Superyacht economic recovery tourism plan implemented in Bermuda

Superyachts will be allowed to drop anchor in Bermuda waters despite Covid-19 restrictions, under a policy.

In the plan, everyone on board a superyacht will be quarantined for 14 days and contactless deliveries of supplies will be available.

Screening for Covid-19 will have to be completed before a yacht heads to the island. Those on board will also have to have suitable health insurance, including cover for a medevac flight if required. Any owner, guest or crew member could be denied entry to the island, however, people on board could be allowed ashore after they have completed quarantine, with social-distancing and other health precautions imposed, according to the Royal Gazette.

According to Zane DeSilva, the tourism minister, who outlined the details in a speech to the Bermuda House of Assemble: “The island has fielded inquiries about docking and chartering in Bermuda since April because of the effect of the pandemic on Europe, the Caribbean and the US Eastern seaboard.

“The superyacht tourism economic recovery plan demonstrates a direct response to local stakeholder recommendations who have expertise in this area.

“In addition, the unfolding superyacht scenario reveals a new economic recovery opportunity for Bermuda vendors while ensuring quarantine and mitigating measures remain in place before commercial flights commence.”

Allowing luxury vessels into island waters could generate $8,123 to $317,031 per boat a week, depending on the size of the boat and the number of people on board.

The Government would also benefit from charters of overseas yachts in Bermudian waters through a fee of 6 per cent of the charter cost.

The tourism ministry has asked port agents to work with the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation to create online ‘isolation shopping’ methods.

This initiative is specifically designed for made-in-Bermuda products to include art, crafts, jewellery, keepsakes and clothing.