Norfolk Broads Direct are assessed by the British Marine Federation (BMF) and VisitEngland (VE) to ensure that we deliver the highest standards to our customers. This assessment takes place every 3 years and incorporates a two part process.

 

Firstly, boat hire companies must now have a Quality Accredited Boatyard (QAB) accreditation which ‘offers reassurances of safe and legal practices together with good customer services’.

Norfolk Broads Direct has achieved this accreditation and therefore have adhered to BMF and VE standards for the following:

  • Health and safety issues
  • Legal requirements
  • The Hire Boat Handover scheme
  • Assessment of the website and brochure
  • Arrival and departure procedures
  • Customer service procedures – onshore and when customers are away from the boatyard
  • Boatyard facilities; car parking, reception, toilets, etc

 

The second part of the assessment is the grading of each individual cruiser. This part of the process is optional, however, Norfolk Broads Direct have opted to have our cruisers assessed to give our customers an independent review of our fleet.

This portion of the assessment focuses on a number of different criteria which is ‘largely based around the quality and condition of the individual boat and also the comfort and ease of use for the maximum number of occupants’. The specific checks include; cleanliness, adequate space, adequate lighting, sufficient cooking and food preparation/storage equipment, adequate ventilation, available information packs, suitable flooring, available linen, safety rails, minimum berth sizes, adequately sized bathroom facilities etc.

We are pleased to say that all of our cruisers achieved 4* or above in our last Boat Grading assessment and we will continue to aim for perfection with all of our holiday cruisers so that we can provide you with the best boating holidays on the Norfolk Broads.

 

For more information about this assessment process, along with the criteria documents, visit the British Marine website: www.britishmarine.co.uk/What-We-Do/Training/Quality-Accredited-Boatyard-and-Boat-Grading-Schemes.