Here at Starline we recognise that in these uncertain times that Covid-19 has bought about, it is necessary to put in place cleaning and handover practices that will minimise the risk of our guests contracting Covid-19 during a holiday with us. This is achieved by the following measures.
BOAT CLEANING We are taking extra precautions in the cleaning of your narrowboat prior to your arrival so that you can enjoy a relaxing and stress-free holiday.
After each guest departure, and before new guests arrive, each boat is thoroughly cleaned in accordance with our normal procedures but with an additional emphasis on wiping down all frequently touched surfaces and appliances with government recommended sanitiser. During this process our staff take extra precautions, wearing disposable PPE for each boat and removing discarded items from the boat. . Following this cleaning the boat it is further sanitised using a mist fogging throughout which disperses a non-toxic, non-corrosive mist into the air, killing up to 99.99% of all known bacteria and viruses. This mist gets into every nook and cranny and, in particular, it sanitises those surface that can’t be wiped clean such as fabric covers, carpets and curtains etc. It also ensures that those high up and difficult to reach locations also receive this sanitising treatment.
BEDDING Where we provide the bedding for your holiday all our linen and towels are washed after each hire to Government advised standards at a minimum temperature of 60 degrees to ensure the killing of all known bacteria and viruses.
ARRIVAL & HANDOVER We are now staggering arrival time to minimise the contact with other crews. To enable this you will, prior to your holiday, be advised of your arrival and handover time. It is important that you arrive on time as late arrival disrupts the rest of the handover slots throughout the day causing delays for following guests.
On arrival you should contact the office on either 01531 632003 or 01299 877223 and a member of our staff will come out to greet you. You will be provided with paperwork that needs to be completed prior to handover - this should be completed, following which 2 members of your crew (elected by you) will be invited into reception where the handover formalities will be completed. Prior to luggage being taken on board these same 2 crew members will be shown over the boat by one of our handover team working with social distancing recommendations. Once this show round is complete the rest of your crew will be invited to board together with your luggage. We would ask that all other crew members move off the steering deck into the boat leaving the two crew undertaking the handover to take the boat out of the marina with our handover person who will take them up to and through the first lock, demonstrating the manoeuvring and control of the boat underway.
Hirers are required to download “The Boater’s Handbook” (information for this is contained in your booking confirmation) to help prepare them in advance on how a boat is skippered and what to expect once in command of the boat and underway. As well as providing a good insight into narrow boating it will also, in respect of Covid-19, help keep the actual handover contact time to a minimum We are however still happy to go through things on board and answer any questions that you have to ensure you have a safe and pleasant holiday. During this handover our staff will be wearing visors or masks and guests are requested to do the same.
SUPPORT We will be on hand to give you any support necessary on your holiday. Please do not hesitate to call us on 01531 632003 if you have any queries or issues with the boat or your holiday once underway, or just require advice during your holiday.
