OVERSEAS OPENINGS
Brian May, managing director of Berthon
Marina in Lymington, said his team sold over 20 annual berths in the last two months, at least double the normal number. Around half of those had been to new buyers or existing owners bringing their boats back to the UK, while the other half were people who have chosen to keep their boats in the UK rather than heading off on an extended overseas cruise. At the time of going to press they only had 20 annual berths still available.
A spokesperson for Premier Marinas backed up our findings with enquiries for all nine of its South Coast marinas running at double the normal rate. Demand has been particularly strong in the sub-11m bracket but enquiries for larger boats have also seen a marked uplift. Planning approval for an extension to its Swanwick-based dry stack facility has now been granted, increasing its capacity from 80 to 122 boats.
Meanwhile, Trafalgar Drystack in Portsmouth says it logged a new record of 100 launches and retrievals in a single day over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, compared to its usual tally of around 50 a day.
It’s not just the UK that is going boat mad. Recreational boating is now allowed in most EU countries, and borders are beginning to open up, allowing overseas owners to access their boats. Italy confirmed that from 3 June visitors from the UK will no longer have to complete 14 days of self-isolation on arrival and can travel from region to region as well as use and stay on their boats.
At the time of going to press France was still out of bounds to visiting UK craft while British owners with boats based in
France needed a certificate to travel followed by 14 days of self-isolation. However, all of these measures were due to be reviewed towards the end of June.
Spain was also expected to open its borders from 1 July, albeit with possible restrictions on travellers from countries which present a high risk of re-infection. Recreational boating is allowed once in the country but with limits on certain cruising areas.
The bigger issue facing many Uk-based owners, at the time of going to press, was that all travellers entering the UK, including British citizens returning from overseas (except Ireland), were still required to observe 14 days of self-isolation. This was due to be reviewed on 29 June.
For the latest on what is and isn’t allowed with regards to boating in the UK visit www.rya.org.uk and for overseas boating restrictions visit www.theca.org.uk