FAQ

The “We’re Good To Go” industry standard mark is a self-assessment scheme that has been designed by VisitEngland in partnership with the national tourist organisations Tourism Northern Ireland, VisitScotland and Visit Wales to provide a ‘ring of confidence’ for all sectors of the tourism industry, as well as reassurance to visitors that businesses have clear processes in place and are following industry and Government COVID-19 guidance on cleanliness and social distancing.

For Skipton Boat Trips to be able to achieve this standard….

• We have read the relevant Government and Public Health guidance documents and we understand how they apply to us.
• A comprehensive  Risk Assessment specifically related to COVID-19 has been completed for our business. This risk assessment was developed by British Marine and approved by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• We have a nominated Health & Safety person who is responsible for checking, understanding and implementing the relevant guidance for our business. This person is James Watson who also recently completed a Coronavirus Taking Proactive Action Course, endorsed by the Institute of Hospitality.
• Our employees who are back working with us, have been consulted and trained on health and safety measures which we are planning to implement.
• The results of our risk assessment, and any action undertaken as a result, have all been shared with our employees. It’s important that everyone who works, and is allowed back to work for us is fully aware of our policies. 
• We have regular communication with our employees to keep them up to date with working processes and any changes to our business activity as a result of COVID-19.
• Employees who are able to work from home are able to do so.
• We have implemented frequent and regular processes for cleaning all areas which include the disposal arrangements of cleaning products.
• We have implemented the current government social distancing measures wherever possible for our employees.
• We have reviewed the physical space available on our boats, defined the number of visitors we are able to welcome at any one time, whilst maintaining the current government social distancing measures. We sell our tickets online which has enabled us to implement procedures to ensure passenger numbers do not go above this level.
• We have processes in place (e.g. signage) to communicate to passengers changes on the wharf applicable to COVID-19 in line with the guidance.
• We have a process in place to encourage and communicate current government social distancing measures.
• We are making available hand-washing or hand-sanitising stations in areas where there is a high risk of transmission by touching surfaces. All passengers will be offered the use of hand sanitizer when they arrive and depart Skipton Boat Trips. 
• We have considered the particular needs of different groups of workers or individuals when making adjustments, e.g. socially distanced queuing not covering accessible entrance points when embarking or disembarking the boats. 

Please note as members of British Marine we have access to the latest DEFRA approved guidelines and requirements for passenger boats. The actions we are taking below are being constantly reviewed and improved as we all get use to the new normal.

Before you arrive

Please pre-book your tickets online for all cruises if you can.

At this moment in time, Government advice does not require you to wear a face mask whilst travelling with us, but please feel free to do so. We ask you to check our website or social media just before your travel date to see if this rule has changed. 

Check our website or social media online for our latest departure information before leaving home. 

Whether travelling by public transport or your own vehicle and parking in a car park, we ask that you adhere to all social distancing advice before you arrive at our departure points. 

The capacity for all of our cruises has been reduced significantly, so that we can ensure social distancing measures are maintained on arrival, onboard, and as you disembark. 

Please make sure that you are fit to travel before you leave your home. If you display any symptoms of COVID-19 then we will not be able to let you board. You can contact us to discuss options for rescheduling your booking. 

Social Distancing 

There will be dividers between all available tables in line with Government guidelines for our dining cruises. 

We have introduced social distancing measures at our departure points. Our queueing areas and wharf are clearly marked with spacing in line with Government guidelines. 

The seating onboard our boats have been clearly marked to indicate which seats our guests can sit on, to ensure that a social distance is maintained at all times. 

Disinfecting and Hygiene 

We will be conducting frequent disinfection of all touchpoints including handrails, door handles, tables and seating areas. 

We have installed hand sanitiser dispensers at the entrance to all of our vessels for our passengers to use as they board and disembark. Hand sanitiser will also be available in our ticketing office. 

We kindly ask all of our passengers to adhere to Government advice regarding personal hygiene whilst on board, including washing their hands regularly with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds. 

All employees are issued with PPE, which may include face masks, disposable gloves, and hand sanitizer, in order to protect them and our guests. 

Travel with confidence.

We hope that after reading these guidelines, you have confidence in our health and safety measures, and feel safe in the knowledge that we have done everything that we can to minimize risk for our passengers and employees. We obviously also request that each of our employees and passengers also take personal responsibility for their own safety and the safety of those around them. We look forward to welcoming you aboard and hope to see you soon!

Lockdown restrictions are due to end on the following dates…

1. Self-Drive Day Boats: Same household plus bubble: No earlier than April 12th.
2. Self-Drive Day Boats, Public Trips, Groups Trips with restrictions: Rule of six or a larger group from up to two households. No earlier than May 17th.
3. Self-Drive Day Boats, Public Trips, Groups Trips with no restrictions: No earlier than June 21st.

Please note: Due to the layout on The Dalesman (our dining boat), tables can only seat 4 people. If your group is larger, please contact us for clarification.

At the moment we have very limited Employees on site. Employees receive daily wellness checks to ensure they are healthy and symptom-free. If you or anyone in your group is experiencing symptoms, we will work directly with you to cancel or reschedule your tour.

Lockdown restrictions for Self-Drive Day Boats are due to end on the following dates…

1. Self-Drive Day Boats: Same household plus bubble: No earlier than April 12th
2. Self-Drive Day Boats: Rule of six or a larger group from up to two households No earlier than May 17th
3. Self-Drive Day Boats no covid restrictions: No earlier than June 21st

We are working closely with colleagues in other firms and with British Marine and the Canal & River Trust, and keep up with government advice as it changes.

We do! We are happy to cater to vegetarian and gluten free, just let us know upon booking any dietary requirements!

You have to go down around 4-5 steps to get onto the boat. Wheelchair users can be wheeled right up to the boat entrance and you must be able to get down and up the steps. The staff will do everything they can to help you getting on and off and we can give you extra time if needed. As for wheel chairs or walkers, we will happily store those safely in our office.

Yes, dogs are welcome on board the Cobbydale for the one hour trips, as well as our day boats. They are not, however, permitted on the Dalesman when we serve food.

All of our boats are built with easy access in mind.

We can store any mobility aids ashore here at our wharf. There are four solid steps down to the boat, with crew at the top to help and crew at the bottom to provide further assistance.

If you are unsure, please ring us 01756 790 829 for further information.