Yarmouth’s open 👍
Harbour Office | The Quay | Yarmouth | Isle of Wight | PO41 0NT
email:
info@yarmouth-harbour.co.uk |
www.yarmouth-harbour.co.uk
Telephone: 01983 760321 | Fax No: 01983 761192 | VAT Reg No : 107 9231 80
THIS GUIDANCE IS TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH ALL HARBOUR RULES, LICENCING AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
GUIDANCE FROM THE HARBOUR MASTER
The Government has confirmed that “all forms of water sports practiced on open waterways, including sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, rowing, kayaking and the use of privately-owned motorised craft (in line with the guidance issued by the relevant navigation authority) are allowed”.
This follows the publication, earlier this week, of Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy for England which provided key information regarding what the population can do away from their homes. This included:
• spending time outdoors, including exercise, alone, with your household, or with one person who is not in your household as long as you stay two metres apart
• exercising more than once a day
• taking part in other outdoor sports and activities, on your own, with your household, or with one other person while adhering to social distancing rules
• driving to outdoor open spaces, including beaches and beauty spots, irrespective of distance. You should travel in a private vehicle, alone or with members of your own household.
What the Government guidance means for you
Those that have moorings with us are permitted to use their vessels to:
• Go day sailing- boating on waterways may be resumed at this stage only for day visits, subject to guidance and/or any restrictions put in place by the relevant navigation authority. Overnight stays are not permitted.
Please note: on small boats it would not be possible to be in the same boat with someone from outside of your household because it would be impossible when doing so to follow social distancing guidelines.
• Boat owners can move boats to their allocated mooring, including from other marinas and yards in the region.
• Use the slipways to launch and recover vessels
• Travel to make day visits to your boats in the Harbour and to sit on them with your household only, subject to being careful and staying away from other users and houseboats in line with social distancing guidelines. Overnight visits are not permitted.
• You can now go fishing on Harbour property in designated areas, such as the Pier but only alone, with members of your household, or with 1 other person a minimum of 2 metres apart. You should always follow social distancing guidelines when encountering others.
You must obtain a permit from the Harbour.
• You can go to the beach at Norton Spit as long as you are alone, with your household, or with 1 other person from outside your household and staying 2 metres apart at all times. You should not share a private vehicle with anyone outside your own household and you should follow social distancing guidelines when encountering others.
• Harbour car parks are open for Harbour users. The usual terms and conditions apply.
• You may participate in water-based activities such as kayaking, rowing, canoeing as an individual, household group, or as a pair of two people from different households who are socially distancing (i.e. you should keep 2 metres apart). For example, it would not be possible to form a ‘double’ canoe or kayak or rowing boat with someone from outside your household because it would be impossible when doing so to follow social distancing guidelines
The guidance on staying at your primary residence still applies, so no overnight visits to private boats or for extended stays are permitted.
• Commercial boating operations such as for tour or hire boats will remain closed, though may resume when the hospitality sector is anticipating starting to re-open in July.
• No large gatherings of vessels will be permitted including rallies, regattas and racing unless the organiser can demonstrate to the Harbour Master that all guidance relating to Covid-19 can be adhered to.
• Sailing in the inner Harbour between the breakwater and the bridge is forbidden.
Here to help
The team at the Harbour are here to assist you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for any reason should you need us.
Subject to change, the Harbour will have a minimum of one berthing master on duty between 0900 & 2100 hrs, 7 days a week.
A reduced number of office staff will be here between 0900 & 1600 hrs Monday – Friday.
Night Security will be on duty between 2100hrs & 0600 hrs 7 days a week.
Harbour shore-based facilities
The Harbours facilities will remain closed to customers and the public for the time being. This includes showers, crane facility, workshop, Harbour reception and tourist information point. Exceptions will be made in special circumstances. This is in line with Government guidance.
The outside toilets will remain open.
Taxi Service
The taxi service will remain operational providing the following guidelines are adhered to:
• The taxi will be operating between the hours of 0900 & 1630.
• The taxi will be limited to 5 passengers from the same household for any one journey. The designated pick up points can be used to collect members of your household.
• Customers MUST wear their own face coverings onboard our vessels. Our team have been instructed to deny carriage for those that do not comply. No exceptions will be made.
• We are operating with a limited team therefore, there may be delays.
Bridge
The bridge will be opened on request where possible between the hours of 0900 & 1630. The Harbour is operating with a skeleton crew and therefore, we may not be able to accommodate every request, but we will do our best. The usual bridge operation procedures apply.
Safety
Please follow social distancing guidance (stay 2 metres apart where possible). Pontoons been marked to assist. Please follow the signage at each location.
Please wash your hands regularly.
Rescues pose a risk to both the casualty and the rescuer and there is likely to be reduced rescue response capacity in the Harbour. Please ensure that your craft is well maintained and that you sail within the limits of your abilities. Please have in mind that the RNLI have issued a statement as follows:
“At present, there are no RNLI lifeguards on beaches and although our volunteer lifeboat crews are fully operational, should they be needed, it is important that anyone visiting the coast understands the risk and takes the necessary steps to keep themselves safe. This will also help to reduce the demands placed on our lifeboat crews and other emergency services including HM Coastguard.”
This guidance is subject to change depending on the status of this crisis. The Harbour will continue to monitor the guidance and update you with the latest information.
We are all living in extraordinary times and the way we live our lives and operate the Harbour will be very different to what we are used to.
Please be mindful that our staff are working through these challenging times for your benefit. Please support them by following the Government and Harbour guidelines and acting responsibly.
I look forward to seeing you all out on the water, enjoying some well-deserved relaxation time.
Best wishes – stay safe
Tim
Harbour Master
Yarmouth (Isle of Wight) Harbour Commissioners
Hullabaloo
Breawatch
