Terms of Service

Connemara Bay Fishing Charters LLC is a Massachusetts limited liability company offering for-hire recreational fishing charters operated by a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain.

• All bookings are made through our website, by phone, or by email and are subject to availability.
• A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the trip price is due at the time of booking. The balance is due on the day of the trip.
• We accept payment through Stripe. Prices are in U.S. dollars and include all applicable taxes unless noted otherwise.
• You confirm you are at least 18 years old and authorized to use the payment method you provide.

If you cancel

• 14+ days before the trip: deposit may be applied to a future trip within 12 months. No cash refund.
• Less than 14 days before the trip: deposit is forfeited and the full balance remains due if you booked on a “pay at dock” basis.
• No-shows: full trip price is due. The boat will wait 30 minutes past departure time.

If we cancel for weather or safety

The captain has sole and absolute discretion to cancel, shorten, or relocate any trip due to weather, sea conditions, mechanical issues, or any other safety concern. If we cancel before departure, you may choose to (a) reschedule within 12 months, or (b) receive a full refund of amounts paid. If we cancel or cut a trip short after departure due to weather, safety, or guest behavior, no refund is owed — you have chartered the boat and crew for that time.

If we cancel for other reasons

If we cancel for a reason unrelated to weather, safety, or guest conduct (e.g., overbooking), you may reschedule or receive a full refund. That refund is our maximum liability for a cancellation.

Fishing, boating, and related activities are inherently dangerous. Risks include, but are not limited to: drowning; slipping and falling on wet decks; seasickness; hooks, knives, and fishing tackle causing cuts, punctures, or eye injury; collisions and vessel sinking; sudden weather changes; equipment failure; contact with fish, bait, or marine life; exposure to sun, cold, wind, and salt spray; the negligence of other passengers; and the ordinary negligence of the captain, crew, and Company.

By booking and boarding, you voluntarily and knowingly assume all such risks — known and unknown — for yourself and every member of your party. You confirm you are in adequate physical condition to participate and have disclosed any relevant medical conditions to us in advance.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, and in consideration of being allowed to participate, you (for yourself, your heirs, and your estate) release, waive, and discharge Connemara Bay Fishing Charters LLC, its owners, captains, crew, employees, and agents from any and all claims, liabilities, and damages arising out of or related to your charter, including those caused by the ordinary negligence of the released parties.

This release does not apply to gross negligence, recklessness, or willful misconduct, which under Massachusetts law and federal maritime law cannot be waived.

Limitation of damages. To the fullest extent permitted by law, our total liability to you for any claim arising out of your charter is limited to the total amount you paid us for that charter. We are not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages, including lost wages, lost vacation time, or replacement trip costs.

Federal law notice. Your charter takes place on navigable waters. Federal maritime law, including the Limitation of Liability Act (46 U.S.C. § 30501 et seq.), applies and may further limit our liability.

You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from any claim, loss, or expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of (a) your breach of these Terms, (b) your negligent or intentional acts on or around the vessel, or (c) claims brought by other members of your party to the extent caused by you.

The captain's word is final. You agree that you and your party will:

• Follow all instructions from the captain and crew
• Wear a personal flotation device when directed
• Refrain from bringing illegal drugs, firearms, or fireworks on board
• Drink alcohol responsibly and only if the captain permits it; the captain may refuse or end alcohol service at any time
• Not operate the vessel or its equipment without permission
• Treat crew, other guests, the vessel, and marine life with respect

We reserve the right to refuse service to, or remove from the vessel, anyone who is intoxicated, belligerent, unsafe, or in violation of these Terms. No refund will be given in that case, and you may be responsible for costs of return to port.

Guests under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who signs these Terms on their behalf and assumes responsibility for their safety and conduct.

• Connemara Bay Fishing Charters LLC holds the applicable Massachusetts for-hire permit; individual Massachusetts saltwater recreational fishing licenses for guests are covered under our permit where permitted by law. If a license is required for you separately, you are responsible for obtaining it.
• All fishing is subject to Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and NOAA regulations, including size, bag, and season limits. The captain's determination of compliance is final.
• Catch is not guaranteed. You are paying for the use of the vessel, captain, crew, and equipment — not a promise of fish.
• Cleaning and filleting of catch may be offered as a courtesy; we are not responsible for the condition of fish after it leaves the dock.

Bring only what you need. We are not responsible for loss of or damage to phones, cameras, sunglasses, clothing, tackle, or other personal items brought aboard.

We may photograph or record trips for marketing purposes. By participating, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use your likeness in our promotional materials. Tell the captain in advance if you prefer not to be photographed and we'll accommodate reasonable requests.

You agree not to (a) use the site for any unlawful purpose, (b) attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of our systems, (c) scrape, copy, or resell our content, or (d) interfere with the site's operation. We may suspend or terminate access for violations.

All content on the site — text, images, logos, code — is owned by or licensed to Connemara Bay Fishing Charters LLC and may not be used without our written permission.

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and, where applicable, the general maritime law of the United States, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or your charter shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Essex County, Massachusetts, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of those courts. You and the Company each waive any right to a jury trial to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Any claim must be filed within one (1) year of the event giving rise to it, or it is permanently barred.

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any booking confirmation, are the entire agreement between you and us regarding your charter. If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions stay in full effect, and the unenforceable provision will be modified only to the extent needed to make it enforceable.

We may update these Terms from time to time. The version in effect on the date of your booking governs that trip. Continued use of our site or services after an update means you accept the revised Terms.