Spain has started a plan to go back to the so-called "new normality", consisting in 4 stages, of 2 weeks each, starting from the first week of May.
The Spanish Maritime Authority issued on April 30th a clarification regarding the charter activity and how it can be carried out, stating that from 8th of June no restrictions apply other than the general public health risks reduction protocols and the local and International Marine Authority's restrictions.
During stage 0 no charter or pleasure yachting can be done. Nevertheless, individual sailing activity can be fulfilled as a federated (belonging officially to a sports institution) sports activity. In addition, there can only be sailing activity if the person doing it lives in the same municipality as were the boat is located. Geographical sailing restrictions also apply.
During this stage, it’s also allowed to visit and control the vessels for security or maintenance reasons, but again, only if the vessel is in the same municipality as the visitor’s residence. Only one person at a time is allowed to visit the vessel. The protocols and procedures of the marinas must be respected and followed at all times.
During stage I (from May 11th), pleasure and commercial yachting can be fulfilled considering it an act of active natural tourism. It can be done only with limited groups of people (as a cultural and pleasure activity) and they must all reside in the same municipality. Social distancing and personal restrictions must be carried out during this stage; thus disinfection and reinforcement of health and hygiene measures onboard are mandatory, especially if the vessels are used as tourist accommodation. These would be the public health risks reduction protocols applied to nautical activity, which have been studied and prepared by this sector. Again, geographical cruising restrictions apply, having to stay in the province’s waters and within islands waters, not able to navigate to other islands even within the same province [for example, if sailing out from Mallorca, you must stay in Mallorcan waters]
During stage II (from May 25th), recreational yachting, as in stage I, is allowed as it is considered an act of active natural tourism. It can be done only with limited groups of people, but these can come from the same province. Owners can now freely visit their vessels independently were they are located (always in the same province) to control for security or maintenance reasons. Likewise, in stage I, geographical cruising restrictions apply, having to stay in the province’s and island’s waters. During this stage, nautical practices could be carried out to obtain recreational titles, which require the use of recreational boats as a training activity.
In stage III (from June 8th) no restrictions apply other than the general public health risks reduction protocols and the local and International Marine Authority's restrictions.
Get prepared for the 8th of June!
We will keep you updated on further developments in Spain. Contact our Spanish office for more information: info.spain@sosyachting.com
