RYA and BF (?) approaching Govt to clarify Boating activities ?

[Graham376]

In essence then if a marina decides to open its doors the English law permits a boat owner to travel to their place of Exercise (Boat) go sailing using good old common sense , to keep social distancing , wash hands no problems ,
One can argue how long can marinas keep closed before the grumbling of boat owners are heard .

Marinas may open but it could still be deemed unnecessary travel for those who live some distance away, just the same as driving out of home area for exercise is.

 

[FlyingGoose]

Marinas may open but it could still be deemed unnecessary travel for those who live some distance away, just the same as driving out of home area for exercise is.

Agreed but the new guidelines do point out you can drive to get your exercise, and no distance added , 10 miles to 100 miles who knows I know lets ask the forum

 

[jordanbasset]

I realise I must have been doing this sailing mullarky wrong all these years, I have never thought it exercise, or atleast not since I got one bigger than 30 feet. Quite turns me off the idea of sailing if it means I have to exercise

 

[ProDave]

You can drive to take exercise as long as the exercise takes longer than the journey.

It takes me half an hour to drive to the harbour, so as long as I sail for more than half an hour that is okay then?

 

[oldharry]

I had the impression most Marinas and Yards closed in response to the requirement of not allowing more than 2 people together. I read several times of yards refusing to launch because it involved more than 2 people

 

[Tintin]

I had the impression most Marinas and Yards closed in response to the requirement of not allowing more than 2 people together. I read several times of yards refusing to launch because it involved more than 2 people

Not sure there is such a requirement - 2m distancing - I may be wrong, in which case loads of places are breaching this.

 

[grandpaboat]

I realise I must have been doing this sailing mullarky wrong all these years, I have never thought it exercise, or atleast not since I got one bigger than 30 feet. Quite turns me off the idea of sailing if it means I have to exercise

My father was advised by his doctor many year's ago to take up sailing, as it was a sport he he could sit down at!

 

[Mister E]

Correcting thread drift, I wrote to RYA on behalf of my SC seeking advice for members worried about not being able to get to their boats to check them, their reply (which I have Stuart's permission to reproduce) on April 2nd as follows:

The RYA fully supports the measures that the Government has put in place to tackle the spread of the virus and we have produced guidance on our website for members in response to the enquiries we have been receiving about recreational boating in the UK during the crisis. This has been recently updated to reflect the Prime Minister's statement made on 23rd march and the Health Protection(Coronavirus Restrictions) Regulations 2020 that were enacted last week.
However, we are also acutely aware that the Government decision to close marinas in line with caravan parks, as part of the measures being taken to tackle the spread of the coronavirus is of considerable concern to boaters and their inability to access their boats and protect their assets. We full understand concerns about boat security, maintenance and the impact on insurance cover, all of which are creating anxiety and stress for boat owners.
Therefore, we have written to Government about the impact of its decision and to make the case that the opportunity to spend time on their boat and possibly do some simple maintenance or cleaning would greatly enhance their wellbeing and provide peace of mind in respect of the issues that I mention above. I am sure that you will be aware of the comments made last week by Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove regarding the acceptability of people visiting their allotments. We take the view that spending time on an allotment is exactly the same as spending time on a moored boat and we have asked Government to provide clarification on parity with a visit to an allotment.
Regards
Stuart Carruthers
RYA Cruising Manager

Sir you are such a sensible gem. It is refreshing to read of somebody doing something useful.

The only thing that I think the RYA missed was checking that boats are safe on their mooring, to avoid boats breaking away with all the problems dealing with that danger.
Especially the boats not in Marinas that are possibly being checked by staff.

 

[steveeasy]

I had the impression most Marinas and Yards closed in response to the requirement of not allowing more than 2 people together. I read several times of yards refusing to launch because it involved more than 2 people

That is not the case. In the work place all businesses need to do is to adhear to social distancing measures. 2 mtrs apart where possible. In terms of going out though, people should not be in groups of more than two, unless they are from the same household.


Steveeasy

 

[st599]

Not sure there is such a requirement - 2m distancing - I may be wrong, in which case loads of places are breaching this.

There is:

During the emergency period, no person may participate in a gathering in a public place of more than two people except—
(a)where all the persons in the gathering are members of the same household,
(b)where the gathering is essential for work purposes,
(c)to attend a funeral,
(d)where reasonably necessary—
(i)to facilitate a house move,
(ii)to provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person, including relevant personal care within the meaning of paragraph 7(3B) of Schedule 4 to the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Groups Act 2006,
(iii)to provide emergency assistance, or
(iv)to participate in legal proceedings or fulfil a legal obligation.

 

[Airscrew]

Like many, I have a shaft drive and stuffing box, which drips by design. I think the longest I've left it unchecked is 6 weeks, which is about 2 litres. If I leave it too long it will be getting into the saloon bilges, and then into the sole.

I would suggest the RYA tackle this with a maintenance / safety approach.

fyi
- a week ago the CAA argued and gained special dispensation for private pilots to go to, and fly their aircraft on a regular basis on the grounds of maintenance and safety.

 

[oldharry]

Emsworth Yacht harbour seem to have it about right, from their nwebsite:

"
The main guidance is as follows:

Leisure moorings are a non-essential service, boat owners should follow the directive to stay at home and therefore boat owners should not visit the marina or use their boats.

Where individuals are staying on their boats, they should return to their primary residence where this is possible. If not they can remain provided they follow government guidance and maintain social distancing.

Boatyard services may continue only if these services can be conducted safely and without requiring customers to leave their homes. Services can therefore go ahead if it is deemed safe to do so after risk assessments and provided correct safety measures are implemented and no customers are present.

Tenant services can continue on the same basis i.e. if the services can be conducted safely, subject to risk assessments, safety measures and provided no customers are present.

Fuel provision only if required to supply essential commercial activities and subject to risk assessments.

Where any services are offered they all have to be subject to ongoing risk assessments and the maintenance of social distancing.

Following on from this, James is carrying out risk assessments in regard to boat movements and it may be that we are able to carry out a limited yard programme next week. We have a tricky site because of the footpaths and consequent open access to the public and boat movements will only go ahead if we are confident that the risk is manageable and the staff are willing and able to operate. Should we go ahead, only boats that are ready to be moved will be included and James will contact individual owners directly. No customers will be allowed to be present for the moving of their boats. It is of course entirely possible that the situation and/or the advice may change again in the coming days.and we will react appropriately.

The marina office remains closed but office administration is being carried out from home and we will be contactable by phone and by email. The office phone is being forwarded to Alison (if you don’t get me immediately please be patient as I may be out for a walk, taking my one prescribed piece of exercise per day!). Please use email in the first instance if you can. Customers can access our online portals to make payments and we can also accept payments over the phone.

If you want something checked on your boat or indeed a photo to show that all is well, please contact us and one of the yard staff should be able to sort this for you.

Once again we apologise for the restrictions. Clearly this is not how anyone would like the season to be going. Our continued priority is keeping our staff and our wider community safe – thank you for all the messages of support, these are very much appreciated."

TBH I think RYA's first attempt at this is bound to fail. How many have allotments 100+ miles from home? The CAA seem to have taken amore realistic line. Boats DO need regular checking and maintenance afloat or ashore, in some cases more so than light aircraft. How about RYA Members writing to Stuart C at RYA and MPs to point this out? RYA does carry quite a lot of clout where it matters in Whitehall. Our boats are often the second most expensive thing we buy, after housing.

 

[JumbleDuck]

How far do you allow someone to travel to check on their boats then? Is it ok to travel from a high Covid are to a low to zero infection area?
I would like everyone to stay away from here until it is safe FOR US for you to return...then you will most certainly be welcome.

As a fellow resident of a rural area I sympathise, but it will get to you/us eventually if it isn't there already. All you/we can do is hope for a bit of a delay.

 

[JumbleDuck]

A very childish comment.

Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings ...

 

[wully1]

As a fellow resident of a rural area I sympathise, but it will get to you/us eventually if it isn't there already. All you/we can do is hope for a bit of a delay.

Delay is good...
it isn’t here yet and I don’t want to get it from someone driving across the country to play with their toys. I also don’t want to not be able to go to the funeral of friends and neighbours who got it because someone wanted to play with their toys.
There has already been some selfish twat up here working on his boat engine having driven well over 100 miles.

 

[chrisharris]

Delay is good...
it isn’t here yet and I don’t want to get it from someone driving across the country to play with their toys. I also don’t want to not be able to go to the funeral of friends and neighbours who got it because someone wanted to play with their toys.
There has already been some selfish twat up here working on his boat engine having driven well over 100 miles.

Unfortunately I suspect the economic impacts will necessitate a partial release of lockdown in a couple of weeks time, and more shops etc are looking to reopen sooner than that. Suggestion is that schools may start to reopen early June. I suspect the movement of people to maintain or use boats (if proper social distancing and some common sense is applied) will be a minor element compared to the rest. Obviously if you live in a really distant spot the above may not be so true...

 

[grandpaboat]

Post deleted after reading Wully 1 s post again.

 

[grandpaboat]

Post deleted.