Breakdown Service
Your membership provides a suitably qualified mechanic to attend your breakdown for up to 2 hours to attempt to rectify an issue should you experience problems with your engine, propulsion or engine electrical system. Other issues, such as domestic failures to electrics, plumbing or heating are not covered but assistance can be provided under a pay on use service through our RCR plus service.
Marine Breakdown and Replacement Parts Cover Terms and Conditions
The following explanations and information form part of the terms and conditions of our membership. Please note that all services are provided at our discretion (see the section “Discretionary Service” below for further details)
Recovery Service
If the vessel cannot be repaired at the scene of the Breakdown within a reasonable time at your request, we will tow the vessel safely to a marina (within a maximum of 2 hours cruising), or – failing that – tow the vessel to a safe haven (advice and locations will be given). The cost of any further repairs to the vessel will be your responsibility unless covered under our Replacement Parts Cover.
Recovery can take up to 48hrs to organise * Recovery for retainer membership is chargeable p/h. *excludes towing on tidal estuaries and rivers.
Home Start Service
If the vessel breaks down at your home marina, we will attend the vessel and try to rectify the immediate problem. However, if the problem cannot be rectified, we will provide assistance in arranging the repair of your vessel at your cost, at your home marina, or by a suitably qualified person of your choice.
Crew Relay Service
If the vessel breaks down while it is more than 10 miles from your home marina and the vessel cannot be repaired at that time, or be safely towed, we will transport you and your crew, at your request, to your home marina or to a single home address at our cost. If you prefer, we will transport you and your crew to a single hotel or accommodation of your choice. However, the cost of any accommodation for you and your crew is your sole responsibility.
Annual Inspection
An annual inspection of the engine, electrical system and charging system of the Vessel will be undertaken by us, or by a suitably qualified person nominated by us. Details of any faults or repairs will be given to you, together with advice and assistance on obtaining any necessary repairs. This is undertaken during the September to March period and is dependent on the availability of the RCR personnel. This is an optional service which must be booked by the member each year.
This cover takes effect 30 days after your membership becomes effective and protects you against the cost of the failure of a Specified Parts only, and labour following sudden and unforeseen mechanical breakdown of any Specified Part up to the Limits stated as long as the specified part is accessible. Gold membership only covers the registered vessel.
The following is not covered by Replacement Parts Cover:
Limits:
Specified Parts
If you have been accepted for Platinum membership you have enhanced RPC cover on top of the above:
All warranty’s on parts supplied are provided by the manufacturer, refurbished or supplier.
Outboards are covered for replacement of the applicable components listed above. Where an outboard is not repairable the following applies:
Important Information for RPC:
Whilst River Canal Rescue will endeavour to provide the services contracted for, because of the variety of circumstances involved, and in particular the condition of the vessel upon which they are attending, River Canal Rescue maintain absolute discretion as to whether to provide the contracted services. Examples of our need to use our discretion could include unfavourable weather, seaworthiness of the vessel, inaccessible location, daylight hours, condition of vessel and repeated calls for the same fault. In cases where we choose not provide any services other than for reasons beyond our control or where you are in breach of your agreement with us we will cancel your membership and provide a full refund of the membership fee.
However other cases of us using our discretion may include spending more time on site than provided by your membership or covering the cost of labour to repair or replace parts that have not failed through ‘sudden mechanical failure’. We may take into account your membership history with us when deciding on providing these additional benefits but in all cases our decision will be final.
We regularly undertake reviews of membership usage and vessel condition and if at any time we deem it necessary we will use our discretion to restrict membership cover or down grade your membership.
This list is not exhaustive but illustrates why Our service is discretionary.
Refund Policy
If you apply for membership by post, fax, phone or the internet, then you have the right to change your mind, cancel the contract by written notice to us and get a full refund, but you lose this right once your RPC cover becomes active. That means you have 30 days after we accept your application to cancel and get a full refund unless 1) you have used the service or 2) use our ‘join on the spot’ process to apply for immediate assistance, where you will have no right to cancel, or receive a refund.
Upgrades & Cover Outside Of the Membership Policy
Upgrades can be accepted at any time other than during a breakdown, if you request a service which is not covered by your level of cover we will charge you £75* if we attend (i.e. home start for a bronze member)
Join on the Spot (we admit you to membership immediately)
Should you require immediate assistance prior to your membership becoming active we will charge you a non refundable fee of £170 to attend, if we are able to resolve the issue you will be required to join at the minimum level of Silver Membership (Retainer if you are a hire boat). However if we are unable to resolve the issue there will be nothing further to pay unless you have requested further assistance.
Subscription Payments
We now offer monthly payments for membership. If you opt to pay via subscription/DD and miss a payment we will contact you to agree an alternative date. However the full amount will become due if payments are not kept up to date or you cancel. (See Refund policy)
Attendance
Other Issues
Such as domestic failures to electrics, plumbing or heating are not covered however assistance can be provided un a ‘pay on use’ basis through our RCR plus service.
London Charge
Due to the additional cost for congestion charges, emissions charges and parking charges we now charge £30 when attending callouts within the M25 or in other towns that rollout clean air policies.
Return Charges
If we need to return to your vessel to fit parts or provide a 2nd Opinion we will charge you a £75 callout charge.
Other Info
Hire Boats, Charity Boats & shared Ownership vessels can only be covered under the Retainer membership unless authorization is obtained to upgrade to Gold membership
Changing Vessel
The membership only covers the vessel specified on the schedule or reported to us or accepted by us. So you must tell us as soon as possible by phone or writing about any changes to the vessel or registration of additional vessels including details of the registration, make, name, colour. If you do not tell us about any changes the services may not apply to the new vessel.
Message Service
RCR Rescue Control Centre provides a message relaying service, during the Breakdown the member can request that family or friends be notified of their situation.
Special Needs
If you have any special requirements please inform the Rescue Control Centre when you phone (i.e. if you are stuck overnight, we can arrange for our mechanic to collect some groceries for you before his arrival). This is to a maximum value of £10, and payment must be made to the mechanic on his arrival.
Pick up and Drop off Service (for outboard repairs)
If the attending engineer cannot resolve your issue, and the outboard requires a specialist we will remove your outboard, take to a specialist and once repaired (at your cost) return and refit the outboard. Mileage charge applies and a callout charge for retainer.
Discounts & No Claims Bonus
If during the period of membership no callouts were made we will reduce your renewal fee by 5% for each year up to a maximum of 15%. This is non-transferable.
If you renew on the internet you will automatically receive 5% discount. If you pay by DD you will receive 5% introductory discount, if you opt to pay monthly we will apply a 10% charge. There are a number of introductory discounts available for Club members (if registered). During the year we run promotions and these may offer additional discounts, introductory discounts are only available to customers who have not had RCR cover for over 12 months. The maximum discount available through single or combined discounts is 25%.
SOS & Waternav App
The SOS & Waternav App is free to download from Apple store of Google. Simply press the button to ask for assistance or advice, you can even send us photos. The app pinpoints your locations at the time that you request assistance and updates you on engineer’s eta. If you’re still moving you can update your location at any time. Using this App helps us to locate you and get you assistance faster.
(The most up to date Terms and Conditions of RCR membership are available online, should there be any discrepancy then the online version will take precedent.)
Definitions: Throughout this document we use the following definitions:-
| Breakdown | Any engine-related, mechanical or electrical breakdown (failures and breakages), or damage (not including hull) which results in you not being able to sail your vessel. Typical breakdowns include: flat batteries, broken fan belts, cables, ignition systems, fuel systems, alternators, starters, cooling system, split pipes, fouled props, charging issues (starter only) or issues resolved within 2hrs.*attending a ‘domestic breakdown’ will attract a charge (£75)* running out of fuel will attract a fuel surcharge plus the cost of the fuel. |
| Domestic Breakdown | Domestic breakdowns include – Plumbing, domestic electrics, alternators that are not essential, inverters, water leaks etc |
| Emergency | Anything that places you or your vessel in immediate danger |
| RCR Plus | A pay on use service offered by RCR to assist with all work outside of membership cover. |
| Fees & Charges | These are charges made for parts or services and will be payable on completion of work or receipt of invoice. |
| Home marina/ berth/registered moorings | The place where the vessel is normally kept. For ‘continual cruisers’ the winter moorings are classed as registered moorings. |
| Membership booklet | The membership booklet is issued to every member of RCR. |
| Period of membership | The length of time covered by your membership as set out in the schedule. |
| RCR | River Canal Rescue Limited |
| RPC | Replacement Parts Cover, covering all parts detailed in the specified parts list |
| Schedule | The schedule sent in the membership pack |
| Territorial limits | All inland waterways within the borders of England, Wales and Scotland, excluding tidal estuaries (but including the tidal stretch of the River Trent from Newark to Keadby) |
| The vessel | Any vessel, craft or boat specified in the schedule (or reported to and accepted by us) at the time of the Breakdown, as long as you have paid the appropriate fee |
| We, us, our | River Canal Rescue Limited |
| You, your | The person named as the member in the schedule or application form. |
3.1. You must retain your membership card and produce it during a callout if requested.
3.2. Both the application and full membership payment of the relevant fee’s for the membership must be received by RCR for the membership to commence. Once received, the membership will become active after 72 hours
3.3. Retainer membership packages have the right to assistance services offered by RCR. Every attendance is charged at a flat rate of £75* per callout. The cost of recovery or crew relay is charged at an hourly rate.
3.4. The annual engine inspection is provided as part of the Gold membership and is also offered as a ‘pay on use‘ service if you do not hold a gold membership.
3.5. If you require immediate cover (we admit you to membership straight away), then you must pay an additional £170* fee (this fee is non-refundable) and apply at the minimum level of Silver Membership. Initial callout is not covered by RPC as this starts after 30 days
3.6. If you make more than 1 callout during a 24hr period and the callout is related to the initial problem, this will be logged as a single attendance by us.
3.7. Your membership covers the cost of the callout and an engineer’s attendance for up to 2hrs to repair the problem, additional time can be allocated at the discretion of the attending engineer. Additional time is charged per half hour. Return visits are charged at the same rate for travel and labour.
3.8. When a contractor attends on behalf of RCR and the fault is diagnosed as terminal or requires ‘extensive work’ (work that would need more than approximately 2 hours to complete), your membership will cover the callout charge and first hour of labour to cover the diagnosis. A private agreement between you and the contractor will then take over unless covered by RPC.
3.9. Outboards requiring in-depth investigation will be taken to an outboard specialist, a mileage charge will be made for Pick-up / Drop-off service. The cost of repairs (unless covered by RPC) will be chargeable.
3.10. Parts delivery is subject to the discretion and availability of RCR staff or contractors. Courier service is chargeable.
3.11. There is no minimum callout time; however, we aim to assist within 4hrs. Please note that due to Health & Safety Regulations callouts are restricted to daylight hours unless it’s an emergency.
3.12. Recovery to marina must be within a maximum of 2hrs journey time and is dependent on the availability of RCR staff and contractors. There may be additional time required to get to you and this is not included under your RCR membership.
3.13. Crew relay is restricted to a maximum of 2 crew relays in any 1 year of membership.
3.14. We will not attend callouts if the vessel is on a tidal river. However, if the vessel is safely moored and accessible then an RCR engineer can attend if health and safety issues are satisfied. (RCR covers the tidal stretch of the River Trent from Newark to Keadby as long as you are accessible from land).
3.15. Should a Breakdown occur to parts covered under our RPC, the repair must be undertaken by RCR or one of their representatives; RCR may require that the repairer uses exchanged or reconditioned parts to affect a repair.
3.16. If a member exceeds the number of callouts or request services outside of that permitted by their membership level, we will charge a callout fee for each attendance.
3.17. We may charge you and restrict RPC if you call us out to repair the same or a similar fault with the vessel within 12 months of the previous callout, or where advised repairs have not been implemented.
3.18. A surcharge of £30 is applicable for callouts within the M25 ring due to the additional costs of parking, congestion charges, emission charges etc. A charge maybe also be applied for any city that rolls out clean air charges.
3.19. Breakdown assistance or recovery will only be provided if you or a member of your crew stay with the vessel until a rescue vehicle arrives.
3.20. If we need to return to vessel to fit parts or provide a 2nd opinion a callout charge will apply. Attendance is dependant on the availability of senior engineers
3.21. Generators, Genset and domestic systems connected to the engine are not covered unless accepted in writing or where cover has been extended and charged.
3.22. A temporary Fuel Levy of £15 may be introduced on callouts when fuel prices increase above £1.60 per ltr.
3.23. Bronze and Silver membership requires the owner to be on board, Silver membership allows you to nominate one other driver. Gold and Retainer memberships cover the boat and any users. (unless the option to cover user on any boat is selected)
-The health and safety of our staff or sub-contractors is endangered.
-The provision of service by us would require us to break the law.
-It would affect the service we could provide to our customers. (Due to number of repairs required or the extent of the repairs required).
General Exclusions
1.1. Recovery of the vessel by road.
1.2. Any tolls payable for the transport of the vessel.
1.3. Taking crew to more than one address after any breakdown, if you insist on this.
1.4. Recovering the vessel and crew, if the vessel could have been repaired within a reasonable period of time at or near to the place of the breakdown.
1.5. Assistance in connection with any failure of domestic electrical systems, domestic appliances or plumbing on board the vessel.
1.6. Any services where repairs are required after an accident.
1.7. Any services provided by us but not covered by your membership. Where possible, the charges will be agreed with you prior to undertaking work.
1.8. Any parts, components or materials used to repair the vessel, unless covered by RPC.
1.9. Engineer’s attendance if the vessel breaks down at your home marina or within 1 mile of that, unless you have Home Start, or are happy to pay the callout charge.
1.10. Any recovery charges apart from recovery to the nearest available marina or, if the vessel breaks down within 1 mile of your home marina, recovery to the home marina.
1.11. Any other repair, breakdown or recovery service you use not nominated by us.
1.12. The attendance cost of a locksmith—although we will assist in locating and organising.
1.13. Recovery when suffering severe damage to the rudder/skeg from hitting underwater obstacles, which results in the vessel requiring docking for repairs—although we will assist in locating and organising repairs through the RCR Incident Care Service.
1.14. Fouled propellers, where access cannot be gained or Health & Safety is compromised—although we will assist in locating and organising repairs through the RCR Incident Care Service.
1.15. Repairs to Bow thrusters—although we will assist in locating and organising repairs through the RCR Incident Care Service.
1.16. Taking on water or hull breach – although we will assist in locating and organising repairs through the RCR Incident Care Service.
1.17. Diver, cranage or slipway hire—although we will assist in locating and organising repairs through the RCR Incident Care Service.
2.1. Loss of, or damage to, the vessel, its contents, or any valuables carried in the vessel.
2.2. Loss, damage or injury or any consequential or indirect loss sustained by you while the vessel is in our care.
2.3. Any damage to the vessel or otherwise suffered by you after we have recovered the vessel to the nearest available marina or to your home marina.
2.4. Any request for work under RPC notified later than 14 days from the fault occurring.
2.5. Request for replacement parts under RPC, where a vessel has suffered water ingress, fire, or the administrator believes were faulty prior to your membership.
2.6. Faults, alterations, repairs, loss, damage or liability covered by any other warranty, RPC, insurance, guarantee or goodwill settlement.
2.7. Any request for RPC that falls within the scope of insurance that is held for the vessel or its mechanical parts whether or not the policy is in the members name.
2.8. Any request for RPC that is the result of:
(a) An accident to the vessel.
(b) Failure to repair a previously identified problem or fault.
(c) Use of the vessel for purposes of hire and reward, even though the vessel may be covered for breakdown recovery services.
2.9. Any welding or repairs where the use of heat is required although we will assist in locating and organising the repairs.
2.10. A Drive Plate failure within a year of replacement under RPC unless the internal splines are affected. (This is the only mechanical part that can fail that is not related to hitting an underwater obstacle).
2.11. Any consequence of war, invasion, the act of a foreign enemy, hostilities (whether declared or not), civil war, rebellion, revolution, military power, or strike or industrial action, or acts of God.
2.12. Any charges incurred for attending the vessel in your home mooring/marina
