Reservations & Payments
At Topsail Events and Charters Ltd our aim is to provide you with a party or cruise to remember for all the right reasons. In order for our crew and staff on the day or night concerned to offer you the best service please be kind enough to complete our booking form with as much detail especially under Occasion for Party/Cruise. A booking will be confirmed when Topsail Events and Charters Ltd (trading as Topsail Events) have received a completed and signed booking form. A quotation will be valid for 28 days and a provisional booking will only be held for 28 days. If no form and deposit are received within that time the date will become available for other clients. Should a deposit be paid and no form supplied within 5 working days, the event shall be cancelled without refund and the date will be available to other customers. The balance of all monies (cleared funds) must be received no later than 28 days before the date of the voyage (or within 5 working days if the booking occurs less than 28 days before the voyage) to guarantee the vessel. Without full payment Topsail Events and Charters Ltd will not supply the vessel for the charter. Topsail Events and Charters Ltd are under no obligation to accept any booking and no reason need be stated. Organisers are able to pay by cheque, BACS, CHAPS, credit/debit card (plus a 3% handling fee).

Captains Control of the Vessel
During the entire hire period, the vessel will remain under absolute control of the Captain and / or his crew as provided by the owners. If for weather, tidal or other reasons the Captain considers it necessary to vary the scheduled trip, his decision will be final. The Captain has the right to refuse passage to any person or persons. The reasons for such refusal need not be stated, but will be in the interests of the owners, vessel or persons and crew embarked.

Damage & Loss
The Hirers are liable for any loss or damage to the vessel or equipment/staff caused by them or by the persons in the party. The organiser is invited to inspect the vessel prior to the embarkation of the party. Any client taking part is seasonal promotions must abide by our terms and conditions to obtain discounts or refunds.

Cancellation
If a voyage, party or function is cancelled by a client for any cause within 6 weeks of the voyage, party or function then 50% of the boat hire charge and all pier tolls where applicable are payable by the client. If the voyage, party or function is cancelled within 4 weeks of the voyage, party or function 100% of the boat hire charges, all pier tolls, entertainment, bar and catering costs where applicable are payable by the client. In the event of litigation Topsail Events and Charters Ltd will recover any costs from the client. Any deposits made cannot be credited against monies owed to us as a result of cancellation (all deposits are non refundable). Topsail Events and Charters Ltd reserves the right to cancel a function if it is found that information given by the client on the booking form is in any way false or knowingly incorrect, and in this situation no refunds will be given. Topsail Events and Charters Ltd cannot be held responsible or liable when a party or function must be cancelled due to circumstances beyond the control of Topsail Events and Charters Ltd, such as but not limited to Port of London Authority river closure.

Safety
All vessels owned or and/or operated by Topsail Events and Charters Ltd (trading as Topsail Events) fully comply with MCA Regulations including life saving appliances, insurance coverage and crewing. For further information please liaise with our office staff. Drinks are not permitted on any of the dance floors. Guests are advised to wear low heeled suitable footwear (preferably rubber soled) whilst on board the vessel. All accidents or injuries must be reported to staff and crew, AND reported in the vessels accident book. Should no accident or injury be reported in the accident book, Topsail Events and Charters Ltd will not be able to investigate any incident. A safety announcement will be given at the start of the function. The organizer is responsible for making sure all guests listen and adhere to the safety rules and regulations.

Office Times
Please note that the office is open 9.00am – 5.30pm but NOT AT WEEKENDS. Any issue relating to your cruise must be dealt with during these times. CREW OR STAFF ON THE DAY/NIGHT CONCERNED WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CHANGE ANY DETAILS OF YOUR CRUISE INCLUDING CRUISING TIMES.

Charter Times
Vessels will generally be ready for embarkation 15 minutes prior to the booked time and will return to the disembarkation pier approximately 15 minutes prior to disembarkation time. To meet local regulations, bars will close at this time. Every effort will be made to adhere to agreed time of sailing. Should late guests delay the departure of the vessel, the vessel will still return to the disembarkation pier at the agreed time as per the booking form.

Piers
We are able to book many different piers on the River Thames, (see www.thameslesiure.co.uk/piers) they are however subject to availability. Piers used for embarkation & disembarkation are not included in the charter fee and are charged at £65 + VAT, with the exception of Tower Pier, St Katharine’s Pier and London Bridge City Pier which costs are included in the charter fee. It should be noted that clients are only allowed 15 minutes to embark and disembark guests. Any pier stops required must be confirmed with the office prior to the day of the function to ensure pier space availability and will be charged.  In the event that you are booking a daytime charter disembarking later than 6pm the evening hourly rate will be charged for the whole of the cruise. All clients wishing to use any pier upriver past Westminster Bridge or downriver past (and including) Canary Wharf pier, will be charged an extra 1 hours charter price in addition to the minimum 3 hours hire in the daytime, or minimum 4 hours hire in the evening.

Bar
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES are clients allowed to bring their own beverages aboard Topsail Events and Charters Ltd‘s vessels. Any contravention of this policy will result in the function being terminated immediately at the nearest pier without refund. Topsail Events and Charters Ltd’s crews have the Company’s complete authority in this matter. All bars will close 15 minutes prior to the finishing time of the event or function to allow for drinking up time.

If corporate clients wish to run an account bar, this must be arranged prior to the date of the function. A minimum deposit of £25.00 per head will be charged. If a client wishes to put a ceiling on the account bar, or wishes to provide only specified drinks (for example beer, house wine and soft drinks but no spirits) please inform the office personnel prior to the function. ARRANGEMENTS FOR ACCOUNT BARS CANNOT BE MADE ONCE ABOARD. If the amount of the account bar exceeds the deposit taken, an invoice for the balance will be issued which should be paid within 5 working days. Alternatively, if the amount is under spent, a credit note with a company cheque will be issued within 5 working days.

If an itemised bar receipt is required this must be requested at the start of the charter — ITEMISED BAR RECEIPTS CANNOT BE ISSUED ONCE THE BAR HAS CLOSED.

PLEASE NOTE CHEQUES AND/OR CREDIT CARDS ARE NOT ACCEPTED ABOARD TOPSAIL EVENTS AND CHARTERS LTD’S VESSELS.

Wines
Only house red, rose and white wine, house champagne and sparkling wine are available on a sale or return basis. Any other wines required from our wine list must be pre ordered and prepaid for prior to the function. Unopened bottles must be taken by the client at the end of the party otherwise unopened bottles will be taken back into stock without refund.

Catering
Clients do not have to order catering but for our client’s health and safety, we will supply all catering where required. A catering surcharge will apply for less than a certain number on various menus. We advise that food is ordered for all guests. (For our comprehensive catering menus see the Topsail Events website (topsailevents.co.uk). Subject to Topsail Events not being able to provide a satisfactory menu, clients are welcome to bring their own cold catering (no hot or warm food, no heating or warming equipment, no access to our kitchens or equipment) at a surcharge of £150.00 for Tideway and Sailing Barge Will, £200.00 for William B, £250.00 for Dutch Master.  These costings will be added to the boat charter. Own catering does not include own beverages of any kind (including but not limited to soft drinks & alcoholic drinks).

Entertainment
Our DJ’s play a cross section of popular music from 70′s to present day. If you do have any specific music requirements, or wish to arrange a karaoke or live band (jazz, steel, covers band etc) our staff will be pleased to discuss your requirements.

If a client wishes to supply their own DJ there is a surcharge of £50 + VAT. Own DJ equipment is not allowed aboard the William B, however you are able to bring your own DJ and hire our equipment. (For more information on dj and equipment hire see www.thamesleisure.co.uk/entertainment. Noise limiters are fitted on our vessels to comply with regulations which are under the Captains control at all times.

Decoration
Guests are welcome to supply and setup their own decoration. Extra charge may apply to cover pier and cleaning charges. We do not allow party poppers, sparklers, silly string, confetti, candles, fireworks, chewing gum or similar.

Under Age Persons
For parties or cruises where guests are under 18 it is Topsail Events and Charters Ltd’s policy that there is appropriate and adequate parental and / or teacher supervision. We insist on 1 parent/teacher per 10 guests (they must complete a ‘Supervision Form’ with all names and telephone numbers of teachers/parents who will be attending. These guests must be checked in and onboard for the duration of the cruise) and 1 Security member per 50 guests. Should a booking me made without under age guests being declared, Topsail Events and Charters Ltd withhold the right to cancel the event without refund or surcharges. Please note that only those who are 18 years of age or older can make a booking with Topsail Events and Charters Ltd.

Security
We reserve the right to insist on licensed Security persons being aboard. For example, all parties on the Dutch Master and all parties where guests are aged 21 years and under without exception, we insist on Security being aboard the vessel. It will be supplied at additional cost to the hirer. Please contact the office for details. (General cost at time of going to print is £16 per man per hour + VAT, as security staff start 30 mins prior to a party and finish 30 mins after a party.  Security are always charged against the number of hours the boat has been chartered for.) Security will perform random or specific searches of guests whilst embarking. Any food (except where pre arranged with the office) soft drinks or alcoholic beverages found will be confiscated and destroyed.

Other
Should any guest have any cause or reason for complaint, Topsail Events and Charters Ltd’s staff must be notified before the end of the functions or event and then the details re-confirmed in writing on the next working day. Should no notification or written confirmation be given, complaints cannot be accepted.

Smoking is not permitted on the inside of the vessels, however guests are welcome to smoke on the outside open decks of the vessel.

Topsail Events and Charters Ltd are not responsible for any items left or lost on the vessels. No items or equipment may be left on the vessel without prior arrangement with the office.

It is the organiser’s responsibility to ensure that all guests within their party or function agree to the terms and conditions of hire as set out above. The organizer will be responsible for all behavior and actions of guests. Verbal abuse or threatening behavior will not be tolerated by any of our staff, crew or suppliers, and in the event where such instances arise the necessary authorities shall be notified.

TOPSAIL EVENTS AND CHARTERS LTD OPERATE A ‘ROAR’ POLICY AND A POLICY OF ZERO TOLERANCE ON DRUGS