subject to weather, sea conditions, and passenger safety. Great Island Boat Tours reserves the exclusive right to cancel any sailing. If your tour is canceled by the Captain due to unsafe weather or mechanical conditions, you will receive the option to reschedule to another available time or receive a 100% full refund.
- Customer Cancellations: We operate a small vessel with limited seating; therefore, late cancellations greatly impact our operations.
- Cancellations made more than 48 hours prior to your scheduled departure time will receive a full refund.
- Cancellations made within 48 hours of departure, or failure to arrive for your tour (No-Shows), are strictly non-refundable.
- Late Arrival: Tours depart strictly on time. Passengers are required to arrive 30 minutes prior to departure for check-in and safety briefings. Missing the boat due to late arrival will be treated as a no-show and will not be refunded.
- Wildlife Sightings: While we sail through the rich waters of the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, wildlife encounters (including whales and puffins) are entirely natural and unpredictable. Tours run rain or shine, and refunds or discounts will not be issued based on the volume or variety of wildlife sighted during your trip.
4. Photographic & Media Release
By purchasing this ticket, you grant Great Island Boat Tours permission to use any photographs or video footage taken of you during the tour for promotional, marketing, or advertising purposes (including social media, brochures, websites, and posters) without compensation, royalty, or further approval.
5. Legal Age & Agreement
By completing your payment, you confirm that you are at least 19 years of age (the legal age of majority in Newfoundland and Labrador), that you have read and understood these terms, and that you and your party are legally bound by them. If purchasing for minors, you confirm you are their parent or legal guardian and accept these terms on their behalf.