1. To The Horizon Ltd is a Recognised Training Centre (RTC) of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and all training is conducted according to RYA standards

 2. Cancellation Policy:

• 8 weeks’ notice (56 days) or more from the start of the course or booking – Full refund provided minus £50 admin fee.

• Less than 8 weeks’ notice (55 days or less) – Loss of full cost of the course (non- transferable)

2a. 25% deposit (25% of the full cost of the course) is payable at the time of booking. This deposit is not returnable if you cancel. On receipt of payment, we will then send an acknowledgement (normally by email) together with joining instructions and invoice for the balance. The balance is payable in full 8 weeks (56 days) before the cruise or course. If there is less than 8 weeks to go before the cruise or course date, the fee is payable in full at the time of booking.

2b. We will take provisional bookings and hold them for 24 hours. Which time we need a deposit to secure the booking.  A booking is only confirmed once the deposit has been received.

2c. If for any reason except for causes that are out of our control, we cancel a course or cruise we will refund all fees paid and our liability will cease thereafter. Short delays to rectify technical failures or equipment damage to a yacht are rare but they are a normal risk of sailing. If a course or event is disrupted by a technical malfunction to the extent that the training course or cruise cannot be completed effectively, To The Horizon Ltd will either offer the additional time required on a later occasion or reimburse you pro-rata for the extra time that would be required to complete the course or cruise. Delays or diversion due to very bad weather or its effects on the yacht or its equipment are rare and usually quite limited, but in any such case To The Horizon Ltd will be under no obligation to provide compensation and will have no liability for consequential loss.

2d. If you must cancel 8 weeks (56 days) before the course start date, we will refund the amount paid minus the £50 admin fee. If you cancel with less than 8 weeks to go you remain liable and no refund will be given. Cancellation must be notified by email, and the effective date and time of cancellation is the date/time of receipt of the email.

2e. A booking date that has been confirmed may only be changed (subject to availability) prior to 8 weeks (56 days) of the course start date. If there is less than 8 weeks to go to the course or cruise start date, there is no automatic right to change the date. If you are unable to attend, you should consider claiming against your insurance policy.

  

​General Terms:

3. It is recommended that clients participating in courses at the school take out their own insurance to cover them against personal accident or injury.

4. Young people under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a Parent or Guardian.

5. While you are aboard the boat, you must accept the authority of the skipper in all matters concerning the operation of the yacht and the safety of you and all others aboard. The Skipper/Instructor has absolute authority for the safety of the vessel, crew, and students. Their decision regarding navigation, course changes and crew conduct is final.

6. Before booking, please satisfy yourself that you have received adequate guidance on the suitability of the cruise or course you are joining.

7 a) Please ensure that you have honestly declared any illnesses, disabilities or physical limitations. These will not necessarily preclude you from taking part, but it is essential to the safety of you and others that the skipper is aware of them. If new medical conditions or physical limitations arise or existing ones change between booking and sailing, please advise To The Horizon Ltd in writing or inform the skipper on joining.

b) Where you need to take medication for pre-existing conditions, this medication must be declared to the Skipper before or shortly after boarding. It is important that should you become ill the Skipper and crew know where your medication is stored and how it is administered.

8. Please note that for all offshore sailing, except corporate entertainment, it is customary for crews to participate in domestic duties aboard including cooking and light cleaning.

9. If all or part of the course or cruise is out of the UK, clients will need a passport and may need a visa to enter the country where the course or cruise takes place or visits. Clients will need to make their own way visa arrangements in good time before the course or cruise commences. Clients are responsible for travel arrangements to and from the embarkation and disembarkation points.

10. Courses are preferably run with a mixture of abilities and level or training, Competent Crew/ Day Skipper/ Coastal/ Yachtmaster. This enhances the learning environment for all concerned in your ability to learn from others. There is a minimum number of x3 students required to participate on a course and on the rare occasion that this number is not fulfilled, we reserve the right to offer you an alternative date/ course, 2 weeks prior to the start of your training. We are not responsible for any other costs other than that of your training course. Please have your course booking confirmed before booking your flights or accommodation, etc.

11. Prices stated on our website and promotional materials are quoted under shared accommodation. Sole occupancy is available at an additional cost dependent on availability.

12. To The Horizon Ltd reserve the right to amend advertised prices at any time. Where you have booked a course or Adventure Sailing trip. From time to time, marketing promotions may be applied to your course or Cruise that allow other travellers for a limited period of time to sign up to join the course or cruise at a reduced price. This does not alter the price of your course or cruise in your contract and you are not eligible for the discounted rate.

13. While we always aim to fulfill the planned itinerary and course objectives, participants acknowledge that destinations, miles covered, and specific course outcomes are subject to weather, sea conditions, and the safety requirements of the vessel. Consequently, To The Horizon Lts cannot 100% guarantee specific landfalls or the completion of all syllabus elements, and no refunds or credits will be issued for changes necessitated by these variables or the Skipper’s safety decision

14. Gift vouchers purchased are non-refundable and valid for a year from date of purchase.

15. Monetary vouchers can be used for part or full payment of a course or cruise. If the cost exceeds the amount of the gift voucher, the balance must be paid in full at the time of booking.

16. Smoking of any form (including e cigarettes) is forbidden onboard or on the dock next to the yacht.

17. By booking a course or adventure, students and crew acknowledge that sailing and maritime activities involve inherent risks, including those arising from unpredictable weather, sea conditions, and the nature of shipboard life. Participants accept these risks and agree to follow all safety protocols and instructor directions to mitigate them.

18. Limitation of Liability (Personal Property): To The Horizon Ltd accept no responsibility for the loss, theft, or damage of personal property, including electronic devices, clothing, or valuables, while on board our vessels or shore-side facilities. It is the sole responsibility of the participant to ensure their personal effects are appropriately stored, protected from the elements, and adequately insured.

 

Behaviour onboard and during courses or training:

19. Alcohol: A small amount of alcohol is permitted onboard. With the understanding that it does not impact other crew members nor the quality of the course or cruise. The skippers decision with regards to alcohol consumption is final. Safety at sea is paramount and any student deemed by the Skipper to be under the influence on an unacceptable level will be removed from the vessel/training without a refund. Upon removal from a course or passage no refund will be given and the student/crew member will be responsible for travel expenses as required for themselves.

20. Drugs: We have a zero-tolerance policy to drugs and anyone that is deemed to be under the influence of illegal drugs will be removed from the course/vessel immediately. Upon removal from a course or passage no refund will be given and the student/crew member will be responsible for travel expenses as required for themselves.

21. Respect for others: We are committed to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all; therefore, all crew and students are expected to treat others with respect and dignity at all times. We operate a zero-tolerance policy regarding hate speech, including but not limited to homophobia, racism, or any form of harassment, and any individual found in breach of this policy may be removed from the vessel immediately with no refund and no further liability to the school.

22. Crew are prohibited from bringing additional guests or other persons on board any yacht at any time.

23. From time to time, we may either take photographs or record videos of the services provided as part of the arrangements. (For example, we may take photos or videos of the sailing, training, of guests enjoying their time onboard and/or of guests otherwise taking part in any part of their time with To The Horizon Ltd). Where you appear in those images, by making this booking you grant us permission to make use of those images in order to produce promotional material, consisting of photographs and/or film, for publication in our printed publications, in media press releases, on video, on our website and on all social media, for the purpose of advertising our services. If you do not wish to appear in such publicity material, please email us@tothehorizon.co.uk or please inform your Skipper/Instructor.

 24. If you wish to make a complaint about any of our services that we have provided you, please email us at us@tothehorizon.co.uk, we will investigate and respond within 7 days  

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Private hire terms:

25. The customer undertakes to provide the instructor with meals (and accommodation if appropriate) aboard the vessel to suit the course or tuition timing.

26. Berthing fees outside of Chatham Marina or Sovereign Harbour are at an additional cost of the private hire.

 

Own Boat tuition and Delivery terms:

27. To The Horizon Ltd requests an estimate for a delivery, specifying the yachts name and model, location, destination port, preferred dates and any other relevant factors.  To The Horizon Ltd will provide an estimate of the passage time for the delivery, available dates for the delivery skipper (Minimum RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore as appropriate with commercial endorsement) and crew and a cost estimate based on the passage time plus travelling time and travelling costs.   a)The customer is asked to accept this estimate by email and pay 25% of the estimated cost before any commitment is agreed.  The balance of the estimated cost is then payable 8 week (56 days) before departure of the delivery skipper.

b) The passage duration is an estimate given the cruising speed of the boat, tidal streams and reasonable weather conditions.  c) The customer accepts that if the passage is started and then significantly delayed due to weather conditions, breakdown of the boat or any other reason an additional charge may apply.

d) The delivery passage will only be undertaken if the weather conditions are safe.  If there is any doubt due to adverse forecasts, To The Horizon Ltd will contact the customer 24 hour in advance to agree to proceed or postpone.  If the event is postponed for agreed adverse weather, there will be no financial penalty and a new date may be agreed to suit mutual availability of the customer and an instructor/skipper.

e) Any travel outside of Chatham Marina or Sovereign Harbour that the instructor/skipper is required to make will be charged as travel expenses. If travel time is greater than 1 hour, the travel would be charged on a pro-rata basis

Half day (1 – 3 hours)

Full day (4+ hours).

f) To The Horizon Ltd provides tuition aboard the customer’s boat on the understanding that the customer always remains fully responsible for the safety and operation of the boat. The instructor is there purely in an advisory capacity and will not be held liable for any damage or injury resulting from the operation of the vessel.

g) The customer must ensure that the boat is seaworthy and has suitable safety equipment for the planned exercises.

If on arrival at the vessel the instructor/skipper considers the vessel unsafe to operate, he or she is at liberty to refuse to undertake the course. In this case the customer remains liable to pay the cost of a minimum of one day’s instruction plus travelling expenses where relevant.

h) The customer must ensure that a policy of insurance for the boat is in force covering legal liability for damage or injury to third parties. The sum insured must be at least £1,000,000. The customer must ensure that the yacht’s insurers are informed in advance of the details of the delivery by a commercial Yachtmaster and crew.  In advance of the delivery or own boat tuition, at the time the estimate is approved, the customer will be asked to supply To The Horizon Ltd with a scanned copy of the yacht’s insurance schedule showing valid dates.

i) The customer undertakes to provide the instructor with meals (and accommodation if appropriate) aboard the vessel to suit the course or tuition timing.

j) The customer will ensure that there are charts aboard covering the whole of the intended passage and an almanac for the period of the passage

k)The customer will ensure that the following papers are present aboard the vessel:

 - Yacht Registration Certificate

 - Yacht Insurance Certificate or Schedule

 - Ship’s Marine Radio Licence

 

28. Bareboat charter terms: The minimum qualification requirement for a bareboat charter is:

a) At least 3 years sailing experience in command of a similar type of vessel plus Day Skipper Practical OR: RYA Coastal Skipper Practical course completion certificates (or a Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore Certificate of Competence).

b) The crew must include at least one person with knowledge and experience equivalent to Competent Crew.

c) A copy of ID and RYA certificates will be required for insurance purposes at the start of your Charter.

d) When booking the bareboat charter, an agreement is to be signed and returned to To The Horizon Ltd. Once received, the deposit of 25% is to be made to confirm the booking.

 

29. Instructors Liability: RYA/NSSA Instructors, NSSA Sailing Masters, RYA Senior Instructors or RYA Coaches do not accept responsibility for any loss, damage or injury suffered by persons and / or their property arising out of or during the course of their activities whilst training and / or coaching and/ or instructing unless such injury loss or damage was caused by, or resulted from negligence or deliberate act.

 

30 a) Data Protection & RYA Certification: To manage your course and facilitate certification, To The Horizon Ltd will process your personal data in accordance with current UK GDPR and Data Protection legislation.

b) By booking a RYA course with us, you acknowledge and agree that your name, contact details, date of birth, and course results will be shared with the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). This is a mandatory requirement for the RYA to register your specific qualifications, manage the RYA Interactive portal (where applicable), and for quality assurance and audit purposes. Please visit the RYA website for more information.

c) Your data will be stored securely on our systems for the duration required by RYA records-keeping standards and for tax purposes. We will never sell your data to third parties. For more information, please refer to our full Privacy Policy.

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31. Website Cookie Policy: To provide you with the best experience on the To The Horizon website, we use "cookies"—small text files placed on your device to help the site provide a better user experience.

a) How we use them:

• Essential Cookies: These are necessary for the website to function, such as managing your booking basket or security.

• Performance & Analytics: We use tools like Google Analytics to understand how visitors interact with our site, which helps us improve our course information and navigation.

• Functionality: These remember your preferences (such as your login details) to make your return visits smoother.

You can choose to accept or decline cookies via our website popup banner. You may also disable cookies in your browser settings; however, please note that this may affect the functionality of our booking system. By continuing to use our site without changing your settings, you agree to our use of cookies.