Issued by:
Rhode Island Fast Ferry, Inc.
d/b/a Vineyard Fast Ferry
STATEMENT OF IDENTIFICATION:
Rhode Island Fast Ferry, Inc. (RIFF) for the purpose of these rules and regulations will be known as "The Company".
A passenger is any person who has paid for and/or has in their possession a valid ticket, issued by the company.
Passenger fares and schedules refer to currently published brochure and information currently posted at The Company website -
www.vineyardfastferry.com.
ADMINISTRATION OFFICE:
Vineyard Fast Ferry
1347 Roger Williams Way
North Kingstown, RI 02852
SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY:
Transportation of passengers and baggage is provided by The Company, and is governed by the terms and conditions set out herein. The Company's responsibility extends only from embarkation to disembarkation. The Company reserves the right to change these Terms & Conditions at any time without notice.
1 - DEFINITIONS:
1.1 One - Way: Any trip that has completed one leg of travel in any direction and terminates in a port that is not the port of origin
1.2 Group: 15 persons or more traveling together on all segments of the trip
will be classed as a group.
1.3 Adult: Any person who has reached their 13th birthday will be considered an
adult.
1.4 Senior Citizen: Any person who has reached 60 years of age will be
considered a senior citizen.
1.5 Infant: Any person who 3 years of age or less.
1.6 Child: Any person that is between his or her 4th and 12th birthday will
be classed as a child.
1.7 Currency: All charges noted on The Company website and in The Company's
brochures, on board the ferry, or in The Company's terminals will be, as
indicated, in U.S. dollars (cash or credit card) unless otherwise noted.
1.8 Schedules: The Company reserves the right to change or alter the schedule
to meet traffic demands.
2 - SPECIAL FARES:
2.1 All reduced fares must be requested at time of reservation. All special fares are subject to conditions for travel established by the Company. Special fares will only be applicable on certain dates, departures, and seat availability may be limited. Senior citizens, upon proof of age, may be eligible to travel at a published discounted tariff.
3 - BOARDING PASS VALIDITY AND TIME LIMITS:
3.1 The Company reserves the right to establish advance booking purchase time limits. The Company reserves the right to automatically cancel any reservation that has not met the advance booking purchase time limit. The issuance of a boarding pass and receipt by the Company of the applicable fare will be a confirmation of the passenger's reservation. The Company reserves the right to collect a surcharge on the fare paid if an increase has occurred prior to the commencement of travel. There is no guaranteed fare if ticketed in advance. Boarding passes are non-transferable and non-refundable. Boarding passes are valid only for the date and time shown on the document. All tickets, boarding passes, fares and passages are one-way only and passengers are under no obligation to purchase return trips, whether such tickets are purchased separately or together with other services. The Company reserves the right to refuse to accept any boarding pass that has been mutilated, lost, or stolen. A ticket, boarding pass is considered valid only after it has been properly endorsed by The Company. The Company shall not be liable in the event of a ticket, boarding pass loss, destruction, or theft, or if the ticket is honored for transportation or refund when presented by any other person. Tickets, boarding passes are only valid for travel during the year that they are purchased. The Company reserves the right to refuse cash or credit card refunds on any purchase or unused boarding pass. The Company will hold a credit for future travel for the amount of the unused reservation. The passenger will contact the Reservations Department and identify themselves including the Booking Number of the unused trip to use the credit being held in the reservations system.
4 - GROUP TRAVEL:
4.1 Group rate tickets or boarding passes must be purchased and paid in full a minimum of 30 days prior to travel. Group tickets or boarding passes are valid only for departures issued and are nonrefundable if not used. A group consists of 15 adult passengers or more. Cancellations made 30 to 15 days prior to travel may be eligible for a 50% credit. All passengers must travel on the same itinerary to receive the group fare. Reservations are booked in the name of the group. A group escort name and contact phone number is required. A list of names of all group members is required 15 days prior to departure. Check-in is required one hour before departure. Group escort must check-in on day of travel and distribute boarding passes to the individual group members. All terms and conditions apply to group passengers as well.
5 - CHECK-IN REQUIREMENTS:
5.1 The Company reserves the right to refuse any passenger holding a valid ticket or boarding pass that has not checked in at the departure terminal a minimum of 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure.
5.2 Luggage must be loaded and passengers on board no later than 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure.
5.3 Reservations for walk-on passengers not checked-in 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure will be canceled, with forfeiture of entire fare.
5.4 The Company may elect to establish a business class or frequent traveler service/reservation with special check-in considerations.
5.5 Each passenger must carry proper identification for security purposes.
5.6 All passengers and luggage are subject to security search prior to boarding and boarding our vessel and/or anytime while onboard our vessel. Passengers or persons who refuse to submit to a search will be denied boarding.
6 - ACCEPTANCE/NON-ACCEPTANCE OF PERSONS AND GOODS:
6.1 The Company reserves the right to refuse passage to any, person or luggage. Persons who do not comply with security inspections during check-in will be denied passage and may be escorted from the terminal by security personnel.
6.2 Unaccompanied Minor: The Company reserves the right not to accept any child or youth under the age of 17 years, unless accompanied by an adult passenger.
6.3 Pets: Pets are to be leashed at all times. The Company assumes no liability for pets. Any costs to the Company arising from a pet will be the responsibility of the passenger bringing the pet aboard.
6.4 Bikes: The Company will carry a limited number of bicycles at the established rate, when prior arrangements are made, space is available. Bikes will be stored on an outside deck while en route.
6.5 Firearms and Other Dangerous Goods: The Company will not accept for carriage firearms, ammunition, explosives, or any other form of goods considered dangerous. Any items confiscated by Customs may not be returned.
6.6 Wheelchair Passengers: The Company will accept for carriage passengers in wheelchairs on all vessels. If a wheelchair passenger is unable to care for himself or herself through the entire trip, he or she must be accompanied by a qualified attendant who will attend to those needs.
6.7 Peace Officers: The Company will accept for carriage any United States Officer who may be carrying a firearm, providing the Peace Officer provides documentation acceptable to the Company (at the time of booking) that the Officer will be traveling on official business, with the sanction of the government agency involved, and provide such supporting documentation as The Company may reasonably require.
7 - OPERATION OF THE VESSEL:
7.1 The Company will not accept any liability arising from an alteration in the published schedule or route. The Company does not guarantee that the service shall start or arrive at the time stated in the schedule and will not be liable for any additional costs incurred by the passenger as a result of any delay. The Company may cancel any scheduled operation without liability if in its opinion the safety of the passengers, crew, or vessel could be in danger or for any other reason in the Company's sole and absolute discretion. The liability of The Company if any will cease when passengers are landed at any port. The Company reserves the right to substitute a vessel or cancel any operation entirely if it becomes necessary for any reason. The Company reserves the right to land at intermediate ports and/or ports beyond destination or to divert to alternate ports for safety and/or rescue purposes or such other purpose as may reasonably be determined by the Company. The Company may conclude the voyage at such ports without additional compensation to the Passenger.
8 - CANCELLATION AND DELAY POLICIES:
If
the
ferry
is
cancelled
or
delayed
and
a
passenger
chooses
alternate
transportation
to
or
off
the
island
the
Rhode
Island
Fast
Ferry
will
not
be
responsible
for
additional
expenses
incurred
such
as
travel,
transportation,
hotel,
food
or
any
other
additional
expenses.
If
the
passenger
chooses
alternate
transportation
he
or
she
has
the
option
to
be
fully
refunded
for
that
unused
portion
of
the
ticket
or
exchange
it
for
a
different
trip.
The
unused
ticket
must
be
presented
for
a
refund.
Rhode
Island
Fast
Ferry
reserves
the
right
to
change
its
schedule,
fares
or
route
at
any
time
and
does
not
accept
any
liability
arising
from
an
alteration
in
the
published
schedule,
fares
or
route
or
pay
for
any
additional
costs
which
may
be
incurred
by
its
passengers.
Rhode
Island
Fast
Ferry
reserves
the
right
to
land
at
alternate
ports
for
safety
and/or
rescue
purposes
or
such
other
purpose
as
may
reasonably
be
determined
by
Rhode
Island
Fast
Ferry.
8.1 Passenger Ticket Cancellation: ALL TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. If a
ticketed
passenger
fails
make
his/her
scheduled
departure
time
the
tickets
will
be
valid
through
the
end
of
the
operating
season
of
the
year
stated
on
his/her
ticket.
Passengers
who
need
to
make
changes
to
their
reservations
must
do
so
within
24
hours
prior
to
departure;
we
are
unable
to
make
changes
the
day
of
travel.
All
tickets
purchased
are
valid
for
any
scheduled
ferry
departure
on
a
stand-by
basis.
8.2 Company Ferry Cancellation: Rhode Island Fast Ferry at its sole and absolute
discretion
reserves
the
right
to
cancel
any
scheduled
trip
and/or
substitute
a
vessel
without
liability
if
it
becomes
necessary
for
any
reason.
Rhode
Island
Fast
Ferry
does
not
guarantee
that
the
service
shall
depart
or
arrive
at
the
time
stated
in
the
schedule
and
will
not
be
liable
for
any
additional
travel
costs
incurred
by
the
passenger
as
a
result
of
any
cancellation.
If
the
ferry
is
cancelled
for
any
reason,
the
Company
Policy
is
as
follows:
QUONSET
POINT,
RHODE
ISLAND
DEPARTURES:
Ticketed
passengers
who
have
not
yet
departed
from
Quonset
Point
will
be
offered
either
a
full
refund
or
Tickets
can
be
exchanged
for
a
different
day.
If
possible
passengers
will
be
offered
alternate
transportation
via
Motor
Coach
to
Woods
Hole,
Massachusetts
and
then
transported
to
Martha's
Vineyard
on
an
alternate
ferry.
If
this
alternative
transportation
option
is
possible
it
will
be
offered
at
the
time
of
cancellation
in
exchange
for
their
Quonset
Point
departure
ferry
ticket;
therefore,
there
will
be
no
Ticket
refunds
given.
By
using
this
option,
Passengers
will
have
the
convenience
of
returning
to
Quonset
Point
on
their
return
trip
via
our
fast
ferry
to
pick
up
their
car
or
connect
to
the
Providence
Airport
and/or
Amtrak.
MARTHA'S
VINEYARD
DEPARTURES:
Ticketed
passengers
that
are
on
Martha's
Vineyard
at
the
time
of
the
cancellation
will
be
put
on
an
alternate
ferry
which
will
arrive
in
Falmouth
or
Woods
Hole,
Massachusetts
and
then
transported
via
motor
coach
to
Quonset
Point,
Rhode
Island.
This
alternative
transportation
option
will
be
offered
at
the
time
of
cancellation
in
exchange
for
their
Martha's
Vineyard
departure
ferry
ticket;
therefore,
there
will
be
no
Ticket
refunds
given.
A
passenger
can
also
choose
to
use
the
Ticket
on
another
day
or
if
the
passenger
chooses
to
travel
back
to
Quonset
Point,
RI
on
their
own
and
not
to
use
our
alternative
method
of
transportation
back
to
Quonset
Point,
RI
they
will
be
offered
a
refund
in
exchange
for
their
unused
portion
of
their
Ticket.
The
unused
ticket
must
be
presented
for
a
refund.
8.3 Company Ferry Delays: Rhode Island Fast Ferry does not guarantee the trip
will
take
95
minutes
and
crossing
times
may
vary
due
to
weather,
tides,
sea
conditions
or
mechanical
issues.
Rhode
Island
Fast
Ferry
can
not
be
held
liable
for
delays
on
the
ferry
due
to
any
unforeseen
circumstances
such
as
weather,
tides,
sea
conditions
or
mechanical
issues.
Rhode
Island
Fast
Ferry
does
not
guarantee
that
the
service
shall
depart
or
arrive
at
the
time
stated
in
the
schedule
and
will
not
be
liable
for
any
additional
travel
costs
incurred
by
the
passenger
as
a
result
of
any
delay
If
the
ferry
is
delayed
for
any
reason,
the
Company
Policy
is
as
follows:
QUONSET
POINT,
RHODE
ISLAND
DEPARTURES:
Ticketed
passengers
who
have
not
yet
departed
from
Quonset
Point
will
have
the
option
to
exchange
their
ticket
for
a
different
trip
or
the
passenger
may
choose
to
ride
on
the
ferry
operating
on
a
delayed
schedule.
MARTHA'S
VINEYARD
DEPARTURES:
Ticketed
passengers
that
are
on
Martha's
Vineyard
at
the
time
of
delay
can
choose
to
exchange
their
ticket
for
a
different
trip
or
the
passenger
may
choose
to
ride
on
the
ferry
operating
on
a
delayed
schedule.
9 - BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE:
9.1 Each adult fare passenger will be allowed one carry on a personal carry-on item such as a briefcase, laptop or personal bag and two pieces of luggage free of charge. The passenger may substitute fishing or golfing equipment for one piece of luggage. You will be required to carry on your own luggage and place it in the luggage area. Additional
Bags
will
be subject to
a
$5.00
per
bag
fee
each
way.
Rhode
Island
Fast
Ferry
will
not
liable
for
loss
or
damage
to
passengers'
baggage
or
property.
10 - BAGGAGE ACCEPTANCE:
10.1 Rhode Island Fast Ferry can refuse to carry any
article that the Company, in its sole judgment,
considers harmful or dangerous to the vessel,
passengers, crew, or other goods being transported.
Rhode Island Fast Ferry will not liable for loss or
damage to passengers' baggage or property.
11 -
FREIGHT,
PACKAGES
&
OTHER
ITEMS:
11.1
Items
other
than
luggage
such
as
Packages
and
Boxes
will
be
subject
to
an
additional
charge
depending
on
weight
and
size.
Other
items
would
include
furniture,
household
goods,
commercial
products
and
boxed
goods.
All
freight
will
be
subject
to
an
inspection
prior
to
boarding.
If
the
passenger
or
shipper
refuses
to
submit
to
a
search
then
the
freight
will
be
denied
boarding.
All
Fees
will
be
determined
by
weight
and
size
at
check
in.
12 - PETS:
12.1 The Company will permit passengers to transport domesticated pets at no charge. Any pet must remain in an approved carrier or on a leash at all times. Pets are not permitted on the passenger seats.
13 - SECURITY INSPECTIONS:
13.1 All passengers, personal items, luggage and freight may be subject to search and inspection prior to boarding our vessel and/or anytime while on board our vessel. Passengers or persons who refuse to submit to a search will be denied boarding.
14 - INCLUDED SERVICES:
14.1 Prices include transportation as specified in the itineraries and applicable taxes and fees. Prices do not include (without limitation) insurance of all kinds; phone calls; beverages; meals not detailed in the itinerary; gratuities to taxi, courtesy van, or tour drivers; items of a personal nature; excess baggage; optional excursions; or any other service.
15 - PASSENGER CONSENT:
15.1 Entering the passenger departure area of the terminal is deemed valid consent to screening or inspection: and failure to consent or submit to screening will result in denial or revocation of authorization to enter the vessel.
15.2 The passenger acknowledges that it has been provided by The Company with the opportunity to review The Company's Privacy Policy, by way of notice on the Company's website, and to consent or object to the use of the personal information in accordance with the said policy.
16 - PERSONAL INJURY AND DEATH:
16.1 The Company is not liable for any personal injury of death unless it receives written notification of the injury or death within six months of its occurrence from the injured passenger, their representative, or the representative of the estate of a deceased passenger, and unless suit is instituted in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island as an admiralty or maritime action, without demand for jury trial, within one year of the occurrence of the injury or death.
17 -
FORUM
SELECTION:
17.1
Each
party agrees
to
personal
jurisdiction
in
any
action
brought
in
any
court,
Federal
or
State,
within
the
County
of
Washington,
State
of
Rhode
Island
having
subject
matter
jurisdiction
over
the
matters
arising
under
this
Agreement.
Any
suit,
action
or
proceeding
arising
out
of
or
relating
to
this
Agreement
shall
only
be
instituted
in
the
County
of
Washington,
State
of
Rhode
Island.
Each
party
waives
any
objection
which
it
may
have
now
or
hereafter
to
the
laying
of
the
venue
of
such
action
or
proceeding
and
irrevocably
submits
to
the
jurisdiction
of
any
such
court
in
any
such
suit,
action
or
proceeding.
18
-
SEVERABILITY:
18.1 Any provision herein which shall be found to be invalid or unenforceable shall be considered null and void but only to that extent and the remainder of these terms and conditions shall stand as valid and enforceable.
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