Ocean Village Boat Show and BOATS2020 both going ahead

While the government has released more guidelines to control the spread of Covid-19, after spending the summer literally paying for people to eat out to help out (socialising), neither boat show starting tomorrow in Southampton believes the newest ‘rule of six’ will impact their attendees, or the way the shows are being run.

“We are confident that the safety protocols which we already have in place for Ocean Village Boat Show are more than sufficient to account for changing government guidelines,” says Tim Mayer, MDL’s sales and marketing director.

“There are no launch events which might draw a crowd of six-plus, nor are we encouraging any gatherings of people for other reasons (we took the decision not to have a landside exhibition as it would be difficult to responsibly manage distancing and numbers).

“Each visitor (two per ticket) has a specific booked appointment to visit a specific boat. Our excellent team is in place to manage any (unlikely) pinch points on pontoons, and we have staggered entry times in order to make sure that our flow of visitors are comfortable in the open spaces – that there is ample space to social distance.”

Mayer says the company “worked closely with Southampton City Council to make sure it was onboard with our plans, which it has been all along,” and that MDL “continue to monitor the situation. We will review every policy announcement in detail to check that we continue to offer the safest boat show we can, in line with all the guidance,” he says.

James Moscicki, British Marine’s commercial director says he’s happy to confirm that BOATS2020 will still open tomorrow.

“We will be following government guidance closely, monitored alongside Southampton City Council, who British Marine is working with to ensure that all Public Health England Covid-19 secure requirements are met,” says Moscicki.

“These include the new government measures announced in the prime minister’s briefing with the new ‘six rule’. We will now have dedicated Covid marshals on site who will be working hard to ensure the new advice is followed for everyone’s safety.”

The Daily Mail reports that “From Monday it will be illegal to assemble in groups of seven or more anywhere in England, whether indoors or out. The ‘rule of six’ is a dramatic reduction on the limit of 30 put in place on July 4. Police will be encouraged to break up larger groups and issue £100 fines, which will then double on each repeat offence up to £3,200.” However, the rule of six applies to social gatherings, and not workplaces, or schools, funerals or weddings for example.

According to Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, prime minister, “It is absolutely critical that people now abide by these rules and remember the basics – washing your hands, covering your face, keeping space from others, and getting a test if you have symptoms.”

With exhibitors reporting sanitising equipment in place, and both shows prepared with protocols for hand sanitising etc, and of course, the ever present sensible precaution of people not going anywhere expect for a test if they have symptoms, it’s really up to the individual to take care of themselves and those around them, by wearing face coverings and using sanitisers.

Southampton City Council has been asked to comment.

Both shows state that you must have a ticket in advance, and you cannot obtain one on the gate. This is to control visitor numbers.

Specific appointment times need to be booked in advance to visit Ocean Village Boat Show – many slots are already full, but for serious buyers this free event provides a great opportunity to get onboard an 80+ selection of sail and power vessels.

BOATS2020 still has tickets available to purchase. Again, over 80 craft are in the water, plus there’s a landside exhibition to view.