Sailors head back to the water as COVID-19 lockdown is eased

Boating is slowly returning to parts of the UK as coronavirus restrictions are gradually eased two months after lockdown.

As PBO went to press (1 June), sailors in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland were allowed to go day sailing, although no overnight stays on board were allowed unless the vessel was the owner’s permanent residence.

In Northern Ireland, it was recommended day sails should be limited to a maximum of four hours, and skippers should keep Belfast Coastguard informed of vessel movements.

In Wales, only those with direct access to their boats within a five mile radius of home were