Safety & Warranty

Safety Guidelines, Warranty, and Liability Disclaimer

READ CAREFULLY BEFORE USE.

The Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs), high-energy density batteries, and associated equipment provided by C.T.G Robotics (operating as Contego) are highly complex, high-performance systems. They are not toys. Operation of this equipment requires strict adherence to safety protocols, technical knowledge, and situational awareness.

By purchasing, accessing, or operating this product, you, the customer, acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by all instructions, procedures, and liability disclaimers outlined in this document.

1. General Safety & Operator Requirements

  • Age and Competency: This equipment must not be operated by individuals under the age of 18. The operator must be in a fit physical and mental state and must not be under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any medication that impairs reaction time or judgment.
  • Regulatory Compliance: The operator is strictly and solely responsible for complying with all local, national, and international maritime, waterway, and radio frequency regulations. C.T.G Robotics accepts no responsibility for the unlawful operation of this vessel.
  • Environmental Limits: Do not operate the USV in severe weather conditions, including but not limited to heavy rain, thunderstorms, high winds, or water conditions (waves/currents) that exceed the physical specifications of the vessel.
  • Physical Safety: Never place hands, fingers, or any objects near the propulsion units, jet drive intakes, or moving mechanical parts while the system is powered. Power off the remote controller immediately once the USV is removed from the water.

2. High-Energy Density Battery Safety & Handling

This equipment utilizes high-energy density batteries (including but not limited to Lithium Polymer, Lithium-Ion, and smart batteries enclosed in hard cases with built-in Battery Management Systems). These power sources present a severe risk of fire, property damage, and personal injury if mishandled, bypassed, or poorly maintained. The customer assumes all risks associated with their use.

  • Smart Batteries & Hard Cases: If utilizing Contego batteries equipped with a hard outer casing and an internal Battery Management System (BMS), you must never attempt to open, crack, puncture, or modify the casing.
  • BMS Integrity: It is strictly forbidden to bypass the internal BMS, alter the communication pins, or modify the battery firmware. Doing so immediately voids all warranties and transfers all liability for subsequent damage to the operator.
  • Fault Codes: If the BMS indicates a fault, displays an error code, or prevents the battery from accepting a charge, the battery must be considered permanently damaged and retired immediately. Never attempt to force a charge bypassing the BMS.
  • Water Exposure: While hard-case batteries may feature water-resistant seals, they are not immune to prolonged submersion or high-pressure water ingress. Inspect all casing seals and connector ports for moisture before and after every deployment.
  • Pre-Flight Checks (Standard LiPo): For bare LiPo cells, operators must utilize a battery checker to verify all cells are balanced before use. Never use a battery if any cell voltage drops below 3.2V or exceeds 4.2V. Multiple batteries may only be connected in series or parallel if all batteries are at the exact same voltage level.
  • Damage: Never use a battery that is swollen, puffed, punctured, hot to the touch, or has been exposed to water or moisture. Damaged batteries must be disposed of safely by a qualified professional.
  • Prohibited Resale: It is strictly forbidden to sell used batteries purchased from C.T.G Robotics to any third party.

3. Charging & Storage Protocols

  • Charging Environment: Charging must only occur outdoors in an open, shaded area, a minimum of 50 meters away from any residential buildings, offices, vehicles, or flammable materials. Charging inside any vehicle or structure is strictly prohibited.
  • Dedicated Charging Cage: All batteries must be stored and charged inside a dedicated, water-protected, fire-resistant iron cage. The charging and storage area must be certified by a qualified safety officer and electrical engineer.
  • Charger Operation: The charger must remain inside the dedicated cage. Batteries must be placed inside a designated fire-retardant bag (rated for at least 700°C) during charging. Ensure the power source is verified by an electrician, including a functional RCD (residual-current device). Never leave charging batteries unattended.
  • Storage and Transportation: Batteries not in active use must be stored in the iron storage cage at a storage voltage (3.85V per cell). Transportation must only occur in an open-bed vehicle or trailer (never inside a passenger cabin) while secured inside a fire-resistant bag. Ensure ambient temperatures remain between 10°C and 30°C.

4. Autonomous and Manual Operations

  • Visual Line of Sight (VLOS): Whether operating manually or in autonomous mode (waypoint navigation), the operator must hold the remote controller and maintain continuous Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) with the USV, not exceeding a 150-meter range.
  • Geofencing: Operators must configure accurate geofences and map all hazardous areas and obstacles in their ground control software prior to initiating autonomous operations. The operator must be prepared to instantly override autonomous mode.

5. Warranty Coverage

  • Limited Platform Warranty: C.T.G Robotics warrants its USV platforms against defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for a period of one (1) year from the date of delivery.
  • Exclusions: This warranty is strictly voided by: (a) unauthorized modifications or customizations; (b) damage caused by crashes, impacts, or severe weather; (c) water damage resulting from improper sealing or maintenance by the operator; (d) use of unauthorized third-party parts or software.
  • Battery Exclusions: There is absolutely no warranty provided for batteries, of any duration, due to the volatile nature of high-energy battery chemistry and user handling variables.

6. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, C.T.G Robotics (Contego) shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of property, loss of profits, or bodily injury, arising out of or related to the use or inability to use the product.

C.T.G Robotics explicitly disclaims all liability for damage or injury resulting from:

  • Loss of communication, radio interference, or remote control failure (including dead batteries).
  • GPS, compass, or sensor failures, including signal loss, deviations, or intentional spoofing/jamming.
  • The USV becoming unresponsive, behaving unpredictably, or escaping control ("flyaways").
  • Bugs, errors, or failures in third-party ground control software.

7. Jurisdiction-Specific Liability & Statutory Rights

A. United States of America (UCC Compliance)

EXCEPT FOR THE EXPRESS LIMITED WARRANTY SET FORTH HEREIN, C.T.G ROBOTICS (CONTEGO) EXPLICITLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE USV PLATFORM REMAINS WITH THE BUYER.

B. European Union

In accordance with the Unfair Contract Terms Directive (93/13/EEC) and applicable national consumer protection laws, nothing in this agreement shall exclude or restrict C.T.G Robotics’ liability for death or personal injury resulting directly from our negligence, or for fraudulent misrepresentation. However, for all other claims (including property damage and economic loss), liability is strictly limited to the purchase price of the USV platform. C.T.G Robotics accepts no liability for damages resulting from an operator's failure to adhere to the safety, charging, and VLOS navigation protocols outlined in this document.

C. Israel

While the Defective Products (Liability) Law, 5740-1980 imposes strict liability for bodily injury caused by defective products, C.T.G Robotics explicitly disclaims liability in instances where the statutory defenses apply. Specifically, C.T.G Robotics holds no liability if it is determined that the defect or damage occurred after the product left our control, or if the damage was the direct result of the operator's gross negligence, failure to follow the mandatory battery storage and charging protocols, or unauthorized modification of the USV’s propulsion or power management systems.

8. Indemnification

The customer agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless C.T.G Robotics, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from the customer’s operation of the USV, violation of these safety guidelines, or infringement of any third-party rights.

9. Governing Law and Severability

These terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Israel, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any legal action or proceeding arising under these terms shall be brought exclusively in the courts located in Israel. If any provision of this document is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.