NTM 52/21 Coronavirus (Covid-19) Harbour Restrictions Update July 2021
Covid-19 pandemic guidance from the Scottish Government is being updated on a regular basis and this NTM has been revised to reflect the progression of Scotland’s phased approach through and out of the COVID-19 crisis.
Scottish Coronavirus regulations currently permit unrestricted travel between Scotland and the Common Travel Area (CTA – England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Republic of Ireland). The Scottish rules on travel to and from other parts of the CTA are kept under active review and are subject to change depending on the state of the pandemic. Travel restrictions remain in place for travel between Scotland and most other countries.
With the need to protect vulnerable island communities while still providing essential lifeline support, CMAL and our harbour operator CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL) are strictly following the instructions, advice and guidance from the governing authorities and experts as it becomes available. Hence, mariners are informed that with immediate effect restrictions that were in force at all CMAL statutory harbours and non-statutory facilities (full list here) have been revised as follows.
Island Visitors
The latest travel advice from ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne can be found here.
To reduce the risk of coronavirus being brought into island communities, Scottish Government are encouraging anyone planning to travel to a Scottish island to undertake a test before they do so, three days before you plan to travel and then again on the day of departure.
This is a voluntary scheme and evidence of a negative test is not required to travel to a Scottish island, however, visitors are encouraged to participate in order to reduce the risk that coronavirus is inadvertently carried into one of our island communities.
Domestic Recreational Vessels
Informal boating and organised activities can be undertaken at CMAL harbours and facilities in compliance with present Scottish Government restrictions and a comprehensive summary of the current guidance compiled by RYA Scotland can be found here.
Marine and Adventure Tourism Vessels
Vessels engaged in marine and adventure tourism day trips can also operate at CMAL harbours and facilities. At all times operators must comply with Scottish Government and HSE Guidance and regulations to ensure the safety of customers and staff and they must meet the criteria set out in the Tourism and Hospitality Sector Guidance.
Individual and boating operators are responsible for conducting a risk assessment drawing on the relevant sources of Scottish Government Coronavirus guidance and evidence of this being in place may be requested by CFL prior to allowing marine and adventure tourism vessels to use CMAL harbours or facilities.
Commercial operators of charter and cruise vessels up to a maximum of 12 passengers
Overnight boating or cruising by vessels that carry a maximum of 12 passengers from multiple households from Level 2 or lower of the Strategic Framework can operate within CMAL harbours and facilities.
Scottish Government advise that if any planned voyage crosses between two areas with differing Levels, the higher level must be applied to the whole voyage.
For catered boats, the Tourism and Hospitality guidance should be applied from the point of embarkation throughout the voyage and while disembarking.
In addition, any accommodation, regardless of format, that is used to for overnight accommodation on an unmanaged self-catering basis such a bare boat charter, for the purpose of the regulations is treated as a private dwelling, and therefore covered by the in-house socialising rules.
In both cases, businesses are responsible for conducting a risk assessment drawing on the relevant sources of Scottish Government Coronavirus guidance and evidence of this being in place may be requested by CFL prior to allowing such vessels to use CMAL harbours or facilities.
For suggestions on practical solutions, please see the industry guidance on the Sail Scotland website.
Domestic Cruise Vessels carrying more than 12 passengers
Following updates to Scottish Government guidance, from 19 July 2021 domestic cruise vessels carrying more than 12 passengers can operate within CMAL harbours and facilities.
Cruise ships must operate in accordance with Scottish travel rules.
International Cruise Vessels
At the present time, international cruises are prohibited from calling at Scottish ports therefore, until further notice international cruise vessels cannot be accepted at any CMAL harbours or facilities.
Commercial Cargo Vessels
With reference to the undernoted information on international voyages, commercial cargo vessels can operate at any CMAL harbours or facilities. Further guidance can be found here.
Calls by any vessels engaged on an International Voyage
At the present time Health Protection Scotland in liaison with the Scottish Ports Liaison Network requires that any vessel engaged on international voyages and arriving at a Scottish port must provide a Declaration of Health to the local Port Health Authority:
NTM 04/21 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Maritime Declaration of Health Update
Further information about Covid-19 may be found at:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19
https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/
RYA Boating Guidance for Scotland
Further details can be obtained using the contact details on this NTM.
This notice supersedes NTM 45/21 which is now cancelled.
Issued on behalf of the Harbour Master
Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited
email: operations@cmassets.co.uk
Categories: Notice to Mariners
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