Locaboat Holidays has always taken positive steps to protect the environment.

 

 

The environnement

 

LOCABOAT HOLIDAYS care for the environment

The Penichette's lines blend in with the countryside. Designed-in solutions allied to good acoustic insulation go far to remove noise pollution. The specially-shaped hull creates less wash than on most boats designed for inland waterways. Penichettes therefore are less noisy and do less damage to the banks. That means greater satisfaction for the customer and a more harmonious relationship with other river users, fishermen, walkers and residents.

Locaboat Holidays are also bringing in on-board waste water holding tanks, now installed on some 250 Penichettes. We are converting some 20 boats a year, while for the last 5 years all new Penichettes and R-suffix boats have had them as standard. Locaboat does not use any form of anti-fouling, and has a policy of never throwing any waste overboard at any time.

To work properly, this use of waste water holding tanks has to be backed up by land-based pump-out stations. Here the situation varies considerably from one country to another. In both Ireland and Germany there is no shortage. Holland also has a good number. In France and Italy , with enormous mileages of waterway, much still remains to be done. However Locaboat Holidays is putting money into installing pump-out stations at all its bases. With 8 bases fitted so far, Locaboat Holidays is a pioneer in the field and is working to get others to follow suit, whether other hire operators, the central government or local authorities. Much progress is being made.

At the same time Locaboat Holidays is working on an on-board system for purifying waste water, with treated water being pumped straight back into the canal, a scheme which earned it the Prize for Innovation at the 2003 Paris Boat Show. Locaboat is the first boat hire company anywhere to develop and fit such an on-board waste water treatment system.

Locaboat Holidays asks you to act alongside it, by honouring a Charter of Respect for the Environment. It calls for you to avoid damage to vegetation, keep to speed limits, recycle rubbish where possible, use biodegradeable products, never throw anything overboard, and to link up to mains power at moorings wherever possible. Accept these conditions, and you'll receive the Locaboat Holidays Environment Pennant which you can fly on board your Penichette. To assist further, Locaboat Holidays has selected a full range of biodegradeable products such as soap, washing powder, washing-up liquid and shampoo which are on sale at competitive prices at all its bases.