Important COVID-19 update

Update 3rd December

Seasons greetings to all

We continue to work hard at the marina to provide a relaxed and most importantly safe environment for you to unwind and enjoy, and we continue to adapt to the new regulations as best we can.

In response to the Government’s new rules to manage the spread of Covid and the Omicron variant, please be aware that we will be asking you to wear face masks in the communal areas and when visiting the marina reception.

All of our previous Covid precautions remain in place including:
• Provision of hand sanitising stations and Perspex screens in our offices.
• Continuing with our thorough toilet, shower, laundry and office cleaning regimes as well as interim wipe downs of frequently touched surfaces.
• We will continue to offer the NHS track and trace check-ins at the marina reception and each bridgehead.
• You may notice additional specific measures in place to continue to help prevent the spread of the virus; if so, please do co-operate with staff.

The safety and well-being of our berth holders, visitors and the team at Lymington Yacht Haven remain our utmost priority so please be considerate and aware of other berth holders and the team's requirement to stay safe.

We continue to ask that if you have tested positive you do not visit your boat or use the marina as a location to ‘self isolate’, we can carry out any required boat checks on your behalf.

We very much look forward to seeing everyone over the festive season and thank you all for working with us through 2021 to navigate our way through the ever changing regulations.

Update 19th July

From Monday 19th July the rules around Covid relax and we return to the normal we have all been waiting for.

We have worked hard at the marina to provide a relaxed and most importantly safe environment for you to unwind and enjoy, and we will continue to adapt to the new regulations as best we can.

The safety and well-being of our berth holders, visitors and the team at Lymington Yacht Haven is our utmost priority and as restrictions relax we need to continue keeping you and our team safe. The new guidance is encouraging people to take back their liberties gradually and people will ease out of lockdown at different paces, so please be considerate and aware of other berth holders and the team's requirement to stay safe.

We will not be requiring face coverings in indoor public areas, but many may still wish to wear them, and we will continue to encourage communications by remote channels and we will keep screens at our public receptions.

We will continue to offer the NHS track and trace check-ins at the marina reception and each bridgehead, along with providing hand sanitiser. We ask that if you have tested positive or someone you have been in close contact with has tested positive in the last 10 days you do not visit your boat or use the marina as a location to ‘self isolate’, we can carry out any required boat checks on your behalf.

We are all hugely looking forward to seeing everyone over the summer and must thank you all for working with us to navigate our way through the constantly changing regulations.

Update Spring 2021

Following the Prime Minister’s recent roadmap out of the current lockdown for England, we now have a clearer idea of what we can expect over the coming months and how this allows us all to begin planning our time on the water.

We encourage all berth holders to keep an eye on the latest Government guidance here, and we are pleased to share a summary of the roadmap:

8^th March – Step 1 – Stay at Home (or Stay Local for permitted activity) – Private boats can be used for sport or recreation by a single household (or support bubble); or with 1 other person where participants remain outside except to access toilets, for safety reasons or to navigate. Essential maintenance can be undertaken to ensure vessels are safe to use (seaworthy).

29^th March – Step 1 – Minimise Travel – Boat owners are permitted to perform general boat maintenance and privately owned boats can be used by groups of up to 6 people or 2 households, where participants remain outside except to access toilets, for safety reasons or to navigate.

12^th April – Step 2 – Minimise Travel – Overnight stays on boats will be permitted for single households (or support bubbles). The Haven Bar & Restaurant can reopen with an outdoor-only service, and non-essential shops can reopen.

17^th May – Step 3 – Minimise Travel – All privately owned boats can be used by groups of up to 6 people or 2 households both inside and outside, and overnight stays on boats will be permitted within the rule of 6 or 2 households. The Haven Bar & Restaurant can reopen their indoor social and dining areas.

No earlier than 21^st June – Step 4 – The Government hopes to lift all restrictions on social contact.

For the full guidance, please see these guides from the RYA, British Marine and The Yacht Harbour Association.

You can read more about the lifting of restrictions and the specific steps and criteria for England to move on to the next step at gov.uk/coronavirus.

Boatyard Services
We’re happy to remind you that our boatyard remains fully operational. If there’s any work you need doing in preparation for the season please do contact us or contact one of our many reputable tenants who should be able to help you – Take a look at the businesses listed on our online Marine Directory.

Thank you for your continued support through the most recent lockdown. We are all looking forward to a great summer of boating, more so than ever after a winter of confinement.

Update 5th January 2021

England enters new national lockdown

Following the Government announcement last night, the country will once again enter full lockdown at midnight tonight and so the Government have asked us to Stay at Home and only to go out for the reasons set out in law. You can find out more on the Government website.

A big thank you to all of you for helping us follow the changing Government guidance over these last few months and for supporting the marina team. We will continue to update our COVID news page with any significant updates from the Government and how we can best provide our services to you. If you’re checking online, our new website has useful local weather and tide information and webcams overlooking the marina, hoist dock and the Western Solent beyond.

As always, our Haven Team are on-site 24 hours a day to watch over your boat and help in any way we can.  Please do not hesitate to contact us if there’s something specific you’d like us to check on your boat on your behalf. Our team are happy to check dehumidifiers, check batteries, place extra lines or fenders on your boat, re-furl any loose sails and tow your boat to the hoist dock for your winter lift out.

Under current guidelines we are able to continue lifting and launching boats. If you have already booked your winter lift out or are expecting your boat to go back in during the coming weeks, this will go ahead as scheduled. We please ask you do not attend your boat lift or launch; we are on hand to tow or arrange a delivery so that you can continue to receive the service while remaining at home.

We will continue to keep the washroom facilities in the main building open, but we will take this opportunity to close the remote facilities on the pontoons and at the top of F/G bridgehead for their annual maintenance.

Please contact us by phone on 01590 677071 or email lymington@yachthavens.com. For extra peace of mind, we can even send you a video or photo of your boat. We are here to support you and take care of your boat during these restrictive times.

From the whole team and I, we wish you all a happy, but most importantly healthy, New Year, and thank you all again for your patience and loyalty. When it warms up a bit, we are very much looking forward to getting back out on the water and the great enjoyment we know that will bring us all.

Rupert Wagstaff
Marina Director

Update 30th December

New Forest moves to Tier 4

The New Forest area in which Lymington falls will move to Tier 4 (Stay at Home) restrictions from 31 December 2020.

See full Tier 4 guidance on the gov.uk website 

The Yacht Haven remains open with extra safety measures in place and, as always, our Haven Team are on-site 24 hours a day to watch over your boat and help in any way we can. We encourage you to read the Tier 4 restrictions thoroughly and, where possible, follow Government guidance to stay at home and avoid all non-essential travel.

Due to our local area restrictions The Haven Bar & Restaurant closed on Christmas Eve until further notice. 

Tier 4: Stay at Home

Tier 4 has many of the same restrictions that were in place during Autumn's lockdown in England. This is a short summary of the most important restrictions now in place in Tier 4 areas and how they impact boating:

• Residents in Tier 4 should stay at home to protect their families and communities. You must only leave home for exceptional reasons such as work or education. 
• Residents in Tier 4 must not leave their Tier 4 area. Similarly, those living under other levels of restrictions should avoid travelling to a Tier 4 area unless for exceptional reasons.
• You should not stay onboard your boat overnight unless it is your primary residence.
• You can meet a maximum of one other person from outside your household or support bubble, but in a public outdoor space only.
• You can read the full Tier 4 guidance on the gov.uk website .

We will share any further updates on our website and Facebook page.

If there's anything specific you'd like us to check on your behalf, please do not hesitate to call us on 01590 677071. As always, we're happy to follow up any checks with a phone call, email and photos of your boat.

We share your disappointment with stricter restrictions over the holiday period, but rest assured your boat remains safe in our care.

All of us at the Yacht Haven wish you and your families a very happy and healthy new year.

Update 23rd December

New Forest moves to Tier 3

From Boxing Day, the New Forest will be subject to Tier 3 measures under the Government’s COVID-19 restrictions.

As always, our Haven Team are on-hand 7 days a week to watch over your boat. If you are visiting the marina in the coming weeks, please take time to familiarize yourself with the latest government guidelines and how they apply to boating:

• All forms of recreational boating are permitted within the legal limits for meeting others.
• For those living in Tier 1-3 restrictions, you are allowed to socialise in groups of up to 6 people from different households, but only in outdoor settings.
• You should avoid staying onboard overnight if possible.
• If you live in a Tier 1 or Tier 2 area, you should minimise your travel and follow your local restrictions from your home Tier at all times.
• If you live in a Tier 4 region, you should not leave your area except for exceptional circumstances.

Before deciding whether or not to visit your boat at Lymington Yacht Haven, please take the time to read the full guidance from the RYA and to decide whether or not is it appropriate for you to travel.

The Haven Bar & Restaurant will be closed from Christmas Eve until further notice.

If you have a new cough, feel unwell or have lost your sense of taste or smell, please do not visit the Yacht Haven. Follow government advice to quarantine and seek a Covid-19 test.

Please remember to wear face coverings in all indoor areas around the Yacht Haven, and complete the NHS Track & Trace registrations found on-site.

Please continue to communicate with us remotely wherever possible by calling us on 01590 677071or by email to lymington@yachthavens.com.

Update 1st December

ENTERING TIER 2

Dear Berth Holders,

From Wednesday 2nd December, Lymington will be subject to Tier 2 measures under the Government's new COVID-19 restrictions.

As always, our Haven Team are on-hand 24/7 to watch over your boat. If you are visiting the marina in the coming weeks, please take time to familiarize yourself with the latest government guidelines and how they apply to boating:

• All forms of recreational boating are permitted.
• You are allowed to socialise in groups of up to 6 people from different households in outdoor settings.
• You can stay onboard if it is with those in your household or support bubbles.
• If you live in a Tier 3 area you must continue to abide by your local Tier 3 restrictions even when travelling to other areas and the advice is that you should not stay overnight somewhere outside of your local area.
• Read the full guidance from the RYA
• Further restrictions apply at food & drink outlets. Read the guidance from The Haven Bar & Restaurant.

Please remember to wear face coverings in all indoor areas around the Yacht Haven, and complete the NHS Track & Trace registrations found on-site.

We reassure you our helpful Haven Team are on-site 24/7 to support you in any way we can as well as being on the pontoons, checking lines and keeping an eye on everything. Rest assured, your boat remains safe in our care.

Please continue to communicate with us remotely wherever possible by calling us on 01590 677071 or by email to lymington@yachthavens.com.

Update 6th November

RULES FOR NOVEMBER LOCKDOWN

Thank you for your patience while we awaited guidance from the Government and marine trade associations to try and understand what restrictions are in place for this November lockdown and how they effect us all.

Going boating for exercise
Sport England have confirmed that boaters in England can continue to exercise on the open waterways (which includes coastal waters), for example, canoeing, paddle boarding, fishing, sailing and the use of privately owned motorised craft so long as you’re doing so:

• on your own,
• with the people you live with
• with your support bubble
• Or on your own and with one person from another household.

There’s no limit on the amount of time spent exercising outdoors, or the amount of times per day you exercise outdoors.

Organised races through the local yacht clubs are not permitted to go ahead.

Our Haven Team will remain on-site 24/7
The Yacht Haven will remain open and our Haven Team are here to provide any additional checks on your boat that you might need during this lockdown. Our teams are on-site 24/7 and we are happy to follow up any checks with an email or photos for complete peace of mind.

Boatyard Operations
Our boatyard operations can continue and this includes boat lifting/launching, mast steps and other jobs. Our wide range of on site businesses are continuing their operations and can provide additional support if you’re unable to attend your boat in person, or help prepare your boat for lifting.

Staying Onboard Overnight
You are not permitted to stay onboard your boat or away from your home residence. Furthermore, please do not use the marina as a place to self-isolate as this puts our staff and others at risk. Please stay at home and follow the guidance accordingly.

Marine Businesses On-Site
On site businesses at Lymington Yacht Haven are also continuing their operations and if you have work booked in with any marine trade company, or you need work undertaking this month, we encourage you to contact them directly to understand if they have any limitations or restrictions. Nick Cox Chandlery is open from 9am until 1pm for convenience items and Click & Collect is available for boating items.

The Haven Bar & Restaurant
The Haven Bar & Restaurant closed yesterday with the hope of reopening in early December once permitted.

As mentioned, our Haven Team are here on-site 24/7 to help support you in any way we can. We will be maintaining security and taking care of your boats, as well as being on the pontoons, checking lines and keeping an eye on everything. Rest assured, your boat remains safe in our care.

Please continue to communicate with us remotely wherever possible by calling us on 01590 677071 or by email to lymington@yachthavens.com.

All the best,

Rupert Wagstaff,
Marina Director

Updated 3rd November

NEW LOCKDOWN RULES FROM 5th NOVEMBER

As you will no doubt be aware, new restrictions will come into effect from 00:01 on Thursday 5th November.
As always, safety is paramount and our top priority is to ensure our Yacht Haven is a safe environment for you, your boat, our visitors and our staff.

At this time we can remain open and we will continue with all our boatyard operations. The Haven Bar will sadly once again have to close its doors with the final sitting being on Wednesday evening.

We are seeking further guidance on how the new restrictions will affect the Yacht Haven and you, in terms of visiting your boat. This is unlikely to become clear until after legislation has been through Parliament this week. However, it is clear that no overnight stays will be allowed on boats from Thursday. If your boat is due to be lifted ashore over lockdown I would encourage you to take the opportunity this week to carry out any preparations, such as removing headsails. If you are unable to visit your boat, rest assured the team will be here to help.

The team will remain on-site 7 days a week to keep a watchful eye on your boat. We are closely monitoring Government guidance and liaising with British Marine, TYHA, RYA and Lymington Harbour Commissioners. We will update you by email as soon as possible.

As soon as we have more information we will be in touch. But of course, in the meantime, if there’s anything you need us to check on your behalf, don’t hesitate to ask us. We're happy to follow up with a call and, if requested, photos.

In the meantime, keep safe and we will see you soon.

Rupert Wagstaff,
Director, Lymington Yacht Haven

Update 24th September

With autumn upon us, getting out on the water on those calm, cooler days feels even more special. If you are visiting your Yacht Haven, there are several new laws that have come into effect that you should be aware of.

All visitors to the Marina Office must complete a Track & Trace registration. This can be completed in two easy ways:

1. Download the NHS COVID-10 Contact Tracing App and scan the unique QR code to ‘check in’ which we display at the Marina Office and around our site.
2. Complete a handwritten form found at the Marina Office. Data that we collect will be stored securely for a minimum of 21 days and shared with NHS Track & Trace if requested.

If you are visiting as part of a group, we only require one person to complete the Track & Trace process.

In addition to these new tracing laws, all visitors should wear a face covering when using any indoor facility at the Yacht Haven including the washrooms, laundry and when visiting the Marina Office.

We must all continue to comply with social distancing restrictions as well as measures specific to boating:

• Maintaining a 2m distance with others at all times
• Only go boating with a maximum of 6 persons, unless in exceptions as explained in this RYA guidance published on 10th September.
• If you have a new cough, feel unwell or have lost your sense of taste or smell, please do not visit the Yacht Haven. Follow government advice to quarantine and seek a Covid-19 test.
• Please wash your hands thoroughly, use our hand santizer stations on-site, and maintain high levels of hygiene at all times.

There are various changes to services at The Haven Bar & Restaurant including a new 10pm closing time. You can read more about their new opening hours and safety measures here.

Please remember, if you would like us to check anything on your boat then do not hesitate to ask us, we can follow up all checks with a phone call and photos, if requested.

All the very best.

Rupert Wagstaff,
Marina Director

Update 14th September

In light of the Prime Minister’s announcement on 9th September, there are new rules regarding social interactions that impact boating and berth holders visiting their boats.

Social gatherings of more than six people are not allowed in law. The new rule applies to indoor and outdoor settings. One exception to this ‘rule of 6’ is if your household contains more than 6 people.

Organised team sports are exempt from this ‘rule of 6’. The RYA’s guidance, published on 10^th September, states that club on-water activities constitute as an organized team sport and, thus, the ‘rule of 6’ does not apply.

We are seeking guidance on how this ‘rule of 6’ applies to general leisure boating.

If you have a new cough, feel unwell or have lost your sense of taste or smell, please do not visit the Yacht Haven. Follow government advice to quarantine and seek a Covid-19 test.

We must all take responsibility to help stop the spread of Covid-19 by following these rules. Please wash your hands thoroughly, use our hand santizer stations on-site, uphold social distancing with others and maintain high levels of hygiene at all times.

Boating still remains firmly on the agenda and, following the shortened season, we share your desire to make the most of boating while the weather is mild, while hoping for a long Indian Summer.

Updated 24th June 2020 

Updated 18th June 2020

As the UK is slowly easing its way out of lockdown, we’re hopeful that soon there will be a further easing of restrictions on overnight stays. For now, we're doing as much as we can to navigate the new guidelines and operate a safe environment for you to enjoy your boating.

In anticipation of the proposed re-opening of hospitality venues, we’re excited to share plans for The Haven Bar & Restaurant to re-open its doors from Saturday 4th July, subject to Government confirmation.

To get things off to a safe start, they’ll be limiting their capacity and are therefore anticipating a high demand, so pre-booking will be essential. While the team is busy preparing and adapting everything for a safe re-opening, they've opened up bookings from Saturday 4th July onwards.

For more information or to book a table, visit The Haven website

In addition to the proposed reopening, The Haven are launching a new HAVEN TO-GO service from 1st July 2020, with fresh favourites from The Haven served up in environmentally-friendly, compostable boxes sealed in a recyclable paper bag for you to collect and enjoy on the go, onboard or at home.

Keep an eye on their social feeds and website, where they’ll be announcing a new takeaway menu and everything you need to know to order a HAVEN TO-GO very soon!

Marina Services

Our Fuel Station is open as normal, simply call us on 01590 677071 or VHF CH 80 on your approach and a member of the Team will come and serve you, from a safe distance.

All boatyard services are now up and running with availability for lifting, launching, and our special Summer Scrubs, from just £14 per metre.

Safe Boating

Before visiting your boat, please remind yourself and your fellow crew of our 'Safe Boating' advice to help ensure everyone remains safe and respects social distancing at the Yacht Haven.

Updated 14th May

In addition to our 'Safe Boating with Yacht Havens' advice published on 13th May (which you can read further below on this page), we're pleased to provide further guidance to berth holders to help you visit the Yacht Haven and go boating with confidence.

Our boat lifting operations have resumed and we are working through the backlog of boats that were due to be launched and lifted last month. If you’d like to discuss being lifted out or being launched off, please call us on 01590 677071 or email sarah@lymingtonyachthaven.com

Just being back out on the water is going to be a great relief to many of us and a perfect tonic for this period of lockdown, but we must all play within the rules and have thoughts for the frontline workers who are still battling this virus.

Please continue to stay alert and follow all the advice from the government and from our Haven Team on-site.

Looking forward to welcoming you back to your Yacht Heaven!

Rupert Wagstaff 
Marina Director

Updated 11th May 2020

We welcomed the Prime Minister's announcement last night during which he stated that from this Wednesday, 13th May 2020, unlimited outdoor activity will be permitted in England. We understand that this will include a return to water sports.

Many measures that the Government have previously announced are still in force and this includes staying at home as much as possible, maintaining social distancing, and continuing to adhere to high levels of hygiene. The major change that is of particular interest to us all is the change in restrictions to outdoor activity allowing the potential for boating to resume.

From Wednesday, we will be very happy to welcome you back to the marina to visit your boat. Over the past few weeks we have been working hard to prepare our Yacht Haven for a controlled reopening. However, we are not yet clear on whether the government and statutory harbour authorities will allow you to head out onto The Solent, and, if we are allowed, what restrictions there might be in place.

Together with the British Ports Association, the RYA and British Marine, we will review the detailed Government guidance due to be published later today (11th May) together with the further guidance to keep employees safe in the workplace, which we understand will be published tomorrow (12th May). The guidance is expected to contain a level of detail that will enable us to validate our planned procedures and consider whether any additional safeguards are needed

Please bear with us during this transitional period as it is important that we do make sure that we are doing everything we can to keep our customers and staff safe. Further updates will follow in the next few days.

Rupert Wagstaff
Marina Director