Operating hours
Hours of operation of hire vessels are from 0700
hrs (7.00am) to 1600 hrs (4.00pm) daylight hours only.
Please note that return time for hire vessels
from April to September is 3pm (1500 hrs) due to daylight saving.
Operating Area
The area of operation of the Centre Cabin vessels is the inland waterways of Greater Sydney area, including Broken Bay, Pittwater, Brisbane Water, Hawkesbury River, Nepean River, Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), Parramatta River, Botany Bay, Georges River, Port Hacking, Hacking River and the offshore waters within 5 (five) nautical miles (9 km) laterally from the coast.
The area of operation for our Runabouts is
"Smooth Waters" only as per AMSA regulations and RMS Boating Maps – NO
OFFSHORE use for these vessels - we provide these maps at the time of booking
confirmation as well as on board our vessels.
The area of operation for our Bowriders are
"Sheltered Waters" as per AMSA regulations and RMS Boating Maps
available online as well as on board our vessels – NO OFFSHORE USE of these
vessels.
Our vessels are strictly not to be beached other
than for emergency situations.
Weather
The vessels are available for hire on open waters
if the offshore swell size is 2 (two) metres or less and/or the wind speed is
20 knots or less. Also, the hirer must not operate the vessel in deteriorating
weather conditions, (poor visibility) within bays, rivers, lakes or offshore.
The Hirer must ensure that weather conditions are monitored at all times during
the hire period. Should the weather deteriorate, it is the Hirer’s
responsibility to return to shelter or to the retrieving facilities and notify
our staff as soon as practicable, as to enable us to arrange vessel retrieve at
the ramp.
On Water Induction
First time Hirers will receive a safety and vessel
operation briefing prior to using the hire vessel and complete a pre-departure
operating safety checklist. The on-water safety briefing is intended to be
informative and to make the Hirer familiar with the vessel features, safety
equipment and controls. The Hirer will also receive a copy of The Vessel
Operation Manual as well as Emergency Management Plan, both which are to be
read before hiring the vessel.
Payments
Oz Boat Hire requires a $250 booking deposit at the
time of booking. The booking deposit will be credited towards your total hire
cost. The balance will be due the day prior to the hire. We accept credit cards,
online bank transfers or cash.
Postponements
We do not grant transfer/postpone bookings for light
rain alone or overcast conditions. We do not transfer/postpone bookings within
72 hrs of the hire time (except for unsuitable weather conditions when agreed
between the Hirer and Oz Boat Hire management) The transfer/postponement of
booking to another date is valid for 3 months from the date of the original
booking.
Security Deposit
Oz Boat Hire requires a $1000 Security Deposit for
each hire period. The Security Deposit covers the insurance premium excess in
the event that any damage occurs to the vessel or the trailer. The Hirer is responsible
for any damage for the duration of the hire. We accept credit card or cash for
Security Deposit payments.
Should the hire vessel not be returned within
the agreed time as stated on the Hire Contract and the Hirer is unable to be
made contact with, it will be deemed that the Hirer has lost/stolen the vessel
and Oz Boat Hire will take steps to regain possession, including Police action.
The Security Deposit will be forfeited in that case.
Additional costs apply for a late return if not
prearranged. An additional charge of $30 per 15mins will be charged for late
return of the hire vessel. The Hirer must pay for any penalty notices that may
be issued by any Marine Authority, occurring during the hire period.
The Security Deposit will be returned at the end
of the hire period provided that the vessel has been returned on time, full of
fuel and not damaged. If the deposit is paid for using a credit card, it will
usually take up to 6 working days for the funds to be released by the
respective financial institution.
If the Hirer has paid for the deposit using
cash, the Security Deposit will be refunded upon return of the vessel, provided
that the vessel is in the same condition as at the time of handover. Any damage
to the hire vessel will be deducted out of this Security Deposit.
Cancellations
The Hirer is required give our staff at least 48
hours notice requesting cancellation of boat hire (except for extreme
situations). In the event the Hirer requests cancellation within the 48 hours
prior to vessel hire, Oz Boat Hire requires full payment for the hire booked.
Please note that we do not refund booking deposits.
Boat Licence
Our hire vessels are required to be controlled at
all times by persons holding a valid NSW Roads and Maritime Power Boat Licence
or an equivalent interstate or internationally recognised, accepted and valid
permit (since the vessels are capable of travelling at a speed of over 10
knots). Additional persons controlling the vessel must be named on the Hire
Agreement and must hold similar certification as the principal Hirer.
All Hirers and persons controlling the hire vessels
must be at least 18 years of age.
Hirers will abide by all Maritime Authorities,
marine and environmental legislation, including being responsible for having Recreational
Fishing Licenses for all anglers on board, if required.
Fuel Cost
Oz Boat Hire will supply the hire vessel at the time of handover with a full tank of fuel. When we are delivering the vessel to the ramp for your use, we will refill the fuel tank on your behalf at the end of the hire period, supply a copy of the receipt and deduct the fuel cost from the Security Deposit. Alternatively, the Hirer can meet our delivery staff at the petrol station mutually agreed and pay the fuel cost.
