Block Island, RI Regulations Report 2020

[Pegu Club]

A thought to the cruising community at large, we have to accept that over the next year our lives will not be as they have been, we all will be facing C-19 related restrictions wherever we travel, we really have no choice but to adapt.


Fair winds,

[Shrew]

Incidentally, here is the notice for Block Island:

http://new-shoreham.com/docs/MANDATORY%20QUARANTINE.pdf

@OP:

It would seem that if you fly the IMSF Lima quarantine flag for 14 days and have registered with the RI Dept. of Health, then after 14 days you should be free to move.

Now whether the Harbormaster closed the public dinghy dock is another subject entirely. However, provided you follow their published guidelines, you shouldn't be prevented from landing on Dinghy Beach.

Are you speaking directly with Kate McConville (Harbormaster)?

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by Benz

The reason local harbormasters tyranize over public waters is that the Coast Guard, who has the jurisdiction over navigable waters, and the responsibility to make them accessible to every citizen, has abandoned their duty and let the local harbormasters run amok.

USCG is not funded or staffed for that function. If you want them to do it, hold your Congressman accountable.

[two-rocks]

Originally Posted by Auspicious

USCG is not funded or staffed for that function. If you want them to do it, hold your Congressman accountable.

Where it all started, no? Just send it down the line and blame someone else.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by Shrew

Incidentally, here is the notice for Block Island:

http://new-shoreham.com/docs/MANDATORY%20QUARANTINE.pdf

@OP:

It would seem that if you fly the IMSF Lima quarantine flag for 14 days and have registered with the RI Dept. of Health, then after 14 days you should be free to move.

Now whether the Harbormaster closed the public dinghy dock is another subject entirely. However, provided you follow their published guidelines, you shouldn't be prevented from landing on Dinghy Beach.

Are you speaking directly with Kate McConville (Harbormaster)?

That’s who the first post is quoting. The harbormaster.

I don't provide false or inaccurate information on public forums.

Yes, after 14 days you can move. Unless you are wealthy and own property on block island. Then “welcome ashore.”

Same in Newport, except you had better leave if you aren’t wealthy. It’s go to anchor for 2 weeks and we’ll start your 2 week limit in the anchorage the moment your quarantine starts. So, at the end of quarantine, you are kicked out of the anchorage. Fun. LOL. UNLESS you’re wealthy and have a dock in Newport. Then just stay onboard a bit and welcome!

My point is there are 2 different approaches to public policy here depending on your level of wealth.

Public health policy should be universally applied.

[kerrydeare]

Originally Posted by Chotu

... My point is there are 2 different approaches to public policy here depending on your level of wealth ...

How many folks suffering under the current difficulties do you think will be sympathetic to others who come from away and spend their days sailing around from port to port expecting a cordial welcome? I don't think that will be a big number.

It seems your issues can be resolved by either earning, stealing, or inheriting, a lot of money, so my advice is: go for it!

[Shrew]

Originally Posted by Chotu

That’s who the first post is quoting. The harbormaster.

I don't provide false or inaccurate information on public forums.

Yes, after 14 days you can move. Unless you are wealthy and own property on block island. Then “welcome ashore.”

Please do not misconstrue my post with accusing you of providing inaccurate information. I'm simply asking for clarification. It is my understanding that EVERYONE (including property owners) must quarantine for 14 days.

Those arriving from the mainland obviously need to travel TO their residences and must quarantine there. Those arriving by boat must quarantine on their boat.

My read is that they are saying there are no facilities in which non-residents can quarantine on the island itself. I'm simply not reading a bourgeois conspiracy here.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Chotu

From the Block Island Harbormaster:

"Good evening,
If you do not have a safe haven to quarantine on land, you can not get off your vessel on Block Island. There are no facilities or accommodations open for you. You can drop your hook if you need to stop for weather related issues. "

So Block Island is completely closed to everyone who doesn't own real estate there.

Rhode Island is becoming quite unfriendly to boaters who aren't in the 1%. Other places don't have these types of draconian restrictions. This was the response after I had told them we'd been on the boat without getting off for a moment for 3 weeks. I had asked if we could go walk on the empty beach near the anchorage with masks on once or twice a week while sitting there on 14 day quarantine.

It seems only the wealthy are exempt from the draconian rules on Rhode island.

If you're spending a higher level of money than provisioning, or you are a wealthy land owner, you're welcome. Otherwise, get lost.

That is their prerogative on Block Island. They don't have a tourist industry nor want one. It isn't a matter of RI it's a privately owned enclave.
Life's a bitch, Not sure I would want to be in that income range but feel sure a get away is nice for those that are.
I hadn't been there for 60 years, or so, and hope it hasn't changed..

[Crusty Joker]

Fear determines the real time extension friendship and obligations to the already dwindling number of real yachters, it seems. I distrust those that neglect maintenance and blame condition of their vessel and or personal health on others... It is indicative of the apparent 'rule of reason by the ignorant' who are elevated above their real class and abilities. Now was this state one of the first or last to sign the Declaration of Independence. I am of the opinion that California would be better on its own, leaving 49 states to muddle about who they want to be in charge. 5 counties in Southern California determine the economy of the state, the nation, and largely the world. Tell those little cheesy people to stick their YC's up in the dark someplace familiar.

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by Chotu

From the Block Island Harbormaster:

"Good evening,
If you do not have a safe haven to quarantine on land, you can not get off your vessel on Block Island. There are no facilities or accommodations open for you. You can drop your hook if you need to stop for weather related issues. "

So Block Island is completely closed to everyone who doesn't own real estate there.

Rhode Island is becoming quite unfriendly to boaters who aren't in the 1%. Other places don't have these types of draconian restrictions. This was the response after I had told them we'd been on the boat without getting off for a moment for 3 weeks. I had asked if we could go walk on the empty beach near the anchorage with masks on once or twice a week while sitting there on 14 day quarantine.

It seems only the wealthy are exempt from the draconian rules on Rhode island.

If you're spending a higher level of money than provisioning, or you are a wealthy land owner, you're welcome. Otherwise, get lost.

You are being treated the same as anyone entering The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. The rules are customary of many States, Provinces and countries - two weeks self-isolation upon entry whether you are a resident of the place or a visitor, the only distinction being that essential travelers are exempt from the self-isolation period but must maintain social distancing protocols and also leave the place the moment their essential activities are completed. Many countries have closed their borders, to both citizens and non-citizens. You are at least allowed to enter, albeit with modest conditions. Stay At Home is the new norm.

It sounds like you are feeling put out or perceive that you warrant some extraordinary privileges during the pandemic crisis. Not sure why either of those perceptions would arise.

It is not that you are unwelcome, it is that the virus is unwelcome and non-pharmaceutical interventions are the only available method to mitigate the spread of the highly contagious virus and resultant hazards of the disease.

"The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has issued guidelines that essentially say the mandatory 14-day quarantine for people arriving from out of state applies to boaters, as well.

That means Connecticut-based boaters accustomed to making jaunts to Watch Hill, Block Island or Newport will have to stay on their boats and quarantine for two weeks before going ashore.

Rhode Island is asking local municipalities to post "sentries" at their harbor entrances and arriving boats will be asked to fly the international quarantine flag to indicate they are complying with the order.

The Block Island harbormaster has posted a billboard warning of the quarantine requirements at the channel entrance leading into Great Salt Pond, the island's largest harbor.

The same rules apply for the many Massachusetts and Connecticut residents who keep their boats in Rhode Island. One exception to the two-week rule would allow out-of-state residents to come and retrieve their boats and take them out of Rhode Island.

Police in Jamestown, R.I., say they will be checking marina parking lots for out-of-state plates.

No one knows if the order will last into the summer. Violators can be fined up to $50 or up to two years in jail."

https://www.theday.com/article/20200416/NWS05/200419634

[leandroflaherty]

Its easier to get forgiveness than permission. You have every right to land your dinghy and walk the beach or public roads, I dont care what locals say. Its a free country and its public access. You should not make it easy for them, protect your right to exist. Land ownership is not a VIP club to making up public rules. OBEY

[Chotu]

Other than a factual posting of the rules, my editorial bits have a point which you missed, though it’s been stated over and over now.

THE PUBLIC HEALTH RULES ARE DIFFERENT IF YOU ARE SPENDING SERIOUS MONEY IN RHODE ISLAND.

Originally Posted by Montanan

You are being treated the same as anyone entering The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. The rules are customary of many States, Provinces and countries - two weeks self-isolation upon entry whether you are a resident of the place or a visitor, the only distinction being that essential travelers are exempt from the self-isolation period but must maintain social distancing protocols and also leave the place the moment their essential activities are completed. Many countries have closed their borders, to both citizens and non-citizens. You are at least allowed to enter, albeit with modest conditions. Stay At Home is the new norm.

It sounds like you are feeling put out or perceive that you warrant some extraordinary privileges during the pandemic crisis. Not sure why either of those perceptions would arise.

It is not that you are unwelcome, it is that the virus is unwelcome and non-pharmaceutical interventions are the only available method to mitigate the spread of the highly contagious virus and resultant hazards of the disease.

"The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has issued guidelines that essentially say the mandatory 14-day quarantine for people arriving from out of state applies to boaters, as well.

That means Connecticut-based boaters accustomed to making jaunts to Watch Hill, Block Island or Newport will have to stay on their boats and quarantine for two weeks before going ashore.

Rhode Island is asking local municipalities to post "sentries" at their harbor entrances and arriving boats will be asked to fly the international quarantine flag to indicate they are complying with the order.

The Block Island harbormaster has posted a billboard warning of the quarantine requirements at the channel entrance leading into Great Salt Pond, the island's largest harbor.

The same rules apply for the many Massachusetts and Connecticut residents who keep their boats in Rhode Island. One exception to the two-week rule would allow out-of-state residents to come and retrieve their boats and take them out of Rhode Island.

Police in Jamestown, R.I., say they will be checking marina parking lots for out-of-state plates.

No one knows if the order will last into the summer. Violators can be fined up to $50 or up to two years in jail."

https://www.theday.com/article/20200416/NWS05/200419634

[Montanan]

Here is the guidance regarding Covid-19 for R.I.

FYI: Basic social distancing protocols essentially requires that only cohabitants be allowed to embark on a boat. No friends or family that do not reside together, because obviously one can not maintain distance on a boat. And then avoid close contact with all others.



April 29, 2020
Marinas and Boatyards
Phase 1 Opening
The RI Department of Environmental Management provides this guidance to marinas, boatyards and yacht clubs to clarify the protocols that must be in place by May 1st in order to allow patrons access to their vessels during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis:

http://http://www.dem.ri.gov/program...a-guidance.pdf


"COVID-19 Marina, Yacht Club and Harbor Master Guidance

Due to Covid 19 and the Governors Executive Order, we are providing guidance for the operation of marinas, yacht clubs and harbor masters. This will allow for business operations, provide safety measures for your staff and ensure that we are all doing as much as we can to prevent the transmission and spread of this historic influenza.

Any person coming to Rhode Island from another state for a non-work-related purpose must immediately self-quarantine for 14 days. This quarantine restriction shall not apply to public health, public safety, or healthcare workers.

As the summer season approaches, many of you have started placing docks, providing boat service to ready vessels to be placed in the water, and installation and preparation of mooring fields. Although these are non-essential and elective, these operations are an important part of our economy and way of life. We are asking that the following measures be utilized so that this work can continue.

In response to the Coronavirus COVID-19 crisis, the State of Rhode Island urges operators of marinas and yacht clubs to adhere to the following parameters to match the health and safety guidance from the CDC:

Yards at marinas and yacht clubs should remain secure so that admittance can be monitored by the owners / operators.
In the event an owner or other persons wish to work on their vessel, they should be cautioned about social distancing and monitored to ensure no groups form. This is important to protect your employees as well.
Any sales at your stores must be curbside pickup only.
Limit use of facilities to seasonal slip holders only. Use of facilities by transients and out of state boaters should be prohibited.
In the event that a vessel arrives at your facility, they must be provided with the Public Health documents being provided to all out of state travelers. They should also be directed to the RI Department of Health website site to fill out the required information. See attached link you can add to your web pages. https://health.ri.gov/covid/
Gloves must be worn while pumping out or fueling.
Moorings may be installed and serviced per local harbor management plans."

[Montanan]

Article I, Section 17 of the Rhode Island Constitution states that:

The public shall continue to enjoy and freely exercise all the rights of fishery, and the privileges of the shore, to which they have been heretofore entitled under the charter and usages of this State.

This has been interpreted to mean that lateral access on all beaches is guaranteed by the State constitution. Rhode Island is the only state to specifically outline four shoreline rights -- fishing, gathering seaweed, swimming access via the shore and passage along the sea. Freedom of access to coastal recreational spots in "the Ocean State" is of primary concern to the public and their officials.

Traditionally the "seaweed line" or "wrack line" has been interpreted as the boundary between private property and public trust lands. On wave-dominated shorelines, the position of the "seaweed line", or the last high tide swash line (LHTS) is dependent on the wave climate as much or more than the tidal phase. Tide-coordinated aerial surveys and in-field delineation of the water line in shoreline mapping surveys have reinforced the importance of the concept of including wave dynamics in demarcating an interpreted mean high water (MHW) line.

Because the right to access the water is written into the constitution, Rhode Island courts normally decide against adjacent property owners when there's a question of whether a particular site is open to the public. The Coastal Resources Management Council [CRMC] also publishes a guide, that allows citizens to designate their own right of way. According to the guide, a right of way can be established by six different methods: Town-recognized roads, highways, paper streets, public usage or deed to the public, uninterrupted usage by the public over time, and well-used paths more than 10 years old. Also see page 80 of Public Access to the Rhode Island Coast.

The right of way process is normally initiated by the town, not the CRMC itself. For example, a town can nominate certain areas for the CRMC to investigate. At this point, the CRMC visually inspects the area, and also examines any evidence provided to it by the town — land evidence records, deeds, tax assessor records and court decisions. After nomination and discovery, the potential right of way is assigned to a CRMC subcommittee, and a public hearing is held in the town. If the subcommittee approves the right of way, it is referred to the full council for ratification. If there are no appeals, or if appeals have been exhausted, then the decision is recorded in the town's land evidence records and filed with the Secretary of State's office.

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by Chotu

Other than a factual posting of the rules, my editorial bits have a point which you missed, though it’s been stated over and over now.

THE PUBLIC HEALTH RULES ARE DIFFERENT IF YOU ARE SPENDING SERIOUS MONEY IN RHODE ISLAND.

Please provide citation to the differences in rules.