Red Funnel Gains DNV GL COVID-19 Statement of Compliance

U.K. ferry operator Red Funnel said it is the world’s first domestic ferry operator to receive the DNV GL COVID-19 Statement of Compliance. The assessment certifies that Red Funnel has established reasonable measures to safeguard passengers, employees and crew from the COVID-19 infection.

“The COVID-19 outbreak has had a major impact on passenger vessels across Europe. As lockdown measures begin to relax in the U.K., as well as in the rest of the region, ferry operators need to demonstrate that the right measures are in place to keep passengers and crew safe,” said Torgeir Sterri, West Europe Regional Manager, DNV GL – Maritime.

The DNV GL COVID-19 Statement of Compliance with Interferry Guidelines was developed to help ferry operators reassure stakeholders and customers that they have adopted concrete COVID-19 measures as they start to resume their passenger ferry services. 

Red Funnel gained the accreditation through a comprehensive third-party verification of the company, the terminals and the vessels, performed remotely by DNV GL, Maritime Advisory experts based in Hamburg, Germany.

Sara O’Mahoney, Risk, Safety and Compliance Administration at Red Funnel, said, “The remote survey was new to us, but it was highly successful. DNV GL’s expertise, attention to detail and speed of delivery was very impressive and demonstrates its commitment to ensuring high standards of operation.”

Fran Collins, CEO of Red Funnel, said, “This achievement recognizes the daily efforts of our teams, both ashore and afloat, in going above and beyond to ensure the government’s health guidelines are met and adhered to. The health and safety of our passengers has always been our key priority, and we have been continuously adopting our operations to ensure safe travel for our customers.”

Red Funnel has remained in operation throughout the pandemic to provide a lifeline ferry service to and from the Isle of Wight, continuously ensuring that its travel guidance consistently reflects the most current U.K. government recommendations and taking all steps to minimize the spread of the infection.