1. NB Maddison General Terms

Please note that we do not accept single sex bookings of more than 2 persons without prior approval and your acceptance of our conditional booking terms. 

Location

NB Maddison is currently moored in Penkridge, Staffordshire, on the Staffs & Worcester Canal. The location of her mooring may be subject to temporary or permanent re-location to another town or part of the canal system. In any event we will keep you informed.

Booking & Initial Payment

The confirmation of booking will be given once the fully completed booking form along with a non refundable deposit of (min £100.00 or 10% rounded up to the next £10) of the total price has been received by us. The hirer will then be responsible for paying the full balance at least two calendar months prior to the start date of their narrow boat holiday.

2022 Bookings & HMRC Fuel Duties - From April 2022, HMRC are planning to increase the tax on the diesel fuel used to power canal boats. Should this happen, the cost of diesel for canal boats could be equivalent to road diesel costs. As family oriented people we don't want to put any prices up, unfortunately we can't shoulder this cost alone. In the event that this increase happens, we'll be regrettably forced to add a supplement up to £10 per night you've booked dependant on the actual increase. 

1.1

Your extra financial responsibilities

Car Parking - There is free parking for two vehicles. Extra vehicles are charged at £10.00 per vehicle per visit.

Boat Speeding Fines - Reported or witnessed incidents are the hirers responsibility.

Boat Damages - Malicious, negligent or intentional damage to the boat, its equipment, the waterway and its infrastructure, other boats or structures. Damage to paintwork above gunnel's = Variable costs. 

Costs for replacing lost or damaged equipment. (These costs will include parts as set out below and labour at £45 per hour / part hour. This includes the time spent travelling to collect the parts in question. We will provide an invoice detailing the charges.

Windlass = £30. Piling Mooring Hook = £20. Mooring Ground Pin = £20. Front Fender = £130. Rear Fender = £130. Tiller Bar = £120. Folding Chair = £15. Crockery & Glasses per item = £5. Side Window Glass = £250. Front Window Glass = £150. Side Fender Eyelets = £30. Tunnel Light = £35. Horn = £40. Mushroom Vent = £40. Boat Pole = £50. Boat Hook = £50. 

Late Arrival / Return - Late Arrival at or Returning the boat beyond the agreed time. See Late Arrival / Return Charges below.

Cleaning - Return of boat in an unclean condition. £80.00

​Extra Gas - Purchase of replacement gas cylinders at your expense.

Fuel Call-out - Running out of fuel. £100 + Fuel costs for 20 litres / plus £3.00 / mile travel charge.

Toilet Blockages - Call Out = £95 + £3.00 / mile travel charge. Returned Blocked = £95. We will provide photographic evidence in the event of any dispute.

In the event of any of the above occurrences, we shall claim the full cost of repairs, replacement or compensation fees. 

Hire Period – Collection and Return of narrow boat

The hire period commences at 14:00 hrs on the first day of your hire and ends at 10:00 hrs on the final day unless an alternate time has been agreed. This will be recorded on the Boat Handover Certificate. 

Late Arrival / Return Charges

To be fair to you, we have  a 30 minute grace period to return Maddison. After this 30 minutes grace period, there is unfortunately a fee of £65. And for every subsequent hour overdue after the agreed return time.

For Example. If the boat is to be returned at 10am and is late, then at 10:31 am the late charge is applied. If the boat returns at 11:01 am another late return charge is applied. And at 1 minute every hour thereafter.

Boat Cleaning

We provide you with cleaning equipment and products on the boat.

The boat must be returned in a clean condition i.e. all bins emptied, all pots, pans and crockery cleaned and put away, all raised hard surfaces (including the cooker) cleaned. Shower, sinks and toilets are cleaned. Floors should be swept and mopped.  There is a fee as set out above in Financial Responsibilities above for failing to return the boat in a clean and tidy condition. 

Cancellation

Should you, the HIRER, cancel the booking due to your disinclination to travel, we will attempt to re-let Maddison at the full price. If this is successful, all monies less the deposit will be refunded. However if we do not succeed in re-letting the boat for that period, you, the HIRER are responsible for promptly paying the balance of the hire fees at the agreed balance due date.

Cancellation / Travel Insurance

The HIRER is advised to make their own cancellation insurance arrangements. If travel / movement restrictions are imposed by the UK Government that prevent you from occupying the boat, we will require documentation from your travel insurers that you have applied for and been declined compensation for your loss before we consider any refund of any payments made to us.

2. Conditions of Use

Free tuition will be given to the hirer who will ensure that the narrow boat is in good working order. Where the hirer is not familiar with the working locks and general navigation of the canal network, they will be taken through locks and supervised in the safe and courteous navigation of the canal and operation of its infrastructure.

Age Limits

Bookings from persons under the age of 21 cannot be accepted. No person under the age of 21 may control the narrow boat.

Cycles/ Canoes

No cycles or canoes are allowed on board Maddison.

Pets

We welcome one medium size or two small breed dogs aboard Maddison. There is a £45 fee per dog, per week or part week subject to the below conditions.

Dog Conditions 

• All dogs must be kept off beds, seating and soft furnishings.

• Guests bring with them dog blankets / bedding for their dog to sleep on.

• Guests must use their own dog bowls for water and food.

• Pets must not be left alone, unattended on the boat.

Smoking / Vaping

Is not permitted inside the boat cabin.

Toilet Tank Pump Out

The boat’s toilet tank will be provided empty at the start of your holiday. Should the tank become full (as can be seen on the tank gauge) before the end of the holiday you are responsible for the cost of emptying the tank. The boat can be returned with a full tank without charge. The toilet must not be used once the tank is full and any damage caused by its continued use once the tank is full will be charged to you.

Toilet Blockages

The toilets provided on board are a maceration type. Instructions on its use will be provided during the handover. Should we need to be called out due to misuse i.e. wipes, cotton wool, sanitary items  or any other foreign matter causing a blockage then a call-out fee (as above) will be charged to the hirer.

Additionally, when the boat is returned, if a blockage is discovered to the toilets by disposing of items that are prohibited, that you will have been told about, there will be a charge (as above) to remedy any blockage.

Fishing

Fishing may be carried out from the front and rear decks of the boat whilst stationary. You will require a rod licence to comply with the law. Live fish bait must not be taken inside the boat or stored in the boats fridge or other storage areas.

Cruising Limits.

The boat may be taken on canals. Experienced hirers will need to agree with us any cruising on rivers, prior to the start of their holiday. Disregard of this hiring condition leaves the hirer responsible for all damages, recovery and third party claims.

Heating Use

As a condition of your hire, the heating system must not be left running whilst the boat boat is unoccupied. 

Leaving Unoccupied

During your hire period, the boat may not be left unattended overnight in any location without the prior consent of the owners.

3. Safety Rules, Common Sense and Navigation Bye Laws 

The hirer agrees to the following:

• Travel no more than 4 mph

• Never create a wash that breaks on the bank (even at 4mph this is possible)

• Slow right down to tick-over when passing moored boats

• No cruising between sunset and sunrise

• No smoking / vaping inside the boat

• Only carry those named on the Booking Form / Handover Certificate

• Do not carry portable heaters, toasters and other gas or electrical appliances not agreed by us, flammable substances or other hazardous items.

• Comply with CRT/Environment Agency bye-laws: these specifically include leaving lock paddles in the correct position, and being considerate to other waterway users and property

• Although we want you to enjoy yourselves may we draw attention to the fact it is illegal to be drunk in charge of any vessel on British Waterways.

4. NB Maddison Regulations.

We (The Boat Owners) reserve the right to refuse to hand over a Narrowboat to any person who, in our opinion, is not suitable to take charge of the vessel. In the event of this happening, all payments (minus deposit) will be refunded to the proposed hirer, who will then have no further claim against the boat owners.

We reserve the right to repossess the boat at any time if, in our opinion, the boat is being mishandled, misused illegally or if the crew’s behaviour is considered detrimental to other waterway users or the safe use of the boat. In the event of this happening, no portion of the hire fee will be refunded.

Your Insurance - Hirers are strongly advised to take out personal holiday insurance cover against cancellation / injury or loss of belongings.

5. Exemptions

The boat owners shall not be liable for matters arising beyond our reasonable control, or not due to our negligence or wilful default including without limitation: death or personal injury of Hirers, their crew and passengers; loss or damage to property; non-fulfilment or interruption of the reservation; delays; breakdowns; mechanical problems; defects; damage; restrictions on cruising; obstructions; repairs to waterways; non-availability of routes; storms, floods, drought, ice shortage of water and other weather conditions; non-availability of fuel; or in respect of any loss, damage, expense, injury or claim.

Delays and Restrictions. 

No liability can be accepted by us for any delays or non-completion of planned cruising caused by restrictions, obstructions, or repair to the waterways system or any unforeseen cause. We reserve the right to restrict the cruising area without prior notice should any stoppages, unusual or hazardous conditions prevail.

Breakdown and Repairs 

Every care is taken to ensure our boat is serviced at regular intervals and in good working order. In case of breakdown, occasional faults or repairs needed, please contact us immediately and we will take the appropriate action to attempt to remedy the situation as quickly as possible. All repairs are our responsibility and should not be put into the hands of others without our authority.

Towing

You must not tow or be towed by, any other vessel without our permission.

Accidents

If the hirer is involved in an incident, the following procedure should take place:

• Contact us immediately giving the following information -

• Time, Date & Location of the incident.

• Full details of the boats involved: index numbers, names and person/ persons involved and name and address of any witnesses.

• Full details of the incident including time, date, actions and damage/injury caused to any property/persons.

• Under no circumstances must the hirer admit any liability.

We will then take the appropriate action to resolve the incident as quickly as possible.

6. Hirer’s Vehicles and Property.

There is free parking for two cars at the marina. Extra vehicles are charged at the rate at condition 1.1 above. 

However, we or the marina do not accept any liability whatsoever for loss or damage to customers’ vehicles and property. You are advised not to leave valuables in your vehicles.