General Terms and Conditions
BBS VPM Yatçılık Turizm Limited Şirketi
Charter Conditions for Turkey and Further Information Regarding Your Sailing Holiday
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1. Contracting Parties and Formation of Contract
BBS VPM Yatçılık Turizm Limited Şirketi
Fevzi Çakmak Caddesi No 1
Ece Saray Marina
BBS Yachting Office
48300 Fethiye
Mugla
Turkey
Hereinafter referred to as "BBS Yachting".
A contract is formed as soon as BBS Yachting has received the fully completed Charter Contract and/or the full deposit, whereupon a booking confirmation will be issued. Any discrepancies must be reported immediately.
The Charterer must be at least 18 years of age and confirms that he/she and all crew members are capable and competent to sail the yacht within the designated cruising area.
The cruising area is limited to Turkish territorial waters.
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2. Payment Terms
A deposit of 30% of the charter fee is due at the time of booking.
Confirmation of receipt of the Charter Contract and/or deposit constitutes the booking confirmation.
The charter price is generally not subject to change once the deposit has been received by BBS Yachting.
The balance payment is due no later than 8 weeks prior to departure.
In the event of late payment, BBS Yachting reserves the right to cancel the booking, retain the deposit and levy cancellation charges.
For bookings made within 8 weeks of the charter start date, the full amount is payable immediately.
The Charterer is responsible for all additional running expenses incurred during the charter, including:
Diesel fuel
Provisions
Mooring fees (except at the home port) and harbour dues
Cruising taxes and customs fees
These costs are not included in the charter package.
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3. Formalities
Handover of the yacht to the Charterer takes place upon fulfilment of the following requirements:
Full payment of the charter fee
Submission of the crew list and arrival details (no later than 2 weeks prior to charter commencement)
Proof of a recognised sailing qualification at the appropriate level, e.g. International Certificate of Competence (ICC), IYT Bareboat Certificate or RYA Day Skipper Practical
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4. Obligations of BBS Yachting
BBS Yachting shall provide a seaworthy yacht at the agreed handover time, equipped in accordance with Turkish laws and regulations, and shall issue the vessel's documents specifying the cruising area, the authorised period and the insurance coverage.
Should the agreed yacht be unavailable, BBS Yachting reserves the right to substitute it with an equivalent replacement vessel.
If the replacement yacht is cheaper or smaller, the price difference will be refunded; alternatively, the Charterer may cancel free of charge.
In the event of delays in handover exceeding 12 hours from the agreed time, the Charterer is entitled to a pro-rata refund of the charter fee. BBS Yachting will arrange and cover the costs of alternative accommodation (excluding meals) during the delay.
No compensation shall be payable in cases of force majeure.
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5. Competence of the Charterer
Should BBS Yachting determine that the Charterer – regardless of any certificates held – is not capable of safely handling the yacht, BBS Yachting reserves the right to:
terminate the agreement immediately and without refund of the charter fee, or engage a skipper at the Charterer's expense.
BBS Yachting does not independently verify the sailing competence of the Charterer but relies solely on the documents submitted (sailing certificate or experience report).
The Charterer undertakes:
not to sail single-handed,
to ensure that a competent skipper (minimum 18 years of age) and a responsible crew member are on board at all times, except when the yacht is safely moored.
BBS Yachting reserves the right to terminate the agreement without liability if the Charterer's conduct, in BBS Yachting's reasonable opinion, causes harm, danger, distress or annoyance to the crew, other guests, staff, third parties or property.
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6. Obligations of the Charterer
Should the Charterer fail to appear at the agreed handover time for any reason, BBS Yachting reserves the right to reschedule the handover within a 24-hour period.
The Charterer is obliged to inspect the yacht prior to departure to verify its condition, the completeness of safety equipment and all accessories (inventory list). Acceptance of the yacht confirms that BBS Yachting has fulfilled its obligations.
The use or possession of illegal drugs on board is strictly prohibited. BBS Yachting accepts no liability for damages arising from or related to the consumption of alcohol or drugs.
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7. Use of the Yacht
The Charterer undertakes:
to carry only the number of persons stated on the crew list (not exceeding the maximum permitted under Turkish law),
to use the yacht exclusively for leisure purposes,
not to participate in racing (except at pre-booked events subject to specific conditions),
not to transport goods, engage in trade or violate the laws of any state,
to refrain from rafting to other vessels at anchor,
not to sail at night (from 30 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes after sunrise),
to remain within the designated cruising area, to comply with the laws of all countries visited and to report arrivals and departures to the harbour master,
not to bring animals (dogs or otherwise) on board,
to dispose of waste water and refuse in accordance with applicable Turkish regulations.
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8. Redelivery of the Yacht
The Charterer undertakes to return the yacht fully equipped, clean, refuelled and in its original condition.
In the event of delays, BBS Yachting must be notified immediately.
BBS Yachting is entitled to:
charge a pro-rata fee for the period of delay plus a 25% surcharge for any resulting losses,
invoice all costs for returning the yacht to the originally agreed port, should the vessel be left at any other location.
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9. Insurance
The yacht is covered by a standard marine yacht insurance policy, which includes:
Direct physical loss or damage to the vessel
Bodily injury
Property damage
Civil liability
The insurance provides full hull cover as well as third-party liability cover of €5,000,000 for the skipper and crew.
The Charterer and crew remain liable for any damage caused by negligent or wilful misuse of the yacht or by failure to comply with BBS Yachting's briefing or on-board instructions.
> A **travel cancellation insurance** is strongly recommended. The Charterer is also advised to review their existing health and liability insurance to ensure adequate coverage during the charter period.
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10. Security Deposit
A security deposit is required to cover potential damage to the yacht, its equipment or third-party damage caused by the Charterer:
1. Refundable Security Deposit
Collected at the base; the Charterer is liable for all damages up to the value of the deposit.
Payment by credit card (Visa/MasterCard only) is obligatory – the amount between €2.000 and €2.750, the specific amount to be definded by the type of the chartered sailing yacht, will be blocked and released after the charter. In case of circumstances accepted by BBS Yachting before the arrival of the Charterer, the deposit might be paid in cash.
2. Non-Refundable Security Deposit
As an alternative we offer a Non-Refundable Security Deposit at €400 – payable at the time of arrival in cash.
Please note: Damage to the outboard engine and dinghy is not covered under this option; in such cases, the Charterer's liability is not limited to the deposit amount. This option must be pre-booked at least 1 week in advance.
> **Please note:** The security deposit does **not** cover gross negligence, sailing under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or single-handed sailing. In such cases, the Charterer's liability is not limited to the deposit amount.
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11. Accidental Damage
In the event of damage, collision or loss of equipment, the Charterer is obliged to:
Take all reasonable steps to minimise further loss.
Notify BBS Yachting immediately.
Report the incident to the relevant local authorities without delay.
In an emergency, contact BBS Yachting and agree on costs in advance (including towing).
> Failure to comply with these obligations may result in **loss of insurance coverage** and forfeiture of the security deposit.
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12. Complaints Procedure
Any visible damage must be reported prior to embarkation.
Deficiencies during the charter must be reported immediately to the BBS Yachting base.
If a complaint cannot be resolved locally, it must be submitted in writing within 14 days of the end of the charter.
BBS Yachting will respond within 28 days.
Compensation shall in no case exceed the charter fee paid.
Unresolved disputes shall be referred to arbitration.
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13. Cancellation and Amendments
Cancellations must be submitted in writing by the lead party name. The date of receipt by BBS Yachting shall be used to determine applicable cancellation charges.
Period Before Departure Cancellation Charge
More than 60 days Loss of deposit
60 to 30 days 40% of charter fee or deposit (whichever is higher)
29 to 15 days 50% of charter fee
14 days or fewer 100% of charter fee
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14. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
This agreement is governed by Turkish law. All disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Turkish courts.
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BBS VPM Yatçılık Turizm Limited Şirketi
Fevzi Çakmak Caddesi No 1, Ece Saray Marina, BBS Yachting Office,
48300 Fethiye,
Mugla,
Turkey