As we get further into lifting of lockdown restrictions, I thought I’d give all of our customers a bit of a progress report on what is happening at Mylor Yacht Harbour and how we will be operating in the near future. At the moment, we are obviously trying to make sure that whatever we do meets social distancing guidelines both for our customers and our staff and we’ve changed a few procedures to ensure that we can operate safely whilst we open up the site for more services.
In summary, the latest situation is:
- From the 1st June, pretty much all our staff are back on duty apart from those working from home or highly vulnerable, so we are starting to get back to normal as far as services are concerned. As is to be expected, we are a bit behind on work, but we will be looking to catch up as quickly as possible and anybody with outstanding work either has been contacted or will be contacted shortly for a revised timeframe on completion.
- All staff have been issued with social distancing guidelines and various signs are in place around the site urging everyone to maintain a 2m distance from others. Please adhere to this at all times and do not approach staff in areas where this cannot be maintained.
- At the moment, Reception and the Marina office both remain closed but staff are on duty and can act on all requests and transactions by phone or email except issuing of boat keys which is now done at the reception door. Staff sanitise their hands before issuing and on taking keys back, but we suggest that customers take appropriate sanitisation measures in addition to this. We will keep this situation under review and will open the offices when it seems appropriate and safe to do so.
- In a similar way, the parts outlet remains closed but Nathan is operating a ‘click & collect’ service on request by phone or email with parts available for collection without having to come into contact with him (some may say that’s an unexpected bonus….). Please note that this service is available with card payment only.
- The fuel and water taxi services are now operating although in order to maintain social distancing, the water taxi is operating under set procedures in order to protect all concerned.
- Customer trolleys – trolley handles are cleaned with antibacterial spray regularly but we cannot guarantee that they will be totally coronavirus-free. As such, we suggest that customers are aware of the potential for virus transmission from this and take additional precautions.
- As per my previous communication, the showers and toilets remain closed as this is one area where social distancing is difficult to maintain. However, we do recognise that this is not something we can rigidly adhere to, so the code is available on request if people are in need. However, to try to protect everyone, we would request that customers plan their visits carefully and only use the toilets if absolutely necessary. The code is currently being changed quite regularly to try to minimise the usage and additional cleaning of surfaces and touch points is taking place as a precaution. However, like the trolleys, we cannot guarantee virus free surfaces, so again suggest that additional personal sanitisation measures are taken as appropriate.
- Unfortunately, current advice remains in place stating that leaving your home – the place you live – to stay elsewhere overnight is not allowed. As a result, overnight stays on boats are still not permitted and the marina remains closed to visitors.
- Some good news is that both Café Mylor and Castaways Bar Restaurant are starting a takeaway service for food and beverages:
- Café Mylor’s service is expected to start on Thursday 11th June and will operate Thursday to Sunday, 9.00 – 15.00
- Castaway’s “Castakeaway” service starts on Thursday 4th June and will operate from Thursday to Saturday 11:00 to 20:00 and on Sunday 11:00 to 18:00.
Please see the posters outside their premises or call them for more details on the service and the food and drink available.
I would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all our customers who have shown understanding at the issues which have faced us all and the efforts that have been put in by both customers and staff whilst we endeavour to get back to some degree of normality. However, I expect social distancing measures to be in place for some time to come, so there may be a few more changes ahead whilst we learn to live with the situation and adapt to new ways of working.
Anyway, if you do go out on your boat, please take extra care considering the situation and I look forward to seeing everyone back at Mylor Yacht Harbour fully enjoying their boats in socially distanced splendour.
With best regards
Neil Salter
Managing Director