Looking to Liveaboard - what were the rules earlier in year for Lockdown

[Marceline]

Hi everyone

We're novices and looking to buy a boat soon to liveaboard, and hoping to find moarings down on the South coast (we were hoping for Eastbourne or Brighton Marinas but would consider others if these were not possible)

Obvs things are getting more worrying again re: the rises in covid and possible further tightening of lockdown restrictions, so we're worried by the time we've got our boat if back in full lockdown again would we even be able to live aboard her ?

We also wanted to ask, for those who lived aboard during those very severe lockdown weeks, what were the rules?

Many thanks for any information

 

[Trident]

Most marinas do not allow liveaboards full time but many fly under the radar

There are no specific rules unless on a legal residential mooring and as far as Covid each marina interpreted the law their on way - like most people did

We were living aboard waiting to set off on a round the world and had gone from our home marina to another to haul out for new engines. We were allowed to stay aboard as were those living aboard there, the staff kept a skeleton crew on to ensure everyone was ok and they even opened the laundry for free so washing could be done without people needing to see staff of tokens etc

The marina rules were no visitors and no berth holders visiting their own boats, in line with the government recommendations so a dozen or so of us had the place to ourselves and no rules were really needed as everyone was sensible

Our usual marina which we had left to haul out simply closed up show and left no staff on site so people did end up with no electricity etc but again no one who was living there was asked to leave their boat.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Can't answer for the UK but in the EU rules differ greatly not only from country to country but also region , we was allowed to visit the town and not bothered a marina 50 miles away people where stop regularly and ask where they where going by police .
Some how it may slightly differ this winter as lessons been learn but we expect lockdown to happen again .
Not sure if this is the right time to start a liveable life , but then is there a right time .

 

[ashtead]

Have a look in Gosport as friendly staff at Haslar and shops such as Asda and Aldi in walking distance plus a good Morrison’s etc. Boat life for scrubbing and nearby boat yard. We’re not a lveaboard but live seems to have continued much the same during lock down for those who are. Parking on site plus catch green ferry across to Portsmouth and southsea for delights on offer at Gunwharf and ferries to iow .

 

[Marceline]

Thanks very much for the replies and info - very handy and really appreciated

 

[Lucy52]

You can cross Eastbourne off your list for any long term live aboard as it is not encouraged and residents in the surrounding estate will complain. In the short term you might get away with it but would not be secure. Newhaven Marina say they will evict you but above the swing bridge I believe you can but will be in the mud. Down the road in Brighton the tale is quite different.

Where I am now on the East Coast, if you were already a full time resident at the start of lock down you would not be evicted, that was a government rule. If you were not full time in the beginning then you were not allowed to stay overnight.

We were allowed in to work on our boats but not to stay overnight. The showers were only open to liveaboards, they got to have a key. The toilets were open, the club house was shut and still is. Everyone goes out to the pub.

We have been told that we now must have a working toilet and shower on board if we wish to live aboard. i believe with the intention of closing the shore side facilities in the event of a lock down, saving on the twice daily deep clean.

As a rule marinas do not officially allow liveaboards, a few do and some residents register with the local authority. There may be an additional fee for this.

 

[atol]

you could continue to livaboard if it was your official residence,otherwise boats were treated like second homes with no overnight stays allowed

 

[Marceline]

Thanks ever so much - extremely useful information (and especially that about Eastbourne Lucy - that's a huge help thanks)