Covid: Temporarily anchoring in Spain while on passage to UK?

[Tim Good]

Hello. We're on passage from the Azores to the UK and had to take a route via Galicia due to the weather. We want to stop and anchor and remain on board for 2-3 days while a window opens to cross Biscay next week.

Does anyone know the formalities of doing this? I understand there is a maritime law that allows it? Just before we set off a week ago it wasnt an issue but as we left new quarentine rules were brought in for Spain and we clearly want to avoid going ashore.

Many thanks!

 

[RivalRedwing]

Maybe not perfect but can you stop in Portugal instead?

 

[Tim Good]

Maybe not perfect but can you stop in Portugal instead?

No its way too far South to make for a reasonable Biscay departure point.

 

[HissyFit]

Reading the RYA website, the Azores are in Schengen, as are Spain. In theory, you shouldn't have to check in in Spain. I could be reading it all wrong, so:-

RYA: Customs & Immigrations

 

[Birdseye]

Hello. We're on passage from the Azores to the UK and had to take a route via Galicia due to the weather. We want to stop and anchor and remain on board for 2-3 days while a window opens to cross Biscay next week.

Does anyone know the formalities of doing this? I understand there is a maritime law that allows it? Just before we set off a week ago it wasnt an issue but as we left new quarentine rules were brought in for Spain and we clearly want to avoid going ashore.

Many thanks!

Yes. Chose an anchorage where no one can see you. And dont mention it to anyone when you get back to the UK.

 

[Tim Good]

Yes. Chose an anchorage where no one can see you. And dont mention it to anyone when you get back to the UK.

Done just that Haven’t gone ashore.

 

[HissyFit]

How long was your passage from the Azores? By the time you get back you should satisfy the requirements of quarantine anyway, if everyone is sensible about it.
BTW, how are you connecting to the internet? 4G ashore?

 

[White Angel]

In case you missed it, you might like to be aware France is now on the quarantine list. So in theory if you go ashore there you should quarantine in France on arrival, then quarantine in the uk on arrival. But there’s lots of places to anchor in France if your food and water allow

You might be nterested to know that when I returned from France to the UK in early August, before France was on the bad list. I discovered that Sutton Harbour in Plymouth required pre booking for visitors, and also a copy of the uk government online form that all arrivals are now supposed to complete. But I didn’t find all marinas asked for it, though all seemed to want pre booking.

Good luck

 

[Tim Good]

How long was your passage from the Azores? By the time you get back you should satisfy the requirements of quarantine anyway, if everyone is sensible about it.
BTW, how are you connecting to the internet? 4G ashore?

Yes my phone. At anchor. Portugal and azores aren’t on the quarantine list anyway. Then question was about how to avoid checking into Spanish territory whilst passing through. We’re not planning to go shore.

Anyway it is fine as we’re in Galicia at anchor and no one is coming to check who or where we’ve come from.

 

[GHA]

Fair winds across biscay ☀?

 

[[163233]]

I very much doubt that the UK would know you'd entered Spain unless you told them anyway. The quarantine doesn't appear to be enforced.

If you anchor there then you have been in their country, as I recall there's something about enclosed parts of the coast, but I think most would claim 12 miles as being inside. It's worth noting that Portugal nominally insists on permission being requested before anchoring, although I have to confess that I didn't and suffered no repercussions.

 

[Tim Good]

Fair winds across biscay ☀?

Thanks. Hoping for a departure tomorrow morning.

 

[GHA]

Thanks. Hoping for a departure tomorrow morning.

Think that's you on marine traffic heading towards Cedeira? Lost reception for half hour but hope you've left that French boat in your wake.
Anyone else feel a bit like a stalker on marine traffic.....

 

[Tim Good]

Think that's you on marine traffic heading towards Cedeira? Lost reception for half hour but hope you've left that French boat in your wake.
Anyone else feel a bit like a stalker on marine traffic.....

Haha we let him go ahead around an area of reefs. We figure we may as well let him be the sounding board and follow in 500m astern haha

 

[Tim Good]

Fair winds across biscay ☀?

Just passing Ushant now! Excellent crossing with a short spell of F7 half way but not a problem and wasn’t sustained long enough to build any major sea. 3m swell from the big low came through but not issues at the continent shelf. Averaged over 6.5kts up to here!

Gonna go to the Isle of Scilly as we figure it’ll be less busy than Cornwall for the bank holiday weekend! It’s gonna be a nice rest after 2500nm in the last 5 weeks from the Canaries!

 

[GHA]

Just passing Ushant now! Excellent crossing with a short spell of F7 half way but not a problem and wasn’t sustained long enough to build any major sea. 3m swell from the big low came through but not issues at the continent shelf. Averaged over 6.5kts up to here!

Gonna go to the Isle of Scilly as we figure it’ll be less busy than Cornwall for the bank holiday weekend! It’s gonna be a nice rest after 2500nm in the last 5 weeks from the Canaries!

YAY!! Nice to have some exciting good news for a change. I had a couple of glances at marine traffic but no sat ais targets which looked like you. F7 just a good stiff sail fast breeze on your boat

Safe passage up to Scillies

 

[Tim Good]

Thanks! Should have a good stiff breeze tomorrow also on approach!

Shame about the ais I always thought we’d show up as satellite location when off shore.

Big pod of dolphins playing around us at the moment!

 

[GHA]

Didn't look much for sat ais so you might well have been there.

Ah, anyone who sees dolphins on passage and doesn't *every time* have a quiet YAY moment should just pack it in and get a caravan I reckon

 

[GHA]

Made it then

 

[capnsensible]

Didn't look much for sat ais so you might well have been there.

Ah, anyone who sees dolphins on passage and doesn't *every time* have a quiet YAY moment should just pack it in and get a caravan I reckon

Whale meat again....?