Terms of use and passage enquiries

1. About these terms

This website is operated by The Chip Wreck LTD, trading as Fathom & Wake, from 15 Market Street, Preston, PR1 2EL. By using the website, you agree to these terms. If you do not agree, you should stop using the website.

The website combines editorial material about maritime travel and history with the opportunity to enquire about selected surface passages. An enquiry is not a confirmed booking. Where a passage is offered, the booking confirmation and any operator-specific conditions supplied before payment form part of the agreement.

2. Editorial content

We take reasonable care to distinguish documented facts, interpretation and practical travel information. Maritime research develops, conditions at sea change and third-party records may be corrected. Content is therefore provided for general reading and journey planning rather than as navigational, diving, archaeological or legal advice.

You must not use article coordinates, route descriptions or images as a substitute for current nautical charts, Notices to Mariners, harbour directions or professional seamanship. Protected wrecks, military remains and memorial sites may be subject to restrictions. Nothing on this website authorises access, interference, recovery, anchoring or diving.

3. Enquiries and booking process

You may submit a passage enquiry using the website form. We may respond with possible dates, a departure harbour, expected duration, price and the identity of the relevant vessel operator. Availability is not reserved until any requested information and payment have been received and written confirmation has been issued.

You are responsible for providing accurate contact and group information and for telling us promptly about mobility, health or other needs that may affect safe participation. The lead customer must be at least 18 years old and is responsible for communicating joining instructions and these terms to the group.

4. Prices and payment

Indicative prices shown in an article or route description may change with the season, departure point, vessel and group arrangement. The complete price and any deposit requirement will be stated before a booking is confirmed. Payment methods, due dates and cancellation terms will be included in the booking information.

If a payment is not received by the stated date, the proposed place may be released. We do not add undisclosed compulsory charges after confirmation. Optional travel, accommodation, meals or equipment are excluded unless they are expressly included in writing.

5. Weather, route changes and cancellation

All sea passages depend on weather, sea state, visibility, harbour instructions, vessel availability and the skipper’s professional judgment. The skipper may alter the route, delay departure, return early or cancel where safety or responsible site access requires it. A particular wreck position cannot be guaranteed.

If we or the operator cancel and cannot offer a reasonable alternative, the booking terms will explain the refund or rebooking available. If you cancel, the cancellation scale supplied before booking will apply. We strongly recommend appropriate travel insurance for transport disruption, illness and other circumstances outside the operator’s control.

6. Conduct and safety

Passengers must follow the skipper’s instructions, remain within designated areas and use supplied safety equipment correctly. Alcohol or conduct that impairs judgment, threatens safety, disturbs other passengers or disrespects a memorial site may result in refusal of carriage or removal at the next safe opportunity, without a refund where permitted by law.

Surface heritage passages are not diving or salvage trips. Passengers must not deploy equipment, remove material or encourage interference with a wreck. Photography is normally welcome where it can be carried out safely and without obstructing the crew.

7. Liability and events beyond control

Nothing in these terms excludes liability that cannot lawfully be excluded, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation. Subject to that, we are not responsible for loss caused by your failure to follow instructions, reliance on editorial content for navigation, or independent arrangements not supplied by us.

Neither party will be responsible for delay or failure caused by events beyond reasonable control, including severe weather, harbour closure, mechanical failure despite reasonable maintenance, emergency restrictions, industrial action or changes in law. We will take reasonable steps to communicate and limit the effect of such events.

8. Intellectual property and acceptable use

Website text, design, branding and original media are protected by intellectual property law. You may read, share links and print a reasonable extract for personal use. You may not republish substantial content, remove attribution, scrape the site at scale or use material commercially without written permission.

You must not misuse the website, attempt unauthorised access, introduce malicious code or interfere with its operation. Links to external organisations are provided for context and do not mean that we control or endorse every part of their services.

9. Changes, disputes and contact

We may amend these terms to reflect changes to the website, our services or the law. The version applying to a confirmed booking will not be changed retrospectively unless required by law or agreed with you. These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales; consumers retain any mandatory rights and jurisdiction available to them.