Covid-19 Restrictions on Cruising: UK - England

Status Summary

Restricted. Maintenance and sailing permitted, but not overnight staying on boat.

Some harbours will accept vessels returning from an international voyage but subject to conditions. It is vital that you contact your chosen destination well in advance of your arrival.

Government Websites

• UK Government web page
• UK Government web page, guidance on accessing green spaces safely

Other Information Sources

• RYA web page
• UK-Ports web page
• Port of London - River Thames Notice to Mariners no9 of 2020 (PDF)
• BWML website
• Littlehampton Harbour website
• Fowey Harbour website
• Google search "Marinas in England"

Local Information

25/05/20: Currently little restriction with most harbours and marinas open. Maintenance and day sailing may be permitted, but not overnight staying on boat, including at anchor. Some marinas are still revising their constraints on visiting, maintenance and possible sailing, contact for their latest situation. Boat skippers may only be accompanied by persons permanently residing at the same address or, where the vessel is sufficiently large to maintain social distancing (2m), with one other person from a different household.

25/05/20: The Canals and RIver Trust have announced the reopening of navigation to private boating across our waterways in England. There may be further changes from Monday 1 June. According to current Government guidance, those who do not liveaboard should not stay overnight. The CRT is seeking further clarification as to whether overnight stays will be permissible once full navigation resumes.

05/05/20: Falmouth: Recreational vessels arriving from abroad should go to onto a visitor’s mooring (green ones in front of the town); contact the harbour office and fill out a maritime declaration of health to the port health authority, after which they may be required to quarantine aboard (or may be allowed ashore). If remaining aboard, either through order or choice, it is allowed that local volunteers can do some shopping on their behalf and deliver it to the yacht. [Falmouth HM; James Collier]

01/05/20: Port status: (see UK-Ports webpage for relevant port guidance): Dover – open (call 'Dover Port Control''on VHF Ch. 74 when 2 miles off); Portsmouth – transit/open; Yarmouth IOW – transit only, pickup outer buoy and contact HM; Southampton – open, make early contact; Falmouth – open (see later post above). [Noonsite]

 

Reviewed: 26/05/20

Please help by emailing any updates of which you become aware to: covid-19@theca.org.uk