Accessibility.SkipToMainContent
Industrial

Nautilus warns yacht members to beware new Covid travel rules

8 January 2021

Nautilus is warning members who serve on superyachts and pleasure craft to check whether they are exempt from travel bans brought in by European countries in response to a new strain of Covid-19.

Although guidance from the EU Commission recommends that professional seafarers are exempted from travel bans, there are reports that some authorities have been turning away seafarers serving on superyachts.

The Spanish government extended a travel ban on arrivals from the UK until 19 January, but also clarified in an official bulletin that these restrictions do not apply to professional seafarers.

However, there have been reports that Spanish authorities have been turning away seafarers who serve on superyachts.

In addition, other countries have made clear that restrictions do apply to yacht crew.

'Nautilus recommends that yacht crew carry documentation to prove employment on board, plus a copy of the EU Commission's "Recommendation on EU coordinated approach to travel and transport in response to new variant of coronavirus in the UK",' said Nautilus strategic organiser Rachel Lynch.

'This document states that transport staff within the EU should be exempted from any travel bans and from testing and quarantine requirements when they are travelling across a border to and from a vessel, vehicle or aircraft.

'It is our view that all seafarers should therefore be exempt from the travel ban, but yacht members should be aware that in some countries, including the Netherlands, commercial yachts and pleasure craft will be subject to the restrictions.'


Tags

More articles

Featured
Health and safety

Nautilus FAQs on Covid-19 Coronavirus

  • Telegraph
  • 17 March 2021
International

New Covid test and quarantine exemption certificate for arrivals from Red List countries

Nautilus has updated its key worker exemption from mandatory quarantine and proof of negative Covid-19 test documentation, used by seafarers on arrival in the UK.

  • News
  • 14 January 2021
Industrial

Yacht crew advised to check post-Brexit requirements for work-related travel

Nautilus has advised superyacht crew to check the requirements for joining yachts in Europe post-Brexit.

  • News
  • 08 January 2021
International

Singapore crew changes cancelled as airlines demand negative Covid tests

Crew changes through Singapore have been thrown into disarray as airlines demand proof of negative Covid-19 tests, despite seafarers being exempted from the new rules.

  • News
  • 15 January 2021
Health and safety

UK confirms seafarer keyworkers exempt from mandatory Covid test rules for inbound travel

The UK government has confirmed that seafarers who are travelling for employment are exempted from the requirement to take a PCR or equivalent Covid-19 test not more than 72 hours before boarding their mode of transport to the UK.

  • News
  • 13 January 2021
Health and safety

Netherlands imposes mandatory Covid rapid testing for inbound travel

Passengers to the Netherlands on planes and ferries from England, including truck drivers, must be in possession of a negative rapid test taken immediately before departure.

  • News
  • 14 January 2021
International

Nautilus helps seafarers stranded by new Covid restrictions return home from the Netherlands to the UK

Nautilus industrial officers have helped stranded seafarers to return home from the Netherlands after they were trapped by travel restrictions.

  • News
  • 11 January 2021
International

Philippines suspends crew changes for seafarers travelling from 20 countries

According to the Philippines Port Authority (PPA) these new measures, which last until 15 January, have been suggested by the country’s National Task Force against Covid-19 in an attempt to prevent a more infectious strain of Covid-19 from entering the country.

  • News
  • 05 January 2021
Nautilus news

Union maintains member support during pandemic

Nautilus knows its members are key workers busy keeping ports open and trade and people moving during the global Covid-19 pandemic. That is why, wherever you are so are we. Our offices may once again be shut due to pandemic restrictions and staff working from home, but we remain vigilant to our members' needs. Our helplines remain open and our staff are on hand. Members can contact their Union official, seek legal support and access the full range of benefits via our contacts page.

  • News
  • 05 January 2021