TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. Booking & Payment

• A booking is only confirmed once Ocean Nomad Charters has received the required deposit or full payment.

• Full upfront payment is required for bookings made 7 days or less prior to the charter date.

• All payments must be made using the payment methods provided at the time of booking.

• Prices, inclusions and charter details will be confirmed at the time of booking and may vary depending on the charter type, duration, season and selected extras.

2. Booking Deposit

• A non-refundable booking deposit is required to reserve a charter booking.

• The deposit secures the reservation and covers administrative and operational preparation, including vessel allocation, skipper and crew scheduling, fuel planning, equipment preparation, bait/ice/catering arrangements where applicable, and other logistics.

• Because preparation work begins once a booking is confirmed, the deposit remains non-refundable unless Ocean Nomad Charters decides otherwise in writing.

3. Cancellation Policy

• If the client cancels 7 days or less before the charter date, a 100% cancellation fee applies.

• If the client cancels 8-14 days before the charter date, a 50% cancellation fee applies.

• If the client cancels 15-30 days before the charter date, a 25% cancellation fee applies.

• All cancellations must be submitted in writing by email or another written channel accepted by Ocean Nomad Charters.

• The non-refundable booking deposit remains applicable in all cancellation scenarios.

4. Weather & Safety Cancellations

• Safety is our first priority. Ocean Nomad Charters reserves the right to cancel, delay, shorten, reroute or reschedule a charter if the skipper or company determines that weather, sea conditions, mechanical conditions, safety conditions or operational factors make the charter unsafe or unsuitable.

• If Ocean Nomad Charters cancels due to unsafe weather or conditions, we will first attempt to reschedule the charter to a suitable alternative date.

• If no suitable alternative date can be agreed, a refund may be issued, excluding the non-refundable booking deposit, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

• The skipper’s decision regarding safety, seaworthiness, routing and onboard conduct is final.

5. Client No-Show & Late Arrival

• Guests must arrive at the agreed meeting point at the confirmed time.

• Late arrival may result in a shortened charter without a refund or price reduction.

• Failure to arrive may be treated as a no-show and charged at 100% of the booking value.

6. Guest Responsibility & Conduct Onboard

• All guests must follow the safety instructions and directions of the skipper and crew at all times.

• Guests must act responsibly and must not endanger themselves, other guests, crew, the vessel, marine life or property.

• Ocean Nomad Charters may refuse boarding or terminate a charter without refund if a guest behaves dangerously, abusively, unlawfully, or appears to be under excessive influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Guests are responsible for disclosing any relevant medical condition, mobility limitation or safety concern before departure.

7. Alcohol, Drugs & Prohibited Items

• Moderate alcohol consumption may be allowed at the discretion of the skipper, depending on the nature of the charter and sea conditions.

• Illegal substances are strictly prohibited.

• Ocean Nomad Charters may remove or refuse any items considered unsafe, illegal, unsuitable or disruptive.

8. Fishing Charters & Catch Policy

• Fishing activities are subject to applicable South African laws, marine regulations, permit conditions, conservation rules and seasonal restrictions.

• The vessel’s fishing licence and related permissions are held by Ocean Nomad Charters or the relevant authorised party. Catch handling and distribution are subject to the skipper’s discretion, applicable law and sustainability considerations.

• Fish may be released, retained, shared, prepared or processed only where lawful and practical. Fish cleaning or filleting may be arranged with the crew where available.

9. Insurance & Liability

• Ocean Nomad Charters operates with marine insurance cover for the vessel and defined insured risks. The current policy documentation indicates comprehensive cover for the vessel, third-party legal liability, passenger legal liability, personal effects cover to stated limits, and medical expenses cover to stated limits, subject to the policy schedule, excesses, exclusions and insurer terms.

• Insurance protection is subject to the exact terms, conditions, exclusions, territorial limits, deductibles/excesses and limits of the applicable policy in force at the time of the charter.

• The insurance policy includes passenger liability cover for fare-paying passengers, but it also requires passengers to sign an indemnity form or be given equivalent indemnity wording before the voyage where the vessel is used for hire, charter or similar income-generating activity.

• The policy documentation records cruising limits for inland and coastal waters of South Africa, Namibia and Mozambique not exceeding 50 nautical miles from the coastline. Ocean Nomad Charters will operate within applicable legal, regulatory and insurance limits.

• Certain events may be excluded from insurance cover, including but not limited to war, terrorism, civil unrest, specified cyber-related events, communicable disease-related losses, certain conflict areas, electricity grid failure and other exclusions stated in the policy documentation.

• Insurance does not remove the inherent risks of maritime activity and does not guarantee compensation for every loss, injury, cancellation, delay or incident.

10. Personal Belongings

• Guests bring personal belongings onboard at their own risk.

• Ocean Nomad Charters is not responsible for loss, theft, water damage, breakage or damage to phones, cameras, sunglasses, clothing, bags or other personal items, except where liability cannot be excluded by law.

• Where the insurance policy provides personal effects cover, such cover is subject to the applicable policy limit, excess and insurer terms.

11. Operational Changes

• Ocean Nomad Charters may change departure times, routes, fishing grounds, duration, vessel, crew or operational arrangements where required for safety, weather, technical, regulatory or logistical reasons.

• Where possible, we will inform clients of material changes as early as reasonably practicable.

12. Guest Waiver / Indemnity Form

• Before boarding, guests may be required to complete and sign a guest information, safety acknowledgement, indemnity and media consent form.

• Failure to complete required forms may result in refusal of boarding without refund.

• The website Terms & Conditions are supplemented by the signed guest form. In the event of inconsistency, Ocean Nomad Charters may rely on the wording that provides the broader lawful protection.

13. Acceptance of Terms

• By making a booking, paying a deposit, attending a charter or boarding the vessel, guests confirm that they have read, understood and accepted these Terms & Conditions.