As the biggest operator of cruising holidays in Europe, we recognise that we have a responsibility to help maintain this beautiful environment and our published long-term aim is to ensure that our boats, and everyone who uses our boats have a minimal and, where possible, zero impact on the environment. So whilst ours is an altogether more leisurely holiday experience that’s good for you, it’s good for the environment too.
Our improvement program
Since 1986, we have been installing holding tanks on our boats and wherever possible, customers use pump-out facilities;
During the winter we converted 200 boats in Ireland in order that they are able to use the holding tank waste system so that no toilet waste is discharged into the beautiful rivers;
We encourage our base staff to use biodegradable cleaning products and even supply eco-friendly toilet paper on board;
Waste is recycled wherever facilities exist and we encourage customers to use recycling points during their cruise
Reducing impact
The engine on our boats is perhaps the biggest potential polluter and we are currently testing low impact hydraulic oil and antifreeze. The traditional antifreeze (ethylene glycol) used in cars and boats is very harmful to the environment. The new type, propylene glycol, causes no impact. We’re also exploring new ways of maximising the efficiency of our engines: in 2006 we successfully trialled the use of bio-fuel in the UK.
It’s not just onboard our boats that we fly the environmental flag. At our head office and bases we are currently focussing on energy saving measures – turning off unnecessary lights, computer screens and more.
We take pride in knowing that the income we generate through our business in our host communities also benefits the local businesses in the locality. Our staff is recruited locally; we provide apprenticeship opportunities and support local training initiatives. Not only do we purchase supplies locally where practical, but our customers support local shops, services and visitor attractions as well.
