Registration and Payment
Reservations should be made in advance. Reservations are accepted on a first come, first served basis. To reserve space on any trip please use our online booking form. Payment is due IN FULL when you register, please note there is a nonrefundable booking fee added to the price of your “ticket.”
In the event that a trip you want to join is already filled, you can contact us (Kate – cahow1101@gmail.com Brian – hatteraspetrel@gmail.com ) to be put on a waiting list pending cancellations for that trip. We do not recommend making flight plans, motel reservations, etc. until you have secured space on the trip you want to join!
Trips without a minimum number of participants two to four weeks prior to sailing may be cancelled. To avoid this circumstance make your reservations early. Do not wait until the last minute to sign up. In the rare event that a trip for which you are registered is cancelled, you will be notified at least two weeks prior to the scheduled date.
Our trip fees do not include a gratuity for the crew / leaders / spotters. Please plan to have some cash available for this. Standards for tipping are the same as for restaurants and our crew splits the money received.
Cancellations
By trip registrants: Our policy is that all ticket sales are non-refundable less than 2 months prior to a departure.
Cancellations less than 2 months prior to a departure result in forfeiture of deposit. Cancelling parties are allowed to transfer their reservations to another party if they do so more than two weeks prior to the departure date and the replacement party supplies us with their contact information, eBird user information, and agreement to our Terms and Conditions. Within 2 weeks of a trip there are no refunds, credits, or transfers.
By us: If we have to cancel a trip we will refund your payment for the trip in full (this does not include the nonrefundable booking fee).
We reserve the right to cancel a trip at any time for a variety of reasons. Occasionally we need to cancel because of weather. For most trips, a decision will not be made until the morning of the trip, as a variety of factors need to be considered to assess what sea conditions might develop or endure over the course of the day. Be aware that rain and or thunderstorms can impact our itinerary for a trip but we seldom entirely cancel a departure for either reason.
Weather
Anyone who signs up for a trip with a weather date (typical in the winter) is obligated to go offshore on the weather date if necessary or forfeit their payment.
Liability
BE CAREFUL WHILE ABOARD SHIP! Brian Patteson, Inc. acts only as the agent for the carrier of these trips and cannot be held responsible for any injuries, accidents, lost, stolen or damaged articles, seasickness, or other misfortunes resulting from participation on these trips.
These trips are physically taxing. If you cannot stand unaided for periods of time or if you do not have the strength to hold on to railings when moving around on the vessel we do not recommend signing up for our trips. The Gulf Stream is a warm water current, please dress in light clothing and layer, it can be hot offshore, and we do not have air conditioning in the cabin! We reserve the right to turn anyone away from a trip if they appear to be a liability.
Additional Notes
-These trips are not recommended for children under the age of 12.
-Expectant mothers should not sign up.
-We do not recommend these trips for persons 80 years of age or older.
-We do not recommend these trips for persons with low blood pressure; fainting while on a moving platform can be incredibly dangerous not only to you but also to those around you.
-We do not recommend these trips if you are prone to seizures.
-The trips could be hazardous for persons with certain health problems; please inquire if you have any concerns.
-No pets are permitted aboard ship.
-Brian Patteson, Inc. cannot be held responsible for any target species not seen on any tour; we will try our best to find all of the specialties, but there are no guarantees for success. It is your responsibility to tell us what you want to see and speak up if you need help!