1 BOATING IS BACK!
Boat-owners and watersports enthusiasts in England are celebrating going back to their boats after seven weeks of lockdown.
Boris Johnson announced the gradual easing of restrictions on 10 May with confirmation coming three days later that, “all forms of watersports practised on open waterways, including sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, rowing, kayaking, surfing, paddle-boarding and the use of privatelyowned motorised craft (in line with the guidance issued by the relevant navigation authority) are allowed.”
However, at the time of going to press on 20 May, boaters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were still being told to stay at home.
France, Spain and Italy have also started to ease restrictions, although it’s not yet clear when British owners with boats based overseas will be able to travel to them or whether they will have to stay quarantined on arrival.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Despite the gradual opening up of marinas and harbours in England, boating life will still look very different for a while. Although there is some debate about what is or isn’t legally enforceable (see p29), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has issued a set of FAQ guidelines on what boat owners can and can’t do.
Owners of both private and commercial boats can make day visits to their boats in marinas and elsewhere for leisure or maintenance purposes.
Non-essential travel by privately owned boats (powered and non-powered) is allowed, subject to the relevant navigation authority (some authorities may apply a time-lag to carry out essential safety inspections and maintenance).
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