Can I visit my boat?
Due to the COVID-19 lockdown all movement in or out of the Isle of Man by private boat or otherwise is now effectively against the law.
But who is responsible for the safety and security of the many small craft moored in lockdown harbours? Mooring ropes still have to be adjusted, ground tackle checked, bilges emptied etc.. But what is the legal status of a boat owner doing so? One might be stopped from travelling to the harbour in the first place if the local constabulary consider this to be a non-essential journey. I’ve not been able to find specific reference to the matter through the usual web searches. Dave Gray, Isle of Man
MARK KENYON, PORTS MANAGER, DOUGLAS IOM RESPONDS:
The ‘Emergency Powers Act’ introduced by the Isle of Man
Government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic broadly prohibits non-essential travel on the Island. The population are required to remain at home unless for brief periods of exercise, essential food/ medicine shopping or travel to and from work (unless work can be carried out from home).
The harbours in the Isle of Man are neither ‘locked down’ nor are they taped off and therefore any boat owner is free to visit their vessel, possibly during their exercise period, for purposes of essential safety checks (to lines, bilge levels, fenders).
As long as the person concerned is able to justify the journey (should they be stopped on route) and is complying with social distancing requirements then they should not fall foul of any emergency legislation.
Our harbour staff are carrying out regular additional inspections and if required can take steps to assist if any problems arise.
Although the Island has closed its borders we are not restricting ‘key’ workers engaged in local commercial fishing nor would we prevent a vessel in difficulty or distress from using a port of refuge, subject to self-isolation on the vessel assuming the occupants were well.
In short your reader should experience no difficulties in carrying out the basic checks to ensure the safety of their vessel to the satisfaction of both themselves and their insurer. Either that, or a call to the relevant harbour office will result in assistance should it be required.