Boat and yacht safety rules

Every boat and yacht on Pickup is crewed. A licensed captain and crew operate the vessel for the whole charter. These rules keep everyone on board safe, and they apply to every guest.

What every vessel must have

Before a vessel is listed, the operator provides:

• A LASWA licence in Lagos, and NIWA or NIMASA approvals where they apply.
• Vessel registration and a current survey.
• Passenger liability and hull cover.
• A licensed boat master and crew.

An expired document suspends the listing automatically.

Rules on the water

• Daylight only. Boat trips run in daylight: departure after sunrise and return before sunset. This is a Lagos waterways rule, and operators cannot switch it off. Your captain will return to the jetty in time.
• Life jackets at all times. Every guest, including children, wears a life jacket for the whole time on the water. Your crew will fit them before departure.
• Passenger limit. The number on board must not exceed the number on your booking or the vessel's licensed capacity. Infants count toward the limit.
• The captain decides. Your captain has final authority over safety. They can change the route, shorten the charter or return to the jetty because of weather, water conditions or guest behaviour.
• Alcohol and conduct. Where drinks are allowed, the captain can stop service or end the charter if anyone becomes a risk to themselves or others.
• No swimming unless the captain says it is safe and the location allows it.

Before you board

1. Arrive at the jetty 15 minutes early to board on time.
2. Listen to the crew's safety briefing.
3. Tell the crew about any medical condition or mobility need, or anyone who cannot swim.

Jetties belong to third parties. Pickup does not control them and does not promise they are safe, so take care when boarding and follow the crew. Tell us if a jetty looks unsafe.

If weather stops the trip

If the captain decides it is unsafe to sail, you are told in the app. If the trip cannot go ahead, you get a refund of the total price, less a fair amount for any part already delivered. See the Cancellation and Refund Policy.

The full rules are in the Major Disruptive Events Policy and Passenger Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk.