Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL
How long are the charters?
A standard charter is for 4 hours.

Can we extend the time?
Day charter can be extended up to 6 hours. Evening charter – an additional hour is permitted however this is always at the Captain’s discretion.

Can we inspect the vessels?
Yes, we encourage clients to inspect the boats prior to booking.

Where and when can we inspect the vessels?
Vessels can be inspected at our base in McMahons Point. We suggest you phone to arrange a suitable time to ensure the vessel is available. Inspection times are 9.30am – 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Weekend inspection are only possible when crew are at the base preparing for a charter and times are very specific – the crew will not have a great deal of time to spend with you as they have other duties to perform in preparation for the charter – most questions should be taken up with the office staff during the week.

If we want to book what is the procedure?
After obtaining details of your requirements we will send through our confirmation. A $500 deposit is required within 14 days to secure the booking. Balance of payment is required 7 days prior to the charter.

Do we get a refund of the deposit if we cancel?
If cancellation is made 8 weeks prior to the charter date we will refund in full. If cancellation is made less than 8 weeks prior to the charter date the deposit is forfeited.

Are there any other costs involved?
Some wharves in the city region incur a wharfage fee which will be added to your charter cost. Any optional extras provided are at additional cost.

Are there Terms and Conditions?
Yes – we ask that you read, sign and return the Terms and Conditions prior to the charter.

Is there a Security Bond?
Yes, a $500 Security Bond is required. This will be refunded after the charter provided our Terms and Conditions are adhered to.

Where do we load on drinks/catering music?
The vessel will arrive at a designated wharf 30 minutes prior to the charter enabling you to load on these items and set up prior to your guests boarding.

Will the vessel go back to the loading wharf after the charter?
Yes – enabling you to unload leftover drinks etc

Do we have to provide bins, etc for our rubbish and do we have to take the rubbish off the vessel at the end of the charter?
No – bins are provided and we will dispose of the rubbish

Do we have to clean the boat?
No – cleaning is included as part of the vessel hire.

We have a large group – are children counted in the maximum number of passengers permitted on the vessel?
Yes – we are required by law to count every person boarding the vessel including babies.

Is there wheelchair access?
Yes –we should be advised prior to the event so that the appropriate gangway is taken– crew will assist the wheelchair passenger/s to board the ferry. Due to the era our vessels were built the toilets on board are not wheelchair friendly.

Is there a first aid kit on board?
Yes – all our crew have a current first aid certificate as required for their certification

Do you have appropriate insurance?
Yes – a Certificate of Currency can be emailed on request.

WHARVES
What wharves can you pick up from?
Most public wharves in the main harbour area.

Is there a fee to use the wharves?
Most wharves in the city region incur a wharfage fee of $45 per docking - in other areas there is usually no fee.

Can you pick up from one wharf and setdown at another?
Yes

Are some wharves easier to wheelchair access than others?
Yes – pontoon wharves make access easier – e.g. Man O War, Valentia Street, and Elliott Street.

DRINKS
Can we supply our own drinks?
Yes, on 3 or our vessels – Radar, Regal, and Lithgow. Proclaim and Royale have a Liquor Licence and therefore drinks would have to be purchased from the bar.

Are children permitted on vessels with a Liquor Licence?
Yes, provided they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Can we sell drinks on the non licensed boats?
You can only sells drinks if you have obtained a Function Licence from the Department of Liquor, Gaming and Racing. We require a copy of the approved licence prior to the charter.

If we are selling tickets for a charter can drinks be included in the ticked price on a non licensed boat?
No – including drinks in the ticket price is considered to be an indirect sale of alcohol which is against the law.

Can we load on drinks from your base?
No – only our crew load items onto the vessel at our base – safety/insurance issues

What happens with the leftover drinks if we don’t want to take them off the vessel after the charter?
Our crew will unload and store them at our base – whilst they are stored in a locked shed –all care is taken but we do not responsibility. Leftover drinks must be collected the first working day after the charter.

How do we chill our drinks on the non licensed vessels?
We supply 4 large tubs under the bar servery. We can provide ice if required at $4.00 per 5 kilo bag.

Can you provide bar staff on the non licensed?
Yes – this enables you to deliver the drinks to our base prior to the charter – the barperson will load them onto the vessel, ice them down and serve them to your guests. The cost for a barperson for a 4 hour charter is $250.

With vessels that have a liquor licence how can we run the bar?
There are 4 options: 1 - Cash Bar; 2 - Dry Till where you nominate an amount to be placed on the bar and we run a tab. 3 - Special orders: Specific drinks may be ordered (subject to availability from our supplier).These are sold at retail price however leftovers must be purchased back (at wholesale price). 4 - Bar Packages (transport/wedding transport only).

CATERING
Can you provide catering?
Yes – we have a variety of menus from hot/cold buffet, finger food, BBQ menus (Proclaim only), platters – the menus are all on our website.

Can we bring our own catering or do we have to use your caterers?
We can certainly provide catering however you are able to self cater on all of our vessels if preferred.

If we supply our own catering what is on board?
The vessel is hired on a bareboat basis therefore you would have to provide everything yourself e.g. plates, cutlery, etc.

Do you have a microwave on board?
No – but you are welcome to bring one – there is plenty of household power on board (with the exception of Lithgow.

Can we BBQ on the boat?
No – our vessels are timber heritage ferries – we do not allow any open flame to be used.

We have a very limited budget – can you suggest catering?
Pizzas are an economical way to supply food to your guests. We can stop at a designated wharf during the charter to collect.

DJ
Can you arrange a DJ?
Yes – the cost would be $440 for a 4 hour charter.

What sort of music does the DJ play?
The DJs have a wide variety of music available – if you want a particular style or have particular requests just let our consultant know.

Can we provide our own music?
Yes

Do you have speakers and/or equipment we can use on the vessels?
No – you would have to supply these yourself. There is plenty of household power to plug your equipment into.

Do you have an iPod dock we can use?
Currently this facility is only available on Lithgow.

Is there any restriction to having a band on board?
No however we ask that there be consideration in volume so as not to disturb harbourside residents.

DECORATING
Can we decorate the vessel?
Yes – decorators are able to come to our base 1 hour prior to the charter. We have restrictions – only bluetac and string may be used – no cellotape, thumb tacks, etc

Can we use candles?
No – no open flame is permitted.

TRANSPORT
Can we just book one way transport?
Yes

Can we include a short cruise during the transport?
Yes – this is usually at no additional cost.

Our function is on an island. Would it cost more to do several trips during the event in case some people do not want to stay for the full function?
No – our rates are calculated on a time basis, not the number of trips. The only additional cost would be for wharf fees if they are applicable.

We are planning an event on an island – are you able to transport our equipment, etc to set up the function prior to the guests arriving?
Yes – we can provide transport to bump in/bump out. Extra costs will apply.

We wish to transport 500 guests to a function venue – is this possible?
Yes – we can either do 2 trips on the one vessel or provide 2 vessels. With all of our vessels we can carry 850 passengers for transport.

WEDDINGS
Can we have the wedding ceremony on the boat?
Yes – our crew are very familiar with the best locations to conduct the ceremony.

Is it possible to drop the marriage celebrant at a wharf after the ceremony?
Yes

Do you provide wedding transport with a short cruise after the wedding ceremony to the reception venue?
Yes – it is an excellent option to fill in the time whilst the bridal party is busy with the photographer and a great way to showcase Sydney Harbour to interstate and overseas visitors.

Is it possible to pick up the bridal party after they have finished with the photographer so they can join their guests on board?
Yes – we would need to know an approximate time and which wharf.

Can we serve drinks to our guests during the wedding transport?
Yes – on the Licensed vessels we have bar packages or on the non-licensed vessel you can byo (bar staff can be provided to serve your drinks).

We are getting married in a park/island – is it possible to have a wet weather option should it rain?
Yes – a pre-arranged option can be organised. Contact numbers for the vessel and operations manager will be provided – a cut off time will be discussed.

Is it possible to have the wedding reception on the boat?
Yes. Proclaim has table seating for up to 130 guests. The other vessels do not have tables and are more suited to informal weddings.

Do you have wedding packages?
Yes – our packages are tailored to individual requirements.