Key workers will be offered discounted trips on a luxury catamaran as thanks for their efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sail Bermuda, which charters the 47ft Wyuna, is run by Marilyn Zuill and her husband Caleb, who is a firefighter.

Mrs Zuill, the company’s operations manager, said: “The work of an essential worker is close to our hearts.

“We are thankful for the hard work that so many essential workers are doing right now during this pandemic and we know first-hand the sacrifice involved.

“To show our appreciation we are giving all essential workers both in Bermuda and overseas 20 per cent off any charter until the end of 2020 on the Wyuna.”

Sail Bermuda also recently ran an Instagram campaign asking people to nominate someone to enjoy a complementary three-hour charter on the catamaran.

Mrs Zuill explained: “I asked people to send in the name of the essential worker, where they worked and a short story of why they believe they deserve this break on the water.”

She said that the winner was Jasmin Caines, a doctor at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, “who has been working long hours to faithfully serve her community”.

Mrs Zuill added: “She is also a mother of a toddler and as a mother myself I admire her for her dedication to serve other people while also having to take care of her child and maybe also having to sacrifice spending time with her child because of the long hours spent working.”

Nominations also included Amne Osseyran, a doctor working at testing centres; Jess Arneil, a pharmacist; and Janice DeSilva of the infection control team at the Bermuda Hospitals Board.

Other nominees were Darren Hunnicutt, Nicola MacDougall and Lindsay Manderson, all nurses at KEMH; Thayja Simons, Ziare Cox, Roseann Baker-Burchall, Ms Woodley, Ms Manders, Mercedes Rutherford and Ms Brangman all from the Matilda Smith Williams Seniors Residence Rest Home.

Nominations were also made for Maria Goater an environmental service supervisor at the hospital; Omejae Goater, who is assisting at KEMH; and Cameron Harris, a tractor trailer driver delivering groceries and medical supplies.

Sail Bermuda said it will begin operations as soon as Government guidelines permit.