Škola jachtingu — RYA Training Centre

Terms and Conditions – Practical Courses at Sea

1 PROVISIONAL BOOKINGS

Bookings are accepted through the online booking form on this website (www.skolajachtingu.cz). A provisional booking is not binding on either the School or the student. After a provisional booking, the student will receive an invoice to pay by the due date. If the course starts in more than 28 days, the invoice is for a deposit. If it starts in less than 28 days, the invoice is for the full course fee.

2 CONFIRMED BOOKINGS

A booking becomes binding and valid once the required deposit is paid. If the booking is made less than 28 days before the start of the course, it becomes binding once the full course fee is paid.

3 BOOKING CONFIRMATION

The School confirms receipt of a booking by sending an invoice for the required deposit or the full course fee.

4 DEPOSIT

  • For bookings made more than 28 days before the start of the course, a deposit of 50% of the course fee is required. The School will ask the student to pay the balance by sending a balance invoice, which must be paid by its due date.

  • For bookings made less than 28 days before the start of the course, the full fee must be paid on the basis of the issued invoice.

  • If the student has not paid the balance by the due date on the balance invoice, the School will send a written reminder by email to the address given in the booking form. If the balance is still not paid as the School instructs, the School reserves the right to offer the place on the course to other applicants.

  • If the School resells the place to another applicant, the student forfeits only the deposit.

  • If the School cannot resell the place, the student must pay the full course fee.

  • The deposit is non-refundable. It will only be refunded if the School cancels the course.

5 COURSE DURATION

4-day practical courses start on Saturday at about 18:00 and end on Wednesday at about 18:00. 6-day practical courses start on Saturday at about 18:00 and end on Friday at about 18:00. A practical exam following a practical course starts on Wednesday at about 20:00 and ends on Saturday at about 08:00. All times are approximate, and students will be told of any changes before the course starts. During practical training, times also depend on the weather, the skipper's or instructor's decisions and whether the boat is seaworthy at the time.

6 LATE ARRIVAL AND CANCELLATION BY THE STUDENT

  • If for any reason you cannot arrive by the start of the course, please let us know as soon as possible.

  • If a student cannot attend a course because of illness or other commitments, they must tell the School as soon as possible. If a student cancels less than 28 days before the start of the course, the School will do everything it can to sell the place to another applicant. If another applicant is found, the student forfeits only the deposit. If not, the student must pay the full course fee. We recommend taking out travel and cancellation insurance.

  • If a student does not turn up for the course for any reason and has not told the School, the full amount paid is forfeited automatically and the School has no further obligations to the student.

7 LATE RETURN OF THE BOAT

If the boat returns late from a practical course for any reason, the student may either stay on board at the School's expense or travel home at their own expense. The School has no other liability in this case.

8 STUDENTS UNDER 18

Students under 18 may only attend courses if a parent or legal guardian comes with them. The booking form must be signed by the parent or legal guardian, and this must be stated next to the signature.

9 TUITION ON YOUR OWN BOAT

  • All the terms set out here apply. Unless both parties agree otherwise, expenses will be calculated and paid before the course starts. The course fee will be set individually, depending on the number of participants, the schedule and where the boat is berthed.

  • The student's boat must be equipped to NYS/RYA standards. The student must provide the instructor with meals and suitable sleeping accommodation for as long as the instructor is on board.

  • Insurance: the owner must tell their insurer that a qualified instructor will be teaching on board. However, the owner remains the skipper at all times. The owner also confirms that their policy covers everything normal marine insurance covers for the intended cruising area. This includes any areas the boat may reach in bad weather.

10 HEALTH

Students with specific health problems should ask their doctor whether sailing is safe for them. Any medical condition must be reported to the instructor and the School Principal when booking the course. Please bring any personal medication you need. We recommend that students bring seasickness medication to the practical course. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which medication is right for you.

11 DECISIONS OF THE INSTRUCTOR/SKIPPER

When the instructor is the skipper, their decisions on board the School's boat are final in all cases.

Skipper's decisions: from the moment the skipper boards the training vessel, their decisions are always final and binding, in line with good seamanship.

All students and crew members must respect the skipper's orders and decisions for the whole course, both on board and ashore, until the course ends and the instructor/skipper leaves the boat. Under maritime law, the skipper's authority is absolute, day and night.

If a student refuses an order from the skipper or the skipper's appointed deputy, whether or not the student thinks the order is reasonable, the student is breaking maritime law. In that case, the skipper will take whatever measures and decisions they consider necessary for life and harmony on board and among the crew. If the student is put ashore at the nearest port, the School has no further obligations to the student. The student is not entitled to any refund or compensation, financial or otherwise.

12 TIME ON THE WATER

The School will try to give students as much time on the water as possible. However, if the skipper decides that sailing cannot continue because of bad weather, safety or any other reason, that decision is final.

13 CHANGE OF BOAT

If the School provides a different boat from the one originally assigned, because of a defect, a delay or any other reason, confirmed bookings and these Terms and Conditions remain valid.

14 CANCELLATION OR CHANGE OF DATES BY THE SCHOOL

  • If for any reason the School cannot run a course, or the School's boat becomes unseaworthy, the School will tell students as soon as it knows. In that case, the School will refund the amount paid for the course, or the unused part of it on a pro rata basis. The School then has no further obligations to the student.

  • If the School has to change the course dates for serious reasons, it will tell booked students as soon as practicable. Students may then either get a refund of the fee or deposit already paid or agree a suitable new date with the School.

15 SCHOOL INSURANCE

The School is insured for its teaching activities, but individual students' needs may differ. The School strongly recommends that students take out their own accident, medical, travel and cancellation insurance, and any other insurance they consider appropriate and necessary. The student agrees that the School's insurance cover is sufficient. The School's insurance policy can be viewed at the School's office in Brno.

16 LIABILITY

The School is not responsible for students' vehicles parked in the marina or at the course venue. It is also not responsible for students' belongings left in vehicles, on pontoons, on board or on School premises. The School is not responsible for students while they move around School premises, the marina or the boat. All students take part in courses at their own risk and responsibility.

17 DAMAGE AND LOSS OF EQUIPMENT

For safety reasons, any damage to or loss of boat or School equipment must be reported immediately to the instructor/skipper or the School Principal. Students are liable for loss of or damage to boat or School equipment up to EUR 100 per item.

18 CERTIFICATES

The School's standards are high. Certificates will only be awarded to students who, in the opinion of the instructor and, where applicable, the examiner, meet the required standard. The School's decisions are final, and students must accept them.

19 DUTIES ON BOARD

During the practical course, all students are expected to help with cooking, cleaning and routine boat maintenance as the instructor directs.

20 PHYSICAL FITNESS

Sailing is a sport and can be physically demanding. Each student must decide whether they are physically fit and healthy enough to take part. If you are unsure, ask your doctor. A health problem does not necessarily stop you from attending a course. However, the instructor and the School Principal must be told about your health when you book.

21 COMPLAINTS

If you are unhappy with anything, please tell your instructor as soon as possible. If you are not satisfied with the solution they offer, contact the Chief Instructor or the School Principal, and we will do our best to help.