Covid: can you reach the boat, can you sail? Let’s have clarity

Interpreting the latest guidance on travel in the regions issued Monday, April 12, here is what you can and cannot do with your boat for recreational, sporting, work, necessity use in Italy and abroad.

GET TO THE BOAT AND STAY ON BOARD

As we have repeatedly explained to you (endorsed by legal opinion), the boat can be equated with a second home and therefore can always be reached, even in the red zone. It is possible to stay on board exactly as in a second home. Please note that, if necessary, you must have with you either the contract of purchase or lease of the berth entered into before January 14, 2021. If you want to sleep on board, remember that there is a curfew from 10 pm to 5 am.

NAVIGATE YOUR BOAT AFTER REACHING IT

You cannot navigate in the red zone. Currently (as of April 13) the regions in the red zone are Campania, Aosta Valley, Apulia, and Sardinia. In the other regions regardless of color you can navigate.

In the orange zone you must compulsorily return to the municipality where you keep your boat (second home). You can sail from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

In the yellow zone, on the other hand, you will also be able, while staying within regional boundaries, to change moorings or anchorages for the night, while complying with the 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. travel ban.

If your region of departure for sailing is in the white zone, you can also sail and moor outside the regional scope, as long as the region where you want to be stationed is also in the white or yellow zone.

SPORT USE OF THE BOAT (CABIN CRUISER AND NON-CABIN)

In the red zone, basic sports and motor activities at public and private outdoor and indoor sports centers and clubs are suspended. But if I have the ability to get to a boat close to the residence (just as I go out for running), in theory, I can use it for motor activity, on an individual basis (this is clearly hyperbole, but with a drift, the situation could occur). Always adhering to the 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.

In orange zone, boat rides are allowed subject to spacing and prohibition of gathering, as a motor activity. As long as everything takes place within the municipal area, respecting the 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.

In the yellow zone, boat rides are allowed subject to spacing and prohibition of gathering, as a motor activity. As long as everything is carried out regionally, respecting the 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.

In the white zone you can train and then reach the vessel intended for sporting activity even outside the regional area, as long as the region in which you want to be stationed is also in the white or yellow zone.

FOR WORK OR UNAVOIDABLE NEEDS

It is always allowed, in case of unavoidable needs (example: extraordinary maintenance) or for work to reach the boat, throughout the country. It will suffice to have self-certification and be able to show good reason.

I CAN GO ABROAD?

Yes and no. In theory the moment I have reached my boat and can sail, I fall under the “traveler” regulation since I want to reach a foreign country. So I will have to abide by the national regulations regarding the travel of an Italian traveling abroad. It will depend on whether there are any restrictions on entry into the destination country, whether there is quarantine on arrival, its duration and modalities, whether and what health documents and certifications will need to be presented, whether one has to be tested for Covid positivity etc.

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