Updated Ferry Travel Arrangements
Thursday 9th July 2020
A statement from Rathlin Island Ferry Ltd. updating ferry travel arrangements:
NOTICE TO ISLAND RESIDENTS:
From Thursday 9th July 2020 – All deliveries/goods will be transported on the Spirit of Rathlin departing Ballycastle at 10.00. The Ferry Office will call to notify you of your collection. Residents will collect their goods from the vessel following crew instructions. Anyone collecting goods must adhere to the face covering policy and use hand sanitiser provided. Failure to follow to crew instructions may result in RIFL refusal to carry goods.
*Any deliveries received by the office after 10.00 sailing has departed will be transported the following morning, with exception of perishable goods. *
PLEASE ADHERE TO SOCIAL DISTANCING AT ALL TIMES, WE ASK THAT YOU DO NOT CONGREGATE AT THE HARBOUR, IF YOU DON’T HAVE BUSINESS AT THE FERRY PLEASE KEEP YOUR DISTANCE AND RESPECT OUR CREWS SAFETY.
From Monday 13th July – RIFL crew will no longer deliver to vulnerable residents, our crew have provided this service voluntary for the past 3 ½ months and we sincerely thank them for their efforts. Unfortunately, the time has come for this service to stop, we apologise for any distress or inconvenience this change may cause to those effected.
Changes to RIFL Conditions of Travel:
FROM 10th JULY 2020 -
Face Coverings Update:
From Friday 10th July, it’s the law that passengers over the age of 13 and staff on public transport must wear a face covering in indoor areas of a ferry and outdoor areas where it is not possible to keep two metres social distance. There are exemptions for those who have a reasonable excuse not to wear a face covering and you simply need to notify a member of staff if you believe you are exempt. More details on the requirements for face coverings can be found here: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-face-coverings
Booking Notice update:
Due to travel restrictions (capacity / frequency) and in the interest of our Employees and Passenger Safety pre-booking is mandatory for travel on the Rathlin Island Ferry until further notice.
Bookings for either of the two morning sailings must be made at latest by 16.45pm the day before travel.
• RATHLIN EXPRESS depart Rathlin @ 08.00 / depart Ballycastle @ 08.30
• SPIRIT OF RATHLIN depart Rathlin @ 08.30 / depart Ballycastle @ 10.00
Bookings for either of the afternoon sailings must be made at latest by 12.15pm on the day of travel.
• SPIRIT OF RATHLIN depart Rathlin @ 15.30 / depart Ballycastle @ 16.30
• RATHLIN EXPRESS depart Rathlin @ 16.30 / depart Ballycastle @ 17.00
RIFL reserve the right to make exceptions to the above Booking terms for emergency travel.
Booking:
You can book your tickets by calling or emailing our office which is open daily between 08.30 – 12.15 & 13.45 – 16.45. Our online booking facility has been deactivated due to the capacity restrictions.
From Thursday 9th July 2020 – WE WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT BOOKINGS BY FACEBOOK MESSENGER.
Tickets/Payments and Boarding:
RIFL are operating a ticketless service to reduce the amount of contact between passengers and our staff. When you make a booking, you will be asked for payment details and your card will be charged accordingly on the day of travel. Card payment is preferred however correct cash can be given to crew at time of boarding (no change can be given)
You will check-in for your sailing with crew by giving your name.
Passengers will not be boarded until 10 minutes before departure.
Please follow signage for boarding.
Collection of information for Contact Tracing Purposes
RIFL are being proactive and collecting information to share with the relevant Public Health Authorities should there be a case of Covid-19. At the time of booking you will be asked for your Full Name and Phone number, if you are travelling as a family or group of more than 1 person you will be asked to provide a Lead Person’s Name and Contact Number.
When you provide our staff with these details, you are actively giving your permission for these details to be shared with a third-party organisation to the help track and trace the virus.
Failure to provide these details will result in your booking being rejected.
Capacity per sailing:
RIFL continue to enforce 2m social distancing and the maximum capacity per sailing remains 20 passengers.
RIFL will continually review this, if our Local Area and Rathlin Island remain virus free the following plan will be implemented:
FROM MONDAY 20th JULY:
Capacity will increase to 30 passengers per sailing (1.5m Social Distance)
From SATURDAY 1st AUGUST 2020:
Capacity will increase to:
RATHLIN EXPRESS – 35 passengers maximum per sailing (1m Social Distance)
SPIRIT OF RATHLIN – 45 passengers maximum per sailing (1m Social Distance)
Any changes to capacity will be confirmed and officially announced on our website and Facebook page the day before date shown above.
*Regardless of the capacity increasing, the booking conditions for cut off times will remain in place*
FOR UP TO DATE INFORMATION ON THE BUSINESSES ON RATHLIN CHECK OUT THE COMMUNITY WEBSITE:
http://rathlincommunity.org/