Read the latest updates and how they apply to boating
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 Neyland 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 17th May
From 17th May, Wales will move to Covid alert level 2 allowing more businesses to reopen and a further relaxation of social interaction.
The new rules include:
When visiting the marina and using the facilities, please continue to follow social distancing, wear face coverings, and observing our on-site signage for the protection of our staff and your fellow berth holders.
Update 27th March
From Saturday 27th March, the ‘Stay at Home’ will end allowing unrestricted travel within the borders.
This allows berth holders who reside in Wales to visit their boats and stay onboard overnight. Organised outdoor sports, including sailing races, can restart and boaters are permitted to go sailing with six people from up to two households.
Travel from other parts of the UK is still restricted to essential purposes only. For berth holders reside outside of Wales, an update is expected from the Welsh Assembly on/before 12th April and we will update you as soon as the details are announced. In the meantime, our Haven Teams remain available 7 days a week to provide any additional checks on your boat on your behalf.
The Marina Office remains closed to customers until mid-April so please continue to communicate with us remotely where possible via telephone on 01646 601 601 or by email to neyland@yachthavens.com.
When visiting the marina and using the facilities, please continue to follow social distancing, wear face coverings, and observing our on-site signage for the protection of our staff and your fellow berth holders.
Update 13th March
From Saturday 13th March, the ‘Stay at Home’ message for Welsh residents is replaced by a ‘Stay Local’ message.
Within the new guidance, berth holders who live within 5 miles of the marina may travel to their boats providing they continue to follow strict social distancing measures.
For berth holders who live further away, please rest assured that our Haven Teams remain available 7 days a week to provide any additional checks on your boat on your behalf.
The RYA Wales have published this advice for leisure boaters and the Port of Milford Haven cancelled their 119/20 Notice to Mariners.
The Welsh Assembly have stated that further updates regarding the relaxation of measures will be announced in the coming weeks. We will publish these updates and how they relate to boating as soon as possible.
Update 21st December
The First Minister and the Welsh Assembly have announced that Wales will enter Tier 4 restrictions, the equivalent of a lockdown. This 'Very High Risk' alter level brings similar rules into force that were in place during the 'Firebreak' in the autumn.
Once again, we will be following the advice of the Welsh Government and RYA Wales, and we urge customers to do the same. This quick, handy guide shows what measures are applicable for each Tier. Furthermore, this update from Pembrokeshire CC confirms that, at the moment, checking on your second home, holiday home, or boat is not a 'reasonable excuse' for travel.
As essential workers, Yacht Haven staff will be on-site day and night as normal to take care of your boats. As always, we're contactable by telephone or email if there's something specific you'd like checked onboard on your behalf, and we're happy to follow up with a call and/or photos if requested.
At present, there is no 'end date' for these Tier 4 restrictions - the First Minister has said that a "strict set of criteria must be reached before restrictions are eased."
As mentioned, our Haven Team are here on-site 7 days a week to help support you in any way we can. We're sorry we can’t welcome you at reception with a warming glass and a mince pie as we usually do at this time of year, but rest assured the team will be on-site and on hand to help you as normal throughout the Christmas and New Year period.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas from all at the Yacht Haven
James Cotton
Marina Director
Update 10th November
We extend our thanks to all of you for following the Welsh Government’s Firebreak lockdown restrictions over the past few weeks.
Our Haven Team spent the lockdown conducting additional checks on the pontoons, fixing lines, pumping bilges, furling sails which had come loose, emailing photos to customers for additional peace of mind, and keeping a close eye on everything. Even under the current lesser restrictions, our team are here to help in any way we can, so please do not hesitate to call.
As of yesterday, 9th November, the Firebreak lockdown has finished and Wales has moved to a single set of rules for the entire country.
Travel and staying overnight
Welsh residents are now permitted to travel freely within Wales to stay in hotels, B&Bs, holiday homes and onboard boats. That being said, the Welsh Government are advising residents to ensure non-essential travel is kept to a minimum.
At this stage, berth holders who live in England are not permitted to travel to Wales unless it is essential. English residents must continue to follow the lockdown rules set by the government until early-December.
Outdoor activity
Sports and leisure facilities can reopen, meaning that boating is once again permitted.
Groups of up to 4 people are permitted to meet up outdoors, providing social distancing remains in place.
Please ensure you read all the rules relative to outdoor activity before taking to the water to ensure you are operating safely and within the current guidance.
Eating Out
Eateries are permitted to reopen and both Manillas and The Bar Restaurant have opened their doors once again.
Groups of 4 people can meet indoors at pubs, cafes and restaurants, but the 10pm curfew on alcohol sales remains in place.
Visiting the Yacht Haven
We continue to operate some unique rules to ensure the Yacht Haven goes beyond the advised set of guidelines to ensure a safe environment for our staff and our berth holders.
As mentioned, our Haven Team are here on-site 7 days a week 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. If you’re unable to visit your boat in person and would like us to check something specifically, do not hesitate to call us.
The full guidance from the Welsh Government can be read here.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
James Cotton
Marina Director
Update 20th October
Following yesterday’s announcement by the Welsh Government, we must all concentrate our efforts to protect our families, friends and communities as the spread of this pandemic increases across Wales.
We are following the advice from the Welsh Government and RYA Wales, and we urge all our customers to do the same.
From Friday evening, we will once again be battening down the hatches at Neyland Yacht Haven. As essential workers, a limited Haven Team will be on-site day and night to take care of your boats.
We will be out on the pontoons, checking lines and keeping an eye on everything. As always, if you would like us to check on something specific on your behalf, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can follow up with a call, email and/or photos if requested.
Please continue to communicate with us remotely. We are here to support you and take care of your boat during this second lockdown, and we want to do everything we can so you feel reassured that your boat remains safe in our care.
A Notice To Mariners has been issued by the Milford Haven Port Authority reiterating Government guidance which states we should "avoid activities that involve a significant degree of risk (for example swimming or other exercise at sea, or in lakes, rivers or other waterways)".
Boat lifting is still available at Dale Sailing providing boats are delivered to the hoist dock by Neyland Yacht Haven staff. The chandlery will be operating online only.
Further advice on the 'firebreak' lockdown can be read:
The new restrictions come into force at 6pm on Friday 23th October for a little over two weeks. New national rules will be introduced to take affect from Monday 9th November. We will keep you updated with how these new rules impact boating via email and through our COVID-19 website blog.
In the meantime, keep safe and we will see you soon.
James Cotton
Marina Director
Update 24th September
With Autumn upon us, getting on the water when the weather allows gains greater importance for our social, mental and physical well-being. If you are therefore visiting the Yacht Haven in the near future, there are several new laws that have come into effect that you need to be aware of.
Effective immediately, all visitors to the Marina Office and the site must complete a Track & Trace registration. This can be completed in three easy ways:
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 must now wear a face covering when using any indoor facility at the Yacht Haven including the washrooms, laundry and when visiting the Marina Office. For the protection of our staff and customers, this law also applies to all Yacht Haven staff.
We must all continue to comply with social distancing restrictions as well as measures specific to boating:
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.
We remain hopeful of a long Indian Summer and plenty more days on the water, and we wish you and your loved ones good health in the weeks to come.
James Cotton,
Marina Director
Update 14th September
In light of the Welsh Government’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. Children under 11 do not count in the tally of 6.
Organised team sports are exempt from this ‘rule of 6’. The RYA’s guidance, published on 10th 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.
Plan Ahead - Be Prepared
Pembrokeshire Tourism are encouraging Berth holders and marina visitors to Plan Ahead and Be Prepared when they take to the water or explore the region. For visitors to the area, Pembrokeshire Tourism have complied a useful Visitor Guide to help explain some of the unique changes to local services.
Furthermore, we'd like to take this opportunity to offer some advice and website links to ensure you Plan Ahead and Be Prepared:
Welcome Back
I’m delighted to welcome you back to Neyland Yacht Haven, following the further relaxation of restrictions which now allows us to welcome visitors back to the marina as well as overnight stays.
Our priority is keeping you, our berth holders and our team safe when you are staying with us, so we’ve been working hard to ensure we have comprehensive safety and cleaning measures in place, which you’ll notice when you visit.
Our diary is OPEN and, with a high demand for berths expected in the coming weeks, please book your visitor berth at Neyland Yacht Haven.
Come and enjoy a stay within the Pembrokeshire Coastal National Park, hire a bike, enjoy great food & drink at Manillas or The Bar Restaurant, or just relax in peace and tranquility onboard your boat.
Before you visit, please take a look at our Safe Boating guidelines and ensure you follow our few simple suggestions to improve your safety and the safety of others, and help everyone enjoy boating responsibly.
Easing Lockdown Restrictions
With the Welsh Government today announcing that we are moving to a new phase of lockdown restrictions, we want to pass on information about what this means for leisure boating.
Many previous restrictions still remain in place but we now have many key dates for when guidelines relative to boating will be eased. With that in mind, we are delighted to announce that restrictions on travel will be lifted on Monday 6th July and all berth holders will be able to resume boating.
These are the main points, relative to the marine/boating industry, as we enter a new phase of measures:
You can read the full Welsh Government guidelines here.
We are therefore delighted to be able to welcome all of you back to the Yacht Haven in the coming weeks. Thank your patience and adhering to the government advice of the past few months, and we sincerely hope you’ll be rewarded with a long, hot summer to enjoy!
With boating now firmly back on our agenda, please take a moment to read our new safe boating guidelines. Following a few simple suggestions will improve your safety and the safety of others so we can all enjoy boating responsibly.
In addition to these handy tips, we’ve also compiled some comprehensive guidelines to help you safely use the marina, and our facilities. Read our Guidelines.
We strongly advise you use your berth holder fobs rather than the numerical gate entry pads to avoid cross-contamination.
Looking forward to welcoming you back to your Yacht Haven!
James Cotton
Marina Director
Welcome back to boating
I would like to sincerely thank you all for adhering to government advice since the start of the lockdown, being patient and only visiting your boats for essential safety and security purposes.
Following last Friday's announcement from the Welsh Government, and clarification received today from the Milford Haven Port Authority, I am very pleased to confirm that from today many of you will be able to enjoy your boats out on the Milford Haven. All forms of water sports practiced on open waterways, including sailing and the use of privately owned motorised craft are now allowed, however this will apply to local residents only.
Many restrictions still remain within the current set of guidelines. You can read the government's latest announcement here, as well as the RYA Cyrmu's guidance here and MHPA's Notice To Mariners. We would like to draw your attention to these important facts relative to boating and visiting your boat:
Our Marina Reception is closed to the public but our Haven Team remain on duty as normal to provide assistance. Should you need to contact us, please call us on 01646 601601. Both toilet facilities are open for berth holders only.
We all appreciate how important it is for us all to stop the spread of Covid-19 and following a few simple suggestions will improve your safety and the safety of others and help everyone enjoy boating responsibly.
In addition to these handy tips, we’ve also compiled some comprehensive guidelines to help you safely use the marina, and our facilities.
The Bar Restaurant and Manillas remain closed, but various marine businesses are now operating once again. If you need any work doing to your boat, you can find contact details for various local businesses on our website.
We strongly advise you use your berth holder fobs rather than the numerical gate entry pads to avoid cross-contamination. But should you require it, this month's gate code is 1900.
Despite this first step in easing lockdown restrictions, we must all continue to 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 Haven!
James Cotton
Marina Director
The position of the Welsh Government with regards to lockdown restrictions has not changed with the next review period in three weeks time. The advice remains for you to stay at home, to adhere to social distancing instructions and to avoid all non-essential travel. A small number of adjustments has been made to the regulations including allowing people to exercise more than once a day, but people should stay local. This means any exercise should start and end at home and not involve going a significant distance from home.
In addition to the advice of the Welsh Government, we are following the guidance of RYA Cymru Wales and you can read their latest statement, dated 11th May 2020, here.
On particular paragraph to note from the RYA Cymru Wales statement reads:
RYA Cymru Wales understands that a number of boat owners live outside of Wales, and have been given guidelines they are allowed to travel any distance to exercise, however boats, clubs, marinas in Wales will be governed by Welsh law and that applies to all nationalities crossing the Welsh border. Therefore you are NOT permitted to visits boats, marinas or clubs in Wales.
We are making plans to ensure that our new working procedures are ready to go when restrictions are eased. In the meantime, the Notice to Mariners from the Port of Milford Haven which states that leisure boating is deemed as an unnecessary activity remains in place. You can read the Notice here.
Our Haven Teams and modern security systems remain in place to maintain safety and security and to take care of your boats. Our normal operating hours are continuing and we have taken steps to safeguard our staff by rolling out new operating practices and providing PPE to all employees. We are out on the pontoons every day, checking lines, fenders and sail covers and keeping an eye on everything.
Please continue to stay safe in these times and we very much look forward to welcoming you back in the not too distant future.
Keeping you and your boat safe
A sincere thank you to all of our berth holders and guests for adhering to government advice by not frequenting our marinas during the period of lockdown, and therefore helping to reduce social interaction and the risk of spreading the virus.
Government guidelines have classified marinas in the same way as holiday parks, caravan parks and mobile home sites. Travelling to these locations, and staying overnight in temporary residences, is not permitted. Please do not self-isolate onboard your boat or stay onboard overnight. You should stay in your primary residence.
As we face an extended lockdown into early-May, we are very aware how much we are all missing boating, even if it is just pottering around on your boats in the marina, checking batteries and dehumidifiers etc.
We want to reassure you, our Haven Teams and modern security systems remain in place to maintain safety and security across all of our sites and to take care of your boats. Our normal operating hours are continuing across all our locations but we have taken steps to safeguard our staff by rolling out new operating practices and providing PPE to all employees. We are out on the pontoons every day, checking lines, fenders and sail covers and keeping an eye on everything.
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.
Our Haven Teams are happy to undertake any checks of your boat and its systems on your behalf. This may include:
Please continue to communicate with us remotely, by phone and email. We are here to support you and take care of your boat.
Some of our resident marine businesses have changed their working practices to abide by Government guidelines. As a result, many of these marine services can help prepare your boat so it is ready for post-lockdown. Contact your marina office for their contact information.
We have no doubt that, in time, we will all be enjoying our freedom to go boating again. For the time being, we are setting up new safe practices and social distancing measures to help prepare for a safe return to boating as soon as restrictions are lifted.
Please continue to stay safe in these times and we very much look forward to welcoming you back in the not too distant future.