Monday – Saturday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
(07) 5461 3634
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Yachtmaster Terms

  1. BOOKINGS
    Will be deemed firm once the booking is received, completed in full, with one per student and the minimum payment /full balance paid per person per course.
  2. CONFIRMATION
    The School will confirm the booking, in writing, when the booking form and payment has been received.
  3. PAYMENT BALANCE
    All courses require the full fee either at time of booking (online) or within 3 days of booking (direct deposit). There are no refunds for change of mind. If booking multiple courses, a payment agreement may be offered to suitable Students. If within 28 days prior to the course, the Student has not paid the balance, the School reserves the right to sell the Student’s berth. If the School is successful in selling the berth and mitigating its costs, the Student will only forfeit 30% of the course fee. If the School fails to sell the berth, the Student will be liable for the full fee. If the School fails to fill adequate places to run the course, a position will be offered on another course or a full refund given.
  4. TRAVEL INSURANCE
    The School strongly recommends travel insurance to cover the inability to attend a course or leaving a course early due to illness or injury as we cannot refund the course fees if a course is cancelled within 28 days of the course date.
  5. FORCE MAJEURE
    The School will not be liable for any failure of or delay in the performance of this agreement for the period that such failure or delay is beyond the reasonable control of a party, materially affects the performance of any of its obligations under this agreement, and could not reasonably have been foreseen or provided against, but will not be excused for failure or delay resulting from only general economic conditions or other general market effects.
  6. COURSE DURATION
    2 DAY course start 0930 hours until approx 1630 hours each day.
    OVERNIGHT courses start 0900 hours until approximately 1630 hours the following day.
    5 DAY courses from 0900 first day until 1600 hours the last day.
    The foregoing times are, of course, dependent upon the weather conditions and the Skipper’s decisions and the seaworthiness of the vessel at the time.
  7. DELAY/NON ARRIVAL
    The vessel can only wait for a late Student up until 1000 hours. If a Student cannot attend their course through illness or commitments elsewhere it is requested that the school be contacted as soon as possible by both phone and email. Every possible attempt will be made to mitigate the Student’s costs, to let the berth elsewhere. If successful, the Student will only forfeit 30% of the course fee. If unsuccessful the Student will forfeit the full fee. Any Student who fails to arrive, for any reason whatsoever including illness and has not notified the School by both phone and email, will automatically forfeit the total monies paid and no liability by doing so shall attach to the School whatsoever.
  8. UNDER 18’s
    12-16 year olds accepted when sailing with parent or guardian. Unaccompanied children accepted at 16-18 but all bookings for under 18’s to be signed by parent or guardian, stating this fact after the signature.
  9. INSTRUCTION ON YOUR OWN VESSEL
    All conditions herein apply, plus the Student will be expected to reimburse any traveling or out-of-pocket expenses for the Instructor from the Melbourne base to wherever the vessel is lying, and the return journey plus salary. The Student’s vessel will be expected to be equipped with the minimum Australian Sailing or Marine Safety Standards for areas sailed. If on arrival at the vessel, the Instructor considers the vessel unsafe to operate, the Instructor is at liberty to refuse to undertake the training. In this case the Student remains liable to pay the cost of a minimum of one day’s instruction plus traveling expenses where relevant. The Student’s insurance must be Fully Comprehensive, covering all aspects of normal marine insurance for the area in which the vessel is expected to sail. The Instructor is at no time in charge of the vessel. The Student will remain Master of the Vessel and accept all responsibility for the vessel. The School is not to be held responsible nor liable for any damage while our Instructor is on board. The Student will provide the Instructor with all bedding and victualling whilst on board (if applicable). Please allow for the Instructor’s traveling time as a percentage of the daily rate quoted with additional days leeway to allow for adverse weather.
  10. HEALTH
    Students with special medical problems should check that their GP considers them safe to sail and advise the School of the condition when booking, and both the Principal and Skipper when reporting for the course. Bring any personal medication necessary.
  11. SKIPPER’S/PRINCIPAL’S DECISIONS
    The Principal’s decision is final at all times, on any of the School’s property and the School’s vessel until the Skipper takes over. From the moment the Skipper steps onboard the instruction vessel in accordance with marine practice, the Skipper’s decisions are final always. All Students will accept all orders and decisions given to them by the Skipper at all times whilst onboard the School’s vessel or ashore, for the duration of the course until the course is complete and the Skipper is no longer onboard the vessel. The Skipper’s authority is total, day and night, in accordance with Marine Law. If, for any reason whatsoever, a Student does not accept an order from the Skipper or his designated substitute, whether the Student considers it to be reasonable or not, the Student shall be considered to be in breach of his Articles of Sailing. The Skipper shall take any action or decision he considers fit for the wellbeing of the vessel and crew. If the Student is placed ashore at the nearest port no liability whatsoever shall attach itself to the School and neither shall the student have redress for any expenses or unused portion of the fee. Neither any redress against the Skipper or School as a result of actions taken by the Skipper.
  12. SEA TIME
     Every attempt will be made to give Students maximum sea time. However, if in the Skipper’s opinion weather conditions, safety or any other considerations renders it imprudent, the Skipper’s decision is final.
  13. RESCHEDULE DUE TO WEATHER
    While every effort is made for classes to go ahead on the day planned, sometimes the weather can be unsuitable. In this event, the Student will be contacted via phone and/or email and a replacement day organised to suit. Any further changes or non-attendance will occur a full day reschedule fee.
  14. VESSEL CHANGE
    If, for any reason, the School is unable to fulfil a booking or a vessel becomes unseaworthy for any reason whatsoever, the School will inform the Student immediately the knowledge is available. No liability shall attach itself to the School beyond the refund of the full fee paid by the Student(s) or unused portions thereof.
  15. SCHOOL INSURANCE
    The School is insured for Instruction. However Student’s needs vary, the School strongly advises that the Student obtain their own insurance for sickness, course fees, illness or accident onboard, or any other reason the Student considers prudent for his personal life style or well-being.
  16. DISCLAIMER
    No liability is accepted for any Student’s vehicles parked or Student’s possessions in the vehicle, on the pontoons/piers or in the School’s vessels. No liability is accepted for Students whilst on School grounds, in any of the School properties, club grounds, on ladders, pontoons or vessels and all Students participate in any aspect of the course at their own risk.
  17. BREAKAGES OR DAMAGES
    Howsoever caused must be immediately notified to the Skipper or Principal for safety. Students shall be liable for any loss or damage to School equipment, vessel’s equipment, up to and including the first $200 per item.
  18. CERTIFICATES
    The School’s standards of instruction are high and certificates will only be issued at the end of a course if, in the opinion of the School’s Skipper’s and Principal, the Student has reached the necessary standard as set out in the RYA handbook. The School’s Principal and Skipper’s decision shall be final and accepted by all students.
  19. DUTIES ONBOARD
    All Students will be expected to participate in cooking, cleaning vessel and routine maintenance as required by the Skipper. At the end of the course all Students will be expected to clean the vessel from stem to stern.
  20. LOST PROPERTY
    The School is not to be held responsible for any articles of clothing or other property left on a vessel or at club or School property. Please ensure you take all your belongings with you when leaving the vessel or School.
  21. THEORY COURSES
    If a Student cannot attend their course through illness or commitments elsewhere it is requested that the School be contacted as soon as possible by both phone and email. Every possible attempt will be made to fill the Students place. The Student may be rescheduled but will be required to pay a rebooking fee of 30% of each course fee. Any Student who fails to arrive, for any reason whatsoever including illness and has not notified the School by both phone and email, will automatically forfeit the total monies paid and no liability by doing so shall attach to the School whatsoever.
  22. ADDITIONAL GOODS FOR THEORY COURSES
    Some courses may require the Student to purchase extra equipment, this is clearly stated on the website. A goods order form will be emailed with the receipt for course.
  23. RADIO OPERATORS
    All Students attending this course are required to supply a passport photo to send to the AMC with their exam. The application cannot be processed without a passport photo.
  24. ICC COURSES
    ICC applications take approx 6 weeks for the RYA in the UK to process. Please ensure you have allowed enough time before your charter. An ICC certification will last 5 years.
  25. GIFT VOUCHERS

    Gift vouchers are valid for 3 years from date of purchase as stated on the voucher. Vouchers are not redeemable after the voucher validity period has ended and as such will no longer be available for use. No liability will attach to the school for lost or misplaced gift vouchers. Vouchers are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for cash. Only one voucher can be used per booking. The value of the voucher will be deducted from the total booking value. The remaining balance, if any, must be paid by you in order to confirm the booking. Any outstanding difference between the voucher and the amount of the booking must be paid prior to the course. Should a credit payment/bank transfer be used for the remaining balance, the proof of payment is required prior to the course in order to confirm the booking. In the event a booking is cancelled by the school after voucher redemption, monies owing will be refunded in the form of a voucher or allocated to an alternative booking at your request. Please note that this will not reset the voucher validity period. In the event a booking is cancelled by the student the voucher amount will not be reallocated or refunded and the voucher will be forfeit in its entirety.