TERMS & CONDITIONS OF TRADING

  1. All training conducted by The Underwater Centre (Fort William) Ltd (‘the Company’) is governed by these Terms and Conditions.  No variation to these can be made other than in writing by a director of the Company.
  2. A booking is only deemed to be confirmed upon receipt of cleared funds at our bank for the deposit on any course and return of agreed terms & conditions.
  3. All courses must be paid in full 30 days before the commencement date of the course.
  4. All courses are booked on the basis of a first come first served basis.  A received deposit or payment in full for a course has precedence over any other booking.
  5. Course prices are charged at the price quoted to you at the time of your booking, notwithstanding any change in the course price between the time of your booking and the running of the course.
  6. The Company reserves the right to change the start date of any course and transfer the student to another equivalent course without compensation, although every effort will be made to minimise any disruption to students.
  7. Failure to appear on the start date of any booked course will result in the forfeiture of any deposit or fees paid for that course.
  8. All courses run at Fort William are considered residential and all accommodation must be booked through the Company unless by prior agreement.  If the company’s own accommodation is fully booked then the student will be placed in reasonably equivalent accommodation. 
  9. Accommodation is booked on a continuous use basis for the duration of the course.  No discounts or refunds are made if beds are not used.  In addition:
    1. No external visitors are allowed in rooms.
    2. No alcohol is allowed on the premises.
  10. The Company is registered for VAT in the UK and is obliged, by law, to charge VAT.  Any companies or individuals wishing to re-claim the VAT must do so themselves.
  11. Course changes and cancellations:
    1. If a course is cancelled or changed by a student up to 30 days before the start date an administration fee of 20% of the deposit will be charged.
    2. If a course is cancelled within 30 days of the start date then all payments will be forfeit although the Centre will do its utmost to reposition the student on another course and transfer the payment subject to an administration fee.
    3. No refunds will be made for cancellations within 30 days of the course start date unless exceptional circumstances prevail. Exceptional circumstances are:
      1. Inability to obtain a visa (Foreign Students) provided interview attended 6 weeks before course start date.
      2. Ill health, where supported by a doctors certificate.
      3. Severe personal circumstances, such as bereavement.
      The level of refund will be at the discretion of the Company.
  12. The following will result in dismissal from the course without compensation:
    1. Wilful damage to company property;
    2. Breach of non-smoking rules;
    3. Consumption of alcohol on company property;
    4. Arrival at class under the influence of alcohol;
    5. Possession of prohibited substances;
    6. Failure to act on verbal instructions of staff;
    7. Disturbance of any other guests or customers within the company’s premises;
    8. Bringing the company into disrepute through inappropriate behaviour inside or outside of the company’s premises;
    9. Failure to pay all fees, deposits and invoices when they fall due;
    10. Failure to observe safety procedures;
    11. The possession of weapons of any kind on premises.

    Appeals against dismissal must be lodged within 28 days with the Managing Director of the Company at The Underwater Centre, An Aird, Fort William, PH33 6AN.

  13. All diving courses are run under HSE rules and as such are governed by them.  Where any dispute arises these terms and conditions take precedence over all other documents.
  14. All of these terms and conditions are governed by the Law of Scotland.
  15. The duration of any course may change without notice to students and as long as the training has been completed then the student may leave early.  However no refund of any type will result.
  16. Damage to buildings or equipment caused by negligence or wilful act during your stay at The Underwater Centre will result in the charge of replacement/cost of repairs being invoiced to you.
  17. Any literature enclosed is for information only and does not form part of any legally binding contract.

Company Reg. No.266805 : VAT Reg. No. 842 3243 49