Our Covid-19 Policy

Covid-19 and re opening our charters

We re Opened June 7 and as of August 4 everyone has been healthy because we are playing it safe!

It is our top priority to help reduce the transmission of Covid and thus to keep you and our staff healthy and feeling secure.

So in short all we are asking is that you bring a mask and use it when we’re too close together like when we’re all in the boat cabin driving to our spots. Our guides will be wearing them whenever it’s impossible to maintain that 2 meters distance. It’s a minor inconvenience but we care about your health.

BC FISHING CHARTER, GUIDE, AND LODGE OPERATIONS COVID-19 PROTECTIVE WORK PLAN

2020-06-03

Silversides Fishing Adventures is using the fishing charter Covid policy created by the BCSFI(BC Sport Fishing Institute) and approved by Worksafe BC and our health experts. WorkSafeBC is a provincial agency dedicated to promoting safe and healthy workplaces across B.C.

Plans and protocols are presented here as recommendations and are not intended as a legal standard of care or industry standard. This document is offered to assist participants in the sport fishery, whether that is personal or through fishery related businesses, in complying with health guidance issued by the BC Health Officer, which are subject to change. This document does not carry legal or regulatory authority.

Client Requirements:

• We ask that you respect the rules that we have been asked to abide by. A simple questionnaire will be filled out prior to boarding the vessel. This is to protect you and our staff should anyone contract Covid-19. It’s contact tracing to keep everyone safe.

• You are required to bring your own face mask. These could be the store bought ones, a bandana etc. Masks are required to be worn at all times when it is impossible to maintain a 2 meter distancing from the charter captain or people outside your known circle

• Each guest is required to bring their own hand towel and sanitizer.

• If you have underlying medical conditions, it is recommended that you avoid boarding our vessels.

• Anyone displaying symptoms of COVID-19, which primarily displays as a persistent cough, will not be permitted on our vessels. If you are sick, stay home.

• You must not travel or come to our facility or business if you live in a household with someone who has COVID-19 or is showing symptoms of COVID-19.

• Maximize physical distancing, where a 2-metre(6 feet) minimum cannot be maintained, a face mask must be worn.

• If you need to sneeze or cough please do so into your elbow or towel.

• Food and beverage sharing is strongly discouraged.

• Please make sure to minimize and simplify what you bring on board the boat. This will help to reduce or eliminate potential cross contamination.

• While travelling out to the fishing grounds, clients are asked to remain seated to ensure they do not encroach on others personal space.

• Customers are asked and reminded to maintain ‘Social distancing” on the dock.

• Customers will be encouraged to follow provincial protocols for travel to and from the dock.

• If you want to leave a gratuity please put it in an envelope and place it in the glove box or dashboard of boat.

Charter provider responsibilities and requirements

• Client Contact info will be kept on file for 30 days from date of Charter as required by our health authorities.

• All exposed areas on the boat will be thoroughly cleaned, sanitized prior to the charter.

• We are not allowed to provide food on any charters until further notice. Sorry for this inconvenience.

• Providing waders on jet boat trips is a tricky situation because they are a common shared item and not that easy to clean between uses. For Sturgeon charters please just wear shorts and shoes that are water friendly.

• Clients will be asked to bring out their own PPE and use it, this includes a minimum of a face masks and hand towel to dry their hands. (Gloves and eye protection is optional).

• Clients will be debriefed on how to best optimize physical distancing. This will include but not be limited to; the best area to sit/stand and procedures for where to stand and deal with the catching of fish.

• Extra PPE is available at a small fee if any is lost or damaged or considered insufficient to meet the current standards.

• Fishing rods and other ‘multi-used’ equipment will be sanitizes or washed after being handled.

Let’s be safe out on the water!

Silversides COVID-19 Policy

As a past, present, or prospective guest of Silversides, you’re a part of our family and you should know that the health and safety of our guests and staff is our top priority. For Everyone’s benefit we are implementing our own COVID-19 safety policy. This policy is based on the most recent recommendations from our local medical professionals. This situation is difficult for all of us and we want to handle this in the best possible way including the financial hardship it is creating for you and ourselves.

Travel Restrictions:

Recently, due to the uncertain nature of the spread of the coronavirus resulting in an increasing number of COVID-19 cases, travel restrictions, and shelter in place orders, many travellers are understandably concerned. For this reason, we STRONGLY advise all travellers to purchase a travel protection plan that will cover you in the event you or a family member become ill and cannot travel. However, it’s important to know most policies will not cover other disruptions to travel caused by the Coronavirus, including cancelled flights or airport closures.

Cancellation of trips booked for 2020:

Refunds on cancelled trips will not be available in a timely manner due to the exacerbation of funds due to Covid-19 effects on our tourism business. For those who definitely cannot follow through with their charter dates or simply are unable to reschedule we will do our best to refund your money.

>> We strongly recommend to move your dates ahead to a time when life returns to normal.

While acknowledging that in past cases a refund (less non refundable deposits if applicable, and non recoverable bank fees or the likes thereof) is among your options when Silversides cancels or postpones a trip, we’re asking our guests to consider transferring trip payments toward a future Silversides trip, which will help our company and our employees weather this unprecedented storm.

GOING FISHING IN A SMALL GROUP IS FUN & HEALTHY WHEN WE PRACTICE SAFETY FIRST:

• All our charters are and have always been private meaning you won’t be sharing the boat or vehicle with strangers.

• We regularly clean our boats interior with ‘Spray 9‘ which is deadly to many known viruses.

• Captains and guides will wear gloves and face protection

   

The following precautions and policies will be in place starting March 14, 2020 until further notice:

1. Anyone who is currently showing or has recently showed signs or symptoms of the flu or cold within the last 4 weeks prior to your charter is not permitted to partake in any of our charters. No exceptions.

2. We will follow recommendations by medical professionals regarding safe and responsible transmission reduction protocols. We won’t be shaking hands and other such actions that can spread the virus more effectively. Guides may wear face masks. Of course they will look cool and perhaps even look like a bandit and not a doctor.

3. Regarding cancellations due to travel bans and other imposed restrictions we will be more than happy to allow people to re-schedule their charter at a later date at no extra cost. We have always had a no refund policy on deposits(25%). This remains in place. Refunds of payments over the 25% threshold will be at the discretion of management.

4. Due to the uncertainty of the current dilemma we will try to make life easier for our clients by reducing our non-refundable deposit requirements from 25% of trip value to $100 per day. If you need to cancel your charter due to the COVID-19 situation this will help reduce your losses. Policy #3 will remain in place for all clients.

5. Until this unfortunate situation passes we will not be accepting bookings from countries or regions where infection rates are significant. We will use reliable data to make this call.

6. In the event that your guide is sick we will not allow him to take you on your charter. We will try and provide a healthy guide but if we cannot find a replacement on such short notice we will refund you the price you paid for your fishing charter.

7. Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 situation we reserve the right to update and change this policy at any time to keep our staff and yourselves safe and healthy.

Thank you for understanding this unfortunate event. We truly wish everyone the best health.

Brian Mack & crew.

How you can help us –

Gift Cards

Purchasing gift cards or certificates is a direct and safe way of helping tourism based companies weather this storm. These purchases put much needed cash in the register now, without requiring any other actions. Think of it as investing in both your and ours fishing future.