CRISIS MANAGEMENT The
CRISIS MANAGEMENT The impact of coronavirus in Sicily has been minimal but facilities such as Base Nautica Flavio Gioia has followed cautious practices. Roberto Perocchio, president of Assomarinas, clarifies the protocol: “A tourist port is an interface between the land and the boat. A boat is an island and contact opportunities are minimal especially if used by one single family.” But boats are closely watched. “There are many patrols at sea by the Capitanerie di Porto, Carabinieri, Guardia di Finanze especially in Naples where the regional rules have been very severe out of fear that the population density in the Gulf could act as a detonator. All marinas report maximum attention from the maritime authorities and highly aware customers.” In Campania, city mayors, the regional Task Force, ASL and health companies are preparing a safety plan for the Amalfi coast, which has been barely touched by the virus. Over 2,100 swabs had been taken as this article was prepared (end of May). On 19 th May Confindustria Nautica confirmed that the Italian Government intended to reopen all borders between Italy and other European countries on 3 rd June. All movements are to be limited by state regulations or relate to specific territories provided they adequately meet the level of epidemiological risk and are in line with the restrictions of EU legislation and international obligations. There will be no mandatory 14 day quarantine period. Guidelines for marinas The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT) has decreed that all tourist ports must display information signs in Italian and English outlining the precautions that must be taken on site, e.g. use of personal protective equipment when in common areas and complying with a 1m (3ft) social spacing rule. Marinas must install sanitiser dispensers on every pier, limit boat movements and ban gatherings on the quays. The ability for any boat to move between different regions or countries is conditioned by national, regional and union regulations of the movement of people. As the marina is seen as an ‘economic activity’, in the event of a serious lack of respect for standards, activity can be suspended if the rules are violated. Boat owners must follow the same rules on a boat as they do at home. Any symptoms of fever, respiratory infection etc. must be reported to the regional health authorities. The same rules apply for rental boats, which must be sanitised internally and externally (living spaces) after every use, even if only for a few hours. The boat must have supplies of sanitising products and have information signs in multiple languages outlining hygiene measures. If a boat is chartered with a crew, the skipper must provide everyone with appropriate protective provisions and ensure crew quarters are periodically sanitised. The crew must always wear protective gear when mooring up, leaving a berth, bunkering and during towing phases with marine vehicles. Everyone must have regular tests for COVID-19 and temperatures must be taken daily. Guests must respect social distancing. Where we are now Italy has over 740 marinas and mooring areas, which are generally of good quality. All have basic anti-COVID rules, often improved by their own initiatives. With the exception of Piedmont and Lombardy, where the majority of Italian megayacht owners live, maxi yachts are scattered around the Italian coast – especially in the south and on the islands where there is little or no sign of the virus. Liguria was among the first to impose restrictive measures and is now reopening in a regulated manner. It also has a very special goodwill initiative called “And it will be a good wind!” This was developed at Marina degli Aregai to give intensive care and therapy personnel working in the COVID-19 emergency a time-off experience on board a boat. Marina di Loano (Savona) is, meanwhile, following a rigorous safety protocol and Giorgio Casareto, director of Marina di Varazze speaks of attention to detail while also looking forward to a summer season of Marina di Rimini, open to berth holders, is located in Emilia Romagna, the third highest region in Italy to be challenged by COVID-19 (after Lombardy and Piedmont respectively). 30 www.marinaworld.com - May/June 2020
