Terms of Service

Effective July 12, 2026

1. Agreement to these Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") are a binding agreement between you and BlueHelm ("BlueHelm," "we," "us"). By creating an account or using the BlueHelm application or services (the "Services"), you agree to these Terms and to our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, do not use the Services.

2. What BlueHelm is (and is not)

BlueHelm operates an online marketplace that connects owners of recreational vessels ("Owners") with licensed captains ("Captains") for voyage services such as deliveries, day cruises, and storm relocations ("Voyages").

BlueHelm is a technology platform only. BlueHelm is not a vessel operator, carrier, charter company, employer, or insurer. When an Owner accepts a Captain's bid, the resulting agreement to perform the Voyage is between the Owner and the Captain. Captains are independent contractors and are not employees, agents, or representatives of BlueHelm.

3. Accounts and eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old and able to form a binding contract to use the Services. You agree to provide accurate, current information when registering — including a valid email address, which you must verify before posting Voyages, placing bids, or submitting credentials — and to keep your account credentials confidential. You are responsible for all activity under your account.

4. Captain credentials

Captains must hold and maintain a valid, unexpired license appropriate to the waters and vessels they serve (for United States waters, a current USCG license) and must submit credential documentation for review before becoming eligible to bid. BlueHelm reviews submitted credentials but does not guarantee any Captain's skill, conduct, or fitness. A Captain whose approved credential expires or is removed loses bidding eligibility automatically and must pass review again. Submitting falsified credentials results in permanent removal from the platform.

5. Payments and fees

All payments run through our payment processor, Stripe. Owners pay the Voyage price shown at booking — which includes BlueHelm's service fee — plus any agreed return-travel cost, before a Voyage departs. Captains receive the payout amount shown to them when they take a Voyage, plus the return-travel reimbursement. Captain payouts are released after the Voyage is completed. BlueHelm never stores your full card details.

Attempting to move a transaction arranged through BlueHelm off the platform to avoid fees is a violation of these Terms and may result in suspension.

6. Cancellations

Before payment, an Owner may cancel a Voyage at any time in the app at no charge. After payment, cancellation is handled by BlueHelm support: the Owner receives a full refund if the Voyage has not departed and the Captain has not yet traveled to the vessel.

Day-of cancellations. If a Voyage fails to proceed after the Captain has traveled to the vessel — because the Owner cancels, the Owner declines to proceed with the Captain, or the Captain reasonably determines during pre-voyage inspection that the vessel is unsafe to operate — and the failure is not the Captain's fault, then: (a) the Captain is owed a call-out fee equal to documented travel expenses plus ten percent (10%) of the agreed Captain wage; (b) BlueHelm retains its service fee; and (c) the remainder of the Owner's payment is refunded to the Owner. Declining a Captain at the vessel is treated as an Owner cancellation; Captain selection occurs at bid acceptance.

A Captain who fails to appear, arrives unfit to operate a vessel, or fabricates a vessel defect receives no call-out fee, and the Owner is refunded in full, including BlueHelm's service fee. Such conduct may result in suspension.

Weather cancellations. The Captain has final authority over whether weather and sea conditions are safe for the vessel and Voyage, whether or not an official advisory is in effect. A good-faith weather determination is not a Captain fault and is never grounds for suspension. Rescheduling is the preferred outcome and carries no penalty for either party. If a Voyage is cancelled for weather rather than rescheduled, the Owner is refunded in full, including BlueHelm's service fee, and the Captain bears their own travel costs; the call-out fee does not apply.

Captains may withdraw bids without penalty at any time before acceptance. After acceptance, a Captain who cannot perform must notify BlueHelm immediately; repeated cancellations or failures to appear may result in suspension.

7. Disputes between Owners and Captains

Problems with a Voyage — damage, non-performance, or payment issues — must be reported to BlueHelm within 48 hours of the Voyage's scheduled completion. While a dispute is open, the Voyage is frozen: the Captain's payout is withheld and the Voyage cannot be cancelled.

BlueHelm will review the available evidence and resolve each dispute in one of three ways: the work stands and the Captain is paid; the Owner is refunded; or the Voyage resumes. BlueHelm's resolution is final to the fullest extent permitted by law. The outcome is recorded on the Voyage.

8. Reviews

After a completed Voyage, Owners and Captains may review each other. Reviews must be honest and based on the actual Voyage. Fake, traded, or coerced reviews may be removed and may result in suspension.

9. Acceptable use

You agree not to: misrepresent yourself, your vessel, or your credentials; use the Services for any unlawful purpose; interfere with or attempt to circumvent the platform's safety, verification, or payment systems; or harass other users. Owners must accurately describe their vessels and maintain legally required insurance and registration. Captains must operate within the scope of their license and applicable maritime law.

10. Suspension and termination

BlueHelm may suspend or terminate an account that violates these Terms, presents a safety risk, or engages in fraud. You may stop using the Services at any time; obligations arising from Voyages already booked (including payment and call-out obligations) survive.

11. Assumption of risk and disclaimers

Boating involves inherent risks, including weather, sea conditions, mechanical failure, and human error. BlueHelm does not operate vessels and does not guarantee the condition of any vessel, the performance of any Captain, or the outcome of any Voyage. The Services are provided "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

Owners are responsible for maintaining hull and liability insurance appropriate to their vessel and its use. Captains are responsible for verifying that a Voyage is within their competence and license scope, and hold final go/no-go authority over weather and sea conditions (Section 6).

12. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, BlueHelm's total liability arising out of or relating to the Services will not exceed the greater of (a) the total service fees you paid to BlueHelm in the twelve months preceding the claim or (b) one hundred U.S. dollars ($100). BlueHelm will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or for loss of profits, revenue, or data.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless BlueHelm and its officers, employees, and agents from claims, damages, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from your use of the Services, your Voyages, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any law or the rights of a third party.

14. Governing law and venue

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Any dispute between you and BlueHelm that cannot be resolved informally shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Florida, and you consent to their jurisdiction.

15. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be posted here with a new effective date, and continued use of the Services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance. The current version is always available at this page.

16. Contact

Questions about these Terms: support@gobluehelm.com. Include your voyage number (BH-…) for anything voyage-related.