COVID-19 charter update

At Swisspath Yachting we are as eager to get back out on the water as you. Here are some updates from Italy, Croatia, Spain and France as lockdown measures and restrictions have started to ease as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you are looking for your dream charter or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our expert team.

ITALY

As of the 18^th May 2020, Italy resumed sailing. On the 17^th May 2020, the Italian Prime Minister authorised the possibility of sailing within the region of residence until the 2^nd June and announced that as of the 3^rd June, it may be possible to leave regional waters and sail freely around the Italian coast.

The following rules must be adhered to:

Avoid close contact
Proper sanitisation of spaces
Nose and mouth protection for passengers.
A distance of at least one metre from other persons to be maintained at all times

Only persons living in the same household are allowed to stay in the same cabin. The owner is obliged to sanitize all areas, including the engine room, provide adequate sanitisation materials, and to provide signage in several languages outlining the social distancing rules on each vessel. Family members who do not live in the same household must also abide by the social distancing measures.

Crew must wear masks and gloves and any other protective equipment during mooring, unmooring, bunkering and towing operations. There must be temperatures checks for crew members daily.

The managers of marinas must provide the ports with special information signs, in Italian and English, on the conduct measures to be respected, the use of personal protective equipment, the installation of sanitizing dispensers on the docks, the limitation of movement, bans on gatherings and respect for social distancing.

Superyacht News (20/05/20)

SPAIN

Spain has started a plan to go back to the so-called “new normality”, consisting in 4 stages (0-3), of 2 weeks each, which started from the first week of May.

The Spanish Maritime Authority issued a clarification on April 30th regarding the charter activity and how it can be carried out, stating that from the 8th of June no restrictions apply other than the general public health risks reduction protocols and the local and International Marine Authority’s restrictions.

Stage II commenced on 25^th May, and following on from Stage I’s regulations, as set out below, the following is now in place:

During stage I (from May 11th), pleasure and commercial yachting can be fulfilled considering it an act of active natural tourism. It can be done only with limited groups of people (as a cultural and pleasure activity) and they must all reside in the same municipality. Social distancing and personal restrictions must be carried out during this stage; thus disinfection and reinforcement of health and hygiene measures onboard are mandatory, especially if the vessels are used as tourist accommodation. These would be the public health risks reduction protocols applied to nautical activity, which have been studied and prepared by this sector. Again, geographical cruising restrictions apply, having to stay in the province’s waters and within islands waters, not able to navigate to other islands even within the same province (for example, if sailing out from Mallorca, you must stay in Mallorcan waters.)

Stage II

During stage II (from May 25th), recreational yachting, as in stage I, is allowed as it is considered an act of active natural tourism. It can be done only with limited groups of people, but these can come from the same province. Owners can now freely visit their vessels independently were they are located (always in the same province) to control for security or maintenance reasons. Likewise, in stage I, geographical cruising restrictions apply, having to stay in the province’s and island’s waters. During this stage, nautical practices could be carried out to obtain recreational titles, which require the use of recreational boats as a training activity.

Stage III

In stage III (from June 8th) no restrictions apply other than the general public health risks reduction protocols and the local and International Marine Authority’s restrictions.

In consequence of the above, on, May 10th, the Spanish Official Gazette issued a publication TMA/400/2020 giving more specific information about the mobility between the islands ( both Canaries and Balearics) and mainland Spain in this Stage I, starting May 11th.

The publication also includes some detailed information about the geographical restrictions and guest limitation regarding the charter activity.

Charter activity can be performed in the same island/province where the yacht is made available to the guest, and until 12miles from the coast.

The guests must come from the same island/province where the yacht is, and, if they live together, there is no limitation of number if not the usual ones, if they don’t live together, the occupancy has to be reduced to 50%.

SOS Yachting ( 11/05/2020)

CROATIA

On May 15^th 2020, the Croatian Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure issued a clarification on cruising and chartering according the most recent Decree published on May 9^th 2020. All yachts without limitation to length can, from May 18^th, sail and charter in Croatia.

Border crossing rules for Croatian and foreign crew members:

Croatian crew are no longer subject to the self-isolation measures, upon return to Croatia after signing off in any country.
All foreign crew members are allowed to enter Croatia and embark on a yacht that is currently berthed in Croatia and they won’t be subject to the self-isolation measures
Maritime agents will assist in organisation of crew movements

Regulation for commercial yachts:

Chartering is considered an important economic activity and as such is allowed for all yachts over 24 meters for the time being
When crossing the border, all guests will need to present the “List of crew and passengers” from eCrew system

Regulations for private yachts (that can provide accommodation for multi day stay):

in order to cross the state border, foreign nationals, will need to prove the ownership of the vessel or the entitlement to use the yacht (lease agreement). Along with this documentation, it will be necessary to submit a berthing contract or proof from a marina/port that the yacht is currently located in that marina/port.
If a yacht is owned by a legal entity, a foreign national must submit a proof of the ownership (or responsible person) of that legal entity. In addition to the owner of the vessel, members of his close family may also cross the border. Besides the documentation from point 1, it is necessary to present completed “Crew and passengers list” when crossing the border.

Arrival and navigation of yachts in Croatian waters – general rules:

Foreign flagged yachts below 24 meters are NOT allowed to enter Croatia (for the time being)
Yachts that are currently in Croatia are free to cruise
During stay in ports or marinas, it is necessary to prevent passage of crew and guests from one yacht to another
Upon entering Croatia, all Croatian and foreign citizens are obliged to follow recommendation and instructions of the Croatian Institute of Public Health
All yachts without AIS or other electronic navigation tracking system, are recommended to keep records of all port callings during the entire cruising
All Croatian and foreign citizens are obliged to apply other epidemiological measures published by the Croatian Institute of Public Health

All the above crew members are recommended not to leave the yacht only when necessary for the first 14 days. These 14 days also include days of sailing or staying at the anchorage.

SOS Yachting (19/05/20)

FRANCE

It is now easier to sail superyachts into the south of France than it was during full lockdown, however it is up to the discretion of the mayor of each destination, who have the final word on whether the port is open or still closed. Restaurants and bars are anticipated to open around the 2^nd-12^th June, but the situation is under constant assessment. Summer hotspots such as Club 55 in St Tropez is aiming to reopen on the 12^th June and local beaches are also partially opening to activities such as sports.

France is however still closed to tourists and private airports will only allow the arrival of French or Monegasque residents or taxpayers. Updates are anticipated in around two weeks’ time. Crew members are allowed to transit to join vessels however special documentation and attestations from agents are required.

Yachts stationed in France can currently sail, regardless of their flag or registration, subject to abiding to the regulations around COVID-19 and to the general rules of ports, navigation and anchorage:

These include:

The arrival of passengers at the port subject to the 100-kilometre rule from their home.
Where necessary a health control certificate and authorisation to enter and leave ports.
Compliance with declarations, authorisations and mooring time limits according to semaphores or CROSSMED.
No travel to and from foreign ports.

Superyacht News (14/05/20)

ECPY (21/05/20)

Find out more about info we have previously issued to captains and crew here.

Further information sources: