11 Jun COVID-19 Update – A Safe Return to Poole Harbour
PHC continues to monitor the current COVID-19 situation as part of our ongoing commitment to the health and welfare of our workforce, harbour users, and their families. We’re still following the latest government guidance, as well as advice from governing bodies and authorities to ensure that we have the correct measures in place to protect all of our stakeholders.
The latest advice from the Government was issued on 11th June 2020. Please find a summary below, along with an update of some of the port and harbour activities for Poole:
PLEASE NOTE: You must not stay overnight on any boat, unless it’s your primary residence.
PRIVATELY OWNED LEISURE BOATS
You may use your privately owned boat (both powered and non-powered) for non-essential travel on waterways.
You should:
• Follow relevant navigation authority guidance
• Meet all licensing requirements
Navigation authorities may not allow leisure travel on their waterways until their teams have carried out safety inspections and maintenance.
Poole Harbour Commissioners welcome the safe return to leisure boating but would encourage all harbour users to take additional safety precautions when going out on the water. And, to remember the risks to rescue boats, whose crews cannot social distance should you find yourself in need of assistance. The RNLI has a comprehensive list of safety resources on their website here, or you can view our ‘Safety in the Harbour’ tips here.
Our normal harbour patrols are out on the water to provide guidance, assistance, and where required the policing of the Poole Harbour Byelaws and General Directions.
MARINAS
Marinas may open to allow people to visit and move their boats. Marinas should have measures in place to ensure social distancing.
You are allowed to visit venues like a marina for exercise. You should only do so in the following ways:
• Alone
• With members of your household
• With 6 people from different households (including yourself) as long as you can remain 2 metres away from them and stay outside
You should check ahead to ensure that these facilities are open and prepared to receive visitors. You should not gather indoors with anyone from outside your household.
Poole Quay Boat Haven and Port of Poole Marina are owned and operated by Poole Harbour Commissioners. Both of our marinas reopened on 15th May to annual berth holders only, in this initial phase of opening we are unable to provide visitor moorings.
Additional control measures have been put in place to protect both our marina staff and customers, and we kindly ask that everyone adheres to these measures to limit the spread of COVID-19.
CANOE AND OTHER PADDLE CRAFT HIRE
Facility managers can decide whether or not they hire out equipment, including canoes and other paddle craft.
Operators should:
• Follow COVID-19 precautions and clean everything after each user
• Follow government guidance on water sports and sharing equipment
SELF-DRIVE DAY BOAT HIRE AND BAREBOAT CHARTERS
You can hire self-drive boats or charter a bareboat for the day only. You should only hire or charter a boat with people from your own household or support bubble.
Operators should:
• Apply appropriate social distancing measures, including during boat hand over
• Clean boats between users
• Set up and follow cleaning and waste removal routines after each hire for all handrails, indoor surfaces, and toilets or bathrooms
SKIPPERED DAY-BOAT HIRE AND SKIPPERED DAY CHARTER HIRE
Operators should not allow skippered day boat hire or skippered day charter boat hire.
HOLIDAY BOAT HIRE (SELF-DRIVE AND SKIPPERED)
Operators must not allow hire or charter holiday boats with overnight stays.
TOURIST BOATS AND TRIP BOATS
Tourist and trip boat operators must remain closed. For updates, operators should read the government guidance on ticketed leisure venues.
HOSPITALITY BOATS
Cafes, restaurants and bars on boats must remain closed, other than for take-away. For updates on hospitality, operators should read the government guidance on hospitality settings.
PASSENGER FERRIES
Read the guidance on safer travel guidance for passengers.
Passenger Ferry operations have been suspended in Poole since March. For the sailing updates please see Condor Ferries and Brittany Ferries websites.
WATERWAYS REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE BUSINESSES
Waterways repair and maintenance businesses can be open.
Operators should:
• Follow social distancing requirements
• Ensure the safety of staff and customers
• Assess the risks from COVID-19 as soon as possible
• Operators should use this risk assessment to identify any further improvements that might be needed
WATERWAYS NON-ESSENTIAL RETAIL BUSINESSES
Waterways non-essential retail businesses can reopen from 15 June.
Operators should:
• Put social distancing measures in place
• Assess the risks from COVID-19 as soon as possible
Operators should use this risk assessment to identify any further improvements that might be needed.
COMMERCIAL SHIPPING AT POOLE
As per of previous update, PHC continues to operate under our ‘open port duty’ and the harbour is open for the shipping and unshipping of goods.
Essential freight services and other commercial vessels are currently operating from the Port of Poole, but Passenger Ferry operations have been suspended since March.
PROTECTING OUR STAKEHOLDERS
“Keeping our workforce and port visitors safe whilst remaining operational is a top priority. Therefore, we continue to work closely with Public Health England (PHE) and Port Health to ensure that we are following the most up-to-date recommendations. We have a comprehensive protocol in place for when passenger ferry services return to the Port of Poole.” said Dave Laut, Safety and Security Manager, Poole Harbour Commissioners.
Find out more about the steps we are taking to protect our workforce and port visitors here. And, see the steps we’ve put in place to reduce the impact of the virus here.
For further information please contact the PHC team on 01202 440200 or email: pooleharbourcommissioners@phc.co.uk