Stranded or unwelcome? Head to Lymington

Berthon Lymington Marina has issued a warm – isolating – welcome to boats crossing the Atlantic to Europe. After reading that hundreds are making the crossing to find shelter, the family run marina has stated it can aid boats by isolating them while the marina provides fuel, water, and even provisions in a managed distanced manner, until the local quarantine rules which appear to be changing daily, have been satisfied.

“Having travelled long distances at sea, crew should be considered to have already self-quarantined for however many days they have been at sea. As long as customs are correctly informed, we can make the rest easy, whether in transit or seeking longer-term shelter ashore or afloat,” the statement says.

The statement comes as the pandemic has left many yachts stranded far from their home ports or at least wondering where they may be permitted to make landfall. Under international maritime law, while yachts are generally free to cross the territorial waters of another country, and even anchor in coastal waters should they be in distress, each country is free to determine on what terms yachts may enter its ports.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently highlighted the need for coastal states to ensure that passengers and crew can be embarked and disembarked, that yachts can visit shipyards for repair and survey, and that supplies can be loaded. WHO guidance also recommends that free pratique (permission to enter a port) should not be prevented for public health reasons, whilst recognising the need to prevent the spread of any infection.

Many countries have nonetheless closed their ports and marinas to yachts, or imposed draconian testing or quarantine measures. While some of these measures may breach international maritime law, private yacht owners will have little choice but to comply with them.

However, in the UK, there are no such rules prohibiting entry, but some ports require yachts coming from overseas to submit a health declaration. As lockdown is now easing and boating activities are once again permitted on open waterways in England, the UK government may soon introduce a quarantine period for all land, air and sea arrivals, making it more important than ever for yachts to check their planned place of arrival well in advance and to establish what facilities will be available.