Despite the ongoing lockdown, Cowes Harbour is still open and ‘cannot refuse entry’ to vessels who need to go through or use the harbour unless the government orders it to close.
Harbour users have been asked to follow government guidance and stay at home and avoid any movements on the river during the coronavirus epidemic.
Access could also be restricted to the port and operations suspended but only as a last resort, due to the emergency COVID-19 bill passed recently.
In a newsletter, Cowes harbourmaster, Captain Stuart McIntosh, said:
“We are all having to get used to these very unusual, challenging and worrying times, and as a result, are having to find new ways of working and endeavouring to make the right decisions to ensure we manage the crisis for the benefit and welfare of us all.”
Now, boats arriving in Cowes from outside the UK are having to divert to Trinity Landing and provide information about their crew and last port of call.
Although water patrols are still being carried out twice a day, through the harbour and River Medina including at Shepards Marina and Kingston Wharf, and pilots, helping bigger ships to navigate the Cowes pilotage area, are practising social distancing.
The fuel berth will also open twice a week to supply essential customers and vessels only, including the harbour patrol, pilot boats and emergency service boats.
Harbour taxis have been stopped until further notice and Cowes Water Taxis, which were due to start operating this week), will not be running.
The harbour & marinas should be shut, forget the mooring fees they’re going to lose. Think about saving lives. STAY HOME
Sharon, owners are still charged mooring fees if their vessel is tied up and unable to be used at the moment. Don’t worry the IOW council still charge.
This is in stark contrast to many other ports in the country that have suspended mooring fees
Of course they won’t close it, let all the yacht owners in, why not….. should of been closed off, let in only essential traffic, like the ferries.
Only the plebs carry the germs in their eyes, hence they don’t feel ‘they’ are a risk but also don’t want you invading their environment near their homes in the countryside, stay in your two up two down box until you are carried out in an even smaller one is likely their vision.
Mark, The virus is here, and your island is part of the planet Earth, though reading a lot of the comments, I would question whether you lot are part of the human race!
Bloody yatchies sailing into Cowes from God knows where from the mainland. Should be turned away and told to go home.
Yarmouth still open as well
I cannot believe that Cowes Harbour are flouting the Governments advice that non essential businesses should pit their staff on furlough and close, as a measure to restrict the spread of COVID-19. By acting in this way, they are exposing the Island to greater risks of spreading the virus.
Unless Cowes Harbour is able to effectively test berthing boat’s crews for COVID-19 with immediate an instant response to the test proving if the crews are clear or not, then this is just another example of a business putting money ahead of social welfare.
The Isle of Wight council needs to take action immediately to protect the thousands of the young families, the residents with underlying health conditions and elderly that make up the voting population on the Island. Not to mention all the NHS staff that will also be exposed to the unnecessary increased risk caused by their irresponsible actions.