49-Passenger Handicapped-Accessible Catamaran for parties, cruising and fishing

When you book a private charter with a Florida fishing academy, you support a non-profit and our educational mission. Because we operate with smaller teams and specialized vessels, we have specific policies to protect our operations and ensure safety. Customer Cancellations: - 5+ Days Notice: Usually eligible for a full refund or easy rescheduling. - Late Arrivals: We operate on a strict "clock starts at departure time" policy. If you arrive 30 minutes late, your time on the water is simply reduced by 30 minutes. - No-Shows: If you do not show up and haven't called, you will almost always be charged 100% of the trip cost. Weather & Safety Considerations Florida's weather is notoriously fickle, and safety is the top priority. - Captain’s Call: Only the Captain can cancel for weather. A forecast of "scattered showers" usually does not cancel a trip; however, high winds, lightning, or rough seas will. - Weather Refunds: If the Captain cancels before departure, you generally receive a 100% refund or a credit to reschedule. - Early Return: If a storm forces the boat back early, the trip will not be prorated, though this is often at the Captain’s discretion. - Seasickness: Unfortunately, if you need to head back because someone feels ill, this is typically not grounds for a refund. Boat Rules & Conduct To maintain a safe and educational environment, we will enforce the following: - Alcohol: Usually permitted (21+) but strictly no glass glasses. Hard liquor is often discouraged. The Captain reserves the right to terminate any charter immediately, without refund, if any passenger’s level of intoxication is deemed a safety hazard to themselves, other guests, or the crew. - Behavior: The Captain has the right to terminate any trip immediately without refund if guests become verbally or physically abusive, or if safety instructions are ignored. - Smoking: There is a "no smoking" or "no vaping" policy on our vessels. Licenses & Equipment - Fishing Licenses: The Thea Marie has a blanket vessel license that covers all passengers. You generally do not need to buy your own individual Florida saltwater license. - Catch Policy: We like to encourage Catch and Release fishing, but you are allowed to keep most legal-sized fish. We do not allow any sailfish or sharks to be kept. - Damages: Guests are held financially responsible for any equipment lost or broken due to negligence (e.g., dropping a rod overboard). We recommend arriving at the dock 30 minutes early. This allows time for safety briefings, waiver signing, and loading gear so you can leave precisely at your scheduled time.