Overnight cruising returns to some areas
An easing of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions has allowed sailors in England to extend their cruising and stay onboard overnight. The changes came into effect on 4 July.
As YM went to press (29 June), skippers in Wales and Scotland were still limited to day sailing, although the Scottish Government has indicated that from 3 July, restrictions on travel distances for leisure will be lifted, and people can stay overnight in self-catered holiday accommodation, which is expected to include boats, as long as there are no shared facilities between households. If conditions allow, the Welsh authorities have indicated that overnight stays will be allowed from 13 July.
Since 26 June, overnight stays afloat have been permitted in Northern Ireland.
In Ireland, sailors can anchor overnight and visit another harbour, but destinations had to be within a sailor’s own county or 20km from their home.
Marinas and sailing clubs in England were also waiting for details from the Government about how to safely open shared facilities to comply with social distancing rules, which have now dropped from 2m to ‘1m plus’.
The trade body British Marine said it understood overnight stays on boats were allowed in England ‘provided that the marina their boat is kept in and/or the marina they are visiting is open and operating as Covid-secure.’
It recommended checking with a marina or destination beforehand, and establishing what cleaning regimes and procedures are in place.
The relaxation of restrictions also means English charter and holiday hire boat companies are able to freely operate as long as they take precautions around safe practice, such as extra cleaning.
With travel still restricted to many charter destinations, firms have been having to adapt. Seafarers has announced it would, for the first time, be running UK South Coast flotilla holidays this season.
British Marine has also launched its Summer on the Water campaign, which will showcase ways people can get afloat locally, including details of so-called pay-and-play facilities, UK chartering and training centres. Details can be found at www.summeronthewater.com
Maritime events have also been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the organisers of Cowes Week and Cowes Classics Week announcing the regattas would be cancelled for this year. Skippers entered into Cowes Week will be able to roll over their entry to the 2021 regatta. The Royal Western Yacht Club’s Lonely Rock Race around the Fastnet Rock is to go ahead, with Tracy Edwards’ Maiden due to cross the start line at Ryde on 16 August.