Maryland Bans Recreational Boating for the Duration

[thinwater]

https://chesapeakebaymagazine.com/md-clarifies-no-recreational-boating-order/


In a nutshell, although people could boat in a manner that is consistent with social distancing, they don't believe that we can (probably correctly) and thus have banned boating. There are exceptions for food fishing and transportation, but they don't really apply to sailors. Live aboards are excluded.

Virginia has not followed suit yet. I suspect we will be seeing more of this in other states. So basically, a lost season.


It's a bummer for me, since I would have happily singlehanded all summer, or with family members, with zero risk of transmission. I suppose I could talk my way through some loophole, but is it worth the stress? No, boating should be relaxing.

[Paul L]

If you were a cruiser escaping the upcoming hurricane season in tbe south you should be OK to head to tne Chesapeake:
I live on my sailboat – can I still be in my boat slip or moored out?

If your boat serves as your residence, you can remain on the vessel.

Are marinas an essential business now that boating is not allowed?

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) defines certain marine trades and marine services as essential.

https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2020/0...at-home-order/

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Paul L

If you were a cruiser escaping the upcoming hurricane season in tbe south you should be OK to head to tne Chesapeake:
I live on my sailboat – can I still be in my boat slip or moored out? It did not specifically talk about mooring out. But I think it is implicit that a full-time cruiser, for example, falls in the live-aboard catagory.

If your boat serves as your residence, you can remain on the vessel.

Are marinas an essential business now that boating is not allowed? Certain services only (fuel and maintenance of essential vessels).

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) defines certain marine trades and marine services as essential.

https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2020/0...at-home-order/

For most of us, I depends on whether you want to worry about an awkward meeting on the water and a position that may be hard to defend.


The hard truth is that we are being asked to stay home. It's not a vacation. It sucks and you can't put a smile on it.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by thinwater

For most of us, I depends on whether you want to worry about an awkward meeting on the water and a position that may be hard to defend.


The hard truth is that we are being asked to stay home. It's not a vacation. It sucks and you can't put a smile on it.

Agreed, stay home if you are home. Many cruisers are a long way from their home base. We are 8,000 miles from homeport. My post was for cruisers who have arrived in Fla (and are not from Fla) and now need to deal with the up coming hurricane season. Heading to tbe Chesapeake is still an option.

[letsgetsailing3]

Originally Posted by Paul L

Agreed, stay home if you are home. Many cruisers are a long way from their home base. We are 8,000 miles from homeport. My post was for cruisers who have arrived in Fla (and are not from Fla) and now need to deal with the up coming hurricane season. Heading to tbe Chesapeake is still an option.

To me, that sounds a lot like recreational boating.

[Spindrift NH]

South Carolina has shut down recreational boating as well. I suspect if you are traversing the state you will be left alone, they’re mostly concerned with multiple boats rafting up or congregating on the islands/beaches.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by letsgetsailing3

To me, that sounds a lot like recreational boating.

Are you serious? What do you expect a cruiser living in their boat home to do, ignore hurricane season?

[hpeer]

Originally Posted by letsgetsailing3

To me, that sounds a lot like recreational boating.

To me that’s sounds like you are not a cruiser.

[hpeer]

The MD rule brings up some interesting conflicts.

It’s one thing to return to the Chesapeake. But then you need to find a mooring, slip, anchor out, or haul.

Mooring, slip, and haul require marinas to be operating.

If marinas are not functioning anchor out is the only option.

Having experienced Sandy and the one the year before at DELAWARE City Marina I would much rather haul.

Hopefully things will return closer to normal by then.

Otherwise, if marinas are closed, you might be better off in the NC sounds.

[BenBowSirocco]

My wife and I have been separated from our home/boat which is in GT Bahamas. We are now being faced with the decisions of where to move the boat for hurricane season- on what may be a very short notice.

Rules and regulation against boating is happening here in FL as well, which is sad as it could easily be used as a great family activity in compliance with all social distancing rules. But a few morons had to ruin it for us all- typical selfish behavior I suppose.

Letsgetsailing3: absolutely ridiculous comment.

[wsmurdoch]

From Maryland DNR...

https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2020/0...at-home-order/

[Sailorman Ed]

Any information about the lock for the Great Dismal Swamp or the lock on the alternative route thru Coinjock?
Moving south..

[Boatguy30]

Ed, from a cruiser with a registered home port in a Northern State. Don't think looking to move south at the moment is very helpful to us needing to get out of the hurricane zone.

I think we have a strong case for innocent passage thru all these states until we reach out homeport. You're looking to what head south to the Bahamas?

[letsgetsailing3]

Originally Posted by Paul L

Are you serious? What do you expect a cruiser living in their boat home to do, ignore hurricane season?

I expect them to take the coronavirus more seriously than some are doing.

[hpeer]

Originally Posted by letsgetsailing3

I expect them to take the coronavirus more seriously than some are doing.

Another blanket statement without an ounce of support or explanation.