Updated Ferry Travel Arrangements
Saturday 6th June 2020
A statement from Rathlin Island Ferry Ltd:
Following consultation with the Rathlin Development and Community Association and the Department for Infrastructure new travel arrangements will be put in place on the Rathlin Island Ferry Service from Sunday 7th June 2020. These arrangements have been drawn up taking into account public health concerns and are in line with the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2020 and subsequent amendments. They are also reflective of the steps being taken by the Northern Ireland Executive.
This change does not represent a return to normal unrestricted travel to and from the Island. Travel will be restricted to ‘essential travel only’ in line with the Regulations and islanders are asked not to make any unnecessary journeys. Travel to second homes (unless for essential emergency maintenance) is not permitted at this time and tourists are not permitted to travel under any circumstances. These arrangements will be kept under constant review.
These new travel arrangements will allow greater access to and from the island for those providing or availing of services and those who have businesses on the island. It will allow Island residents to meet with family and friends who are not residents on the island (in accordance with social distancing guidance).
We would ask everyone using our service to respect our staff and crew and to adhere to the conditions of travel that we are implementing to ensure the safety of our passengers and crew. These are set out in more detail below. As the capacity per sailing has been reduced to a maximum of 20 people per sailing (due to measures introduced to maintain social distancing) we are only accepting advance bookings. The capacity per sailing may be reduced to less than the maximum to account for variables including weather and sea conditions. This is to ensure passenger comfort as the outer decks will be in use. The capacity will be solely decided by RIFL with guidance from MCA only.
CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL:
How to BOOK and PAY for travel -
1. Passenger must book 24hours in advance, this can be done by email or Facebook messenger during office hours 9.00-12.30 & 14.30 – 16.00. Phone lines will be open for bookings 09.00-09.30, 11.00-12.30 & 14.30-15.30. Any bookings sent by email or messenger after this will not be accepted. Bookings cannot be made with the crew. NO walk-on passengers will be authorised, except for medical or emergency services.
2. Contact details to be provided at time of booking – Name, Phone number, email address and postal address. This will allow us to contact all passengers for contact tracing should a case be suspected.
3. Contactless ticketing will be maintained, we ask all passengers to pay over the phone at the time of booking. If this is not possible, we ask that the correct monies be given to crew on embarkation. Alternatively, if you wish you can pay for travel at the end of the month. Please inform staff at the time of booking.
WHAT PPE WE REQUIRE YOU TO HAVE -
4. All passenger must wear a face covering for the duration, from embarkation to disembarkation.
5. All passengers must wear disposable gloves for the duration, from embarkation to disembarkation, dispose of in the bins provided at the ramp. Crew will then dispose of the bagged rubbish as per guidelines.
OTHER INFORMATION -
6. CREW ARE IN CHARGE OF PASSENGER MOVEMENT AT ALL TIMES, PLEASE LISTEN AND FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS. Anyone not willing to follow crew instructions may be refused travel.
7. On boarding the vessel crew will provide hand sanitiser for each passenger.
8. Where possible passengers are encouraged to travel in their vehicle, this reduces the contact during the crossing.
9. At any time RIFL crew or management may take passengers temperature or oxygen levels with as little contact as possible.
10. RIFL will deliver to vulnerable residents only.
11. RIFL will notify residents of deliveries and leave them in bus shelter for collection daily after 12noon.
12. Any change to ferry timetable will be notified by:
• Ferry Text (contact office if you wish to be added to text service or need number changed)
• posted on our website
• posted on our Facebook page
These travel conditions apply to all passengers, Island residents included.
To help enforce these conditions of travel we plan to do the following:
Have signage on both slipways, on-board vessel and at terminal to advise of social distancing
Markers on the slipway indicating 2 metre distance.
Markers on vessels indicating 2 metre distance.
Hand Sanitiser on-board vessel.
We will operate one-way systems:
SOR will be embarking through port side door/stairwell & disembarking through starboard side door/stairwell.
RE will be embarking through access gate, to the left, past the stairwell, round stairwell past toilet and into saloon. When saloon is full then passengers will be guided up the stair to upper deck.
Minimum of 1 crew member will be present on each deck throughout the crossing.
Crew will guide embarking/disembarking to enforce social distancing.
Seating will be clearly marked to maintain at least 2 metre distance.
If you have any queries or concerns about travelling, please do not hesitate to contact RIFL management and discuss in confidence.
MARY – 07553359596
SIOBHAN – 07706807584
Email: ciaranandmary@hotmail.com
siobhanmorton@hotmail.com