RIPPLES HOUSEBOATS CONDITIONS OF HIRE:

Hirer accepts full liability for breach of the following fundamental conditions of hire.

1. The driver of the houseboat must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
2. The houseboat must not be driven in a negligent or reckless manner.
3. The houseboat cannot be rafted to other boats, driven ashore, driven up to fixed jetties and pontoons or driven into areas where boats are permanently moored or berthed (Akuna Bay, Bobbin Head, Appletree Bay, Cottage Point, Parsley Bay, Dangar Island and Berowra Waters).
4. The houseboat must not be driven beyond the permitted areas which are shown on both the map supplied to you and the map on the boat.
5. The houseboat cannot be driven at night unless the safety or health of people on board are at serious risk.

If breach of these conditions results in injury to any person or damage to any thing, hirer will indemnify Ripples Houseboats for the full amount of any claims or damages resulting from that breach. The bond does not cover these breaches.

Hirer also agrees to the following conditions:

• Boat Check in for Departure
  Allow an hour from check in for loading and briefing prior to departure. We drive the vessel out of the marina for your safety.
• Booking Deposit Payment
  A booking deposit is paid in advance which confirms the vessel and we guarantee to hold the vessel for you. The deposit required varies by vessel type as follows:
  $500 for the Islander
  $700 for the Resort 10 berth and the Elite
  The price quoted at the time of booking will be held firm.
• Rental and Security Deposit
  You pay your rental fee in full when you collect the vessel on the day of your departure. The booking deposit then becomes the security bond whilst on the river and is refunded within 7 days of your return (less any costs charge such as fuel/bait/ice, etc.)
• Fuel Cost
  Fuel is charged on what you use. The vessel leaves with a full tank and on its return, it is topped back up. There is no charge for oil, engine maintenance or LPG gas as this is part of your rental fee. For safety reasons, we are unable to fuel the vessel whilst you are unloading and this is usually done the following day. The fuel cost is then deducted from your security deposit and the balance refunded usually within a day or two of your return.
• Check out procedures on your return
  You simply unload from the vessel and depart. Fuel used is deducted from your security bond which is then credited back to your credit card or bank account, usually within 7 days of your return. We email or mail a summary of costs to you.
• Liability
  Provided the Conditions of Hire agreement is not breached and you do not enter any "No Go" zones, your liability is limited to an excess of $5000. For your peace of mind, we are able to offer excess waiver insurance at a very reasonable charge which reduces your liability to zero shoulc you elect to take the security this offers..
• Fishing Licenses
  Each vessel has four fishing licenses included in the hire fee.
• Car Parking
  Reserved car parking is available at the Marina as follows:
  2 cars - Elite (8 berth) and Resort 45 (10 berth)
  1 Car - Islander
• Passenger limits
  The number of berths on the vessel is the maximum number of people allowed on board.
• Pet/Fireworks/Candles
  For health and/or safety reasons, these are strictly not permitted on the houseboat. The Hawkesbury River is a National Park and significant fines are applicable.
• Cancellation
  A $100 cancellation fee applies. If a vessel is cancelled within 30 days of departure, the deposit is forfeited unless the vessel is rebooked for the cancelled period.

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