Sailing allowed in lockdown

[capnsensible]

I use up more calories doing most maintenance than I do for sailing, so my primary goal for maintenance for me now is exercise.

? I've been sailing other people's boats more than my own recently........maintenance has become easy for me! On my own boat, I just pop the engine on and sit in the saloon doing Spanish lessons on duolingo.......

However, from recent sailing, we recently nipped over to Mogan to stretch the keel a bit. This now goes back to covid stuff. Just after we got back, had a very nicely written email from the marina. Some crew on a boat on the same pontoon that we docked on had tested positive. We didn't see them or have any contact, so we are good, but I thought it was a nice touch from the marina to let us know.

 

[Lightwave395]

Plenty of yachts out sailing in the Solent today

 

[Graham_Wright]

…………and if your boat is in Wales which opens up Monday morning? How far are you allowed to travel to access it?

 

[Wakatere]

Plenty of yachts out sailing in the Solent today

Including me, briefly. Rather too exciting (a bit wimpy today).
All under the gaze of QHM, who has not yet objected.

 

[Gary Fox]

Sailing, kayaking etc are now allowed as exercise, (and possibly recreation, in fine conditions!)
Good news, of which we will take advantage.

One thing niggles though: During the last 'lock down', the idea of even locally sailing a dinghy or yacht was harshly condemned as unacceptably selfish, as there was a (small) chance of the RNLI getting a shout, thus putting the volunteer crew at risk of catching a china-virus. That seemed fair enough.

What has changed? Has the batflu magically mutated to be more tolerant of sailing? I, for one, will be taking extra care to avoid risk of course; I'm puzzled that it was wrong then, but is right now.

 

[WF36]

Sailing, kayaking etc are now allowed as exercise, (and possibly recreation, in fine conditions!)
Good news, of which we will take advantage.

Do you have a link? Thanks.

 

[Gary Fox]

Do you have a link? Thanks.

Post number 17 gives an encouraging link. The flailing Byzantine, or even Kafka-esque, contradictions spouting from various different agencies however do not inspire confidence!

 

[Lucky Duck]

Do you have a link? Thanks.

Some of us were out yesterday - fortune favours the bold!

 

[Lucky Duck]

Statement just reissued (1046 on 6/11/20):

What the Marine Industry should know as England starts a second lockdown​

As England starts a 4 week lockdown, British Marine has been seeking clarity from the UK Government on how the new restrictions will impact our members and the leisure marine sector.

During a meeting with DEFRA officials on Monday 2 November, British Marine was informed that no sector specific guidance would be produced and instead, individual businesses should interpret and comply with high level government guidance published on the Gov.uk website.

Where British Marine has been able to gather some specific clarity from Government, DEFRA officials have stated they do not consider private individuals visiting their boats for maintenance or winterisation purposes as an essential activity for leaving their primary place of residence.

DEFRA has confirmed that under PART 4 of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 4) Regulations 2020, a member of the public can pay a business to maintain their boat on their behalf during the lockdown.

DCMS has now confirmed that recreational boating can be part of an outdoor exercise regime either alone, with 1 other person, or within your household or bubble. Guidance states; “There is no restriction on the type of activity you can do when exercising, provided that you are within the permitted gathering limits.” Furthermore, it confirms; “All forms of water sports practised on open waterways, including sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, rowing, kayaking, surfing, paddle-boarding and the use of privately owned motorised craft (in line with the guidance issued by the relevant navigation authority) are allowed provided that the guidance on social distancing is observed”. However, British Marine would advise to check with local marinas, navigation authorities and clubs beforehand.

British Marine understands that members seek clear unambiguous guidance and that is why we will continue to press the UK government for further, sector specific guidance. However, until that is forthcoming, current interpretation of the regulations is as follows:

• Private individuals can use their boats for exercise and therefore deliver their vessel to a boatyard for maintenance or winterisation. However, current DEFRA guidance does not allow the boat owner to visit their vessel to conduct maintenance themselves.
• Areas of industry where workers cannot work from home can stay open with COVID-19 secure protocols in place. This would allow boatyards to provide maintenance and winterisation services.
• Chandleries and other non-essential retail will need to close for the 4 week period but can continue with click and collect and delivery services
• Passenger vessel operations (unless being used for essential transport), charters and hire boat operations will need to stop operations for the 4 week period
• Brokerage and boat showrooms will need to close to the public for the 4 weeks. The regulations specifically say “Showrooms and other premises, including outdoor areas, used for the sale or hire of caravans, boats or any vehicle which can be propelled by mechanical means, and car washes.”… should close. The restrictions do not prevent such businesses from remaining open to respond to orders or order queries either through a website or otherwise by on-line communication, by telephone or by post. See the BM/YBDSA joint statement for yacht brokers here
• Marinas can remain open, however, no overnight stays are allowed on boats except for residential berth holders (where the boat is their Primary Residence) or for business purposes. Toilets and showers can remain open for site users. For the above reasons, access and access control systems may remain open however, marinas should remind their berth holders to adhere to Government rules for England requiring people to stay at home, except for specific purposes. A full TYHA statement can be found on the BM website here.

Lesley Robinson, CEO of British Marine, “Whilst the current lockdown has seen many more businesses continue to stay open, there are still many who need further information over the exemptions and of course the continued financial support packages provided by Government. We will continue to support and represent the best interests of these businesses throughout the pandemic. The British Marine Coronavirus hub, which is accessible to all, will be updated with the very latest advice, together with business support tools and further guidance.”

To keep up to date with all the latest COVID-19 advice and guidance from British Marine, please visit www.britishmarine.co.uk/coronavirus.

Just had an email from my marina - recreational use is permitted but visits for the purposes of maintenance or winterisation are not.

Meanwhile those who keep their boats on club marinas appear to be caught up in the forced closure of sailing clubs.

 

[jimi]

As far as I can see British Marine represents the interests of the Marine Industry and not that of Marine Users. The cynical side of me would tend to the view they are doing their job here. The RYA really need to step up to the mark and represent leisure users interests.

 

[SaltyC]

Sailing, kayaking etc are now allowed as exercise, (and possibly recreation, in fine conditions!)
Good news, of which we will take advantage.

One thing niggles though: During the last 'lock down', the idea of even locally sailing a dinghy or yacht was harshly condemned as unacceptably selfish, as there was a (small) chance of the RNLI getting a shout, thus putting the volunteer crew at risk of catching a china-virus. That seemed fair enough.

What has changed? Has the batflu magically mutated to be more tolerant of sailing? I, for one, will be taking extra care to avoid risk of course; I'm puzzled that it was wrong then, but is right now.

So being cynical and perhaps a little anti pen pushing unskilled non understanding (unknowing) admin public servants (Leeches) with Gold Plated final salary pensions doing nothing to rock the boat.

I cannot go to the boat (Distance / time calculation) stay overnight and carry out essential maintenance. (DEFRA)

But I can go to the boat for recreation, drive 300 miles in the day take a non maintained boat out, arrive home exhausted with droopy eyelids a danger to all on the roads after an exciting and envigourous days sailing ( Bit much at my age)- except due to breakages, lack of maintenance I needed to call the Coastguard and put those at risk they are attempting to protect from risk.

HMMMM smacks of people making rules that do not understand, we have to employ 'professionals' to do maintenance, see MGN's issued by pen pushers with no understanding', so due to lack of knowledge and understanding. need to call coastguard . (Won't mention the farce of White Diesel)

Apologies to all, but with a local holiday home park with 80% occupancy from April to September - commuting to a local virus hotspot yet I am banned from visiting, sailing in isolation and maintaining my boat I am a little bitter.

 

[Gary Fox]

SaltyC.. Although lucky enough to live within arrow-shot of my yacht, I completely share your cynicism of the rule-making bureaucrats in their ivory towers.

 

[Jmc1764]

So I can't go to the boat yard and jump in my tender to get to my boat on the mooring.
But I can go to the boat yard and get my tender and ROW to my boat as that is exercise ??? and once there I could go sailing as that is recreational exercise. But I can't do any maintenance on my boat....or once aboard my boat who is going to know what I am doing below deck ? oh what the heck i am going for a row tomorrow and see what happens !!

 

[ashtead]

It would seem you Can go sailing so does anyone know if visiting another marina is permitted if you don’t stay on board at the destination marina ?

 

[Lucky Duck]

Last time around some marinas were accepting overnight stays provided the boat was vacated overnight but I have no idea whether or not that will be the case now

 

[Lucky Duck]

Weymouth harbour authority have now taken an alternative view and are now not accepting any visitors and saying that owners should not be travelling to the boat unless "essential". Opening of the town bridge is also limited to "essential" purposes so those with boats in the municipal or "boatfolk" marina with masts are basically prevented from going anywhere.

This was not unexpected as they have been one of the most intrusive authorities in their interpretations of the regulations throughout this time.

 

[ashtead]

I was just thinking a sail to east cowes from Haslar might be an option on basis I dint stay on board at east cowes of course

 

[Gary Fox]

I was just thinking a sail to east cowes from Haslar might be an option on basis I dint stay on board at east cowes of course

Cowes Harbour Commission seems to be relatively liberal, Cowes has plenty of commercial traffic so it's too much for jobsworths to lock it down..the website has just been updated, double-check but I think you would be fine.

 

[TernVI]

As far as I can see British Marine represents the interests of the Marine Industry and not that of Marine Users. The cynical side of me would tend to the view they are doing their job here. The RYA really need to step up to the mark and represent leisure users interests.

Are you an RYA member?

 

[Keith 66]

Port of London authority put a Notice to Mariners out today,http://www.pla.co.uk/assets/14of2020-sportrecreationonthethames-covid-19update6thnovember2020.pdf, boating allowed but the club site is shut so i could walk out to my mooring from the north side of the creek & go sailing but cant from the club on the south. Worlds gone nuts!