Welcome to Cycad Coast Charters.
Your safety and enjoyment are our highest priorities. Every reasonable precaution is taken to ensure a safe, enjoyable and professional charter experience. However, offshore boating and fishing involve inherent risks that cannot be completely eliminated.
All passengers are required to read and understand these Safety Guidelines and Terms & Conditions before participating in any charter and before signing the accompanying Indemnity Form.
By boarding the vessel, passengers acknowledge that they understand and agree to these Terms & Conditions.
- Passenger Responsibilities
All passengers agree to:
- Follow all lawful instructions given by the skipper and crew immediately.
- Behave responsibly and in a manner that does not endanger themselves, other passengers or the vessel.
- Respect the skipper’s authority on all matters relating to safety.
- Inform the skipper before departure of any medical conditions, allergies, injuries, disabilities or physical limitations that may affect their safety.
- Inform the skipper if they are unable to swim.
- Bring any required personal medication, including inhalers, EpiPens or other emergency medication.
- Hold a valid South African recreational fishing licence where required by law.
- Ensure children remain under the supervision of a responsible adult at all times.
- Exercise reasonable care when using all equipment supplied by Cycad Coast Charters.
- Safety Rules
For the safety of everyone on board:
- Life jackets must be worn during launching, beaching and whenever instructed by the skipper.
- Passengers must remain seated whenever instructed, particularly during rough sea conditions or while the vessel is underway.
- Hands, feet and personal belongings must remain clear of moving equipment and hazardous areas.
- Fishing hooks, knives, gaffs and other fishing equipment must be handled carefully.
- No passenger may interfere with the safe operation or navigation of the vessel.
- Passengers must immediately notify the skipper of any injury, illness or unsafe condition.
- The skipper’s decisions regarding safety are final and must be obeyed at all times.
- Alcohol and Prohibited Substances
Responsible alcohol consumption is permitted provided it does not compromise the safety of any person on board.
Any passenger who is intoxicated, behaves recklessly or places themselves or others at risk may be refused boarding or have the charter terminated at the skipper’s discretion without refund.
The possession or use of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited.
- Weather and Sea Conditions
Passenger safety will always take priority over completing a charter.
Charters may be delayed, postponed, cancelled or terminated due to:
- Unsafe weather conditions
- Rough sea conditions
- Mechanical issues
- Operational requirements
- Any circumstance the skipper considers unsafe
Where reasonably possible, bookings affected by weather or safety concerns will be rescheduled by mutual agreement.
- Equipment
Fishing rods, reels, tackle and all other equipment supplied during the charter remain the property of Cycad Coast Charters.
Passengers agree to:
- Use all equipment responsibly.
- Follow the skipper’s instructions regarding the correct use of equipment.
- Avoid careless, reckless or unsafe handling of any equipment.
Normal wear and tear is accepted as part of normal fishing operations.
However, any equipment that is:
- intentionally damaged;
- damaged through reckless or negligent use; or
- lost overboard due to a passenger’s negligence,
may be repaired or replaced at the passenger’s expense.
Cycad Coast Charters reserves the right to recover the reasonable cost of repair or replacement where applicable.
- Fishing Licences
Where required by law, every passenger participating in recreational fishing is responsible for obtaining and carrying a valid South African recreational fishing licence before departure.
Failure to obtain the required licence remains the responsibility of the passenger.
- Catch Policy
All fishing activities are conducted in accordance with South African fisheries legislation.
Passengers may keep their legal catch, subject to:
- Bag limits
- Size restrictions
- Protected species regulations
- Any applicable conservation measures
The skipper reserves the right to release any fish that may not legally be retained.
- Medical Emergencies
Passengers acknowledge that offshore activities may delay access to emergency medical assistance.
In the event of illness or injury, the skipper will take whatever action is considered reasonable and necessary for the safety of all passengers, including returning to shore immediately if required.
Passengers remain responsible for ensuring they are medically fit to participate.
- Personal Property
Passengers bring all personal belongings aboard entirely at their own risk.
Cycad Coast Charters accepts no responsibility for the loss, theft or damage of:
- Cell phones
- Cameras
- Sunglasses
- Clothing
- Jewellery
- Fishing equipment
- Cooler boxes
- Any other personal belongings
- Photography and Media
Photographs and videos may be taken during the charter.
Unless otherwise requested before departure, Cycad Coast Charters reserves the right to use these photographs or videos for promotional, advertising or social media purposes.
Passengers who do not wish to appear in photographs should notify the skipper before departure.
- Assumption of Risk
Passengers acknowledge that offshore boating and fishing involve inherent risks, including but not limited to:
- Slips, trips and falls
- Launching and beach landings
- Rough seas
- Sudden weather changes
- Vessel movement
- Seasickness
- Fishing hooks
- Knives and sharp equipment
- Fish spines, bites and other marine life
- Boarding and disembarking the vessel
- Equipment malfunction despite proper maintenance
- Delays in emergency medical assistance
- Any other risks naturally associated with offshore boating and fishing
Passengers voluntarily accept these risks.
- Right to Refuse Service
The skipper reserves the right to refuse boarding, terminate a charter or return to shore immediately should any passenger:
- Fail to follow instructions.
- Behave dangerously.
- Endanger themselves or others.
- Display abusive or aggressive behaviour.
- Be under the influence of alcohol or drugs to the extent that safety may be compromised.
No refund will be payable where a charter is terminated due to a passenger’s misconduct.
- Bookings and Payment
Bookings are confirmed once payment has been received unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Charters affected by weather or safety concerns will, where reasonably possible, be rescheduled by mutual agreement.
Cancellation and refund requests will be considered in accordance with the circumstances of the booking and at the discretion of Cycad Coast Charters.
- Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by South African law, Cycad Coast Charters, its owners, employees, crew and representatives shall not be liable for any loss, injury, illness, death, damage or expense arising from participation in any charter, except where such liability cannot legally be excluded.
Nothing contained in these Terms & Conditions limits any rights that cannot lawfully be excluded under applicable South African legislation.
- Acknowledgement
By signing the accompanying Indemnity Form, each passenger confirms that they:
- Have read and understood these Safety Guidelines and Terms & Conditions.
- Understand the inherent risks associated with offshore boating and fishing.
- Agree to comply with all lawful instructions given by the skipper and crew.
- Participate voluntarily and at their own risk.
- Accept that the skipper’s decisions regarding safety are final.
- Understand that these Terms & Conditions form part of the agreement between themselves and Cycad Coast Charters.