Alderney lays down law for charter boats
ALDERNEY has drawn up a new process to ensure charter vessels and their passengers abide by the rules to avoid bringing Covid-19 into the island.
There have been no cases of the illness in the northern island.
Returning residents, key workers and other staff sometimes use charter vessels to travel to Alderney and the General Services Committee wants to reassure islanders that the appropriate control measures are in place.
‘We are aware there is public concern about the increase in people coming to the island so we have addressed the measures needed to reassure the local community,’ said Alderney harbour master John Taylor.
The measures include all vessels arriving at Braye Harbour having to complete a booking form 48 hours in advance of arrival and that being approved.
The form must include details of everyone on board and their contact details, as well as a reason for travel and declaration of health.
Vessels must then contact port control via VHF radio on Ch16/74 as they approach Alderney to declare passenger and crew numbers for arrival. The vessel will use the designated landing area as advised by port control.
Passengers and crew will remain on board until Border Agency or police have cleared all passengers for entry.
If the vessel has entered from outside the Bailiwick, no crew can disembark unless they have been cleared by port control.
Clearly marked routes for passengers must be followed in or out of the harbour and outbound passengers must remain in a waiting area before being escorted to the landing stage.
Charter vessel operators based in the Bailiwick should comply with guidance for businesses issued on the Covid19.gov.gg website, while operators based outside the Bailiwick are required to inform all passengers arriving from outside the Bailiwick of the need to self-isolate for 14 days.
Self-isolation is monitored on the island and the penalty for non-compliance is a fine of up to £10,000.
Charter vessels are also asked to undertake a risk assessment to identify Covid-19 control methods that should include consideration of wearing facemasks, seating arrangements and cleaning between journeys.
Passenger records including contact details must be kept for 14 days after the voyage.
