Terms of Service

Version 7.2  |  Effective Date: April 25, 2026  |  Last Updated: April 25, 2026

1. Platform Description

Splash Rides acts solely as a venue. We facilitate the availability of the Platform and serve as a limited payment agent for Service Providers for the purpose of accepting payments from Renters on their behalf. Any legal remedy you seek for actions or omissions of other Users shall be limited to that specific User.

2. Definitions

• “Bareboat Charter” — a rental where the Renter operates the vessel themselves without a captain provided by the Owner. The Renter assumes full responsibility for navigation and operation.
• “Captained Charter” (or “Time Charter”) — a rental where the Owner provides a licensed captain who remains in command of the vessel.
• “Service Provider” — any Boat Owner or Captain who lists a vessel or offers captain services through the Platform.
• “Renter” — any User who books a vessel through the Platform.
• “Security Deposit” — the hold amount authorized on the Renter’s payment method to cover potential incidental damages.
• “Boat” — the vessel and all its machinery, electronics, equipment, rigging, gear, contents, and appurtenances.

3. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction) and legally capable of entering into binding agreements. All registration information must be truthful and accurate.

For Bareboat Charters, the operating Renter must hold all licenses and certifications required by the jurisdiction in which the vessel will operate, possess sufficient boating experience for the vessel type, and be at least 21 years of age (or the minimum age required by applicable state/local law).

4. Bareboat Charters vs. Captained Charters

4.1 Captained Charters. The Captain must hold a valid USCG OUPV (Six-Pack) license or higher, as appropriate for the vessel size and number of passengers. The Captain retains command and control of the vessel at all times.

4.2 Bareboat Charters. The Renter assumes the legal role of the vessel operator and is solely responsible for safe operation, compliance with all navigation rules, and the safety of all persons aboard. Splash Rides may require proof of boating experience or certifications before confirming a Bareboat Charter.

4.3 USCG Compliance. Chartered vessels with crew provided by the Owner carrying more than six passengers require a USCG-inspected vessel with a licensed Master. Owners are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable maritime regulations.

5. Insurance Requirements

5.1 Every Service Provider must maintain commercial marine liability insurance with limits meeting or exceeding the minimum requirements of the jurisdiction(s) in which they operate, covering third-party bodily injury, property damage, and passenger liability.

5.2 Service Providers must upload valid proof of insurance before their first listing goes live. Splash Rides may verify documents, request updated certificates at any time, and immediately suspend listings where insurance has lapsed.

5.3 Renters are strongly encouraged to obtain personal marine insurance or travel insurance covering trip cancellation, personal injury, and property damage. For Bareboat Charters, Renters should obtain coverage at least equivalent to the Owner’s deductible.

5.4 In the event of any incident, all claims must be directed to the relevant party’s insurer. Splash Rides shall have no liability for uninsured or underinsured losses.

6. Pricing and Payments

6.1 Platform Service Fees. Splash Rides charges service fees on each completed booking, broken down by role:

• Renters pay a service fee of 10% of the rental amount, added to the listing price at checkout.
• Boat Owners pay a marketplace commission of 20% of the rental amount, deducted from the Owner’s payout.

Where a booking is a Captained Charter, the Captain is provided by the Owner (either the Owner themselves or a person engaged by the Owner). The Captain’s compensation is a private matter between the Owner and the Captain — Splash Rides charges no separate captain-services fee.

Fees are non-refundable except where the Service Provider cancels, under Section 9 (Extenuating Circumstances), or where required by applicable law. Splash Rides may revise these fees on 30 days’ written notice.

6.2 All payments are processed through Stripe. The Renter’s payment method is authorized at booking. The full charge is captured 24 hours before the scheduled trip.

6.3 Fuel and Extras. Fuel costs, gratuities, food, beverages, and additional services are not included unless explicitly stated in the listing.

6.4 Taxes. Service Providers are solely responsible for all tax obligations arising from their earnings. Splash Rides provides earnings documentation as required by law.

6.5 Chargeback Policy. If a Renter initiates a chargeback, Splash Rides reserves the right to suspend the Renter’s account and charge an administrative fee of up to £25 (or equivalent). Service Providers are responsible for the full amount of any chargeback related to their services.

7. Security Deposit and Damage Protection

7.1 Service Providers may set a Security Deposit amount on their listing. Splash Rides will place a hold (not a charge) on the Renter’s payment method for the specified amount at booking.

7.2 If no claim is filed by the Service Provider within 48 hours of the trip’s end time, the hold is automatically released.

7.3 To file a damage claim, the Service Provider must submit photographic evidence and a description through the Platform within 48 hours. The Renter will be notified and the claimed amount (up to the deposit maximum) will be captured.

7.4 If the Renter disputes a claim, Splash Rides will review evidence from both parties and make a determination in its sole discretion. This determination is final.

7.5 Damages exceeding the Security Deposit are a matter between the Service Provider and the Renter.

8. Cancellation Policy

8.1 Service Providers select one of the following cancellation tiers when creating a listing:

8.2 The Splash Rides service fee is non-refundable except where the Service Provider cancels or in cases of Extenuating Circumstances (Section 9).

8.3 If a Service Provider cancels a confirmed booking, the Renter receives a full refund including the service fee. Repeated cancellations may result in account penalties or suspension.

9. Weather and Extenuating Circumstances

9.1 Covered events:

• Government-issued weather warnings, tropical storm or hurricane warnings affecting the booking location;
• Booking location within 150 miles (240 km) of a named/numbered tropical storm or hurricane;
• Government-ordered evacuations, port closures, or maritime navigation restrictions;
• Severe weather making boating unsafe (sustained winds exceeding 25 knots, seas exceeding 4 feet, thunderstorm/lightning warnings);
• Documented medical emergencies requiring hospitalization;
• Death of the Renter, Service Provider, or their immediate family member.

9.2 If the Renter cancels due to a covered event with supporting documentation, they receive a full refund including the service fee, regardless of the cancellation tier.

9.3 Service Providers will not be penalized for weather-related cancellations.

9.4 Both parties are encouraged to reschedule rather than cancel. The Platform supports rebooking at no additional cost when both parties agree.

10. Force Majeure

Neither Splash Rides nor any User shall be liable for failure or delay resulting from events beyond reasonable control, including natural disasters, pandemics, war, terrorism, civil unrest, government orders, port closures, strikes, power failures, internet outages, or cyberattacks.

11. Prohibited Activities

Users are strictly prohibited from:

• Using the Platform or any vessel for any illegal activity;
• Operating or permitting operation of a vessel while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any impairing substance;
• Exceeding the maximum passenger capacity stated in the listing or required by law;
• Sub-renting, sub-chartering, or transferring a booking to a third party without prior written consent;
• Providing false, misleading, or fraudulent information;
• Soliciting or conducting transactions outside the Platform to avoid fees;
• Harassing, threatening, discriminating against, or endangering any User;
• Distributing spam, malware, or unsolicited commercial messages;
• Interfering with the Platform’s operation, security, or integrity;
• Removing, altering, or obscuring safety equipment on any vessel;
• Entering restricted, closed, or prohibited waterways.

Violation may result in immediate account termination, forfeiture of pending earnings, and referral to law enforcement.

12. User Content and Intellectual Property

12.1 By posting any content (listings, photos, videos, reviews, messages), you grant Splash Rides Ltd a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, sublicensable, transferable, perpetual license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, distribute, display, and create derivative works of such content in connection with operating and promoting the Platform.

12.2 You represent that you own or have all necessary rights to the content you post and that it does not infringe any third party’s rights.

12.3 The Platform, its design, logos, trademarks, and all Splash Rides content are the exclusive property of Splash Rides Ltd.

13. Copyright Dispute Policy (DMCA)

If you believe content on the Platform infringes your copyright, submit a notice to legal@splash-inc.com containing: (a) identification of the copyrighted work; (b) identification and location of the infringing material; (c) your contact information; (d) a good faith belief statement; (e) a statement under penalty of perjury; and (f) your signature. Counter-notices may be submitted within 10 business days.

14. Dispute Resolution Between Users

14.1 Users should first attempt to resolve disputes directly through the Platform’s messaging system.

14.2 If direct resolution fails, either party may submit a dispute to Splash Rides within 14 days of the trip end date. Both parties must submit evidence (photos, messages, receipts). Splash Rides will review and issue a non-binding recommendation within 10 business days.

14.3 In cases involving damage claims, listing misrepresentation, safety violations, or no-shows, Splash Rides reserves the right to issue refunds and/or withhold payouts in its sole discretion.

14A. Indemnification

14A.1 You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Splash Rides Ltd, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, damages, losses, costs, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or relating to: (a) your use of the Platform or any vessel booked through the Platform; (b) your violation of these Terms; (c) your violation of any applicable law, regulation, or third-party right; (d) any content you post on the Platform; (e) any activity related to a booking you participated in, whether as Renter or Service Provider; or (f) your negligence, wilful misconduct, or fraud.

14A.2 This indemnification obligation survives termination of your account and these Terms.

14B. Account Termination & Data Retention

14B.1 Either you or Splash Rides may terminate your account at any time. You may request account deletion by contacting privacy@splash-inc.com.

14B.2 Upon termination: (a) pending bookings will be cancelled and refunded per the applicable cancellation policy; (b) earned but unpaid payouts will be processed within 30 days, subject to any holds for pending claims; (c) your listings will be removed from the Platform.

14B.3 Data Retention. Following account deletion: booking and financial records are retained for 7 years as required by UK tax law (Finance Act); identity verification documents are retained for 5 years under anti-money laundering regulations; personal profile data and messages are deleted within 30 days; anonymised analytics data may be retained indefinitely.

14B.4 Splash Rides may immediately suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms, pose safety risks, or engage in fraudulent activity, without prior notice.

14C. Modifications to These Terms

14C.1 We may update these Terms from time to time. For material changes, we will provide at least 30 days’ notice via email or in-app notification before the changes take effect.

14C.2 Your continued use of the Platform after the effective date of any modification constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree, you must stop using the Platform and may request account deletion.

14C.3 Non-material changes (formatting, clarifications) may take effect immediately.