The virus, known as COVID-19, originated in the Hubei province of Wuhan, China, at the end of 2019 and has since been transmitted to hundreds of thousands of people globally, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the situation a global pandemic. More than 34,000 people have died to date, with an overall total of 724,000 infections confirmed across 199 countries.

The virus is having a growing impact on the yachting industry and there are already reports of COVID-19 being on board a number of superyachts. WHO has issued clear guidance on the measures required to limit the spread of coronavirus, underlining the importance of good hygiene and cleanliness, and it is therefore essential that yachts and superyachts take all necessary precautions.

It is vital that anyone responsible for a yacht ensures that the boat has not been exposed to the virus, which is why a thorough decontamination is sensible before allowing future guests on board, to reduce the risk of infection.

DECONTAMINATION TREATMENT CAN PROTECT YACHTS FROM HARBOURING VIRUSES

Recognizing how it can aid the industry in achieving optimum cleanliness, ASN has formulated a deep-cleaning service for yachts and superyachts, designed to eradicate any lingering viruses and bacteria from interior and exterior surfaces.

Its decontamination treatment is a specialized product already used to disinfect hospitals, ambulances and public areas with high exposure to viruses. It kills bacteria in minutes, yeast, mold and fungus in 15 minutes and H1N1, HBV and HCV-type viruses in 60 minutes to EN 14476 standard. It causes no damage to hard surfaces or furniture fabrics.

Alongside this treatment, ASN can provide a virucide airborne disinfection with the diffusion of a virucide product with dry air or wet air. This particular protocol disinfects the surfaces in an area and, with a special added treatment, all air conditioning systems.

ASN recommends the treatment for all vessels, whether they have been exposed to the virus directly or not.

Emmanuel Verhaaren, managing director at ASN, said, “In light of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s vital that everyone takes measures to ensure they – and their family and work colleagues – do not contract the virus. The key to achieving this is by being proactive in protecting yourself and your surrounding environment.

“The hygiene guidelines from WHO are vital to negate the spread of coronavirus further, but it doesn’t completely eliminate the risk of the virus being brought on board; any person could accidentally transport it on to an interior surface any time they step aboard, even just after the treatment. Our yacht decontamination treatment can give your yacht a deep clean, providing you with an additional layer of protection. While not COVID-19-specific, the product destroys bacteria and viruses from a range of surfaces inside an hour of application, and is widely used across the health sector to maintain elite levels of cleanliness.

“It’s a proven product depended on by medical professionals, so there is no doubt as to its credentials to satisfy and support the superyacht industry too.”

REDUCING THE RISK OF CORONAVIRUS INFECTION

Application of the decontamination treatment, alongside adherence to all personal wellbeing and social distancing advice issues by WHO and national governments, greatly reduces the chances of anyone who comes into contact with the yacht from contracting COVID-19 – or indeed any other virus.

Verhaaren added, “Application of our treatment, on top of an impeccable approach and discipline in the light of this scourge, will provide owners, captains, crew and guests with total peace of mind that their yacht is clean and free from viruses and germs. In these challenging, unprecedented times, we can help to provide the reassurance people crave.

“Our treatment can safeguard the entirety of a yacht inside and out, making it an all-in-one solution. The treatment kills and eradicates bacteria and viruses from all surfaces in less than one hour; we understand that time is of the essence, so our decontamination solution is the perfect option for the superyacht industry.”

ASN provides free estimations and a product technical file and product security document are issued with all treatments. It will begin conducting its yacht decontamination treatments after any travel and non-essential work restrictions are lifted.