Mothership Adventures Covid-19 Best Practices

Mothership Adventures Inc.
COVID-19 Restart Plan
For Phase 3 and Beyond
(July 1, 2020)

Overview

Purpose

Mothership Adventures Inc. has developed a Covid-19 response in order for us to restart our operations while meeting Public Health Directives regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure the ongoing health and safety of our crews and guests while aboard the M.V. COLUMBIA III. Our plan will be implemented in conjunction with the guidelines of the approved Small Ship Tour Operators Association of BC (SSTOABC) Covid 19 Best Practices, the approved Commercial Bear Viewers Association (CBVA) Covid 19 Best Practices and the Guided Sea Kayak Tour Operators in BC (GSKTOBC) Covid-19 Best Practices.

As the current situation is constantly evolving, this document will be amended and updated to reflect the most recent information and requirements. These plans will be updated as Provincial Health directives and the pandemic itself evolve and will be carried onboard and communicated to the crew, in person and by email, as well as posted on our website. Mothership Adventures Inc. will carry on board the COLUMBIA III the WorkSafe BC document "OFAA Protocols During the COVID-19 Pandemic."

Mothership Adventures Inc

Mothership Adventures Inc. has been offering eco-adventures on the BC coast for over 20 years. It is owned by Ross Campbell and Fern Kornelsen. Our company provides predominantly kayaking tours to small groups and offers very personalized expeditions on board the certified passenger vessel M.V. COLUMBIA III.

The COLUMBIA III is a 20m classic wooden motor vessel with 5 guest staterooms and is certified to carry 11 passengers and 4 crew. In addition, the vessel has a galley, three washrooms and a large interior salon. The COLUMBIA III has an extensive exterior covered deck and an open foredeck.

Public Health Directives

Mothership Adventures Inc. has suspended its scheduled 2020 operations due to the COVID-19 restrictions put in place by the Provincial Health Authority. The Province recently proposed a 4-phase restart program for various organizational sectors. Mothership Adventures Inc. along with the industries and businesses it relies on, will be able to restart their operations in Phase 3. This third phase began July 1, 2020 because the COVID-19 transmission rates remained low or were in decline.

WorkSafeBC has released new Health and Safety Guidelines and best practices. Mothership Adventures Inc. will adapt these materials into an appropriate COVID-19 Safety Plan for the workplace to protect workers (crew) from the risk of exposure to COVID-19. The Safety plan is attached. Physical distancing can be achieved on board the COLUMBIA III by reducing the operating capacity from 10 passengers to 8 and having the 4 crew work as a single "Working Group".

Recognizing Hazards and Assessing Risks

Mothership Adventures Inc. regularly assess hazards and risks within their operations. During scheduled inspections with examiners and during drills and meetings with the owners and crew, there are discussions on how to eliminate or control the associated risks at the workplace. The owners have now completed a risk assessment with a focus on exposure to COVID-19. Controls have been developed to address concerns where crew and customers can have encounters with each other or the physical environment that can give rise to contact with COVID-19. These controls are explained in the following practices, procedures and plans.

Exposure Control Plan

Recognizing that COVID-19 has been classified as a Risk Group 3 by the center of Biosecurity, Mothership Adventures Inc. is required to develop and implement an exposure control plan. As Mothership Adventures Inc. is only required to have a level 1 Occupational First Aid Attendant, the exposure control plan is limited to that level of First Aid training. The following operating guidelines and procedures will act as the exposure control plan along with the attached OFAA COVID-19 protocol sheet.

COLUMBIA III Best Practices / General Operating Guidelines

Mothership Adventures Inc. has developed a Covid-19 response to ensure the ongoing health and safety of our crew and guests while aboard the Columbia lll. Our plan will be implemented in conjunction with the guidelines of the Small Ship Tour Operators Association of BC Covid 19 Best Practices, the Commercial Bear Viewers Association Covid 19 Best Practices and the Guided Sea Kayak Tour Operators in BC. These plans will be updated as Provincial Health directives and the pandemic itself evolve and will be carried onboard and communicated to the crew, in person an bd by email, as well as posted on our website. Mothership Adventures Inc. will carry on board Columbia lll the WorkSafe BC document "OFAA Protocols During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Employee Policies

Employees (Crew) must:

• Read, understand and know the whereabouts of this document and the SSTOABC, GSKTOBC and the CBVA approved COVID-19 best practices plans.
• Practice physical distancing by working more than 6 ft apart from co-workers whenever possible.
• Wear appropriate PPE whenever physical distancing between coworkers and guests is not achievable.
• Continue to perform and maintain the safe working policies and procedures that were previously developed by the company. If this cannot be achieved than they must talk to the captain or owner so a solution can be developed.
• Stay home if they are sick or might be sick. If they become sick on board, they must self-isolate immediately.
• Avoid touching their face.
• Wash their hands at the start and end of their shift, before eating or drinking, after touching shared or common items, after using the washroom and before and after using masks or other personal protective equipment. Remove jewelry before washing.

Progressive Discipline Policy

In order to put a stop to unacceptable behavior by a crew member the following progressive discipline policy will be used.

1. Verbal warning, 2. Written warning, 3. Suspension, 4. Termination

The Progressive Discipline Program will include:

• Ensuring crew are aware of workplace policies and standards; and the consequences of inappropriate behaviour
• Giving a crew member notice that there is a behaviour issue or deficiency and thoroughly explaining the expectations. This would include providing the crew an opportunity to explain his/her behaviour.
• Providing an opportunity for the crew member to change his/her behaviour, possibly through further training.
• Including a method of measurement so all parties know when appropriate changes have been achieved.
• Agreeing on a time frame for achievement including a follow-up date for discussion.
• Ensuring the crew member is aware of the consequences should the prescribed changes not be achieved.
• Documenting each step of the way.

Crew Communications

This plan, guidelines and procedures will be kept on board and made readily available to all crew. As the current situation is constantly evolving, any updates and changes to this document will be made to the copy on board and communicated to the crew in person or via email.

Guest Communications

Prior to arrival, passengers (guests) will receive the following message;

• If you have underlying medical conditions, it is recommended that you do not participate in the trip.
• Anyone displaying symptoms of COVID-19, which primarily displays as fever, chills, persistent cough, or shortness of breath will not be permitted on board. If you are sick, please stay home.
• If you have travelled outside Canada, you are not permitted on board until you have self-isolated for a minimum of 14 days. If you are displaying symptoms of COVID-19, you will not be permitted on board.
• If you live in a household with someone who has COVID-19, or is showing symptoms of COVID-19, you are not permitted on board until you have self-isolated for a minimum of 14 days.
• You will be required to practice good hygiene (frequent hand washing with soap and water and use of hand sanitizers, avoid touching your face, and practice proper respiratory etiquette).
• Physical distancing is required at all times (minimum 6ft apart) while on
• board.
• Use your non-medical mask or face covering in situations where reasonable physical distancing cannot be consistently maintained.
• Inform the crew immediately if your health condition changes.

Upon arrival, guests will receive the following information beyond the standard welcome and safety orientation:

• Be made aware of "No Go Zones" (Galley, other guests' cabins, navigation station, areas where physical distancing cannot be achieved).
• Be shown the locations of hand sanitizers at the main entry (aft deck marshalling area) and exit point of the vessel, main salon, washrooms and skiff.
• A thorough explanation on proper hand hygiene
• An explanation on how to avoid congestion and maintain distancing in staging areas while preparing for an expedition off of the vessel.
• Be shown the designated seating arrangement in the main salon for meals.
• Encouragement to stay out on deck whenever possible and avoid congregating.

Upon departure the guests will be asked to self-monitor their health for 14 days and inform Mothership Adventures Inc. immediately if they show any signs of sickness during that time. Mothership Adventures Inc. will then contact the local health authority and follow the appropriate contact tracing protocols.

Sanitation and Hygiene

Hand Hygiene

Crew and guests will be required to practice proper and frequent hand hygiene. Reusable hand towels will no longer to be used. Therefore paper towel dispensers have been installed in the three washrooms and in the galley. Adequate handwashing supplies will be consistently maintained in the washrooms, galley and in all hand sanitizer stations.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

A sufficient supply of non-surgical masks (face covering) and disposable gloves will be maintained on board. Crew and guests will be informed of the limitations, proper use and disposal of the protective equipment. Individual full-face shields and protective suits will be available for each crew member.

Environmental Hygiene & Decontamination

Frequency of Environmental hygiene and decontamination will be increased on board and strengthened by more aggressive cleaning and decontamination products. Special attention will be placed on the disinfection of toilets, galley, and objects which are frequently touched such as light switches, doorknobs and handrails. To avoid contamination, cloth napkins and utensil holders will no longer be used.

SPECIFIC COLUMBIA III PROCEDURES

Physical distancing during guest arrival/departure:

• During arrival and departure all guests and crew will wear a face covering as physical distancing will be difficult to maintain while loading and unloading luggage.
• For departing guests all luggage will be carried directly from their cabins to the aft deck. Storage of luggage in the main salon will not be allowed.
• For arriving guests all luggage will be carried directly to the aft deck.
• One by one, arriving guests will take all their luggage directly to their cabin when directed by the crew in order to avoid congestion in the passageways.

Physical distancing below decks:

• Before entering a passageway, guests and crew must look both ways to ensure it is clear of people and you are able to go directly to your destination (washroom, salon, exit).
• Guests are not to enter anyone's cabin but their own. Crew must wear PPE if they require to enter a guest's cabin and should only enter when it is unoccupied.
• The salon seating plan must be followed during meals.
• No guests in the galley.

Physical distancing for a skiff excursion:

• Guests will be required to wear a face mask on the aft deck in preparation for donning life jackets when personal distancing is not possible.
• Guests and crew will be required to wear a face covering once loading of the skiff begins and until the skiff excursion is over and they are back onboard the COLUMBIA III.

Physical distancing for onshore bear viewing:

• Guests and crew will be required to wear face coverings during onshore bear viewing as the priority will be maintaining the group as a compact, moveable unit with the smallest possible "footprint".

Kayaking Risk Management Protocol:

• Guides always have a means of communicating with the Columbia lll and emergency service.
• Mothership Adventures Inc. will have back-up guides available to step in, in the event the scheduled guide is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or has had contact with someone experiencing symptoms and needs to self isolate.
• While on the water guides will minimize overall risk to avoid incidents and the resulting strain on emergency response (Coast Guard, search and rescue). This will involve avoiding exposed waters, remote coastlines, tidal rapids and having a lower threshold for appropriate weather conditions.
• Spacing is generally easy to achieve in good conditions with good group management. Kayak paddles are just over 2 meters in length so they make for a quick, handy measurement. Depending on the model, the space between cockpits of a double kayaks is usually greater than 2 meters.
• Guests will be issued their own set of gear for the duration of a trip and will not share it with other paddlers, or handle other guests' gear. Items included in a set of gear include: paddle, lifejacket and whistle, spray-skirt, and pump.
• Guides will also maintain their own set of gear for the trip and not share among other guides.
• Pre-launch instruction involves educating guests on efficient paddling technique and safety procedures and fitting each person to their gear and kayak. Technique instruction is done with guests spaced far enough apart to allow movement of their paddles (appropriate physical distancing), but modifications to fitting gear will be made. Guides will clearly demonstrate the use and adjustment of equipment so that guests can make adjustments on their own (or with the assistance of a family member). Where contact closer than 2m is necessary, as on the swim-grid, when fitting kayak foot pedals, back rests, and spray-skirt over the combing, masks will be worn by guides and guests. Guests will be spaced on deck appropriately and will only enter the swim grid when directed by the guide that it is their turn to launch.
• Guides also assist guests in replacing hatch gaskets and hatch cover straps and will ask guests to step 2 meters away while doing so. Lift toggles, cockpit rims and paddles will be wiped with isopropyl alcohol between tours. When moving kayaks four people may still carry double kayaks with one person at the bow and stern and two others at each side of the cockpit.
• Guests will have their own snack bags they can access as needed rather than eating from a communal bag.
• Rafting up as a group may not be possible while maintaining physical distancing. If it is necessary, kayaks may be staggered with bows to cockpits and using paddles for some distancing between adjacent paddlers. ( family groups may raft with each other )
• Guides will practice rescue techniques and procedures to address common "on the water" scenarios that will preserve physical distancing. Modifications to rescues and first aid treatment exist, but they should not delay responding to an imminent danger (capsize, injury, hypothermia).
• Guides will have gloves and face mask in a readily accessible location (e.g. lap bag) at all times.
• Mothership Adventures will consider using all double kayaks as much as possible to limit risk of capsizes. Standard assisted rescues (T, PPP, stirrup, scoop, hand of God), often take place with the rescuer and capsized paddler side by side and in close proximity so clear verbal instructions and practice for guests at the beginning of a trip in regards to alternative rescue techniques will be required.
• In a non-emergency situation, guides and guests needing first aid treatment should both don face mask, gloves and eye protection prior to approaching closer than 2 meters.

Food Safety:

• Crew only in galley
• Sanitize food contact surfaces after every use and ensure the table is cleaned and disinfected before and after each meal.
• All meals will be plated by the cook and served to each individual guests by a crew member wearing a face mask.
• A set of cutlery wrapped in a disposable napkin will be distributed to each individual guest at meal time.
• Limit or eliminate shared condiment containers in the dining area.
• Ensure guests abide by the seating plan to provide appropriate physical distancing for the group.
• All dishes will be washed manually using the wash, rinse and sanitize method.
• Guest lunches during excursions off the vessel will be individually bagged.
• No "buffet style" food will be offered.

Cleaning and Disinfecting:

• Hand sanitizer (W.H.O.#1) dispensers will be located in the skiff, aft deck, main salon and in 3 washrooms.
• Ensure paper towel dispensers in washrooms are operational.
• Wear gloves when cleaning and sanitizing.
• Use OXIVIR spray to disinfect high touch/high traffic areas and washrooms.
• During trip turnarounds, ensure that each cabin has the hatch opened and the ionization/ozonation unit is turned on.
• During trip turnarounds, the passenger lifejackets and spray skirts will be disinfected. and when possible, be taken out of circulation for a minimum of 3 days.

Laundry:

• Wear gloves when handling laundry and place laundry directly into hamper.
• Ensure crew and guests do not shake laundry.
• Ensure all laundry is dried completely.

Mothership Adventures Inc.
M.V. COLUMBIA III
Work Safe BC
COVID-19 Safety Plan
(July 1, 2020)

Assessing the risks:

Mothership Adventures Inc. regularly assess hazards and risks within their operations. During scheduled inspections with examiners and during drills and meetings with the owners and crew, there are discussions on how to eliminate or control the associated risks at the workplace. The owners and crew have now completed a risk assessment with a focus on exposure to COVID-19. The following areas and activities have been identified where crew and customers can have encounters with each other or the physical environment that can give rise to contact with COVID-19.

• Guest arrival and departures at dockside
• Aft Deck staging area for excursions
• Sharing of cabins
• Dining area
• Washrooms
• Skiff excursions
• Kayaking excursions
• Navigation area (wheel house)

Protocols to reduce the risks:

Elimination Control measures

• Crew and Guests will be asked to stay home if they are sick or might be sick. If they become sick on board, they must self-isolate immediately. Pre-trip guest communication includes a detailed screening questionnaire and information package regarding protocols on board.
• Guest capacity will be reduced to eliminate the sharing of cabins and facilitate physical distancing.
• Crew will use a "Crew only" toilet facility (One of the 3 toilets will be designated for crew only)
• Crew will work as a single working group or cohort.
• A seating arrangement has been implemented for mealtimes.
• An occupancy limit has been established for the aft deck staging area.
• Galley is closed to guests
• Wheel house restricted to 1 guest at a time at Captain's discretion.

Engineering Control measures

• For reasons of safety and functionality the use of barriers and partitions is not practical on board.

Administrative Control measures

• Rules and guidelines have been established using the Best Practices developed by the Small Ship Tour Operators Association of B.C.(SSTOABC), the Commercial Bear Viewing Association (CBVA) and the Guided Sea Kayak Tour Operators in BC (GSKTOBC). Mothership Adventures Inc has modified and adapted some of these rules and guidelines to work specifically on the COLUMBIA III.
• All crew will need to read, be familiar with and carry out the Best Practices, operating guidelines and safety plan for Mothership Adventures Inc. Copies will be maintained on board and will be available by email.
• Any updates or amendments to the plans will be communicated to the crew in person or by email.
• Mothership Adventures Inc COVID-19 plan, rules and guidelines will be posted on the company's website.

Personal Protection Control measures

• The selection, limitations and proper use of face coverings will be explained to the crew using printed material (SSTOABC appendix C) and through demonstrations.
• The use of face coverings will be required by crew and guests during floatplane arrival and departure, during all zodiac excursions, and during on shore bear viewing.

Cleaning, Hygiene and Disinfecting Control measures

• Crew will be responsible for cleaning as described by the SSTOABC Best Practices.
• Crew and guests will be informed on how to preform proper hand and respiratory hygiene
• Hand sanitizer (W.H.O.#1) dispensers will be located in the skiff, aft deck marshalling area, main salon and in the 3 washrooms.
• Crew will ensure paper towel dispensers in washrooms are operational.
• Crew will wear gloves when cleaning and sanitizing.
• Use OXIVIR spray to disinfect high touch/high traffic areas and washrooms.
• During trip turnarounds, ensure that each cabin has the hatch opened and the ionization/ozonation unit is turned on.

Workplace Policies:

• Crew and guests are asked stay home if they are sick, might be sick, or had possible exposure to someone with COVID-19.
• Policies regarding crew and guests that start to feel ill on board are outlined in the SSTOABC COVID-19 Best Practices Protocols (Preparing and Responding to COVID-19 Cases, pg.12-14).

Communication Plans and Training:

• All crew will receive copies of the Mothership Adventures Inc Covid-19 plan, Work Safe BC Safety Plan, Exposure Control Plan and the SSTOABC, GSKTBC & CBVA Covid-19 Best Practices. Copies of these documents will also be kept on board and will be updated and amended as required. All crew will need to read, be familiar with and carry out the Best Practices, operating guidelines and safety plans for the COLUMBIA III.
• The Captain and/or Owner will be responsible for monitoring the crew, guests and vessel to ensure that the most up to date policies and procedures are being followed.

Monitoring the Workplace & Updating Plans:

• As the current situation is constantly evolving, this document will be amended and updated to reflect the most recent information and requirements.
• If there is a new area of concern or a policy/procedure that is not working or is out of date, the crew will bring it to the attention of the Captain or Owner. All parties will discuss and agree on a solution and this will be updated in the policies and procedures.

Assessing and Addressing Risks from Resuming Operations:

• A crew training/drill cruise will be scheduled prior to a full operational restart.
• All new equipment and products will be discussed and demonstrated during the crew training cruise. Manuals and data sheets will be kept on board for future review and reference.
• The COLUMBIA III is regularly monitored to ensure all equipment and systems are in a working and ready state.

OFAA Protocols During the COVID-19 Pandemic
A guide for employers and occupational first aid attendants

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