The annual spring migration north is proving to be complicated for US- and Canada-bound sailors due to the evolving coronavirus/COVID-19 situation. With border and harbor closures and quarantine rules changing seemingly by the hour, we’ve compiled a list of resources where you can find the latest information. As we hear of more information, we will post it here, and if you have additional info to add, please send it to [email protected].
• For Northbound US cruisers, it is recommended that you check with the individual port of entry before departing to find out what the current rules are and to let them know you are coming. The US Customs and Border Patrol Ports of Entry are listed here along with contact numbers: https://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports
• Once in the US, depending on the harbor you’ve arrived in, you will likely need to stay aboard for a 14-day quarantine period. The rules on this vary from state to state. Our friends at the Waterway Guide have a continually updated list of marine facilities and current government notices. All that information can be viewed here: https://www.waterwayguide.com/covid-19-reports
• The Ocean Cruising Club has opened some of its Facebook groups to non-members who have boats in the Caribbean or East Coast of North America. This UK-based group has discussions underway about working together for possible Atlantic transits and for the best solutions if boats are to remain in the Caribbean or east coast of North America. The two Facebook groups are:
• For detailed country-by-country reports on worldwide port closures, visit: https://www.noonsite.com/news/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-special-procedures-being-introduced-in-ports-of-entry-worldwide/
• If you would like a helping hand and a bit of (distant) camaraderie for the journey back to the US, consider joining the Salty Dawg Homeward Bound Flotilla. The Salty Dawg Sailing Association is providing vessel tracking, weather routing and assistance coming into US waters.
Read more about how the coronavirus pandemic has affected cruising sailors in Behan Gifford’s latest Sailing Totem posts:
How Coronavirus is impacting our plans
