The 10 principles for coronavirus-free yachting

 Yachting itself is an elegant form of social distancing. For preventing the spread of coronavirus, going on a boat with your family is much more sensible than staying in a guesthouse or hotel.      

A typical sailor spends most of their time just with their crew. They travel offshore, from one remote bay to another and are isolated on a boat, in the countryside or on islands.

By its very nature, yachting helps to stop the spread of coronavirus by keeping the crew and those around them from being exposed to the risk of infection.

Due to general concerns about the consequences of relaxing restrictions, including travel, we, together with the yachting public, have compiled a manifesto of ten principles of responsible yachting. It includes a series of additional measures that reduce risks to a minimum for sailors and their surroundings, as well as for their host and home country.

Hlavním principem je minimalizovat rizikový kontakt posádky jachty s ostatními, a vyloučit tím riziko přenosu případné infekce. Většinu zásad navrhli sami jachtaři, kteří se zapojili do iniciativy společnosti yachting.com spuštěné na sociálních sítích. Další námořníci jsou připraveni se dobrovolně k těmto zásadám připojit.

Principles of responsible yachting

1. Contactless charter

What is “Contactless charter”? The handover of the boat takes place without the personal presence of the handover technician (contact only if necessary), without having to visit the charter company's office and with all fees paid online / by card. Contactless charter has been prepared by yachting.com along with several charter companies in Croatia, and more are gradually being added to the project, with clients being able to preferentially choose from a range of boats from companies providing “Contactless”.

2. Disinfection

Charter companies are committed to using disinfectant in the cleaning of boats and to equip the boat with suitable disinfectants for use during the holiday. Clients will use hand sanitiser when arriving or returning to the boat, similar to customers in stores.

3. Adherence to check-out / check-in time

When their charter comes to an end, the crew leaves the marina on Friday evening (on Saturday morning by appointment only), while the next crew doesn’t arrive at the marina until Saturday afternoon. Spreading out the embarkation days is not feasible in Croatia.

4. Minimized social contact on the way there and back

Throughout the journey to the charter and back, the crew minimizes contact with others to that which is only absolutely necessary, they will observe social distancing, use protective gear and disinfectants when filling up with petrol, having refreshments or using toilets. In general, they will stop only when necessary and avoid places with large groups of people.   

5. Adapting the voyage route

Sailors will avoid all exposed ports, leave the marina immediately after embarkation (if conditions allow) and restrict movement on the shore in exposed places. 

6. Contactless provision of supplies and meals

The crew will bring food supplies and equipment with them, or use local online services or contactless delivery directly to the boat, or possibly purchase at a takeout window. Any restaurant visits along the voyage route will be limited to outdoor areas and payments made preferably by card or online.

7. Online tracking and monitoring of temperature or other symptoms in the logbook

When travelling there and back, including staying at the destination, the crew will use online tracking tools (such as mapy.cz), or at least record in the logbook the place and time of social contact for the purpose of tracing contacts. Each crew will be provided with instructional material and an online form for keeping daily records of elevated temperatures or other symptoms of COVID-19. If a virus risk is detected, support will be provided to the crew.

8. Database of test sites and departments of infectious diseases

The yachting.com Support Centre will have an updated database of COVID-19 testing sites and departments of infectious disease on the coast of Croatia and in the vicinity of busy routes. yachting.com will provide assistance to clients and at the same time all crews will be automatically notified of the correct procedure in case of the need for testing or the need to seek medical care.

9. Declaration of not being infectious

The sailor and their crew will fill out a declaration of not being infectious before the trip, which will record any symptoms or risky contacts in the 14 days before the trip for the purpose of the tracing of any possible infection.

10. Voluntarily working from home upon return

Upon return, the sailor and their crew will work from home for a period of two weeks, if their employer allows it, or at least limit social contact.