A protocol for managing Covid-19
The Federation of Marinas was entrusted with the organization of the resumption of recreational boating activities on April 24. In collaboration with the state services, the Secretary General, the maritime prefects and the regional prefects, the FFPP presented a management protocol for the Covid-19 for the resumption of yachting.
"The the responsible resumption of economic activity was conditioned by the submission of a management plan. The sector had to provide guarantees with a guide and a charter. All the regional unions worked together throughout the weekend to provide an answer to the regional secretary and guarantee the proper management of this deconfinement. We are serene" explains Serge Pallarès, President of the FFPP.
Examples of good practices
Thus, in this guide, which will be distributed to all ports and boaters when they are authorized to sail, the themes of welcoming boaters, stopovers, their journey through the port, technical areas and fueling areas will be addressed. "It's an interesting guide that is bound to grow. These are basics to set the stage, but will evolve as we experiment."
All boaters will have to wear a mask to access the harbor and the FFPP president also advises those who would sail with their family to keep them on board their boat. Harbour staff will also be equipped with masks and gloves and will enforce reasonable safety distances. The harbour master's offices will be equipped with a reception desk with Plexiglas protection and the person in charge of the reception, wearing a mask and gloves.
There will also be rules for the release of the boat, but also for craning, with a distance of 4 m to be respected with the personnel.
"We will have to live with these kinds of constraints, which are already in place in other countries. We have to respect life and perpetuate it and therefore respect the rules of life. Everyone has to be respectful of each other's lives and from that point on, everything will be fine."We have to apply the government measures, and therefore this ban on traveling more than 100 km from home. We can't do otherwise. It's going to go up gradually, the more responsible and respectful we are going to be, the more we're going to get used to living like this."
Serge Pallarès, President of the FFPP
What about boaters who live more than 100 km from their home port?
During his speech, Edouard Philippe indicated that if the certificate of displacement was no longer mandatory, they would nevertheless be limited to a maximum of 100 km from his home. So what about Parisian boaters?
"Today, I dissociate the beaches, a mass territory and a port. The boaters do not come in clusters, they come with their spouse or family or friends. Certainly we will cross paths, but we will respect the distances. Since the beginning we have had people confined to their boats and we have not had any abuse or misbehavior. The boater is responsible and knows what to do and what not to do." explains Serge Pallarès.
Responsible boaters
The president of the FFPP also counts on the common sense of boaters to respect this charter of good practice. "Today, we are waiting for confirmation of the reopening of boating activities or the suspension of navigation. If this were not the case, I would not understand. One does not risk more on a port or a boat than in the street or in a supermarket. I am serene. The industry is responsible and united to work in the general interest, the preservation of life and the management of this virus.
We hope to have an answer before the end of the week, with a green signal and a resumption as soon as the deconfliction takes place. After all, professionals continue to ferry boats and the SNSM has resumed training and sea trips since April 28. So, how can we tell boaters not to go out?"
The recovery of economic activity
Today, we must be able to put energy back into the reactor. If we have the possibility to reopen navigation, the reactor will be reactivated, the economy will start again and so will life. This means that there is hope concludes the president of the FFPP.
