Azores opening to visiting yachts - with virus testing rules.

[srm]

Azores government has published regulations for the relaxing of lockdown during June. Of interest to visiting yachts is this clause:

"– Determinar que, a partir das 00h00 horas do dia 1 de junho, são aplicáveis aos tripulantes dos iates que atraquem nos portos e marinas da Região os procedimentos previstos na Resolução do Conselho do Governo n.º 152/2020, de 28 de maio, ou seja, as mesmas regras que estão definidas para quem chega à Região por via aérea, sendo que a sua aplicação no caso dos iatistas será feita com as necessárias adaptações, designadamente a consideração do tempo de viagem para efeitos de quarentena e a consideração da embarcação para efeitos de domicílio ou unidade de alojamento."

Ref: 29/05, 15H00: Declaração do Governo dos Açores sobre as medidas de desconfinamento a implementar no mês de junho na Região Autónoma dos Açores - COVID-19 - Açores

Google translate:
- To determine that, as of 00:00 hours on June 1, the procedures foreseen in the ports and marinas of the Region are applicable to the crews of the yachts in the Region's ports and marinas. . . . . . That is, the same rules that are defined for those who arrive in the Region by air, and their application in the case of yachtsmen will be made with the necessary adaptations, namely the consideration of the travel time for quarantine purposes and the consideration of the vessel for the purpose of domicile or accommodation unit.

Rules by air basically require a series of tests for the virus, first test on arrival and up to 48 hours isolated in a hotel pending a negative result. Followed by further tests depending on duration of stay. An alternative to testing is 14 days voluntary isolation.
(Fully explained here: Informação aos passageiros a desembarcar na Região Autónoma dos Açores )

We have yet to see how the port/marina authorities interpret the "travel time for quarantine purposes" clause.

 

[gertha]

Has anyone any update on Horta.
As best as I can find 15 June is earliest that something may change, until then it is anchor only.
Looking for anything concrete for someone who may need fuel on about 14th.

 

[srm]

Looking for anything concrete for someone who may need fuel on about 14th.

They will be able to go alongside to load fuel. Contact marina office by VHF. Peter's Sports Cafe are the local source of knowledge for Horta, try web search for their website and email.

 

[geem]

We are advised that from 15th we should be able to go ashore following a Covid19 test. Test results take at least 48 hours. I am sure there will be a waiting list for tests.
You can get fuel at the dock and water anytime.
Peter Cafe Sport are doing an excellent service provisioning boats. Its a free service but we are tipping them every time we use them. Last night they delivered our groceries after midnight!! They are working an incredibly long day keeping everybody fed. They are also delivering take out meals from their restaurant. The steak and chips are to die for after the Atlantic crossing ?
There is a 48hr limit on anchoring. We have been here two weeks as we dont have a weather window to go to Ireland, our next stop. Strong head winds and models that have little agreement, except the strong head wind aspect. Lots of boats here now waiting for weather to return to UK or Scandinavia.
There are 30 boats on the OCC tracker on route from the Caribbean. They are dealing with head winds. I suspect many will arrive here short of fuel. A few boats have come in reporting being on fumes!

 

[nortada]

We are advised that from 15th we should be able to go ashore following a Covid19 test. Test results take at least 48 hours. I am sure there will be a waiting list for tests.
You can get fuel at the dock and water anytime.
Peter Cafe Sport are doing an excellent service provisioning boats. Its a free service but we are tipping them every time we use them. Last night they delivered our groceries after midnight!! They are working an incredibly long day keeping everybody fed. They are also delivering take out meals from their restaurant. The steak and chips are to die for after the Atlantic crossing ?
There is a 48hr limit on anchoring. We have been here two weeks as we dont have a weather window to go to Ireland, our next stop. Strong head winds and models that have little agreement, except the strong head wind aspect. Lots of boats here now waiting for weather to return to UK or Scandinavia.
There are 30 boats on the OCC tracker on route from the Caribbean. They are dealing with head winds. I suspect many will arrive here short of fuel. A few boats have come in reporting being on fumes!

Many thanks for the very useful update.

Wonder how many, if any, are heading to Iberia or the Med.

Whatever, safe sailing and God Speed to all.

 

[geem]

Many thanks for the very useful update.

Wonder how many, if any, are heading to Iberia or the Med.

Whatever, safe sailing and God Speed to all.

When boats clear in they do it on vhf. They give their next port. A small percentage of boats have given Gib as their next stop.
Most going direct to their homeland. Lots of French boats, German, Danish, Brits, Swedes all heading for home

 

[nortada]

When boats clear in they do it on vhf. They give their next port. A small percentage of boats have given Gib as their next stop.
Most going direct to their homeland. Lots of French boats, German, Danish, Brits, Swedes all heading for home

In this increasingly uncertain world not surprised.

 

[geem]

Today the maritime police have been around the boats here with forms for us to fill in with regard to covid 19 tests. From Monday we are supposed to be able to go ashore assuming a negative test result. We are a raft of three British boats. We will be treated as one family and we all go for a test together. Progress of sorts. We have been stuck at anchor here for 18 days with relentless North winds

 

[srm]

We have been stuck at anchor here for 18 days with relentless North winds

Not nice, little shelter, and if its like here cool with rain at times.
Hope they let you ashore soon.

 

[25931]

When boats clear in they do it on vhf. They give their next port. A small percentage of boats have given Gib as their next stop.
Most going direct to their homeland. Lots of French boats, German, Danish, Brits, Swedes all heading for home

I suppose that those going to Gib must be aware of the Spanish situation. I haven't seen any mention of Morocco. I did once tuck into Tangier when I met some nasty weather coming through the Straights.

 

[Graham376]

I suppose that those going to Gib must be aware of the Spanish situation. I haven't seen any mention of Morocco. I did once tuck into Tangier when I met some nasty weather coming through the Straights.

I think I'd rather put up with the weather than the carpet selling pests

 

[capnsensible]

Just heard from a friend of mine who arrived in Horta on Tuesday. Not allowed ashore. In bound from Antigua.
So they victualled via Peter Sport and left yesterday evening for Ramsgate.

 

[geem]

Just heard from a friend of mine who arrived in Horta on Tuesday. Not allowed ashore. In bound from Antigua.
So they victualled via Peter Sport and left yesterday evening for Ramsgate.

A few boats been leaving for the UK but not many. Plenty heading for Europe mainland. From Monday rules change. Covid test, wait 24-72hrs then we get to go ashore. We hope to leave Thursday or Friday for Cork after a visit ashore?

 

[capnsensible]

A few boats been leaving for the UK but not many. Plenty heading for Europe mainland. From Monday rules change. Covid test, wait 24-72hrs then we get to go ashore. We hope to leave Thursday or Friday for Cork after a visit ashore?

My friends final destination is Sweden. Bet not many going there!
Hope you enjoy your run ashore and have a safe trip.

 

[geem]

My friends final destination is Sweden. Bet not many going there!
Hope you enjoy your run ashore and have a safe trip.

There have been quite a few Swedish boats here and surprisingly even more Danish boats. The majority of boats here are French.

 

[nortada]

A good southerly wind for the next few days, a Swedish boat has just left here on route Sweden.

 

[geem]

We have been anchored in Horta harbour for 21 days. Weather bound with North winds for the whole time. Our destination is Cork.
Today the incompetent authorities here start to allow yachts to come in for a covid test. There are only six boats on the list for today. They are picked randomly it would seem. One boat has only been here for a few days but is getting to go for a test today even though many more boats have been here far longer. They dont have kids or medical issues.
There are over 70 boats here now.
To go for a test you have to take your yacht to the end of the harbour. No dinghies allowed in the water.
The information from the authorities is woeful. They tell us nothing.
We left Carriacou in Grenada to come here on our way home to the UK. We realise now how fantastic the Grenada government were during the time we were there. They kept everybody informed, they made sensible decisions and dealt with everybody fairly. Grenada is supposed to be a third world country. The Portuguese have a lot to learn from them.
If you are thinking of coming to Horta, think again. The authorities dont want you here.
A number of frustrated sailors have contacted the Marine Police, the harbour master and the Marina this morning. The response from the Harbour Master was basically if you don’t like it then leave. Raging incompetence and supreme lack of empathy.
It looks like we have a good weather window for Thursday. I think there will be many boats leaving here with a bad taste in their mouths. We wont be rushing back

 

[srm]

Geem,
Sorry to hear about your experiences in Horta. Must admit to never having been there with my own boat, only when paid to (as skipper for a local company). Even in normal times and outside the main migratory season both the marina and the town facilities are just too small and too busy to be very friendly. This is far from typical of the other marinas in the Azores.

Have sent you a PM.

 

[gertha]

There are many ways to cross the Atlantic.
Horta Is not the only port.
In the last three weeks there have been at least 4 oportunities to sail to Cork.
Nothing easy but all doable.
People winge on the forum how there lives are inconvenient,
.A massive amount of the world has sacrificed 3 months pay.
Get real , love up, it is not easy for anyone..

 

[geem]

There are many ways to cross the Atlantic.
Horta Is not the only port.
In the last three weeks there have been at least 4 oportunities to sail to Cork.
Nothing easy but all doable.
People winge on the forum how there lives are inconvenient,
.A massive amount of the world has sacrificed 3 months pay.
Get real , love up, it is not easy for anyone..

Thank you for your constructive and informative post.
Its a 1200nm mile to windward when the wind is blowing from the North. Yes, if we want to bash to windward for a couple of weeks then we could have left. The weather has not been normal for this time of year. Weather models have rarely agreed with one another. Weather is now starting to behave more reasonably so we will be leaving soon.
Please advise which routing software you use to determine that there has been four viable weather windows for Cork? Certainly the crowd of us here comparing notes and Predictwind routing have not spotted your four opportunities but we would all love to be corrected in our mistake.

The purpose of my post was to explain the level of incompetence here in Horta and advice sailors coming this way to go elsewhere. Other Azores harbours are now open to yachts as of yesterday. A far better prospect than Horta. A number of boats have made the decision to move to other islands.