Cruisers confused by complicated COVID-19 regulations
by Ed Tillett 29 Mar 2020 13:43 BST
Cruisers confused by COVID-19 regulations © Ed Tillett
Most marinas remain open for business, albeit with caveats, as seen in the COVID-19 Marina/Services Report that Waterway Guide is compiling with its reporting partners including AGLCA, Dockwa, Marinas.com and Snag-a-Slip. However, it is too early to tell whether stricter guidelines will be invoked in the days and weeks ahead. Cruisers should remain prepared and ready to adapt.
Our transient and extended-cruising boating communities are beginning to struggle for tolerance and sanctuary during these extraordinary times. The situation is not as bad as in the film Waterworld, in which nomads are in search of dry land. But recent actions by Monroe County Florida, while well-meaning and necessary in particular cases, has forced some boat owners to leave their vessels, marinas or anchorages. The result is that sheltering-in-place orders, whether voluntary or mandated, are clearly in conflict with requirements to vacate.
The vacate orders appear to originate with policymakers who lack familiarity with this sector of the boating community. For some who live aboard, or who have been on extended travel as COVID-19 emerges, the mandates are akin to being told to stay home while at the same time being evicted.
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