Information

Vehicle length, height limits and weight limits

Vehicle lengths, for calculating fares, are taken as in the manufacturer's specifications. Modifications or attachments may be subject to a surcharge.

Maximum overall limits per vehicles are:

SeaCat (Dover-Calais, Folkestone-Boulogne):
Height 3.1m, Length 6.5m, Weight 3.5 tonnes per vehicle.

SeaCat (Dover-Ostend):
Height 3.1m, Length 6m, Weight 3.5 tonnes per vehicle.

SuperSeaCat (Newhaven-Dieppe):
Height 3.1m, Length 6.5m, Weight 4.4 tonnes per vehicle.

Departure times

Please note that all scheduled departure times on this website are local.

Generally, the time in France and Belgium is one hour ahead of that in the UK.

Unaccompanied children

We regret that we are unable to carry children under the age of 12 unless they are accompanied by an adult, parent or guardian.

Animals

The Company is participating in the current PETS passport scheme. Separate terms and conditions apply to all bookings involving pets. Please contact the Company for further information.

Check-in

All passengers and their vehicles must check-in not less than 30 minutes before departure time shown on the booking confirmation.

Disabled passengers

We are pleased to make arrangements for anyone who requires assistance at Ports or on board SeaCat. Please let us know 24 hours in advance by contacting the Port of departure.

Insurance

You are strongly advised to take out adequate travel insurance, including protection against loss of or damage to baggage, personal effects and lost or stolen booking confirmations as well as medical and vehicle cover.

ConditionsConditions of carriage

These conditions are available on request or may be inspected at Hoverspeed offices and check-in desks.

All contracts for the carriage of passengers, luggage, vehicles and/or goods on SeaCat and SuperSeaCat services are subject to the Athens Convention of 1974.

Further details of the protection and exclusions applicable due to these Orders are contained in the full terms and conditions of carriage, which are freely available upon request.

Reservations

Confirmation of booking can only be issued against payment in full. Telephone bookings are held on seven day option and all bookings can only be confirmed by remittance of full fare or a 10% deposit of full fare for each vehicle and passenger(s). Deposits are non-refundable. Balance of fare is payable at least 6 weeks before departure. Where the total value of a booking is less than �25.00 the full fare is payable immediately and deposits cannot be accepted. Bookings include all port charges.

Whilst reservations may be made for specific crossings, under exceptional circumstances the Company may have to alter travel arrangements.

When reservations are issued on an "open" basis, travel arrangements will be confirmed subject to availability of space.

Incorrect information submitted to the Company at the time of booking may result in fares being amended at time of check-in.

We would remind you that, once issued, the bookings are not interchangeable.

These conditions and any contract to which they apply shall be governed and construed for all purposes and in all respects in accordance with English law. Any dispute concerning the same shall be determined according to English law by the Courts of England to the exclusion of the jurisdiction of the Courts of any other country.

Fuel costs

Any increases in fuel costs to the Company occurring after acceptance of booking and before the date of travel may be passed on to the booking holder in the form of a fuel surcharge payable to the Company before commencement of journey. All bookings are accepted on this basis and any fuel increases over and above 10% may be levied on passenger and/or vehicle bookings by the Company.

Booking validity

Standard single and return bookings are valid for 12 months from date of commencement of travel. Open dated bookings are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Customers using 5-day special fares must return on or before the first crossing, 120 hours after arrival on the Continent.

Apex fares (if applicable)

Offers listed are for travel in 2000 and bookings must be made 24 hours before travel. These fares are subject to limited promotional space availability, and must be requested at time of booking. These fares are valid for standard or 5 day returns for a car and up to 9 passengers, supplements will be charged for camper-vans, vans, motorhomes and additional passengers. Different fares are available for motorcycles, caravans etc. Only firm bookings with full payment will be accepted. There will be a �30 charge to make a cancellation.

Cancellation fees

Unused bookings are refundable, subject to a cancellation fee of 15% of the fare for cancellations made before the scheduled journey date. Cancellations made on the scheduled journey date are subject to a fee of 25% of the fare (separate conditions apply for groups, please consult appropriate brochures which are available on request).

Apex Fares: for bookings cancelled in advance of outward travel date a cancellation fee of �30 will be charged. Unused portions of bookings are non-refundable.Refunds

Passports, visas and health formalities

For travel outside the UK a valid passport and visa may be necessary. It is the responsibility of the passenger to obtain the correct documents for entry into the countries which they intend to visit or pass through, and for re-entry into the UK. Passengers without valid immigration documents will be refused carriage. Certain countries including the UK and France impose penalties if a passenger does not have the correct documents to be granted entry/re-entry into the country. Where such penalty is imposed on either the passenger or the Company, the passenger may be liable to reimburse the Company for any such penalties and ancillary costs.

British Visitors Passports are no longer valid for travel to France and Belgium. A full Passport will be required.

The Company reserves the right to refuse carriage to passengers where the validity of any passenger's travel documentation is in doubt, and any compensation payable in such circumstances shall be limited to a refund of the fare paid to the Company.

No health formalities are currently required for British Citizens travelling to France and Belgium.

Petrol/DieselPassengers are strongly advised that to avoid spillage, vehicle fuel tanks should only be filled to within one gallon of maximum capacity.

Baggage

Foot passengers are restricted to two pieces of luggage. The Company reserves the right to make excess baggage charges for excessive, bulky or very heavy baggage.

Only hand baggage will be permitted for Day Trip passengers.

No claims for lost or damaged baggage will be considered unless reported to the Company Representative at the normal time of baggage reclaim at your arrival port and a company claim form completed with the details at that time.

Dangerous goods

Dangerous goods are not accepted for carriage.

Security/right to search

Passengers, their luggage, effects and vehicles may be subject to search for prohibited materials or substances. Any such materials or substances may be seized. Passengers refusing to be searched will not be permitted to travel.

Re-routed travel

In the event of passengers and/or vehicles being transferred to another operator, passengers are not liable for any cost involved in the transfer - provided they present themselves for check-in and that their ticket/travel documentation has been validated by the Company for such transfer. The Company accepts no responsibility for any other costs incurred as a result of such re-routing and no refund will be due for passengers and/or vehicles conveyed by another operator.

Schedules

Schedules are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice.

The Company does not undertake that services will depart or arrive at the scheduled times or be operated by the scheduled vessels. Services may be suspended or discontinued at the discretion of the Company. The Company shall not be liable for damages suffered as a result of cancellation, diversion to another route or service, or delay in departure or arrival of the vessel.

Complaints procedures

Complaints are to be put in writing giving full details within 28 days of the return date of travel. Correspondence should be forwarded to the Customer Relations Department, Hoverspeed, International Hoverport, Marine Parade, Dover, Kent CT17 9TG. Alternatively, send an email to: [email protected]

Data protection

The Company and its partners may contact you from time to time with offers or information which we believe may be of interest to you. If you do not wish to be contacted, please send your full name and address details, including postcode, to: Market Revenue Department, Hoverspeed, International Hoverport, Marine Parade, Dover, Kent CT17 9TG, or send an email to: [email protected]

Online bookings

Proof of sending is not proof of receipt.

The information that you submit to us, including your personal and financial information, is transmitted in encrypted form. This ensures that all information is coded to securely transfer it across the Internet.

The fares contained on this website are applicable to bookings paid for in the UK. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that information is correct and current, all information (including fares and schedules) is subject to alteration (in whole or part) without notice.

Day Trips

Valid for outward and return travel within the same calendar day. Excess baggage is not permitted. Day trips may commence from country of residence only.

For our full terms and conditions, please contact us in writing or ask at our check-in desks.

1. General rules
2. Transportation document
3. Rules for embarkation
4. Passenger's responsibility and special obligations
5. Company's responsibility and special rights

1. GENERAL RULES

1) Important:
the purchasing of a ticket by the passenger implies unconditional acceptance of the general terms of transportation given below.

2) Definition:
The term "passenger" applies to persons listed on the ticket. The term "passenger line" means TRANSMANCHE FERRIES. All employees, agents, officials of the Company or businesspersons on whom it may call, shall be able to take advantage of the rights guaranteed by these General Terms & Conditions.

3) Jurisdiction:
All disputes between passengers and the Company dependent on or in relation to the making of this agreement to carry passengers, luggage or vehicles, shall fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the law courts in ROUEN, expressly disregarding jurisdictions of any other foreign authority even if there is still a close relationship between two matters.

4) Application of law:
Unless stated otherwise, the agreement to transport persons, luggage and/or vehicles shall be subject to French law.

5) Unit:
The vehicle, including any trailer, caravan and contents thereof make up a single embarked cargo unit without declaration of value.

6) Fare:
The passenger line reserves the right to amend fares without notice and also prices of all services provided.

7) Damage to vehicles and persons:
The passenger line's responsibility is covered by French law and the international conventions applying to this.

II. TRANSPORTATION DOCUMENT TICKET

8) Validity:
The ticket for the crossing is valid solely for the persons and vehicles mentioned therein, for the vessel for which it has been issued, for the facilities and departure stated thereon. The ticket is non-transferable. Without being expressly stated as such, the price of the ticket covers persons and facilities, not including food, but including VAT if this tax is applicable. Where downgrading occurs there can be no reimbursement.

9) The passenger shall retain the ticket and present it whenever the Company or its representatives ask for it. Should the ticket be lost it shall (if not used in the interim) be reimbursed on its expiry date (1 year after date of issue). Any passenger without a ticket at the time of embarkation must acquire another.

10) Cancellations - penalties:
Cancellation shall be notified in writing to the offices of the passenger line, and shall be subject to the following penalties:

- minus 10% up until one month before departure
- minus 20% up until 48 hours before departure
- minus 50% up until the last time for presentation
- minus 50% for "open date" tickets.

There shall be no reimbursement for any cancellation notified after the last
time for presentation (1 hour before departure). In any cancellation
following a change of date, it shall be the initial date which is taken into
account.

III. RULES FOR EMBARKATION

11) Presentation:
The passenger with or without vehicle shall report to the office at the port of embarkation before the deadline given on the ticket, in timetables and other notices. After this final deadline there can no longer be any guarantee of embarkation.

12) Vehicle:
Irrespective of the time at which presentation occurs, the passenger line and/or the Captain and/or the agents in charge of embarkation are the only persons permitted to issue the order to embark. If the timetable is changed or there is an act of God, the passenger line being unable to embark a vehicle according to the presentation rule, this vehicle shall have priority for embarkation on the next departure without the passenger acquiring any entitlement to compensation. If, on arriving at the port of destination, the atmospheric conditions or other causes beyond the control of the passenger line do not allow it to proceed to disembark vehicles, these shall be disembarked as soon as possible at the port of destination or at another port without the passenger being able to claim any compensation. If a false declaration is made about the dimensions of the vehicle the passenger line reserves the right to refuse embarkation and/or to charge the carriage price due for over-sized vehicles. The embarkation and disembarkation operations shall be carried out by the passenger at the wheel of his own vehicle. The vehicles shall be brought up to the vehicle deck doors at the entrance or exit of the vessel on the full responsibility of the driver, who shall respect all driving and safety regulations inherent in driving on the docks in the harbour. Inside the vessel the passenger /driver shall park his vehicle according to instructions given by the crew. Non-driving passengers shall embark on foot, using the walkways indicated to them. The vehicles once embarked shall be left locked with first gear engaged and hand brake on.

13) Luggage:
Each passenger shall be allowed to bring 75 kg of luggage free of charge. For each excess amount a supplement shall be paid in bands of 10 kg, through the port agencies or the purser. Only personal effects of passengers and sales samples are accepted as luggage. For children up to the age of 15 years, an allowance of half of the weight is allowed. Children travelling free of charge do not have any allowance.

14) Illnesses:
Unless there are special arrangements made, the passenger line is not obliged to provide medical assistance for the passenger. The passenger line may refuse to embark sick persons or those whose state of health does not allow them to make the crossing. Any passenger falling ill during the crossing may use the medicines on board at his own risk. The passenger line shall have the right to be reimbursed for any health expenses incurred on behalf of a sick passenger, either on board or on land.

15) Animals: No animal is allowed in the restaurants or self-service caf�. Dogs shall wear muzzles.

IV. PASSENGER'S RESPONSIBILITY AND SPECIAL OBLIGATIONS

16) Responsibility:
The passenger is responsible for any damage caused (by himself or any person under his supervision) to the vessel, its facilities and attractions, to other passengers, to staff and third parties.

17) Minors:
Minors of less than 12 years of age shall be constantly under their parents' supervision or that of any other person accompanying them who has that responsibility, and may not move around the vessel unaccompanied. Under no circumstances shall the passenger line be held responsible for damage occurring to minors in violation of what has been said above. Moreover unaccompanied minors without legal representative shall be provided with authorisation to leave the country and a parental discharge.

18) Weapons:
Passengers are forbidden to bring on board fire arms or weapons with a blade, ammunition, explosives, fuels or other flammable substances without written authorisation from the Company and from the legal authorities. In such cases these objects shall be passed to the Purser who shall return them only at the time of disembarkation.

19) Luggage with illegal contents:
Any passenger holding in his luggage or introducing on board objects or illegal substances or contraband, shall be responsible to the Company or to other obligors for damage or fines arising from holding such items.

20) Vehicles fuelled by liquid gas:
When booking or purchasing a ticket the passenger shall indicate that his vehicle is fuelled by liquid gas. Failing to do so will mean that the passenger forfeits his right to embark and he shall pay a penalty equal to the passenger line's lost cargo charge.

V. COMPANY'S RESPONSIBILITY AND RIGHTS

21) Changes in or cancellation of departures:
Changes in voyage. The timetables for departures and arrivals are only an indication and the passenger line reserves the right to put forward or delay departure of the vessel without thereby giving the passenger any right to reimbursement or compensation. In the case where the departure had been delayed by more than 24 hours, the passenger would be able to cancel the transportation and obtain reimbursement for the amount paid. Similarly if departure is cancelled the passenger shall only have the right to reimbursement of the price paid. Moreover the passenger line reserves the right, at the discretion of the Captain and for reasons to do with navigation, to enter ports of call other than those planned. The passenger line does not assume any responsibility for losses or damages caused by storm, shipwreck, collision, change of route, approaching moorings or putting in, quarantine, fires, acts of war or piracy, or any other accident or perils of the sea, suspending or cancelling putting in or a route, changing timetable or itinerary or other events inherent in navigation and due to an act of God or a strike by staff, either on land or on board. When the passenger line wishes to cut out a planned departure, add or even omit ports of call and start the voyage from a port other than that planned, bring forward or delay departure, any passenger not wishing to use the Company's services would only have a right to be reimbursed for the sum paid since any form of damages or reimbursement of expenses of any nature whatsoever are excluded. Similarly the passenger shall not benefit from any indemnification, reimbursement in the event that the vessel arrives too early or too late.

22) Space on board:
Where an error has been made in allocating on board facilities the passenger shall not be able to claim damages and shall accept the best facilities offered by the passenger line.

23) Responsibility for transporting vehicle:
The passenger line is not responsible for any losses or damage suffered by vehicles during embarkation or disembarkation operations, or during sailing, unless its fault is clearly demonstrated. The passenger line is not responsible for losses or damage to objects contained in the vehicle. Certain objects of value such as photographic equipment, binoculars etc shall be entrusted to the vessel's management, or the purser, who shall provide a receipt for the same.

24) Object of value:
The passenger line is not responsible for the theft, disappearance, or any possible damage incurred by objects of value, money, documents, manuscripts kept in luggage or in a cabin and/or in the vehicle unless these had been entrusted to staff responsible for safeguarding them or watching over them.

25) Right of forfeiture and retention:
The passenger line has the right to confiscate and retain luggage or other passengers' property and also any vehicle, as a guarantee for any payment which the passenger has to make to the passenger line, on whatever account or based on whatever facts regarding the transportation. Consequently if a passenger does not pay what he owes, the passenger line is able to have the aforementioned goods sold, even without legal authorisation, and recover the amount owed from the sums received plus any additional expenses.

26) Complaints:
Any complaint of any nature whatsoever shall be notified immediately to the Purser. Complaints about damage to vehicles must be notified immediately to the officers in charge of loading, who will draft a loss report on the passenger's behalf. The passenger shall countersign this report although this will not constitute acceptance of responsibility and/or recognition of any sort on the company's part. Complaints which are not accompanied by a loss report shall neither be accepted nor examined by the passenger line. The passenger line is in no way responsible for any acts or deeds which occur outside of the vessel.

27) Recourse:
Any dispute regarding interpretation or implementation of this contract shall be submitted only to the courts in Rouen (France) who shall judge them under French law. In case of dispute only the French text of these conditions shall be deemed authentic.

TRANSMANCHE FERRIES
SYNDICAT MIXTE DE PROMOTION DE
L'ACTIVITE TRANSMANCHE
H�tel du d�partement - Quai Jean Moulin~
76100 ROUEN
Tel: 33 (0)2 14 52 09

Chairman of the Syndicat Mixte de
Promotion de l'activit� transmanche Charles REVET