Head Hunter Charters — Booking Terms & Conditions
Bermagui, NSW
Please read these terms carefully before booking. By paying a deposit or booking fee, you (the “Client”) agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions on behalf of yourself and all members of your party.
1. Bookings & Deposits
- A booking is only confirmed once a deposit of 33.3% (or a flat fee of $1000.00 ) of the total charter cost is received.
- The remaining balance is due 1 day before departure for bank transfer, or for cash on the day prior to departure.
- Payment can be made via PayID, Bank EFT, Credit or Debit Card or Cash.
- A card surcharge applies: 1.9% for domestic (Australian-issued) cards and 3.5% for foreign-issued cards.
2. Cancellations by the Client
- Cancellations made more than 60 Days before the charter date will receive a full refund / refund of deposit or credit toward a future charter.
- Cancellations made between 30 and 60 days we will make every effort to rebook the day and at skippers discretion a refund of deposit or credit towards a reschedule may be offered.
- Cancellations made within 30 days of the charter date are non-refundable, unless the date can be rebooked , at the skipper’s discretion.
- No-shows on the day forfeit the full charter fee.
- We recommend clients take out their own travel insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances.
3. Weather and Sea Conditions
- Safety comes first. The skipper has final and sole discretion to cancel, postpone, shorten, or alter a charter due to unsafe weather, sea, or bar conditions.
- If the skipper cancels before departure due to conditions, clients will be offered a rebooking on an alternative date or a full refund of monies paid.
- If a charter is cut short after departure due to a genuine safety issue (mechanical, medical, or sudden weather change), a pro-rata refund / credit may apply at the skipper’s discretion.
- Marginal conditions are a normal part of offshore game fishing — bookings are not cancelled or refunded simply because the fishing may be tougher than hoped.
4. Group or Share Charters
- All charters with Head Hunter Charters are private, exclusive-use charters — we do not run shared or “share/group” charters where unrelated parties are combined on the same booking.
- Your booking secures the entire vessel for your party, up to a maximum of 6 passengers unless by prior arrangement and in special circumstances.
- The charter price is for the vessel, not per head — you’re welcome to bring fewer people than the maximum at no change to the quoted price.
5. What’s Included / Not Included
Included: vessel, skipper and deckhand, fishing tackle and terminal gear, bait/lures, safety equipment, fuel, NSW recreational fishing licence cover.
In Addition we provide bottled water and some soft drinks as well as snacks and a light refreshment
lunches may be provided by prior arrangement with Head Hunter Charters as part of the charter package
Not included (unless specified): food and alcoholic drinks.
- Head Hunter Charters operates under a NSW DPI charter boat block licence, which covers all passengers for recreational fishing while aboard — you do not need to buy your own individual NSW Recreational Fishing Licence for this trip.
6. Catch Policy
- Head Hunter Charters supports sustainable game fishing practices.
- Marlin and other billfish are generally tagged and released in line with NSW DPI Fisheries game fishing guidelines.
- If you wish to take a billfish for consumption or other reason this must be discussed with the skipper prior to the charter.
- Bag and size limits for all species follow current NSW DPI Fisheries Rules at the time of the charter. Under no circumstances will undersize fish be kept.
- Legal catch is yours to keep, fish will cleaned for you within reasonable limits.
7. Passenger Health, Safety & Conduct
- Clients confirm they are in reasonably good health and fit to participate in an offshore fishing charter. Please disclose any medical conditions, mobility issues, or concerns prior to departure.
- Seasickness is common offshore — we recommend taking sea-sickness medication before departure. Seasickness is not grounds for a refund once the vessel has left the marina.
- Asking to return to port due to sea sickness will under most circumstances constitute the end of the charter – the cost in fuel and time to return to port and then return to sea is prohibitive in most circumstances. This can be negotiated if the remaining crew wish to pay a fuel surcharge to cover the cost of doing this.
- All passengers must follow the skipper’s and crew’s safety instructions at all times, including wearing provided safety equipment (PFDs, harnesses) when directed.
- The skipper reserves the right to refuse boarding or terminate a charter (without refund) for any person who is intoxicated, abusive, or behaves in a manner that endangers themselves, others, or the vessel.
8. Alcohol & Drugs
- Moderate alcohol consumption may be permitted at the skipper’s discretion, but excessive intoxication that risks safety is not tolerated. If safety of passengers or crew becomes an issue vessel will return to port.
- Illicit drug use aboard is strictly prohibited.
9. Children
- Children are welcome aboard at the skipper’s discretion, taking into account age, sea conditions, and trip length. Please discuss when booking.
- All children must be supervised by a parent/guardian at all times and must wear a PFD when underway or as directed.
10. Personal Belongings & Liability for Property
- Clients bring personal belongings, cameras, and gear at their own risk. Head Hunter Charters is not responsible for loss or damage to personal property aboard the vessel.
11. Loss or Damage to Charter Equipment
- Rods, reels, and other tackle supplied by Head Hunter Charters remain the property of the business at all times.
- Clients are responsible for taking reasonable care of all supplied equipment while it is in their use, including keeping rods secured in holders when not actively fighting a fish and following crew instructions on handling gear.
- Where equipment supplied by Head Hunter Charters is lost overboard, broken, or otherwise damaged beyond normal wear and tear as a result of the Client’s negligence or failure to follow crew instructions, the Client will be charged the full replacement cost of that item.
- Replacement cost will be based on the current retail price of the same or equivalent model, as reasonably determined by the skipper, and is payable on the day or invoiced within 7 days of the charter, please bear in mind that most game fishing outfits cost over $2000 each by the time they are spooled up and ready to use.
- This clause does not apply to equipment failure occurring during normal, properly-instructed use (e.g. a hooked marlin breaking a rod or line, or a fair fight resulting in gear failure) — that risk sits with the business as part of normal operations, not the Client.
12. Assumption of Risk & Liability
- Game fishing and boating are activities that carry inherent risks, including but not limited to slips, falls, hooking injuries, seasickness, and risks associated with weather and sea conditions.
- By boarding, the Client acknowledges these risks and participates at their own risk, to the extent permitted by law.
- Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts, or modifies any consumer guarantee or right under the Australian Consumer Law that cannot lawfully be excluded.
13. Force Majeure
- Head Hunter Charters is not liable for failure to perform a charter due to circumstances beyond reasonable control, including extreme weather, government restrictions, marine hazards, or vessel breakdown. A rebooking or refund will be offered as per Section 3.
14. Photos & Media
- Head Hunter Charters may take photos/video during charters for promotional use (website, social media, YouTube). Clients who prefer not to be featured should advise the crew prior to departure.
15. Privacy
- Personal information collected for bookings (name, contact details, payment info) is used solely for managing your charter and is not shared with third parties except as required to process payment.
16. Governing Law
- These Terms are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia, and any disputes are subject to the jurisdiction of NSW courts.
17. Acceptance
- Payment of a deposit constitutes acceptance of these Terms & Conditions on behalf of all persons in the booking party.
Head Hunter Charters — Bermagui, NSW +61428995400
charters@headhuntercharters.com.au | headhuntercharters.com.au
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