While Windermere Lake Cruises is most famous for its impressive fleet of large vessels and traditional launches like MV Swan, MV Teal, MV Tern and Queen of the Lake, it’s the attraction’s fleet of smaller boats which is set to help people get back out on the water for the first time since March this year.
Following the relaxation of lockdown measures imposed in efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic, the attraction is making its 49-strong fleet of self-drive electric motorboats available the first time in more than 12 weeks, giving visitors and local residents the opportunity to explore the lake at their own pace – and in their own space.
Each boat must be pre-booked and is ideal for people to experience England’s longest lake, while remaining socially distanced from others outside of their home or social bubble. On-shore, safety and hygiene measures will include staggered arrival times to avoid queues, with bookings and payments taken online in advance.
The self-drive motors boats will be available to hire from Bowness, from Saturday 20th June 2020. The online booking system is now live, and bookings can be made up to 7 days in advance. The team at Windermere Lake Cruises will monitor demand and make any appropriate changes to their operation as and when required.
All buoyancy aids will be cleaned after each session and only reissued after a 72 hour period. In addition, every boat will be cleaned in between each hire session and staff have been trained to ensure they are fully compliant with all up to date UK government advice.
Windermere Lake Cruises’ Operations Manager, Nick Thompson, says, “As with all businesses in the area, we have been working very hard behind the scenes on thorough risk assessments to ensure that we are able to open in a safe, Covid-19 secure manner. Not only have we been making sure we can operate in accordance with all up to date UK government advice, we have also been working hard to make sure all our vessels are maintained to the highest possible standards whilst we were closed.
“Now, with detailed procedures in place for the safety of our staff and customers, we’re really pleased to be in a position to help visitors and locals enjoy the lake safely. What better way of getting away from the stresses caused by lockdown than doing so in a private boat in the middle of Windermere? We’ll be delighted to once again see the lake being enjoyed by everyone who has missed it so dearly”.
Meanwhile, the Lake Information Centre in Bowness will be open for the sale of ice creams, gifts, soft drinks and snacks, also from this Saturday, June 20, from 9.30am.
