Is 35 miles to far to drive to do antifouling with the lockdown

[Baddox]

The guidelines have been clear enough that “boating” was explicitly allowed. We’ve been sailing this year as our boat is close by, and have a lift-out planned for antfouling and other work this month. I interpret that the work is allowable under the recreation legislation. The minimise travel distance is ambiguous, but following the Scottish 5 mile rule or the original, don’t travel outside your local area which has gone into level 4 lockdown seems a good place to start the interpretation.

 

[TheMerryFisher]

As mentioned by others, there is no clear definition of the term "local". With the exception of food, I believe to be classed as local it must be reared within 100 miles.

As this Yorkshire police ACC states, travel where you want "Yorkshire police boss says 'travel where you want for exercise'"

 

[dom]

Apols for the thread drift, but how many on here are planning to retrain as lawyers when the pandemic passes? For it seems the forum is awash with hidden legal talent !

......And I put it to the court, ramble, ramble, that the distinction between suits ordinarily brought by states to maximise the collective welfare of their citizens and suits to protect the private interests of individual yotties is not easily drawn in the context of poorly drafted pandemic legislation ......drone, drone.

What about luff tension?

 

[Achosenman]

Apols for the thread drift, but how many on here are planning to retrain as lawyers when the pandemic passes? For it seems the forum is awash with hidden legal talent !

......And I put it to the court, ramble, ramble, that the distinction between suits ordinarily brought by states to maximise the collective welfare of their citizens and suits to protect the private interests of individual yotties is not easily drawn in the context of poorly drafted pandemic legislation ......drone, drone.

What about luff tension?

So perhaps you should chastise those who drafted the poor legislation instead of those with an ability to read and understand it. ??

 

[RJJ]

A lot of people have been jn this position , not just us yachties but owners of proprty some way from base. Are we required to let our assets hang out in the wind or can we secure ouf interests. I think we can and there is nothing from the government that prohibits such supervision.

At the other end of the scale there's nipping out in the boat to shake out the sails. Not in the spirit of things really. Prepping the boat prior to the launch - is that one end or the other? If challenged it's marginal, but if there's no contact with others it's not damaging, surely?

PWG

To me it's always been obviously reasonable to go to the boat e.g., to check the lines and fenders, make sure the sprayhood's intact and not causing damage, get rid of the worst of the seagull poo etc. Protecting our assets against risk of damage that can extend to thousands. For me, that's a 90-minute drive each way and I've now done it twice. If there was somebody else e.g., a marina to do such basic tasks, I'd happily pay them the petrol money to do it for me....but there isn't.

"work" to get the boat ready....not so sure....but often it's attached to time pressures like relaunch dates, breaking which can have financially significant consequences. In those circumstances I would say it's reasonable, but it's just my opinion. If it's just so your boat can be ready to go sailing in March not April, I am less sure it's "reasonable".

Going sailing? less clear again, unless you happen to live locally. But if you're down there anyway having been doing para. 1 then why not?

 

[dom]

So perhaps you should chastise those who drafted the poor legislation instead of those with an ability to read and understand it. ??

Ain't my job to chastise nobody

 

[Stemar]

Well, I'm off shortly to survey and do a temporary repair on my mooring. If PC Shineyboots objects because it isn't essential maintenance, I'll present a piece of badly worn chain - down to half or less than its original diameter - in evidence.

I'd far rather leave it until the guy who normally does it get around to it, but there are gales forecast.

 

[ip485]

Apols for the thread drift, but how many on here are planning to retrain as lawyers when the pandemic passes? For it seems the forum is awash with hidden legal talent !

......And I put it to the court, ramble, ramble, that the distinction between suits ordinarily brought by states to maximise the collective welfare of their citizens and suits to protect the private interests of individual yotties is not easily drawn in the context of poorly drafted pandemic legislation ......drone, drone.

What about luff tension?

I suspect whenever this sort of stuff comes up and it effects lots of people of course there are many that like to write the narrative to satisfy their own view of righht and wrong. Dont let legislation get in the way of a good case and all this sort of thing.

I also suspect the legislation wasnt porrly drafted! the intention was always to give those who understood the legisaltion considerable flexibility, while hoping that most would abide by the rules, and not think beyond doing what was demanded of them. Good army discipline and all that old boy, when I say move, move, you dont ask any questions.

 

[Stemar]

I also suspect the legislation wasnt porrly drafted! the intention was always to give those who understood the legisaltion considerable flexibility, while hoping that most would abide by the rules, and not think beyond doing what was demanded of them. Good army discipline and all that old boy, when I say move, move, you dont ask any questions.

I rather think you're giving too much credit to our beloved leaders. It is possible that some very clever civil servants are deliberately drafting unclear legislation with intent, but generally, anything that's done in a hurry is done badly.

As for don't ask questions, my opinion is that it's our duty to question government's actions, or they'll to even more to help their cronies, whether they be the wealthy or the unions, and less for everyone else than they do now. The right to question is a more civilised version of the US right to bear arms, which was originally an implied right to sort out a future government that's getting out of hand.

 

[dom]

As for don't ask questions, my opinion is that it's our duty to question government's actions, or they'll to even more to help their cronies, whether they be the wealthy or the unions, and less for everyone else than they do now. The right to question is a more civilised version of the US right to bear arms, which was originally an implied right to sort out a future government that's getting out of hand.

Hard to disagree with any of that

 

[Caraway]

But ever since Heydon’s Case in 1584 a regulation such as this should be interpreted by the ‘Mischief Rule’ - what was the mischief the statute was seeking to remedy or guard against? On that basis, the ‘mischief’ is the spread of Covid. How can someone working on his boat, in the open, by himself, further the spread of Covid?
And as one of my law lecturers many, many years ago once said, ‘lawyers deal in legal or illegal. For right or wrong, you want a priest’

I will avoid the obvious and merely say you are looking at it from a purely legal viewpoint.
The 'rules' are about encouraging people to be vigilant and avoid the chance of interaction which leads to the spread of the virus. They are to encourage society to act in a societal manner rather than considering the individuals'rights and 'freedoms'.
Either you get that or you look for ways to avoid the rules for your own gratification.

 

[Caraway]

No, to be fair if you read my posts I specifically said the rules may well be sensible.

I have merely observed what it has been claimed the legislation says, is not so, and the rules are not legislation

Splitting hairs. We are supposed to be a society with the demands that we protect the society as a whole, by following te rules.

 

[Caraway]

Have I missed something about this March 8th recreation revision? I thought we were always allowed to sail as it was a form of exercise? I’ve seen plenty of boats going up and down the Hamble river during lockdown and even the harbourmaster said that was ok in his post Jan 4th lockdown update

Rowing is exercise. Sitting in a cockpit occasionally tugging a rope or twiddling a wheel is not. It makes my bum sore and juggers my back.

 

[ip485]

I rather think you're giving too much credit to our beloved leaders. It is possible that some very clever civil servants are deliberately drafting unclear legislation with intent, but generally, anything that's done in a hurry is done badly.

As for don't ask questions, my opinion is that it's our duty to question government's actions, or they'll to even more to help their cronies, whether they be the wealthy or the unions, and less for everyone else than they do now. The right to question is a more civilised version of the US right to bear arms, which was originally an implied right to sort out a future government that's getting out of hand.

Maybe, however as you observe it is the civil servants that draft this stuff. I wouldnt have thought the latest incarnation was done in a hurry. They had time and it is a very short piece of legislation with already too much chat about it and too many "cases" in the public domain.

No disagreement from me as to question asking, I was merely observing that most people dont, and assume that if they are being given rules to follow then the must follow them.

Splitting hairs. We are supposed to be a society with the demands that we protect the society as a whole, by following te rules.

To be fair to me, I did and do agree with you.

I would observe that rules can be very good and protecting us all, but inevitably they also tend to be quite "course". In other words it is difficult to encompass every "good reason".

I would argue it is far more important we understand the fundamental premise of the rules. In this case avoid all interaction with other people - period. I would argue that driving to your boat, meeting and talking to no one (entirely possible and realistic) and going about your business is fully within the spirit of the rules. Going to your boat, inviting a few others on board that happen to be on the same pontoon, or meeting up with some mates under the boat with brushes in hand, is completely contrary to the spirit - and indeed plain stupid.

 

[jonrarit]

Forget the rules, regulations, guidance whatever you want to call it....common sense must prevail.

The OP wants to drive to his boat, work on it and return home. With no interaction with anyone, he poses no threat whatsoever to the spread of C19 and can easily mitigate to the same end if ever challenged be it to a policeman or a judge.

If the OP's "common sense" says otherwise then of course he shouldn't go...it's his decision...not the government, not the RYA, not the port authority not the marina and not the RNLI... just his alone.

 

[DJE]

Rowing is exercise. Sitting in a cockpit occasionally tugging a rope or twiddling a wheel is not. It makes my bum sore and juggers my back.

But it is recreation which is now permitted . COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021 (Summary)

Changes on 8 March
Education
In Step 1, our priority is to ensure that all children and students return safely to face-to-face education in schools and colleges from 8 March. Childcare and children’s supervised activities can also resume where necessary to enable parents to work or engage in similar activities. We are introducing twice-weekly rapid testing for secondary and college pupils - in addition to regular testing for all teachers - to reduce the chance of the virus spreading in schools.

Higher Education students at English universities on practical courses can also return from 8 March.

Social contact
People will be allowed to leave home for recreation and exercise outdoors with their household or support bubble, if they are eligible for one, or with one person from outside their household. Care home residents will also be allowed one regular visitor.

 

[pvb]

I drove 50 miles to visit my boat today. It was a pleasant drive, with little traffic. The weather was mild. There were quite a lot of people at the marina. I drove 50 miles back home. I honestly don't think that's a problem for anyone.

 

[johnalison]

I drove 50 miles to visit my boat today. It was a pleasant drive, with little traffic. The weather was mild. There were quite a lot of people at the marina. I drove 50 miles back home. I honestly don't think that's a problem for anyone.

I haven’t been to my boat since early December, though I would dearly like to. I have taken the view that the half-hour drive is outside the directive to stay at home, though I drove further to a dental appointment yesterday. The trouble is that yachting is unusual as an activity in that many of us need to travel for an hour or so regularly without actually being involved in anything that could be called exercise, and thus not covered clearly in the regulations. My plan is to relax a bit more this month and maybe visit the boat once or twice for essential care and leave fitting out until April at least. I drove about two miles for a walk today, and that is clearly permitted. Would like to have drive half an hour either to the boat or a wildlife site, but it is very hard to see what the rules actually are. All I can see refers to whether or not one can meet people.

 

[pvb]

Would like to have drive half an hour either to the boat or a wildlife site, but it is very hard to see what the rules actually are. All I can see refers to whether or not one can meet people.

There's no specific rule, so just be sensible.

 

[steveeasy]

A senior police officer was on Look North last week and specifically stated local did not come in to it. If you have a reasonable justification to travel and that can be from lands end to Newcastle you can drive that far. if you just wanted to walk on the beach that is a reasonable justification.

The legislation is a shambles. Marinas should not be closed, cos they have never been told to close , if they were it was at their own discretion. why they were not told to close is beyond me. Of course common sense should prevail and with that Ive not been anywhere, but its a mess. I asked my yard if its open or closed. apparently I can go from today, but only at the weekend now. Lucky me.

Steveesy