MIKE WATERSPORTS: COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY PROTOCOLS & ASSUMPTION OF RISK POLICY

Effective Date: April 15, 2026

Applicability:www.mikewatersports.com | https://mikewatersports.com/ (Beta/Design Demo)

Jurisdiction: Republic of Cyprus / European Union

LEGAL PREAMBLE & ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF INHERENT RISKS

By accessing this website, booking a reservation, or participating in any activity operated by Mike Watersports (hereinafter referred to as the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), all customers, guests, passengers, and operators (hereinafter referred to as “Participants”) acknowledge that watersports, sea boat rentals, and yacht charters involve known, unknown, and inherent risks that could result in serious physical injury, permanent disability, paralysis, or death.

This page serves as a legally binding codification of our Safety Protocols. Ignorance of these protocols is not a defense. By proceeding with any rental or charter, Participants confirm they have read, understood, and agreed to adhere strictly to the following terms.

1. GENERAL PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS & UNIVERSAL PROTOCOLS

To eliminate liability arising from participant negligence or unsuitability, the following universal mandates apply to all rentals and charters:

Minors & Parental Consent Mandate: Minimum age requirements vary depending on the specific rental service, vessel, or activity, as detailed on our booking pages and posted at our facility. However, in all circumstances, any Participant under the age of 18 MUST have explicit, verifiable written consent and a liability waiver signed in person by a parent or legal guardian. Unaccompanied minors without such documented consent will be refused service without refund.
Zero Tolerance Substance Policy: No Participant may operate or participate in any watersport, boat rental, or yacht charter under the influence of alcohol, recreational drugs, or prescription medication that impairs judgment or motor skills. Company staff reserves the unilateral right to refuse service without refund if intoxication is suspected.
Mandatory Life Saving Equipment: European Union (CE) and local Cyprus maritime authority-approved Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs / Life Jackets) MUST BE WORN AND PROPERLY SECURED AT ALL TIMES by all Participants engaging in jet ski operations, towable watersports, and non-motorized watersports, regardless of swimming ability. For boat and yacht charters, PFDs must be readily accessible and worn when directed by the Captain or during adverse conditions.
Medical & Physical Fitness: Participants represent that they are in good health and have no medical, physical, or mental conditions that would hinder their safe participation. Pregnant individuals, persons with historical heart conditions, or severe back/neck injuries are strictly prohibited from participating in high-impact activities (e.g., Jet Skis, Wakeboarding, Towables).
Mandatory Safety Briefing: All Participants must attend and actively listen to the pre-departure safety briefing. Failure to comprehend or follow the instructions provided by Mike Watersports staff immediately invalidates the rental agreement.

2. PRODUCT-SPECIFIC SAFETY PROTOCOLS

To prevent claims of “failure to warn,” the following specific protocols dictate the safe operation of each class of vessel and equipment.

A. Personal Watercraft (Jet Skis / WaveRunners)

Age & Passenger Rules: Operators must meet the specific minimum age requirement posted for Jet Ski rentals. Any operator or passenger under 18 requires parental consent. Passengers must meet the minimum weight and age requirements posted on-site.
The 100-Meter Rule: Jet skis must maintain a minimum safe distance of 100 meters from all other vessels, swimmers, docks, shorelines, and floating hazards. Wake-jumping is strictly prohibited and constitutes gross negligence.
Engine Cut-Off Switch (Lanyard): The operator must have the engine cut-off lanyard securely attached to their PFD or wrist at all times.
Speed & Maneuvering: Operators must maintain a safe speed relative to water conditions, visibility, and traffic. “Spin-outs,” erratic driving, and aggressive acceleration near other vessels are prohibited.

B. Sea Boat Rentals (Self-Drive / Bareboat)

Operator Competency & Licensing: The designated captain must possess valid licensing (if required by Cyprus maritime law for the specific horsepower of the vessel) and demonstrate competency to Company staff prior to departure. The designated captain assumes absolute legal liability for the vessel and all souls on board.
Navigation Limits: Vessels must remain within the explicitly defined geographical boundaries provided on the GPS/Chartplotter or physical map. Venturing into restricted zones, shallow waters, or offshore beyond the permitted limit shifts all rescue, salvage, and damage costs to the renter.
Passenger Capacity: Under no circumstances shall the vessel exceed the manufacturer’s maximum weight or passenger capacity limit.
Anchoring & Mooring: Anchoring is only permitted in designated safe zones. Anchoring in coral reefs, shipping channels, or marine protected areas is strictly prohibited.

C. Yacht Charters (Crewed)

Absolute Authority of the Captain: The Captain of the yacht holds ultimate and absolute authority over the vessel, its itinerary, and its passengers. The Captain reserves the right to terminate the charter immediately, without refund, if passenger behavior endangers the vessel, the crew, or violates maritime law.
Vessel Movement Protocols: Passengers must remain seated or hold onto secure handrails while the yacht is docking, un-docking, or navigating through heavy seas. Sitting on the bow, railings, or leaning over the edge while the vessel is in motion is expressly prohibited.
Emergency Equipment: Passengers will be briefed on the location of life rafts, EPIRBs, VHF radios, fire extinguishers, and emergency exits. Tampering with safety equipment is a strict maritime offense.

D. Towable Watersports (Wakeboarding, Water Skiing, Banana Boats, Tubes)

Communication: Standardized hand signals (Speed Up, Slow Down, Stop, I’m OK, Return to Boat) must be memorized and utilized between the observer and the person being towed.
Mandatory Observer: In addition to the driver, a designated observer must be present in the tow vessel at all times to monitor the participant.
Propeller Safety: The vessel’s engine must be COMPLETELY SHUT OFF (not just in neutral) whenever a participant is entering or exiting the water near the stern of the boat.

E. Non-Motorized Watersports (Kayaks, Paddleboards)

Wind & Tide Awareness: Participants must strictly obey staff warnings regarding offshore winds and outbound tides.
Leash Mandate: Paddleboarders must wear the ankle leash securely fastened at all times to prevent separation from the board.

3. WEATHER, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND EQUIPMENT PROTOCOLS

Weather Cancellation Right: Mike Watersports monitors advanced maritime meteorological data. We reserve the absolute right to delay, recall, or cancel any rental or charter due to impending storms, lightning, high winds, or dangerous sea states.
Pre-Departure Inspection: Participants are required to inspect all equipment prior to departure. Leaving the dock constitutes a legal admission that the equipment was provided in good, working, and damage-free condition. Any pre-existing damage must be documented in writing on the rental agreement.

4. EMERGENCY & INCIDENT RESPONSE PROCEDURES

In the event of an emergency, collision, mechanical failure, or injury:

Ensure immediate life safety: Deploy PFDs and execute necessary life-saving measures.
Contact Authorities: If lives are in immediate danger, use the onboard VHF Radio (Channel 16) to contact the Cyprus Port & Marine Police, or dial the European emergency number 112.
Contact Mike Watersports: Notify our base immediately via provided communication devices.
Do Not Abandon Ship: Unless the vessel is actively sinking or on fire, remain with the vessel.
Incident Reporting: All accidents resulting in injury or property damage must be reported to Mike Watersports management immediately upon return. A formal incident report must be filed before leaving the premises.

5. STRICT ASSUMPTION OF RISK, WAIVER OF LIABILITY, AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

To the maximum extent permitted by Cyprus and applicable EU law:

A. Express Assumption of Risk: I fully understand that operating or riding on watercraft, yachts, and participating in watersports involves extreme risks, including but not limited to: drowning, collision with other vessels or submerged objects, equipment failure, changing weather conditions, and operator error. I VOLUNTARILY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, BOTH KNOWN AND UNKNOWN.

B. Release and Waiver of Liability: I, on behalf of myself, my heirs, assigns, personal representatives, and next of kin, hereby RELEASE, WAIVE, AND DISCHARGE Mike Watersports, its owners, directors, officers, agents, employees, and affiliates from ANY AND ALL LIABILITY for injury, disability, death, or loss or damage to person or property, whether caused by the negligence of the Company, equipment malfunction, or otherwise.

C. Indemnification: I agree to INDEMNIFY, DEFEND, AND HOLD HARMLESS Mike Watersports from any and all claims, demands, litigation expenses, attorney fees, loss, liability, damage, or cost they may incur as a result of my participation, my violation of these Safety Protocols, or my damage to third-party property or persons.

D. Severability: If any provision of this Safety Protocol and Liability Waiver is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

By proceeding to book, pay for, or utilize any services offered on www.mikewatersports.com or any affiliated booking platform, you electronically sign and bind yourself to these Terms, acknowledging that you have relinquished substantial legal rights, including the right to sue Mike Watersports.