Back to boats: how regions are moving forward for recreation and boatyards

Update: Click here to see what phase two will look like for boaters, region by region

Below is the article from April 26, 2020

Good news on the horizon for the restart of the boating industry. Several regions are working on getting boaters back to the boats (even if only for simple maintenance work) and resuming yard activities. Recall that boating alone accounts for more than 2 percent of Italy’s GDP (data as of September 2019).

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Here is the scenario between now and May 4 by region

Latium

As reported on the Lazio Region website(www.regione.lazio.it) a new regional ordinance, effective April 26, stipulates that it is allowed “I shift – within the regional territory, within one’s own municipality or from one’s own municipality to those where owned vessels or pleasure craft are located – Of the shipowner, owner or seaman with a regular contract of employment, exclusively for carrying out, no more than once a day, Of the activities of maintenance, repair, and replacement of parts necessary for the protection of the conditions of safety and preservation of vessels and recreational craft. This must be done in compliance with the provisions of the DPCMs and all safety regulations related to the containment of COVID-19 infection.”

In summary, the shipowner, owner or sailor with a regular employment contract will be able to go, if resident in Lazio, to the boats for maintenance activities and those preparatory to moving from the yard to the berth. Storage facilities and marinas that have boats in storage, in maintenance areas must observe compliance with industry regulations and all measures aimed at protecting against contagion.

Liguria

Liguria had been among the first regions to open to shipyard work. According to some rumors, there should also be an important novelty in the next regional ordinance of Liguria (to be made public tomorrow), similar to the region of Lazio: the possibility for sailors, shipowners and owners to reach their boats throughout the region (even outside the municipality of residence).

The mayor of Genoa, Marco Bucci, has announced that he plans to restart boating as early as May 4. These are the mayor’s words to Ansa:

“I say this as mayor of Genoa and of what was once the greatest maritime republic, boating must be able to restart on May 4, also because it is not just about leisure or tourism, but about giving breath to a very important industry.”

Tuscany

Tuscany is also working on reopening, interpreting government regulations on the maintenance activities of pleasure craft – which Confindustria Nautica had managed to have confirmed among the permitted activities also by the Prime Minister’s Decree of April 10, 2020 – Stating that they may be considered to include those of delivery of units already produced.

Veneto

In the Veneto region’s new ordinance, craft services are allowed for maintenance work on board recreational boats, as well as dock arrangement. Individual travel throughout the region is allowed in Veneto to go from boats moored outside the municipality of residence for maintenance and repair.

Campania

As reported by Confindustria Nautica, from tomorrow (April 27) and until May 3, “subject to notification to the competent Prefect, in accordance with Article 2, paragraph 12 DPCM April 10, 2020, conservative and maintenance, cleaning and sanitizing activities are allowed in the premises and areas used for the performance of commercial and production activities […].”

Shipbuilding is believed to be included in this partial reopening, but without certainty. In fact, unlike other ordinances, there is no mention of completion for the purpose of delivery of pleasure craft, including the necessary technical handling and navigation. In this regard, Confindustria Nautica has asked the region for clarification.

Brands

Ceriscioli, President of the Marche Region also opens up to boating. In fact, craft services rendered by third parties for maintenance work on board recreational boats at berth are allowed in the region.

In addition, maintenance and preparatory activities for the delivery of recreational vessels already outfitted by shipyards are finally allowed. Not only that, but they are also allowed to be moved from the site to the berth. However, communication to the Prefect and the relevant Maritime Authority and the consent of the social partners is required.

UPDATE

In the Marches, it is permitted (at least until May 4) for the shipowner, owner or sailor with a regular employment contract to move within the regional territory, exclusively for the purpose of carrying out, no more than once a day, maintenance, repair and replacement of parts necessary for the protection of the safety and preservation conditions of watercraft and recreational boats. This must be carried out in compliance with the provisions of the DPCMs and all safety regulations related to the maintenance of COVID-19 infection.

In fact, it is then permitted for recreational units to sail even for simple “recreational” outings with no more than two people on board, within the regional territory.

Here are the three updated subparagraphs

2)in the context of garaging activities, marinas or specially equipped places, maintenance activities of vessels and recreational boats, and those preparatory to moving from the yard to the berth. Storage facilities and marinas that have boats in storage, in maintenance areas must observe compliance with industry regulations and all measures aimed at protection from contagion;

3)the navigation of recreational units, within the regional boundaries to reach enterprises licensed to maintain and repair nautical units, and the navigation with recreational units outside the cases referred to in the preceding paragraphs. In addition to the boat driver, only one other person may be expected to be on board. Same-day return to the usual residence is mandatory.

4)individual displacement for motor activity and outdoor activities, including with recreational units with prohibition of gatherings and with the obligation to respect the distance of two meters from people, except those accompanied as minors or non-self-sufficient using masks and gloves or ensuring hygiene with suitable sanitizing liquid.

Emilia Romagna

In Emilia Romagna, as reported in the April 22 order,(www.regione.emilia-romagna.it) services of an artisanal nature rendered by third parties for maintenance work on board recreational vessels at the berth are permitted.The activity of “warehouse delivery” as well as activities preparatory to moving from the shipyard to the berth or related activities otherwise aimed at delivery, subject to prior notification of the Prefect, are permitted as part of shipbuilding activities.

Friuli Venezia Giulia

Friuli Venezia Giulia also frees up third-party craft services or those performed individually by owners for on-board maintenance of pleasure boats at berth as well as for testing, testing and delivery of boats. The arrangement of docks can also restart.

Abruzzo

Ordinance of the Abruzzo region states that “it is allowed to move within the regional territory, within its own municipality or municipalities where the owned vessels and/or pleasure boats are, to perform, for no more than once a day, only the activities of maintenance, repair and replacement of parts necessary for the protection of the safety and preservation conditions of the property, by the owner, owner or sailor with regular employment contract, exclusively in compliance with the provisions of the Decrees of the Presidency of the Council and all safety regulations related to the containment of COVID-19 infection;

• are allowed, within the framework of storage activities, marinas or specially equipped places, in view of the need to protect the property that could be exposed to irreparable damage by reason of deficient maintenance and preservation activities, the maintenance activities of vessels and/or recreational craft, as well as activities preparatory to moving from the yard to the berth;
• that boathouses and marinas that have boats in storage, in maintenance areas must observe the obligation to comply with industry regulations and any other measures aimed at protecting against contagion, while also taking care to interdict access to non-professionals;
• services of a craft nature rendered by third parties for maintenance work on board recreational boats at berth are allowed;
• the activities of “warehouse delivery” as well as activities preparatory to moving from the shipyard to the berth or related activities otherwise aimed at delivery are allowed within the scope of shipbuilding activities, subject to notification of the Prefect;

Apulia

Puglia is also moving regionally for phase two. From April 29, maintenance and repair of recreational boats will be allowed. Therefore, individual trips within the regional territory to reach owned boats for the performance of maintenance and repair activities by the owner or sailor with regular employment contract, in compliance with safety regulations related to the containment of Covid-19 infection, are allowed no more than once a day.

In Apulia you can fish (even with a boat). In compliance with regional rules and regulations, sport fishing is possible under the following conditions:

• Limited to fishing both from land and in inland waters and at sea;
• carried out by a person licensed to engage in sport and recreational fishing in possession of a copy of the communication made in accordance with the Ministerial Decree of December 6, 2010;
• With no more than two persons per boat, at least one of whom is licensed, in the case of fishing in inland waters or at sea
• In compliance with current regulations on the exercise of sport and recreational fishing

Sicily

As reported by this circular, the region of Sicily specifies that activities related to the delivery of already outfitted vessels by shipyards and their movement from the shipyard to the berth can be carried out after notifying the prefect. This is without prejudice to on-board maintenance and cleaning activities.

UPDATE

Sicily also authorized (from May 4 to 17) sports clubs that are allowed to start amateur activities such as fishing and sailing.

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