Terms and Conditions

While OYT Scotland take all possible steps to ensure the safety of all participants in our voyages the Applicant should understand that sailing can be a hazardous activity. OYT Scotland reserves the right to decline any application without ascribing a reason for its decision.

Health

You must ensure that you are carrying the correct drugs and dosage for the voyage, and that your doctor has advised the appropriate brand of anti-seasickness remedy to take. If you wear spectacles or contact lenses you are advised to bring a spare pair of spectacles for the voyage. If you have a disability you must consult our Staff before making a reservation, as arrangements may be made to visit the vessel in advance of the voyage to ensure that you will be able to cope with conditions on board.

Personal Property

The Applicant is responsible for his/her property while on board a Trust vessel. Any property left on board when the voyage is completed will not be the Trust’s responsibility, and the cost of returning such property, if found, will be at the Applicant’s expense.

Insurance

The Trust’s insurance covers all aspects of its activities should circumstances arise in which the Trust is found legally liable. OYT Scotland is not liable for customers’ personal effects, money, medical or other expenses during the voyage. OYT Scotland strongly advises customers to take out travel and booking insurance in respect of each voyage.

Travel Cancellation

Cancellation should be notified by telephone and must be confirmed in writing as soon as reasonably possible.

Safety

The vessel will be under the command of a Skipper holding as minimum a commercially endorsed RYA/DTp Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate. The First Mate will be an experienced person holding a Mate’s certificate issued by the Trust and an RYA/DTp Coastal Skipper Certificate as minimum. Ocean Youth Trust Scotland vessels are certified to the Marine & Coastguard Agency’s Code of Practice for Sail Training Vessels The time and port of departure and the time and port of return are given in the Sailing Programme. If for any reason it is necessary to alter these every effort will be made to notify you, and revised instructions will be sent if time allows.

Applicants from Overseas

If you live overseas and wish to sail with OYT Scotland you are requested to pay your fees using a) GIROBANK cheque from your local Post Office, b) Eurocheque, or c) Bank Transfer. Make payment in Sterling, adding to the fee any transaction charges made by your bank, plus £10 to cover transaction charges in the UK.

Conditions of Booking

1. Failure to disclose relevant information may forfeit your berth, even at short notice.
2. Applicants must be free of any known contact with an infectious disease during the six weeks prior to the booked voyage.
3. Applicants under treatment requiring prescribed drugs MUST present the Trust’s office with a Doctor’s Note stating, in plain language, the condition and the drugs prescribed.
4. The Trust can accept no responsibility for any consequences of you failing to take medication as recommended your doctor.
5. Applicants are under the authority of the Skipper at all times during the voyage and are to carry out the duties assigned to them, and comply with his/her instructions at all times.
6. An administration fee of £50 may be charged for changes to the programme.
7. Cancellation by the Applicant. Applicants unable to take up their booked voyage for any reason whatsoever must notify the Trust at once. If a berth is cancelled more than 90 days prior to the voyage 25% of the fees are payable. If the cancellation is less than 90 days prior to the voyage 100% of the fees are payable. OYT Scotland will endeavour to refill the berth with a full fee paying customer and, if successful, will refund the fee paid less a deduction of £50 to cover administration expenses.
8. An administration charge of £20 will made when Applicants transfer their booked voyage to another date and/or vessel.
9. Cancellation by the Trust. OYT Scotland will refund the voyage fee paid or accept it towards the cost of another voyage during the same sailing season at the request of the Applicant. The Trust shall not be liable to re-pay any other sum. Fees will not be held over from one season to the next.
10. Applicants are responsible for their own transport costs to the port of departure and return home after the voyage. 
11. The consumption and storage of alcohol on board are prohibited unless expressly authorised by the Skipper. No alcohol for under 18 year olds.
12. Conduct considered by the Skipper to be disruptive, contrary to good order or prejudicial to the interests or safety of the Trust by the Applicant, or other participants, shall entitle the Skipper to put ashore the Applicant in a port with adequate transport facilities, in all respects at the expense of the Applicant and/or parent guardian, (including the cost of any person escorting the Applicant if so decided), and without liability on the Trust to make any refund.
13. If the Applicant chooses to leave the vessel for any reason before the end of the voyage OYT Scotland will not be liable to pay any refund of voyage fees or travel expenses incurred in returning home. If OYT Scotland incurs costs in escorting a minor home these costs will be passed on to the parent/guardian.
14. The Trust reserves the right to modify, curtail, or cancel the voyage in the event of adverse sea conditions, mechanical problems or other circumstances beyond its control, without recompense.
15. Whilst reserving the right to release information at the Trust’s discretion, a policy of confidentiality is maintained by the Trust.
16. It is the responsibility of Duke of Edinburgh Award participants using their voyage for Residential Project (Gold Award) to bring their logbook to the vessel and ensure that the Skipper fills it in. Logbooks must not be sent to OYT Scotland office and will not be completed after the voyage.