Marinas in Scotland, will they open when travel restrictions are lifted on the 3rd July?

[Ian_Edwards]

I've contacted Tobermory this morning, they are waiting for guidance.
I've emailed RYA Scotland with the same question, no reply.
If I can travel, I can't see any reason that I can't stay on my boat, especially with the family or singlehanded. It's no different to staying at home.

Anyone out there got a clue as to what's "allowed", from the 3rd July?

 

[JumbleDuck]

I've contacted Tobermory this morning, they are waiting for guidance.
I've emailed RYA Scotland with the same question, no reply.
If I can travel, I can't see any reason that I can't stay on my boat, especially with the family or singlehanded. It's no different to staying at home.

Anyone out there got a clue as to what's "allowed", from the 3rd July?

Port Bannatyne is re-opening on 15th.

 

[sigimae]

Email from Troon Yacht Haven to all bertholders yesterday:


Safe Boating
Easing our way out of lockdown
24th June 2020

Dear Berth Holders,

Today, the Scottish Government announced further plans to ease many of the current lockdown measures.

From Friday 3rd July, travel restrictions will be removed allowing all berth holders to come to the marina and go boating, regardless of where they live.

Furthermore, from Friday 3rd July you will be able to stay in self-contained accommodation which, as far as we understand, includes staying overnight on your boat in the Yacht Haven.

You can read more about the new easing measures and plans for Phase 3 on the Scottish Government website.

The present restrictions remain in place until next week.

The prospect of getting out on the water and spending a night afloat with our friends and family is of huge relief following months of patience. We must all continue to play within the rules, remembering that Scotland's social distancing guidelines will remain at 2m. Nonetheless, we hope boating will bring you plenty of joy and relief as we enter the summer.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

On the 3rd of July guest houses etc can open if they meet criteria for managing risks. There is a view that many communities have significant concern over the numbers of people arriving.
I think soon is the answer.

 

[KAM]

The worry is we all go off sailing then get locked down again and can't get back to our home port for the winter. The Scottish government has been pretty uncompromising for outdoor sports so far. It must be a real concern.

 

[ProDave]

The worry is we all go off sailing then get locked down again and can't get back to our home port for the winter. The Scottish government has been pretty uncompromising for outdoor sports so far. It must be a real concern.

I doubt we will get stuck away from home, but one of the things we did consider before (slipway) launching is what if there was a second wave that prevents crane out?

In our case it would not hurt to stay in over winter, the harbour is well sheltered, or we could recover from the slipway. Had we been on a mooring that might be very exposed in a storm I am not entirely sure we would have come to the same conclusion. Though as it happens because not all boats chose to crane in, there is still space in our sheltered harbour so I guess anyone stuck on a mooring and not able to crane out could come into the harbour for winter.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Update: Port Bannatyne marina rang me today to say that after the lastest announcement about relaxations they are back to normal-ish, along with the ferries - from next Thursday, 2nd July.

 

[dunedin]

I've contacted Tobermory this morning, they are waiting for guidance.
I've emailed RYA Scotland with the same question, no reply.
If I can travel, I can't see any reason that I can't stay on my boat, especially with the family or singlehanded. It's no different to staying at home.

Anyone out there got a clue as to what's "allowed", from the 3rd July?

I think RYA Scotland have stated that the First Minister’s announcements re 5 mile rule and self catering from 3rd July was unexpected (having failed to be included in the main Phase 2 announcements) - hence they are busily updating their guidelines in the light of this good news.
I am assuming Ok for staying on board from then, but there was a reference to only where there are no shared facilities, so perhaps marina toilet blocks and showers may need to be closed? We use on board facilities anyway.
Also unclear is whether this means islands can be visited also - assuming yes, but need to see detail.

 

[Skylark]

I also have received an email from my marina saying that travel from anywhere is now (3rdJuly)
permitted and overnight stays on board, in the marina, are ok too. Marina facilities, loo, showers, remain closed.

My boat is on the hard and I’ve tried looking for a hotel in Greenock but my usual haunts show “full”.

Hopefully, there will be joined-up guidance shortly, no criticism implied. Much as I’d like to get to my boat, I’m in no rush and resigned to this season being a write off.

 

[Sandy]

The worry is we all go off sailing then get locked down again and can't get back to our home port for the winter. The Scottish government has been pretty uncompromising for outdoor sports so far. It must be a real concern.

Had friends in the Caribbean when it locked down they got back the the UK five weeks later; you will be fine.

 

[seafox67]

I also have received an email from my marina saying that travel from anywhere is now (3rdJuly)
permitted and overnight stays on board, in the marina, are ok too. Marina facilities, loo, showers, remain closed.

My boat is on the hard and I’ve tried looking for a hotel in Greenock but my usual haunts show “full”.

Hopefully, there will be joined-up guidance shortly, no criticism implied. Much as I’d like to get to my boat, I’m in no rush and resigned to this season being a write off.

Is your boat in JWD? The toilets in Aldi (Greenock) are definitely open, I sent my grandson in there the other day! lol... I'm sure Morrisons and Tesco also have their toilets open.

 

[awol]

Is your boat in JWD? The toilets in Aldi (Greenock) are definitely open, I sent my grandson in there the other day! lol... I'm sure Morrisons and Tesco also have their toilets open.

I've escaped the clutches of JWD but the disabled toilet was open on a one-out/one-in basis before I left. For a shower just wait till Sunday when all the water you need will be falling.

 

[Skylark]

Is your boat in JWD? The toilets in Aldi (Greenock) are definitely open, I sent my grandson in there the other day! lol... I'm sure Morrisons and Tesco also have their toilets open.

Yes. As a man of a certain age, even 7 years after having a TURP, there’s no chance of my getting to a supermarket from the yard when the need arises. ?

 

[Bilgediver]

The one house hold per boat rule might get forgotten in all this relaxation. Nothing to do with one or two meter rules

 

[cherod]

Getting back to “ normal “

 

[Minchsailor]

Getting back to “ normal “

Don't make me envious - the earliest i can be back in the water is abut 20th July.

 

[Ian_Edwards]

I got the following email from Tobermory this morning:

Tobermory Harbour will be accepting visiting marine craft with effect from 3rd July per the latest Scottish Government guidelines

HOWEVER

• Washroom/toilet/shower facilities are not open at this time until clear guidelines are received so boats will need to be self-contained for now. Even as guidelines are issued it will take time to implement changes but will make these available as soon as we are able.
• Pontoon spaces are being limited to facilitate social distancing
• The full Visitor Mooring facility is not being put in place this year so limited spaces there too
• The facilities in town are also not as they would be in other years. We hope to have a town guide prepared to give visitors on arrival to help you find what you need.

SO

Please contact Marine staff (again limited numbers of staff this year) on VHF68 or on the duty mobile 07917 832497 before you come in so that you can check for availability.

You can of course anchor over at Aros Bay but again we would ask that you advise Marine staff of your intentions

We look forward to seeing visitors but ask that you bear with us as we adjust to the ever changing guidelines.
A fresh Notice to Mariners and guidance will be posted on the website in the coming days.

The priority of Tobermory Harbour is to keep our staff, our visitors and our community safe and every effort is being made to do so in these very difficult times.

Followed by this;

Further to my last e:mail

Things are changing by the hour …..we had been working hard to get ready for the 15th July and the change to 3rd had thrown us.

We will be putting something on the website so keep an eye on it.

Availability is going to be very limited so we will probably operate a firm book in advance system. Again we are working on the feasibility of that but thought as you had enquired that I would give you a heads up to watch for that.

And from the RYA;

Good afternoon Ian
We are currently reviewing the most recent announcements in order to update our own guidance for clubs and training centres as well as the wider boating public.
The lifting of the ravel restriction will inevitably allow more people to travel for all manner of reasons and the actual impact on / for marinas and harbours is hard to judge.
Clearly marinas are already open now and have been receiving customers who have been fortunate enough to live locally. The travel restriction lifting means they will be busier and there will be consequently greater pressure on their facilities which we know are already limited in order to comply with Covid Secure practices and cleaning regimes.

The same may well be true for harbours and it is also possible that Harbour Authorities might have imposed local restrictions, which they are legally entitled to do, for example Canna Harbour remains closed to all traffic at this time.

It will be for individuals skippers to research and comply with localised restrictions where these remain in place.

I read that as a slow opening up.
From my personal point of view, I don't spend very much time in marinas, preferring the more out of the way places. However, I do need to call to top-up with fresh water and visit the local shops for fresh fruit and vegetables, perhaps every 10 to 14 days, so it looks like that is viable in many places.

 

[cherod]

You got to have a wee giggle at that RYA So officially guoting the obvious in such an important manner , do they have anything original or helpfull to add ? Not yet