TERMS & CONDITIONS

  • TERMINOLOGY
    These are the terms and conditions that Offshore Sailing Centre (Pty) Ltd. trading as Offshore Sailing
    Academy, utilize. When you reserve a course or courses at Offshore Sailing Academy and make
    payment, you are considered to have read, understood, and consented to the following Terms and
    Conditions.
  • BALACE OF COURSE FEES
    Full payment (100%) of the course cost must be received at the latest, fourteen (14) days prior to the
    start of the course date.

  • CANCELLATION/DELAY/NO-SHOW
    Cancellation:
    – More than three months before the course start date: Course payments made are refunded
    less a 10% administrative fee.
    – One to Three months before the course start date: 50% of course fees paid less a 10%
    administrative fee.
    – Fourteen days to one month before course start date: 30% of course fees paid less a 10%
    administrative fee.
    – Fourteen days to course start date: No refund is applicable.
    Any student who fails to arrive for any reason, will automatically forfeit all monies paid to Offshore
    Sailing Academy.
    Cancelation due to personal, mild illness or work-related issues, even if you notify the school (any
    period less than 14 days before your course start date), will automatically forfeit the total amount paid,
    and Offshore Sailing Academy will bear no liability as a result. However Offshore Sailing Academy will
    attempt to rebook you for a later date within a 12-month period.
    If you are likely to be delayed before the course, please inform us as soon as possible.
    If you are likely to miss a day or two during any course due to personal or work-related issues please
    inform us at the time of booking or as soon as it becomes apparent. In this case Offshore Sailing
    Academy will allow you to make up the missed day/s on a mutually agreed date suitable to both
    parties within 3 months of original course booked.
    Bookings made in your name can be transferred over to someone else in line with above timelines.
    Admin fees might apply.

    The following are the only circumstances in which the rules above about student cancellation apply:
    you are unable to attend the course because of serious illness or death; if one of these scenarios
    occurs, your course monies paid will be refunded.
    If you booked the course in response to Offshore Sailings Academy’s direct marketing and cancelled
    in writing within 5 business days, (referencing your cancellation right in section 16 of the Consumer
    Protection Act) and providing a bank letter with your account details, your deposit will be refunded
    within 15 business days of receiving the cancellation notice. All notices must be sent via email to
    bookings@yachtsman.co.za

  • COURSE DURATION
    All students are expected to be on time for the start of each class, which is the time shown on the
    confirmation form as confirmed by Offshore Sailing Academy by phone or email. Students will receive
    notification about the start timings as soon as their booking is confirmed.
  • UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE
    Minors under the age of eighteen may be able to attend a course with a parent or guardian. All
    booking and indemnity forms for those under the age of eighteen must be signed by a parent or legal
    guardian, who should note this following the signature. The minimum age for skippers courses are 16
    years of age. Such Requirements need to be discussed with Offshore Sailing Academy to ensure the
    proper safety measures are in place for the minor and all students. Safety protocols if established will
    need to be strictly adhered to.
    The parent/guardian of any student under eighteen years of age will ensure that any personal
    information of a child will be supplied to Offshore Sailing Academy only with the consent of a
    competent person to all the provisions set out in this clause.
  • SEA SICKNESS AND FITNESS
    If a student suffers from motion sickness(seasickness), they must make provision for themselves.
    Students with unique medical needs should additionally confirm with their general practitioner that
    they are fit to sail, inform Offshore Sailing Academy when you make your booking, and notify the
    skipper and principal when you report for the course. Also note this on the indemnity form. Ensure to
    bring any personal medications that you may require for any chronic conditions you might have. Any
    concerns regarding to your condition can be discussed with Offshore Sailing Academy.

  • ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES AND FIREARMS
    Under no circumstances will any student be allowed to continue on any course should he/she be
    found to be involved with or be in possession of / or be connected to banned substances/drugs.
    Any student caught will be dismissed immediately and no refunds at all on course fees or any exam
    fees / manuals / day one hire fees / visa fees etc.
    Drugs on a crew member can lead to arrest of this person and the crew and the vessel. The skipper
    will then be held accountable and in addition to losing his vessel, will lose his license.
    Any crew member finding another crew member with drugs is duty bound to report this.
    No firearms or ammunition of any kind is allowed on any school vessel at any time – If found carrying
    a concealed firearm you will be asked to leave the course without the possibility of a refund.

    Offshore Sailing Academy run dry boats, meaning no alcohol onboard whilst sailing.

    bring any personal medications that you may require for any chronic conditions you might have. Any
    concerns regarding to your condition can be discussed with Offshore Sailing Academy.

  • SKIPPER’S/PRINCIPAL’S DECISIONS
    The principal’s judgment is definitive on all school property and boats until the skipper takes control.
    The skipper’s decisions: The skipper’s decisions are definitive from the minute he or she comes
    onboard the teaching vessel, in accordance with nautical practice and maritime law.
    All crew/students will accept all instructions and decisions issued by the skipper at all times, whether
    aboard the school’s vessel or ashore, during the length of the course, until the course is over, and the
    skipper has left the vessel. According to Maritime Law, the skipper’s authority extends as long as
    he/she is on board the vessel.
    If a student refuses to accept an order from the skipper or his designated substitute for any reason,
    whether reasonable or unreasonable, the student will be in breach of his Articles of Sailing. The
    skipper is authorized to take any action or make any decision that he believes is necessary for the
    vessel’s and crew’s safety. The student shall not be entitled to any reimbursement for any
    expenditures or unused portion of the fees. As a result of the skipper’s actions.

  • VESSEL CHANGE
    If offshore Sailing Academy changes boats owing to any vessel being unsuitable for any reason, or
    there is a delay, the validity of the booking and the Terms and Conditions indicated above are
    unaffected.

  • SCHOOL CANCELLATION
    If Offshore Sailing Academy is unable to fulfil a booking and the need arises to cancel a course (not
    applicable to course date postponements, only relevant to course cancellations), or if a vessel
    becomes unseaworthy, you will be notified as soon as the knowledge is available. Offshore Sailing
    Academy shall have no obligation beyond refunding the full course monies paid by the student or
    unused portions thereof. That being a course cancellation only and excludes and is not applicable
    where course dates are postponed and/or rescheduled.

  • SCHOOL INSURANCE
    Offshore Sailing Academy offers defence against lawsuits alleging bodily harm or property damage to
    third parties that result from any and all training or course-related activities onboard the vessel. An
    indemnity document must be signed by students before they may begin any courses.
    We highly advise obtaining supplemental insurance for sickness, illness, school costs, illness or injury
    while on board, or any other reason the student deems advisable for his own lifestyle or well-being, as
    our refund policy is solely applicable to course payments. The student acknowledges that the school’s
    insurance policies are sufficient and that they may be seen upon request.

  • EYE TEST
    Upon making a reservation, all students enrolled in the day skipper or coastal skipper courses must
    have a colour blindness test performed. (an eye test form will be supplied to be completed by an
    optometrist – only this supplied official form is accepted by SA Sailing) The cost of this test is for the
    students own account. Please note: a person suffering from colour blindness can only be issued with
    a day skippers’ ticket. No coastal skippers’ ticket will be issued to a person suffering from colour
    blindness.

  • DISCLAIMER
    If a student parks their car within the yacht mole or surroundings during or after class or at the yacht
    clubs parking areas, no responsibility is assumed for the vehicle or its contents. Additionally, Offshore
    Sailing Academy disclaims any responsibility for student belongings left in its vehicles, boats, or
    classrooms. We advised that all personal belongings are well insured.
    Students use Offshore Sailing Academy’s property and offices, Durban Marina’s pontoons, docks, and
    boats at their own risk, and they engage in all aspects of the courses at their own risk.

  • BREAKAGES, LOST ITEMS OR DAMAGES
    For everyone’s safety, any damage or equipment lost must be reported right away to the skipper.
    When it comes to school supplies and maritime equipment, students are responsible for any loss or
    damage if proved to be by pure negligence.

  • CERTIFICATES AND COURSE EVALUATION
    All course completion certificates given by the Offshore Sailing Academy are not considered genuine
    skippers tickets. To get a skipper’s ticket, an application must be submitted directly to SA Sailing,
    which is the authorised issuing agency. Offshore Sailing Academy will assist and advise you through
    the application procedure, but it is your obligation to complete before any SA Sailing examinations are
    administered.
    Once exams are written with Offshore Sailing Academy, it is the school’s obligation to courier the
    exams and results to SA Sailing. SA Sailing will compare your application to the current exams and
    award the skippers ticket if everything is in order. Please be advised that SA Sailing might request a
    re-examination for auditing purposes.

  • CHANGES TO TERMS AND CONDITIONS
    Offshore Sailing Academy reserves the right to change these Terms and Conditions from time to time
    where circumstances require, provided that such changes will be reasonable and will be
    communicated to the student on reasonable notice.