Tide Marine Services Pty Ltd, ABN 16 694 884 323, trading as Tide.

Last updated: 9 June 2026

Thank you for choosing Tide. These Boat Hire Terms explain the conditions that apply when you book, hire, operate, or use a vessel supplied by Tide. They are intended to support a safe, clear, and fair hire experience for Tide, the hirer, and all passengers.

By making a booking, paying a deposit, signing a Boat Hire Agreement, taking possession of a vessel, or allowing any person to use the vessel during your booking, you agree to these Boat Hire Terms.

For a plain-English summary of how cancellations, rescheduling, refunds, and bonds work, see our Cancellation policy.

1. About these terms

These Boat Hire Terms apply to all boat hire bookings supplied by Tide, unless Tide agrees otherwise in writing.

These Terms operate together with:

the booking confirmation issued by Tide;
the Boat Hire Agreement signed before or at handover;
any safety briefing, operating instructions, boundaries, or written directions provided by Tide; and
any applicable Queensland boating, marine safety, road transport, alcohol, environmental, and public safety laws.

If there is any inconsistency between these documents, the most specific instruction or document will apply to the extent of the inconsistency. Safety directions, operating boundaries, and legal requirements always take priority.

2. Booking requirements

All hirers must be at least 18 years old and must provide valid photo identification when requested.

A booking is not confirmed until Tide has accepted the booking and any required deposit, booking fee, or upfront payment has been paid.

Tide may refuse, cancel, or end a booking where Tide reasonably believes that:

the hirer has provided false, incomplete, or misleading information;
the hirer does not meet licensing, identification, or safety requirements;
the vessel cannot be operated safely due to weather, sea conditions, mechanical issues, staffing, access, or operational constraints;
the hirer or passengers are intoxicated, abusive, unsafe, or unwilling to follow Tide's instructions; or
the booking would breach these Terms or applicable law.

3. Boat licence requirements

Queensland law requires a Recreational Marine Driver Licence, or another legally recognised equivalent, to operate a recreational vessel with an engine power greater than 4.5kW.

Where a licence is required, the nominated operator must provide evidence of a valid licence before the vessel is released. The licensed operator must remain responsible for operating the vessel throughout the hire unless Tide has approved another licensed operator.

For vessels that do not legally require a boat licence, the hirer must still be capable of operating the vessel safely, must complete Tide's safety briefing, and must follow all operating instructions and boundaries.

Tide may impose stricter licence, experience, supervision, or operating-area requirements for particular vessels, weather conditions, routes, or hire types.

4. Boat Hire Agreement and handover

Before the vessel is released, the hirer must sign Tide's Boat Hire Agreement and complete Tide's handover process.

The handover may include:

confirmation of hirer and operator details;
licence and identification checks;
confirmation of passenger numbers and vessel capacity;
a safety briefing;
review of the approved operating area and any no-go areas;
confirmation of required safety equipment;
review of fuel, towing, launching, anchoring, docking, and return instructions; and
a condition report, photographs, or equipment checklist.

The hirer must tell Tide before departure if they notice any damage, missing equipment, mechanical concern, safety issue, or uncertainty about operating instructions. If no issue is raised before departure, the vessel and included equipment will be treated as having been received in the condition recorded by Tide at handover.

5. Bond, payment, and additional charges

Tide may require a refundable security bond for a hire booking. The bond is separate from any hire fee, deposit, booking fee, cancellation fee, or other charge.

The bond may be used to cover amounts properly payable by the hirer under these Terms, including:

damage to the vessel, trailer, motor, equipment, accessories, or third-party property;
missing, lost, stolen, or damaged equipment;
cleaning beyond ordinary post-hire cleaning;
fuel shortfalls;
late returns;
towing, recovery, call-out, repair, assessment, or replacement costs;
fines, penalties, tolls, parking fees, ramp fees, or enforcement costs incurred during the hire; and
any other loss, cost, or expense caused by breach of these Terms, misuse of the vessel, negligence, or unlawful conduct.

If Tide proposes to deduct any amount from the bond, Tide will provide a reasonable explanation and, where available, supporting evidence such as photographs, invoices, repair estimates, receipts, or incident records.

If the amount payable exceeds the bond, the hirer remains responsible for paying the balance. If no amount is payable, or once any agreed deductions have been made, Tide will arrange for the remaining bond to be released or refunded within a reasonable time. Bank and payment-provider processing times may vary.

6. Fuel policy

Unless Tide confirms otherwise in writing, the vessel must be returned with the same fuel level as supplied at handover.

If the vessel is returned with less fuel than required, Tide may charge the hirer for the fuel shortfall and any reasonable refuelling, transport, or administration costs.

7. Pick up, delivery, launching, and towing

The hirer must follow Tide's instructions for pick up, delivery, launching, retrieval, towing, docking, parking, access, and return.

Where the hirer is permitted to tow, launch, retrieve, or transport the vessel, the hirer must ensure that:

the towing vehicle is suitable, registered, insured, and legally permitted to tow the vessel and trailer;
the driver is properly licensed and capable of towing safely;
all trailer lights, couplings, chains, straps, and safety equipment are correctly used; and
the vessel and trailer are not left unsecured or unattended in an unsafe location.

The hirer is responsible for damage, fines, recovery costs, or third-party claims arising from towing, transport, launching, retrieval, parking, or storage during the hire period, except to the extent caused by Tide's negligence or breach of law.

8. Operating area and usage rules

The vessel must only be operated within the area approved by Tide for the booking. Tide may restrict the vessel to particular waterways, sheltered waters, launch points, time periods, weather conditions, or routes.

The hirer must not, and must not allow any other person to:

operate the vessel outside the approved area or after the approved hire period;
operate the vessel at night unless Tide has expressly approved night operation in writing;
operate the vessel while affected by alcohol, drugs, fatigue, illness, or any other condition that may impair safe operation;
exceed passenger, weight, speed, distance, weather, sea-state, or equipment limits;
use the vessel for racing, towing, fishing competitions, commercial use, chartering, filming, events, or any other special use unless Tide has approved it in writing;
beach, ground, overload, modify, or misuse the vessel;
remove, disable, or interfere with safety equipment, tracking equipment, signage, or operating equipment;
allow an unapproved or unlicensed person to operate the vessel where a licence or approval is required; or
operate the vessel unlawfully, recklessly, or in a way that creates an unreasonable risk to people, property, wildlife, or the environment.

9. Safety and hirer responsibility

The hirer is responsible for the vessel, passengers, and included equipment from handover until the vessel is returned to Tide and checked in.

The hirer must:

comply with all applicable boating and marine safety laws;
ensure every passenger receives appropriate safety information;
ensure children and any person who cannot swim or may be at increased risk wear appropriate safety equipment where required or prudent;
ensure all required life jackets and safety equipment are on board and accessible;
operate at a safe speed and keep a proper lookout;
monitor weather, tides, marine warnings, and changing conditions;
avoid hazards, shallow water, restricted areas, swimmers, wildlife, and other vessels;
immediately stop or seek safe shelter if conditions become unsafe; and
contact Tide promptly if the hirer is unsure whether it is safe to continue.

Passengers may consume alcohol only where lawful and safe, but the operator must not operate the vessel while affected by alcohol or drugs. The hirer remains responsible for passenger behaviour during the hire.

10. Damage, breakdowns, and incidents

The hirer must immediately notify Tide of any accident, breakdown, grounding, collision, injury, missing person, safety concern, damage, lost equipment, police or regulator involvement, third-party complaint, or other incident during the hire.

In an emergency, the hirer must contact emergency services first, then contact Tide as soon as it is safe to do so.

Unless immediate action is required for safety, the hirer must not arrange repairs, towing, recovery, salvage, replacement parts, or third-party services without Tide's approval.

The hirer must not continue operating the vessel if it is unsafe to do so. The hirer must follow Tide's reasonable instructions and assist with incident records, photographs, witness details, regulator reports, insurance information, and return or recovery arrangements.

The hirer must not admit liability, settle a claim, or make representations to a third party on Tide's behalf without Tide's written approval.

11. Insurance, damage, and liability

Tide may hold insurance for some vessels, risks, or operations. Insurance may be subject to exclusions, excesses, conditions, limits, and insurer assessment. Insurance may not cover all damage, loss, injury, recovery costs, third-party claims, fines, penalties, or personal property.

To the extent permitted by law, the hirer is responsible for loss, damage, cost, expense, fine, penalty, claim, or liability arising from:

breach of these Terms or the Boat Hire Agreement;
negligent, reckless, unlawful, or unsafe conduct;
operation outside approved boundaries, conditions, or instructions;
operation by an unapproved, unlicensed, intoxicated, or impaired person;
misuse, overloading, grounding, collision, or failure to take reasonable care;
failure to report an incident promptly; or
damage to or loss of Tide property, third-party property, or included equipment during the hire period.

The hirer indemnifies Tide and its directors, officers, employees, contractors, and agents against claims, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses arising from the hirer's use of the vessel, except to the extent caused by Tide's negligence, wilful misconduct, or breach of law.

Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes liability that cannot be limited or excluded under applicable law.

12. Australian Consumer Law

Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts, or modifies any consumer guarantee, right, remedy, or protection that cannot be excluded, restricted, or modified under the Australian Consumer Law or any other applicable law.

Where Tide is permitted by law to limit its liability, Tide's liability is limited, at Tide's option, to resupplying the relevant services or paying the cost of having the relevant services supplied again.

13. Late returns

The vessel must be returned by the agreed return time and to the agreed return location unless Tide approves otherwise.

Late return may affect other customers, staffing, safety, tides, access, and recovery logistics. Tide may charge reasonable late fees, call-out costs, recovery costs, staff costs, and any additional loss caused by late return.

If the hirer expects to be late, the hirer must contact Tide as soon as possible. Tide's acceptance of a late return notice does not waive any applicable late fees or other amounts payable.

14. Cancellations, rescheduling, and refunds

This section explains how Tide handles cancellations, rescheduling, no-shows, late arrivals, weather disruptions, operational cancellations, refunds, and security bonds for boat hire bookings. For a plain-English overview, see our Cancellation policy.

Nothing in this section excludes, restricts, or modifies any consumer guarantee, right, remedy, or protection that cannot be excluded, restricted, or modified under the Australian Consumer Law or any other applicable law.

14.1 Key payment terms

For clarity:

Hire fee means the amount payable for the boat hire itself.
Booking deposit or booking fee means an amount paid to secure the booking, if one is disclosed at or before booking.
Security bond means the refundable bond held against damage, missing equipment, late return, fuel shortfall, excess cleaning, fines, recovery costs, or other amounts properly payable by the hirer.
Additional charges means any disclosed or reasonably incurred charges payable under these Terms, the Boat Hire Agreement, or the booking confirmation.

The security bond is separate from the hire fee, booking deposit, booking fee, cancellation fee, or any other charge. A security bond will be refunded unless Tide is entitled to deduct an amount under these Terms, the Boat Hire Agreement, or the booking confirmation.

14.2 Customer cancellations

Customers should contact Tide as soon as possible if they need to cancel or reschedule a booking.

If the customer cancels 48 hours or more before the scheduled booking time, Tide will cancel the booking without a cancellation charge. Tide will refund any hire fee, booking deposit, or booking fee already paid for that booking, unless a different non-refundable fee was clearly disclosed and agreed at or before booking. The customer may also ask to reschedule instead of cancelling, subject to availability.

If the customer cancels within 48 hours of the scheduled booking time for reasons unrelated to weather, safety, or Tide's ability to supply the vessel, Tide may retain the disclosed booking deposit or booking fee.

If no booking deposit, booking fee, or cancellation charge was clearly disclosed at or before booking, Tide will not impose one after the fact.

If the customer has paid more than the disclosed booking deposit, booking fee, or cancellation charge, Tide will refund the balance unless another amount is properly payable under these Terms, the Boat Hire Agreement, or the booking confirmation.

Tide may choose to waive or reduce a cancellation charge where reasonable, including where Tide is able to rebook the vessel for the same time, the customer gives prompt notice, or there are compassionate or exceptional circumstances.

14.3 Customer rescheduling requests

Rescheduling is subject to availability, vessel suitability, weather, staffing, launch access, and operational requirements.

If the customer asks to reschedule 48 hours or more before the scheduled booking time, Tide will generally allow one reschedule without a rescheduling charge.

If the customer asks to reschedule within 48 hours of the scheduled booking time for reasons unrelated to weather, safety, or Tide's ability to supply the vessel, Tide may treat the request as a customer cancellation unless Tide agrees otherwise.

Rescheduled bookings remain subject to these Terms, the Boat Hire Agreement, the booking confirmation, and any safety or operating instructions provided by Tide.

14.4 No-shows and late arrivals

If the customer does not attend the booking, it will be treated as a no-show.

If the customer arrives so late that the hire cannot safely or reasonably proceed, Tide may treat the booking as a no-show.

For no-shows and late arrivals that prevent the hire from proceeding, Tide may retain the hire fee, booking deposit, or booking fee to the extent disclosed at or before booking and to the extent permitted by law.

The security bond will still be refunded unless Tide is entitled to deduct an amount under these Terms, the Boat Hire Agreement, or the booking confirmation.

If a late arrival causes the hire to be shortened but the hire still proceeds, the original return time will continue to apply unless Tide agrees otherwise. Tide is not required to extend the hire or provide a refund for time lost due to the customer's late arrival.

14.5 Weather and safety cancellations before departure

Safety is Tide's priority. Tide may cancel, delay, relocate, shorten, or reschedule a booking if Tide reasonably considers the booking unsafe or unsuitable due to weather, marine warnings, wind, rain, storms, sea state, tide, visibility, access, vessel suitability, or local conditions.

Tide's decision may be based on forecasts, marine warnings, observed local conditions, vessel type, customer experience, intended route, and safety risk.

If Tide cancels a booking before departure due to weather or safety concerns, Tide will offer a reasonable rescheduling option at no additional hire charge. If a reasonable rescheduling option is not available or the customer does not wish to reschedule, Tide will refund amounts paid for the hire.

If the customer asks to cancel because of weather, but Tide reasonably considers the conditions safe and suitable for the booking, Tide may treat the request as a customer cancellation.

14.6 Weather or safety changes during the hire

The hirer must monitor weather, tides, marine warnings, and conditions during the hire and must contact Tide promptly if conditions become unsafe or uncertain.

If Tide instructs the hirer to return early or stop operating because of safety concerns, the hirer must follow Tide's instructions.

Where a hire is materially shortened because Tide requires an early return for safety reasons outside the hirer's control, Tide may offer a reasonable partial refund, credit, or rescheduling option, taking into account the length of hire completed, vessel use, costs already incurred, and the circumstances.

Tide is not required to provide a refund where the hire is shortened or disrupted because of the hirer's breach, late departure, late arrival, operation outside approved conditions, failure to follow instructions, or failure to take reasonable care.

14.7 Tide cancellations or operational disruptions

Tide may cancel, delay, relocate, shorten, or reschedule a booking where Tide reasonably considers this necessary due to vessel availability, mechanical issues, maintenance, access restrictions, ramp or waterway closures, staffing, emergencies, supplier issues, safety concerns, or other operational factors.

Where Tide cancels a booking before departure for operational reasons not caused by the customer, Tide will offer a reasonable rescheduling option or refund amounts paid for the hire.

Where Tide is unable to provide the booked vessel but can provide a suitable alternative vessel, Tide may offer the alternative to the customer. The customer is not required to accept an unsuitable alternative.

14.8 Termination for safety, conduct, or breach

Tide may refuse, cancel, end, or terminate a booking without refund where Tide reasonably believes that:

the hirer has provided false, incomplete, or misleading information;
the hirer does not meet licence, identification, age, payment, or safety requirements;
the hirer or passengers are intoxicated, abusive, unsafe, or unwilling to follow Tide's instructions;
the hirer operates outside approved boundaries or conditions;
the hirer allows an unapproved or unlicensed person to operate the vessel where approval or a licence is required;
the hirer breaches these Terms, the Boat Hire Agreement, the booking confirmation, or Tide's safety or operating instructions; or
continuing the booking would create an unreasonable safety, legal, operational, or reputational risk.

Tide may still charge, deduct, or recover amounts properly payable for damage, loss, fines, penalties, recovery, cleaning, late return, fuel, missing equipment, third-party claims, or other amounts caused by the hirer's breach, misuse, negligence, or unlawful conduct.

14.9 Events outside Tide's reasonable control

Tide is not responsible for delay, cancellation, inability to supply a vessel, route changes, shortened hire, or other disruption caused by events outside Tide's reasonable control.

These events may include severe weather, marine warnings, unsafe sea conditions, natural events, emergency response, vessel breakdown, supplier delay, ramp or waterway closure, regulator direction, accident, illness, staffing disruption, power or communications outage, or other operational events beyond Tide's reasonable control.

Where an event outside Tide's reasonable control affects a booking, Tide will act reasonably and will consider rescheduling, refund, credit, or alternative arrangements in light of the circumstances and any applicable legal requirements.

14.10 Refund timing

Where a refund is payable, Tide will aim to process the refund within 5 business days after the refund decision is made and all information reasonably required to process the refund has been received.

Bank and payment-provider processing times may vary and are outside Tide's control.

Refunds will generally be made to the original payment method unless Tide agrees otherwise.

14.11 Security bond refunds and deductions

The security bond is handled separately from cancellation refunds.

If the hire does not proceed and the vessel, trailer, and equipment were not released to the hirer, the security bond will be refunded unless an amount is properly payable by the hirer.

If the vessel, trailer, or equipment was released to the hirer, Tide may deduct from the bond for amounts properly payable under these Terms, the Boat Hire Agreement, or the booking confirmation.

14.12 Disputes

If a customer disagrees with a cancellation decision, refund amount, bond deduction, or additional charge, the customer should contact Tide promptly.

Tide will review relevant records, which may include booking details, messages, payment records, forecasts, marine warnings, operational notes, handover records, incident reports, photographs, invoices, repair estimates, receipts, third-party reports, and staff observations.

The parties should attempt to resolve the dispute in good faith before taking formal action.

14.13 Customer communication

Tide will make the applicable cancellation terms available before accepting payment for a boat hire booking.

Tide will also confirm any booking-specific cancellation terms, booking deposit, booking fee, security bond, hire fee, and additional charges before accepting payment.

If the booking confirmation includes terms that differ from this section, those terms must be clear, lawful, and agreed before payment is accepted.

15. Cleaning and condition on return

The vessel and included equipment must be returned in a reasonably clean, tidy, and complete condition, allowing for ordinary use during the hire.

The hirer must remove rubbish, personal belongings, food, bait, excessive sand, mud, fish waste, or other avoidable mess before return.

Tide may charge reasonable cleaning costs where the vessel is returned in a condition that requires cleaning beyond ordinary post-hire cleaning.

16. Personal property

The hirer and passengers are responsible for their own personal property.

To the extent permitted by law, Tide is not responsible for personal items that are lost, stolen, damaged, left on board, left at a launch site, or affected by water, weather, movement, theft, or third-party conduct.

17. Privacy

Tide may collect personal information from the hirer and passengers for booking, identification, licence verification, payment, safety, incident management, insurance, dispute resolution, legal compliance, and operational purposes.

Tide handles personal information in accordance with its Privacy Policy.

18. Disputes, bond deductions, and damage claims

If a dispute arises about damage, bond deductions, fees, or any other issue, the hirer should contact Tide promptly so the matter can be reviewed.

Tide will consider relevant records, which may include booking details, handover notes, condition reports, photographs, incident reports, GPS or tracking data, messages, invoices, repair estimates, receipts, third-party reports, and staff observations.