corona virus alerts - Latest cruising Information for vessels/locations/rules

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by rslifkin

Playgrounds are closed, but NY state parks are still open.

Meanwhile in Montana, Glacier National Park has been closed due to the COVID-19 quarantine. Now that we are having a warming spell, they do not want hordes of people [particularly from out of state] crowding the visitor's center and waterways. As one can see from the live web cam images taken today, the Spring Break crowds on the beaches were apparently getting out of hand, not keeping proper social distancing protocols and the boaters were rafting up. Lake McDonald from Apgar Village, looking east into the park and the Going to the Sun Roadway over the summit; Swift Current Lake [frozen over] at Many Glacier Lodge; St. Mary's Visitor Center, at St. Mary's Lake on the east side of the park.

Rather similar I suppose to Florida's beaches and waterways it seems.

Wishing all the best from The Last Best Place. Stay warm all.

[Montanan]

From the IBB Solicitors Covid-19 – Guidance for Marina Operators in the UK.
27 Mar, 2020

https://www.ibblaw.co.uk/insights/bl...rina-operators

IBB Solicitors (Iliffes Booth Bennett) is recognised as a leading law firm in the Thames Valley, West London and the western Home Counties. We have 16 teams and 24 individuals ranked as leaders in their field by the premium legal directories.

This is an unprecedented and unsettling time for marina owners and operators. Below is some guidance based on the current government communications. We will update this to ensure that new government guidance is communicated to you.

Although the Government guidance on business closures does not specifically mention marinas, it is likely that commercial marinas will fall within the heading of “holiday rentals” and are therefore required to close with effect from Tuesday 24 March 2020.
The guidance does however state that “Where people live in these as interim abodes whilst their primary residence is unavailable, or they live in them in permanently they may continue to do so”. While it is unlikely that you will have occupiers who are living on boats at the marina, this may be a possibility. If a boat owner asks whether they can stay on the marina you should ask them for written proof that they have nowhere else to live; this will help protect you from possible enforcement action. Obviously, each situation will turn on its own specific facts.
Carry out a risk assessment to determine what new procedures you should adopt to manage risk. In particular, establish a chain of command to identify who will run or manage the marina business if the marina owner or senior management falls ill. Make sure your staff emergency contact details are up to date.
While all staff should be working from home where possible, remind any staff still working at the marina to follow the Government’s social distancing guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/government/public...nerable-adults

Provide hand sanitisers and tissues for staff and encourage them to use them, and Encourage all staff to wash their hands on a regular basis for 20 seconds with soap and water. However, all employees who can work from home should now be doing so.
How to respond to some FAQs from boat owners…

Can I claim a refund on my mooring/licence fees while the marina is closed?
The situation in relation to mooring/licence fees is unfortunately very unclear at present. The Government imposed restrictions do not change the contractual terms of your berthing licence agreement with the boat owner, so they ask you for a refund of mooring fees you are not obliged to offer this.

The question whether to offer refunds is mainly a business decision rather than a legal one. We would recommend that you discuss the situation sympathetically with boat owners on an individual basis before making any decision as to refunds or discounts. Don’t forget that loss of goodwill could be more damaging in the long term than a short-term refund or suspension of mooring fees.

It is also unclear whether a closure of the park as a direct result of Government action, rather than something within your control, would give a licensee valid grounds to terminate their licence agreement and to seek a refund of any mooring or licence fees.

If a boat owner were to give you notice to terminate their mooring agreement, this would mean that they would lose your entitlement to moor their boat at the marina.

It is unfortunately impossible at this stage to give any meaningful guidance as to how the courts may approach such claims.

Can a boat owner claim for the loss of use of their boat?
As the Government imposed restrictions do not change the terms of your licence agreement with the boat owner, you may technically be in breach of the licence agreement by closing the park, even though you are following the Government’s directive. The normal effect of a breach of contract is that the innocent party may claim damages to put them in the position they would have been in had the breach not happened (e.g. the additional cost of booking a replacement boat or holiday).

However, in light of the current Government restrictions and social distancing measures it is likely to be difficult for boat owners to claim such damages, because it is not likely that they will be able to book such an alternative at the moment.

The marina has closed – who is responsible for looking after the boats?
Because the mooring licence agreement remains in place, each party should continue to comply with their obligations. This means that you will need to maintain the marina and the boat owner will be responsible for keeping their boat and its contents insured.

Are my staff allowed to provide security and to carry out essential maintenance?
Government advice means you should only ask employees to travel to work if this is necessary and they cannot work from home.

Can boat owners refuse to pay their mooring fees?
No. Because the mooring licence agreement continues, any customer who simply fails to pay their mooring/licence fees will be in breach of their agreement. In such a situation we would recommend that you speak to the customer in the first instance to explain why they should continue to pay as usual. You should explain that you are continuing to provide a service by providing mooring facilities, and by keeping the marina secure and maintained to look after their boat, even though they are unable to use it. Communication with your customers at this difficult time is the key to working through many of these issues.

[Montanan]

Snipets from the International Boat Industry Global COVID-19 update.

https://www.ibinews.com/regulatory/g.../36019.article


USA

Most of the US boat shows had already occurred for the year, though NMMA had to cancel two March shows and their major political conference in Washington, DC.

Some manufacturing plants and dealerships are still open due to state-specific rules on “essential services”. Local boat ramps and marinas are being closed due to unfortunate incidents of “boat parties” during this crisis. However, marinas in the US are subject to different regulations across the 50 states.

”The industry is preparing for a 50% reduction in sales in the coming year.”
North American Marine Manufacturers Association

Canada

Since boating season has not begun in most parts of Canada, there are not significant restrictions at this time. However all national parks are closed for land and water access. In the province of Ontario, marine servicing has been deemed essential.

EUROPE

France

When leaving home, people must take their ID with them and fill out a self-declaration form to take with them each time. Controls are operated by the police.

Access to the seashore, lakes, beaches, coastal footpaths, marinas, quays, slipways is strictly forbidden, as well as the practice of any kind of waterside activity (boating, even swimming, surfing, kayaking). ”There’s an exception if you leave along the sea or along the beach, you can stretch your legs opposite your house!”

Spain

Until April 9, the Spanish government is further restricting the operation of non-essential businesses and movement of employees within the country. Essential services will continue and include transportation, banking, grocery shops, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare, among others. However, provision of some of these services – including transportation – remains limited. The nationwide ‘State of Alarm’ will continue through 11 April.

The marine industry is in full lockdown.

Marine services, yards, suppliers must close their facilities.
Marinas and yacht clubs are closed for members and customers, by sea and by land. No boats are allowed to enter, except in the case of an emergency.
Marinas and yacht clubs have very limited personnel for basic maintenance and surveillance. Offices are closed, as well as tenant businesses.
Contractors are not allowed to work on boats unless they are freelance. This is a new rule approved as of 30 March.
Professionals and crews are only allowed to get on board boats if they have to provide essential maintenance for the safety of the boat/yacht, so the typical day to day maintenance is not allowed.

UK - Updated

On the 23 March 2020, The UK Government said that everyone should stay at home. This position will be reviewed in 3 weeks from the date imposed.

People have been advised to stay at home and only leave the house when absolutely necessary, either going to a grocery shop, pharmacy or work, if working from home is not an option, medical reasons or helping the vulnerable. People are allowed to leave their houses once a day for 1 hour to exercise, either jogging, cycling or walking but only in the surroundings of their homes.

In their latest guidance, government have made it clear that:

“People can travel to and from work, but only where the work they do absolutely cannot be done from home. With the exception of the organisations covered by non-essential shops and public spaces, the Government has not required any other businesses to close; ”indeed it is important for business to carry on.”

The Home Secretary has new powers to request port closure, but currently the Government is keen to keep ports open for freight and other limited commercial activities.

Ports are still open but recreational use of vessels is not considered an essential activity.

As far as recreational use of vessels is concerned, it is not considered essential and those who break the new laws could be fined for doing so. ”If you believe that the activity you want to conduct on the river is within the 30 minutes of keeping healthy (rowing, paddle-boarding etc) then the guidance we have received is that this should be done from home and avoid contact with others (unless they are in your family/isolation group). The inference being that the exercise period (not power boating or sailing) should be short and not involve driving to another location.”

Marinas & Boatyards:

It is understood that harbour staff and those commercial employees who conduct essential activities will be allowed to continue travelling to and from work to carry out work that cannot be done from home.
Guidance is less clear on the need for the public to attend to their own craft to ensure they don’t cause an incident (sinking, oil spill or other pollution). Owners are advised to contact their commercial agent and Dart Harbour if they have a concern about the safety of their vessel. Owners should only consider visiting their vessels for safety critical checks, if they are unable to get the assistance of a commercial agent.
It is recognised, that many of the people nominated as agents are not commercial (paid employees or self-employed) and some will be unavailable to attend to vessels owing to their own restrictions such as self-isolation or company policies. If owners do not currently have a commercial agent or the agent is unable to conduct safety checks on their vessels, then they need to contact the Harbour Office as there will be a list of contractors who will be able to provide a service. Arranging a commercial agent who is able to conduct safety checks is best done before finding out if the vessel is in distress as this can keep costs down.

Germany

All business/shops except food, gas, pharmacy etc. are closed until April 19th.
Marinas are closed. Boats cannot be moved into the harbour.
In public, only people of one household or two persons are allowed to be together
In marinas, sailing clubs etc., work on boats is allowed with two persons.
Professionals are allowed to work on boats.
If boats are already in the marina (water), owners are not allowed to enter the boat.

Greece

Charter and commercial boats are seeking government relief on mooring fees.

”A discussion has started with the Government regarding the mooring fees of the chartered/commercial boats which are currently moored/locked in the marinas. All charters and sailing are forbidden in the Greek territory, so now the professional unions and associations are requesting a 40-60% discount on the mooring fees for the coming months.”

The State has already announced a 40% reduction of the rent for the commercial stores, restaurants, cafes, etc for the period being locked down.
The Greek Marinas Association has requested from the State proportional reductions on the marinas’ concession fees.

Italy

The country is under full lockdown and marinas are closed due to being classified as “non-essential businesses”. Within the nautical industry only repair companies (boats, engines, etc.) and specific suppliers are included in the list of permitted activities. Some marine equipment manufacturers (e.g. safety equipment, sailmakers, etc.) have temporarily converted their production to provide masks or other supplies necessary for the health crisis. Boating and access to coastlines are banned by local authorities, along with the restriction not to leave home for unjustified reasons.

Within the nautical industry, only repair companies and specific suppliers are operating. Boating and access to coastlines are banned.

Ireland

All schools, non-essential shops etc. are shut. All sport has been cancelled and this has had a big impact on the sport of sailing which is usually gearing up for a busy summer season at this time. YC’s have closed catering, social and now changing facilities to members to stop cross contamination possibilities.

”Marinas have not closed, but are steadily reducing services and facilities to customers.”

Most visiting boats from outside the immediate area are not being admitted to private marinas to limit exposure. Many marinas are closing bathroom facilities (except disabled access), laundries and even removing potwater hoses from the deck. Self-isolation aboard boats is also strictly forbidden.

The overriding concern is the staff becoming sick or having to stay home which will have a serious knock-on effect on the ability to keep the marina open and operational. Closing to customers entirely may prove to be the sensible option in the short term. There may yet come political pressure to stop people going out on their boats while others are forbidden to access public parks, beaches, holiday homes etc.

Portugal

The President has declared the state of emergency on the 19th of March. This has given the power to the Government to take a number of urgent measures. On complete lockdown of the country, most businesses had to close, restaurants can operate on take away only, all big events had to be cancelled, etc. Two borders with Spain have been closed to avoid contamination.

Marinas and other ports are closed to any boats with a foreign flag. They can come in port only for fuel or urgent supplies but the crews are not allowed to come ashore. All boating activities have been forbidden. Almost all commercial activities have been closed in the marinas. Maintenance works are allowed and the marinas are working on reduced schedules, with minimum staff but guaranteeing all services to boats.

Australia

Restrictions on the following places: pubs, registered and licenced clubs, hotels (excluding accommodation), gyms and indoor sporting venues, cinemas, entertainment venues, casinos, and night clubs. Restaurants and cafes will be restricted to takeaway and/or home delivery.

Advice has now been strengthened reducing it to two persons in public spaces and other areas of gathering. However, each state can have slightly different laws and ways of endorsing this.

Marinas are seeking temporary relief from rental or leasing fees normally paid to government agencies.

Many marinas pay a concession; rental or leasing fee to a government agency. To help reduce the financial stress and job losses at the marina these agencies can provide a temporary halt to the requirement to pay the fee for a given period of time. In North Queensland, for example, the government through the Port Authority has provided the Cairns marina with fee relief, with some fees halted until end 2023. The total value of the fee relief package for operators at the marinas is AU$3m. (see https://www.portsnorth.com.au/news-publications/ ).Also, by providing relief to the marina operator, they are then in a better financial position to pass on fee relief to their tenants.


New Zealand

The country is under mandatory lockdown. All residents are required to remain in their homes and stay in the same place for at least the next four weeks.

Marinas and boatyards have closed; a small number of live-aboard owners are under strict controls.

Marinas and boatyards have closed, boat owners and the public are not allowed to travel other than to super markets or medical care facilities, so marinas and boat yards are not to be visited. A small number of marinas have retained some live aboard who are under strict controls. People are permitted to exercise by walking around the immediate area around their home, but a visit to the beach for a swim is not permitted. Marinas are permitted to have a security guard but no other staff on site.

[Montanan]

The governor announced Monday that all beaches in Baja California will be closed as of MARCH 30, 2020. The governor also announced that police and military forces would be used to restrict the movement of residents on public roads – except in vital cases – in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://www.bdoutdoors.com/covid-19-...ures-top-list/

“It will be forbidden to walk in the streets for any reason. Do not be surprised if the police or the National Guard or the COVID-19 totalsArmy, SEDENA, ask you what you are doing,” said Bonilla. “What we are trying to do is get control of this situation, and the coercive measures that we are going to implement will be more rigid as the confirmed coronavirus cases on this graph go up.”

“Grocery stores, pharmacies, and hospitals will remain open for those who need to purchase food or seek medical care,” Bonilla said.

“Do not leave your house; remain at your home! Protect your family and protect the community,” said Baja California Secretary of Health Alonso Pérez Rico, appearing in the same video announcement as Bonilla. “The suspension of school is NOT a vacation. It’s not the time to go to the beaches or to party or celebrate birthdays!”

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer on Monday commended the Baja California governor’s move to close beaches, bars and more, but he did not mention the new restriction against people “roaming the streets.”

“We in San Diego all know how very difficult this is,” Mayor Faulconer said. “But it’s the right move, and it will save lives.”

Ensenada Port Closed
03.27.20 Ensenada curfew
I went downtown tonight, and it’s a ghost town. About 5% of the restaurants are open, but all the bars are closed, even Hussong’s! I understand. It’s currently a “soft curfew” no penalty – from 9-pm to 6-am. It’s sad, but probably the right call…blowncar BD Baja Forum

San Quintin Closed…Captain Kelly Catian

Gonzaga Bay Closed

Loreto Marina Closed

La Paz Marina Closed

East Cape Closed

Puerto Los Cabos Closed … Eric Brictson, Gordo Banks Pangas

Cabo San Lucas Closed…Rebecca Ehrenberg, Pisces Sportfishing

Mainland Mexico

San Carlos Closed

[Montanan]

Do not expect to find a restroom open at North Carolina marinas and waterfront recreational areas, boat ramps, etc. as per a listing almost all seem to have been closed due to COVID-19 hazards. Parking lots and ramps are generally open.

[Montanan]

March 27, Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Public Health released an updated public health order extending the suspension of certain public gatherings:

All Alabama beaches are to remain closed through April 17, including both publicly and privately-owned beaches.

[JPA Cate]

On another front, check out this link. It is about a brand new, just invented, inexpensive ventilator: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news/ri...e-coronavirus/

[Singularity]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

On another front, check out this link. It is about a brand new, just invented, inexpensive ventilator: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news/ri...e-coronavirus/

This video shows a maybe simpler version of the same thing built by Chinese villagers years ago:
https://youtu.be/LJK_s3d9wQM

[smbdyiam2]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

On another front, check out this link. It is about a brand new, just invented, inexpensive ventilator: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news/ri...e-coronavirus/

thanks for the post . and a big thanks to rice engineers.

[Montanan]

The Governor of the State of Georgia issued a Statewide Stay at Home order which is effective until at least April 13th. Limits travel to essential purposes, closes many businesses.

[smbdyiam2]

Originally Posted by Singularity

This video shows a maybe simpler version of the same thing built by Chinese villagers years ago:
https://youtu.be/LJK_s3d9wQM

for the last month or 2 all I've read is lack of ventilators. Now I see this posted here with a date and number of views
9,646 views•Feb 6, 2013
and No body that saw it tells health services? No wonder this is dyeing breed . called stupidity. Does anyone care if the ventilator that keeps them alive is $100 or $10,000 shiny . hand made or big business wall street.

[smbdyiam2]

Originally Posted by Montanan

The Governor of the State of Georgia issued a Statewide Stay at Home order which is effective until at least April 13th. Limits travel to essential purposes, closes many businesses.

so now they limiting parking along with limiting anchoring.

[Singularity]

Originally Posted by smbdyiam2

...No body that saw it tells health services? No wonder this is dyeing breed . called stupidity. Does anyone care if the ventilator that keeps them alive is $100 or $10,000 shiny . hand made or big business wall street.

I didn't mean to distract from the purpose of this particular thread; these (Rice-type) simple devices have been around forever and do not provide the same airflow ~fine tuning that is typically required by someone with the lung condition that Covid creates.

In other words, it's not enough to simply move air in/out with a bag. That's fine for a paralyzed person, not someone with an angry wet lung (or many other conditions that require fine tuning of airflow as is possible with a proper ventilator).

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by Singularity

I didn't mean to distract from the purpose of this particular thread; these (Rice-type) simple devices have been around forever and do not provide the same airflow ~fine tuning that is typically required by someone with the lung condition that Covid creates.

In other words, it's not enough to simply move air in/out with a bag. That's fine for a paralyzed person, not someone with an angry wet lung (or many other conditions that require fine tuning of airflow as is possible with a proper ventilator).

Reasonable distraction. Harsh reality. If you are in need of being put on a ventilator you are likely to die from COVID-19.

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-...id-19-patients

"Most coronavirus patients who end up on ventilators go on to die, according to several small studies from the U.S., China and Europe.

And many of the patients who continue to live can't be taken off the mechanical breathing machines.

"It's very concerning to see how many patients who require ventilation do not make it out of the hospital," says Dr. Tiffany Osborn, a critical care specialist at Washington University in St. Louis who has been caring for coronavirus patients at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

That concern is echoed by Negin Hajizadeh, a pulmonary critical care doctor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell on Long Island, N.Y.

"We have had several patients between the hospitals across the Northwell system that have come off the breathing machine," Hajizadeh says. "But the vast majority are unable to."

The largest study so far to look at mortality among coronavirus patients on ventilators was done by the Intensive Care National Audit & Research Centre in London. It found that among 98 ventilated patients in the U.K., just 33 were discharged alive.

The numbers from a study of Wuhan, China, are even grimmer. Only 3 of 22 ventilated patients survived.

And a study of 18 ventilated patients in Washington state found that nine were still alive when the study ended, but only six had recovered enough to breathe on their own.

All the early research suggests that once coronavirus patients are placed on a ventilator, they will probably need to stay on it for weeks. And the longer patients remain on a breathing machine, the more likely they are to die.

"We're not sure how much help ventilators are going to be," Osborn says. "They may help keep somebody alive in the short term. We're not sure if it's going to help keep someone alive in the long term."

Patients need a ventilator when their lungs can no longer deliver enough oxygen to keep the body going. And it's an extreme measure, Osborn says.

"We give sedation so the person goes to sleep. Then we provide a paralytic that stops their breathing," she says.

Next, a long plastic tube is inserted through the trachea and vocal cords. That allows a machine to deliver small puffs of highly oxygenated air to the lungs.

Unfortunately, Osborn says, "the ventilator itself can do damage to the lung tissue based on how much pressure is required to help oxygen get processed by the lungs."

And coronavirus patients often need dangerously high levels of both pressure and oxygen because their lungs have so much inflammation.

Another risk from being on a ventilator is that the tube carrying air and extra oxygen to the lungs provides a pathway for dangerous germs. Many ventilated patients get a new lung infection, a problem known as ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Ventilators have been seen as critical to treating coronavirus patients because the devices are very successful when used to treat common forms of pneumonia, says Hajizadeh.
"We treat patients for several days, and then we get the antibiotics into the body and the patient recovers," she says. "Unfortunately with this COVID-associated pneumonia, there are no treatments that we know work for sure."

Also, the coronavirus often does a lot more damage to a person's lungs than pneumonia associated with the flu. "There is fluid and other toxic chemicals, cytokines we call them, raging throughout the lung tissue," she says.

In some patients, the damage is so bad that even ventilation won't help. So doctors have sometimes tried an even more extreme measure called extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, which delivers oxygen directly to a patient's bloodstream.

But this is still a stopgap measure. "Remember, ECMO too is a life-supporting treatment," Hajizadeh says. "So it's a bridge while we are allowing the lung to heal itself from a pneumonia."

But lungs don't always heal, no matter how much help they get from a machine, Osborn says. So people need to be diligent about social distancing to keep the virus from spreading.

"I know that at times it gets frustrating," she says. "But it's really important not only for yourself and your family but for the other people you care about to shelter in place until this is over."

[smbdyiam2]

Originally Posted by Singularity

I didn't mean to distract from the purpose of this particular thread; these (Rice-type) simple devices have been around forever and do not provide the same airflow ~fine tuning that is typically required by someone with the lung condition that Covid creates.

In other words, it's not enough to simply move air in/out with a bag. That's fine for a paralyzed person, not someone with an angry wet lung (or many other conditions that require fine tuning of airflow as is possible with a proper ventilator).

sorry
It was not a put down on you. Just nobody mentions things like this. The news that I saw said not enough. period... Not that some one has to adjust air flow. I believe some type of valve could be installed like a water or air valve. and most Doctors or nurses could figure out the air flow.