COVID-19: Travelling to Australia by yacht or small craft

If you’re planning to sail your yacht or small craft back to Australia, carefully consider the risks to your personal health and safety and that of your crew members from COVID-19 and related restrictions.

Many countries have closed their borders, including Pacific island countries, and restricted access to their ports.

You may not be able to refuel or restock your supplies en route.

It is your responsibility to check on what arrangements will be in place for your arrival in any waters or ports. It is not the responsibility of the Australian Government to negotiate access on your behalf or facilitate your journey.

If you do sail into Australian waters:

note that only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can enter Australia

all crew must be isolated in mandatory quarantine accommodation for 14 days on arrival

you must provide arrival information in advance.

At this time, we recommend you either moor your boat and stay where you are, or if you wish to come home and flights are available, store your boat and fly back to Australia. We do not know when other countries will reopen their borders and ease restrictions. Don’t take the risk by attempting to sail back – stay in place or fly home!

We have heard that boats returning have had to go into quarantine at $2,400 for the 14 days

From the Smartraveller Gov web site

https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/.../getting.../boat-travel

BOATING IS NOT AN ESSENTIAL ACTIVITY - COVID

So please stay home. Cruising Helmsman has contacted the state agencies and has published the following.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson advised:

Transport for NSW is supporting current NSW Government advice by encouraging boaters to practise social distancing and stay at home wherever possible to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The NSW Government has also advised that all non-essential travel to regional areas and remote communities must be cancelled.

A ‘reasonable excuse’ to use your boat could be to:

* - exercise (e.g. kayaking/sailing/paddling etc);

* - fish;

* - get to and from work, where the work cannot reasonably be performed from home or your live aboard yacht;

* - get groceries by using your tender or RIB; and

* - provide assistance, care or support to an immediate member of the person’s family.

Unless you have an essential need to be out - stay ashore. Packing up your boat for a road trip and a half day fishing expedition, for example, is not in the spirit of the restrictions.

Boaters who need to be out on the water are advised to use common sense, and remember to follow social rules at all times. They are encouraged to stay within local waters as much as possible. Boaters should only be on their boat alone (remember to wear a PFD), or with no more than one other person; or with family (ie >2) who ordinarily live in the same household.

NSW Maritime and NSW Police Marine Area Command staff remain out on the water to ensure the safety of essential and commercial waterway users.

If you do go out on your yacht, have a fishing licence and drag a line over the stern to be seen to fish but not in a sanctuary zone.

This is what to do at the launch ramp?

Wait your turn at the ramp and if there are two lanes, only use one to ensure social distancing. Do the same on your return to the ramp when retrieving your boat from the water. Remember to maintain social distancing and personal hygiene at all times. You may wash you vessel at Bermagui but not in the Eurobodalla.

Internationals

Many of my cruising friends are stuck here in Australia and are concerned that their visa will expire and they will have no-where to go, with borders closed all around the world. The Department of Home Affairs responded to Cruising Helmsman with this advice:

Non-citizens seeking to extend their stay in Australia should review information on the Department’s website and apply for another visa.

Any visa application will be assessed considering the COVID-19 enhanced border measures and an applicant’s individual circumstances.

Applications for a new visa should be made before their current visa expires. Information for visa holders is available on the Department’s website.

This information will be updated as the Government’s response to COVID-19 evolves. Additionally, please refer to the acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs.

Noonsite.com has good crowd sourced advice.

Weird Weather

 WEIRD WEATHER for ESSENTIAL WORKERS – AND SUPERMARKETS

Usually a big low at Easter would ruin outdoor events, impact travel plans and mean extra warnings for campers sailors and those fishing. However with Australia in Covid-19 lockdown many of us are at home and a bit of windy, wet weather for a few days may not be too problematic. So STAY AT HOME

The main message we want to get out is that for Essential Workers we have some adverse weather coming in.

And for those who have to line up outside for basic food this more unsettled weather pattern poses additional risks for the elderly, sick and physically disabled having to line up outside.

Some supermarkets may want to rethink the way their customers currently line up, especially those more vulnerable, if cold wet and windy weather is forecast to linger for a number of days. This Southern Ocean low may lead the way for more unsettled Autumnal weather as we slide towards Winter too.

NSW Government Public health directions COVID

 From 31 March 2020 NSW Government Public health directions have been updated requiring people to stay at home unless they have a ‘reasonable excuse’.

However, as there is on land, there are exceptions that apply on water.

If you go out social distancing rules always apply – at the boat ramp and on your boat.

You should only be on your boat alone, or with no more than one other person; or with family who ordinarily live in the same household as you.

A ‘reasonable excuse’ to use your boat could be to:

• exercise (e.g. kayaking/sailing/paddling etc);

• fish;

• get to and from work, where the work cannot reasonably be performed from home;

• get groceries;

• provide assistance, care or support to an immediate member of the person’s family.

Unless you have an essential need to be out - stay ashore.

If you do need to go out, stick to your local waters, and do not gather with more than 2 people unless with members of the same household. It is important to remember that the self-isolation rules apply at all times.

Packing up your boat for a road trip and a half day fishing expedition is also not in the spirit of the restrictions.

Many marinas have closed. Eurobodalla has closed the fish cleaning tables and turned off the water.

To read the full statement click below.

https://www.marinas.net.au/documents/item/1050

Boating COVID Regulations

Go fishing and boating as long as it is alone or with one other. Respect social distancing at boat ramps but dont wash your hands because the water has been turned off at the boat ramp (Only Eurobodalla not Bega) and there is no soap in the toilets because that is a slip hazard. Bugger the COVID-19 risk.

Dont go into the Batemans Bay Marina because it is closed not because it is a safety risk but because of COVID-19.

Dont go into Bermagui Harbour Marina because you will be locked in for 14 days with only a food parcel deliver at the gate.

If you sail into Queensland you will be removed from your vessel (or cruise ship) and forced to stay in a 5 star hotel for 14 days - no liability to your vessel. That is itself a minefield if the vessel is foreign registered. Tasmania and NSW is the same. In WA you will be told to leave Australian waters however if you call a Mayday outside Oz waters the authorities HAVE to come and help you which includes food, water and fuel. They will try to order you to abandon your vessel but you can refuse so make sure you are outside Oz water if not they can forceably take you off.

The bottom line is if you dont have to, dont leave the shore just for some mental health therapy and not to try to feed your family because you have lost your job and have no income