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Ocean sailing expeditions crew Terms And Conditions

This an approved and licensed, professionally managed, international yacht charter business. You are joining a working ocean passage, expedition or racing crew, paying your share of the trip/event costs that also include a contribution towards the general running, maintenance and upgrade costs of the vessel. You will have an active, hands-on role to play as a crew member. Most importantly, you’ll be welcomed into our team and made to feel at home, as an important part of the Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew.

Your role onboard

You’ll land on your feet quickly and we will give you all the training and support you need to be able to fulfil your crew role. There is no previous offshore experience necessary, although prior sailing experience at some level is ideal. Your tasks may include some or all of the following;

  • Regular checks of equipment to maintain the vessel at sea

  • Hoisting and trimming sails

  • Standing watch

  • Reefing the mainsail

  • Sail changes

  • Helming

  • Navigating

  • Cooking, cleaning & washing up

Do’s and Don’ts

These are ocean going yachts and safety is our highest priority at all times. As a crew member you also agree to the following;

  • Observe all safety procedures, training and instruction provided.

  • Only use safety equipment as instructed and when requested.

  • Wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device), PLB (Personal Locator Beacon), Safety tether (clipped to boat when directed) and any other clothing and equipment, whenever directed, to ensure you remain safe in all conditions.

  • To take responsibility for managing clothing, hydration, sleep and nutrition to maintain your health and well-being aboard.

  • No alcohol consumption while the vessel is underway. Any consumption onboard is to be in moderation. Wine, beer and manufactured pre-mix drinks can be bought onboard for consumption in port and at anchor. No hard spirits or home made alcohol can be brought onboard. Consumption is limited to approximately 3 - 4 hours daily: 5pm - until the evening dinner is finished (unless the Skipper permits otherwise) on a daily basis. Excess alcohol contributes to poor sleep, sea sickness and anti-social behaviour. At any time (24/7), we may have to move an anchored vessel or abandon the vessel in an emergency. We require all onboard to be able to act and contribute to the safety of the crew and vessel at all times. This is not a ‘booze cruise’ and ‘drinking sessions’ are not tolerated, for the benefit of all onboard.

  • No illegal drugs are to be brought on board. Any prescription or allergy medication must be stored in the ships medical cabinet while aboard.

  • No smoking or vaping is permitted onboard the yachts, tenders, kayaks, paddle boards or around any other OSE owned equipment. Yachts carry LPG, petrol, diesel and other flammable contents onboard.

  • To treat everyone aboard with respect regardless of their gender, race, religion, political preferences, age, geographic origin, or prior sailing experience. No yelling, abusive language, socially offensive or threatening behaviour will be tolerated.

  • To follow all reasonable and lawful requests and directions given to you by your Skipper and their nominated employees/crew.

Your physical ability

  • Please tell us upfront if you have any physical limitations including prior injuries, back problems, health issues and anything that will prevent you playing your part on board. We can work around most things, but it’s important we know so we don’t put you at risk or in a role you are unlikely to be able to fulfil safely and enjoyably. It’s important that you have a great experience while you are part of our crew and good teamwork is about playing to everyone’s strengths and weaknesses.

  • Can you swim? Can you swim 100 metres or tread water confidently? Understanding your swimming ability is important for ensuring we assess the conditions that you will be required to wear a PDF (Personal Flotation Device) for your own safety, especially within enclosed waters, when these requirements are normally relaxed.

While onboard

  • Each person will be assigned their personal single berth while on passage for their exclusive use for the entire passage, except during extreme weather conditions or during a race, where we may change where people sleep.

  • Each person should bring 1 x 40 litre soft bag for clothes PLUS wet weather gear and boots. You will be allocated a drawer and cupboard space to store your personal gear in while aboard. Wet weather gear is to be hung in the dedicated area to keep the cabins uncluttered and easy to get in and out of. Other than boots, no gear is to be stored on the floor, it must be secure and put where it belongs at all times.

Meals & diet

  • All meals are supplied while aboard. While we provide a wide selection of  snacks, you are also welcome to bring those you prefer to eat while at sea if you have specific preferences. Avoiding excessive sugar, fat and caffeine at sea is recommended.

  • All food should be consumed within in the saloon, galley or cockpit. No liquids or food at the nav station (due to potential damage to equipment if spilled) and no food to be consumed in cabins.

  • Please confirm if you have any dietary limitations or allergies, as we provision to cater to everyone’s needs.

Weather & comfort

  • We set our schedule based on various special events and seasonal weather. We use the latest in Predict Wind weather forecasting technology and commercial weather subscription services, to plan for safe passages at all times. We download updated weather forecasts twice a day while at sea, to ensure we monitor and adapt to any changes in the forecast, that may affect our comfort or passage time.

  • Reality does not always match the forecast and we have to adapt to the weather we get and manage the yacht to optimise for performance, comfort and safety in all conditions. The schedule and itinerary can be impacted by weather and be amended prior to departure or while underway. Changes in schedule and itinerary do not constitute grounds for a refund.

  • We are in Unlimited Commercial Survey (Category 0) and equipped to handle the most extreme weather safely and confidently, but we will always choose to avoid it where possible.

  • Sometimes you may get cold, wet, tired, hungry, seasick and scared. There is a lot you can do to manage or prevent these things, but those are the challenges that you have to deal with at times when ocean sailing. Sometimes there is no wind and endless days of sunshine and excitement.

  • We will support you through all of the challenges you encounter and we have strategies that can help you maximise your comfort and wellbeing. Lots of things are scary in life until you confront them, once you do, you can chalk it up to experience.

Pre & post passage

  • Before we get started, we will complete a full training and safety induction to ensure you start off confident and comfortable and feel right at home onboard. We have friendly crew that will do their utmost to share their knowledge, to ensure you can play your part from day one onwards. This ensures you get maximum enjoyment.

  • Once we are done sailing, we may need your help to clean up and pack up. Many hands make light work and its always a great time for reflecting on trip highlights and celebrating the completion with the crew.

Other stuff

  • Joining us for an adventure does not provide you with a formal qualification and we are not a sailing school. You will have an opportunity to learn and participate at almost any level in the management of the boat and crew. As a commercially licensed vessel and crew, we can sign your logbook for your duty hours and sea miles or provide a letter of sea service you can use to evidence your role onboard as Watch Captain and sea miles/hours accrued while onboard.

  • If you join us for an ocean race or regatta you will be given roles that suit your physical ability, experience and desire to learn.

  • You agree by registering, that you will be available to participate from the start to the end of each sailing event. As we are offshore and away from major airports most to the time, there is no ability to arrive late or leave the crew earlier than the dates set down in the calendar in most cases.

  • The itinerary is subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control. These may include delays due to weather, sea conditions, national holidays and natural disasters. The safety of the vessel and crew is always our priority. Booking flexible flights or those that can be changed for a small fee is recommended. Travel insurance is also an option.

  • You agree that any photos or video recorded during the event, that include you, can be used at our discretion in any marketing material, without requiring approval from you or making payment to you.

  • You won’t have much privacy onboard, but can use the bathroom, shower and get changed in private. You will be living in close quarters in challenging conditions. You will be required to work as part of a team, be flexible and get along with others who have different experience and personalities. What's guaranteed is if you give it 100%, you’ll have the time of your life.

  • There are no refunds if you decide to arrive late, leave early or depart during any stopover or for failing to provide accurate information about your physical and mental health, medication, allergies and any other omission that leads to the early termination of your place on the crew.

  • All expedition and passage members will be signed on as crew (not passengers) and will be processed as crew in each country visited where customs is concerned.

  • The scheduled dates for the event may change due to unforeseen circumstances and any change will be notified as far as possible in advance and no less than 2 days prior to departure. Date changes do not constitute grounds for cancellation or refund. If you are unable to attend an event due to a date change, a credit note will be issued for 100% of the value you have paid to date, to redeem on a future sailing event of your choice.

  • In the event the yacht is unable to commence an event or depart on a scheduled event and it is cancelled altogether, we will issue a credit note for 150% of the monies received to date, to redeem on a future sailing event of your choice, whether its an existing booking or new event.

  • If you act in a socially unacceptable manner or display offensive or threatening behaviour or are uncooperative to the point where it is affecting the enjoyment of others aboard, we have the right to ask that you leave the crew and head home at your own expense. This includes becoming heavily intoxicated and/or consuming or smoking drugs at any time immediately prior to joining the crew, or at any time during the event, whether onboard the vessel or ashore. You agree that any costs or inconvenience caused, are at your expense and you will not seek compensation for costs or damages. The skippers decision shall be final if you are asked to leave the crew. The skipper is responsible for the safety of the vessel and welfare of all crew and is required to make decisions for the greater good of all onboard.

Booking and payment policies

Late payment policy - Non-payment of pre-agreed weekly payments under payment option 2 when you register, for more than 4 weeks, without other payment arrangements being agreed to, will be considered a cancellation and the same cancellation policy terms apply as detailed below.

Deposit and decline policy - Once your crew application has been reviewed and approved, you'll receive an invoice for your deposit (and the details of your weekly payment by automatic payment if you have selected option 2). Your deposit is due for payment immediately in order to officially reserve your crew position and is non-refundable. Your weekly payment plan is required to start within 7 days of paying your deposit if you have chosen option 2. If your application is declined, you will be notified and there are no fees to pay.

Cancellation policy - If you give or receive written notice of your cancellation at least 60 days before departure, you will not be billed for any final 50% balance if you selected payment option 1, or the balance remaining if you selected payment option 2 and all payments made to date will be refunded as a credit note for the equivalent value, that you can use on an alternative sailing event. You understand that prior to departure, no refund will be given for illness or death. The exception to this is, if we are able to replace your crew position with another person, then any refund is limited to the value paid by the crew member replacing you. Due to the last-minute timing of any cancellation and replacement, it may have to be discounted to fill your vacated position. You understand the importance of taking out a travel insurance policy to cover cancellations initiated by you, which is your own responsibility to obtain.

COVID-19 - If you book an event and then cancel before departure, because you are unable to travel due to border control / quarantine restrictions from COVID-19 (when traveling to or from our port of departure and/or arrival) 100% of your registration fees paid by you, will credited, so you can transfer them to another event of your choice.

Assumption of Risk

Each person participating in a sailing event with Ocean Sailing Expeditions waives all claims against Ocean Sailing Expeditions Pty Limited and its directors, shareholders, employees or contractors for injury, accident, illness or death during or by reason of their joining a sailing passage, expedition, cruise, race or regatta with Ocean Sailing Expeditions. I acknowledge that I am aware that during a sailing event on the yacht in which I will be participating, certain risks and dangers may arise, including but not limited to, the hazards of traveling on the open sea, falling overboard, storms, high winds, collision of vessels, shipwreck, travel ashore in remote terrain, the forces of nature, and accident or illness in remote regions without means of rapid evacuation or medical facilities.

I am also aware and clearly understand that Ocean Sailing Expeditions Pty Limited and its directors, shareholders, employees or contractors, will have no liability regarding provision of medical care or the adequacy of any care that may be rendered. I have read the expectations supplied to me by Ocean Sailing Expeditions Pty Limited and agree to abide by the rules on board or ashore, for the duration of the sailing event on the yacht. I understand that although Ocean Sailing Expeditions Pty Limited and its directors, shareholders, employees or contractors may make suggestions as to airlines and travel agents, they assume no liability for injury, damage, delay, irregularity or loss of baggage relating to airline travel. 

In consideration of the Agreement with Ocean Sailing Expeditions Pty Limited to participate in this sailing event on the yacht, I hereby agree that I will assume all risk for this trip and I will not make any claims against Ocean Sailing Expeditions Pty Limited and its directors, shareholders, employees or contractors or sue for bodily injury, emotional trauma, death and/or property damage resulting from negligence or unseaworthiness of the vessel, or other acts, however caused, as a result of my participation in this expedition. I, therefore, release, indemnify and discharge Ocean Sailing Expeditions Pty Limited and its booking agents, directors, shareholders, employees or contractors from all claims, actions and demands that I may have for bodily injury, death or property damage arising from my participation in the expedition. 

This release of liability, agreement to hold harmless and indemnify, and assumption of risk Agreement is entered into on behalf of all members of my family, including any minors whether accompanied by me or participating unaccompanied. If any person who accompanies me on this trip as part of my family, makes claim, or if a claim is made on their behalf, my estate or I will indemnify and hold harmless; Ocean Sailing Expeditions Pty Limited and its directors, shareholders, employees or contractors from any loss, including reasonable legal fees incurred in the defence of such claim. This Agreement is binding upon my heirs, legal representative and assigns. If any portion of this Agreement is unenforceable, the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect. All applicants are subject to acceptance by Ocean Sailing Expeditions Pty Limited. This Agreement shall be deemed to have been entered into in the State of Queensland, Australia and shall be construed and interpreted according to the laws of the State of Queensland, Australia. In the unlikely event a legal dispute should arise, I agree the dispute shall exclusively be brought before the appropriate court in the Gold Coast Region, in the State of Queensland, Australia. I have carefully read this and understand its terms. I execute it voluntarily and with full knowledge of its significance. 

By checking ‘Yes I accept’ the Ocean Sailing Expeditions Crew Terms And Conditions on the Crew Registration page, when registering for a sailing passage, expedition, race or regatta on the yacht, you accept and are bound by the Ocean Sailing Expeditions Crew Terms And Conditions and any subsequent updates to these terms as set out above.